That was the post that made me groan as I started reading the first Spawn.

I'm currently doing roles now. I hope to have initial PMs out in an hour or so.

Being the captain was a lot of fun, but I just don't have the time for a spawn game.

Poli, any advice for future Captains?

damn, there goes the neighborhood

Actually I informed Lathum that we're all spellists around here and so he decided not to move in after all... Kinda. Sorta.

You don't want my advise from when I was captain?

Fire it out there if you want, although I don't think your intentions were all that noble :)

I am sending out roles now and I will then post an introduction post and open the game thread. Night 0 will begin, requiring an action from the Captain, but otherwise being open for people to get a feel for roles and such before D1 begins tomorrow.

Idiotic. Stupid. Deranged. All of those words, and more, have been used to describe this mission. Both by you, by your superiors, and by the public. But with humans now spread throughout the galaxy the idea of planets being cut off from each other is not one that is appealing at all. Without intergalactic travel, people will die. The quality of life will go down. The entire fleet will be out of jobs. It’s bad news all around. So getting Cyrstlium is a must. Where the first two missions were failure, this one cannot afford to be. If the fleet could they would send a whole fleet of ships to the planet. But there simply isn’t enough Crystlium to do it. And so it is this fleet that is stuck making the journey.

The time in space has been productive, if tense. The odds aren’t good. But you are all as prepared as you can be. And now, soon, you will be making contact on the planet. And for the first, but certainly not last, time the crew looks to Alan T, your Captain, for guidance. You have two choices. You may enter where atmospheric conditions make it likely that your ship will not sustain much damage, but which scans show to have high levels of spawn activity, or you may enter where the atmosphere will not treat your ship well, but where there has been little sign of Spawn life.

It is now Night 0. Alan should PM his decision to me and Day 1 will start tomorrow morning. Please feel free to ask questions about your role or the rules.

Game is now open.

Am I not in the game?

Galley Master Schmidty McSchmistalot reporting for duty!!! Don't be touching me food nor me water, yeh scurvey space blighters!!

Sounds like a dare to me :P

IIRC, you said you would only play Cathedral.

MEDIC!

It would've been better if I'd found a sound clip.

Originally, that is what I said. But then I changed my mind, and I expected to be in the game. That's ok, I don't mind sitting this one out.

This is indeed what you said.

My bad. Your second message was:


And since we had 23 we didn't run short on numbers. Will you be an alternate though?

Again my apologies.

I will gladly be an alternate, apologies not necessary - my fault for not being clearer.

My brief comments based on my experience last spawn game:

- At least one of the officers previously started off as a spawn in Spawn2. In that game it was the ensign. It might be a completely different officer this game (or none at all). It was a huge advantage for the spawn in the previous game when I (as a spawn that game) was able to become captain. I personally would feel alot better if I knew that my officers were not spawn. Each of the officers have very important duties that in the hand of a spawn would be pretty bad.

- As long as I can feel pretty confident that my officers are not spawn, I don't have any real plans to override any of their commands and plan to allow them to make their own choices on how to direct things.

- If I remember right some areas of the ship were more important to fix in the early days than other areas. We can wait on repairing the engines for now until we get closer to our needed goal for crystlium. The sleeping quarters also aren't a huge priority to fix but they become a bit more important later once the security system is running well. I'm not worried about the water plant being fixed just yet in day 1 or so, as we have plenty of water we need to use up anyways or we lose. I think Schmidty (and others who want to help) should probably work on figuring out the best way to use the water as it might be something usable to locate spawn later on. At some point we'll need water though.

If I remember right, it got ugly when the slaves pen wasn't fixed and the slaves busted out. If I remember right, last game Kwhit ended up just killing all of the slaves because they became unamanagable. We'll need to make a decision at some point if our time is better spent fixing any damage there vs just outright killing off the slaves.

The two most important areas to repair at the start in my opinion is the security headquarters and the cargo hold. We can't even start on our mission until the cargo hold is repaired, and the security HQ needs to be functional or we'll be sitting ducks for alot of this mission.


Finally my last thought for now is more a question.. Any thoughts on where I should land us? Higher risk/reward where we take less damage but have more spawns to contend with.. or Less risk/reward where we have less spawn but less crystlium?

