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	<title>The Black Seal</title>
	<atom:link href="http://www.theblackseal.org/feed/" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml" />
	<link>http://www.theblackseal.org</link>
	<description>The Black Seal - the magazine of modern horror gaming</description>
	<lastBuildDate>Fri, 03 Feb 2012 20:09:01 +0000</lastBuildDate>
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		<title>The Black Seal &#8211; 50% off at DrivethruRPG</title>
		<link>http://www.theblackseal.org/2012/02/03/the-black-seal-50-off-at-drivethrurpg/</link>
		<comments>http://www.theblackseal.org/2012/02/03/the-black-seal-50-off-at-drivethrurpg/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 03 Feb 2012 20:06:15 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>TheVicar</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Ancient History]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Back Catalogue]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.theblackseal.org/?p=524</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[We're having an experimental 50% off sale at DrivethruRPG, so now's the time to bag your missing copies of the Black Seal. Find The Black Seal here at DrivethruRPG.]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>We're having an experimental 50% off sale at DrivethruRPG, so now's the time to bag your missing copies of the Black Seal.</p>
<p>Find The Black Seal here at <a title="DrivethruRPG" href="http://rpg.drivethrustuff.com/index.php?cPath=5932" target="_blank">DrivethruRPG</a>.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>The Black Seal arrives at the e23 warehouse</title>
		<link>http://www.theblackseal.org/2011/11/01/the-black-seal-arrives-at-the-e23-warehouse/</link>
		<comments>http://www.theblackseal.org/2011/11/01/the-black-seal-arrives-at-the-e23-warehouse/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 01 Nov 2011 20:52:28 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>TheVicar</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Back Catalogue]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.theblackseal.org/?p=517</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[At the cyclopean Black Seal Towers we are always looking for opportunities to expand our retail possibilities. We are proud to announce that the entire back catalogue of the Black Seal is now available at Steve Jackson Games's e23 warehouse. To celebrate this event the entire back catalogue is discounted for the month of November. [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>At the cyclopean Black Seal Towers we are always looking for opportunities to expand our retail possibilities.</p>
<p>We are proud to announce that the entire back catalogue of the Black Seal is now available at <a href="http://e23.sjgames.com/" target="_blank">Steve Jackson Games's e23 warehouse</a>.</p>
<p>To celebrate this event the entire back catalogue is discounted for the month of November.</p>
<p>You can find the Black Seal <a href="http://e23.sjgames.com/credits.html?t=publisher&amp;n=Sixtystone%20Press%20Limited" target="_blank">here</a>.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
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		<item>
		<title>Recommended Vietnam Movies Pt 3.</title>
		<link>http://www.theblackseal.org/2011/09/11/recommended-vietnam-movies-pt-3/</link>
		<comments>http://www.theblackseal.org/2011/09/11/recommended-vietnam-movies-pt-3/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 11 Sep 2011 23:35:34 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>TheVicar</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Cthulhu by Arclight]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Funding]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.theblackseal.org/?p=269</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The Low Budget Not quite so famous, and perhaps not quite so accurate, these movies are still valuable to the keeper, both for good the odd gem to steal, and for cliches to avoid... 84 Charlie Mopic [1989] An independent film made on small budget and filmed in Southern California a region not generally known [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<h2>The Low Budget</h2>
<p>Not quite so famous, and perhaps not quite so accurate, these movies are still valuable to the keeper, both for good the odd gem to steal, and for cliches to avoid...<br />
<span id="more-269"></span></p>
<h3><a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B000YPYC0U/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=thblse-21&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;camp=1634&amp;creative=6738&amp;creativeASIN=B000YPYC0U" target="_blank">84 Charlie Mopic  [1989]</a><img class=" rdwblviozkjbmhlllgab" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.co.uk/e/ir?t=thblse-21&amp;l=as2&amp;o=2&amp;a=B000YPYC0U" border="0" alt="" width="1" height="1" /></h3>
<p><a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B000YPYC0U/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=thblse-21&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;camp=1634&amp;creative=6738&amp;creativeASIN=B000YPYC0U" target="_Blank"><img class=" rdwblviozkjbmhlllgab" style="float: right;" src="http://ws.assoc-amazon.co.uk/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&amp;Format=_SL160_&amp;ASIN=B000YPYC0U&amp;MarketPlace=GB&amp;ID=AsinImage&amp;WS=1&amp;tag=thblse-21&amp;ServiceVersion=20070822" border="0" alt="" /></a><img class=" rdwblviozkjbmhlllgab" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.co.uk/e/ir?t=thblse-21&amp;l=as2&amp;o=2&amp;a=B000YPYC0U" border="0" alt="" width="1" height="1" /><br />
An independent film made on small budget and filmed in Southern California a region not generally known for its similarities with the steamy jungles of Vietnam. Filmed in a documentary style it follows a Long Range Recon Patrol into "Indian Country". The cameraman is nicknamed "MoPic" by the team, because the military code for his job is 84C20, Motion Picture Specialist. What should be a routine mission however goes wrong and eventually turns into a struggle for survival.</p>
<h3><a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00004CXIB/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=thblse-21&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;camp=1634&amp;creative=6738&amp;creativeASIN=B00004CXIB">Good Morning, Vietnam [1988]</a><img class=" rdwblviozkjbmhlllgab" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.co.uk/e/ir?t=thblse-21&amp;l=as2&amp;o=2&amp;a=B00004CXIB" border="0" alt="" width="1" height="1" /></h3>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00004CXIB/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il?ie=UTF8&#038;tag=thblse-21&#038;linkCode=as2&#038;camp=1634&#038;creative=6738&#038;creativeASIN=B00004CXIB"><img style="float:right;" border="0" src="http://ws.assoc-amazon.co.uk/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&#038;Format=_SL160_&#038;ASIN=B00004CXIB&#038;MarketPlace=GB&#038;ID=AsinImage&#038;WS=1&#038;tag=thblse-21&#038;ServiceVersion=20070822" ></a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.co.uk/e/ir?t=thblse-21&#038;l=as2&#038;o=2&#038;a=B00004CXIB" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" /><br />
A largely fictitious comedy portrayal of real life Disc Jockey Adrian Cronauer experiences in Vietnam. Starring a maniacal Robin Williams fighting the system to maintain troop morale. Cronauer admits that had he behaved like Williams does in the film he would have been thrown in the stockade. </p>
<p>On the other hand, it does the the Keeper a chance to give the players a little light relief, before their favourite DJ gets kidnapped by a mythos cult and fed to a shoggoth.</p>
<h3><a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B005DRNXZE/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_tl?ie=UTF8&#038;tag=thblse-21&#038;linkCode=as2&#038;camp=1634&#038;creative=6738&#038;creativeASIN=B005DRNXZE" target="_blank">Tour of Duty - Season One </a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.co.uk/e/ir?t=thblse-21&#038;l=as2&#038;o=2&#038;a=B005DRNXZE" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" /> (television series)</h3>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B005DRNXZE/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il?ie=UTF8&#038;tag=thblse-21&#038;linkCode=as2&#038;camp=1634&#038;creative=6738&#038;creativeASIN=B005DRNXZE"><img style="float:right" border="0" src="http://ws.assoc-amazon.co.uk/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&#038;Format=_SL160_&#038;ASIN=B005DRNXZE&#038;MarketPlace=GB&#038;ID=AsinImage&#038;WS=1&#038;tag=thblse-21&#038;ServiceVersion=20070822" ></a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.co.uk/e/ir?t=thblse-21&#038;l=as2&#038;o=2&#038;a=B005DRNXZE" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" /><br />
The story follows the members of Company B, on their one-year tour of duty in Vietnam. Lots of factually or historically questionable details, but reasonably well plotted for a 80's prime time TV show.</p>
<p>Keepers should be able to steal the plot of any particular episode for use as A Day At The Races, a non-mythos adventure that should keep them from seeing byakhee in every triple canopy. </p>
<p>All the characters from the series would make excellent NPC's, particularly Sgt Zeke Anderson. By the third season, their transfer to SOG guarantees that some of the platoon have little green triangles on their records.</p>
<h3><a target="_Blank" href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0019GJ49M/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_tl?ie=UTF8&#038;tag=thblse-21&#038;linkCode=as2&#038;camp=1634&#038;creative=6738&#038;creativeASIN=B0019GJ49M">Air America </a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.co.uk/e/ir?t=thblse-21&#038;l=as2&#038;o=2&#038;a=B0019GJ49M" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" /></h3>
<p><a target="_Blank" href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0019GJ49M/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il?ie=UTF8&#038;tag=thblse-21&#038;linkCode=as2&#038;camp=1634&#038;creative=6738&#038;creativeASIN=B0019GJ49M"><img style="float:right; margin-left:10px;" border="0" src="http://ws.assoc-amazon.co.uk/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&#038;Format=_SL160_&#038;ASIN=B0019GJ49M&#038;MarketPlace=GB&#038;ID=AsinImage&#038;WS=1&#038;tag=thblse-21&#038;ServiceVersion=20070822" ></a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.co.uk/e/ir?t=thblse-21&#038;l=as2&#038;o=2&#038;a=B0019GJ49M" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" /><br />
Air America, essentially a buddy movie about the CIA's private airline operating in Laos during the Vietnam War. There is an insurgency shooting at them, government soldiers running drugs, a pilot who is supplying arms to the whole region, and those are the straightforward sub plots.</p>
