Dice Stacking?

Okay, I know we have been on a dice kick for a while with only a brief interruption, but I just had to show these off!







Do that the next time someone wants you to roll 4d6!!!

Hit Team

I used to think of myself as a budding gaming writer. That was a few years back. I'd like to get back to that at some point, I'm hoping this blog will push me in that direction.

Back then, I wrote a few articles for Steve Jackson Games that were published in Pyramid magazine - both the print and on-line versions. Two articles were chosen as Sample articles to attract new readers to the on-line version. I hope that means those articles were so good they wanted to show off the quality of the magazine with them. Either way, you can find Dr. Harry Hill and Ash Grey on-line for free. There are two other articles, one that's only in the print version so far and one is in the Pyramid archives - subscribers should search for "Jericho Brown".

I look back at these articles now and then - especially Ash. They are good articles, I think I did a good job.

However, there was a fifth article. I wrote it, thinking it was good. Not great but good. They rejected it - they want great and I don't blame them. I haven't written anything for Pyramid or any professional publication since. The rejection didn't crush my ego or anything so melodramatic. My life just changed and it hasn't been the same since.

However, there's no reason the article need to hide on my hard drive forever. Just because it wasn't extraordinary enough for Pyramid doesn't mean it couldn't help any GMs reading this blog.

I present to you Hit Team GAMMA. I'd write the article differently today, but it has its points. The stats are based on GURPS 3rd ed. You are free to use this material but not republish it - duh!


Hit Team GAMMA
By Jason “Jericho” Brown

It’s a tough world out there.
Everybody has business that needs to be taken care of. If you are a crime boss, a corporate developer or the CIA, sometimes you need someone to do the dirty work for you, someone to protect your interests. A “wet work” team – a Hit Team.
Teams like the following exist everywhere, and this one could exist anywhere in the modern world. But, this group works primarily on the West Coast of the U.S.
This group works through several fences and can be contacted via classified ads and the Internet – if you know where to look.
Team GAMMA was assembled by its leader, Jones. Jones demands that everyone in the team go by a call sign. Members of GAMMA hold their true identity secret. Jones only works for the highest paying, most discreet employers. If you want to hire GAMMA, you will pay big bucks and you will keep your mouth shut. Or else, their next target will be you.
If they are coming after you, well, say your prayers and keep running. You probably did something to tick someone off, now you’re paying the price. You won’t be able to negotiate your way out. They won’t listen. You may be able to out fight them, but the odds are against you. Just run!


Jones
(a.k.a. Michael Harmon)

ST:15 IQ:15 Speed:8.25
DX:16 HT:17 Move:8
Dodge:8 Parry: 9(Spear/M-16)

Second Chance Hardcorps vest (PD2, DR18), no encumbrance

Point Total:470

Advantages

Toughness (DR2).

Disadvantages

Addiction: Tobacco (Cigars); Age; Secret.

Quirks

Only smokes Cuban cigars; Will fulfill a contract or die trying; Will not ask his people to do something he isn’t prepared to do; Will not leave a fallen comrade; Will eat anything that he has killed himself – people included.

Skills

Administration – 15; Blowpipe – 14; Camouflage – 17; Climbing – 18; Detect Lies – 15; Drive Car – 20; First Aid – 17; Gunner: Machine Gun – 16; Guns: Auto Pistol – 18; Guns: Rifle – 21; Intelligence Analysis – 15; Interrogation – 17; Karate – 16; Knife – 18; Knife Throwing – 18; Leadership – 19; Motorcycle – 16; Navigation – 15; Parachuting – 18; Pilot: Helicopter – 19; Shadowing – 15; Shortsword – 18; Spear – 18; Staff – 18; Stealth – 20; Strategy – 18; Survival: Jungle – 19; Survival: Urban – 15; Survival: Desert – 14; Tactics – 18; Tracking – 15.

