Date: Tue, 5 Nov 199 From: Bret Prichard Subject: Mush Example Heya folks.. not sure if this is not the sort of thing I should be sending here (if so just drop me an email and I'll refrain) but I thought I'd send an example log of some roleplaying we did on Battlestar Mush involving our ship patrol/combat system. One of the things I find very interesting as a programmer is limitations of text-only systems (which the Mush is) and furthermore how to circumvent these limitations to still produce a somewhat realistic and fun atmosphere (for one we only use a 2 dimensional space now, trying to simulate a 3-d space in text-only was very tough).. Anyways below is a patrol from the Battlestar Solaria's "Medusa" squadron... It's not quite fanfic but I like to think of the roleplaying we do as 'writing our own stories' in a sense... - Bret P.s. the * on the radar is a Viper, $ a Freighter, and > a Cylon Raider, groupings of 2 or more ships show a number instead of a symbol. The FREQ: refers to the radio frequency we are on and the position is all in X and Y coordinates (like planer math.. X is horizontal, Y is vertical with positive and negative numbers being ok.. the Colonies are centered around 0x 0y in our space system) Also the terms CC on the radio means "Core Command" (the Solaria), M3 and M5 or Medusa 3 and Medusa 5 are radio call signs, Paris is M3, Triton is M5... ---------- From: Bret Prichard To: BSM Listserv - READERS Subject: LOG: COMMunicating with Robots Date: Monday, November 04, 1996 3:16 PM -------------------------------------------------------------- "COMMunicating with Robots" 11-4-7339 (1996) Logger: Paris (Bret) Participants: Ensign 2nd Class Paris Ensign 2nd Class Triton (Core Command) -- Bret Summary: Medusa patrol follows the sector sweep ordered by Lieutenant Daedalus, at the first Navpoint all is quite, but at the second one they come across 4 Raiders escorting some sort of ship the warbook is giving a preliminary indication of being a Freighter Class. The two vipers skirt around the outer perimeter to try to get a look at the Freighter (which the Raiders are moving to protect).. they find out it is a Cylon Communications Ship and before they can do much else the Raiders swoop in... a battle ensues... ---------------------------------------------------------------- (FREQ:13) A Male voice says, "Well it looks like Pappa bear wants us to scout the area and take care of any unwanted visitors.." (FREQ:13) A Male voice says, "Setting heading for first Navpoint" --------- |. . . . .| POS : -100x 6y |. . . . .| |. . * . .| DIR : Northwest |. . 3 . .| |. . . . .| FUEL: 143 --------- (FREQ:13) A Male voice says, "Your one sector off" (FREQ:13) A Male voice says, "Lets proceed at speed 15 M5" --------- |. . . . .| POS : -100x 7y |. . . . .| |. . * . .| DIR : North |. . . . .| |. . 3 . .| FUEL: 142 --------- (FREQ:13) A Male voice says, "I like to look at the stars..." |. . . . .| |. . . . .| |. . * . .| OBJECTS: #3332 |. . * . .| OBJECTS: #7678 |. . 2 . .| OBJECTS: #4780 #544 |. . . . .| |. . . . .| |. . * . .| OBJECTS: #3332 |. . * . .| OBJECTS: #7678 |. . . . .| (FREQ:13) A Male voice says, "Approaching first Navpoint.. she's clear as a Libran sunset" --------- |. . . . .| POS : -100x 10y |. . . . .| |. . * . .| DIR : North |. . * . .| |. . . . .