A Fistful of C-Bills: A Mechwarrior Story

[espendabelle]

I know a little bit about Battletech from the HBS kickstarter. (I'm a huge fan of their Shadowrun games) and reading stuff on their site and forums. I also got the Novellas as backer rewards. Is that enough to be acceptable?

[Mister Ugly]

FedCom specialization of Mechwarrior it is. And he's a Mechwarrior, not a soldier. Peelin' potatoes, are you serious? Not in the contract.

And Banshees, c'mon, y'ever hear of reconnaissance in force? It's an assault 'mech that moves 4/6. That's scouty, y'know, for an assault lance, at least.

Only thing it's good for is screwing up FASA naming conventions; BattleTech/Mechwarrior, Renegade Legion/Legionnaire, etc. Oh, wait, that's not good, either.

What NO way someone else knows Renegade Legion!!! Geez I thought  no one but me ever heard of it or played it. I love the setting and once ran a game set in it. Okay no more Fan boy!! 

Hey even a MechWarrior goes through basic training!!  but fine, fine when they hand Hank a grenade he can always just try and peel it!! 

I know a little bit about Battletech from the HBS kickstarter. (I'm a huge fan of their Shadowrun games) and reading stuff on their site and forums. I also got the Novellas as backer rewards. Is that enough to be acceptable?

I could give you a hug espendabelle but my ugly might rub off on ya! I too gave what I could to the kick starter for Battletech. It looks good so far and yes it is enough to be acceptable. We can work out the colorful bits and pieces of the background as needed...

MU

[Mister Ugly]

Okay I have made a GM decision!! You all can run and hide now!! 

Once you have presented a character with background and chosen a mech [or maybe not have a mech at all] out of the grandest of my heart I will offer a bit of 'loot' to each character. This will entail a choice that needs to be made based on the character history, mech, [how much you bribe the GM].

As an example it could go like this:
In the heat of the evacuation your PC comes across three containers. The first is about the size of a briefcase but metal and thicker and silvery in color. The 2ND is about the same size but grey in color and the 3rd is a bit bigger but black. They are scattered and partly buried so you have time to grab one... Pick it and run!!

whatever you choose is a special gift from the GM. [lol think a gimme magic item in 5e]

MU

[orderNchaos]

So I guess I shouldn't share that I've been reading Battletech books since the very first Michael Stackpole books came out along with the graphic novels depicting Wolf's Dragoons....

[espendabelle]

I could give you a hug espendabelle but my ugly might rub off on ya! I too gave what I could to the kick starter for Battletech. It looks good so far and yes it is enough to be acceptable. We can work out the colorful bits and pieces of the background as needed...

Thank you. I was limited by financial realities, but I gave what I could. And the novellas have been worth it alone; they created a very rich image of the universe and its people.

I gathered that the universe is rather "post-apocalyptic" of sorts, the result of centuries of attrition warfare, collapse of technology and other such things. I had the idea that my character would be a Mechwarrior who came from a "failed" planet in the Periphery area (Which I seems to be from what I read where things are the worst) and managed to come into a Battlemech somehow. (They stole it from pirates or found it derelict or something like that). Does that fit?

So I guess I shouldn't share that I've been reading Battletech books since the very first Michael Stackpole books came out along with the graphic novels depicting Wolf's Dragoons....

I didn't know there were Graphic novels.

But if it is okay, I probably will pester both of you with questions.

[Mister Ugly]

So I guess I shouldn't share that I've been reading Battletech books since the very first Michael Stackpole books came out along with the graphic novels depicting Wolf's Dragoons....

I have met Michael at a couple of cons way back when. I always felt he had a better grasp on the Innersphere, story-wise, then some of the other authors. It is very good to know there are those out there that have read the novels. But have you read all the old House books hmmmm?

Lots of colorful history there as well!

Thank you. I was limited by financial realities, but I gave what I could. And the novellas have been worth it alone; they created a very rich image of the universe and its people.

