Recruiting now: Online OIMCS campaign.

[weemadando]

OK, I'm going to be running an OIMCS game online soon - assuming I can round up enough people. I'd be looking at a minimum of 4 player characters, up to 6 or 8.

The game mechanics would be run through IRC w/ a dicebot or perhaps a decent "virtual table" program if I can find one. There would also be a Skype/Ventrillo "chat" for all the back and forth etc. I'd consider moving it to pure text if enough people were willing - especially if it might mean getting Shep onboard.

In terms of game scheduling, any night other than a Monday is good for me. That's night, Australian time, between 6pm and 11pm. Weekends become infinitely more flexible.

I can supply copies of the game for free to anyone on SDN who doesn't already have it.

The game will be the oft-spoken of "Mercenaries" campaign that I have tossed around. Once I get some interest I'll post the intro guff.

In the meantime - if anyone knows how to actually rip the ingame map from Operation Flashpoint I'd be very grateful - I want to use the Malden island map as a basis, but the problem is that the PDF of it that I have lacks things like elevation details.

[Hawkwings]

OpenRPG is a good "virtual table" program.

Also, it would probably help if we know what OIMCS was. I assume it's some sort of tabletop roleplaying system.

[Gandalf]

I'd be happy to join, if you can tolerate a complete noob being part of the playing team.

[weemadando]

Objective Interim Modern Combat System - a generic modern squad level combat system that I wrote. If you want a freebie, just PM me an e-mail address and I'll send you a DL link.

And Gandalf - you'd be welcome. I don't expect to have anyone familiar with the system as part of it. But it's fairly straightforward. All you need is a d10.

[Gandalf]

Sweet. I'm free any night except for Tuesday.

I'm pretty sure I've got a D10 sitting around my desk somewhere, if not there's a few places nearby that should stock them.

[weemadando]

Well, I'll integrate a dice macro into whatever I'm running, because a) rolling several hundred d10s to simulate massed automatic fire exchanges is no fun and b) it makes it easier because the dice rolling is visible to anyone and with any luck I can set one to auto-cull failures and the like to make play faster.

[Hawkwings]

I'd be interested. Weekends work better for me.

[Losonti Tokash]

Sign me up. I'll PM you my email address.

[weemadando]

Malden.
A small island situated at the extreme west of the Gulf of Guinea roughly 200km offshore. The island lies just beyond the horizon and as such was unknown to the local mainland tribes. It was discovered by the French in 1542 and was used as a regional post with a small garrison for several years. It exchanged hands several times throughout the 17th and 18th century as the British and French struggled to colonise Africa. Finally, following the French Revolution, it was one of the many holdings grabbed by Britain from a recovering France. During the 1800s when the slave trade from West Africa was almost entirely eliminated the island became just another nearly forgotten protectorate, only receiving the occassional visit from the Royal Navy, but still a regular stop and safe harbourage for trade ships from Europe, Africa and the Americas. It was used a little during the Boer War, and World Wars I and II as a staging post, but for the most part continues to be inhabited by its fairly small population.

The current population on the island is reported as being 1293, including 54 BP employes and 212 members of family of employees.

There are 15 towns on the island, though most would be more readily comparable to hamlets or other small collections of dwellings. La Trinite, Larche, Saint Louis and Chapoi are the largest towns. But even these consist of little more than a crossroads with perhaps one or two side streets.

Terrain is hilly with several small densely forested areas remaining. Forests are largely tropical dry forests - the island does not have a reliable rainfall. Much of the landscape is given over to grazing for sheep and cattle land with little in the way of fences. Fences usually only are in place to prevent livestock from entering gardens or some small crops. The aerodrome is fenced around it's perimeter to prevent livestock straying onto the field. Construction is largely 1700-1800s colonial architecture.

Roads are largely sealed now following the upgrade campaign by BP, though many dirt/gravel trails remain. Powerlines have been established and follow the road network. Underground water piping also follows the road network. Both water and power have their points of origin on a smaller island off the South East coast, they have short submarine connections to Malden proper.