Also a special P.S.. I remember last game I think it was Sackattack who signed up to play but didn't end up on the game list... He ended up with a special role later in the game. It didn't matter that much since he wasn't votable for execution, but I wouldn't be suprised to see someone like Lathum or St.Cronin turn up in that role again this game.

slave master checking in

BK, lathum does not appear on the roster...was he too late.

captain t, sir, it would be my personal preference to land in the less spawn infested area, despite the probability of more damage to the ship...damage can be fixed, sir, spawn infestation, not so much.

Ultimately it's a question of whether we want a longer game -- more repair cycles meaning we're stuck on the ground longer -- or a shorter, but more risky game, giving the wolves less time to do their special wolf magic on us. I'd lean towards the former but I can understand wanting to go for the risk/reward too.

barkeep, question about the slaves....can they be used to work on damaged parts of the ship, or are they only for away teams...if they can work on the ship, do i have to be in the same place as them?

Geeky ol' scientist checkin' in - I look forward to helping where I can!

Engineer checking in.

I'm going to have to re-read this stuff a TON, but I'm here to help!

Second Officer RendeR Reporting for duty SIR!

I say Balls to the wall Cap, Set us down well clear of those bloody beasties. We can fix the hull, She'll hold together!

Slaves are only good for away missions.

im a prviate, i guess that is vanilla villegar! i m gonna be busy tonight (despite a rainout in softball with not a could in the sky) and I have an MRI o'n my ankle at 1015 tommorow! but ill be well an hoed!

ALANT i would say to hell with the spawn, but i didnt play the last game so i have no idea what im talking about!

Sargent at Arms checking in!

My head is about to explode from reading the rules/roles...I'll be checking in throughout the evening and will be around in the morning as well.

Ensign checking in.

Engineer here and am really excited to see how this game plays out after how much I've heard about the Spawn games.

Private Chubby checking in.

I'm very excited about the role of Security Chief - I didn't request it, so I consider it a pretty lucky bonus.

In terms of landing, I'm fine with either. We don't have an idea of the relative amount of spawn vs crystlium, so I don't feel like I have enough information to make an educated guess.

Is there anyone who wants to do anything besides mine crys during tomorrow's away mission? If we are doing that, then I would suggest a max team if we land away from spawn and (potentially) a smaller team if we choose a target-rich (spawn + crys) environment.

As far as a member of the command being spawn, I know that I'm not starting off as one but I'm not sure how much that means. The last game didn't have any spawn during the first day and there isn't anything in the rules suggesting if we start with spawn or if we get infected early on in the process.

Really excited about getting this going.

I think I'd prefer landing away from the high Spawn activity. That will give us time to ease into the game a bit for the newcomers. I feel like that choice will lead to a slower start to the game and give us time to assess and evaluate each other.

Also, from previous games, I assume no one is a Spawn yet (since we haven't landed).

Captain Alan, I hope that you play a little more nicely with the crew at large this time than you did in that unfortunate draft experience. I would hate to see yet another captain exit by way of mutiny in a spawn game :)

I was thinking about that as well, since all I know is my role, not necessarily my allegiance. My hunch was that we're all good at this point.

a freakin private! wtf!! i wanted to probe people :(

Dammit Alan, I'm a doctor, not a miracle worker!

But I think it's a pretty darn good idea to check the officers first.

Aye, matey. Dole out the punishment. There be spawn 'mongst the crew.

Maybe I was confused. I thought I was captain in barkeep's spawn game, maybe I'm thinking of a different one.

The way I feel about this crew is that it is just way too large for me to micromanage. Like I said before, I am hoping the doctors and others with various abilities to do so will be able to help me feel comfortable about the other officers. As long as I can feel comfortable that the officers remain uninfected, I think it is important to delegate out various pieces of duty.

It seems like the crew breaks down into groups fairly easily, so likely many pieces will take coordination between various people in order for us to achieve our goals.. Some of the breakdowns seem to go as:

First Officer - Responsible for our missions and the overall success. We will need away teams to mine as well as possibly exploration.
I think key members that will be assisting the First officer with alot of these goals will be the Ensign who will likely be leading an away team at times, the Scientist as they help give a bonus to away teams, and Privates as we can use the additional help on away teams.

Second Officer - Kind of like our ship's HR. Unfortunately death will happen on this ship but the various jobs and functions are still needed. This officer will have to use their best judgement on trusted individuals to place into new key positions. The Trainer also will be helping with this task as well.

