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Highlights from Last Session

Highlights from Last Session

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Project Blog by oriskany Cult of Games Member

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About the Project

A new modern warfare RPG is being developed for players in the Sitrep and OTT community. The working title is HK Ops (Hunter Killer Operations), a custom-designed, web-friendly, narrative-focused role playing game set in the present day, very recent past, or near future. Players can take the role of high-end operators with a formal military or government service ... or with a privately-run contractor company ... or even survivors in a post-apocalyptic setting.

The focus is two-fold: storytelling and narrative, balanced against realistic tactical situations and consequences to player and NPC actions. There are no healing scrolls, resurrection spells, or health packs in this game. If you're shot, you're shot.

Playtesting is already underway. We're hoping to get a group together and play a few hours on Sundays, depending on everyone's availability. The system is designed to allow play over web conference, so everyone's looking at the same screen, with custom maps, playing pieces, character sheets, experience, and of course character development.

If you're ever interested in giving this a go, or even just checking out one of our sessions, you can watch us on twitch.tv/sitreppodcast/ - or ping me a PM and we'll see about getting you logged into one of our web meetings.

This Project is Active

Some Pics From Our Last Two Sessions

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Campaign area with the February 2020 situation in Syria ... with just a few Campaign area with the February 2020 situation in Syria ... with just a few "creative license" updates for the sake of the narrative in our campaign.
The actual operations area.  Three PMC teams are sent in on this mission (our RPG group is one of them) - with three basic missions.  Attack the red areas, defend the green areas, and the third NPC team supports the first two as needed.  Yes, how that The actual operations area. Three PMC teams are sent in on this mission (our RPG group is one of them) - with three basic missions. Attack the red areas, defend the green areas, and the third NPC team supports the first two as needed. Yes, how that "support team" is committed is a source of some "blue-on-blue" drama among the characters.
The map for our Forward Operation BaseThe map for our Forward Operation Base
Underneath the base, wouldn't you know it ... there was an enemy tunnel complex expanded from old 2nd Century early Christian ruins and catacombs.Underneath the base, wouldn't you know it ... there was an enemy tunnel complex expanded from old 2nd Century early Christian ruins and catacombs.
Our three teams and our vehicles - X Team Sigma has the JTLV, the Sultan and the HMMWV are allocated to our player characters in the center (X-Team 619), and X-Team 220 (the junior support team) has the MRAP to the right.Our three teams and our vehicles - X Team Sigma has the JTLV, the Sultan and the HMMWV are allocated to our player characters in the center (X-Team 619), and X-Team 220 (the junior support team) has the MRAP to the right.
Hell yeah, we had a dungeon crawl, and a some ISIS insurgents in the tunnels beneath the forward operation base.Hell yeah, we had a dungeon crawl, and a some ISIS insurgents in the tunnels beneath the forward operation base.
Air Ops Station WHISKEY is under attack!  Claymore mines set up by Templar earlier took out that first SAA Jeep that tried to cross that small bridge over the creek.Air Ops Station WHISKEY is under attack! Claymore mines set up by Templar earlier took out that first SAA Jeep that tried to cross that small bridge over the creek.
The HMMWV overruns a fireteam of Syrian regulars (SAA infantry loyal to the Assad regime), with Templar, Ajax, and Cleric (character call signs) engaged in a point-blank firefight!  Ajax on the .50!The HMMWV overruns a fireteam of Syrian regulars (SAA infantry loyal to the Assad regime), with Templar, Ajax, and Cleric (character call signs) engaged in a point-blank firefight! Ajax on the .50!
Taaki takes the Sultan on a charge down the center, and finds herself confronted with another SAA fireteam!Taaki takes the Sultan on a charge down the center, and finds herself confronted with another SAA fireteam!
The enemy technical (truck with a ZU-23-2 23mm twin autocannon) opens a long-range suppression fire on Sirius up on a distant ridge.The enemy technical (truck with a ZU-23-2 23mm twin autocannon) opens a long-range suppression fire on Sirius up on a distant ridge.
Sirius and his loyal Sirius and his loyal "battle dog" Bubblegum takes the brunt of enemy autocannon fire!
The carnage at the end of Site Whiskey's successful ... if hard-fought defense.The carnage at the end of Site Whiskey's successful ... if hard-fought defense.

Okay, So I Lied ...

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Well … I was wrong.  Last night’s session was NOT the end of the “Desert Eagles” plot line for HK Ops.

This story is turning out to be more complex and intricate than initially planned, the battles are more visceral, and the enemy is putting up a tougher fight in some places.  Long story short (take a shot), at the end of last night’s session were weren’t even close to the end of this campaign.

So it looks like we’re up for a THIRD session – the FINAL CONCLUSION (I promise this time) in what’s turned out to be an epic trilogy!

Part III is currently scheduled for Sunday March 22.

Meanwhile, Part II is up on our YouTube channel. 😀 Check out some of it below!