| FUEL: 139 --------- (FREQ:13) A Male voice says, "Slow speed at the Navpoint for triangulation of next destionation" The computer records your arrival at Navpoint 1 Proceed to Navpoint 2(-120x 10y) (FREQ:13) A Male voice says, "Rgr" (FREQ:13) A Male voice says, "Core Command this is Medusa Patrol.. looks clear soo far..." (FREQ:13) A Male voice says, "Turning west" (FREQ:13) A Female voice says, "Roger that Medusa patrol" (FREQ:13) A Male voice says, "Ok engage speed to 15 M5.. lets see what Nav2 looks like" (FREQ:13) A Male voice says, "Rgr that" (FREQ:13) A Female voice says, "M5 what is your fuel status?" (FREQ:13) A Male voice says, "Fuel 142 CC" (FREQ:13) A Male voice says, "Oh to be a comet, shooting amongst the stars, oh to be a planet, burning from within, oh to be a Universe... spinning out of control.." (FREQ:13) A Male voice says, "The great writer Gallahad penned that verse while he was a young man on a patrol just like we are now...." (FREQ:13) A Male voice says, "He claimed it signified just how little we know of our surroundings" (FREQ:13) A Male voice says, "I have never been able to figure out if he means by 'we' the Human race or the Colonial Fleet" (FREQ:13) A Male voice says, "*chuckle* perhaps he meant both" (FREQ:13) A Male voice says, "M3, are we to engage the enemy if encountred?" (FREQ:13) A Male voice says, "Getting kinda anxious arn't you M5?" (FREQ:13) A Male voice says, "With a little luck we'll be back sipping some vintage Ambrosia before Perseus patrol even clears Nav2" (FREQ:13) A Male voice says, "Not really anxious" (FREQ:13) A Male voice says, "I think this is a dead sector of space.. aside from those sporadic incidents it has been nothing but a babysitting job" (FREQ:13) A Male voice says, "Why I heard the Pegasus ran into a Baseship Fleet a sectar or two ago!" (FREQ:13) A Male voice says, "Frankly I don't believe it though, because the story says that the Baseship got away, and I cannot imagine ANYTHING ever escaping Commander Cain!" (FREQ:13) A Male voice says, "Geez whatluck" (FREQ:13) A Male voice says, "*chuckle* Oh how quickly we rush forward towards the edge..." (FREQ:13) A Male voice says, "Anyways we have discretion in terms of engagement, this being a sweep we have authorization but lets play it smart" (FREQ:13) A Male voice says, "I don't know about you but blindly rushing into the fray is not my idea of sensible... I want to do survellance first" (FREQ:13) A Male voice says, "Rgr" --------- |. . . . .| POS : -117x 10y |> . . . .| |. . * * .| DIR : West |. . . . .| |. . . . .| FUEL: 122 --------- (FREQ:13) A Male voice says, "Frankly if the Cylons can take down a veteran pilot like Captain Orestes then they can.. Oh Frak!" (FREQ:13) A Male voice says, "Raider on my scope" (FREQ:13) A Male voice says, "Bogey" --------- |$ . . . .| POS : -118x 10y |> > . . .| |> . * * .| DIR : West |. . . . .| |. . . . .| FUEL: 121 --------- (FREQ:13) A Male voice says, "Stay in tight M5.. lets try to go around them.. prepare to veer SW before the first raider" (FREQ:13) A Male voice says, "Retreat?" --------- |. $ . . .| POS : -119x 10y |> > > . .| |. > * * .| DIR : West |. . . . .| |. . . . .| FUEL: 120 --------- (FREQ:13) A Male voice says, "I am registereing some sort of large ship on the north flank of it.. the Raiders seem to be in tight formation around her" --------- |. > > > .| POS : -120x 9y |. . > * .| |. . * . .| DIR : Southwest |. . . . .| |. . . . .| FUEL: 119 --------- (FREQ:13) A Male voice says, "Turning" (FREQ:13) A Male voice says, "Turning NW" --------- |. . . $ .| POS : -121x 10y |. . > > >| |. . * > .| DIR : Northwest |. . . * .| |. . . . .| FUEL: 118 --------- (FREQ:13) A Male voice says, "It's going to be tight but lets see if we can skirt around the outside and get a look at what they are protecting.. follow my lead M5 and don't let any tincans sneak in the back door" (FREQ:13) A Male voice says, "Baseship" --------- |. . . . .| POS : -122x 11y |. . . . $| |. . * > >| DIR : Northwest |. . . . >| |. . . . .| FUEL: 117 --------- (FREQ:13) A Male voice says, "No.. looks like a Freighter Class" (FREQ:13) A Male voice says, "M5 you are off my scope! whats your position?" --------- |. . . . .