5PFH – Raschke’s Rifles – S01E02
Getting the Actual Play Reports written has caused me a writer’s block, and due to that I haven’t gotten to playing my campaign. As with the previous session, I had played this months ago, but never gotten down to writing it. I need to tone down significantly the expectations from my reports. Don’t get me wrong, I absolutely loved the high production value of the 2nd campaign of Bug Hunt. But honestly, I don’t think I have in me the energy to keep doing it. Perhaps it’s part of the reason I have been stalling, and only focusing on different parts of the hobby. Risking a potential burnout on printing and painting miniatures, I’ll try to get back on playing my campaign.
Unfortunately, I’ll be doing a variable style of actual play reports. Sometimes I may give just a rough overview of the turn. Other times I may provide a detailed comic presentation with actual play photos. Most of the time it will be somewhere between these two, but I don’t want to commit. At the very least I will be providing the bookkeeping information that I need so that I don’t miss any important things to the story going forward.
Current Status
| Name | Reactions | Speed | Combat | Toughness | Savvy | Luck | XP/Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ariana Raschke | 1 | 6″ | +0 | 4 | +3 | 2 | 27/4 |
| Urien Jackstadt | 1 | 5″ | +1 | 3 | +0 | 1/0 | |
| Drathi | 2 | 6″ | +0 | 3 | +2 | 1 | 1/0 |
| Name | Species/Type | Weapons | Gear | Traits | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ariana Raschke | Human | Service Pistol | Brave Supportive | Origin: Trade Hub Training: Planetary militia, technical, leadership Service history: Anti-pirate operation, USS Astral Monarch, Colgan’s Wreck. Completed Missions: 9 Mustered out | |
| Urien Jackstadt | Baseline Human | Military Rifle w Beam Light | Friendly Logical | Background: Comfortable Megacity Class Motivation: Escape Class: Mercenary | |
| Drathi | Skulker | Hunting Rifle Blade | Nano-doc | Brave Observant | Background: Low tech colony Motivation: Discovery Class: Troubleshooter |
| Name | Injuries | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Ariana Raschke | Fit for duty | |
| Urien Jackstadt | Fit for duty | |
| Drathi | Minor Injuries | 1 turn healing |
| Crew Name | Notes | Story Points | Credits | Stash |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Raschke‘s Rifles | 6 | 9 | Scrap Pistol Colony Rifle Glare Sword |
| Entity | Type | Details | Job |
|---|---|---|---|
| Col. Ivan Novikov | Patron | Sector Government | Danger Pay: +2 credits Time Frame: following 2 turns BHC: Conditions: Vengeful |
| World | Settlement | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Mackensen V | Kevil’s Port | Restricted Education |
1st Turn Summary:
Offered a job from Col. Novikov, didn’t take it.
Drathi gambled away a Rifle.
Opportunity battle against Isolationists (they didn’t like the newcomers)
Game Options
- Slaves to the Star Grind
- Money is Tight
- Starting in the Gutter (all options)
- Dramatic Weapons + Adjusted Shooting
- Detailed Post-Battle Injuries
- 5X Experience Variant
- Story Track to begin once we hit a crew of 6
- Factions to be used once we reach the next World
Campaign Steps
- Upkeep and Ship Repairs
Upkeep 1 Credit (Money is Tight)
No ship
Drathi is back in fighting shape - Assign and Resolve Crew Tasks
Ariana: Train +1 XP
Urien: Recruit: Available is Baseline Human: Industrial World (Frag Vest)/Glory (+1 CS, Military Rifle)/Scoundrel (+1 Speed), Hired - Existing Job Offers
Sector Government
Danger Pay: +2 credits
Time Frame: This or the following 2 campaign turns
BHC: Conditions: Vengeful - Assign Equipment
No changes - Resolve any Rumors
None - Choose your battle
Check for Rivals – None
Select your Job: Patron job
Readying for Battle
- Determine Deployment Conditions
No Condition
Notable Sights: Peculiar Item - Determine the Objective
Fight Off - Determine the Enemy