Sitrep Podcast Twitch

Sitrep Podcast YouTube

Episode 05 "Desert Eagles" Live Stream!

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Place: Northeastern Syria.
Time: Five minutes in the future.

We are confirmed for HK Ops – Episode 05 on Sunday, March 8, starting at 1PM EST / 5PM UK time (part of the Sitrep Podcast Channel).

In our last stream, we saw the operators of “Escalation Team 619” and two other teams are deployed into the heart of one of today’s worst warzones, the ongoing civil war in Syria.

Despite the American withdrawal from the northeastern Syria, “certain parties” within the DoD, State Department, and CIA are looking to maintain surveillance and leverage influence into Syria, specifically the “Syrian Democratic Forces” (predominantly Kurds) in the Rajova region (northeaster Syria).

This will be done with air power and drones, but SAA (Assad Regime) and even ISIS/ISIL elements threaten the ground facilities that enable such aerial programs, such as air defense, air surveillance, and navigation / control points.

Meanwhile, Assad’s helicopters represent a growing threat in the air, and even ISIS / ISIL remnants in the area are also starting up an ad-hoc drone program  of their own.

In short, it’s a battle for the skies over northeastern Syria, and ironically part of that battle must be won on the ground.

Our operations have already received their orders, geared up, been inserted to the forward operating base, found and eliminated the first threat literally beneath their feet, and gone out on their first patrols and strike sorties against elements of the SAA and ISIS.

But all this was just the beginning.  The real test for the team comes TODAY.

Tune in for the conclusion of HKOps Episode 05, Desert Eagles!

We hope it will be another great episode in our continuing HK Ops modern warfare storyline.

Sitrep Podcast Twitch

Sitrep Podcast YouTube

HK Ops - Ep 05 - Part One Recording

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So here is the recording of what turned out to be just PART ONE of our latest HK Ops mission.

Long story short (take a shot), we have the US pulling out of northeastern Syria, but bureaus and agencies in the DoD, CIA, and State Department still want to maintain surveillance and project influence “on the quiet.”  That means private military contractors, and that means Phalanx Multinational.

Three teams have been inserted, including our heroes of “Escalation Team 619” (X-Team for short, sixth team established FY 2019).

So we have uncertain Turkish “allies” who are friendly enough to the US, but less so with our Kurdish “allies” in northeastern Syria.  Syrian Arab Army of the Assad regime also posses a threat, to say nothing of remnants of ISIS / ISIL, still dangerous even in early 2020.

Oh, and then there are threats WITHIN the operation, everything from leadership that is less than “tactically expert,” to rival teams, overly ambitious “comrades,” psychologically unstable team members, thieves, and even love triangles.

Just another “corporate day at the office” for the operators of X-Team 619.

Sitrep Podcast Twitch

Sitrep Podcast YouTube

Episode 05 "Desert Eagles" - ORDERS IN HAND!

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Here are the orders our operators have received  for their upcoming op in Syria.

Tune in to our live stream to see how they do! 1PM EST, 6PM GMT

Sitrep Podcast Twitch

Sitrep Podcast YouTube

Episode 05
Episode 05

Episode 05 "Desert Eagles" Live Stream!

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We are confirmed for HK Ops – Episode 05 on Sunday, February 23, starting at 1PM EST / 6PM UK time (part of the Sitrep Podcast Channel).

This is going to be a heavy one, folks, where our operators of “Escalation Team 619” and two other teams are deployed into the heart of one of today’s worst warzones, the ongoing civil war in Syria.

The players have already been sent their orders, preliminary maps, and mission briefings … and “gearing up” correspondence is already shuttling back and forth between our players.

We hope it will be another great episode in our continuing HK Ops modern warfare storyline.

Sitrep Podcast Twitch

Sitrep Podcast YouTube

Episode 05

Episode 04 "Failed Paradise" - Mission Report

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SITUATION:  Guillermo Montejez is a top aide to (real life) Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaidó.  Montejez is an important figure to the Guaidó opposition movement, filling such roles as Guaidó’s  liaison with International Red Cross, the South American “Lima Group”, and the US State Department.  Montejez is currently surrounded by in his villa by paramilitary police loyal to the generals of (real life) Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in the city of Carupano.    Phalanx Multinational has been contracted “friends” of the Venezuelan opposition movement (possibly Lima Group, possibly even black ops agencies in the US government) to effect a range of executive solutions throughout the Venezuelan crisis zone.  Escalation Team (X-Team) 619 has been assigned one of those mission packages.

MISSION: Case Director Marcus Bryant has assigned X-Team 619 the mission to find Guillermo Montejez, safely extract him, and escort out of Venezuela.  Options for safe zones include Bogota Colombia, Miami Florida, Trinidad, or even Curaçao.  Guillermo Montejez is currently under house arrest at his suburban villa just outside of Carupano.  Get him out of there by whatever means is necessary, and exfiltrate to one of the designated safe zones.