I gathered that the universe is rather "post-apocalyptic" of sorts, the result of centuries of attrition warfare, collapse of technology and other such things. I had the idea that my character would be a Mechwarrior who came from a "failed" planet in the Periphery area (Which I seems to be from what I read where things are the worst) and managed to come into a Battlemech somehow. (They stole it from pirates or found it derelict or something like that). Does that fit?

I didn't know there were Graphic novels.

But if it is okay, I probably will pester both of you with questions.

That can work let me to a bit of research for the era on the Periphery since some of the more 'colorful' planets out there have come under clan control. It works and can be a nice hook in that your character won't know as much about the Innersphere as someone from there and gives you the ability of be the backworlds hick going 'golly gee' lookit that!! 

MU

[NightLux]

I might dip my toe into this - I played a lot of Battletech in high school but I haven't kept up with any of the fiction and hell if I don't remember a lot of it.  But I can find my way to the wiki easy enough to learn and fill in the gaps.

What's the current player count and distribution, if I might ask?

[espendabelle]

That can work let me to a bit of research for the era on the Periphery since some of the more 'colorful' planets out there have come under clan control. It works and can be a nice hook in that your character won't know as much about the Innersphere as someone from there and gives you the ability of be the backworlds hick going 'golly gee' lookit that!! 

I was looking at some maps I found and saw that the worlds to the "North" of the Inner Sphere get conquered, but there seems to be a lot of Periphery worlds on the other "sides" of it (In as far as such things can apply to three-dimensional space). Maybe my character could come from one of them.

[greenknight]

What NO way someone else knows Renegade Legion!!! Geez I thought  no one but me ever heard of it or played it. I love the setting and once ran a game set in it. Okay no more Fan boy!! 

I've even served in the 2d Cavalry 5000 YEARS! HIT THE LEATHER AND RIDE!

[NightLux]

I was looking at some maps I found and saw that the worlds to the "North" of the Inner Sphere get conquered, but there seems to be a lot of Periphery worlds on the other "sides" of it (In as far as such things can apply to three-dimensional space). Maybe my character could come from one of them.

I was actually thinking the same thing for mine.  In the universe its referred to as as the Periphery and, if you're familiar with Star Wars, its a lot like the Outer Rim.  Its truly the frontier.

Oh, and just a head's up, that wiki has the info going all the way through canon.  There's a timeline that gives you the big events leading up to 3054.

[orderNchaos]

Character
Name: Allia

Sex: Female
Age: 27
BattleMech: HCT-5S Hatchetman 
Homeworld: Hesperus II
Original Faction: Lyran Commonwealth



Description: Allia is fairly short in stature what most would call mousy.  She's spent most of her life being overlooked by people even though her phsyique is well built.  She maintains her gymnast style physique very well, making her uncommonly nimble and quick.

Background: Allia grew up in a family with a long history of serving in the Lyran Military.  Three generations of her family had served in the 15th Lyran Guards.  Her Grandfather and Father served with the Fifteenth Lyran Guards after they were sent to Hesperus II in 3025 as part of the planets Garrison Force.  Her father and older brother eventually were hired on by Defiance Industries as part of the companies Self Protection Force. Allia grew up around Mechs and stories of war and combat, driving her first Mech at age 12.  When her father retired from service on her 18th birthday, Defiance Industries sponsored Allia at Nagelring, where she studied for three years until an altercation with a number of family members of the Steiner household drove an early release from the school.  Wanting to cover up the fact that the Steiner name may have been sullied through the actions of its members, Nagelring graduated Allia without finishing her final year.

Returning to Hesperus II, she took on a position with the Fifteenth Lyran Guards using a fully operational and upgraded Hatchetman handed down by her father.  After three years with the Fifteenth Allia decided regimented military life of garrison duty was not for her, driving her to seek out more exciting warrior lifestyle.


