Rick O'Shea and the Munich Mystery Episode 3

Continuing the latest story of Rick O'Shea using Mike Overbo's Mythic emulator from Lone Wolf Roleplaying

I use Savage Worlds rules along with the Thrilling Tales SW add on. I use a number of random lists developed over the years to give outcomes and Mikes emulator is great for these. Savage World uses bennies which the GM distributes. Instead, I always throw an additional d6 along with the action die and wild card die with a 6 being receive one bennie - this die can explode like the other dice.

In using Mikes emulator, this time I noticed that the Chaos factor is not recognised in the Mythic odds if you change the chaos level manually. As long as you use the new scene button to go up and down though its fine.

Last time, I mentioned that it would be great to be able to adjust the event scene and meaning list. I have now done this myself for my own use thanks to a quick down load of coffeecup html editor. Its been 18 years since I last looked at html so that was an interesting throw back. However, the top and bottom of that is that I have now been able to edit the Mythic event chart to a pulp slant This has 1-35 as action event 36 - 50 as plot twist and then the others as normal. I have also changed the word list slightly so that the results are slightly less ambiguous ( I am afraid I am quite concrete at times so this was a personal preference) I have also added a plot twist list taken from the Covetous Poet superhero hooks, a complications list taken from the same and a possible clue list taken from the main Covetous Poet book. These are then linked into the event focus list to automatically show when called.

Plot twist list is linked to plot twist event (obviously)
The complications list is linked to the move away from thread event
The possible clue list is linked to the move towards thread event

e.g

Mythic Event Focus: Plot Twist!!! Why You Two Look Just Alike! - Confusion occurs due to a character close resemblance to someone they're not.

Mythic Event Focus: Action Anxiously Take Benefits

Mythic Event Focus: Action Pursue Energy

Mythic Event Focus: NPC Negative

Mythic Event Focus: Action Lazily Judge Investment

Mythic Event Focus: Action Develop Juvenile Lies

Mythic Event Focus: Move away from a thread False Accusations

Mythic Event Focus: Action Daintily Move Feminine Woman

Mythic Event Focus: Action Assist Reassuring Dreams

Mythic Event Focus: Move towards a thread - possible Blackmail

Mythic Event Focus: Move towards a thread - possible Spotted Villain

Mythic Event Focus: Action Take Suffering

Mythic Event Focus: Action Work hard Attention

Mythic Event Focus: Plot Twist!!! Let's Beat It! - Characters decide that getting out of here is the only way to survive the situation.


It took a wee while to get these running smoothly but now they do and I am really happy with how they work.

So to business:

Sessions 3

Its April 1935 - When we left Rick he had just been recruited to deliver a letter to someone in Munich. He has a ticket on the Europa leaving New York in 5 days time for Hamburg. He was using the time between to do some research on what was happening in Germany and to get prepared prior to boarding.




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New Scene: Walk scene covering seeing German embassy, suitcase maker, department store, baseball game, book store, The alibi bar

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First stop is the German Consulate to have all the relevant visas stamped. This is a bureaucratic maze but Ricks investigation skill helps with all the form filling - after all no one does form filling like the NYPD.

There are 3 different forms he has to complete to get the visa. Failures raise the general suspicion level on Rick by German Authorities.

Form 1

Investigation: 1d8 8x!4 wc 2 (nb) = success with 2 raises (however suspicion is still at 0 so no change)

Form 1 receives its official stamp










Form 2

Investigation: 1d8 1 wc 2 (nb) = fails

Suspicion level raises by 1 making it more difficult to complete the form TN now 5 

Form 2

Investigation:1d8 8x!3 wc 2 (nb) = success with 1 raise - suspicion drops to 0 again and 3 hours have passed.

Form 2 receives its official stamp






Form 3

Investigation: 1d8 3 wc 2 (nb) = fails

Suspicion level rises to 1 and TN now 5

Form 3

Investigation: 1d8 2 wc 6x!1 (nb) = success with no raises

Form 3 receives its official stamp but German suspicion of Rick has been raised

$5 has also been sent on admin charges









5 hours have passed since Rick entered the Embassy so he heads home for the evening



Next Day


Rick heads to


[malename]: Ferdinand Moretta's


Suitcase emporium 

Ferdinand is well known in certain circles for "special suitcases"


Ferdinand’s shop is in the heart of little Italy down a small side road. The doorbell clangs as Rick walks in.

Mr Morreta is neutral towards Rick.