EXECUTION:  Methods are at the discretion of X-Team 619.  However, Operations advises a low-kinetic approach, as opposition forces are predicted to include formal units of the Venezuelan Army, a state with which the United States is not at war.  Also, unnecessary collateral impact in the infiltration phases will only result in higher degrees of difficulty during extraction and exfil phases afterwards.  Note that Guillermo Montejez is a civilian, with no military experience whatsoever and little or no security personnel of his own on-site.

ADMIN/LOGISTICS:  Case Management Officer Scott Delham has arranged staging point in the island nation of Grenada, where you will have diplomatic immunity under the aegis of the US DoD.  From there you will have access to a pre-staged twin-engine turboprop (leaded by PMC Ltd., so return the aircraft in good order) for use in a “dark flight” to an abandoned airfield in the jungles outside of Carupano.  The airfield is marked on your maps, and hasn’t been used consistently since the Drug War of the late 1980s.

COMMAND / CONTROL: Frederik Ottesen is in tactical command of this mission.  Marcus Bryant is case officer, with Scott Delham as operations, intelligence, and administrative lead (note: he’s doing Gabrielle Knight’s job as well – who remains on  “administrative review” after certain issues In Episode 03 “Crossroads”).

Episode 04
The characters find their promised twin turboprop waiting for them in Grenada, Annika "Taaki" Visser piloting the plane to the designated "black ops" landing site. The landing is a rough one, but the group makes it okay and begins down the hidden jungle trail. Here they find a trio of "colectivos" pro-government militia burying the body of a murdered dissident. The three bandits are dispatched and the group takes their jeep, heading to Carupano to find Montejez's villa.
The find the villa more or less intact.  But rather than The find the villa more or less intact. But rather than "under siege" - it seems to have already fallen? There is some stealth, recon, and subterfuge as the group tries to make a soft entry. Taaki makes good use of the bottle of tequila and brick of marijuana found under the seat of the jeep to "smooth" their way past the guards at the gate, Frederik "Sirius" Ottosen makes good use of his silenced assault rifle, and Jackson "Ajax" Hyatt makes us of his new silenced autopistol.
Taaki manages to fast-talk her way past the two militiamen in the driveway, but the third man on the porch by the villa's front door actually cares about his job.  Looks like she needs to find another way in.Taaki manages to fast-talk her way past the two militiamen in the driveway, but the third man on the porch by the villa's front door actually cares about his job. Looks like she needs to find another way in.
Heading to the east door, Taaki talks her way past another colectivos militia, but another guard at the doorway seems intent on barring her entry.  Sirius, who has by now infiltrated the north servant's gate along with Jackson, settles the argument with a silenced round from his rifle.  The guard is only wounded, and staggers back inside screaming bloody murder.  So much for the soft entry.Heading to the east door, Taaki talks her way past another colectivos militia, but another guard at the doorway seems intent on barring her entry. Sirius, who has by now infiltrated the north servant's gate along with Jackson, settles the argument with a silenced round from his rifle. The guard is only wounded, and staggers back inside screaming bloody murder. So much for the soft entry.
Rather than set off a furious firefight, the colectivos militia immediately start running for their lives.  There are a few small exchanges of fire, almost accidental, but by and large ... yes, the Montejez Villa has ALREADY fallen, but the colectivos militia run with unnatural fear and speed even for rather undisciplined rabble.  What were they so afraid of? Rather than set off a furious firefight, the colectivos militia immediately start running for their lives. There are a few small exchanges of fire, almost accidental, but by and large ... yes, the Montejez Villa has ALREADY fallen, but the colectivos militia run with unnatural fear and speed even for rather undisciplined rabble. What were they so afraid of?
A search of the house finds it mostly ransacked.  Sirius finds a A search of the house finds it mostly ransacked. Sirius finds a "spiderhole" beneath the master bedroom's walk-in closet packed with encrypted laptops, spare car keys, and perhaps $5 million in cash. Yes, Montejez was filthy rich (just look at the size of his house). Finally Jackson finds a second panic-room under the floorboards of this conference room, this one occupied by Francesca Palez, one of Montejez's lieutenants. Here is where the "curveball" is thrown in the mission. Yes, the team was supposed to come here and get Montejez. But Montejez was never the real priority for escape. Montejez only contracted Phalanx Multinational to send X-Team 619 down here to rescue him as a diversion, as bait, while the REAL objective, his two daughters (Alexandra and Rosa, 9 and 7 years old) were smuggled out of the country. Francesca, Montejez himself, and even our heroes of X-Team 619 were really just "bait." Montejez leaked his location and the fact that he would soon be "rescued" by a powerful force to the colectivos in order to give his daughters the best chance. Well, at least we know why those militia ran away so fast. As for the one militiaman locked up in that bathroom ... yeah, don't ask. :)