Recent History
1972 - Britain grants the island of Malden limited autonomy following some lobbying on the matter.
1980 - [May] BP survey crews find enormous natural gas and oil deposits offshore.
1980 - [July] BP begins contract negotiations with the residents of Malden to begin modernisation projects on the island to prepare for operational development.
1981 - [February] BP concludes negotiations having made several deals including the modernisation of the airstrip, construction of a port facility and sealing of most roads. Guarantee of funding for medical and education services also takes a high priority.
1981 - [December] Modernisation begins with upgrading of some natural anchorages on the South of the island.
1982-1984 - Roads are repaved, airstrip is finally upgraded in late 1983 and major rebuilding/rejuvenation projects are undertaken for the next six months.
1984 - [October] BP begins initial logistics build up for construction of several offshore facilities and commences work on a smaller island off the east coast which has easier access for larger cargo vessels adnd will eventually hold the power plant and water plant for Malden.
1985 - [April] Construction commences on the first offshore facility - a natural gas rig.
1985 - [September] Construction commences on second offshore facility - a tanker hub.
1986 - [October] Both facilities are completed and go operational. Malden receives a visit from Margaret Thatcher, who is impressed by the display of responsible corporate/community joint governance.
1988 - [March] Construction commences on a second natural gas rig.
1989 - [January] Fighting breaks out in Ubuntu following the death of longtime President Ngutsira.
1989 - [May] Second natural gas rig becomes operational.
1991 - [January] The Gulf War sends oil prices soaring, encouraging BP to invest in future development in the Malden offshore fields. Including, finally in an oil rig which had previously been believed to not be worthwhile until this point.
1991 - [July] Civil war in Ubuntu ends with former General Atigara taking power and establishing a relatively benevolent junta. General Atigara begins a modernisation process within the Ubuntu military, taking advantage of the bargain basement prices available since the collapse of the iron curtain.
1992 - [October] The first oil rig is completed and deployed to the Malden fields. Malden at this time is experiencing a severe drought, leading to many of the farmers on the island requesting assistance. BP, as part of its corporate governance contract assists with a combination of cloud seeding initially and promises construction of a small desalination plant to boost the naturally available springwater supply.
1995 - [August] A second oil rig is established in the field off Malden.
1995 - [December] Desalination plant is completed and piped water becomes available to much of the island for the first time.
1996 - [February] Malden experiences a relative boom in its economy due to several families of BP employees moving to the island.
1998 - [November] General Atigara is killed by a carbomb. Ubuntu rapidly degenerates into civil strife.
1999 - [January] A warlord, calling himself Colonel Igaia rises to prominence in Ubuntu, displaying excellent strategic thinking on both political and military matters.
2000 - [September] Having gained almost total control of Ubuntu, ex-Colonel (now President) Igaia begins a series of sweeping reforms of Ubuntu, including a military modernisation program.
2001 - [October] Following the events of September 11, many of President Igaia's reforms are threatened due to the presence of Islamic militias in the North of the country, some of which are linked to attacks in Europe and Africa. Many foreign powers refuse to continue assisting the nation while they tolerate the presence.
2001 - [December] BP secures a 99 year lease of Malden and claimed territorial waters. Locals accept the lease with joy as the government has included requirements for continued development and modernisation of the island.
2002 - [April] Ubuntu's military concludes a brief, but violent campaign of extermination against the militias. Many of the same powers that reneged on traide and aid agreements now continue to do so due to the tactics used by the Ubuntan military.
2004 - [June] Ubuntu is experiencing the worst drought in many years, mining developments in the country are threatened by Igaia, who demands that Ubuntu receive additional aid from the corporations involved in return for their continued operation. During this same month, a third natural gas platform is deployed off Malden.
2004 - [September] Mining corporations "donate" billions to the Ubuntan government following the discovery of an amazingly rich gem deposit in the South East of the country. President Igaia is quick to assign to the contract to one of the less scrupulous mining groups and invests the money in a continued arms buildup, including the purchase of a LST and a few smaller Landing Craft from Russia. President Igaia attempts to dispel international concerns by saying that they are being purchased to assist in future humanitarian and peace-keeping deployments.