<p>Despite issues between the CIA and Delta Green, some Air America missions are likely to have supplied DG allies, such as the Tcho-Tcho's, had Mel Gibson been shot down next to a Tcho Tcho village, he might not have had such a welcome.</p>
<p>Of course it would explain much of Martin Riggs later madness in the late 1980's if he was a psychological construct used to explain the years Billy Covington had spent learning to kill with the Tcho Tcho's <img src='http://www.theblackseal.org/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_wink.gif' alt=';)' class='wp-smiley' /> </p>
<h3><a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B000BRPXJU/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&#038;tag=thblse-21&#038;linkCode=as2&#038;camp=1634&#038;creative=6738&#038;creativeASIN=B000BRPXJU" target="_blank">R-Point</a></h3>
<p><a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B000BRPXJU/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il?ie=UTF8&#038;tag=thblse-21&#038;linkCode=as2&#038;camp=1634&#038;creative=6738&#038;creativeASIN=B000BRPXJU"><img style="float:right; margin-left:10px;" border="0" border="0" src="http://ws.assoc-amazon.co.uk/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&#038;Format=_SL160_&#038;ASIN=B000BRPXJU&#038;MarketPlace=GB&#038;ID=AsinImage&#038;WS=1&#038;tag=thblse-21&#038;ServiceVersion=20070822" ></a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.co.uk/e/ir?t=thblse-21&#038;l=as2&#038;o=2&#038;a=B000BRPXJU" Target="_blank"  width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" /><br />
R-Point is a Korean horror film following a group of South Korean soldiers sent to a strategically important island somewhere south of Saigon referred to as R-Point. The soldiers are on a search and rescue mission looking for another team of soldiers who have been missing for 6 months and were presumed dead, until a shortwave radio transmission from R-Point is received from the missing soldiers.<br />
Not so much a horror movie as a ghost story, the movie is subtle and spooky  with a sense of growing menace which starts the moment the soldiers arrive at the island.<br />
R-Point could be stolen almost entirely as the basis for a scenario as pointed out by Kevin in the comments on our previous <a href="http://www.theblackseal.org/2011/08/13/recommended-vietnam-movies-pt-2/">Movies post</a> </p>
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		<title>The Pool of Mr Binh &#8211;  A short scenario</title>
		<link>http://www.theblackseal.org/2011/09/06/the-pool-of-mr-binh-a-zulu-event/</link>
		<comments>http://www.theblackseal.org/2011/09/06/the-pool-of-mr-binh-a-zulu-event/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 06 Sep 2011 23:18:51 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>TheVicar</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Cthulhu by Arclight]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.theblackseal.org/?p=418</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[A short scenario by Brett Kramer intended as an interlude in an ongoing Cthulhu by ARCLIGHT game and focussing on a non-Mythos threat. It is suitable for a single player or small group, and can be used as a ZULU event, leading the players to Delta Green clearance. Players and Keepers with low SAN should [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>A short scenario by <strong>Brett Kramer</strong> intended as an interlude in an ongoing Cthulhu by ARCLIGHT game and focussing  on a non-Mythos threat.  It is suitable for a single player or small group, and can be used as a ZULU event, leading the players to Delta Green clearance.</p>
<p>Players and Keepers with low SAN should probably stop reading now.<br />
<span id="more-418"></span></p>
<h3>Background:</h3>
<p>Many years ago a young couple, their marriage unacceptable to either of their families (as she was too young and he was too poor), took up residence on a remote and shunned plot of land on the outskirts of a village far from their old homes.  Everyone in the village said that the small pool near the land, a semi-stagnant thing fed by a fickle spring, was haunted.  Having no better option, the couple ignored the legends, their land was not very fertile but they did their best to build a life there, even starting a small family.  Things took a dark turn when the Japanese occupied Vietnam.  The local commander took an interest in Mr. Binh’s beautiful wife.  Several times soldier came and took her away only to return her to Mr. Binh the next day.  She would not speak of what had happened.  </p>
<p>One day the soldiers returned to the farm and Mr. Binh told them that his wife had gone to the wash the clothes in the pool from which they took their water.  The soldiers went to take her but never returned.  More soldiers came and Mr. Binh told them the same story and these soldiers too went to the pool but did not come back.  At last, exasperated, the commander himself came to take Mrs. Binh and see what had become of his men.  He was never seen again.</p>
<p>Ever since then, the local villagers have never seen Mr. Binh’s wife or children, nor does anyone visit his farm.  When he must come into the village, everyone avoids him and they burn incense after he departs.  Mr. Binh, you see, always buys a new dress when he comes to town…</p>
<p>From time to time outsiders have gone to Mr. Binh’s farm; tax collectors, surveyors, the Viet Minh, ARVN soldiers, Viet Cong, and most recently an American journalist.  No one ever returns.  Sometimes foolish boys from the local village dare each other to creep close to Mr. Binh’s farm or even the pool itself by night.  Sometimes they see weird lights.  Sometimes they see a woman in a new dress slowly walking past.  Once or twice they have not come back.</p>
<h3>Enter the Players</h3>
<p>Colin Anders is an American free-lance journalist based out of Saigon. He has been working in South Vietnam for over a year now, mostly writing human interest stories about the local people, profiling GIs, and the like.  Following a lead, he came to the village and, despite the warning of the locals, paid a call on Mr. Binh.  He has been now missing for five days.</p>
<p>Anders’ father is Douglas "Big D" Anders, a Michigan Congressman and member of several important committees.  He has placed a few calls to friends at the Pentagon and Langley and elsewhere and the order has gone out that the missing journalist is to be found and brought back to Saigon, by force if necessary. </p>
<p>The players are assigned to track the younger Anders down.  They are given a photograph, a description, and possibly a rough guess as to where he has gone.  The difficulty in finding his trail is left to the Keeper, either starting the action in Saigon or some other major city and have the players work to find Anders trail or begin play in the village itself.</p>
<h3>The Village</h3>
<p>Once in the village, the players will be told that Anders had, despite repeated warnings, gone to see Mr. Binh.  They will also be told same stories and warnings about his farm that the villagers have repeated in the past.  Presumably they too will ignore the warnings.</p>
<h3>Mr Binh's farm</h3>
<p>The farm is nondescript and like countless others in the countryside, albeit in a more rundown state than most.  A lone ox bleats miserably in a muddy pen and a few chickens dart about from one half-collapsed building to another.  Flies are ubiquitous.  Mr. Binh, a wizened and gaunt man in dirty clothes and a battered hat, will meet them as they arrive, of course, and invite them into the moldering farm house.  His wife is out, sadly, but she has left some soup and some tea if they would care to join him…</p>
<p>The Keeper has several options for progression, depending on what he prefers Mr. Binh's ultimate secret to be:</p>
<h3>Option One: The Madness of Mr. Binh</h3>
<p>There is nothing supernatural going on, though Mr. Binh remains a dangerous man.  After he was cuckolded by the Japanese commander, Mr. Binh plotted revenge against him and his wife.  He murdered his wife as she did the laundry, drowning her in the pool.  Returning to the farm house he hunted down their children and killed them as well.  His mind snapped and he now imagines himself to be her. Dressed as his wife he poisoned the soldiers and dumped their bodies in the pool, likewise the commander when he arrived.  </p>
<p>Mr. Binh spends the day as himself and the part of the night as his wife, pacing back and forth between his farmhouse and the pool.  When he has guests he drugs them and carries them to the pool that night where, dressed as Mrs. Binh, he drowns them.  Most people regard him as harmless until they feel the effects of the arsenic in the tea…</p>
<p>Once Mr. Binh is overcome, the bodies of Anders and his photographer can be found in the pool along with dozens of others.</p>
<h3>Option Two: The Vietcong Agent</h3>
<p>Mr. Binh is a lie spun off the tragic life and death of the farm’s previous inhabitants who died long ago during the Japanese occupation.  The current inhabitant is Nyguen Phung, a Vietcong spy who operates a short wave radio used to relay reports from local agents to the Vietcong and NVA.  He masquerades as the harmless old coot to allay any suspicions as to his weird comings and goings and to keep away the curious.  He will react to the arrival of Americans very cautiously, hoping to lure them to the pool where he hopes to surprise them with a few members of the local cadre who have been secretly camping there.</p>
<p>As to Anders, his fate is left to the Keeper.  Perhaps he and his cameraman were murdered.  Perhaps he talked his way into an interview and has departed to meet his contact in the Vietcong.  Perhaps he has been taken hostage, having admitted his father is a Congressman.</p>
<h3>Option Three: The Haunted Pool</h3>
<p>Mr. Binh, a broken man, planned to throw himself into the pool, unable to cope with the suffering inflicted on his young wife and his own shame.  Unexpectedly, as sank beneath the waters, he heard a voice promising to free him from his suffering and the hated Japanese.  All he had to do was bring the soldiers to the pool and his the voice would do the rest.  And so he did just that, leading the soldiers to the pool.  He found that the pool was haunted by a spirit; a Ma-gia or drowning ghost.  The ghost appears as a beautiful girl and tricks them into entering the pool, where they drowned one by one.  After they we dead she told Mr. Binh that he now owed her a great favor, and that as his new wife, she could not have him keeping the old one around.  Mr. Binh brought his old wife to the pool and killed her to please his new wife.  When more soldiers came, Mr. Binh brought them to the pool as well.  Soon after, his new wife said that she also needed him to be rid of his old children and Mr. Binh complied.  Still she asked for more, for she was so very, very hungry.</p>
