Five Parsecs From Home Forays (18/2/24 Mission 6 AAR with pictures)

[Legionnaire]

Having dealt with the threat from the Converted Infiltrator, the crew of the Arbiter had to deal with more mundane yet vital tasks. Diligently Archibald paid off some of the debt on the ship and gave the crew their earnings.

Archibald picked up some info that an archeologist was interested in procuring some material from the monoliths where they were going. A possible rival to the previous one?

Atlas was grinning from ear to ear: "Isn't she a beaut? Look at this craftmanship! Wentura Arms GT-601, the finest grenade launcher you could possibly own!"

Sister Barbarita and the cook, Mrs Haxwell, put in some time at the shooting range and the gym.

Hyacinth, Daphnee and Torbein went together to the local markets. Hyacinth sold some cargo and made a decent profit. Daphnee closed a deal on some pharmaceuticals and Torbein exchanged some fancy luxury items for a big box of medical supplies.

In Campaign Turn 4, I paid off some of the debt, 6 Credits left to pay off so nearly there.

Alistair went Exploring (only one crew member can Explore per Campaign Turn on Zygnus VII due to Travel Restrictions) and got Reward, bring member into contact with a random piece of Terrain, spend Combat Action and earn 2 Credits.

Atlas finally repaired the Shell Gun!

Sister Barbarita and the cook Trained.

Hyacinth procured 2 Credits.

Daphnee got a Stim Pack.

Torbein exchanged a Luxury Trinket for 2 Stim Packs and 2 Med Patches.

They didn't find the owner of the Personal Trinket (2D6 9+ when going to a world).

The crew have 7 Credits, 3 Patrons, 6 Story Points.
4 Stim Packs
4 Med Patches
Data Stick (+1 Quest Rumour)
Personal Trinket (2D6 9+ to find owner when travelling to a world)

"Now, I've been meaning to tell you about THIS for some time", Sister Barbarita produced an odd coloured crystal to Alistair. It glinted and reflected in a very peculiar way.
This is an old storage unit from my order, it registers peoples thoughts and was given to me by Mother Superior when I left. I didn't know what it meant then, but I think I do now, behold!"

She touched the crystal and images suddenly became visible on the ship's sleek hull. It showed a desert landscape, ancient stones and monoliths. Huge beasts roaming along with heavily armed individuals.

"Those are Krorg's, they can rip a man apart without breaking a sweat and they are incredibly sturdy and tough, difficult to penetrate their hide." The beasts were massive and looked very impressive and menacing.
"Those are Guardians, devout servants of the Dark to protect their twisted ideologies and temples," the heavily armed people were alert and patrolled the area.

"I know where that is now, and I have been tasked with doing this for my Order. We need to survey the area and see what lies at the other side. Will you help me, please?"

Alistair mulled this over for a moment. This looked very dangerous indeed, but he also felt a thrill. This could be fun and beneficial to them all.

"One of those looks like the POI that we have in our files, doesn't it? And those ancient carvings? I'm sure these two archeologists will be very pleased if we could bring back samples for them to study! Yes, we are in!"

Quest Mission! Move Through scenario.
4 Krorg
2 Anarchists (1 is Target and if taken out, worth 2 Credits)

2 Pieces of Terrain are worth 2 Credits each if a crew member is in base to base and spend a Combat Action surveying it.

[Legionnaire]

GAME 4 POST BATTLE EVENTS

+6 Credits for the fulfilled Objectives
+4 Credits for resolving the Quest (Dead End)
Personal Trinket found (2D6 9+ to find owner when travelling to planet)
Beam Light Gun Sight acquired
Hyacinth Begonia increased Savvy +1 (+3)
Torbein and Daphnee increased Toughness +1 (Torbein 4 and Daphnee 5)
Spent 2 Story Points to reroll Campaign Events, got Rival (Pirates) so the goons from game 1 are looking to have a rematch 
Archibald reflected upon all the adventures and earned 2 XP for that

The crew has currently 17 Credits, 4 Story Points, 3 Patrons and 1 Rival. The Quest continues...

[ithoriel]

Nice to see the crew doing well.

In 5 Parsecs, as in life I guess, success tends to breed success.

More power to their respective elbows!

[mikedemana]

Looks fun - thanks for the battle report!