2005 - [February] Intelligence reports indicating a large mobilisation of Ubuntan forces are received in the UK. It is decided that this does not concern the UK as the reports conclude that the build-up is in response to increased hostilities and civil strife in the area.
2005 - [March 21] At 0821GMT (which given the location is 0821 local time) an Ubuntan airliner which had declared an emergency and diverted to Malden's airport lands. Onboard are 150 of the Ubuntan Rongataa (Special Forces) who rapidly take over the airport and a nearby town (St Louis). Within four hours the Ubuntan LST and other light landing craft have arrived and are disembarking personnel and vehicles. By 1843GMT Cabinet is in session and discussing the issue.
2005 - [March 22] The UK government announces sanctions against Ubuntu and is joined in this by the rest of the EU as well as other Commonwealth nations and the United States. BP begins lobbying for military intervention.
2005 - [March 29] The UK government decides to deploy a Royal Navy taskforce to the area to pressure Ubuntu into withdrawing their forces.
2005 - [March 30] Ubuntan gunboats are deployed to threaten the tanker hub.
2005 - [April 12] Royal Navy task force arrives and secures the oil fields. Ubuntu continues to deny access to Malden and refuses to withdraw, stating that they are claiming the island and territorial waters as compensation for the slave trade.
2005 - [May 23] BP's lobbying for military action continues to be stymied by the larger conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan as well as ongoing peace-keeping operations. Cabinet sends a memo to BP stating that they do not wish to have a repeat of the Falklands while they are already embroiled in two ongoing combat operations.
2005 - [June 20] BP appears to be breaking through, with many talk-show appearances by spokespeople talking about the UK ignoring acts of aggression against their sovereign territory to chase shadows in the sand. Cabinet meets again to discuss military options. BP hopes to use the leverage provided by the G8 meeting to force a solution.
2005 - [June 30] Red Cross teams are allowed to enter Malden to investigate the situation for the civilians. They report that civilians are being treated very well, though people directly involved with the oil industry are being held in the temporary facilities built for the workers who were present during the construction projects. These have been turned into a very lax form of internment camp and in some cases makeshift barracks.
2005 - [July 7] The London bombings effectively end debate on a military option, as the public is now once again focused on Islamic fundamentalism, but homegrown this time. Territorial conflicts to do with a minor colonial holding lose some importance.
2005 - [July 15] Royal Navy forces withdraw from the region.
2005 - [July 17] Ubuntan gunboats return to prevent access to the tanker hub. Ubuntu issues a statement declaring the nationalisation of the Malden oil field resources and demands that BP hand them over. BP refuses. Ubuntu threatens reprisals.
2005 - [July 22] The first tanker is forced to divert from the facility following interdiction by Ubuntan forces. BP calls a special executive board meeting. The board approves further research into planning for a private military expedition.
2005 - [August] BP host several prominent PMCs (Private Military Contractors) to discuss their plans and requirements. Several turn them down immediately given the high risk operation and possibility of violating several international laws, treaties and other agreements.
2005 - [August 12] Cabinet meets again with members of BP's "special committee" and also ranking members of DoD. Implicit authority is given by Cabinet for private military operations, restricted to the island of Malden. DoD is leveraged into providing some intelligence support and possibly some covert assistance through a series of petroleum subsidies to be introduced by BP.
2005 - [August 17] DoD, MI6, Cabinet and BP meet and sign an agreement authorising a nominated Private Military Contractor to be contracted by BP to resolve matters of joint interest to the Crown, Commonwealth and Corporation. Also laid out in this contract are the specifications of the exact assistance that will be provided by the UK for any PMC operations.
2005 - [October 22] A PMC meets with and signs contract with BP for the provision of covert private military services for an initial period of 12 months, commencing from November 1.
2005 - [October 29] A final communique is sent from the Foreign Office requesting Ubuntu's immediate withdrawal. The only reply is a statement released to media outlets from President Igaia, railing against neo-Colonial oppression of Africa.
2005 - [October 31] Final approval for operations are given. Intelligence sharing arrangement is implemented and first batch of satellite surveillance is provided to MI6 courier for delivery.
2005 - [November 1] *Campaign begins*