Security Chief- Obviously the SC is key to our survival. Probably the most important area of the ship to repair at the start is the security HQ, and likewise having a Sec Chief that we can trust is the best way to hold the spawn at bay. Galley Master, Warden, Seargent-at-Arms, Security Crewmen all will be helping in various ways with that. The Slavemaster is also under the security chief, but I seemed to remember him being more useful on away missions with his slaves in the previous game. Someone refresh my memory if I am wrong on that.

Chief Engineer - pretty self explanatory. We need the ship repaired or we lose our mission. The Engineers will likely want to coordinate some how with the Chief as there are bonuses for working together.

Captain - I might have the easiest job, but also the riskiest to allow a spawn to get into. I think that I (and all of us to some extent) should give some leeway for the other officers and crew members to perform their functions at their best discretion, so I don't plan on being too heavy handed. I think it is important that the crew have their ability to make their own decisions as that also might be helpful in figuring out who might already be infected as well. I will primarily be leaning on the Doctors to help us fight off the spawn infections and the Medic to help heal up those that may get injured.


I'm mainly going over various functions now as it probably is the only time in the game that everyone will be able to fully trust me. (Even though past games show that even isn't enough at times) :) Plus I am hoping it helps the newer players get zeroed in to what to look for in their various functions. I think as the game goes on longer, there will be alot more interplay between the various functions with suggestions, ideas and discussions to what would be the best for the crew.

There were two spawn games :)

By the way, I'd rather not specify who I examine day by day to minimize the risk of someone becoming infected after they have been publicly cleared. You may rest assured I will share any infection information that I receive.

Will we begin getting water/crys updates at the start of Day 1? Assuming I haven't missed the water info, that info will be a factor in making decisions for a few people - potentially both day and night decisions.

iirc, who you examine is public knowledge in the thread

I understand the thought process, but I believe there is a little more in the way of protection this game against conversion than most:

1.) Public role - even a cleared guy may not be an optimal target when factoring in the cleared role
2.) Protect abilities - two players with protect options + Slayer role (may or may not be in game, believe it was in last two)
3.) Assignment of phasers
4.) Use of the "stay awake" option

Just throwing these out there as reasons that it may make sense to publicly "clear" people. Also, there are safeguards against you in terms of the Empathic role (believe it was in each of last two) and Absolute Trust (can validate/refute your claims if they are wrong). I'm guessing there are others that I'm missing as I'm tying this up, but I figured that this was at the very least food for thought.

In the end, you get to make the decision you think is best. But since you threw it out for discussion I had some feedback.

Er, point #1 above should read:
"Public role - even a cleared guy may not be an optimal Spawn target when factoring in the public roles"

there is also the 4 people in the security cell at night...that can be used at the beginning of the game as a means of protection for the people inside, and then after a day or two, as a means of protecting us from the people inside.

Engineer Danny checking in. I've read all the rules and AlanT's recommendations for repairing. Any other tips here for day one?

In the previous game, the doctor took the person during the day into his medical office for the examination, so yeah we will know who you examine if it is played the same way this time.

Checking in. Not a wolf.


































just kidding. :D

As long as we have a bulletproof Circle of Trust, we can do that. In the last game a spawn that everyone assumed was trusted got locked up with the captain in there and was able to convert him. We have to make sure that we are airtight about that.

Sure, but that is part of the beauty of this game - there are a series of risk/reward decisions that you get to make along the way. Saldana is right that the jail option should be a weapon in our arsenal. It is up to us to use it correctly.

Hmm, pretty short post by Chief Rum. Did he think I was bluffing on my voting criteria for this game? :)

I assure you a vote for me would be a waste. ;)

My goal, actually, is to get up to at least 10 posts. That way, you guys will have a good judgment point on which to figure who your UTR players are.

I will do my best to keep people healed, and I tend to agree that we should steer clear from Spawn whenever we can - they'll have enough opportunity to infiltrate without us making it easier.

You can count on a vote from Pass. ;)

As a new player, I would prefer the slower game play experience at the beginning as well and go to the less infected area.

Aha.

Agreed, let's let the ship take a hit and secure our landing away from the spawns please. Slow and steady at first while we get our feet wet. :)

Ok, reading the thread feels like a normal game, but that enormous ruleset looms large up there.

Incidentally, I got a PM, but I noticed I'm not listed with my role up at the beginning of the thread.

I am not sure which way to go on going for the big reward early or the safer way first. If there an spawns yet, maybe we take an early risk but I'm up for what the group wants.

I'll take this opportunity to warn about some potential scheduling challenges for me over the next week:

Wednesday - client visit, unlikely to be able to access FOFC from site.
Friday (noonish) - going on 3 day weekend trip with wife, not back until Sunday afternoon/evening.