Weapons

Glock 17: 2d+2 crushing; M-16: 5d crushing; Bayonet, unmounted: 2d-1 cutting, 1d+1 impaling; Mounted Bayonet: 1d+4 impaling (use Spear skill); Gun Butt: 1d+3 crushing (use Staff skill)

Story

The old man of the group at 54, Jones is a Vietnam vet. He “pulled the pin” on the Green Berets in 1972 and lived in LA for 9 years. In the early 80’s, he began answering Soldier of Fortune ads and started mercing in Central America. He got dragged into some trouble in Asia, notably Korea, in the late 80’s and early 90’s. In ‘92, Jones met up with Smith. They began laying the plans for putting together GAMMA.
Jones has headed up GAMMA since ‘93. The team respects him. He has lead them into Hell and back out. Frankly, they have all seen some awful stuff. Somehow, Jones has kept morale high and everybody’s mind on the job.

Quotes

“I’m old – not dead!”
“Watch it! I was kicking little punks like you around before you were born!”
“We’ll take the job. Do you have the cash?”


Smith
(a.k.a. James Washington)

ST:17 IQ:13 Speed:8.25
DX:20 HT:16 Move:8
Dodge:8 Parry:14 (Karate), 10 (Knife)

Second Chance Hardcorps vest (PD2, DR16), no encumbrance

Point Total:500

Advantages

Ambidexterity; Appearance: Handsome; High Pain Threshold; Secret.

Disadvantages

Addiction: Cocaine (very expensive, totally addictive); Overconfidence.

Quirks

Melodramatic; Sarcastic; Verbally rips his friends apart in front of their faces just to see if they can take it; Always touching or cleaning his nose; Neat to the point of distraction.

Skills

Acrobatics – 20; Boating – 20; Breath Control – 16; Camouflage – 18; Climbing – 20; Demolition – 18; Electronics Operation: Communications – 14; Escape – 18; Fast Talk – 17; Guns: Submachine Gun – 22; Guns: Auto Pistol – 22; Jumping – 20; Karate – 22; Knife – 20; Motorcycle – 20; Parachuting – 20; Powerboat – 20; Scuba – 18; Shortsword – 20; Stealth – 20; Survival: Beach/Island – 17; Survival: Arctic – 17; Swimming 23; Underwater Demolition – 17.

Weapons

Karate punch (Sap Glove): 1d+2; Karate kick (Steel Toe Boot): 1d+3; Knife: 3d-3 cutting, 1d+2 impaling; Mac 10: 3d+1 crushing; Glock 17: 2d+2 crushing.

Story

Smith was a SEAL and got busted on drug charges. He did his time at San Quentin. When he was released he was young, sober, a convict and unemployed.
Smith did the same thing that many ex-special forces types do – he became a mercenary. Soon, he was working in Columbia for a major drug lord. When that drug lord got tired of Smith dipping his hands into the product, he fired him.
Smith took work in Korea and immediately met Jones. They hit it off and started talking about going into business for themselves. They went back to the states and started asking around. It wasn’t long before the Mafia had work for them. They met Klein while he was investigating them, and they talked him into working for them.
He is the martial artist of the group. With his looks and martial arts talent, his friends keep telling him he should go to Hollywood and kick some butt in the movies. He likes the idea of being a real-life action hero.
Smith is still a maverick and does too much cocaine for anyone’s comfort; most of his money goes up his nose. However, he manages to keep it all in check when the job is up.

Quotes

“Alive and in the flesh!”
“Pal, you have got to be faster than that!”
“Flash, cash and stash – that’s what life is all about!”

Klein
(a.k.a. Frank Dobovich)

ST:16 IQ:18 Speed:7.25
DX:12 HT:17 Move:7
Dodge:7 Parry: 10 (Brawling)

Second Chance Hardcorps vest (PD2, DR17), no encumbrance

Point Total:455

Advantages

Night Vision; Toughness (DR1).

Disadvantages

Addiction: Tobacco; Addiction: Alcohol; Bloodlust; Secret.

Quirks

Quotes song lyrics in regular speech; Rubs a silver dollar for luck; Chews a toothpick when nervous; Sleeps whenever possible; Never drinks alone.