Mike Demana

[Legionnaire]

Nice to see the crew doing well.

In 5 Parsecs, as in life I guess, success tends to breed success.

More power to their respective elbows!

Indeed!

I had a couple of close calls this game though. Archibald the Captain took a hit, but was saved by his 1 Luck. Torbein took a hit as well and had been out of the game, but as I had 4 Stim Packs at my disposal, one came in very handy.

I have set myself the goal to play 10 Campaign Turns to see how we get on, but really happy with how the story has played out so far .

[Legionnaire]

Looks fun - thanks for the battle report!

Mike Demana

I'm very happy that people are enjoying my little musings, so thank you very much for commenting Sir!

It was fun, and a couple of close calls this game which makes it more exciting .

[Legionnaire]

"Hold it right there, what are YOU doing here?" Torbein put his hand on the butt of his blaster and challenged the intruder, sitting in the Captain's chair!
"My dear boy, I'm sure there's no need to resort to violence. I used to OWN this ship and have my own keys, so please fetch my nephew, the captain." The older gentleman smiled and looked very comfortable there. Torbein found himself doing exactly that, the gentleman had a certain air about him.

"Uncle Rufus, what in the Seven Moons are you doing here? I thought you were negotiating with the Lebarans?" Archibald smiled and greeted the man with warmth and affection, the older gentleman was obviously pleased to see him as well. The whole crew had gathered, the ship was small and they were a bit curious as Archibald hadn't told them a lot about his past.
"Look at you," Uncle Rufus, or more accurately, His Grace, Roofelius Augustus Martingate-Quang, Viscount of Barsoom, Unity Diplomatic Corps. (Ret) held him at arms length,
"I have to say, I do believe my sister made the right decision." Archibald felt an embarrassing heat flash upon his cheeks.
"Well," he coughed and looked into the floor.
"Sometimes you just need a kick up the backside to get on the right track. Isn't that what you said when you lent me this ship?"
"Indeed, and it seems like this kick has done you a LOT of good. I hear you have done some work for the local government," Uncle Rufus positively beemed.
"Well, you know how it is, one tries and all that," but Archibald couldn't hide a smile of pride.
"But that still doesn't explain what you are doing here Uncle?"
"Oh, well. With you having done so well for yourselves I thought the occasion warranted a more personal touch than a simple Vidcall." Uncle Rufus handed over a tech pad.
"What's this?" Archibald scrolled down the open document.
"This, dear nephew, is a transfer of the ownership of The Arbiter. Your debt to me is paid in full and she is all yours from now on. Here are my spare keys as well."
"I... I... I don't know what to say uncle" Archibald looked slightly shocked and held the deed in his trembling hands.
"No need to say anything, just promise me that you will take good care of her. She never let me down but the government insisted on me having an upgrade. And you have to excuse me, but I have to be off to negotiate with the Lebarans now about the trade sanctions. They brought me out of retirement especially for this."


Archibald, a disgraced noble had his allowance cut off and his family tasked him with doing something worthwhile instead of tarnishing the family's good name. His uncle Rufus lent him an ex Diplomatic Vessel to get him started. Now, the debt is paid off in full and all money they earn is sheer profit  !!

When his relative had gone, they had a modest party to mark the occasion and everyone got a bonus for a job well done. Archibald looked at the registration in his name several times and still couldn't believe it. HIS ship! The following days there were many tasks to be done, but the crew had a newfound spring in their step and worked harder than before with a smile.

Sister Barbarita and Atlas put in some serious work at the shooting range and the gym, honing their edge.

Archibald closed a deal to some fuel rods that certainly would come in handy for the next flight.

Daphnee was approached by an individual that was looking to get a package off planet and transported. They were quite vague why they couldn't use traditional courier service, and Daphnee was told it was a "delicate" situation but not urgent.

Torbein came back from the market all excited, he had bought a very odd looking device and with Atlas' help they spent a few hours putting it together. The disappointment on Torbein's face when it turned out it had all been a hoax and it wasn't even good for spare parts!

Mrs Haxwell, the chef, hears some VERY interesting rumours regarding the peculiar crystals that Sister Barbarita is tracking. Some can allegedly be found in an old industrial district, rife with pollution and according to the word on the street, infested with giant bugs!

