NerdyVampire

I have been thinking about this for a while, and though there might be a good reason, I just can't see it. Why do we have this rule, that prevents traitors from coordinating their gimmicks based on their work-roles and characters? Why can we plan an entire gimmick in aooc, but when it comes to actually executing it we cannot pretend we had a plan at all and knew each other beforehand? There seems to be some logical connection that might have made sense when the Syndicate was a thing and traitors were all expected to work for them, but it just doesn't seem to be the case anymore to me. No one seems to gain from this rule - non-antag players need to wait longer for the gimmick to start, antag players either wont bother to identify each other because code-phrases are cumbersome to use or they need time to do it which is better spent otherwise. Antags might even mistakenly target each other without intending to. I am not suggesting we allow traitors to discuss IC developments in AOOC, not at all. But a basic understanding of each other (if they want to know each other) I see no drawback from. It's the exact same thing traitors tell each other first if they purchase the all-access headset chip - but why shouldn't they know this beforehand, if it fits the gimmick to work together?

I don't see an issue with this. A corporate reporter basically seems to me like the precursor to playing corporate representative, so it's not bad that people can use their knowledge of corp lore professionally without needing a whitelist first.

Bumping this as it got some positive emotes but 0 comments, giving it another cycle.

Especially no, but it's still a breach of regulations and a valid source of antag juice for changelings and vampires, that doesn't require them to circumvent operations or deal with crew in rounds where it might be difficult to do so. It's good to have alternatives imo.

For that reason an unscrupulous (traitor) surgeon would have more of an impact if they use a crew corpse like this.

I actually forgot about this suggestion. Looking back I still only see it as a benefit to antags and medical crew, but it has two dismissals so I'll archive it in the back of my mind.

I feel like one solution might be for the station to get a way to advertise itself. Like a 1-time fire station announcement that has a fixed title tying it to the station.

How cool would it the Horizon sees that the Civilian Station on their sensors suddenly changed name to Obliterated Station.

Consider me curious and open to change. I think exploration should be a bigger aspect - but only if devs/mappers are open to making more away sites to accommodate more focus on it.

Is it wrong that I don't want you to be command staff because I'd hate to lose you as an antag? When I think of Athena I think of innovative gimmicks and that is certainly something that can benefit a command member as well. The ability to respond to antagonists in innovative ways and otherwise engage and inspire crew to roleplay are great virtues in any command member. I would like to see how you handle both of those challenges. +1 I can't say I have roleplayed much directly with you unfortunately, but seeing your interactions from the AI's eye has been interesting! Also, first warden antag I've seen since Aurora, so that's pretty cool too.

Sounds awesome. I hope some coder/spriter will pick it up in the future then

Alright. You guys know the standard digsites you see in any movie about archeologists? Well, imagine if we had that on the Aurora. A 5x5/6x6/etc. area in which xenoarcheologists (or their lab assistant minions) can slowly and methodically recover standard artifacts from the ground itself (without worrying about digging into another Z-level. Mechanically I imagine that they use beacons or something to mark the area. The xenoarcheologist uses a tool to 'map' out a rectangle, sort of like a beacon or tape, then uses a tool. The area becomes partially platformed, requiring some effort to climb into or a hoist to get things out (may require reworking the hoist?) Every time a pickaxe or similar tool is used on the ground inside this area, there is an action timer. At the end of this, 1 of 4 things spawn; 75% chance: useless rock 15% chance: strange rock 9% chance: a small artifact 1% chance: a bona fide anomaly The site can be used a number of times before it is depleted. It takes long enough that a xenoarch should be motivated to delegate the simple work to assistants, lab assistants or other ones. This digsite would allow xenoarchs to set up a roleplay-focused 'base camp' on a site and focus more on quantity over quality (if they prefer). They can still seek out anomalies the normal way, but if they prefer not to move around so much or more easily involve others, this is a viable alternative. Is this possible programmatically? Does it make sense lorewise? Would people even like this? I am not a coder myself, let me know 😆

Speaking as an AI main I really enjoyed the cross-departmental crisis-handling that comes from high-intensity events like these. It corresponds well with the perceptions of the setting I maintain in my headspace. I can sympathize that finding meaning as service during an event like this isn't particularly straightforward. When I reflect on sci-fi shows like Star Trek, I find that the service function changes mostly to being a 'victim' role, or someone that needs protection rather than have a crisis-function. I am not sure there is a real answer to that, as I feel like that's also the obvious role-change in our setting. During a crisis like this, it makes no sense to work a kitchen, tend plants or serve drinks. I suppose the most involving and purpose-giving solution would be for the commander to direct the warden to begin training service crew into an auxilliary force with the crew armory without actually sending them out before it is necessary? Anyway back to the feedback - I agree that mini-arcs is a viable and enticing solution to canonical development in the setting and I hope to see more! I do have a few suggestions for AI specifically in events, but that doesn't necessarily seem to belong here.