Skills

Brawling – 15; Computer Operation – 20; Computer Programming – 18; Computer Hacking – 18; Criminology – 18; Detect Lies – 18; Diplomacy – 16; Driving: Car – 16; Forensics – 20; Forgery – 18; Guns: Auto Pistol – 20; Guns: Submachine Gun – 19; Interrogation – 18; Lockpicking – 20; Motorcycle – 16; Poisons – 16; Research – 18; Scrounging – 18; Shadowing – 18; Shortsword – 14; Stealth – 16; Survival: Urban – 20; Tracking – 18.

Languages

Mandarin – 17; Japanese – 17.

Weapons

Glock 17: 2d+2 crushing; MP5: 3d-1 crushing

Story

Klein started off as a beat cop in San Francisco. He worked up to detective quickly and ended up on a task force examining West Coast Gang and Organized Crime. He applied to the FBI and got in with no sweat. Once again he was working with West Coast Organized Crime.
Klein got into a project investigating Chinese Tong and Yakuza affairs in the U.S. and on the West Coast especially. He followed who had it in for whom and the flow of valuables and drugs. Soon, he was the senior project man and the expert everyone turned to.
Klein ran across Lee and busted her after her various run ins with the FBI and local police. He personally arrested her, chased her down in an alley in San Francisco. They had a good laugh about it later, but Lee still went to jail.
Klein tracked down Jones and Smith after a rather successful hit on a major crime lord’s son. Klein fully intended to bust both of them, but Smith started talking and didn’t stop until he got Klein’s attention. Klein wanted to give a little payback to the people he had been pursuing for the past several years. Jones and Smith promised him that revenge, not to mention some big cash.
Klein dove into the computer, erased as much of his personal file as he could. He then planted fake evidence that would get Lee’s charges dropped. He exported all his important files on criminal activity in the area to a safe place. Then, he resigned. He faked his own death with Lee’s help. Klein had gotten pretty good at making crime scenes look the way he wanted them to look. So, he made it look like a Chinese gang out for revenge had murdered him.

Quotes

“Well – a bang, bang, bang – and down they go!”
“Too legit to quit!”
Zzzzzzzzzz …

Lee
(a.k.a. Carmen Ng)

ST:14 IQ:20 Speed:6.5
DX:12 HT:14 Move:6
Dodge:6 Parry:

Second Chance Hardcorps vest (PD2, DR16), no encumbrance

Point Total:320

Advantages

Mathematical Ability.

Disadvantages

Bad Temper; Secret; Skinny.

Quirks

Always making something; Likes making her teammates try out her new inventions; Sets goofy traps for her friends; Plays Japanese Rap CD’s very loudly; Keeps Mantises and Crickets in cages around her work rooms and bed room.

Skills

Biochemistry – 20; Botany – 20; Chemistry – 20; Computer Operation – 23; Demolition – 20; Electronics – 20; Engineer: Bombs and Traps – 20; Engineer: Electrical Work – 20; Guns: Submachine Gun – 17; Mathematics – 23; Motorcycle – 16; Physics – 23; Poisons – 20; Research – 20; Streetwise – 20; Traps – 20.

Languages

Mandarin – 20; Japanese – 20; Korean – 20.

Weapons

Mac 10: 3d+1 crushing

Story

Lee started off life honest enough. In high school she excelled at Math and Science. In college, she was on the Dean’s List, and tutored Chemistry and Biology.
When she left school, she found it was difficult to find work. A college buddy of hers asked her to make some LSD for him and his friends. She whipped up an incredible batch and didn’t charge him anything for it. He came back later with $2500 dollars. He told her he had sold it at a concert, the money was her share and could she make some more?
From there it just got worse. Soon she was working in her own illegal drug lab, then she went to work for a Korean gang because they threatened to kill her. After she poisoned all of them to death, she went to work for their rivals making more drugs and other useful things, like explosives.
Lee was in her lab one night when the San Francisco Police raided it. The SFPD SWAT team stormed the premises and Lee ran for it. She was chased into the kitchen of the restaurant that served as their front operation. She had enough time to leave a little surprise for the police in pursuit. Her hastily made device consisted of a can of oven cleaner, 5 pounds of flour, a disposable lighter and an egg timer. Four police officers died and several were badly burned by what she whipped up in the kitchen!
The SFPD turned to Klein to track Lee down and bring her to justice. He knew of her and had a thick file on her. He tracked her down and again she ran. He chased her down and arrested her. In the squad car, taking her to be booked, Lee and Klein ended up laughing about some of Lee’s exploits. They struck a strange friendship.
After Jones and Smith recruited Klein, he let them in on the gem he had locked up. They were intrigued. Klein entered the false evidence that placed Lee at a different place when the explosive went off killing the SWAT team members. Lee’s charges were dropped not long after that, and she helped Klein fake his own death.