Hello Mr Morreta, my names Rick.


Does Moretta know Rick? (63): No (undefined%)


Good day sir - how may I help?

Well see Mr Moretta. You're quite well known around here- your skills are really appreciated - you make the nicest bags and cases is what they say.



Persuasion: 1d6 5 wc 1 (1b) x!1 = 1 success


Moretta: Thankyou sir - we try to please - we import directly from Milan you know.

Rick: Well it's funny you should mention that because I am particularly interested in those bags that are good for importing


Persuasion: 1d6 3 wc 1 (nb) = fails


Morreta: I'm sorry sir I do not know what you are talking about.

Morreta starts to look a little nervous

Rick: Yeah sure you do - those bags that can get through customs without being searched too much - I'll pay top dollar for one of those if you have one!

Persuasion: 1d6 6x!1 wc 6x!4 (nb) = 1 success with 1 raise

3 successes overall so with the mention of top dollar the resistance of Mr Morreta crumbled and he shows Rick into the back room. He produces his infamous "special case" which has a false area near the handle on the outside of the case which can hide a small gun and other small papers or objects.
"You see Rick - when you go through customs they ask you to open the bag and are looking for false bottoms or sides etc inside, but this case has none so you are all good."

Rick:Thanks Mr Moretta - How much?

Morreta: $5 please - you see - a luxury item

Rick: Thanks I just hope it works



Next Rick heads to Lacy's Department store














and picks up:

A new suit $20

Leather Jacket $20

Walking boots $10

Flashlight $1 10” Beam

rubber soled shoes $2

Black wool sweater $2

50' light rope $2

1 box of .38 ammunition (30 bullets) $1

Dark grey overcoat $11

Tweed walking trousers $6

Compass $1

medicine kit $10

Grappling hook $2

Leather backpack $6

Winter Bedroll $3

Camara $5

Hip Flask $1

matches

carton of Camel fags $1

billy can $1.25

binoculars x6 $14

Cig Lighter .75

Hat $2.50



Next day
Up to the Polo Fields for the Giants game to meet Eddie(Connection edge)




Streetwise: 1d8 3 wc 1 (nb) = fails  spends a bennie

Streetwise: 1d8 3 wc 3 (nb) = fails  spends a bennie

Streetwise: 1d8 7 wc 2 (nb) = 1 success


The crowd is busy and no sign of Eddie - the game starts still no sign. Suddenly he comes running down the road paper in hand out of breath

Eddie: Hey Rick sorry I'm so late - I just couldn't get away - you know how it is.
They go in and watch the game

Rick: Hey Eddie - you get any luck on that name I gave you?

Persuasion: 1d6 6!2 wc 4 (nb) =2 successes

Eddie: Yeah sure - what you wanna know?

Is Lando who he says he is? (78): Yes (85%)

Does he work for the US Government? (19): Yes (65%)

(2 successess gives 2 questions)

Rick: Thanks Eddie - That’s good to know

The men depart after the game in a good mood - the Giants won 3-1


Next Day

Rick goes across the road to the bookstore and buys

Munich Tourist Guide book with Map of Munich

Tourist guide to Germany with map and map of rail networks


Final Day

Rick heads to the Alibi bar. Her spends some time tidying his office. Sorting papers and writing letters.

He heads over to Bud and pays Bud 2 months rent in advance


Rick: Bud - I’ve gotta go abroad for a while. This should cover the rent till I'm back. If I'm not back by the time the next rents due will you post these 2 letters?

Bud: Sure Rick no problem


Then Rick takes a whiskey and heads to his favourite table and thinks about the journey ahead.

Why did Lando need to advertise if he worked for the government?

Would the boat have spies on it?

Would the German authorities find his secret compartment?

Did Moses even exist?

Would Rick return from this jaunt?


End of Act 1


Walk scene success

OP – 0 PP – 1 SP - 1

End of Session
==============================================

This was very much a low key session of preparation both from Ricks point of view but also from a player point of view.
Personally I needed to try and put some bones on why Lando would get a stranger through the paper to do this mission and I think I have a few more reasons why he might do that now.
Rick needed to get together all the equipment he thinks he might need as trying to get this stuff in Germany might be tricky. He's gone for a combo of black clothing for stealth and climbing hiking equipment in case he has to go into the mountains.
The idea of Rick heading off to Munich with no gun did not appeal but how the hell would he get one there without being detected. So he need to smuggle one in.
Finally, the reason for the detailed breakdown of the equipment and price is because I am trying to put together a fairly comprehensive equipment cost list with 1935 prices so this is happening with the help of the savage worlds price list the dirty 30's price list and an online Sears catalogue
And as a final aside on the April day in question - the Giants really did beat Boston 3-1 - That picture of babe Ruth though was taken at the Polo grounds the day before - Tuesday April 23!