Personality: Allia is relatively quiet and introverted.  She tends to sit back and watch, collecting information and keeping details.  In comfortable situations she opens up her personality and can be very friendly and outgoing.

Specialty Skills: Allia is ambidextrous with almost anything she does.  She is expert trained in martial arts and small arms making her dangerous both in and out of the cockpit. 

BattleMech Characteristics

Chassis: XL Engine
Weight Class:  Medium
Callsign:  Harlequin
Description: Harlequin has developed a bit of a reputation in the past few years with a scary array of kills through less than conventional tactics.  While battle scars are normal for a battlemech, Allia has worked hard to keep Harlequin looking as fresh as the day it rolled off the assembly line.  With its dark grey color with brown and red tiger stripes randomly placed around the arms and legs, Harlequin has a relatively low key visual silhouette.  The signature Blade of the hatchet has blood painted along the leading edge as if running down the blade. 

Loadout:
Mydron Tornado Rotary Autocannon/5
Ammo (AC) 5
Diverse Optics ER Medium Lasers
Guardian ECM Suite
Jump Jets x 2
Hatchet


Modules: CASE, C3 Master Computer,

Upgrades: Ferro-Fibrous Armor

General Armor Values:

Equipment: Nashan trac V-102 w/Active Probe, Beagle Active Probe, Stealth Armor, Guardian ECM Suite.

[espendabelle]

Actually, before I get too involved, I wanted to know what content level you were planning to put the game in.

[Mister Ugly]

I might dip my toe into this - I played a lot of Battletech in high school but I haven't kept up with any of the fiction and hell if I don't remember a lot of it.  But I can find my way to the wiki easy enough to learn and fill in the gaps.

What's the current player count and distribution, if I might ask?

Welcome NightLux!!

Just playing BT gives you a leg up on a couple of people that expressed interest so come on down!!
As for player count and distribution...hmm let me see? If everyone that has expressed an interest joins then it should be as follows:
Barenmarder --- Draconis Combine --mech-- either Wolverine or Warhammer
orderNchaos ---???--- mech---??
Undine--- Newbie to BT ??--- mech---??
greenknight---FedCom [NAIS training]--- mech--- something that rips and tears  I hear he likes the Lyran scout mech called a Banshee 
Relikai---??novice?---mech--- Bushwaker
espendabelle---newbie[Periphery]--- probably a beat up 3025 mech

With at least 2 NPcs that can make 2 lances easy

MU

[NightLux]

Actually, before I get too involved, I wanted to know what content level you were planning to put the game in.

If you're interested but a little intimidated we could always have our characters connected somehow.  I'll admit, the tech readout for the mech/character that was just posted is way over my head now too, and I played the darn game.

Welcome NightLux!!

Just playing BT gives you a leg up on a couple of people that expressed interest so come on down!!
As for player count and distribution...hmm let me see? If everyone that has expressed an interest joins then it should be as follows:
Barenmarder --- Draconis Combine --mech-- either Wolverine or Warhammer
orderNchaos ---???--- mech---??
Undine--- Newbie to BT ??--- mech---??
greenknight---FedCom [NAIS training]--- mech--- something that rips and tears  I hear he likes the Lyran scout mech called a Banshee 
Relikai---??novice?---mech--- Bushwaker
espendabelle---newbie[Periphery]--- probably a beat up 3025 mech

With at least 2 NPcs that can make 2 lances easy

MU

If it helps (and I'll need to get caught up again), I wouldn't mind for Relikai, Undine and Espendabelle to be in my lance as fresh recruits that I'm training.

[espendabelle]

If you're interested but a little intimidated we could always have our characters connected somehow.  I'll admit, the tech readout for the mech/character that was just posted is way over my head now too, and I played the darn game.

I meant more in terms of which section (Light/Bondage/Non-Con) was the game going to be in

[Mister Ugly]

Actually, before I get too involved, I wanted to know what content level you were planning to put the game in.