Swerve in the plot Number Two ... Even as Montejez remained here with Francesca ... somehow ... the colectivos learned that Montejez's daughters were already smuggled out of the country aboard the container ship MCS Santissima Carreno.  The colectivos then took the ship on the high seas, and turned it around back to Venezuela.  Clearly they mean to force Montejez to surrender himself and his opposition network by leveraging the two girls.  Half-mad with terror and rage, Montejez apparently took off from the villa, chartered a helo to the freighter, and tried to get his daughter back.  Not the wisest move, there were at least 20 colectivos on that ship, and now they have Montejez as well as his two daughters.  Needless to say, Francesca is not happy with Montejez right now, and honestly neither is X-Team 619.  But they're contracted to get him out of the country, and apparently that means his daughters as well.  So looks like we're heading for this freighter!  Good thing our heroes found all that cash in the villa to hire a Swerve in the plot Number Two ... Even as Montejez remained here with Francesca ... somehow ... the colectivos learned that Montejez's daughters were already smuggled out of the country aboard the container ship MCS Santissima Carreno. The colectivos then took the ship on the high seas, and turned it around back to Venezuela. Clearly they mean to force Montejez to surrender himself and his opposition network by leveraging the two girls. Half-mad with terror and rage, Montejez apparently took off from the villa, chartered a helo to the freighter, and tried to get his daughter back. Not the wisest move, there were at least 20 colectivos on that ship, and now they have Montejez as well as his two daughters. Needless to say, Francesca is not happy with Montejez right now, and honestly neither is X-Team 619. But they're contracted to get him out of the country, and apparently that means his daughters as well. So looks like we're heading for this freighter! Good thing our heroes found all that cash in the villa to hire a "Miami Vice" style go-fast boat to intercept Santissima Carreno before she makes port back in Venezuela.
Rather than go full Rather than go full "Pirates of the Caribbean" on the freighter, Taaki uses the bulk of the cash found at the villa to make a deal with the colectivos militia. MOST of the colectivos accept the offer, releasing the two daughters and leaving the ship on the two launches stored on D Deck. Some harder-line colectivos remain, and of course the group still hasn't found Montejez himself. But at least those two innocent girls are out of the crossfire.
This freighter is a full This freighter is a full "floating dungeon" with all compartments mapped out for the group to explore (seven decks' worth). They fight their way up the superstructure, off of E Deck, then D Deck, C, B, and finally A deck (the highest deck, where the group has been told Montejez is being held). Each compartment potentially houses more colectivos hard-liners, and the players must clear each deck and compartment lest they leave enemies behind them. Engagement ranges are brutally close, and of course all these metal bulkheads and ricochets present dangerous factors to the running firefight.
Finally we get to the bridge, where one colectivo throws a flash bang grenade that Sirius kicks with his boot into the bridge.  The last enemies are cleared, but Montejez himself (half-blind and deafened by that grenade) snatches up a pistol and shoots FRANCESCA of all people in the leg.  Turns out she was the one who tipped off the colectivos about the daughters being smuggled out on this vessel - angry that she was being hung out to dry as bait.  Basically, Montejez and Francesca used each other, and X-Team 619 got caught in the middle.  Just goes to show that in shadowy world of the private military contractor, the Finally we get to the bridge, where one colectivo throws a flash bang grenade that Sirius kicks with his boot into the bridge. The last enemies are cleared, but Montejez himself (half-blind and deafened by that grenade) snatches up a pistol and shoots FRANCESCA of all people in the leg. Turns out she was the one who tipped off the colectivos about the daughters being smuggled out on this vessel - angry that she was being hung out to dry as bait. Basically, Montejez and Francesca used each other, and X-Team 619 got caught in the middle. Just goes to show that in shadowy world of the private military contractor, the "good guys" aren't always squeaky clean. But the Montejez is taken to Trinidad, the daughters are safe, and the mission is complete ... and not ALL that money was either paid out to boat owners, colectivos, or Phalanx Multinational on the group's return. A big chunk went to anonymous charity, and still more, well ... who knows? *WINK WINK ... Spoils of war, after all. Suffice it to say that some characters will have a new ranks in "Finance" on their sheet ...

Episode 04 confirmed for Sunday Jan 12, 3PM EST / 8PM UK

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We are confirmed for HK Ops – Episode 04 on January 12, starting at 3PM EST / 8PM UK time (part of the Sitrep Podcast Channel).

We hope you’ll check out our live stream on our Sitrep Podcast Twitch Channel or on Sitrep Podcast YouTube!

Preparations are nearly complete for this session and we hope it will be another great episode in our continuing HK Ops modern warfare storyline.

Sitrep Podcast Twitch

Sitrep Podcast YouTube

Episode 04 in development - Live Stream: Sunday January 12

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I hope to run a fourth episode (session 06) of HK OPs on Sunday, January 12.

Check out the live stream on our Sitrep Podcast Twitch Channel or on Sitrep Podcast YouTube!