| POS : -121x 12y |. . . . .| |. . * $ .| DIR : Northeast |. . > > >| |. . . > .| FUEL: 116 --------- (FREQ:13) A Male voice says, "We missed np 2" --------- |. . . . .| POS : -120x 12y |. . . . .| |. . 2 . .| DIR : East |. > > > .| |. > * . .| FUEL: 115 --------- Contents: Cylon Communications Ship-#1487 (FREQ:13) A Male voice says, "Core Command doing a flyby of the Cylon Tanker.. we have visual of a force, repeat Cylon presence at Navpoint 2!" (FREQ:13) A Male voice says, "It's a Communications ship of some kind!" Viper-#3332 fires a laser-torpedo that nails Cylon Communications Ship-#1487 Cylon Communications Ship-#1487 flies out of the sector (FREQ:13) A Male voice says, "I'm south of you" (FREQ:13) A Male voice says, "Nailed it, it looks like it is trying to escape, what in the name of the Lords of Kobol are they doing with that thing?" |. . . . .| |. . . . .| |. $ * . .| OBJECTS: #1487 #3332 |. > > > .| OBJECTS: #4026 #5566 #6275 |. * > . .| OBJECTS: #5871 #7678 (FREQ:13) A Male voice says, "Oh Frack.. M5 engaging Raider.. I got one bearing down on me.." (FREQ:13) A Male voice says, "Engage raiders" --------- |. . . . .| POS : -120x 11y |. $ . . .| |. > 2 > .| DIR : South |. * > . .| |. . . . .| FUEL: 114 --------- Contents: Raider-#4026 Raider-#4026 flies out of the sector |. . . . .| |. 2 . . .| OBJECTS: #1487 #4026 |. > * > .| OBJECTS: #3332 #5566 #6275 |. * > . .| OBJECTS: #5871 #7678 |. . . . .| You fire off a wild shot at no target in particular (-1 Ammo) (FREQ:13) A Male voice says, "Careful M5 he just got away from me" (FREQ:13) A Male voice says, "He formed on the Comm Ship" (FREQ:13) A Male voice says, "*says in his battle tone* Let's turn them to stone Medusa!" |. . . . .| |$ 2 . . .| OBJECTS: #1487 #4026 #7678 |. . * > .| OBJECTS: #3332 #5566 |. . 2 . .| OBJECTS: #5871 #6275 |. . . . .| Raider-#4026 explodes into a fireball (FREQ:13) A Male voice says, "Nice Shooting m5!" --------- |$ . . . .| POS : -120x 10y |. . . > .| |. . 3 . .| DIR : South |. . . . .| |. . . . .| FUEL: 113 --------- Contents: Raider-#6275 Raider-#5871 Raider-#5871 just misses hitting Viper-#3332 with a laser-torpedo --------- |. . . > .| POS : -120x 9y |. . 2 . .| |. . * . .| DIR : South |. . . . .| |. . . . .| FUEL: 112 --------- --------- |. . . . .| POS : -119x 10y |. . > . .| |. 2 * . .| DIR : Northeast |. . . . .| |. . . . .| FUEL: 111 --------- --------- |. * . . .| POS : -118x 11y |. . . . .| |. > * . .| DIR : Northeast |2 . . . .| |. . . . .| FUEL: 110 --------- (FREQ:13) A Male voice says, "Frack.. two of them together.." --------- |. . * . .| POS : -119x 11y |. . . . .| |. . 2 . .| DIR : West |. 2 . . .| |. . . . .| FUEL: 109 --------- Contents: Raider-#5566 A laser-torpedo fired by Viper-#3332 slams into Raider-#5566 Raider-#5566 launches a laser-torpedo at Viper-#3332 and misses by a sizeable distance --------- |. . . * .| POS : -120x 11y |$ . . . .| |. . * > .| DIR : West |. . 2 . .| |. . . . .| FUEL: 108 --------- --------- |. . . . .| POS : -119x 11y |. . * . .| |. . 2 . .| DIR : East |. 2 . . .| |. . . . .| FUEL: 107 --------- Contents: Raider-#5566 Raider-#5566 is hit by a laser-torpedo fired from Viper-#3332 Raider-#5566 explodes into a fireball --------- |. . . . .| POS : -118x 11y |. * . . .| |. . * . .| DIR : East |2 . . . .| |. . . . .| FUEL: 106 --------- (FREQ:13) A Male voice says, "Scratch one more tincan" --------- |. . . . .| POS : -119x 10y |. . * . .| |. 2 * . .| DIR : Southwest |. . . . .| |. . . . .| FUEL: 105 --------- Viper-#7678 flies in from the North (FREQ:13) A Male voice says, "We got two hangin out down here.. this one is going to be fun" --------- |. . . . .