HMM good question!! I had no plans for any thing really nasty in adult content... at best maybe a capture scene rated a hard PG. Beating, bound, cigars, overblown villain tirades. So at worst maybe NC but probably more like Light...I am open to suggestions on this!!
This of course does not mean there won't be time for sex in all sort of ways...hmm zero-g should be interesting...Join the nadir club!!! 

So what are y'all's preferences on this??

MU

[espendabelle]

I would prefer Light or Bondage myself.

[NightLux]

LOL, I took that to mean content in terms of the universe, not sex.

I too would prefer more Light or Bondage rather than NC (or just put lots of warnings for that).

[Mister Ugly]

@orderNchaos: I like the character she fits nicely. The mech though is a bit too advanced for the year. 3054. The rotary ACs came out around 3062. C3 computers were only recently introduced by the Combine and have not been put into active service even there. Though the Owen omnimech was being considered as a possible platform as well as the cyclops and several other mechs redesigns.

I use Sarna.net as my go to reference for Battletech. They are fairly accurate and have a lot of information on Battletech.

There they list the HST-5S as follows:

The 5S is an upgrade of the 3F model introduced in 3049. The 5S replaces the GM 180 fusion engine with an extralight model, the Edasich Motors 180 XL, while the weapons have also been stripped from the chassis and upgraded. The normal autocannon was replaced with a Defiance Disintegrator LB-X Autocannon/10 while the medium lasers were replaced with three Defiance P5M Medium Pulse Lasers, one in each arm and the third in the left torso. Finally, the Hatchetman has been re-armored with eight and a half tons of Durallex Super Medium Ferro-Fibrous armor and also includes CASE to protect the LB-X Autocannon's single ton of reloads in the event of an ammunition explosion. The reduction in magazine size and use of only ten standard heat sinks was met with some criticism, but otherwise the 5S was greeted as a vastly improved city-fighter

the read out for the 5s would look like this

Spoiler: Click to Show/Hide

Type/Model:    Hatchetman HCT-5S
Mass:          45 tons

Equipment:                                 Crits    Mass
Int. Struct.:  75 pts Standard               0      4.50
Engine:        180 XL Fusion                12      3.50
   Walking MP:   4
   Running MP:   6
   Jumping MP:   4
Heat Sinks:     10 Single                    3       .00
(Heat Sink Loc: 1 HD, 1 LT, 1 RT)
Gyro:                                        4      2.00
Cockpit, Life Supt., Sensors:                5      3.00
Actuators: L: Sh+UA+LA+H    R: Sh+UA+LA+H   16       .00
Armor Factor:  152 pts Ferro-Fibrous        14      8.50
(Armor Crit Loc: 3 LA, 3 RA, 7 LT, 1 CT)

                          Internal    Armor
                          Structure   Value
   Head:                      3          9     
   Center Torso:             14         21     
   Center Torso (Rear):                  6     
   L/R Side Torso:           11      16/16     
   L/R Side Torso (Rear):              6/6     
   L/R Arm:                   7      14/14     
   L/R Leg:                  11      22/22     

Weapons and Equipment    Loc  Heat  Ammo   Crits    Mass
--------------------------------------------------------
1 LB 10-X AC             RT      2   10      7     12.00
  (Ammo Locations: 1 RT)
1 Medium Pulse Laser     LT      4           1      2.00
1 Medium Pulse Laser     LA      4           1      2.00
1 Medium Pulse Laser     RA      4           1      2.00
CASE Equipment:          RT                  1       .50
1 Hatchet                RH                  3      3.00
4 Standard Jump Jets:                        4      2.00
(Jump Jet Loc: 2 LL, 2 RL)
--------------------------------------------------------
TOTALS:                         14          72     45.00
Crits & Tons Left:                           6       .00

The Hatchetman is a great niche mech and can be loads of fun to play. What would be an acceptable compromise since I cannot in good faith allow your version of the Hatchetman!!