Sitrep Podcast Twitch

Sitrep Podcast YouTube

Episode 03: "Crossroads"

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SITUATION:  Escalation Team (X-Team) 619 has been tasked with a “security protocol” detail.  Octocil Energy Development (OED), a subsidiary of ExxonMobil, is building a new pipeline on Banggai Island in Indonesia, between recently acquired oil fields and a refinery at the port city of Kota Banggai.

Recent attacks in the hinterlands of these islands brings an unacceptable degree to risk to the development of energy industry infrastructure.  The background for the conflict is complex.  Some blame the Free Papua Movement (Indonesian: Organisasi Papua Merdeka – OPM) that have spread from western New Guinea.  Others blame the Melanesian Spearhead Group, the Free Aceh Movement in eastern Indonesia (despite the fact that this war ended with the 2004 Indonesian Tsunami – but some warlords remain active).

The truth is the government has next to no control out here, and many “insurgents” are simple bandits or warlords connected with heroin production and export or piracy through Indonesian shipping lanes between Persian Gulf and industrialized nations of the Pacific Rim.

MISSION:  X-Team 619 is tasked with working with OED security personnel to ensure the safety of corporate property, equipment, and personnel.  Note these OED security personnel are civilians, not military-trained.

The mission is to investigate the threat, report possible concerns, and defend / respond if any OED assets, property, or personnel come under direct threat.  This is a non-kinetic security protocol … or as some call it, a “nanny mission.”

PERSONNEL: In addition to X-Team 619, this mission also includes Gabrielle Knight and Shin Tae Yeon (the North Korean technician who asked  for asylum at the end of Episode 02: Cold Reception)

These are liaison personnel only, tasked with working with OED security.

Mission lasts as long as the island remains under insurgent threat, or the new pipeline is open and Indonesian military expands its local Interior Ministry battalion at Kota Banggai.

Pay is $2000 a week, for the duration, plus a $20,000 bonus upon completion.

Here is the part of the South Pacific where this episode takes place.  Here is the part of the South Pacific where this episode takes place.
Octocil has recently leased land on this small island for recently-discovered oil resources, arranged subsidized loans from the US State Department to the Indonesian Ministry of the Interior for development of the fields and the pipeline that carries the crude to a port for shipment.Octocil has recently leased land on this small island for recently-discovered oil resources, arranged subsidized loans from the US State Department to the Indonesian Ministry of the Interior for development of the fields and the pipeline that carries the crude to a port for shipment.
The The "Mominiet Energy Development Project" (MEDP), Kota Banggai is the port through which OED hopes to ship the crude to larger refinery facilities elsewhere in the Pacific Rim. Primary export customers will likely be important Pacific allies like Taiwan, South Korea, and Japan
These are the OED sites and the pipeline routes (already under construction).  However, OED is unprepared against the threat of possible insurgents / bandits / local warlords, especially based out of East Kota.  Unfortunately, the US loans to the Indonesian government are in escrow, i.e., phased for installments pending certain benchmarks in the construction project / inspections by government and UN and other humanitarian overwatch groups.  In other words, if this project doesn't go smoothly, not only will Phalanx Multinational not get paid (and thus our characters), but neither with the Indonesian government, which means Interior Ministry Police Battalions scheduled for deployment into Kota Benggai will not happen.These are the OED sites and the pipeline routes (already under construction). However, OED is unprepared against the threat of possible insurgents / bandits / local warlords, especially based out of East Kota. Unfortunately, the US loans to the Indonesian government are in escrow, i.e., phased for installments pending certain benchmarks in the construction project / inspections by government and UN and other humanitarian overwatch groups. In other words, if this project doesn't go smoothly, not only will Phalanx Multinational not get paid (and thus our characters), but neither with the Indonesian government, which means Interior Ministry Police Battalions scheduled for deployment into Kota Benggai will not happen.
Okay, this game went for about six hours.  I won't get into all the details about Gabrielle Knight's motivation for going on this mission, the OED's project director trying to manage his divorce from halfway around the world via satellite phone, the OED security manager's inferiority complex, the abuse of one of the OED security people and the backstory behind that, the issues with the local workforce, or the true nature of the Okay, this game went for about six hours. I won't get into all the details about Gabrielle Knight's motivation for going on this mission, the OED's project director trying to manage his divorce from halfway around the world via satellite phone, the OED security manager's inferiority complex, the abuse of one of the OED security people and the backstory behind that, the issues with the local workforce, or the true nature of the "enemy" thread (not just insurgents, but also Chinese regulars have been inserted for sedition / insurgent ops). The point comes down to this ... when the rebels attacked, the characters had to make a cruel, cold, and impossible choice. Defend the oil platform (thus completing the mission for the company, their contract, and the economy / stability of this part of Indonesia) - or prevent an obvious genocide against a civilian village. There was NO right answer. The players would lose scores stripped of their character sheets no matter what. It was just a choice of which soul-crushing moment they preferred, and thus which ways their characters would develop. This was the map prepared if they chose to save the civilian village.
The group was split on this decision.  It was really a razored moment, where the players really had to make an impossible choice.  But it came down to the oil platform.  They made the cold, hard, callous ... but ultimately pragmatic ... tactical decision.  This was the map for the battle at the oil platformThe group was split on this decision. It was really a razored moment, where the players really had to make an impossible choice. But it came down to the oil platform. They made the cold, hard, callous ... but ultimately pragmatic ... tactical decision. This was the map for the battle at the oil platform
Here are the characters ready for the big battle at the end.  The three player characters (Ajax, Sirius, and Taaki) and the two Phalanx NPCs Gabrielle Knight and our North Korean expatriate Tae Yeon.Here are the characters ready for the big battle at the end. The three player characters (Ajax, Sirius, and Taaki) and the two Phalanx NPCs Gabrielle Knight and our North Korean expatriate Tae Yeon.
The battle was a brutal one.  The group was in an The battle was a brutal one. The group was in an "Alamo" position, assailed by all sides. No sooner had they barely fended off MOST of the insurgents than an enemy technical arrived (mounting twin ZU-23 autocannon) and a fireteam of highly-trained Chinese special forces. Here we see Sirius snipe out the driver of the technical, at least slowing it down, as Gabrielle abandons the shredded, burning remains of the construction trailer. Sadly, Tae Yeon had already been killed.
Taaki (Gladesrunner's character - former South African special tactics and rescue police) holds the perimeter in the northwest by backing a construction site truck OVER some of the attacking insurgents, bailing out of the riddled, burning truck, and engaging in a point-blank firefight with the survivors.Taaki (Gladesrunner's character - former South African special tactics and rescue police) holds the perimeter in the northwest by backing a construction site truck OVER some of the attacking insurgents, bailing out of the riddled, burning truck, and engaging in a point-blank firefight with the survivors.
Perhaps the most desperate battle is in the northeast, where Brun's character (Ajax) winds up shot three times, falling back into the oil rig in a desperate defense.Perhaps the most desperate battle is in the northeast, where Brun's character (Ajax) winds up shot three times, falling back into the oil rig in a desperate defense.