| POS : -120x 9y |. . 2 * .| |. . * . .| DIR : Southwest |. . . . .| |. . . . .| FUEL: 104 --------- --------- |$ . . . .| POS : -120x 10y |. . . . .| |. . 3 * .| DIR : North |. . . . .| |. . . . .| FUEL: 103 --------- Contents: Raider-#6275 Raider-#5871 Raider-#5871 launches a laser-torpedo at Viper-#3332 and barely misses Viper-#3332 shoots a laser-torpedo and hits Raider-#6275 Raider-#6275 explodes into a fireball --------- |. . . . .| POS : -120x 11y |$ . . . .| |. . * . .| DIR : North |. . > * .| |. . . . .| FUEL: 102 --------- (FREQ:13) A Male voice says, "One down.. the other one has your name on it M5" --------- |. . . . .| POS : -120x 12y |. . . . .| |$ . * . .| DIR : North |. . . . .| |. . 2 . .| FUEL: 101 --------- Raider-#5871 explodes into cosmic dust --------- |. . . . .| POS : -120x 11y |$ . . . .| |. . * . .| DIR : South |. . * . .| |. . . . .| FUEL: 100 --------- (FREQ:13) A Male voice says, "Nice Shooting M5!" --------- |$ . . . .| POS : -120x 10y |. . . . .| |. . * . .| DIR : South |. . * . .| |. . . . .| FUEL: 99 --------- --------- |. . . . .| POS : -121x 11y |. $ . . .| |. . * . .| DIR : Northwest |. . . . .| |. . . * .| FUEL: 98 --------- --------- |. . . . .| POS : -122x 12y |. . . . .| |. . 2 . .| DIR : Northwest |. . . . .| |. . . . .| FUEL: 97 --------- Contents: Cylon Communications Ship-#1487 Cylon Communications Ship-#1487 flies out of the sector |. . . . .| |. . . . .| |. $ * . .| OBJECTS: #1487 #3332 |. . . . .| |. . . . .| (FREQ:13) A Male voice says, "Ok that garmonging COMM Ship is probably beaming out messages galore.. lets take it quick!" --------- |. . . . .| POS : -123x 12y |. . . . .| |. . 2 . .| DIR : West |. . . . .| |. . . . .| FUEL: 96 --------- Contents: Cylon Communications Ship-#1487 Viper-#3332 fires a laser-torpedo at Cylon Communications Ship-#1487 and hits it Cylon Communications Ship-#1487 flies out of the sector (FREQ:13) A Male voice says, "I am at 10 oclock from you M5.. she's running..." Viper-#3332 shoots at Cylon Communications Ship-#1487 and nails it with a laser-torpedo Cylon Communications Ship-#1487 flies out of the sector You fire off a wild shot at no target in particular (-1 Ammo) (FREQ:13) A Male voice says, "Lost you" |. . . . .| |. . . . .| |. $ * . .| OBJECTS: #1487 #3332 |. . . . .| |. . . . .| (FREQ:13) A Male voice says, "She is going towards some set destination" (FREQ:13) A Male voice says, "M5 keep an eye out for reinforcements.. I think she is luring us.." (FREQ:13) A Male voice says, "Let her go?" (FREQ:13) A Male voice says, "Lost you M3" (FREQ:13) A Male voice says, "I have her shot up badly" A laser-torpedo fired by Viper-#3332 slams into Cylon Communications Ship-#1487 Cylon Communications Ship-#1487 flies out of the sector (FREQ:13) A Male voice says, "She's some kind of transmitter ship I think" (FREQ:13) A Male voice says, "she's heading into Cylon space" (FREQ:13) A Male voice says, "Oh Feldercarb, what kind of engines they put on these things! She is getting away" |. . . . .| |. . . . .| |. $ * . .| OBJECTS: #1487 #3332 |. . . . .| |. . . . .| --------- |. . . . .| POS : -130x 12y |. . . . .| |. . 2 . .| DIR : West |. . . . .| |. . . . .