ARCADE SESSION: REBOOTED

[victorianflorist]

Sure!

[Ignispark]

Yes! Strategy is important. And collaborating with someone with dinosaurs is also always the right answer.

[knux400]

Trinket says yes to the call, would your player be okay with letting PKL in as well? Maybe we could get an alliance going.
Well, my player says group calls aren't really a thing...
But either y'all or us can pass on stuff later.
Alliances are fine by us, long as people are proven trustworthy.
Oh, okay! Trinket says PKL is nice, he's the one taking care of her other TCP right now. She's actually in a call with PKL right now!
We'll call you once you finish up that call, then!

"Hey Pickle?"
"-buh! Yeah?"

Sounds like you startled him a bit.

"I'm getting a call from another player, so I'm going to have to let you go, okay?"
"Gotcha! Echo's still asleep, by the way. ...In case you were wondering."
"I kinda was, thank you. Didn't want to be rude about it or anything."
"Alright, see ya then! Who are you talking to, by the way?"
"Uhhh... Well, it's definitely not MRM, so either CRC or the three question marks person. I'll let you know in a bit. We were thinking of forming an alliance if that's okay with you?"
"S-sure! It's just, the question marks guy and CRC were both a bit rude to me when I asked them for help, so...
...But if you're okay with it then I'm okay with it!"
 

Meanwhile, Hank, Ihu, and Clemont are sort of just standing there. Clemont is shifting his pitchfork from side to side, Ihu is fiddling with their spear, and Hank is folding and unfolding their palm in some kind of stimmy fashion.

[Ignispark]

Note that it's probably a good idea to go ahead and team up with the person, even if they were rude. There could be a lot of reasons for that and regardless, we've gotten info that they have a pre-existing grudge against MRM. They might have some insight into what kinds of dangers might come up.

Then, finish up the call and get the next call started to take the midnight express train to alliance city.

[victorianflorist]

Hank, ask Clemont what he means by dinos while we talk to this new person.

[knux400]

"It should be fine, Pickle. There's a lot of reasons they might've been acting that way, and besides, they seem to have a grudge against MRM. They could even have a bit of insight into what they're up to."
"...If you say so! Just let me know what the plan is once you're done talking, please."
"Of course! See you in a bit. Thanks again for taking care of Echo."
"Yeah, no problem! See ya!"
 

An icon flashes on your screen briefly, signifying that the call has ended. You decide to let Hank know you're off the phone and this mystery person can call you whenever they're ready.

Hey Hank, let Clemont know their player can call me whenever they're ready. Oh, and uh... what did Clemont mean by dinos exactly?
Trinket says she's done, and your player can call whenever they're ready.
Alrighty! They'll call you right away!
By the way, uh... Trinket wants to know more about your dinos if that's okay?
Oh, my dinos are my pride and joy- I've got three of 'em and they're just babies but I'm going to raise them up right.

As they're talking, a call comes in from ???. You accept it, and are greeted by a new face.
 

You quickly switch back to your view of Hank, keeping an eye on his conversation with Clemont. It's tough to concentrate on two different conversations at once, but you're managing it.

"Let's make this quick. Your TCP's in trouble, and we need to go handle that situation."

"I'm not interested in small talk or making friends. So tell me what I need to know."

[victorianflorist]

Our Bat-type, Echo, got injured by MRM's actions and is sheltering in PKL's base.

[aeshihowl]

We're looking to form an alliance to put down MRM; they've hurt one of our TCPs and are likely looking to hurt more cats. We've got PKL's assistance as well as some kobold buddies right now. We haven't spoken with CRC yet.

The only things we know about MRM's TCP are: they are green wearing camouflage, they can create an obscuring bubble, and they have a ranged weapon. We need to figure out where MRM's base is, what their TCP is, and what kind of stuff they've been working on.

[Ignispark]

Our Bat-type, Echo, got injured by MRM's actions and is sheltering in PKL's base.

Continuing this. IIRC: Specific details Echo's injuries are a shot wing/fluid loss and water mixing, currently being treated. TCP in question appears to be a weapon type, likely some sort of long range beam cannon or rifle. It is green and has some sort of armor which interferes with interaction and vision by players in the vicinity. Capable of tracking a wounded TCP. There is also an unaccounted for flying fauna, which was likely also made by MRM which is purple and has batlike wings.