This was a rough one, folks.  I really wanted to encourage character development by putting the players in a morally impossible position and forcing them to make a horrible choice.  The players basically got to choose the adversity they would have to overcome, and thus the development that would lead to the characters they wanted to become.  Friends were lost, as well as hundreds of blameless civilians, and yes, partly these events are the characters’ fault.

But would the alternative have been even worse?

All characters got to choose their “punishment” – ratings stripped off sanity or conscience.  They also got to choose their “reward” -ratings added to rank or grit.  With one exception, they chose the tough, hard, pragmatic, mission-oriented path.  Badass mercenary was their choice, and at least for now, that’s the path most of them are on.

Per our wound tables, Ajax spent thirteen weeks in surgery, recovery, and physical rehabilitation.  Tae Yeon didn’t make it all.  Gabrielle has some very hard choices to make, having won the respect of Phalanx Multinational’s operators but lost huge standing with the “suits” upstairs, which is especially tough because that’s the career path she’s on (she’s an operations / intelligence analyst, not a field operator).  She took this job to win the respect, especially of a certain Michael Easton, an operator on another team with whom she’s in a relationship.  But now that relationship is also in question … (???)

There’s a lot going on here, folks.  I’m really pleased to see the players really sink into their characters.  Already we have close to 20,000 words in writing submitted by the players (not me), as players really work through what their characters are doing in the aftermath of this last one.  This is storytelling game built around characters and narrative, much more than a skirmish wargame.

We’ve been on a short break over the holidays, but we hope to get our HK Ops sessions going again soon!

Congrats to community members @rasmus , @brunhudson, and @gladesrunner for a great game!

Episode 03: "Crossroads" - Complete Video

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Ep 02 "Cold Reception" Summary

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Mission 02 is in the books folks, after a great live stream yesterday.

The summary of the mission is below:

A North Korean electronic warfare / surveillance aircraft is reported to have gone down somewhere in the Sea of Okhotsk.

The aircraft is believed to have crashed at Kimura Shima Island (Katyeva Island – marked on map below).

This island lies between the Kuril Islands and the Sakhalin Islands, disputed between Japan and Soviet Union since 1945.  Thus, the territorial status of Kimura Shima Island remains unclear.  Officially, “Katyeva” Island is part of the Russian Federation, although again, status is debated.  The primary reason this matter has never been cleared up is frankly, the islands are tiny (10 square miles / 6000 acres at most ) and desolate.  Honestly, no one cares.

The Japanese Self-Defense Force has contacted Phalanx International regarding a mission to recover the North Korean aircraft (codename Cheonji, Korean God of the Sky).  Objectives are to recover the plane’s black box, comnav recordings (so intelligence can surmise where this place was flying and who/what it was spying on).