| FUEL: 85 --------- Cylon Communications Ship-#1487 is hit by a laser-torpedo fired from Viper-#3332 Cylon Communications Ship-#1487 flies out of the sector Viper-#3332 fires a laser-torpedo that impacts Cylon Communications Ship-#1487 Cylon Communications Ship-#1487 flies out of the sector (FREQ:13) A Male voice says, "M5 where are you?.. Cylon Communications ship is nearing the old moon Cimtar and my batteries are getting low" (FREQ:13) A Male voice says, "Coords?" (FREQ:13) A Male voice says, "Core Command we are heading westward from Navpoint 2.. Cylon ship is attempting to run apparently towards the old moon" (FREQ:13) A Female voice says, "Roger that Medusa Patrol, be advised you are in Cylon occupied space.." (FREQ:13) A Male voice says, "M3 coords?" (FREQ:13) A Male voice says, "*chuckle* I am chasing one now Core Command" Viper-#3332 hits Cylon Communications Ship-#1487 with a laser-torpedo Cylon Communications Ship-#1487 flies out of the sector Viper-#3332 shoots at Cylon Communications Ship-#1487 and nails it with a laser-torpedo Cylon Communications Ship-#1487 flies out of the sector (FREQ:13) A Male voice says, "Core Command the Communicatins ship looks like it cannot take much more.. but she seems to be trying to lure me further out.. flying in a straight line towards the Old Moon.. request further instructions on how to proceed" (FREQ:13) A Female voice says, "Medusa Patrol.. follow Communications vessel as far as you deem safe.. Solaria Command doesn't want it to get away" (FREQ:13) A Male voice says, "*an audible catching of breath can be heard as he says* Roger that Core Command" --------- |. . . . .| POS : -136x 12y |. . . . .| |. . 2 . .| DIR : West |. . . . .| |. . . . .| FUEL: 79 --------- Viper-#3332 fires a laser-torpedo that impacts Cylon Communications Ship-#1487 Cylon Communications Ship-#1487 explodes into cosmic dust (FREQ:13) A Male voice says, "Medusa 5.. Communications Ship was just destroyed" (FREQ:13) A Male voice says, "Lets get out of here.. my hair is crawling being soo far out here" (FREQ:13) A Male voice says, "Meet me at Navpoint 3 M5" (FREQ:13) A Male voice says, "What exactly does a Cylon Communications ship do? listen in on the Caprica Triad Game??" (FREQ:13) A Male voice says, "Whats np 3 coords" (FREQ:13) A Male voice says, "You should know the Navpoint coords M5.." (FREQ:13) A Male voice says, "Fuel at 91" (FREQ:13) A Female voice says, "Medusa 5 proceed to -120x 0y and maintain radio silence until M3 gets there... Core Command does not want this transmission to endanger his ship any further" (FREQ:13) A Male voice says, "M5 I'm a waiting at the Cabin and I have a pot of hot Java ready for you when you get here" --------- |. . . . .| POS : -120x 0y |. . . . .| |. . * . .| DIR : Southwest |. . . . .| |. . . . .| FUEL: 57 --------- (FREQ:13) A Male voice says, "No sign of Cylons anywhere.. looks like that life insurance policy I bought was a waste after all" (FREQ:13) A Male voice says, "But as the great writer Rhianna once said, "There are no guarantees except the ones you make"" Viper-#7678 flies in from the North (FREQ:13) A Female voice says, "M3 Please save your philosophizing for when you are safe back on the Battlestar" (FREQ:13) A Male voice says, "*embarrased* er.. Roger that Core Command.." (FREQ:13) A Male voice says, "M3 I made it" The computer records your arrival at Navpoint 3 Proceed to Navpoint 4(-100x 0y) (FREQ:13) A Male voice says, "Ok lets head to Nav4.. this place is worse then Hades itself.." (FREQ:13) A Male voice says, "Np 3 logged" --------- |. . . . .| POS : -117x 0y |. . . . .| |. . 2 . .| DIR : East |. . . . .| |. . . . .| FUEL: 54 --------- (FREQ:13) A Male voice says, "Oh drat! I forgot to bring home a souvenier for Helen!" (FREQ:13) A Male voice says, "*chuckles* I can just see her now with a T-shirt that says, "My wingman flew to Cimtar and all I got was this lousy T-shirt"" (FREQ:13) A Male voice says, "*laughs*" (FREQ:13) A Male voice says, "Sorry M5.. I guess the battle rush hasn't quite left me yet... no matter how much I try it's hard to get used to..." Paris fidgets with his equipment trying to ascertain if anything was damaged in the fight Paris o O (Well that was fun, what shall we do for an encore