Quotes

“Look what I made!”
“How did you get all taped up to that wall? Do the feathers tickle?”
“Whoever touched my Diet Cola is *!$#%@&# DEAD!!!”


Notes

Hit Team GAMMA comes to 1745 points total – this is not a team of amateurs or beginners. These people are incredible even for ex-Special Forces, ex-FBI and Criminals – they are the best of the worst. If this team is placed against PC’s, the PC’s should be up to the challenge.

The savvy reader might notice that we have 2 ex-Special Forces officers who seem to be missing a great deal of skills from the templates presented in GURPS Special Ops. The simple explanation is that both have been away from the constant grind and training given to Special Forces troops. In short, without the enforced discipline Jones and Smith have gotten lazy. They are only practicing skills that are consistently useful to them.

Adventure Seeds

The PC’s set out to investigate the deaths of several small time drug dealers only to find a common thread leading to GAMMA.

GAMMA is stumped and needs help finding their victim. Will they be able to dupe the PC’s into helping them commit one or more murders?

The PC’s need the help of some heavy hitters and get word of GAMMA. Jones is agreeable, but he needs a favor in return. He would like the PC’s help covering up the evidence from their last contract. Will the PC’s help?

Too much time on Ebay!

We've been on a dice kick for a few posts. We'll cover other topics soon, I swear.

Now, I've shown you most of my dice collection. So, I guess that makes me a dice collector - but not like this guy!

Kevin Cook has held the Guinness Book record for the largest dice collection. He has just about every die you can imagine. Dice made of stone, bone, metal, precious stones, one of a kind prototypes, Roman era dice and just about everything else.

So, now I know what happened to all the dice I lost!

Dice Part 2 ...

I want to make this a regular segment! I love dice! I want to see pictures of your dice. Please take a (really good) picture of your collection. Put it up somewhere I can have a look at it, a web site, MySpace, LJ, Yahoo Briefcase or whatever. Leave a comment below telling us where to find the picture and a little about your collection. I'll put the best pictures here on the site.

Today, we'll be looking at my new Purple collection.



No die in this collection is more than 5 years old. The collection started with the mini-dice. I bought this set several years ago as I was about to start gaming with a new group. I had never met them, ran into one of them on-line somehow. They invited me to play D&D.

I bought a (very) used 2nd edition DMG and PH. All I had was those two books and a notebook. Normally when I go gaming, I'm the GM, and I arrive with ten books, a huge bag of dice and pencils and paper for everyone. So, since I had such a small load, I thought a new set of tiny dice would be great. I was right. It was easy having just the dice I needed.

Unfortunately, the group and I differed on gaming styles. Week one, we wrote up characters for D&D. Week two, we began to set up characters for a game system one of the players was writing, but instead we watched Dogma. Week three, they decided they wanted to play Mage - I went out and bought more used books. We didn't get through character creation before a couple of guys in the group started fighting. Old friends! I don't remember week four - I may not have gone over. And, well, that was that. I like character creation as much as the next player - but then I like to PLAY those characters.

This dice set has something of a curse in that direction. This set grew up about a year ago. A friend decided to run the Serenity role playing game. I took my wife (a non-gamer) to several different game shops, looking for the book, hoping to avoid the wait for delivery. No book. However, as I said last post, I like to buy a little something if I go into a game shop. By the time I was done, I had two sets of polyhedrals, three sets of d6s and a dice bag - all from different stores. In the end, I bought the book from Amazon, paid $13 less than cover, paid no shipping and it arrived in about three days. And we all wonder why the Friendly Local Game Shop is vanishing from the landscape?