<p>The ghost, unable to leave the pool, uses Mr. Binh as a lure to draw victims into her waters, where she drowns them.  Mr. Binh, hopelessly insane, cannot remember which wife is the old one and which wife is the new, so he goes to town to buy her a dress whenever he find enough money on the bodies of her victims.  Colin Anders and his photographer are simply his latest victims, until the players arrive at least…</p>
<h3>Option Four: A Woman Scorned</h3>
<p>As with option three, the pool is haunted by a Ma-gia, though this version retains some small spark of her humanity, if not compassion.  The spirit has grown bored of the company of Mr. Binh.  He is old and wrinkled and very sad.  He no longer desires her embrace nor takes any pleasure in bringing new victims to her.  When be brought Colin Anders to her, she found a handsome replacement to her old love and she offered him the same bargain she offered Mr. Binh these many years past; bring others to her and enjoy her love.  Anders happily dragged his photographer into the pool and a new bargain was struck.</p>
<p>Mr. Binh was enraged.  She was his wife after all, how dare she take up with a new man.  Yet there was nothing he could do, for he could not harm her nor did he wish to give up her company, for she mistook his frailty for a lack of passion.  He know that if he hurts the American, his wife would never forgive him, but perhaps if he could blame these other Americans things might go back to the way their were.</p>
<p>Anders, for his part, is truly mad.  He wants to prove to his new bride that he alone should dwell by her pool and he wants rid of Mr. Binh.  He has already crept into town and carried off a child to please his new love, if only he could find some clear way to convince her to be rid of the old man and give up any sentimental attachment to him.  The players will make an ideal gift.</p>
<p>In this case, Binh and Anders vie with each other for the Ma-gia’s affections.  Anders attempts to lead individual investigators to the pool to kill them while Binh will, when Anders is not around, spin all kinds of tales as to why Anders must return with his American friends and be taken far far way.  Binh will happily show them the broken camera and wallet of the camera man and say that Anders is mad and killed him and has threatened to kill poor Mr. Binh if he tells anyone.</p>
<h3>NPC Stats</h3>
<h4>Mr. Binh, 57 – Mysterious, murderous hermit</h4>
<blockquote><p>STR:	8 	INT:	10 	CON:	8 	DEX: 13	AP: 8<br />
SIZ:	8	POW:	11 	EDU:	5	db: -1D4	HP: 8	 	Sanity: 0<br />
Attacks: Fist 50%, damage1D3-1D4<br />
	Grapple (choke 60%), damage Special<br />
	Pistol (if VC) 45%, damage 1D8<br />
Skills: Agriculture 32%, Hide 50%, Poison Meal 76%*, Radio Operation 55% (if VC), Sneak 36%, Shuffle pitifully 90%, Speak English 10%, Swim 90%</p></blockquote>
<p>*Mr. Binh uses arsenic taken from rat poison which has a POT of 10, but is somewhat diluted, causing paralysis rather than death unless the Resistance roll is failed by more than ½.</p>
<h4>Colin Anders, 25 – Young man with important friends</h4>
<blockquote><p>STR: 14 	INT:	13 	CON:	12 	DEX:	10 	AP: 16<br />
SIZ: 12 	POW:	10 	EDU:	17	db: +1D4	HP: 12	 	Sanity:	50/25 (option 4)<br />
Attacks: Fist 50%, damage 1D3+1D4<br />
	Club 35%, damage 1D6+1D4<br />
Skills: Art: Journalism 35%, Fast Talk 61%, Hide 31%, Persuade 45%, Sneak 25%, Speak Vietnamese 25%, Swim 60%</p></blockquote>
<h3>New Monsters</h3>
<h4>The Ma-gia – Spirit of the Pool</h4>
<blockquote><p>INT:	 10	DEX:	19 	AP: 19		 SIZ:	9 	POW: 13<br />
Sanity Cost: 0/1; 1D2/1D8 (if Hypnotic glance fails, see below)<br />
Attacks: Hypnotic glance 100%, damage see below<br />
	Embrace 100%, damage see below<br />
Skills: Malinger 100%, Sing 99%, Weep 99%
</p></blockquote>
<p>The Ma-gia appears as a very beautiful Vietnamese girl clad in wet white dress (Anthropology, Occult, or ¼ Know roll to ID as Vietnamese funerary wear); she can appear as anyone known to those who fall prey to her hypnosis power.  She is almost always partially submerged but can come a few feet from the shore, if pressed.  Those looking up on her see her beautiful form; should anyone overcome her POW during her Hypnotic Glace, see below, they see her true form, that of a rotted and bloated corpse and suffer the second Sanity cost listed above. </p>
<p>The Ma-gia can either attempt to trick victims into the water in conversation (claiming to be a local woman doing laundry or some such lie) or can attempt to overwhelm a single victim per round with her Hypnotic Glance.  With this attach she stares deeply into a victim’s eyes and matches her POW versus the victim’s POW.  If the victim fails they will attempt to enter the Ma-gia’s pool unless restrained (as per grapple rules).  Those carried at least 100 feet from the pool will come to their senses in as many minutes as they failed their roll by. </p>
<p>The Ma-gia may also Embrace anyone in her pool, matching her POW versus the victim’s strength (or ½ their strength if a Swim roll is failed).  Failure means the victim immediately begins to drown as per the rulebook, otherwise the victim manages to keep their head above water.  It takes at least two successes to escape the pool; Hypnotized victims automatically suffer the effects of an Embrace, thought they may attempt a new roll versus the Ma-gia’s POW to break free of her control once they being to drown.  The Ma-gia may Embrace as many targets as are in her pool, but her POW is reduced by 2 for each additional victim.</p>
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		<item>
		<title>A soundtrack for War</title>
		<link>http://www.theblackseal.org/2011/08/13/a-soundtrack-for-war-2/</link>
		<comments>http://www.theblackseal.org/2011/08/13/a-soundtrack-for-war-2/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sat, 13 Aug 2011 23:21:00 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Phil</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Cthulhu by Arclight]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.theblackseal.org/?p=369</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Getting the right feel for your game is important, anything that draws the players into your story, and makes them forget they're sat round a table covered in Dorito's has to be good. A proper soundtrack is a good start, but lets face it, not many battles are fought with Jimi Hendrix blaring over the [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Getting the right feel for your game is important, anything that draws the players into your story, and makes them forget they're sat round a table covered in Dorito's has to be good.</p>
<p>A proper soundtrack is a good start, but lets face it, not many battles are fought with Jimi Hendrix blaring over the battlefield, for those grunts who aren't in the thick of it, their soundtrack is radio chatter.<br />
<span id="more-369"></span><br />
Tension can be ratcheted up as characters on a Long Range Patrol pick up radio transmissions from another nearby platoon in contact with the NVA. A quick search of youtube for "Vietnam War Ambush" turns up quite a few genuine recordings of combat from the war:<br />
<object classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" width="480" height="390" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /><param name="src" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/wEGWISd6jYs?version=3&amp;hl=en_GB" /><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true" /><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="480" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/wEGWISd6jYs?version=3&amp;hl=en_GB" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always"></embed></object><br />
You can extract the audio track of a youtube video using <a href="http://www.flv2mp3.com/" target="_blank">this simple tool</a>, then drop it onto the portable MP3 player of your choice and voila!</p>
<p>Next, we'll take a look at the music your GI's are going to be playing in their hooch.</p>
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		<item>
		<title>Recommended Vietnam Movies Pt. 2</title>
		<link>http://www.theblackseal.org/2011/08/13/recommended-vietnam-movies-pt-2/</link>
		<comments>http://www.theblackseal.org/2011/08/13/recommended-vietnam-movies-pt-2/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sat, 13 Aug 2011 23:18:22 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Phil</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Cthulhu by Arclight]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Funding]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.theblackseal.org/?p=267</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The Second Wave The Vicar has been to the movies and provided a couple more reviews and uses for some slightly less famous Vietnam movies, pass the popcorn! The Green Berets (1968) John Wayne plays Colonel Mike Kirby fighting the dastardly Viet Cong in (what looks like) the early days of American involvement in Vietnam. [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<h2>The Second Wave</h2>
<p>The Vicar has been to the movies and provided a couple more reviews and uses for some slightly less famous Vietnam movies, pass the popcorn!</p>
<h3><a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00004CY4M/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=thblse-21&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;camp=1634&amp;creative=6738&amp;creativeASIN=B00004CY4M" target="_blank">The Green Berets (1968)</a><img style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.co.uk/e/ir?t=thblse-21&amp;l=as2&amp;o=2&amp;a=B00004CY4M" border="0" alt="" width="1" height="1" /></h3>
<p><a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00004CY4M/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=thblse-21&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;camp=1634&amp;creative=6738&amp;creativeASIN=B00004CY4M"><img style="float: right;" src="http://ws.assoc-amazon.co.uk/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&amp;Format=_SL160_&amp;ASIN=B00004CY4M&amp;MarketPlace=GB&amp;ID=AsinImage&amp;WS=1&amp;tag=thblse-21&amp;ServiceVersion=20070822" border="0" alt="" /></a><img style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.co.uk/e/ir?t=thblse-21&amp;l=as2&amp;o=2&amp;a=B00004CY4M" border="0" alt="" width="1" height="1" /></p>
<p>John Wayne plays Colonel Mike Kirby fighting the dastardly Viet Cong in (what looks like) the early days of American involvement in Vietnam. David "The Fugitive" Janssen’s reporter is the eyes and ears of the audience in Wayne's roller-coaster support of US intervention. Mistimed in its year of release (the year that the US turned its back on involvement in Vietnam) and critically derided in the years since, *The Green Berets* is probably the closest anyone has got to a 'Delta Green in Vietnam' story line with a non-typical rollicking storyline that’s more Western than War movie.<br />