I don't have any issue with this at all. Xenobotany isn't played as much as I'd like and if this can attract some more botanists, then by all means. In rounds where operations isn't staffed, it is indeed rather dull not to be able to get any such seeds.

In the interest of even more game variety, I've compiled a list of what I believe are realistic events based on the mechanics I have seen in game. I am not certain about whether the lore fits, but hopefully the events can be tweaked until they do. I am not a coder myself, but maybe a coder will fall in love with one or two of these. Let me know what you think. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Neutral Bluespace Bear An unidentified lifesign has been detected in the vicinity of the Horizon. Secure any exterior access, including ducting and ventilation. A bluespace bear spawns at a random point near the hull. It is initially neutral, but can turn hostile if a) it is attacked or b) it becomes hungry (slime logic). If it is fully fed, it can be befriended like a pet via. right-click action. Lore arguments: I do not know where we stand on bluespace bears (except their pelts exist). ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Airlock Software Interference A malicious virus has obtained access to several airlock systems. Access restrictions may be lifted, please investigate secure areas and reestablish defenses. Station AI involvement is advised. A random selection of airlocks have their bolts lifted, get opened and have their bolts lowered afterwards. Similar to the malignant trojan, but doesn't affect lighting and can hit other areas. Lore arguments: It should fit well with existing similar events. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Unidentified Structural Amendment Our sensors have detected a burst of bluespace energy and a sudden mass increase upon the upper hull of the Horizon. The addition seems to be drawing excessive amounts of power from the systems remotely. A mechanical 3x3 siphoning construct (origin unknown) appears on the outer reinforced hull and passively siphons the ships power (if that's possible). Every X minutes, it releases a thumb into the hull, resonating and possibly tripping unsecured objects (as by sudden ship movements). One might wonder if it is trying to recreate a certain resonance, for some reason? It can be destroyed and will yield a certain amount of building materials, but destroy its internal software boards. Perhaps add some small self-defense turrets? Lore arguments: Can be angled to represent a hivebot sub-threat, be related to the unidentified long-range transport events, or be implied to be covertly researched by a megacorporation. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Idris ATM Malfunction An automated teller has malfunctioned due to an internal error upon the SCCV Horizon. Please bring any ejected cash to your command personnel for handling. A random self-serve Idris teller ejects a random amount of cash between 1000 and 6000 credits. It ought to go into the proper hands.. but a quick crewman might pick it up first. Lore arguments: Idris terminals are rather safe, but it wouldn't be the first time a vendor has malfunctioned on the Horizon. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Unauthorized Bluespace Tunnel Our sensors have detected unusual bluespace activity upon the Horizon. Please investigate the phenomenon and close it if possible. Two bluespace portals appears at random locations within the Horizon, linked together making it possible to transport wares or personnel. They remain for a set amount of time, such as 10 minutes, or until they interact with a bluespace device (such as a bag of holding) or are closed by the science equipment. Antags can potentially take advantage of it, or if it leads to anywhere secure security may want to post guards. Lore arguments: I am not certain if there is precedence for such tunnels, or if such is needed for this minor limited event.

Definitely against limiting our hazard spawns. It is far more entertaining when the crew has to handle threats unconventionally and at higher risk, than when it's predictable and only spawns when the path to handling it is straightforward.

I believe this clarification is both accurate and beneficial. If this helps to stop the "He's downed, shoot him some more!" mentality, then that'd be sweet.

With the approximate appearance of a guest pass terminal, this device can be swiped with an ID to add a crewman to a passenger manifest, which is synced to a console program available to the bridge crewmen/XO/Operations Manager (primarily). Each terminal pushes its current manifest to the console program whenever its assigned vessel undocks from the Horizon. As a matter of policy, it is the responsibility of the pilot to ensure that all passengers are swiped in before take-off, for liability reasons. I'm not a coder, I don't know how complicated this would be to make, but I feel like it would be a nice addition both to give bridge crewmen a better sense of control with the vessels and as a realistic requirement of the SCC in regards to use of these vessels.

Hey. I kinda miss being able to see Active/SDD/Deceased/Disabled status on the manifest. I'm fine with that not coming back, but maybe we could shift deceased to a red bulb, and keep SSD on white? White for deceased crew seems a bit.. harmless. Not a big thing, just quality of life imo.

My first round with XO Broadsword went well. They nicely engaged in the roleplay and attended their command duties

Only experienced you in a solo round as CMO recently, you seemed to take the reponsibilities of command well on yourself and utilized your AI properly. Your roleplay also seemed to me to be in line with what I expect from other heads. So, +1 from me.

I could be interested in trying it out. Perhaps it could be tied into a buildable machine though, which takes a certain time to make the circuit based on how complicated it is, so a chemical factory machine doesn't take 5 seconds to make?

First chief engineer who has succesfully repaired the AI turrets while I've been active. I think I've seen them work in a crisis, but I can't recall that. Seems all well-suited for the role. +1

I agree with you Colfer, the matriarch has no actual power that warrants a whitelist imo.