I got prop crazy with that game. I found a site with prop Serenity money. So, I printed out hundreds of thousands of credits - in color no less! Then we decided that we needed coins to represent what was traded outside the Federation. So I went on a quest for plastic coins. In the end, I had a zip-top freezer bag filled with silver Mardi Gras "throws" and gold Chinese New Year throws from two different on-line stores and some gold "pirate chest filler" coins from a local party store.

That group got together twice. I showed up with a character fully written up with pages of back story. I was the only one. The rest of the group began writing. The next time we got together, the rest of the group was still writing. This was the week I showed up with the printed cash and a couple of cheap poker sets (for the poker chips) - we also decided that week we should have the coins. We got in about an hour of gaming, maybe.

In the year since, that group hasn't figured out how to get back together. I still have the zip-top bag of coins. I think I may take them out this coming Marti Gras and throw them at random people. Might as well get some fun out of them ...

Dice!

The title of the site is Dusty Dice, right? So, I thought I'd show off my dusty collection! I've always thought of myself as something of a collector. Being a dice collector was the inspiration for the site's name.

Anyway, we'll start off with my "Black and White" set.



These are my second oldest set of dice. My oldest set are the multiple colored, old school dice that came with my D&D boxes. Those dice are still buried in my stuff at my parent's place. Maybe someday I'll find a way to show those off here.

The Black and White set was slowly collected between 1988 to just a few years ago. I have probably lost more dice than I have retained. Where do all the dice we gamers lose end up???

I always felt that if I walked into a game store - I had to buy something. Even if it was just a single die. So, I made it easy on myself. Everyone sells black and white dice.

Why two bags? I had been using a subset of this collection for gaming, those went into the purple bag. The black bag is a bag I bought in the early 90's to support my collecting habit. These dice would completely fill one of those bags.

On top of the bags we have some over sized d6s and a huge d20. That d20 is about the size of a racket ball. Those are all fairly new. Just to the right of those is a d34. Why a d34? Why not? I bought it at a game shop in West Seattle not long after moving out here, probably '97 or so. It serves no purpose.

To the right of that is four d30s. One of those is actually smoke, not black, white or clear. I have a set of translucent smoke mini-dice that didn't get into the picture. If you have clear dice in a black and white set, you can have trans-black, too, right?

To the right of that are some pipped d10s - don't see those too often. A pair of blank dice to the right of that. Those are fun to use with a dry erase marker or if you are using a GM screen, and you want your players to think you rolled for something when you didn't, they make a good noise. Plus, they make your players worry about your sanity.

Speaking of worrying your players ... I play a lot of GURPS, usually as the GM. If you are GMing a game where you use a lot of d6s, buy some with skulls on them. In GURPS, a 3 is a critical success. Nothing like rolling three skulls and smiling at the player you just turned into paste!

Just to the left of the skulls are some d3s. These do have a use. I have used them often. I found those in a Milton Bradley board game I bought on the clearance rack about the time Top Gun was in the theaters (the game was jet fighter based) - the game sucked by the dice have been useful.

Between the d20s and d12s is a spherical d6. I used to have three of those. It works, it's a little hard to read. I keep it around more as a funny than anything else. Below that is one of those old school d6s, I bought it in the very late 80s. It still has the white crayon I wiped over the numbers to "paint" them - very old school! Those old school dice are very popular again.

Speaking of old school, to the right is a white d10x10, aka a Deckaider. That was the first Deckaider on the market. It, too, still has the black crayon I rubbed on it. That die has gotten a lot of use. I was so happy when this die came out, no more having to declare which die was the 10s and which was the 1s. This die is still on the market, albeit with ink.

Just below that are six off-white pipped d6s. They are actually light green - they glow in the dark. I bought them a few Halloweens back for a laugh.

I'm just amazed by how many dice I have bought and only these few remain. Oh well! Just means I need to buy more!

Next time I'll show off my Purples!