Criminal Elements: Gangers (Aggresive) (P1-2,S4, C0, T3)
Number: 5+2-1=6
1 Specialist
1 Lieutenant (Blade, Combat +1)
Unique Individal: None
Weapons: Handgun, Clingfire pistol
| Name | Reactions | Speed | Combat | Toughness | Savvy | Luck | XP/Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ariana Raschke | 1 | 6″ | +0 | 4 | +3 | 2 | 27/4 |
| Urien Jackstadt | 1 | 5″ | +1 | 3 | +0 | 1/0 | |
| Drathi | 2 | 6″ | +0 | 3 | +2 | 1 | 1/0 |
| Renette Grison | 1 | 5″ | +1 | 3 | +0 | 0/0 |
Combat
Seize the Initiative
5+3+1: Failure
Round 1
Urien shoots Leader: Hit: Stunned
Renette shoots ganger: Miss
Round 2
Drathi shoots: (aiming): Leader: Hit: Kill
Urien shoots thug: Miss
Renette shoots (aiming) thug: Miss
Ariana shoots specialist: hit: Kill
Morale: 1 thug flees
Round 3
Drathi shoots (aiming) thug: Miss
Thug shoots Ariana: Miss
Thug shoots Ariana: Miss
Thug shoots Urien: Miss
Urien aimed shot at Thug: Hit: Kill
Renette aimed shot at Thug: Hit: Kill
Ariana shoots thug: Miss
Morale: Last thug flees
Post Battle
- Resolve Rival Status
N/A - Resolve Patron Status
N/A - Determine Quest Progress
N/A - Get Paid
1(=3)+2=5 Credits - Battlefield Finds
Personal trinket - Check for Invasion
N/A - Gather the loot
Damaged Weapons: Ripper Sword & Hunting Rifle - Determine Injuries and Recovery
N/A - Experience and Character Upgrades
Ariana: +3 XP
Urien: +3 XP
Drathi: +4 XP
Renette: +3 XP
Drathi (5/1) Roll: Your pick: +1 Combat - Invest in Advance Training
No - Purchase Items
No - Roll for a Campaign Event
An admirer wants to come along.
Baseline Human: Drifter/Truth/Nomad, Not hired. - Roll for a Character Event
Ariana: You meet up with an old arms dealer contact who owes you a deal. Hand Cannon, Machine Pistol, Shotgun. - Check for Galactic War Progress
N/A
| Name | Reactions | Speed | Combat | Toughness | Savvy | Luck | XP/Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ariana Raschke | 1 | 6″ | +0 | 4 | +3 | 2 | 30/4 |
| Urien Jackstadt | 1 | 5″ | +1 | 3 | +0 | 4/0 | |
| Drathi | 2 | 6″ | +1 | 3 | +2 | 1 | 5/1 |
| Renette Grison | 1 | 5″ | +1 | 3 | +0 | 3/0 |
| Name | Species/Type | Weapons | Gear | Traits | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ariana Raschke | Human | Service Pistol | Brave Supportive | Origin: Trade Hub Training: Planetary militia, technical, leadership Service history: Anti-pirate operation, USS Astral Monarch, Colgan’s Wreck. Completed Missions: 9 Mustered out | |
| Urien Jackstadt | Baseline Human | Military Rifle w Beam Light | Friendly Logical | Background: Comfortable Megacity Class Motivation: Escape Class: Mercenary | |
| Drathi | Skulker | Hunting Rifle Blade | Nano-doc | Brave Observant | Background: Low tech colony Motivation: Discovery Class: Troubleshooter |
| Renette Grison | Baseline Human | Military Rifle | Frag vest | Optimistic Impulsive | Background: Industrial world Motivation: Glory Class: Scoundrel |
| Name | Injuries | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Ariana Raschke | Fit for duty | |
| Urien Jackstadt | Fit for duty | |
| Drathi | Fit for duty | |
| Renette Grison | Fit for duty |
| Crew Name | Notes | Story Points | Credits | Stash |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Raschke‘s Rifles | 6 | 9 | Scrap Pistol Colony Rifle Glare Sword Machine Pistol Hand Cannon Shotgun D. Ripper Sword D. Hunting Rifle |
| Entity | Type | Details | Job |
|---|---|---|---|
| Col. Ivan Novikov | Patron | Sector Government | Time Frame: following 2 turns BHC: Conditions: Vengeful Completed |
| World | Settlement | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Mackensen V | Kevil’s Port | Restricted Education |
Text Narrative
Zzx’rth’g the alien landlord collected the weekly rent, and was on it’s way, when Ariana left a sigh. Things weren’t looking good. The crew was short of men, credits were running low, and there was a deadline for her mission. She grit her teeth, told herself that she can do it, and went in the hall to talk to her crew.