<span id="more-267"></span><br />
It starts conventionally: introduction to the country, the problems the population are enduring, the problems US troops have countering the VC, how brutal the enemy is, etc. Then the plot crashes gears and turns into a kidnap-an-important-enemy-officer story thread involving commandos and a slinky South Vietnamese seductress. However it all ends like all 'Nam movies should: with a midnight massed VC assault on the compound.<br />
The movie's final scenes of an Vietnamese orphan looking for his adoptive US father who has been killed in action is eerily prophetic of the US's eventual departure from Vietnam. Look out for <b>Star Trek</b>'s George Takei in an early film role.</p>
<p><b>Watch It For:</b><br />
Filmed on location in South Vietnam, with official military participation; the army provided a great deal of equipment and the sets used to film the scenes in the Vietnamese village were so realistic they were used for training troops destined for Vietnam. This is how the Joint chiefs and the Delta Green Steering Committee see the conflict. Sergeant Petersen's scrounging for the unit is a model of how it should be done. The film's plot could be lifted wholesale and dropped into a game with little modification. Wayne's Kirby character is easily Apocalypse Now's Kurtz without some of Brando’s extra weight and none of the sociopathic tendencies. If you want to know where Kurtz came from: he's Kirby after three years of madness in 'Nam.</p>
<h3><a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B001QGO3CI/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_tl?ie=UTF8&#038;tag=thblse-21&#038;linkCode=as2&#038;camp=1634&#038;creative=6738&#038;creativeASIN=B001QGO3CI">The Odd Angry Shot (1979)</a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.co.uk/e/ir?t=thblse-21&#038;l=as2&#038;o=2&#038;a=B001QGO3CI" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" /></h3>
<p><a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B001QGO3CI/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il?ie=UTF8&#038;tag=thblse-21&#038;linkCode=as2&#038;camp=1634&#038;creative=6738&#038;creativeASIN=B001QGO3CI"><img style="float:right" border="0" src="http://ws.assoc-amazon.co.uk/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&#038;Format=_SL160_&#038;ASIN=B001QGO3CI&#038;MarketPlace=GB&#038;ID=AsinImage&#038;WS=1&#038;tag=thblse-21&#038;ServiceVersion=20070822" ></a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.co.uk/e/ir?t=thblse-21&#038;l=as2&#038;o=2&#038;a=B001QGO3CI" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" /><br />
<b>An Odd Angry Shot</b> is adapted from William Nagle’s book. Filled with stereotypical Aussie cobber type actors, it’s very definitely Australian: shagging, beer and mateship prevail. The actors seem to be cast as ‘Australian’ rather than ‘elite Special Forces’ types – perhaps our definition of Special Forces has changed in the last 40 years? John Hargreaves’ Bung is the case in point.<br />
Ostensibly the story of a unit in the Special Air Service Regiment during 1967/8, its mostly a story of very short stints in the jungle with the very occasional fire fight with longer scenes back at camp or once on R&#038;R. Action scenes are extremely brief but tense, and more men are killed in a night-time mortar shelling of the camp then we see in action in the field.<br />
The film ends on a small note, with the survivors having a beer in Sydney but denying having served in Vietnam when asked.</p>
<p><b>Watch It For:</b><br />
The only movie on Australian involvement in Vietnam, however the SASR are better examined in Osprey's *Vietnam ANZACs* book. The R&#038;R scenes and the camp life scenes are excellent for filling in the 90% of characters' lives when they aren't being shot at or sweating in the jungle. The orang-utan story and the Yank vs. Aussie Deathmatch are capable of short diversionary scenarios by themselves. The pre-mission intelligence briefings by the shed-head is good. The jungle ambush and the bridge assault are good examples of squad team work.</p>
<h3><a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B000R3432G/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_tl?ie=UTF8&#038;tag=thblse-21&#038;linkCode=as2&#038;camp=1634&#038;creative=6738&#038;creativeASIN=B000R3432G">Bat*21 (1988)</a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.co.uk/e/ir?t=thblse-21&#038;l=as2&#038;o=2&#038;a=B000R3432G" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" /></h3>
<p><a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B003OCRFIG/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=thblse-21&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;camp=1634&amp;creative=6738&amp;creativeASIN=B003OCRFIG"><img style="float: right;" src="http://ws.assoc-amazon.co.uk/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&amp;Format=_SL160_&amp;ASIN=B003OCRFIG&amp;MarketPlace=GB&amp;ID=AsinImage&amp;WS=1&amp;tag=thblse-21&amp;ServiceVersion=20070822" border="0" alt="" /></a><img style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.co.uk/e/ir?t=thblse-21&amp;l=as2&amp;o=2&amp;a=B003OCRFIG" border="0" alt="" width="1" height="1" /></p>
<p>A high ranking USAF officer Lt. Col. Iceal "Ham" Hambleton is shot down over enemy territory, unable to extract by helicopter, Ham must work with a Forward Air Controller Capt. Bartholomew Clark, to work out an escape route based on golf courses he has played. </p>
<p>The film is a Hollywood-ized version of a true story, the rescue of a US Navigator shot down over North Vietnam. The real Hambleton had Top Secret clearance and a great deal of knowledge about SAM countermeasures, so his capture and interrogation could have been disastrous to the US Air Force.</p>
<p><b>Watch It For:</b><br />
Steal the dialogue between the downed airman, and Danny Glover's FAC, also witness the huge amount of effort the US Forces were willing to go to, to rescue one man, consider what forces DG may have brought to bear if an operative with access to a few hypergeometric formulae was at risk of capture by the NVA.</p>
<h3><a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B000CRR50E/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=thblse-21&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;camp=1634&amp;creative=6738&amp;creativeASIN=B000CRR50E" target="_blank">Casualties of War</a><img style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.co.uk/e/ir?t=thblse-21&amp;l=as2&amp;o=2&amp;a=B000CRR50E" border="0" alt="" width="1" height="1" /></h3>
<p><a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B000CRR50E/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=thblse-21&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;camp=1634&amp;creative=6738&amp;creativeASIN=B000CRR50E"><img style="float: right;" src="http://ws.assoc-amazon.co.uk/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&amp;Format=_SL160_&amp;ASIN=B000CRR50E&amp;MarketPlace=GB&amp;ID=AsinImage&amp;WS=1&amp;tag=thblse-21&amp;ServiceVersion=20070822" border="0" alt="" /></a><img style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.co.uk/e/ir?t=thblse-21&amp;l=as2&amp;o=2&amp;a=B000CRR50E" border="0" alt="" width="1" height="1" /><br />
November 1966 Sean Penn leads a gang of soldiers in the gang rape and eventual murder of a young Vietnamese girl, only Michael J. Fox struggle to do the right thing against the indifference of his superiors.<br />
The opening patrol scenes are very tense, and the vietcong tunnels make a brief but effective appearance.</p>
<p><b>Watch it for: </b><br />
The Moral dilemma that should hit your players after they've carried out their DG classified mission, and the consequences thereof. The court-martial of the squad may also provide some inspiration.</p>
<h3><a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/search/ref=as_li_qf_sp_sr_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;keywords=Born%20on%20the%204th%20of%20July&amp;tag=thblse-21&amp;index=aps&amp;linkCode=ur2&amp;camp=1634&amp;creative=6738">Born on the 4th of July (1989)</a><img style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" src="https://www.assoc-amazon.co.uk/e/ir?t=thblse-21&amp;l=ur2&amp;o=2" border="0" alt="" width="1" height="1" /></h3>
<p><a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0009S4VEO/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il?ie=UTF8&#038;tag=thblse-21&#038;linkCode=as2&#038;camp=1634&#038;creative=6738&#038;creativeASIN=B0009S4VEO"><img style="float:right;" border="0" src="http://ws.assoc-amazon.co.uk/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&#038;Format=_SL160_&#038;ASIN=B0009S4VEO&#038;MarketPlace=GB&#038;ID=AsinImage&#038;WS=1&#038;tag=thblse-21&#038;ServiceVersion=20070822" ></a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.co.uk/e/ir?t=thblse-21&#038;l=as2&#038;o=2&#038;a=B0009S4VEO" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" /><br />
Oliver Stone's take on a veteran's life post war, based on the autobiography of Ron Kovic. Tom Cruise played Ron Kovic, an enthusiastic young man whoserves in Vietnam only to come home in a wheelchair, then suffers terrible anguish and guilt over his actions, and his treatment when he tried to speak out against the war.</p>
<p><b>Watch if for:</b><br />
The sheer visceral effect that combat has on soldiers.</p>
<h3><a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/search/ref=as_li_qf_sp_sr_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;keywords=Go%20Tell%20The%20Spartans&amp;tag=thblse-21&amp;index=aps&amp;linkCode=ur2&amp;camp=1634&amp;creative=6738">Go Tell The Spartans</a><img style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" src="https://www.assoc-amazon.co.uk/e/ir?t=thblse-21&amp;l=ur2&amp;o=2" border="0" alt="" width="1" height="1" /></h3>
<p><a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B001AOHPNU/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il?ie=UTF8&#038;tag=thblse-21&#038;linkCode=as2&#038;camp=1634&#038;creative=6738&#038;creativeASIN=B001AOHPNU"><img style="float:right;" border="0" src="http://ws.assoc-amazon.co.uk/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&#038;Format=_SL160_&#038;ASIN=B001AOHPNU&#038;MarketPlace=GB&#038;ID=AsinImage&#038;WS=1&#038;tag=thblse-21&#038;ServiceVersion=20070822" ></a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.co.uk/e/ir?t=thblse-21&#038;l=as2&#038;o=2&#038;a=B001AOHPNU" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" /></p>
<p>Set in 1964 but released the same year as the Deer Hunter (1978), <b>Go Tell the Spartans</b> is often overlooked Vietnam war film. Burt Lancaster plays the commanding officer of a critically undermanned firebase about to be attacked by the Vietcong. The film received good reviews especially from those critical of the war for showing the irrelevance of the American presence in Vietnam.</p>