MU

[orderNchaos]

@orderNchaos: I like the character she fits nicely. The mech though is a bit too advanced for the year. 3054. The rotary ACs came out around 3062. C3 computers were only recently introduced by the Combine and have not been put into active service even there. Though the Owen omnimech was being considered as a possible platform as well as the cyclops and several other mechs redesigns.

I use Sarna.net as my go to reference for Battletech. They are fairly accurate and have a lot of information on Battletech.

There they list the HST-5S as follows:
the read out for the 5s would look like this

Spoiler: Click to Show/Hide

Type/Model:    Hatchetman HCT-5S
Mass:          45 tons

Equipment:                                 Crits    Mass
Int. Struct.:  75 pts Standard               0      4.50
Engine:        180 XL Fusion                12      3.50
   Walking MP:   4
   Running MP:   6
   Jumping MP:   4
Heat Sinks:     10 Single                    3       .00
(Heat Sink Loc: 1 HD, 1 LT, 1 RT)
Gyro:                                        4      2.00
Cockpit, Life Supt., Sensors:                5      3.00
Actuators: L: Sh+UA+LA+H    R: Sh+UA+LA+H   16       .00
Armor Factor:  152 pts Ferro-Fibrous        14      8.50
(Armor Crit Loc: 3 LA, 3 RA, 7 LT, 1 CT)

                          Internal    Armor
                          Structure   Value
   Head:                      3          9     
   Center Torso:             14         21     
   Center Torso (Rear):                  6     
   L/R Side Torso:           11      16/16     
   L/R Side Torso (Rear):              6/6     
   L/R Arm:                   7      14/14     
   L/R Leg:                  11      22/22     

Weapons and Equipment    Loc  Heat  Ammo   Crits    Mass
--------------------------------------------------------
1 LB 10-X AC             RT      2   10      7     12.00
  (Ammo Locations: 1 RT)
1 Medium Pulse Laser     LT      4           1      2.00
1 Medium Pulse Laser     LA      4           1      2.00
1 Medium Pulse Laser     RA      4           1      2.00
CASE Equipment:          RT                  1       .50
1 Hatchet                RH                  3      3.00
4 Standard Jump Jets:                        4      2.00
(Jump Jet Loc: 2 LL, 2 RL)
--------------------------------------------------------
TOTALS:                         14          72     45.00
Crits & Tons Left:                           6       .00

The Hatchetman is a great niche mech and can be loads of fun to play. What would be an acceptable compromise since I cannot in good faith allow your version of the Hatchetman!!

MU

I don't mind the standard loadout of the 5S, but when Defiance Industries upgraded her fathers older model to the 5S they move the medium lasers to the left arm to free up the Hatchet and made room for the Guardian ECM pod.  That sound good?

[Mister Ugly]

@espendabelle and Nightlux: I am going to offer up a possible tail for both you and a hint as to where the contract planet, San Martin, is at.
If you both were from "The March Worlds" region of the Periphery [far left side] that would give the Storm Crows a very good reason to hire you since San Martin is about a jump away from that edge in the Free Worlds League.

Check Illyrain Palatinate, Lothan League, Marian Hegemony.

I hope that helps some!!

MU

[Mister Ugly]

I don't mind the standard loadout of the 5S, but when Defiance Industries upgraded her fathers older model to the 5S they move the medium lasers to the left arm to free up the Hatchet and made room for the Guardian ECM pod.  That sound good?

Works fine for me since you are at Defiance industries!!

I can live with the guardian since I was hoping someone would come up with one.

