SPF - The HypnoMechanical Theater, in Brazil

[Onix]

No rush, I just like to put in a post to show at what stage we're at and what I'm thinking the next stage should be. I'm not going to crack any whips, just give reminders.

[Evil Scientist]

Brisbane also spent a good portion of the night with a map and made some calculations.

"Look, I marked the places the creatures was seen at, and there IS a certain pattern... I reckon we wait in that area. I think you shouldn't stalk the forests - that monster is no deer."

What I'm trying to do is add Brisbane's Arithmethics to the hunt. He made Probability calculations (+1 Intelligence) and wants to use his usual combination of bonus Will and Marksmanship.

[J.K.Mosher]

Richards thinks about Brisbane's suggestion, and after taking a look at the assembled
company, "I think you may have a point. Question is what or WHO is going to be the
bait?"

Before Brisbane can answer Richards hands him the Sharps rifle, and starts attaching a rifle
stock to his Colt. "I'm hoping this thing has some sort of memory, which means I'm hoping
it may have taken a fancy to getting back at me . . . so I'll be the bait."

Brisbane notices the shell pouch on the stock of the Sharps. Opening it he finds it filled with
six HARD rounds.

"I'm sure you've used a Buffalo Rifle before. It's a single shot, single action breech loader. You've
got every round of nickle jacketed bullets I own. I'm hoping it'll give the needed penetration, but just
in case . . ." Richards shows off the rifle stock fitted Colt 44. "More accurate, I should be able to slam
off six rounds real quick if I have to . . . but it's gonna have to be real close to me to be of any effect . . .
so don't miss."

Tricks/Methods:
Core Item - Colt 44 w/ Rifle stock (+1 Agility)
Discipline (+2 Will)
Focus (+1 Will)
Wait for it (+2 Will)
Bait & Wait
Calm Nerves

[J.K.Mosher]

ES can plan out how the "trap" should work/look like. If we go that route.
If not we'll have to make a plan switch on the fly

[Onix]

Brisbane's best shot is using his intelligence. Actually so is Richards'. You might do better with the both of you using Beat the Brush with the others beating the brush to try and drive the monster to the two of you. (Two guns are better than one?)

The danger of using Will is that the creature's Will score could be higher than yours and you'd actually get a negative modifier to hit it. Your Intelligence is both of your highest attributes.

ES, in that situation Brisbane would probably use
Beat the Brush
Know Habits +1 Intelligence
Probability +1 Intelligence
Prone (from marksmanship) +2 Agility

Equation would be a good one to use because of the +2 to Intelligence but it seems wonky. If you can come up with an explanation for how it might work in this situation I'd allow it. Otherwise I'd just add another marksmanship method like Hold Breath +1 Agility.

Otherwise
Calm Nerves (provides a more reliable modifier than bait and wait. Hmmm. Thats a problem with bait and wait, have to fix that. Unless you're adding your will score twice which seems wrong.)
Wait for it +2
Focus +1
Prone +2 Agility
Hold Breath +1 Agility

[J.K.Mosher]

Richards and BRisbane end up in a circular discussion about tactics to hunt the beast,
that goes one for almost an hour until Pedro interrupts by clearing his throat. Both men
realise they have been wasting precious time. Taking a momment Richards rolls and lights a smoke.

"Okay, we can't chase it, as you right this no deer. Waiting around for it to comeback is
too dangerous and looking at the points you plotted not likely to work."

For the next few minutes Brisbane walks Richards through the Probability Calculations (Equations - Int +2)
he used and the variables, such as locations of reported attacks, the village, the right of way of the railway,
caves capable of holding such a massive creature and sources of water. Richards head swims a little at
the advnaced knowledge of mathametics used. Though he was good with numbers Brisbane obviously
and thankfully is the superior in that area.

Hitching a sling to the Rifle Stocked Colt 44, Richards hangs it across his back before gettingn his Sharps
Rifle handed back to him. All the while studying the map in Brisbane's hands.

"Here's a good spot. It's got a small ridge line, and good lines of sight (Terrain - Int +1 & Surroundings - Int +1)
to a couple locations you've indicated. If we have the boys move along this line here it should drive the fell beast
right to us (Beat the Brush - Modifier to be detrmined), cause we KNOW it's hurt and it's going to
need to bed down to heal up and that requires easy food, and water (Know Habits - +1Int)."

As the prepare to move out Richards is as calm as he's ever been in his life . . . even with the chances
that this good go so wrong (Calm Nerves - Agility + Will).

Richards Semi-Final Scores
Int 11 (8 +3 from Tricks)
Will 3
Hon 3
*Agi 6 (3 +3will via Calm Nerves)
Per 1
Str 3
Cha 1

*The modifier for the "Beat the Brush" trick has yet to be added.

The Red Text is a posisble explination in how Brisbane can use Equations for
this hunt.

[Onix]

I want to wait for ES and just see how he want's to play this and then I'll post the creature's methods.