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		<item>
		<title>Recommended Vietnam Movies</title>
		<link>http://www.theblackseal.org/2011/07/26/recommended-vietnam-movies/</link>
		<comments>http://www.theblackseal.org/2011/07/26/recommended-vietnam-movies/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 26 Jul 2011 20:25:21 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Phil</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Cthulhu by Arclight]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Funding]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.theblackseal.org/?p=240</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Here at the Black Seal's Cyclopean towers, we've been thinking about movie inspiration for your Arclight games, we've come up with a list of some of our favourite Vietnam movies, you'll have heard of some of them, but hopefully not all. Of course, if you're feeling generous, we've added some Amazon affiliate links, any pennies [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Here at the Black Seal's Cyclopean towers, we've been thinking about movie inspiration for your Arclight games, we've come up with a list of some of our favourite Vietnam movies, you'll have heard of some of them, but hopefully not all. Of course, if you're feeling generous, we've added some Amazon affiliate links, any pennies will end up in the Black Seal coffers and fund printing this monster!</p>
<p><span id="more-240"></span></p>
<h2>The Big Ones</h2>
<p>First the obvious choices, Keepers interested in a Vietnam campaign should have these on the shelf already!</p>
<h3><a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/search/ref=as_li_qf_sp_sr_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;keywords=Apocalypse%20Now&amp;tag=thblse-21&amp;index=aps&amp;linkCode=ur2&amp;camp=1634&amp;creative=6738">Apocalypse Now</a><img class=" fmrhxjdavsrzvczhzgpp" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.co.uk/e/ir?t=thblse-21&amp;l=ur2&amp;o=2" border="0" alt="" width="1" height="1" /></h3>
<p><a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B004OQJSZO/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=thblse-21&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;camp=1634&amp;creative=6738&amp;creativeASIN=B004OQJSZO"><img class=" fmrhxjdavsrzvczhzgpp" style="float: right;" src="http://ws.assoc-amazon.co.uk/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&amp;Format=_SL160_&amp;ASIN=B004OQJSZO&amp;MarketPlace=GB&amp;ID=AsinImage&amp;WS=1&amp;tag=thblse-21&amp;ServiceVersion=20070822" border="0" alt="" /></a><img class=" fmrhxjdavsrzvczhzgpp" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.co.uk/e/ir?t=thblse-21&amp;l=as2&amp;o=2&amp;a=B004OQJSZO" border="0" alt="" width="1" height="1" /><br />
Francis Ford Coppola's adaptation of Joseph Conrad's Heart of Darkness is probably the most famous Vietnam War Film. The plot revolves around the efforts of Captain Willard (Martin Sheen) who is sent deep into the jungle to assassinate Colonel Walter E. Kurtz (Marlon Brando) who has gone rogue and is presumed insane. The movie also stars Robert Duvall as Lieutenant Colonel Kilgore the hard charging Air Cavalry commander who loves the smell of napalm in the morning.</p>
<p><strong>Watch It For</strong>:The Slow SAN spiral as so many characters fall to the madness of war.</p>
<h3><a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00005RDR9/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=thblse-21&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;camp=1634&amp;creative=6738&amp;creativeASIN=B00005RDR9">Apocalypse Now Redux [DVD] [1979]</a><img class=" fmrhxjdavsrzvczhzgpp" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.co.uk/e/ir?t=thblse-21&amp;l=as2&amp;o=2&amp;a=B00005RDR9" border="0" alt="" width="1" height="1" /></h3>
<p>Adding an extra 49 minutes to the film, enhancing the surrealism of the original, Keepers may be particularly interested in the French Plantation scene.</p>
<h3><a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/search/ref=as_li_qf_sp_sr_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;keywords=Full%20Metal%20Jacket&amp;tag=thblse-21&amp;index=aps&amp;linkCode=ur2&amp;camp=1634&amp;creative=6738">Full Metal Jacket</a><img class=" fmrhxjdavsrzvczhzgpp" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.co.uk/e/ir?t=thblse-21&amp;l=ur2&amp;o=2" border="0" alt="" width="1" height="1" /></h3>
<p><a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B000Y345I6/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=thblse-21&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;camp=1634&amp;creative=6738&amp;creativeASIN=B000Y345I6"><img class=" fmrhxjdavsrzvczhzgpp" style="float: right;" src="http://ws.assoc-amazon.co.uk/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&amp;Format=_SL160_&amp;ASIN=B000Y345I6&amp;MarketPlace=GB&amp;ID=AsinImage&amp;WS=1&amp;tag=thblse-21&amp;ServiceVersion=20070822" border="0" alt="" /></a><img class=" fmrhxjdavsrzvczhzgpp" style="float: right;" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.co.uk/e/ir?t=thblse-21&amp;l=as2&amp;o=2&amp;a=B000Y345I6" border="0" alt="" width="1" height="1" /><br />
Based on Gustav Hasford's novel The Short-Timers, Stanley Kubrick shot the entire film in Britain with Beckton Gas Works in east London standing in for the city of Hue and British Army base, Bassingbourn Barracks, doubling as Parris Island Marine camp. The film revolves around Private Joker (Matthew Modine) first as a Marine recruit in brutal basic training and then as a Marine Combat Correspondent in Vietnam with Stars and Stripes during the bloody street fighting to retake the city of Hue after the Tet offensive in 1968. Kubrik said on several occasions he set out not to make a statement about the war, simply a good war movie.</p>
<p>Former U.S. Marine Drill Instructor R. Lee Ermey was originally hired as a technical adviser but was cast as Gunnery Sergeant Hartman after providing audition tape in which he rattled off an unbroken stream of insults for 15 without flinching, ducking, or repeating himself as people off camera threw things at him.</p>
<p><strong>Watch It For</strong>:Every Keeper should have a Gunny Hartmann impression in their grab bag.</p>
<h3><a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/search/ref=as_li_qf_sp_sr_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;keywords=Hamburger%20Hill&amp;tag=thblse-21&amp;index=aps&amp;linkCode=ur2&amp;camp=1634&amp;creative=6738">Hamburger Hill</a><img class=" fmrhxjdavsrzvczhzgpp" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" src="https://www.assoc-amazon.co.uk/e/ir?t=thblse-21&amp;l=ur2&amp;o=2" border="0" alt="" width="1" height="1" /></h3>
<p><a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0014XVTFM/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=thblse-21&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;camp=1634&amp;creative=6738&amp;creativeASIN=B0014XVTFM"><img class=" fmrhxjdavsrzvczhzgpp" style="float: right;" src="http://ws.assoc-amazon.co.uk/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&amp;Format=_SL160_&amp;ASIN=B0014XVTFM&amp;MarketPlace=GB&amp;ID=AsinImage&amp;WS=1&amp;tag=thblse-21&amp;ServiceVersion=20070822" border="0" alt="" /></a><img class=" fmrhxjdavsrzvczhzgpp" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.co.uk/e/ir?t=thblse-21&amp;l=as2&amp;o=2&amp;a=B0014XVTFM" border="0" alt="" width="1" height="1" /><br />
Follows the members of a squad from the 101<sup>st</sup> Airborne Division when over a period of ten days in May 1969 their division repeatedly assaulted the heavily fortified Ap Bia Mountain in the A Shau Valley. The film was written by James Carabatsos who served in the 1<sup>st</sup> CAV in Vietnam 1968-9. Apart from the graphic battle scenes the film portrays the sense of betrayal and alienation felt by the soldiers for life back in the United States so much so that one soldier Worchester actually chooses to sign up for another tour in Vietnam after a period spent back in the states.</p>
<p><strong>Watch it for</strong>: An understanding of almost everything which will go wrong for the American war effort as the war progresses.</p>
<h3><a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/search/ref=as_li_qf_sp_sr_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;keywords=The%20Deer%20Hunter&amp;tag=thblse-21&amp;index=aps&amp;linkCode=ur2&amp;camp=1634&amp;creative=6738">The Deer Hunter</a><img class=" fmrhxjdavsrzvczhzgpp" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.co.uk/e/ir?t=thblse-21&amp;l=ur2&amp;o=2" border="0" alt="" width="1" height="1" /></h3>
<p><a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B000J20CVG/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=thblse-21&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;camp=1634&amp;creative=6738&amp;creativeASIN=B000J20CVG"><img class=" fmrhxjdavsrzvczhzgpp" style="float: right;" src="http://ws.assoc-amazon.co.uk/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&amp;Format=_SL160_&amp;ASIN=B000J20CVG&amp;MarketPlace=GB&amp;ID=AsinImage&amp;WS=1&amp;tag=thblse-21&amp;ServiceVersion=20070822" border="0" alt="" /></a><img class=" fmrhxjdavsrzvczhzgpp" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.co.uk/e/ir?t=thblse-21&amp;l=as2&amp;o=2&amp;a=B000J20CVG" border="0" alt="" width="1" height="1" /><br />
Focuses on the impact of war on a group of working class friends from a Pennsylvania steel town all of whom are sent to Vietnam. The movie has some very haunting scenes and stars Robert De Niro, Meryl Streep and Christopher Walken (who won an Oscar for the role). Split into three acts, before during and after the war, this is one of the greatest War movies ever made.</p>
<p><strong>Watch it for</strong>: The Russian roulette scene, if your players don't end up hammering a Tcho-Tcho to death with the butt of an AK, then you're doing it wrong!</p>
<h3><a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/search/ref=as_li_qf_sp_sr_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;keywords=We%20Were%20Soldiers&amp;tag=thblse-21&amp;index=aps&amp;linkCode=ur2&amp;camp=1634&amp;creative=6738">We Were Soldiers</a><img class=" fmrhxjdavsrzvczhzgpp" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" src="https://www.assoc-amazon.co.uk/e/ir?t=thblse-21&amp;l=ur2&amp;o=2" border="0" alt="" width="1" height="1" /></h3>