-=-=-=-=-

There you go. I'm still trying to track down some historical weather data for the region (which I'll use), but I have sunrise and sunset times as well as moon rise/set and phase details.

Should people want the map, I'll e-mail it to them. I'm currently also building a list of notable personalities on the island as well as a list of important locations and their grid-refs.

People also need to think about their character concepts - the team will need to have a variety of specialists and we can sort that at out when we do a character creation session, but have an idea of what your guy's background is. And also - start to create your PMC! Toss about names, logos, all the rest - after all, that's something I'm leaving up to you.

[Hawkwings]

Background to our very own PMC huh? Well, this sorta begs the question, why did BP hire us? Is it because we have a reputation for being good at killing hostiles? An ability to keep our mouths shut? A certain non-squeamishness? Possible ties to British military? Or is this part of the lore that we come up with?

In addition, what sort of equipment will we have access to?

[Losonti Tokash]

Having spent the last couple hours reading the rules and such, I've got to hand it to you. This system is pretty damn awesome. I've never really had the inspiration to GM before but this thing gives me all sorts of ideas.

[weemadando]

Background to our very own PMC huh? Well, this sorta begs the question, why did BP hire us? Is it because we have a reputation for being good at killing hostiles? An ability to keep our mouths shut? A certain non-squeamishness? Possible ties to British military? Or is this part of the lore that we come up with?

In addition, what sort of equipment will we have access to?

The PMC was hired because they were willing to get their hands dirty, but still had reputation enough for MoD and other stakeholder agencies to be willing to deal with them.

As for personnel - who knows? Spec Ops background is certainly likely, and speaking English is a REALLY good start. But UK, US, Commonwealth, Russian, French, German, South African - your pick for your own guys background, as long as they have a background that would make them a standout for this kind of op.

And equipment? Once a team is assembled, you'll get a chance to go shopping, but lets face it - BP is backing you to take back their oil and gas fields. Money isn't really going to be tight, certainly you won't have to put up with Chinese AKs. Unless you want to.

*edit* And it will be a 70pt build to represent that everyone is good at what you do.

As for BP hiring you? The contract relates to: "Making continued occupation of Malden an untenable proposition."

[Hawkwings]

Got the book, made a character. Originally wanted to make him as a US Army Ranger who later went into the French Foreign Legion, then this PMC, but I didn't have enough XP left for expert-level French. Not to mention the lack of parachuting skill.

Anyways, he's good at shooting his rifle, endurance activities, shooting rockets, and radio operations.


On the system book, I have a couple nitpicks.

First, on page 31, in the Parachuting section, you've repeated the last sentence of the first paragraph in the first sentence of the second.

Page 32, Terrain, wouldn't it make more sense for a person's environment he grew up in to be expert, or even master?

[Raj Ahten]

I am interested, as I have developed an interest in PMC's lately. My concerns would be time though. When would you been running sessions? My work schedule is unpredictable as far as what day I'll be working (including some weekends, mostly saturdays). What time of day, in what timezone, would sesions take place?

I'd probably be interested in playing a character who is an expert driver with a South African SF background.

Edit: Given the place is an island, I might want to reconsider and become a Naval special warfare sort.

As for the type of outfit that would undertake this sort of operation, Executive Outcomes comes to mind. In the 90's they pretty much ended the civil war in Sierre Lione (for a time), with the use of helocopter gunships and armoured vehicles. (all of which you probably know) In this timeline it definitely sounds like PMC's have found more exceptance in pure combat roles, and as such Executive Outcomes may have never dibanded.

The other option is that the PMC the party works for is a cover for British/American operations (Perhaps like a more militant Air America). In fact doing it this way would make a good deal of sense, as air and seapower would probably be neccesary to wrest control of the island. Even if it is being undertaken by a Blackwater type outfit, would we be getting some support from a "shadow airforce"? (perhaps flying old MIG's and other Soviet hardware? Also, where are the mercs basing from?

Edit mk2: Sorry for all the questions, but I keep thinking of things to ask. Is the party going to be involved in planning the operation, or are we strictly shooters? I'd prefer a mid way aprouch myself, where we have some authority to plan and execute a segment off the assualt, such as securing an oil platform etc. If we realy are the planners, those landing craft have to be neutralized somehow, otherwise we would be swamped from the mainland. If we have plenty of support, airstrikes are in order. If we are doing it light, frogmen raids.

[Losonti Tokash]

Before I finish writing up my character I think we should generally agree on the type of weapons we'll be using so we can share ammo and such. I know it's meta but it's dumb for my character to be proficient with AK-47s while everyone else is rocking G3s and M4s or whatever. And for the record the character I'm making will be medically trained.

Edit: As a corollary to what Hawkwings said about the terrain training bonus, shouldn't the character get a free language proficiency relating to their place of birth? It is a bit odd that I have to spend 9 points so that a character from California can speak English like a native.

[Hawkwings]

I think modern assault rifles firing 5.56 NATO would be reasonable. M16/M4, G36, FAMAS, FN SCAR, etc.

Anyways, we don't need to worry about that until we've got all the people and their sheets ready.

[weemadando]

Well, remember that you are trained on weapon by category - so you would be proficient on all rifles. And anything you take with you, you'd no doubt be familiarised on. Effectively, whatever you want to take, as long as it's covered by a proficiency category - you're good.

From a system point of view, I did that because it's retarded that you might be specialised in the AK-74 but then have penalties to use a AK-74 or a G-3 or anything like that.