Hyacinth with her excellent connections in the intelligence community gets wind of that the chapter manager for the Twilight Suns, a pirate outfit, has taken their involvement in the retrieval of the computer information personally. The crew is following up on the lead on the crystals and don't want any spanners in the works from some hooligans, so Hyacinth leads the poor devil's on a merry chase with nothing to show for it to throw their scent off. She almost feels sorry for them, almost.

Archibald traded and got Fuel worth 2 Credits, handy for a Travel step.
Sister Barbarita and Atlas Copco Train.
Hyacinth acts as a Decoy, with only 1 Rival it's easy.
Daphnee Explore and get's a Package Delivery to another system, worth 3 Credits upon delivery)
Torbein Trades, get's an Odd Device and spend 1 Credit buying it. On a 6, he'd get a Loot, 1-5 it's a worthless bit of junk. 3...
The Cook (7th crew member) picks up a Hot Tip, adding +1 Quest Rumour.

I go to the Quest first to see if I can pick up the trail this Turn, otherwise I'd check Patron/ Opportunity as per normal. I have 2 Quest Rumours and roll a 2! The next Quest step after the the Dead End is up!

Toxic Environment, 1 Peculiar Item (worth 2 XP). Move Through scenario against 8 Large Bugs!

Stay tuned!
 

[Legionnaire]

"Your Order sure knows how to pick your assignments, Sister Barbarita," Torbein said with a wry smile.
"Prime holiday location with stunning scenery and lots of activities for all the family."
The crew looked over the place where the Order had sent them on their latest errand, a junkyard filled with steaming piles of toxic ooze.

"I wouldn't breathe in any of those fumes if I was you," Daphnee looked at the spiking atmo readings on her scanner.

"Look at those bugs, they are absolutely ginormous," whispered Hyacinth and cradled her Military Rifle.
"I don't like this one bit," Atlas grumbled and studied the critters with his macrobinocs.
"These breed faster than you can spit and I wonder where the rest are. Also, THAT one," he indicated a magnificent creature with a red head plume,
"is a Brood Queen. Royalty practically as far as the bugs are concerned. They will do ANYTHING to protect it. And THAT one is a grizzled old veteran, look at the blaster scorch marks on its carapace. Don't let them get too close, they'll rip you in two with those mandibles, trust me."
"Ok everyone. You've heard the man, proceed with caution and safety off. We need to get out on the far side for us to pick up the scientific research that the Order has left there a long time ago. Move out," Archibald flipped the safety off and the crew got moving."

Quest Mission in Toxic Environment. As I'm using the Elite Enemies rules from the Trailblazers Toolkit, they are facing 11 Large Bugs and Infiltration as alternate deployment! One Specialist, One Lieutenant and One Captain (Brood Queen). As if that wasn't bad enough, one is a Unique Enemy with Combat +3, Save 5+ and Toughness 6! When a Large Bug has been eliminated, on a 5+ a new one will enter as reinforcement on a random edge AND if any Large Bug runs away due to Panic, they will automatically be replaced with one enemy at the end of the Turn! This is going to be carnage!

While Sister Barbarita, Torbein and Daphnee advanced, Archibald, Atlas Copco and Hyacinth took up positions to provide covering fire. The critters stirred and seemed to have sensed their presence.
"Firing!" Atlas shouted and his Auto Rifle spewed gunfire, raking down the Brood Queen, a prime target. The critter shrieked and bits of it were shot off by Atlas' accurate shooting, but when he readjusted his gunsight, she was still standing and VERY VERY angry! Archibald let off shots from his Needle Rifle, on target. The needles penetrated the battle hardened bugs' carapace like hot knife through butter but he only managed to make it even more angry, the critter bellowed a challenge and the earth shook with its charge!

The bugs sprang forwards, they moved swiftly and decisively, chattering agitated to each other. Daphnee peeked around the corner and took steady aim with her Handgun at one of the monstrosities. She fired off several rounds, concentrated, deadly fire. The pistol bucked in her hand each time but her aim was true. The critter shuddered as each round found its goal and it collapsed with a head blown to smithereens, oozing green gunk!