<p><a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B000TQLJBO/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=thblse-21&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;camp=1634&amp;creative=6738&amp;creativeASIN=B000TQLJBO"><img class=" fmrhxjdavsrzvczhzgpp" style="float: right;" src="http://ws.assoc-amazon.co.uk/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&amp;Format=_SL160_&amp;ASIN=B000TQLJBO&amp;MarketPlace=GB&amp;ID=AsinImage&amp;WS=1&amp;tag=thblse-21&amp;ServiceVersion=20070822" border="0" alt="" /></a><img class=" fmrhxjdavsrzvczhzgpp" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.co.uk/e/ir?t=thblse-21&amp;l=as2&amp;o=2&amp;a=B000TQLJBO" border="0" alt="" width="1" height="1" /><br />
Mel Gibson plays Lieutenant Colonel Hal Moore, commander of the 1st Battalion 7th Cavalry in the first major engagement of the Vietnam War. A more recent Vietnam film that does well to tie together the disparate elements of a complicated battle, only falling at the last hurdle due to its Hollywood ending.</p>
<p><strong>Watch it for</strong>: Sam Elliot's excellent turn as Sergeant Major Plumley, a Sergeant who has obviously seen the worst the Mythos has to offer and is non-plussed by anything else.</p>
<h3><a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/search/ref=as_li_qf_sp_sr_il?ie=UTF8&amp;keywords=Platoon&amp;tag=thblse-21&amp;index=aps&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;camp=1634&amp;creative=6738">Platoon</a></h3>
<p><a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00004W4I5/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=thblse-21&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;camp=1634&amp;creative=6738&amp;creativeASIN=B00004W4I5"><img class=" fmrhxjdavsrzvczhzgpp" style="float: right;" src="http://ws.assoc-amazon.co.uk/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&amp;Format=_SL160_&amp;ASIN=B00004W4I5&amp;MarketPlace=GB&amp;ID=AsinImage&amp;WS=1&amp;tag=thblse-21&amp;ServiceVersion=20070822" border="0" alt="" /></a><img class=" fmrhxjdavsrzvczhzgpp" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.co.uk/e/ir?t=thblse-21&amp;l=as2&amp;o=2&amp;a=B00004W4I5" border="0" alt="" width="1" height="1" /><br />
Oliver Stone's story about his experience in Vietnam with a young pre "Tiger Blood" Charlie Sheen in the role of Oliver. Sheen moves from innocent to killer guided and influenced along the by his platoon's senior NCO's Sgt's Barnes and Elias. One of Oliver Stone's best movies, and the first of a trilogy of Vietnam War movies.</p>
<p><strong>Watch it for</strong>: Tom Berenger, and don't forget to pick up the soundtrack for use in your own games.</p>
<h3><a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/search/ref=as_li_qf_sp_sr_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;keywords=First%20Blood&amp;tag=thblse-21&amp;index=aps&amp;linkCode=ur2&amp;camp=1634&amp;creative=6738">First Blood</a><img class=" fmrhxjdavsrzvczhzgpp" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" src="https://www.assoc-amazon.co.uk/e/ir?t=thblse-21&amp;l=ur2&amp;o=2" border="0" alt="" width="1" height="1" /></h3>
<p><a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0019GJ47E/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=thblse-21&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;camp=1634&amp;creative=6738&amp;creativeASIN=B0019GJ47E"><img class=" fmrhxjdavsrzvczhzgpp" style="float: right;" src="http://ws.assoc-amazon.co.uk/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&amp;Format=_SL160_&amp;ASIN=B0019GJ47E&amp;MarketPlace=GB&amp;ID=AsinImage&amp;WS=1&amp;tag=thblse-21&amp;ServiceVersion=20070822" border="0" alt="" /></a><img class=" fmrhxjdavsrzvczhzgpp" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.co.uk/e/ir?t=thblse-21&amp;l=as2&amp;o=2&amp;a=B0019GJ47E" border="0" alt="" width="1" height="1" /><br />
Not so much about the war as what happens after it, Rambo is about how American society treated Vietnam War veterans, worth buying the book as well. The less said about the subsequent Rambo films the better.</p>
<p><strong>Watch it for</strong>: Stallone actually acting. Other than that, the man traps and ambushes as he flees through the forest, now add Tcho-Tcho...</p>
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		<title>Murder on the Rue Catinat.</title>
		<link>http://www.theblackseal.org/2011/07/11/murder-on-the-rue-catinat/</link>
		<comments>http://www.theblackseal.org/2011/07/11/murder-on-the-rue-catinat/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 11 Jul 2011 14:22:06 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Ghill</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Cthulhu by Arclight]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.theblackseal.org/?p=295</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATION: The body was found in a room at the Hotel Rose on Rue Catinat at 030022MAY1967. The body was tied to the bed with cords of braided grass. The cords were cinched around the victim's wrists and ankles and tied using a clove hitch knot to the legs of the bed. Medical staff verified the victim had no signs of life including respiration and heartbeat and pronounced the victim deceased at 0330 22MAY1967]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>A handout for a scenario in the upcoming Cthulhu by Arclight.</p>
<p>PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATION: The body was found in a room at the Hotel Rose on Rue Catinat at 030022MAY1967. The body was tied to the bed with cords of braided grass. The cords were cinched around the victim's wrists and ankles and tied using a clove hitch knot to the legs of the bed. Medical staff verified the victim had no signs of life including respiration and heartbeat and pronounced the victim deceased at 0330 22MAY1967.</p>
<p><span id="more-295"></span></p>
<p>Enjoy.</p>
<p>DATE and HOUR AUTOPSY PERFORMED: 24MAY670830Z.</p>
<p>by COL D Meredith, M.D. Camp Redball Tan Son Nhut AFB.</p>
<p>Assistant: CAPT Arthur De Witte, M.D. Camp Redball Tan Son Nhut AFB.</p>
<p>Full Autopsy Performed</p>
<p>SUMMARY REPORT OF AUTOPSY</p>
<p>Name: WATSON, JANET CAPT</p>
<p>Case #: 14002014-A277</p>
<p>Date of Birth: 23JUN37</p>
<p>Age: 30</p>
<p>Race: White</p>
<p>Sex: Female</p>
<p>Date of Death: 22MAY1967</p>
<p>Body Identified by: MAJ Mayberry XO 12th EVAC, CHU LAI.</p>
<p>PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATION: The body was found in a room at the Hotel Rose on Rue Catinat at 030022MAY1967. The body was tied to the bed with cords of braided grass. The cords were cinched around the victim's wrists and ankles and tied using a clove hitch knot to the legs of the bed. Medical staff verified the victim had no signs of life including respiration and heartbeat and pronounced the victim deceased at 0330 22MAY1967.</p>
<p>EVIDENCE OF TREATMENT: N/A</p>
<p>EXTERNAL EXAMINATION: The autopsy is begun at 0830 24MAY1967, 1. The body is presented in a USA issue body bag. The victim was wearing white socks and white panties all are extensively bloodstained, the body was naked from the waist up. Long cords of braided grass are tied around wrist and ankles; these were used to tie the victim to the bed in the room where the body was found. There is a hand print in blood over the left breast and several symbols daubed in blood over the right breast. Photographs of these symbols and the hand print were obtained – see Attachment #6. Arterial blood spatter is present on the left lower abdomen, running upper left to lower right. This is consistent with originating from the severed renal artery. Photographs of this have been obtained – see Attachment #6. The blood from the hand print, symbols and spatter is typed as O+, consistent with being from the victim. The body is that of a normally developed white female measuring 5 feet 5 inches and weighing 116 lbs, and appear consistent with the stated age of thirty years. The body is cold and unembalmed. Lividity is fixed in the distal portions of the limbs. The eyes are open. The irises are brown and corneas are cloudy. The hair is dark blonde and approximately 14 inches in length at the longest point. Neck and anterior abdomen show injuries as detailed below. Removal of the cords reveal little or no ligature marks, although minor abrasions are present. The genitalia are that of an adult female and there is no evidence of injury. Pubic hair has been shaved in its entirety. Limbs are equal, symmetrically developed and show no evidence of injury. The fingernails are medium length and unpainted. Fingernail beds are cyanotic. There are no residual scars, markings or tattoos.</p>
<p>Description of Injuries</p>
<p>1). Stab wound on back of neck at base of skull. The stab wound is located at the top of the neck, 5 inches below the top of the head; it is horizontally oriented and after approximation of the edges it measures 3/8 inch in length. The path of the wound is through the skin, the subcutaneous tissue, and between the 1st and 2nd cervical vertebrae. Estimated length of the total wound path is 2 1/2 inches and as stated the direction is back to front with no other angulation measurable. Aside from surface lividity, this wound is essentially bloodless. The spinal cord is severed as a result of this wound</p>
<p>2) Gaping incision to the anterior abdomen On the upper anterior abdomen, 17.5" below the top of the head at the midline to 0.5" left and two inches below the umbilicus. The wound penetrates and perforates the skin and musculature of both the upper and lower anterior abdomen and the walls of the abdomen are laid open. On examination of the wound, several dead spiders were observed in the wound margin and were removed. Subsequent identification showed these to be Achaearanea wau (6 items) and Achaearanea septemguttata (7 items) – see Remarks. The abdominal cavity is filled with a large amount of blood, with approximately 1500 cc of liquid and clotted blood present. The major clot was present beneath the spleen, in the cavity where the left kidney would be located – see below.</p>
<p>3) Bite injury to tongue Paired 1/8” deep, 3/8” wide wounds are present on the anterior surface of the tongue, 3/8” from the tip, with matching 1/16” deep, 1/4” wide wounds on the ventral surface of the tongue. These wounds match the dentition of the victim and appear self-inflicted (biting of the tongue). Small amounts of clotted blood and accompanying hematomas are present within and adjacent to these wounds. Approx 1 cc of clotted blood is present in the oral cavity, beneath the tongue. Overall, the injury to at the base of the skull suggests a thin double-edged blade. The injury to the trunk is suggestive of a single-edged, thin blade, although a double-edged blade cannot be excluded.</p>
<p>INTERNAL EXAMINATION:</p>
<p>HEAD--CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM: The brain weighs 46 ounces and is within normal limits.</p>
<p>SKELETAL SYSTEM: Radiographic examination reveals evidence of a healed, clean fracture of the left tibia. This resolved fracture appears to be several years old, and is not significant in the current investigation.</p>