Most importantly, recover any uplink between Cheonji’s doppler look-down shoot-down radar and whatever satellite (if any).  This is because North Korea has no satellites of their own, so if they’re using a satellite uplink for electronic warfare, navigation, or aerial surveillance, another nation is helping them expand maritime surveillance and control through North Pacific.

JSDF has provided a staging point and a small boat.  But they cannot be connected further with this mission.  If they are connected with a paramilitary mission onto Katyeva Island, that could constitute and act of war with the Russian Federation.

Here is the general position of Kimura Shima Island and the site of our missionHere is the general position of Kimura Shima Island and the site of our mission
An overview of the Kimura Shima Islands.  X-Team 619 approached in a heavy storm with high seas, suffering damage to their boat that stranded them on this island until they could effect repair and find more fuel.  None of these labels were in pace, the group had to search the island and investigate what was actually happening here. An overview of the Kimura Shima Islands. X-Team 619 approached in a heavy storm with high seas, suffering damage to their boat that stranded them on this island until they could effect repair and find more fuel. None of these labels were in pace, the group had to search the island and investigate what was actually happening here.
We get to where the North Korean EW craft crashed.  We see where Sirius, Templar, and Ajax (characters run by Rasmus, Templar007, and Brun) are approaching from the south, while we have Taaki (Jenn) on the crippled, low-fuel boat approaching along the east edge.  A North Korean Navy patrol boat (twin 20mm cannon) lies at anchor to the north.  The North Koreans have found this crash site, and have established a perimeter around it.We get to where the North Korean EW craft crashed. We see where Sirius, Templar, and Ajax (characters run by Rasmus, Templar007, and Brun) are approaching from the south, while we have Taaki (Jenn) on the crippled, low-fuel boat approaching along the east edge. A North Korean Navy patrol boat (twin 20mm cannon) lies at anchor to the north. The North Koreans have found this crash site, and have established a perimeter around it.
Sirius (Rasmus) and his K9 Sirius (Rasmus) and his K9 "Bubblegum" take out the first North Korean soldier at this hunting lodge in the extreme southwest corner of the map. The roof of this building, positioned on high ground, will give Rasmus the best available sniping position.
In the center, Templar and Ajax move against another pair of North Koreans.  Ajjax and his new In the center, Templar and Ajax move against another pair of North Koreans. Ajjax and his new "friend" Piotr (one of three Russian Federation special forces encountered on this island, also with orders to recover the Cheonji's electronics and eject any North Koreans from this Russian Island) go for stealth kills with fighting knives. Templar covers while Ajjax and Piotr make their approach. Russian Federation specops: Captain Nikolai Koslovski -- Senior Sergeant Tanja Lavachenko -- Corproral Piotr Shazhnikov.
In a dry suit (this is the North Pacific in February 2020), Taaki (Jenn) scuba-stealth swims her way up to the side of the North Korean boat while Captain Koslovski and SSgt Lavachenko put grenade launchers and AK-92 fire into the boat's forward sections.In a dry suit (this is the North Pacific in February 2020), Taaki (Jenn) scuba-stealth swims her way up to the side of the North Korean boat while Captain Koslovski and SSgt Lavachenko put grenade launchers and AK-92 fire into the boat's forward sections.
The firefight really heats up in the center. Ajax and Piotr have a great deal of trouble with that North Korean to the left.  In fact, Piotr is badly hit.  It's up to Templar to finish him off, along with another trooper to the north.  Sniper cover from Sirius comes in from the southwest.The firefight really heats up in the center. Ajax and Piotr have a great deal of trouble with that North Korean to the left. In fact, Piotr is badly hit. It's up to Templar to finish him off, along with another trooper to the north. Sniper cover from Sirius comes in from the southwest.
Taaki (Jenn) is now aboard the boat.  Three crew are down, one remains badly hit.  Taaki is hit, but chooses to continue bleeding (delaying first aid on herself) until she finally puts down the last crewman.  She's having a tough time of it (wound penalties) until Sirius, from all the way across the table, put s a silenced .308 sniper found OVER her shoulder, through the door, and into the last target on the boat.  Ab absurdly difficult shot, which Sirius made just barely with the expenditure of one of his Taaki (Jenn) is now aboard the boat. Three crew are down, one remains badly hit. Taaki is hit, but chooses to continue bleeding (delaying first aid on herself) until she finally puts down the last crewman. She's having a tough time of it (wound penalties) until Sirius, from all the way across the table, put s a silenced .308 sniper found OVER her shoulder, through the door, and into the last target on the boat. Ab absurdly difficult shot, which Sirius made just barely with the expenditure of one of his "Grit" (optional willpower) points.

Complete Video Replay:

Episode Two: "A Cold Reception"

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Episode 02 of HK Ops is on!

Fresh from their successful mission in Mexico, the newly-minted “X-Team 619” is being re-deployed for a second mission in a decidedly different environment!