Hopefully these don't create too much in the way of problems with getting actions in, but at the very least I won't be all that active in discussing away missions or whatever else goes on during the day.

Oh that reminds me.. tommorrow is my anniversary. I probably won't be around much in the evening tommorrow.. and like Hoops I'm leaving Friday early afternoon until Sunday for the weekend to celebrate. Not sure if the hotel will have internet or not.

I'm guessing your wife wouldn't be too thrilled about you spending time on the computer when you are on a trip to celebrate your anniversary ;)

I'm in agreement that a safe landing away from the Spawn would be best, there seem to be quite a few new players in the game, and a few people like myself who have played for a while, but are new to the "really big" game like this one.

As for scheduling, I'm working 8-12 and 5-7 every day this week, so I'm definitely around during those hours, but will be multitasking, I'll do my best to keep up though. My availability between 12 - 5 depends largely on the weather and what type of errands and whatnot need to get done in RL.

You were inadvertently left off because your role is new. You are now added in.

Potential loophole alert - can the Trainer train a person to be a Trainer? If so, we will have a lot of flexibility to add Specialists throughout the game.

Ok, cool :D I wasn't sure if I was supposed to keep it quiet or something. I've never played where the roles were all public.

Checking in as the trainer!


My role description says I can train Enlisted Crew to become specialists and then the roles listed under Enlisted Crew are: the Medic, the Galley Master, the Security Staff, and the Privates. I presume the Medic would become a Doctor, but I don't know what the others would become. Perhaps I would get to designate what the Privates became and could turn them into a Trainer as you suggested.

You can't train me into a super engineer?

Good points about revealing my results of examinations, I'll take those points into account when making decisions -- I had forgotten that it was public knowledge who I picked.

Anybody want some peanuts and Dasani?

UTR Level

Okay, at this point of the thread, these players have less posts than me (4):

The Jackal (3)
Danny (3)
st.cronin (3)
path12 (3)
Tyrith (2)
Schmidty (2)
PurdueBrad (2)
oliegirl (2)
KWhit (2)
Mrs. Schmidty (2)
Passacaglia (2)
mccollins (2)
Chubby (1)
Render (1)
claphamsa (1)
Telle (1)
jeheinz72 (1)
bulletsponge (1)
PackerFanatic (1)

:D

Quality, not quantity my friend.

(Hehe. I said tity.)

Dola.

Now we're even.

Double Dola.

pwned!!!

Help, I am being attacked by spawn! Oh wait, it's only Schmidty roaming around the halls

Someone stole my damned spam!!!

I did, I made a sandwich with it and it was spamtastic!

AHA!!!! Everyone knows that Spawn love Spam!! And Alliteration!!

Sorry Scary Spawn - You're Sunk!!!!

5 am..... u guys are dedicated!

sorry got nothing to say :)

Well played.

FYI any advice on to how to go about this complex rule set is always appreciated! luckily i have a basic basic role and its pretty easy to understand :)

Wow - not a lot to catch up on this morning...I'm kind of relieved actually :)

So when does the "action" start and we get to start work and search for Spawn???

We'll be landing shortly. Please make sure your seats are upright and your tray tables are closed. As always, thank you for riding Spawn Airlines.


I assume BK will flip to day 1 at 10am which I believe is the normal morning time for the day phase.

Indeed. Night actions are due by 9 AM and I will then process them. I expect the game to start about 45 minutes from now.

BK, can you clarify this for us. I read it in the rules subtly different previously...


Is it a 10% chance for each away mission member to possibly be infected, or a 10% total chance for a single infection on the away team? ie: Can there be more than one infection in a single away team if you are unlucky enough?

Indeed. That is a loophole and one I had thought and was going to close by having him use equipment in the Security HQ, but then decided I didn't like that restriction and forgot to reclose it. The trainer must now use equipment located in the sleeping berths, of which there is only one set. So there may be multiple trainers, but only one training each day.

And if there are 2 trainers and both want to train on a day, how is that resolved? First to PM instructions to you?

It's 10% for each person. That has always been the rate.

Yup.

Looks like an engineer is already listed as a specialist so I don't know that I can train you into a more special specialist in that of a Chief Engineer.

I should point out that my equipment won't be ready to use to train others until Day 2.

Also, as the game goes on, we'll need to think and talk about what would be most useful for the privates to become: