Just a couple of thoughts before the next part. I noticed that in the last entry it was quite brief and yet the actual play of it took some time. For me I think, this is due to having to write down everything whilst doing it. It ensures no kind of meta gaming or cheating - if its written I can't go back on it to make things fit. It forces the story off into ok places I might not think it was going. Everything though is definately slower than if playing with others. This was also highlighted to me by watchiing critical role with Matt Mercer. They get through so much in a session. One thing I have taken from him though is to start using music and atmosphere to help me feel embeded in the scene. I have been using this site http://tabletopaudio.com/ which has some great sounds for different genres and free. (example for these ship board scenes I have either been using the airship sound or the 20s speakeasy for the evening bar scene. I would really recommend doing this.
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New Scene:
Aboard the Europa – First evening
Walk scene
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Rick is directed to his berth by the purser – a medium sized room with a small double bed and a porthole looking out onto the water on the other side of the dock. Its comfortable and well appointed.
A little while later a knock on the door and his luggage is delivered. A quick check of his suitcase shows that it has not been searched whilst away from him. A surprise but at least a positive indication that he was not under any direct suspicion yet.
2 hours later, the Europa slips its moorings and heads out of the docks. Everyone is on deck to watch the Statue of Liberty disappear slowly into the distance.
Rick decides that he will try and find out a little about the guests – especially the 3 people who caught his eye at the embarkation shed.
He heads to the reception desk.
StreetwiseD8(3) D6(3) = no success
But finds nothing. Perhaps something might turn up in the evening at dinner or afterwards at the bar.
Ship event check
At 7pm Rick goes to the Restaurant for dinner and sits quietly sharing the table with a couple from Ohio going to Europe for the first time. It’s a quiet meal.
Does Rick sit next to any of the 3 at dinner? (64): No (50%)
Does he see any of them there? (74): No (65%)
Afterwards in the bar, Rick orders a whiskey and turns to survey the room and he sees all 3 around the bar.
do they approach him? (67): No (65%)
Are they all there? (46): Yes (50%)
is she alone? (92): Exceptional No (>90% / 50%)
Not wishing to raise the suspicions of the young man who seemed to be in with the security services of the boat, Rick chooses the middle-aged woman to approach. The bar is busy so it’s not strange that he should ask if she minded sharing her table.
It appears that she has already found a beau for a ship board romance and is already laughing loudly whilst drinking from her champagne glass. Her companion is a middle-aged gentleman wearing an impeccable tux, smoking a cigar and ordering another bottle of champagne – they are both laughing loudly and having a party all of their own.
Rick “Mind if I sit down, I’m afraid everywhere else is taken?”
The man looks around, at first slightly put out about a younger man possibly trying to move in on his action. The couple continue to party together whilst ignoring Rick.
Rick listens to their conversation and then politely “I’m sorry, I didn’t introduce myself, I’m Rick O’Shea”
They break off from their mutual appreciation
D8(4) D6(5) = 1 success
The lady introduces herself as Paloma Fontana and the man as Nicolao Rossi
Rick does not recognise either name.
Listening to their small talk he gathers that he is a rich business man and she a widow. Rick tries to make out if there is anything in the widow’s admiration in Hitler
D8(8!4) D6(3) = 1 success and 2 raises
There is definitely something to her enthusiasm. Sprinkled throughout her conversation she makes subtle reference to the improvements she thinks the Nazis are making to Germany. The business man seems to be in convinced of her arguments too.
is she being too enthusiastic - like she’s trying to get noticed for how pro German she is? (16): Exceptional Yes (<17% / 85%)
So then she is likely an American spy trying to get into the German authorities confidence - possibly to work as a double agent - others would not notice but to Rick there is the slightest flinch when she is saying Hitler’s name - she might even be Jewish herself?
is she Jewish? (76): No (55%)
maybe not
Rick takes the time to look around the bar. Everyone’s having a nice time. The band are playing. People dancing. Rick watches the young man who appeared to have a connection with the Security people at the customs house.
Does Rick notice anything?
Notice D8 7 D6 6 +2 = 9 = 1 success and 1 raise
yes
Mythic Event Meaning: Procrastinate Powerful Adversary
He appears to be watching someone intently-
is he watching Rick? (60): No (55%)
Is he watching the young girl? (41): Yes (75%)
He is watching her every subtle movement, her every glance, and not in a good way.
Are there any German officers in the bar as passengers? (12): Exceptional Yes (<18% / 90%)
Is there some very high ranking German officers travelling? (49): Yes (90%)
Does our young man appear to know them? (43): Yes (95%)
Do these officers appear to be beholden to the young man? (66): Yes (95%)
Whoever he is, he is indeed a powerful adversary
what’s the young girl doing?
Mythic Event Meaning: Smuggle Delightful A project
She is radiant. Her smile is lighting up the room, She could steal Ricks heart if he was not careful.
Does she cast any glances at the young man watching her so intently?
Notice D8 5 D6 2 +2 = 7 =1 success
is she quietly ever looking in the young mans direction? (100): Exceptional No (>85% / 75%)
She is oblivious to him and the possible danger she might be in.
is she ever looking in Ricks direction?
Notice D8 4 D6 2 +2 = 1 success
is she quietly ever looking in Ricks direction? (50): Yes (75%)
Next time she looks over, Rick flashes her his best New York PI smile - it has a hint of sex and a hint of danger!
Persuasion D6 4 D6 4 +2 = 6 = 1 success NPC reaction goes to Neutral.
She smiles back - it’s a killer smile
Does she do anything else? (94): Exceptional No (>85% / 75%)
But then she turns back to her drink and the moment is gone.
Rick glances at the young man. Did he notice the smile? (33): Yes (75%)
Does the young man see Rick looking at him looking at Rick? (86): Exceptional No (>85% / 75%)
Does anything else happen in the bar that evening? (16): Yes (75%)
Mythic Event Focus: Move away from a thread Freedom Threatened
Mythic Event Meaning: Gracefully Trick Important Money
Does Paloma Fontana try something on her man? (74): No (50%)
is Nicolao Rossi trying to do some confidence scheme? (23): Yes (75%)
Rick slowly draws his attention away from the beauty of the young woman and the voice of Nicolao begins to come back into his consciousness - he is explaining to Paloma about a fantastic business deal he is involved with. The more he describes it the more it sounds like a con - the question is - is Nicolao the victim or the perpetrator?
It seems that in the morning it would be worth finding out
1) about the young man and why he has so much authority
2) about whether Nicolao is the victim or trying to con Paloma
3) anything at all about that fabulous smile
In the meantime, Rick makes his way back to his cabin.
He checks his case to see if it has been opened whilst he was out of the room.? (25): Yes (50%).
Did they spot the false compartment? (22): No (15%)
Well that’s ok. Hopefully Ricks passed all the tests now for just being an ordinary passenger.
Summary
Walk scene success
OP – 0 PP – 1 SP – 3
Gain a Bennie (=2 Bennies)
Chaos 7
NPC
Lando Ricci
Moses Baron
Threads
Thule Gesellschaft
Deliver Letter