“Hey boss.” Urien greeted her. He was trying so hard to appear cool and proffessional, but he always comes as a sleazy scumbag who’s trying to hit on her in the bar. Soft skills are not his forte. Ariana sighs again.
“What you’ll have us do? Drathi is ready to rest and get ready!” the skulker said in a cheerful? manner. She couldn’t understand if he was joking or not. She needs to freshen up on her skulker cultural knowledge.
“Yes Drathi, you shall rest, so that it won’t hurt running at the Pale Colds the day after tomorrow.” she replied. “And you, ” she turned to Urien. “Get a second chance to find us the fourth member of our crew. I’ll stay here and do study tactics for our team, while looking after Drathi at the same time.”
Urien didn’t have many options for finding someone to recruit in Kevil’s Port. The Tailed Gecko was the most obvious place to start with, so that’s where he headed.
“What you’ll have?” Asked the bull-man bartender.
“A scoltar ale. Name’s Urien.” He put the credits on the counter. “What’s yours?”
“Flattering,” the bartender replied in a heavy voice while serving him the same beer he had the other day, “But you’re just not my type.”
“No no, you got it wrong. I am just trying to…ah whatever.” Urien paused, changed his stance, and went to explain. “Look, dude, me and the crew I’m running with, seems we’re going to be stuck in this place for a while. I’m trying to make some business connections. I thought learning your name before talking stuff like this would be good, you know, but have it your way.” Frustrated he turned his attention to the beer in front of him. He looked forward to drinking the viscous liquid that made him forget the annoying cat-hair atmosphere of Mackensen V.
“My name is Tarminos. Friends call me Tar. My guess then is you’re looking for information?” the bartender replied, while drying some glasses.
“Yes, Tar…” – Urien let it linger for a while, while the bartender kept looking at him in the eye, he decided to go with his full name eventually – “…minos, do you know if there’s anyone in here looking to join a crew? we’re quite short-handed at the moment.”
Tarminos nodded. “I’ll hook you up. Stay.”
Minutes passed. Then one hour. Then more. Urien had to drink two more scoltar ales just to pass the time. Eventually he decided he’d have enough, and Tarminos was probably messing with him. He stood up.
“Where are you going? she’s here.” the bartender stopped him.
A long haired brunette, in her late 20s, took the seat next to him. “Hey Tar. The usual.” she said to the bartender in a confident voice.
Urien turned to her, but before he even had a chance to speak, she cut him off, palm gesture to stop right in front of him.
“Look man, I’m just not interested, alright? Go find another pretty lass to bother.” she told him.
“Why does everyone think I’m hitting on them?” Urien said out loud, frustrated.
She and the bartender laughed. “I’m messing with you. Tar told me about your little get-to-know before, and I just couldn’t pass up the opportunity. Name’s Renette. Heard you’re looking for crew.”
Urien was left speechless.
“You do pass as a Casanova if you ask me. So, tell me. What’s your crew, what kind of jobs you do, and what are you looking for in a member.” she continued.
“We’re Raschke’s Rifles.” He eventually responded. “Our leader, Ariana, has strong tactical knowledge, and connections to get jobs that pay well. They also come with a good amount of risk involved. We need a few extra hands to ensure business continuity. What do you bring to the table?”
“Wow, that’s a lot of corpo mumbo jumbo. Ariana? you’re the ones that faced off the isolationists the other day? I respect that.” she continued while Urien nodded. “I’m good with a rifle. Let’s say I come from a tough background, and I had to learn how to fend for myself. I managed to get out of there, and now I want to be someone. If it happens that the powers that be, pay for what they’ve done, along the way, well, that’s just an added bonus.”
“I think we have an understanding. I say you join us for this next job, and we can decide after. Think of it as a trial period. You’ll get compensated of course.” Urien offered his hand.
She bumped it. “I’m in. Let’s go meet the rest of the crew.”
Back in the safehouse, they found Ariana and Drathi over a rough map sketch. Urien did short introductions, and they got right on to the briefing.
“Listen up, the Pale Colds are small time gangsters. They shouldn’t pose a threat, but we’re still low at numbers which makes this all the more dangerous. Urien thanks for bringing Renette to the fold. Drathi also is healing well, so he should be joining us tomorrow. The patron – local Unity – needs this to be done soon. There’s a risk that the Pale Colds will act against him, and then we’ll lose any favor we have. We’ll hit their turf near the Unity Reserve Office. We want them out of this area. Prepare for long range combat and they shouldn’t be able to close in for a shot against us. Questions?” Ariana used her military training to provide an efficient plan to the team.