Paris?) Paris o O (It's times like these I still wonder what am I am doing as a Warrior.. This is not how I want to spend my life.. I have a destiny elsewhere!) Paris o O (Oh shut up Paris and get your thoughts back on the Patrol, else you never will get to finish 'The Great Book' when you become a shortlived micro-star as your ship gets blown up) (FREQ:13) A Male voice says, "I am glad thats over" (FREQ:13) A Male voice says, "*chuckle* and here I thought you were looking forward to that" The computer records your arrival at Navpoint 4 You have completed all Navpoints, return to the Battlestar Solaria (FREQ:13) A Male voice says, "Core Command we have reached Navpoint 4.. heading back to the Solaria" (FREQ:13) A Male voice says, "That was scarey" (FREQ:13) A Male voice says, "M5 lets go home.. speed 10" --------- |. . 2 . .| POS : -100x 3y |. . . . .| |. . * . .| DIR : North |. . . . .| |. . * . .| FUEL: 34 --------- (FREQ:13) A Male voice says, "Core Command this is Medusa Patrol .. requesting landing clearance" --------- |. . . . .| POS : -100x 4y |. . 2 . .| |. . * . .| DIR : North |. . . . .| |. . * . .| FUEL: 33 --------- (FREQ:13) A Female voice says, "Medusa Patrol you have landing clearance on Beta Deck.." --------- |. . . . .| POS : -100x 5y |. . . . .| |. . 3 . .| DIR : North |. . . . .| |. . * . .| FUEL: 32 --------- Contents: Battlecruiser Sparta Battlestar Solaria Paris flies Viper-#3332 into a landing approach for the Battlestar Solaria's Beta deck Flight Deck Entry / / With your pattern cleared by the | / bridge and your landing gear extended, ____/ |____ you swing around the back of the / ______________ \ battlestar and ease into the bay. | |\ ___\__/___ /| | | | |__________| | | Your eyes transfix on the rows of | |/ : : \| | yellow lights running the center of the \ '--------------' / bay, marking the path you must take. '----------------' Paris' Patrol report to Lieutenant Daedalus: Medusa Patrol Report - 11-4-7339 Ensign Triton and I proceeded to Navpoint -100x 10y, all was clear and we were beginning to think the Cylon presence in this quadrant was finally in a lull. After marking our position with Core Command we proceeded onto Navpoint 2 at -120x 10y. We came across Four Cylon ships of the RAIDER class, as well as a ship we could not immediatly identify but which the Warbook said was a Cylon Freighter of some kind. Ensign Triton and I tried to skirt around the outside of the Raiders after we noticed they were falling into a defensive position around the Freighter, whatever it was, it was apparent they meant to protect it. Just as I moved into visual confirmation range of the Freighter the remaining Cylons swooped in to engage us. The Freighter was a CYLON COMMUNICATIONS SHIP, or that's what the Warbook said. I've never seen so many dishes and antennaes protruding from one ship before! The thing looked like a veritable communications array and I surmise had an extended range. Before I could ascertain much else one of the Raiders was on top of me. We scrambled our patrol out of necessity (Triton was not able to stay on my wing as two raiders cut him off).. After several centons of intense fighting I dispatched 2 Raiders while Triton likewise destroyed 2. We set off pursuit of the now fleeing Communications ship on the instructions of Solaria Core Command. For all her equipment it looks like they still armored her up good because it took nearly my whole remaining ammo battery to destroy the ship. She fled (or lured us?) in a direct pathway of the old moon Cimtar in what I presumed was a trap. Luckily no other Cylons made their presence known and we completed Navpoints 3 and 4 and returned to the Solaria to file report. - Ensign 2nd Class Paris