[Evil Scientist]

Yeah, that's exactly what I meant for using maths to predict the creature's behaviour. Brisbane is using

Know Habits +1 Intelligence
Probability +1 Intelligence
Prone (from marksmanship) +2 Agility
Equotations +2 Intelligence
Wait for it +2 Will
Calm Nerves

Intelligence: 4+2=6
Will: 1+2=3
Honor: 3
Agility: 2+2+3=7
Perception: 1
Strength: 1
Charm: 2

The low Perception score still might be a drawback. Therefore Brisbane relies on Richards to spot the animal.

[Onix]

Sorry about the wait, I've been busy and thinking about how to rule this because I saw one thing that I missed when giving suggestions to ES. The hunting skill bases the hunter's ability to find their quarry on their Perception beating the animal's perception. I'm trying to figure out if that should remain in force when using the other hunting methods. Maybe not though because it would make stalk and shoot the most effective hunting method which realistically it isn't.

The creature plays
Cautious Per +1 Will +1
Knows the Jungle Int +1 Per +1
Cleanly Per +2
Flee - Agility +2
Pass Through Brush - Agility +2

Final Scores
Perception 9
Intelligence 1
Will 6
Agility 7

Richards Semi-Final Scores
Int 11 (8 +3 from Tricks)
Will 3
Hon 3
*Agi 6 (3 +3will via Calm Nerves)
Per 1
Str 3
Cha 1

Brisbane I'll have to modify because I think ES was looking at Richards using the colt as a sixth slot which it isn't. He would also need to use Beat the Brush.

Hunting Rifle (Core Item) +1 Agility <- This is an advanced rule JK was using. The items you select from your core events get a +1 to an attribute when using them.

Beat the Brush <- This trick is needed to convert Intelligence to an agility score.
Prone (from marksmanship) +2 Agility
Equations +2 Intelligence
Wait for it +2 Will
Calm Nerves

Intelligence: 4+2=6
Will: 1+2=3
Honor: 3
Agility: 2+2(prone)+3(calm nerves)+1(hunting rifle)=8
Perception: 1
Strength: 1
Charm: 2

Together the hunters have
Int 17
*Agi 8

VS.

Perception 9
Agility 7

Hunters Int 17 - creatures Per 9 = +8 to Hunter's Agility
Hunters Agility (8+8) 16 - Creature's Agility 7 = 9 points of damage.

The two intrepid hunters watch intently as their help circles the area. For several hours nothing happens but both men know this is stage of the game. It is time to be patient and wait. They watch intently the brush line where they anticipate the creature to emerge from. A tree moves! was it the creature? No, just the wind. What was that sound? Only a small rodent leaping through dried leaves.

Then, without a sound one turns his head only slightly and catches sight of it. Silently the massive beast slips through the forest. It seems impossible that so large an animal could move along the jungle floor without making a noise, but there it is! He taps his partner and they slowly raise their weapons.

A thundercrack and then another. The beast lets out a yelp, like a dog with it's tail caught in a door. Only it's a two ton dog.

The men refocus as the beast breaks into a run, crashing blindly through full grown trees. One tree goes down, then a second, and a third. The beast is more than just panicked, it's blind in it's pain. Will it go down?

Then it stops, sniffs the air and turns. How could a monster that smells that bad, possibly have a sense of smell? Bothe men see the wounds they've inflicted, It seems impossible that it could have taken such exact hits and it not be dead. They've seen elephants and rhinos drop immediately from hits like that. Then it turns towards the hunters, hesitates and then charges!

The creature plays
Cautious Per +1 Will +1
Knows the Jungle Int +1 Per +1
Swat - Strength +2
Charge - Strength +2
Pass Through Brush - Agility +2

Final Scores
Perception 7
Intelligence 1
Will 5
Agility 5
Strength 14

This is a strength based attack, to defend, the men will do best to stand together, but you'll need to up your strength in any way you can. You can also try to counter attack by keeping your Agility high but it will limit your ability to defend from the attack.

[J.K.Mosher]

"Scatter!" is what Richards yells as he moves away from Brisbane and drops to one knee while slaming
a hard round into the Sharps.

Richards knows he can't escape the charge, but he knows if he holds tight and waits until
the beast is point blank that this one last shot should drop it, and if not . . . well at least
Brisbane will be clear and can attempt to finish the creature, or escape from it.


Richards is going to use his military training to wait out the charge of the beats until it
is at point blank range which is when he's fire hoping to drop the beast before if can
fully close.

Why? As I can find no way to buff Richards' and Brisbane's strength high enough to
take the charge. So if brisbane can move out of the way Richards will take the charge
and fire this shot (hopefully not his last action but we'll see . . .)

Tricks:
Crouch (+1 Agility); Wait for it (+2 Will); Discipline (+2 Will); Hold Breath (+1 Agility)
Calm Nerves (Add Will to Agility)

Richards Final Scores:
Int 8
Will 7 (3 +4)
Honor 7
Agility 12 (3 +2 +7)
Str 3
Cha 1