We’re live later today (7PM UK, 2PM EastUS) with members of our community, including @Templar007@ashcadelanne@rasmus@gladesrunner, and Brun!

HK Ops is a new modern military RPG being developed specifically by the Sitrep Podcast for web play by members of the Sitrep community.  We hope you’ll swing by the Sitrep Podcast Channel and at see how we’re doing!

Looks like a remote, arctic (or antarctic) island our players will be exploring! Looks like a remote, arctic (or antarctic) island our players will be exploring!

LIVE: HK OPS ASSAULT ON CARTEL STRONGHOLD - 2PM US East / 7PM UK

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We are live later today with members of our OTT community, including @Templar007@ashcadelanne@rasmus@gladesrunner, and Brun!  Characters are already made up and this new team of elite private military contractors are ready to sortie out on their first mission!

HK Ops is a new modern military RPG being developed specifically by the SItrep Podcast for web play by members of the OTT community.  It’s our second try with this brand new system, so we hope you’ll swing by the Sitrep Podcast Channel and at see how we’re doing!

HK Ops - Assault on Cartel Stronghold >> Cancelled

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Skill 5
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EDIT – Two people have now dropped out of today’s session and I don’t really feel comfortable running this session with half a crew.  HK Ops is regrettably cancelled.

>>>>

So today our RPG group hits the cartel stronghold we didn’t quite reach in our last session.

The objective is an encrypted laptop that was lost in a previous ambush. The laptop is vital not only because it has sensitive information that could damage our characters’ parent company (Phalanx Multinational), but also contains recorded evidence gathered by a previous PMC team that Phalanx Multinational is contracted to provided the United States DEA.

Loss of these files could not only result in Phalanx not being paid for 18 months’ of work, but also loss of contracts with the DEA and other branches of the government that could impact the company’s bottom line for years. So failure here means a trip to the hospital, the morgue, or the unemployment line!

We’ll be live on Twitch, YouTube, and Facebook at 7PM UK / 2PM US East time.

SITREP TWITCH

Here is the Cartel Stronghold being assaulted by our RPG group today. How would you approach this target?  That laptop is somewhere in one of these buildings!  Keep an eye on those vehicles, too, in case the cartel bosses make a run for it!Here is the Cartel Stronghold being assaulted by our RPG group today. How would you approach this target? That laptop is somewhere in one of these buildings! Keep an eye on those vehicles, too, in case the cartel bosses make a run for it!

HK Ops - Community Participation RPG Live Stream @6:00 PM UK Time

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We are live later today with members of our OTT community, including @Templar007, @ashcadelanne, @rasmus, @gladesrunner, and Brun!  Characters are already made up and this new team of elite private military contractors are ready to sortie out on their first mission!

HK Ops is a new modern military RPG being developed specifically by the SItrep Podcast for web play by members of the OTT community.  It’s our second try with this brand new system, so we hope you’ll swing by the Sitrep Podcast Channel and at see how we’re doing!

HK OPS – NEW MODERNS RPG BEING DEVELOPED FOR COMMUNITY

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Skill 8
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A few images from the development of HK Ops – a new modern warfare RPG is being developed for players in the Sitrep and OTT community.  Players can take the role of high-end operators with a formal military or government service … or with a privately-run contractor company … or even survivors in a post-apocalyptic setting.

I’ve also added a link to a YouTube / Twitch live recording of our first playtest.  There’s a lot of discussion and character work at the beginning, about two hours in the test game (just one player – @elessar2590) actually gets underway.  Just testing out the system’s bones, identifying a few “wobbly” parts that are addressed in a tweak of the rules and character sheets.

Influences include the old White Wolf Storyteller systems (1st Edition) from the early 1990s, Millennium’s End, and Renegade Legion, as well as others.

Revised character sheet.  Thanks to Elessar2590, Rasmus, and Grimwolfuk for some of the ideas and feedback that helped improve the base template.Revised character sheet. Thanks to Elessar2590, Rasmus, and Grimwolfuk for some of the ideas and feedback that helped improve the base template.
Some of the base charts.  As you can see, everything is very rounded off in Some of the base charts. As you can see, everything is very rounded off in "categories," we're not trying to make a game where you measure every foot of rope and the grain weight of your bullets. STORYTELLING and NARRATIVE is the focus here, along with realistic consequences and outcomes to tactical military events. If you're shot, you're shot. No healing scrolls, resurrection spells, or health packs in this game.
A very fast map I grabbed off Google Images for the playtest.  The operator playing pieces (those move at will in the original playing file) were also found online, but the enemy insurgents I drew myself.  As we progress, and depending on player interest, I will be steadily drawing more and more of my own pieces, perhaps custom ones for player characters!  A very fast map I grabbed off Google Images for the playtest. The operator playing pieces (those move at will in the original playing file) were also found online, but the enemy insurgents I drew myself. As we progress, and depending on player interest, I will be steadily drawing more and more of my own pieces, perhaps custom ones for player characters!

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