Glad to see someone's finally taking action at Otis. Only one comment, though— "Does that sound good" isn't a military thing. You're the one who knows how to fight Whiskeys, you're the one telling the others how to deal with it. It isn't a democracy.
"Your mission is not to nuke the squid god." —Faramir@Wysp: Yeah, but he's also asking them to charge straight forward through an area with no cover whatsoever, a military tactic that's been nearly obsolete since around WWI-WWII. Seemed kinda fair that they get a chance to object at least.
Though, I really meant it more as a "are you ready?" statement, so I may change it to that. Not sure.
You are reading this.Yeah, Unicorn is supposed to be a military organization—but in the finest tradition of SF groups, mildly-military describes it well. The other thing is that I don't like to issue direct orders to my players, or that I try to do so in a way that leaves significant openings for interpretation. Combat, after all, is going to be a player-led activity, and even if I control the players' commanders I'll have commanders avoid taking direct tactical command as much as I can.
Charlie Stross's cheerful, optimistic predictions for 2017, part one of three.Anyone else excited for "Pretend to be a time traveler day" on Dec 8? *http://www.wired.com/geekdad/2007/12/pretend-to-be-a/
*slaps self*
Why do I keep making things like this
when I should be writing posts?
Because Sea King!
Anyway, sorry for the absence. Finals season is right in high gear, and Faramir and Wysp can probably confirm that I've been a right cranky little bear for the past few days. I've got a pair of papers on political science due, not to mention the varied German tests. In the meantime, if you ain't posted yet, you know who you are. Feel the power of my >:( in that case.
Charlie Stross's cheerful, optimistic predictions for 2017, part one of three.- Crawls back into forums*
Hi guys! I managed to survive a whirlwind session where I crammed a 6 month online Immunology class into 3 months, paired with a brand new full-time job. The job's done now, and school starts again in January.
I took my final exam this morning, and rocked it. :) And now I'm back, at least for a while.
I added psychology to my biology.Welcome back! I do believe that's a good number of my players, meaning that posts are waiting on me. Finals season is finally over (turned in what I felt was a good paper on Russian foreign policy), meaning that it's time for me to shoulder GM responsibilities once again.
Charlie Stross's cheerful, optimistic predictions for 2017, part one of three.Please hold. We are experiencing technical difficulties. (As a side note, I have reached the conclusion that while you can probably learn a lot of writing from Rowling, do not for the love of God learn world-building from her. She makes pretty set-pieces but dear God she doesn't think through history and second-order effects and all those things.)
Charlie Stross's cheerful, optimistic predictions for 2017, part one of three.So I'm slowly posting, bit by bit. (Sorry Faramir. On the plus side, holy hell the background work you and Wysp have dragged me into!) Players, off your backsides. Shift those fingers, boys and girls, the keyboards need tickling.
Charlie Stross's cheerful, optimistic predictions for 2017, part one of three.James does something, because something something— and then something something. Fill in the blanks— posts don't need to be long so long as stuff happens.
Probably have him join in on the "shooting the people who may be brainwashed allies" thing Alex started?
Give a man a fish, feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish, you can't sell him fish anymore.Merry Christmas from Chiron Beta Prime.
I'll try to get a post to respond to Warren either later tonight or tomorrow.
You are reading this.Merry Christmas, and may Santa Clausewitz visit your houses.
(Speaking of which, I really should start reading On War.)
Anyway. I've...one post still to write, and then for the updates.
Charlie Stross's cheerful, optimistic predictions for 2017, part one of three.I have arrived Venezuela, and have eaten the best cheese ever
. This cheese was a spiritual experience to eat. Cheese so good, I had forgotten it was possible. My brain is swimming in endorphins right now thanks to that cheese. You have not had good cheese unless you have eaten that cheese. It redefines the concept of cheese. It redefines the concept of things that taste good. I will have dreams about that cheese for years to come.
Anyway, merry Christmas everyone!
It's coarse and it's irritating and it gets everywhe—
—er. Wrong quote. Anyway, that took me an unconscionably long time to write. Okay, I'm introducing a few subjects that might be a little beyond JKR's established canon, but, screw that. I figure that if I take the effort to integrate it into the HP-verse it should work. Expect expository documentation posts soon. We're going to Laundryverse this shit.
Charlie Stross's cheerful, optimistic predictions for 2017, part one of three.

Mm-hmm. I'll try to get better at this schedule, but...two more weeks, I promise, then I'll accelerate.
In the meanwhile, I'm writing "tactical" scenes as decision scenes, choose-your-adventure style: your decisions will impact what kind of scenario unfolds. You're already familiar with my system of reward and punishment for decisions made in battles**, and I've been trying to focus on that. Gameplay!
Charlie Stross's cheerful, optimistic predictions for 2017, part one of three.