You might want to check this out: http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c85/lego-botz/Mechs/Hachetmanpaint.jpg or the ones on this page!!
https://mwomercs.com/forums/topic/227755-hct-3f-hatchetman/

Hatchetman 5s+

This look about right for ya oNc? it has a couple of extra HSs and still only one ton of ammo unless you want to drop a Hs and add another ton?
--------------------------------------------------------
Type/Model:    Hatchetman HCT-5S
Mass:          45 tons

Equipment:                                 Crits    Mass
Int. Struct.:  75 pts Endo Steel            14      2.50
(Endo Steel Loc: 4 LA, 4 RA, 4 LT, 1 RT, 1 CT)
Engine:        180 XL Fusion                12      3.50
   Walking MP:   4
   Running MP:   6
   Jumping MP:   4
Heat Sinks:     13 Single                    6      3.00
(Heat Sink Loc: 1 HD, 1 LA, 1 RA, 1 LT, 1 RT, 1 CT)
Gyro:                                        4      2.00
Cockpit, Life Supt., Sensors:                5      3.00
Actuators: L: Sh+UA+LA+H    R: Sh+UA+LA+H   16       .00
Armor Factor:  152 pts Standard              0      9.50

                          Internal    Armor
                          Structure   Value
   Head:                      3          9     
   Center Torso:             14         21     
   Center Torso (Rear):                  6     
   L/R Side Torso:           11      16/16     
   L/R Side Torso (Rear):              6/6     
   L/R Arm:                   7      14/14     
   L/R Leg:                  11      22/22     

Weapons and Equipment    Loc  Heat  Ammo   Crits    Mass
--------------------------------------------------------
3 Medium Lasers          LA      9           3      3.00
1 LB 10-X AC             RT      2   10      7     12.00
  (Ammo Locations: 1 RT)
1 Guardian ECM           LT      0           2      1.50
1 Hatchet                RH                  3      3.00
4 Standard Jump Jets:                        4      2.00
(Jump Jet Loc: 2 LL, 2 RL)
--------------------------------------------------------

MU

[Mister Ugly]

For those new to BT and going WTF is all these numbers and are we gonna need them?...probably really no but think of it as defining what a +2 weapon or suit of armor looks like color and function wise so that you have a better idea on how the mech works within the setting.

MU

[orderNchaos]

We can go down to two HS to give an extra ton of Ammo.

Hatchetman 5s+

--------------------------------------------------------
Type/Model:    Hatchetman HCT-5S
Mass:          45 tons

Equipment:                                 Crits    Mass
Int. Struct.:  75 pts Endo Steel            14      2.50
(Endo Steel Loc: 4 LA, 4 RA, 4 LT, 1 RT, 1 CT)
Engine:        180 XL Fusion                12      3.50
   Walking MP:   4
   Running MP:   6
   Jumping MP:   4
Heat Sinks:     12 Single                    6      3.00
(Heat Sink Loc: 1 HD, 1 LA, 1 RA, 1 LT, 1 RT, 1 CT)
Gyro:                                        4      2.00
Cockpit, Life Supt., Sensors:                5      3.00
Actuators: L: Sh+UA+LA+H    R: Sh+UA+LA+H   16       .00
Armor Factor:  152 pts Standard              0      9.50

                          Internal    Armor
                          Structure   Value
   Head:                      3          9     
   Center Torso:             14         21     
   Center Torso (Rear):                  6     
   L/R Side Torso:           11      16/16     
   L/R Side Torso (Rear):              6/6     
   L/R Arm:                   7      14/14     
   L/R Leg:                  11      22/22     

Weapons and Equipment    Loc  Heat  Ammo   Crits    Mass
--------------------------------------------------------
3 Medium Lasers          LA      9           3      3.00
1 LB 10-X AC             RT      2   10      7     12.00
  (Ammo Locations: 1 RT)
1 Guardian ECM           LT      0           2      1.50
1 Hatchet                RH                  3      3.00
4 Standard Jump Jets:                        4      2.00
(Jump Jet Loc: 2 LL, 2 RL)
--------------------------------------------------------

[greenknight]

Now I kinda want an Axeman; heavy, FedCom, JumpJets, fights in close, Team Banzai....

But someone else already called a Hatchetman.