As for the campaign - the players will be involved in EVERY level of planning. I have a big map and will send it out to players. You guys will pick your gear, method of entry, and the like. You'll have a list of objectives that they'd like to see fulfilled, but how you go about it is up to you.

[weemadando]

In terms of roles that it's likely will need to be filled:

You will NEED:
Comms
Demo
Medic

You might want:
Sniper
Driver
Diver

----

Now, in terms of how you are treated as a PMC - you have the tacit backing of the UK gov't, but your legal combatant status is questionable. You are not officially soldiers of the crown.

That said, Whitehall has made it abundantly clear to the Ubuntan gov't that there remains a sizeable British peacekeeping force just over the border in Sierra Leone and any breaches of human rights conventions during their occupation of the island, such as acts against the civilian populace, will result in the key figures of the Ubuntan gov't waking up to a group of large, burly SAS types hauling them into a Chinook that was parked in the courtyard of their burning Presidential Palace as the first leg of their journey to the Hague. Of course, they were a good deal more civil than that in the actual wording, but the message was clear.

So, while in place you have to try to prevent any outrageous contacts that would result in retaliations, while still getting the job done. Then again - it could be that the gov't is sending in a bunch of deniables to create a cassus belli...

[weemadando]

What time of day, in what timezone, would sesions take place?

My current preferences:

Wednesday nights (Australian time)
Saturday any time (Australian time)
Sunday any time (Australian time)

For the next fortnight I will be CONSIDERABLY more flexible due to being on leave from work, so maybe I can try and wrangle at least a few people at a time into a chat to hash out some ideas.

[weemadando]

Ha-ha!

Bad news everyone!

The evil African Dictator in this game will be played (in his most method appearance yet) by MK Sheppard.

Effectively I'm having him act as a 2nd player character. Based on the teams actions in each session, I'll pass to him an "intel report" from the troops on the island. Based on that he'll give me recommendations as to what actions will be taken by the OpFor.

And no, Ubuntu does not have a nuclear arsenal.

I'm doing this to get a bit more unpredictability in the enemy, and also to prevent me from using any GM knowledge unintentionally to "spoil" the PCs.

Plus, who doesn't want to see Shep as an African Dictator?

[Hawkwings]

*raises hand*

Let's just say I'm suddenly a lot happier that I decided to take Rocket Launcher training. Now I need a Javelin.

As for times... Well, you're 12-14 hours ahead of me, so we can do mornings or nights, alternating. Long-term, Saturday morning works best for me, which would be Saturday night Australian time.

[Raj Ahten]

Well of the times you stated, sundays are best for me, as that is the only day of the week I can be garunteed not to work on.

And with Shep being Op-for, we really need to limit his options. Those amphibious transports have to go! (we also need some way to guard against any airforce he might have, if any). And we really need to know what our basing options are.

Also, how many personnell and what sort of equipment do we have at our discretion? Our options are quite different if we have a few MIG's, attack helocopters, APC's, and patrol boats than if it is a strictly light Infantry covert action.

Edit: I keep asking the same queestions because I see the PMC's base of operations and their force composition as being absolutely critical infomation for our planning. I am also glad that you are going all the way and having the PC's do all the planning. That could be very rewarding, or possibly lead to a total clusterfuck! My character can take any specialty as required; I am not picky. But if we are going to have a combat swimmer or some such, it wouldn't be that usefull unless the whole team takes such skills, I think.

[Gandalf]

I assume the Ubuntans (the open source villains!) are French/English speaking?

Also, is there an expected level for the recommended/necessary skills?

[Hawkwings]

French speaking would make sense, since the French colonized the island and they probably would have colonized Ubuntu as well, or at least had some trading outposts. Then again, the people we're likely to deal with probably speak some African language, being born after the colonial period and going through what seems like a nationalistic period.

My main question is, what is our base of operations? This is kinda important to know before planning infil/exfil. For that matter, where will possible supporting British units be located? I presume Sierra Leone, but how far is it from here to there?

Finally, would it be possible to get a map without all the blotchy square things? What are they anyways?

As for necessary skills, I'd say Expert level is a good investment, but go for Master if you want.

[weemadando]

I wish I could pull the in-game map which is fantastic. Sadly, I couldn't, so we have to make do. The green blocky things are, shockingly, trees and other high vegetation. The grey-brown ones are buildings/other structures.

And yes French speaking primarily.