Rick O'Shea and the Munich Mystery Episode 2



This latest adventure is a mythic GM emulator game using Mike Overbo's cool app from Lone Wolf roleplaying.

To give a bit of oversight of how I play this. I use Savage Worlds rules along with the Thrilling Tales SW add on. I use a number of random lists developed over the years to give outcomes and Mikes emulator is great for these. Savage World uses bennies which the GM distributes. Instead, I always throw an additional d6 along with the action die and wild card die with a 6 being receive one bennie - this die can explode like the other dice.

Dice notation here will show the acton skill used then 1d? (for whatever the skill dice is) x! if it explodes and what the next throw is, then WC 1d6 for the wild card die and then (nb) or (1b) for if a bennie has been thrown

If any situation might earn 3 bennies a lucky token is received instead (random list used if not obvious what that might be) such as a rabbits foot or lucky penny. This correlates to a card drawn from the Thrilling Tales adventure deck to be used later at my discretion. (I do not draw these in the way suggested in the card pack)

I only play one player character, everyone else is an NPC and I am trialling the Free Will mythic approach mentioned recently and a 3 act story whereby chaos starts at 5 and raises to six after some of the key components of who, how, where, when, and what are covered. Act 2 chaos goes to 7 and 8 and then up to 9 which is the big finale at the big villains lair etc.

Anyway, to business:
From session 1


Arriving at Jacks diner just off Madison Square, Rick checks through the window to see if there was anyone in the diner that might be Lando?

Can Rick see Lando through the window? (28): Yes (50%)


Is he alone? (36): Yes (50%)


Ok-all seems on the level. Time to see what this is all about.








Session 2

Beginning OP=0 PP==0 SP=0

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New Scene: Jacks Diner, Off Madison Square. Manhattan

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Rick walks into the bar and greets Lando and they order coffee




Lando: Well Mr O"Shea. Thank you for responding to my advertisement. You think you are the man for the job?
Rick: Well I don't really know what the job is yet but yes I think I might be that man.

Persuasion (hand thrown): 1d6 5 WC 4 (nb) = 1 success

Lando: Yes, your reputation from when you were with the Police Force is that of a hard working honest cop - maybe some would say too honest
Rick: That’s true, I'm no crook - I don't work for the mob and I don't take bribes, but now I'm not a cop so I don't have to do everything by the book. But if it isn’t right, it isn’t right!

Persuasion (hand Thrown): 1d6 4 WC 1 (nb) = 1 Success

Lando: You were injured in the line of duty - a bullet in your shoulder I believe - are you sure you are up to this? it might be quite an arduous trip?
Rick: Well I understand Munich is full of good clean healthy air - just the place for a man to visit to improve his health don't you think?

Persuasion (hand Thrown): 1d6 2 WC 4 (nb) = 1 Success

Total of 3 successes for the conversation.

Lando: Haha Mr O'Shea! I like your style and your references speak well of you
Rick: I don't remember giving you any references
Lando: No - You didn't - but I got them anyway. Anyway Rick (may I call you Rick) to business. I need this letter delivered to Munich Germany. I need you to deliver it to

[person]: Moses Baron

on Rosenheim Strasse. I need this letter delivered into his hands personally and I need it to happen as soon as possible.
Rick: Do I need to be worried about anything?
Lando: Rick. I am sure you read the papers. Germany is now in the hands of the Nazis. Munich is the heartland and birthplace of the Nazis - where they began. With a name like Moses Baron did you think this would be easy? You will see that the letter is a love letter and addressed to

[person]: Hildegard Werner

That is just so that it is easier to explain if and when you get stopped.
Rick: If and When?
Lando: As I said Rick, this is Nazi Germany not Manhattan. There is also a ticket on the "Europa" to Hamburg - it leaves in

roll #1d7#: 5 days time.