The fighting the other day went smoothly for Raschke’s Rifles. They clashed with 6 gangers from the Pale Colds. Within a handful of minutes, they took down one each, including their lieutenant. Two thugs fled, carrying the message that this area was out of bounds for the Pale Colds. They also found the gangsters stash of weapons, a damaged ripper sword and a damaged hunting rifle. Nothing someone with skill couldn’t fix, in the stash was also a personal trinket.
After the fight, Ariana went by the URO again. She found him talking to an old acquaintance of her.
“Flint?” she asks the gray haired old man. “What are you doing here of all places?”
“Ariana! my girl!” A smile appears on his face as he hugs her. “You had just enlisted last time I saw you.”
“You two know each other?” the Colonel asks frustrated.
“She comes from Luyten-4071. A large trade hub. My trade was just starting in the arms business. Her parents helped me a lot getting the right connections. I don’t know if it wasn’t for them if I’d be where I am today.” The old man replied.
“In Mackensen V?” she taunted. That was a side of Ariana that she never let out, except with the closest people.
“I found that the Unity Reserves are ill-equipped, and requisitions take a long time. Since I’m UWS certified, this makes them a good sales partner. That’s my business here with the Colonel.” He replied. “How about you? I don’t see you in your fatigues, not that I’d expect a woman of your skill to end up in a URO in Mackensen V – no offense Colonel – this is one of the toughest ladies I’ve met.”
“Mrs Raschke mustered out.” the Colonel intervened, a look of surprise in Flint’s face. “She did leave with a good record for Unity, hunting bugs along the galaxy. I guess she’s had enough. Now she’s here as a private contractor.”
“There’s more to the story Flint.” Ariana replied. “But yes, that is correct. Also, Colonel Sir. The mission – the job I mean. Is done. The Pale Colds shouldn’t bother you anymore.”
“Here for payment then.” He unlocked a drawer with a PIN code, took out a bunch of credits, and handed them to her. “Well done then. Unity thanks you.”
“Hey girl, I’d like to catch up with you later. Where can I find you?” Flint asks.
“The Tailed Gecko, old man.” Be there in an hour.
Back in the Gecko, the crew was celebrating a job well done, when Tarminos gestured for Urien to come over.
“Word in the gutter has started spreading about your crew. There’s an admirer that would like to join you. But, he isn’t one of those who stick around. He’s a nomad, drifter. Do you want me to set up a meet for you?” the bartender asks.
“Thanks. I think we’re good for now. We’re looking for a different skill set.” Urien replied.
As he headed back he saw an old man had joined their table, and was sharing old stories with Ariana.
A long while later, when they were about to leave, Flint turned to Ariana alone. “Perhaps if you were still in UAF, I could have greased some wheels and pushed the bureaucracy to get you that Officer’s Training you were so eager for. Now I can’t, but I owe your family, so as a token of gratitude I have a small gift for you in your new endeavour.”
They went to his ship, and he gave her a case with some guns. A handcannon, a machine pistol and a shotgun.
“Thank you Flint.” she hugged him. “I hope we meet again.”
Session Summary
Writing down the actual play report months later doesn’t help with the summary. I really want to pick it up and start playing more. I need to actively decide to reduce my hobby painting time and play more. It’s just so much easier at the end of the day to do something that doesn’t require reading, thinking, and setting up tables. I have been considering creating a semi-portable gaming table that would really speed up my gaming time, perhaps I need to get on with it and do it. I’m also fiddling with some homebrew mini-table rules that are in-between the no-minis rules and the regular table rules. Something that will let me place minis on the table, but will be much faster.
As to the game session itself the combat part was really fast. The enemies short range weapons didn’t help them at all, and our crew made short work of them. The job interviews homebrew rule for recruiting, while interesting, hasn’t really worked to what I wanted sofar. I want diversity in my crew, and would like another alien or a bot if possible.
I really enjoy writing the text narrative in the end, I’m feeling I’m letting out some form of creative expression. But, perhaps for the next session I’ll also have some actual play photos to go along with it.
Solo, Pen, Paper and Dice 
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