<p>RESPIRATORY SYSTEM--THROAT STRUCTURES: The oral cavity shows no lesions, there are no injuries to the lips, teeth or gums. There is no obstruction of the airway. The mucosa of the epiglottis, glottis, piriform sinuses, trachea and major bronchi are normal. No injuries are seen and there are no mucosal lesions. A small amount (8 cc) of clotted blood was recovered from the throat at the level of the epiglottis. This appears to have been aspirated as a result of the tongue injury. The lungs weigh: right, 14 ounces; left 13 ounces. The lungs are unremarkable.</p>
<p>CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM: The heart weighs 9 ounces, and has a normal size and configuration. No evidence of atherosclerosis is present.</p>
<p>GASTROINTESTINAL SYSTEM: The mucosa and wall of the esophagus are intact and gray-pink, without lesions or injuries. The gastric mucosa is intact and pink without injury. The intestines have been displaced though intact. The surface of the intestines is bloody as a result of the severed renal artery Approximately 4 fluid ounces of partially digested semisolid food is found in the stomach. The mucosa of the duodenum, jejunum, ileum, colon and rectum are intact. The liver weighs 44 ounces and is normal with no lesions. The spleen weighs 6 ounces and is intact with no lesions.</p>
<p>URINARY SYSTEM: The peritoneal lining was cut through on the left side and the left kidney removed. The left renal artery has been cut through. The right kidney weighs: 5 ounces. The right kidney is normal in size, shape and location and is without lesions.</p>
<p>FEMALE GENITAL SYSTEM: The structures are within normal limits. Examination of the pelvic area indicates the victim had not given birth and was not pregnant at the time of death. There is no evidence of recent sexual activity. Vaginal fluid samples are removed for analysis.</p>
<p>TOXICOLOGY: Sample of right pleural blood and bile are submitted for toxicologic analysis. Stomach contents are saved.</p>
<p>SEROLOGY: A sample of right pleural blood is submitted in the EDTA tube. Routine toxicologic studies were ordered.</p>
<p>LABORATORY DATA Drug Screen Results: Urine screen {Immunoassay} was NEGATIVE. Blood Alcohol was NOT DETECTED.</p>
<p>EVIDENCE COLLECTED:</p>
<p>1. One pair ladies panties, white.</p>
<p>2. One pair socks, white.</p>
<p>3. Four braided grass cords.</p>
<p>4. In evidence bags</p>
<p>a.) One SHIRT, WOMANS, COTTON SATEEN, OLIVE GREEN, ARMY SHADE 107, Type 1 Class 1. Has US Army over left pocket and the name tag "Watson" over the right pocket. Shows CAPT subdued rank insignia and subdued medical unit shoulder patch in size 6. No holes or tears or repairs, all buttons are present. Otherwise unmarked.</p>
<p>b.) One TROUSERS  COTTON SATEEN, OLIVE GREEN, ARMY SHADE 107, Type 1 Class 1. Size 6, No holes or tears or repairs, all buttons are present. Otherwise unmarked.</p>
<p>c) One bra , tan.</p>
<p>d.) Two Boots Jungle, OD, size 8.</p>
<p>e.) One set Identification Tags in the name of WATSON, JANET.</p>
<p>f.) One watch.</p>
<p>g.) One wedding band gold.</p>
<p>h.) One  bedsheet white. The sheet clearly shows a continuation of the abdominal blood spatter Photographs of this have been obtained – see Attached Photo #12.</p>
<p>A small faintly bloody stain where the base of the skull would be located on the bed. This would be cerebro-spinal fluid and blood from subcutaneous tissue that oozed out of the C1-C2 wound. Photographs of this have been obtained – see Attached Photo #13</p>
<p>5. Samples of Blood (type O+), Bile, and Tissue (heart, lung, brain, kidney, liver, spleen), stomach contents, vaginal fluid samples.</p>
<p>6.  Autopsy photographs, Thirteen total.</p>
<p>7. Six spiders, yellowish brown in color with yellow legs. All examples are dead. Informally identified as Achaearanea wau.</p>
<p>8. Seven spiders, black in color with dark brown legs.  All examples are dead. Informally identified as Achaearanea septemguttata.</p>
<p>OPINION Time of Death: Body temperature, rigor and livor mortis, and stomach contents approximate the time of death between 12:30 and 02:30 on 22MAY1967 Immediate Cause of Death: Both wounds are fatal. Proximal cause of death cannot be conclusively assigned and may have resulted from either hypovolemic shock, as a result of severe blood and fluid loss, or respiratory paralysis as a result of a severed spinal cord at the C1-C2 level. The bed sheets show a continuation of the abdominal blood spatter, however there is also a small faintly bloody stain where the base of the skull would be located. This would be cerebro-spinal fluid and blood from subcutaneous tissue that oozed out of the C1-C2 wound. Blood found on the sheet would seem to indicate both wounds were inflicted after the victim was tied to the bed.</p>
<p>Manner of Death: Homicide Remarks: It is noted that the C1-C2 injury requires both strength and considerable skill to inflict, suggesting the assailant had some degree of training and/or experience. Both the arterial blood spatter observed and the large volume of blood present within the abdomen are suggestive that the heart was beating when the renal artery was severed and the kidney removed. While not conclusive, it is plausible that the victim bit her own tongue subsequent to the C1-C2 wound, and perhaps subsequent to the abdominal incision. This implies that the victim was not merely alive, but conscious during the attack. Both Achaearanea wau and Achaearanea septemguttata are examples of social spiders found in Vietnam, Their normal habitat is the forest edge where they hunt insects. All of the examples found were adult so must have entered the body post mortem. The spiders are venomous but not considered a risk to humans.</p>
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		<title>Deus Ex &#8211; Artillery, and why you shouldn&#8217;t use this table.</title>
		<link>http://www.theblackseal.org/2011/04/07/deus-ex-artillery-and-why-you-shouldnt-use-this-table/</link>
		<comments>http://www.theblackseal.org/2011/04/07/deus-ex-artillery-and-why-you-shouldnt-use-this-table/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 07 Apr 2011 13:52:21 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Ghill</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Cthulhu by Arclight]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.theblackseal.org/?p=220</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[This is a product of a discussion by the Black Seal team about big bangs.

]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Several years ago (seven to be exact) the members of the The Black Seal Writers forum were discussing how to handle some of the bigger bangs which players might run into in Wartime Vietnam specifically artillery. This is a product of the discussion which I thought I'd share.</p>
<p>There is an old adage: "A bullet has your name on it, but a grenade is addressed <em>to whom it may concern</em><em>",</em> which can be equally applied to a fire mission from a battery of 155mm howitzers as to a flight of B52's flying an Arclight mission - although rules for surviving an attack involving the latter would be largely pointless considering its nickname was <em>the grid square removal service.</em> Read on to see what can happen when your bored and have a free lunchbreak.</p>
<p><span id="more-220"></span></p>
<p>Now while writing the table below kept me amused one lunch break, it's not a method I would personally use, not only is it extremely lethal but I prefer to use more narrative approach, hence why the results on the table are as descriptive as possible.</p>
<p>However, I appreciate some keepers and some players are uncomfortable with a narrative approach to their game, they like to roll their dice and determine their own fate. Before the advent of precision-guided munitions, surviving an artillery barrage or aerial bombardment was largely a matter of luck. Rolling dice todecide your fate is as fair a way of determining results as any other - anecdotal stories of shells exploding beside two people leaving one untouched and the other a red mist seem to support this approach.</p>
<p>A simple rule for handling artillery and aerial bombardments might be for players to make a POW roll when the keeper declares the investigators are subject to an attack. Any players who roll equal or less than their POW are uninjured, everyone else takes D3+1 damage for every multiple of their POW they fail by. On average PC's will suffer multiple injuries, a fairly typical result. Helmets and flak jackets would protect normally.</p>
<p><strong>For Example: </strong>RO Lucky and 2nd Lieutenant Kanonenfutter are both caught in the burst of a series of HE mortar shells after an unfortunate grid reference mistake. both have a POW of 13, PFC lucky rolls a 26, thus succeeding in a POWx2 roll, and only takes D3+1 damage. The 2nd Lt. is less lucky, and rolls a 62, succeeding in a POWx5 and takes 4D3+4 damage. PFC Lucky looks up as the smoke clears and makes a San check as he wipes bits of the lieutenant off his face.</p>
<p>Alternatively, use the table but allow players to make a dodge roll first to hit the ground or dive into cover.</p>
<p><strong>Position</strong></p>
<p>-10 character lying on the ground.<br />
-20 character is in a foxhole.<br />
-30 character is in a position with overhead cover (a bunker, prepared position or cellar)</p>
<p><strong>Environs</strong><br />
- 5 soft ground.<br />
-10 swamp, rice paddy.<br />
+15 thick vegetation (woods or jungle).</p>
<p><strong>Calibre:</strong><br />
+0 Weapon is under 100mm<br />
+10 Weapon is under 155mm<br />
+20 Weapon is over 155mm or dropped ordnance</p>
<p><strong>Roll - Result</strong></p>
<p><strong>01-04 </strong>Unscratched.</p>
<p><strong>05-06</strong> Unhurt but blast throws player several yards (may wind up in tree or foliage); player may be slightly deafened: 1/2 to listen and communication skills until ears stop ringing after 1D3 rounds.</p>
<p><strong>07-08</strong> Blast throws player several yards (may wind up in tree or foliage) may take falling damage; player may be slightly deafened -15% to listen and communication skills.</p>
<p><strong>09-10</strong> Player unhurt but buried under dirt/rubble/foliage (1 round to dig self out). NB. It might be safer to stay there.</p>
<p><strong>11-12</strong> Player unhurt but trapped under dirt/rubble/foliage (1D3 rounds for others to dig character out).</p>
<p><strong>13-15</strong> Player unhurt but important item/s of equipment may damaged or destroyed.</p>
<p><strong>16-18</strong> Investigator hit by secondary fragments (gravel and dirt thrown by blast) and takes 1D3 dam across body. Investigator looks as though he is suffering from severe acne for next 6+ months as fragments rise through skin, or are otherwise removed in hospital (soap water and stiff scrubbing brush.) APP -2 until healed.</p>
<p><strong>19-21</strong> Investigator suffers multiple (1D3) minor injuries (1pt each) from fragments, each must be treated separately.*</p>