That should give you time to get your affairs in order
Once you reach Hamburg, you will then need to make your own way to Munich but I understand the trains in Germany are almost as reliable as they are in Italy.
Then there is the little matter of the money. I will pay you $1500 if you deliver my letter and bring me the proof back that you have completed your mission successfully.
Rick: That's very generous but my fee is $20 a day plus expenses and that will do me fine - anyway, I hate Nazis.
Is there anyone in particular I should be looking out for?
Lando: Well Rick, in Nazi Germany there are many possible enemies. For instance, there are:
The Schutzstaffel or SS – Hitler’s personal body guards
The Gestapo - the secret police
The Wehrmacht - the German army
The Abteilung Fremde Heere Ost- spies to you and me
A group called the Thule Gesellschaft - an odd bunch who believe in the occult. They were recently banned by Hitler but have been a major presence in Munich since the turn of the century.
Or who knows - someone else entirely

However, if I were to choose anyone to be wary of then I would say

[nazivillain] the Thule Gesellschaft


Rick: Ok so let me check I have got this straight:

Job: get message to Moses Baron and receive reply

How: Deliver "love" Letter

Where: Munich Germany

When: As soon as possible

Villain: The Thule Gesellschaft


Lando: Yes Rick - I think that sums it up nicely
Rick: Well Mr Ricci - you seem to know a lot about me and yet I don't know much about you - care to tell me where you fit in?

Persuasion (hand thrown): 1d6 1 WC 4 (nb)  = 1 Success (just)

Lando: Not really Rick - it would only make things awkward if you were to fail in your mission. Suffice to say I am a loyal American and Mr Baron is a friend of mine. Which means that the current powers in Germany are not my friends. Now Rick I must go, it has been very entertaining meeting you - when you return just call me on the number in the advertisement and I will come to you - good day to you and good luck!!

Lando leaves

Rick gets up and heads over to the telephone booth and calls a familiar number





Edward Rodgers: Hello, 5th Precinct - Detective Rodgers speaking

Rick: Hey Ed, Its Rick. Look I've got to go abroad on business and I wondered if you wanted to catch the Giants Braves game before I left?

Rodgers: Hey Rick, sure when?

Rick: Wednesday

Rodgers: Sure Rick that will be swell – I’ll meet you outside the gate as usual - anything else you need?

Rick: Well, I wondered if you could maybe just run a check on a Lando Ricci of Maddison Square. He is in the phone book.
Rodgers: Sure pal I'll see what I can find and let you know at the game

Rick: Cheers Ed - see you Wednesday


=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Chaos rises to 6
New Scene: takes the bus further up 5th Ave to the New York Public Library
Travel Scene
no incident
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New Scene: New York Public Library
Research scene
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Rick settles in for the long haul reviewing all the papers for the last 2 years in relation to Germany and Munich.

investigation (hand thrown) 1d8 8x!8x!8x!2 (+2 edge) wc 3 (nb) = 28 1 Success with 6 raises

- The NY library has carefully catalogued all the recent news regarding Germany and recent events in Munich. Rick feels he has a good insight into what is going on and will be more alert to possible risks. gains +2 Knowledge regarding German politics and factions , 2 bennies and 1 lucky New York library bookmark.

Then Rick checks on the Thule Gesellschaft

investigation (hand thrown) 1d8 1  wc 5 (nb) 1 Success 

Rick finds out that the TG are now banned under Hitler but that both the TG and some Nazis have a raised interest in artifacts of legend.

OP=0 PP==1 SP=0

Session end
===========================================

Again an enjoyable session. I got really paranoid after the second d8 throw of 8 that I wasn't rolling the die properly so gave it the longest shake you can imagine and still threw another 8!

In terms of Mikes emulator - I would like to be able to adjust the mythic tables in the programme as they do not have the mythic variations in and the word lists can be made more specific to my genre so am hoping I can find a way to do that in due course

I use 2 gm emulators - one loaded with all my lists, the second I use to put in intant lists such as the one made up for possible nazi villlains which seems to work well.

The conversation with Lando is from the Savage Worlds social conflict rules whereby Rick had to get 3 successes to get the job. If he had got more then he would have got more information or bennies as per the library

Thrilling Tales Cards Arrive

The other day I ordered a set of cards from RPG now. This is the first time I have ordered something physical from them. Normally I go for the pdfs as postage to NZ is so expensive. In this case though the cost was quite low and I wanted to see how they looked compared to the pulp alley ones I had made last year.

They arrived this morning.






I love the art work on them and the 55 cards give a good variety of incidents with no repeats so all round happy. If there were to be any critism it would be that they feel slightly thin to me but I think that is because I am used to slightly thicker playing cards - I think my fortune and glory cards are the same and that this might be a standard in America. Definately pleased I went with the bought version though.