"What the fu...??!!! BEHIND YOU!!!" Archibald glanced over his shoulder and his eyes widened in terror. A small group of bugs had snuck up behind Atlas and Hyacinth, led by a hardened veteran. Atlas spun in place and brought up his Shell Gun, firing off a round from the hip. The enemy was only a dozen yards away and the shell blasted several but none fell, they were at best a bit shaken about. Archibald fired his Needle Rifle and took one of them out of commission. Hyacinth and Atlas were quickly swamped by the advancing agitated bugs and were reeling with the relentless attacks against them. Atlas' Assault Blade on the Auto Rife spun and cut but he could barely hold off against the horde! Sister Barbarita cut one bug down in a display of lethal grace with her Glare Sword and Daphnee's pistol barked again as she slowed one of the critters down. Hyacinth is cutting and thrusting with her blade, she takes the enemy out but in turn she's run through with a mandible and she is barely conscious enough to administer a Stim Pack, the anasthetic is kicking in and she feels alive.

At the edge of the battlefield they can see several more bugs joining in, they must have heard this groups distress! The enemy seems to renew their efforts, the crew can't get any breathing room!

Hyacinth and the enemy had same Melee result so both inflicted 1 Hit on the other, both Toughness or more in damage! Renewed Effort, so a random enemy gets an extra Move OR Combat Action EACH round!

Atlas is overrun by the bugs and in a heroic display of bravado, he is taking one out! Hyacinth is wounding one of the bugs with accurate fire from her Military Rifle, despite the fact that she's barely able to stand. Atlas is swamped with bugs and rendered asunder, a shaking hand and barely conscious he manages to administer a Stim Pack. Archibald is having bugs closing in for the kill, but his trusted Blast Pistol cuts one of them down at 10 paces as he swiftly draws it from the low hanging holster on his hip! The crew can hear more bugs arriving! Daphnee goes toe to toe with a monstrosity and keeps it at bay with her Handgun, Torbein nabs the
object of interest on top of the building and learns a lot from the ancient data shard! Daphnee is skewered on the mandibles and injects herself with the last Stim Pack that the crew has to be able to continue. Wherever Archibald is turning there's a mean bug lashing out after him, they strike, cut and tear at him, but elegantly he dodges all of their efforts and finds a bit of breathing room!

Turn 3 things were really heating up! Two of my crew took hits that'd take them out of the battle, but Stim Packs kept them in for a little longer. The bugs were relentless and Archibald was only saved by his 1 point of Luck!

Then, things went south pretty fast! First, Atlas was overrun by the bugs and left in the dirt, then Hyacinth was taken out. The Brood Queen herself eliminated Daphnee without breaking her stride. Torbein's Handgun barked and at 10 paces he cut down one bug that had climbed onto the roof to eat him up no doubt. Sister Barbarita's Glare Sword cuts one bug in twain but more are on their way! Archibald, against all odds, holds his ground with only a Blast Pistol like some archaic gunfighter holding off against a superior force! All of a sudden, the bugs clear out, leaving a bewildered and decimated crew dragging their wounded to safety.
"THAT was way too close," Archibald breathed hard.

Three of the crew got "killed" but as luck would have it, the battle event in Turn 4 declared that the bugs have had enough they will leave the battlefield at end of Turn 5! Too close for comfort 

[Legionnaire]

TURN 5 POST BATTLE

When the injured crew members had been taken to sick bay, they examined the ancient data. It was obvious that this would take some SERIOUS work in decipher, the dialect was archaic and the data was not in the best shape.

(Expanded Quest Mission resolution in Freelancers Handbook. Need 20 Research Points before I can progress this Quest. Total of crew Savvy +1D6 each Campaign Turn. Rolled a 1 so have 6...)

Atlas Copco had only gotten knocked about a bit, nothing some plasters and stiches couldn't sort out. Daphnee's Colonial Rifle had broken during the scuffle but Hyacinth needed life saving surgery! She was rushed to a trauma centre and given the best medical treatment money can buy!

(Atlas Minor Injury and applied Med Patch so he's good again, Daphnee had Broken equipment and Hyacinth had to pay 4 Cr or receive -1 to attribute! Also 3 Turns in Intensive Care after Med Patch applied)

Amongst the ruins they found some old medical supplies, some experimental drugs and a Chameleon suit!
(1 Med Patch, 2 Booster Pills and a Stealth Gear in Loot)

Returning home, Archibald found Mr Rasmussen from the IRS waiting, grumbling he paid the fines in "excessive earnings" and Hyacinth feels like she had had Cosmic Luck pulling through, she could've been dead!