<p><strong>22-24</strong> Investigator suffers injury caused by fragments striking own equipment, 1D3 damage and equipment damaged.</p>
<p><strong>25-27</strong> Investigator concussed by blow to head (fragment or blast); perception/communication/listen skills all halved for 1D3 rounds then at 3/4 for 1D3 hours.</p>
<p><strong>27-29</strong> Secondary fire caused by napalm or flash sets investigator or his equipment alight, lose 1D3 HPs/round until put out; equipment may also be destroyed.</p>
<p><strong>30-32</strong> Investigator buried under dirt/rubble/foliage (1-3 rounds to dig self out). Character must hold breath as<br />
drowning (Call of Cthulhu 6e rules p.XX) or take 1D3 damage a round</p>
<p><strong>32-35</strong> Investigator blinded by flash, 1D3 damage; damage may be permanent unless medical assistance<br />
provided immediately.</p>
<p><strong>36-38</strong> Blast throws character several yards (may wind up in tree or foliage) taking 1D6 falling damage. Character deafened  - no listen and half communication skills for 1D6 rounds (LUCK roll or loss of some hearing may be permanent.)</p>
<p><strong>39-41</strong> Investigator badly concussed by fragment or blast; perception/communication/listen skill all halved for 1D6 rounds then at 3/4 for 1D6 hours. Investigator suffers 1D6 damage.</p>
<p><strong>42-44</strong> Blast overpressure causes collapsed lung. Investigator suffers 1D6 damage, all CON rolls halved,<br />
investigator unable to exert himself in any way, unable to move faster than slow walk.</p>
<p><strong>45-47</strong> Secondary fire caused by napalm or flash sets investigator or his equipment alight, lose 1D3 HPs/round until put out. Equipment may be destroyed, there is a 50% chance the fire may lead to ammunition or grenades cooking off.</p>
<p><strong>48-50</strong> A small fragment penetrates Investigator's body armour for 1D3 dam, however it is red hot to the touch and continues to burn doing 1D3 per round until it is removed. DEX roll for victim to remove, removal may be complicated by victims equipment.</p>
<p><strong>51-53</strong> Player buried under dirt/rubble/foliage (1D6 rounds to dig self out), suffers 1D6 damage from assorted bruising.</p>
<p><strong>54-56</strong> Player trapped under dirt/rubble/foliage (1D6 rounds for others to dig character out), will suffer similar effects to drowning*</p>
<p><strong>57-58</strong> Investigator blinded by flash, 1D3 damage; damage is permanent unless MEDICINE roll or difficult FIRST AID roll can be made immediately.</p>
<p><strong>59-60</strong> Investigator injured by secondary fragments or blast related damage (falling tree, wall, toppling truck) taking 1D6 damage. Investigator may be trapped and require assistance.</p>
<p><strong>61-65</strong> Light injury caused by fragments. Lose 1D6 hit points.</p>
<p><strong>66-68</strong> Blast throws player several yards (may wind up in tree or foliage), take 2D6 falling damage.</p>
<p><strong>69-71</strong> Investigator takes 2D6 damage as a result of blast, 75% chance of perforated eardrums; eyesight may well be temporarily lost due to haemorrhaging of the small vessels in the eyes</p>
<p><strong>72-74</strong> Flash or secondary fire sets the investigator alight. Apply burning rules (Call of Cthulhu 6e rules, p.XX).</p>
<p><strong>74-76</strong> Investigator seems to be unhurt although complains of feeling bruised. However blast has damaged abdominal organs, and probably by end of day the Investigator will have suffered 1D6 damage and a further 1D6 damage in subsequent days unless they receive proper medical attention.</p>
<p><strong>77-80</strong> Serious fragmentation injury. Investigator takes 2D6 dam as a result of fragments.</p>
<p><strong>81-83</strong> Investigator suffers multiple (1D3+1) fragmentation injuries each of which does 1D6 damage.</p>
<p><strong>84-86</strong> Investigator buried under dirt/rubble/foliage (1-6 rounds to dig for others to dig out) player, loses 1D3 HPs a round*</p>
<p><strong>87-90</strong> Investigator suffers a single, very serious fragmentation injury causing 3D6 damage. For additional complications this may be a large secondary item such as a fallen tree that pins the hapless investigator in place, and required a Medicine roll to remove safely.</p>
<p><strong>91-93</strong> Victim suffers massive trauma (lost limbs/dismembered) and is killed (Immediate FIRST AID/MEDICINE and a rapid CASVAC may allow the investigator to be saved). **</p>
<p><strong>94</strong> Victim killed by blast, body is found exactly as left with no visible signs of injury (eyes, nose, ears and other orifices may still be bleeding indicative of massive internal injuries).</p>
<p><strong>95</strong> Blast throws victim like ragdoll against hard object, victim dies from massive internal injuries (nearly every bone in body broken).</p>
<p><strong>96-00</strong> Hapless victim is obliterated. No trace to be found. **</p>
<p>* Flack jackets and helmets provide no protection.</p>
<p>** Requires an additional SAN roll to those who know the investigator.</p>
<p><strong>Conclusion</strong></p>
<p>Personally, I'll stick to the narrative; its one thing to say "Captain Duke calls in a Danger Close fire mission on his position to take down the marauding shoggoth". It's quite another to say "My PC was in a the wrong place, and the wrong time, and I rolled badly". In my game artillery and air power exist to put the fear of god into the players and as a way to demonstrate to the players the war is just as uncaring and arbitary as the Mythos.</p>
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		<title>Content for the upcoming Cthulhu by Arclight</title>
		<link>http://www.theblackseal.org/2011/03/28/content-for-the-upcoming-cthulhu-by-arclig/</link>
		<comments>http://www.theblackseal.org/2011/03/28/content-for-the-upcoming-cthulhu-by-arclig/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 28 Mar 2011 22:00:04 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Ghill</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Cthulhu by Arclight]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.theblackseal.org/?p=175</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[A draft running order of content for The Black Seal Special:Cthulhu by Arclight.]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The following is content assembled for the upcoming <em>Cthulhu by Arclight </em>and<em> Missing in Action</em> All told it comes to just over 150,000 words</p>
<p>In no particular order and omitting a couple of still unfinished works. As I've said already it is big.</p>
<ul>
<li>Rules for <strong>Coolness Under Fire</strong> by <em>Adam Crossingham</em></li>
<li><strong>Enlightenment in Call of Cthulhu</strong> by <em>James Haughton</em></li>
<li>A <strong>Mythos Gazetteer for South East Asia</strong> by <em>Bret Kramer</em></li>
<li>A<strong> Nightmare in Green</strong>: Sometimes its better to leave the bodies where they fall, a scenario by <em>Graeme Price</em></li>
<li>A <strong>Tcho Tcho Origin Myth</strong> by <em>James Haughton</em></li>
<li>A <strong>South East Asia Mythos Bestiary</strong> by <em>Bret Kramer</em></li>
<li>A <strong>Post World War 2 Vietnam Timeline</strong> by <em>Giles Hill and Adam Crossingham</em></li>
<li><strong>Delta Green Operations in Vietnam</strong> by <em>various</em></li>
<li><strong>PISCES: A Secret History</strong> by <em>Giles Hill</em></li>
<li><strong>Tales of Terror: Demon Rake</strong> by <em>Don Fougere</em></li>
<li><strong>Tale of Terror : Ember Men</strong> by <em>Don Fougere</em></li>
<li><strong>Tale of Terror : Tunnel Rats</strong> by <em>Don Fougere</em></li>
<li><strong>Tale of Terror : Snake Whisky</strong> by <em>J. Edward Tremlett</em></li>
<li><strong>The Hidden Enemy: Mines and booby traps</strong> in Vietnam by <em>Giles Hill and Hans-Christian Vortisch</em></li>
<li><strong>The Kings of Gold and Death: A Mythos Prehistory of Southeast Asia</strong> by <em>James Haughton</em></li>
<li><strong>The Kun Krak: A Disgusting Artefact</strong> by <em>Dan Harms</em></li>
<li><strong>The Vietcong</strong> by <em>Giles Hill</em></li>
<li><strong>Wet Works</strong>: Additional rules by <em>Brian Sammons</em></li>
<li><strong>Women in Vietnam</strong>: A variety of character templates for female characters by <em>Giles Hill</em></li>
<li><strong>Black Box Down</strong> by <em>Ken Hite</em></li>
<li><strong>Boot Camp: Military PC Creation</strong> for a Vietnam Campaign by <em>Phil Ward, Dan Harms et al</em></li>
<li><strong>Country Fair: A Zulu Event</strong> for Delta Green by <em>Giles Hill</em></li>
<li><strong>Prolegomena to a Cthulhu Mythos History of South-East Asia</strong> by <em>Kenneth Hite</em></li>
<li><strong>Dangerous Places: The White House of Madam Lieu</strong> by <em>Ben Counter</em></li>
<li><strong>Dangerous Places: Nu Mung Ba</strong> by <em>Adam Crossingham</em></li>
<li><strong>Fear and Loathing in South East Asia: Expanded SAN Loss Rules</strong> for the Vietnam War by <em>Phil Ward</em></li>
<li><strong>JPAC Template: Accounting for Americans Lost in Conflict</strong> by <em>Graeme Price</em></li>
<li><strong>Magical Mystery Tour: Travelling around SE Asia</strong> by <em>Giles Hill</em></li>
<li><strong>Mutts to Dump trucks: Signature vehicles from the Vietnam conflict</strong> by <em>Various</em></li>
<li><strong>Riders on a Storm: MJ12 in SE Asia</strong> by <em>Nick Brownlow</em></li>
<li><strong>The Surface Surveillance and Reconnaissance Section and Standing Order 259</strong> by <em>Giles Hill and Adam Crossingham</em></li>
<li><strong>The Golden Hour Battlefield Medicine in Vietnam</strong> by <em>Graeme Price</em></li>
<li><strong>Order of the Bloated Woman</strong> by <em>Steven Kaye</em></li>
<li><strong>Sweetheart of Song Tra Bong</strong>: A scenario about how war changes us by <em>Davide Mana</em></li>
<li><strong>Tip of the Blade: Signature weapons of the Vietnam Conflict</strong> by <em>Hans-Christian Vortisch</em></li>
<li><strong>The Weight of Ghosts</strong>: Things you'll need to get through that tour by <em>Giles Hill</em></li>
<li><strong>Trauma: How to hurt your players</strong> by <em>Jonathan Turner</em></li>
<li><strong>Unusual Suspects Adolph Lepus</strong> by <em>Ben Counter</em></li>
<li><strong>Unusual Suspects Joseph-Antoine Ballon</strong> by <em>Giles Hill</em></li>
<li><strong>Unusual Suspects Satchel Wade</strong> by <em>Phil Ward</em></li>
<li><strong>Unusual Suspects: Klaus Schumann</strong> by <em>Eamon Honan</em></li>
<li><strong>Unusual Suspects: Colonel Kurtz </strong>by <em>Adam Crossingham</em></li>
<li>The <strong>official </strong>investigation report for <strong>OPERATION OBSIDIAN</strong> by <em>Adam Scott Glancy</em></li>
<li>A <strong>Report on the Chau Chau</strong> by <em>Gil Trevizo</em></li>
</ul>
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