Other relevant tactical data to consider mentioning: Camera/sensor/turret system at base, the locomotive?, the Golem currently located a bit up, the other kobolds, the presence of another npc group mole people somewhere unaccounted for.

[knux400]

"Okay, so... Our bat type, Echo, got shot by one of MRM's TCPs. She's sheltering in PKL's base right now. So we're looking to form an alliance to put down MRM; they've hurt one of our TCPs and are likely looking to hurt more cats. We've got PKL's assistance as well as some kobold buddies right now. We haven't spoken with CRC yet.

The only things we know about MRM's TCP are: they are green wearing camouflage, they can create an obscuring bubble, and they have a ranged weapon. We need to figure out where MRM's base is, what their TCP is, and what kind of stuff they've been working on.

Specific details Echo's injuries are a shot wing/fluid loss and water mixing, currently being treated. TCP in question appears to be a weapon type, likely some sort of long range beam cannon or rifle. It is green and has some sort of armor which interferes with interaction and vision by players in the vicinity. Capable of tracking a wounded TCP. There is also an unaccounted for flying fauna, which was likely also made by MRM which is purple and has batlike wings.

We've also got a security camera system at our base as well as a set of train tracks centered on us. We also left a golem a bit further behind, it couldn't fit through the cave opening. And we created mole people... somewhere. Haven't run into them yet."
"...hm.

Understood. MRM is not to be toyed with, so we're going to have to think strategically here. Clemont is physically pretty strong and bulky, but his pitchfork isn't going to do much against a ranged weapon, let alone a beam cannon."

They pause.

"Could be railgun, or plasma rifle. Both are pretty nasty, and can blow through TCPs cleanly and efficently. Only real drawback to them is the nasty health cost for firing. Our best shots at taking something like that out are disabling or removing the weapon itself, making it use so many shots that its health drains out.

I'm going to make Clemont a shield that can absorb blasts, probably at the cost of health- a gradual drain if possible, versus damage chunks. Doing that will allow us to make this TCP waste shots while still giving the impression of doing damage, without any actual wounds. MRM isn't stupid, so she'll very likely catch on quick- but she's headstrong, and might go for it anyway. She doesn't care about the livelihood of her TCPs at all in my experience, so it's decent bait.

...however, I have no idea what to do about your ...sticker type? Logically, you wouldn't risk him being in a fight at all. He'd get killed on sight."
"I'll... figure something out, I guess. For right now at least, he's my only option for getting Echo home safe, and he seems willing to help.

...it's a puffy sticker type, by the way."
"Puffy sticker. My bad."

They sound legitimately apologetic, but it quickly fades.

"If you're going to insist on putting a defenseless TCP in danger, you're going to want to consider a strategy that doesn't involve direct violence. Your priority is getting Echo home safe, so...maybe Clemont could keep the MRM's TCP busy while your TCP makes a break for it and tries to bring Echo home-"

They pause again, sounding somewhat flustered this time.

"...sorry, I really should have asked for puffy sticker type's name. I'm usually better about that."
"It's Hank, but don't worry about it!"

"I mean... I wouldn't say I'm insisting on it, it's just that they're my only other TCP and I'm not sure I can wait until Echo's well enough to make the trip herself. I agree with you about Hank being in a fight, which is why I'm trying to gather as much help as I can. I think it would be best if Pick-uh, PKL made Echo a gurney or something that Hank could push, while Ihu and Clemont escort him. MRM's TCP took quite a few shots at Echo already, so hopefully it'll still be resting, but... I don't know. We'll figure it out."

"If we can get a cover on that gurney that can potentially shield blasts, even better. Not sure of a material that could do that, though... How much would you say MRM knows about your strategy? ...what is your strategy?"

Clemont starts to walk and talk, clearly heading back for his base, with Hank and Ihu following along. Him and Hank are still talking about the dinos. You're tuning it out for now, but it might be good to go back and look at later.
 