(Campaign Event Tax Man, costing 4 credits OR ship will be impounded! I paid grumblingly and Hyacinth gains Luck 1!)

Almost ALL my profit was eaten up this turn by the Tax Man and Hyacinth's hospital treatment. I couldn't really afford to let her rest on her laurels so paid 12 Credits to get her back in tip-top shape.



CAMPAIGN TURN 6

The crew poured for days over the ancient information making lots of progress. (Research at 18/20 points)
Hyacinth was given the best medical treatment money can buy (12 Credits!)

Archibald explored and found a trainer (+2 XP)

Sister Barbarita found a Patron, Unified Composites, which had a very lucrative and attractive offer to give them. They would provide Health Insurance AND Private Transport during works for them. (2 Turns less in Sick Bay and Rivals can't Track the crew during Campaign Turns for the corporation, all very good!)

Atlas repaired Daphnee's broken Colony Rifle.

Hyacinth was giving out red herrings and false leads to keep Twilight Sun's occupied and wasting time.

Daphnee got hold of a contact that could provide them with jobs in the future.

Torbein sold some weapons to a shady revolutionary at extortionate prices and then proceeded to buy the same ones back at a much better rate  (could sell weapons, as long as they aren't broken, at 2 Credits a piece. Sold Blades and Handguns, then bought them back at the standard rate of 1 Credit a piece. Earned 5 Credits that way)

Mrs Haxwell, the Cook, Trained.

[Ockman]

Wow, as a Five Parsecs fan, I am impressed!

Love the paper minis (as well as the wonderful terrain)!

Keep up the good work

[Legionnaire]

And here's what the crew of the Arbiter, an old Diplomatic vessel, looks like after 6 Campaign Turns. There's a 7th crew member, Mrs Haxwell the cook, who'll be fielded ONLY when I can't field these six.

[Legionnaire]

Wow, as a Five Parsecs fan, I am impressed!

Love the paper minis (as well as the wonderful terrain)!

Keep up the good work

Thank you very much for your kind words! I really love the ruleset, it's really hitting the spot for me .

As it's for my own amusement and with time, health and space to consider, paper minis is certainly doing the trick for me. I could use tiddlywinks but paper minis is more appealing  . I take what I have, again, I favour terrain that I can use for more than one type of game so I have options.

[ithoriel]

Eek! A close run thing!

Good job the bugs decided they needed to be elsewhere!

Nice write up. Thanks.

[Legionnaire]

Eek! A close run thing!

Good job the bugs decided they needed to be elsewhere!

Nice write up. Thanks.

Indeed!

I have to say, these rules are just keep on impressing me! With the Trailblazers Toolkit and the Freelancer's Handbook, the possibilities are, not endless, but certainly vast! Tweaking the behaviour of the AI, ramping up the challenge, I might try the time limit scenarios in a bit. So far, no game of mine has lasted longer than 5 turns, but I can see more time consuming games in the near future. I also play with the Dramatic Combat option and Duck Back rules, which makes the scenarios a lot more dynamic.

This time, I really got the feel of the relentless onslaught from the bugs and their nearly inexhaustible forces. Take one out and many times another one would pop back in it's place. They were closing in FAST and I only managed to get a shot or two off before they were upon me. I had 3 Stim Packs at the start of the scenario. By round 3, I had none! 

I appreciate you enjoyed the write up, which is half the fun of the game, building that story from seemingly random encounters to something that would make a bit more sense.

Before I had to spend 16 Credits in hospital care and tax payments (rolled that Event twice in six Campaign Turns  ) I was tempted to either send Daphnee to med school or getting a ship upgrade (Research Database in one form or another looked very appealing). I'm now down to 6 Credits so have to start saving again...

[mikedemana]

Before I had to spend 16 Credits in hospital care and tax payments (rolled that Event twice in six Campaign Turns  ) I was tempted to either send Daphnee to med school or getting a ship upgrade (Research Database in one form or another looked very appealing). I'm now down to 6 Credits so have to start saving again...

And that's the part that makes the appeal of Five Parsecs. They way the lives of the characters get embedded in the scenarios. Although I have yet to play any of the Five ____ series, I definitely want to incorporate that storytelling into my games.

Mike Demana