Show Content

CHAT LOGOh, that sounds nice! I don't think you can raise them that high though since we're in a cave and all.
My bad- I mean raise as in helping them grow up!
Helping them do what now?
Well, some creatures start out little, and get bigger over time! They get older and stronger and can generally do more.
...Huh. How do you go about doing that?
Well, I just make sure they're safe and get plenty to eat- us TCPs don't grow the same way, and don't need food or anything...but our minds still grow!
Weird...

[Ignispark]

Unsure how much is known about the defenses around the base. If the fauna had a camera attached or there's been silent recon between the spurts of action, she might have an idea of some the security currently in place, as well as the placement of things like the rails.

It seems that the current impression made has been 'pacifist schmuck who talks too much and has no idea how to do strategy in the slightest', though that could have just been to mock us or to lower our guard. If it's true though, perhaps we have a one time edge to catch MRM off guard.

Probably the biggest semblances of strategy, if you could call it that involves the usage of non-TCP assistance like a turret, the golem, a now-deceased guardian bat to keep TCPs out of the line of fire some, with less success than hoped. Also, there has been coordinating with the kobolds. Strategy overall could probably use some work, to be honest. Avoidance won't hold forever, after all.

[knux400]

Hank stays silent for now, thinking about what Clemont said. Ihu is humming some kind of tune. Meanwhile, you and the question marks person are still talking tactics.
 

"I'm unsure how much she knows about the defenses around my base. If the fauna had a camera attached or there's been silent recon between the spurts of action, she might have an idea of some the security currently in place, as well as the placement of things like the rails.

It seems that the current impression made has been 'pacifist schmuck who talks too much and has no idea how to do strategy in the slightest', though that could have just been to mock us or to lower our guard. If it's true though, perhaps we have a one time edge to blindside MRM.

Probably the biggest semblances of strategy, if you could call it that, involves the usage of non-TCP assistance like a turret, the golem, a now-deceased guardian bat to keep TCPs out of the line of fire some, with less success than I'd hoped. Also, there has been coordinating with the kobolds. Strategy overall could probably use some work, to be honest. Avoidance won't hold forever, after all."
"The kobolds are valuable allies, but we want to avoid asking them to potentially die for us as much as possible. They may appear to be constructs of the game, but they are still living things."

They pause, taking all this in.

"We can't guarantee that's what MRM thinks of you, but we can try to- carefully- play into it. If you stay nonviolent during this encounter, we have a solid shot at maintaining that...and Clemont can try to keep the other TCP busy with his shield. If possible, I'd like to try and get some of our stun bombs going. Clemont isn't very good at throwing them yet, but if we can knock out the TCP firing blasts, we can potentially take them onto our side and try to turn them away from MRM. I want to keep things as nonlethal as possible."
"Got it. Do you think Clemont could teach Hank or Ihu how to use those? Hank could probably learn if it's relatively simple, but I'm not sure about Ihu."
"Give the kobolds some credit. Clemont's on good terms with them, so we can definitely try."
"Fair enough. Tamaru was able to learn an entire video game in about five minutes, so..."
"As for Hank...worth a shot too, though we want him to focus on getting Echo out of there."
"Um, by the way, what should I, like, call you? You've just got some question marks for a name."
"Six."
"wait, so why didn't you just put- nevermind. Six. Got it. Anyway, my main goal is to get Echo and head home- I don't want to go too far out of my way to try and get MRM's TCP on our side, but if I can, I will. I'm honestly hoping we don't see her at all."
"That'd be best...though we'll probably go after her ourselves when possible. Also-" Their voice grew stern. "If we're going to work together, I have a no lethality rule. A rule. You only kill if there's no other option to keep your TCPs safe, and I mean no other option. Break it, and I'll consider you an enemy. Do I make myself clear?"

[Ignispark]

Agreed, that's one of the most important rules there is. In other words, you're crystal clear.

[King-Clod]

You've made yourself clear. I agree. I'm honestly relieved that you have a rule like that.

[knux400]

(Quick post to let everyone know that the images have all been fixed and I will be hosting them on the forums themselves from now on rather than on Discord. Thank you all for your patience in the face of my seemingly endless capacity for procrastination!)