GOA Jonathan L. Cummings, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs-of-Staff

[natehale1971]

This is GOA Cummings from my T2k setting... I'll be posting more of the major NPCs from the campaign on this thread as I get them transfered off my laptop...

I use actors/actresses and the like for models for many of the NPCs and PCs in my campaigns.... I've been trying to think of the best actor to use for GOA Cummings... Since learning he was African-American I have a short list of actors... Morgan Freeman, James Earl Jones, Billy Dee Williams...





GOA Jonathan L. Cummings, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs-of-Staff

Personal Information:
Real Name: Jonathan Leander 'John' Cummings
Rank/Title: General-of-the-Army (GOA: O-11)
Other Aliases: General 'Black Jack' Cummings
Occupation: Chairman of the Joint Chiefs-of-Staff, US Army General Officer
Affiliations: The United States of America, the United States Army
Legal Status: Citizen of the United States of America with No Criminal Record.
Place of Birth: Memphis, Tennessee, United States of America
Martial Status: Married
Known Relatives:
Samantha 'Sam' Carlson-Cummings, Housewife (wife, deceased);
Jonathan Lexington 'Jon' Cummings, US Army Officer (son, age);
Shauna Jessica 'Jessie' Cummings, US Army Officer (daughter, age);
Grant Leander Cummings, US Army Officer (son, age);
Esmeralda Lacey Cummings, US Army Officer (daughter, age);

GEN Broderick Dilwyn Cummings III, retired US Army General Officer (father, deceased); GEN Broderick Dilwyn 'Brodie' Cummings IV, US Army General Officer (brother, deceased); Helen Elaine Rowe-Cummings, Housewife (sister-in-law, 49);
CPT Broderick Dilwyn 'Rick' Cummings V, US Army Airborne Infantry Officer (nephew, 29); 1LT Elaine Lacey 'Elle' Cummings, US Army Intelligence Officer (niece, 26); GEN Broderick Dilwyn Cummings Jr., retired US Army General Officer (paternal grandfather, deceased); Maj. General Broderick Dilwyn Cummings Sr., retired US Army General Officer (paternal great-grandfather, deceased).
Extent of Education: graduate of the US Military Academy at West Point w/a Bachelor’s of Science Degree, graduate of George Washington University w/a Masters of Business Administration Degree, graduate of George Washington University’s Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service w/a Masters Degree in Security Studies.
Religion: Episcopal Church of the United States / Anglican Communion (practicing)


Background Information/Origin:

d

GOA Jon Cummings older brother, GEN Broderick 'Brodie' Cummings IV, was killed when the airborne command transport he was flying in was shot down during the early stages of the war. Thus GEN 'Brodie' Cummings IV become the first senior American General or Flag Officer to have been killed during the war.

Even before having become the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs-of-Staff GEN Jon Cummings had become one of the most highly decorated officers in the active United States Armed Forces. The decision of President Tanner used this fact to promote Cummings as the first man to the rank of General-of-the-Army after the start of the Twilight War. Tanner follows this action with the promotion of the General Officers and Flag Officers that had been the commanders of the United States Unified Combatant Commands and the Joint Chiefs-of-Staff to the ranks of General-of-the-Army, General-of-the-Air Force and Fleet Admiral. President Tanner then promoted the Commandant of the Marine Corps the hour that the US Congress had created the equal rank of General-of-the-Marine Corps.

Service Record & Advanced Education:

1960-1964: Accepted into the US Military Academy at West Point (1960). d (1961). d (1962). d (1963). Graduates from West Point (1964).
1964-1971: Promoted to the rank of Second Lieutenant (1964). First Tour of duty in Vietnam (1964). Wounded during the Battle of la Drang (1965). Promoted to the rank of First Lieutenant (1965). Basic Airborne Course at Fort Bragg (1966). d (1966). Second Tour of duty in Vietnam (1967). d (1967). Third Tour of duty in Vietnam (1968). Promoted to the rank of Captain (1968). d (1968). d (1969). d (1970). d (1971).
1971-1977: d (1971). d (1972). d (1973). Assignment to the newly formed 75th Ranger Regiment (1974). Completes Ranger School (1974). Promoted to the rank of Major (1974). Command & General Staff College (1975). d (1975). d (1976). d (1977).
1977-1983: d (1977). d (1978). Attends George Washington University (1978). Graduates with Masters of Business Administration (1979). d (1979). d (1980). Promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel (1980). d (1981). d (1982). d (1983).
1983-1989: d (1983). d (1984). d (1985). Attends George Washington University’s Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service (1985). Graduates with a Masters Degree in Security Studies (1986). d (1986). Promoted to the rank of Colonel (1986). d (1987). d (1988). d (1989).
1989-1995: d (1989). Promoted to the rank of Brigadier General (1989). d (1989). d (1990). Operation Desert Storm (1991). Commander of the Coalition Allied forces Rear Area Operations (1991). Organized all of the non-combat support personnel to counter a surprise offense by Iraqi Republican Guards (1991). Awarded Congressional Medal of Honor for actions during Operation Desert Storm (1992). Promoted to the rank of Major General (1992). d (1993). d (1994). d (1995).
1995-2001: d (1995). Promoted to the rank of Lieutenant General (1995). d (1996). d (1997). Promoted to the rank of General (1998). Appointed Army Chief-of-Staff by President Clinton (1998). d (1998). d (1999). d (2000). d (2001).
2001-2007: d (2001). d (2001). d (2002). d (2003). d (2004). d (2005). d (2006). d (2007).
2007-Pres.: d (2007). d (2008). d (2009).


One of the General and Flag Officers who spearheads the creation of the United States Unified Combatant Command Africa ().
Appointed Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff by President Tanner ().
Promoted to the rank of General-of-the-Army ().
Assigned to Operation Urgent Fury ().

Medals, Ribbons, Decorations, Awards & Qualification Badges:

Left Breast: Congressional Medal of Honor, Army Distinguished Service Cross, Department of Defense Distinguished Service Medal, Army Distinguished Service Medal, Silver Star, Defense Superior Service medal, Legion of Merit, Army Soldier’s Medal (Heroism), Bronze Star w/’V’ for valour, Purple Heart, Army Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross w/Palm, Republic of Vietnam Honor Medal 2nd Class, National Defense Medal w/three stars, South West Asia Service w/4 stars, Korea Defense Service, Outstanding Volunteer Service, Army Non-Commissioned Officer Professional Development, Army Service, Army Overseas Service w/2 stars, Multi-National Force, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Kuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia), Kuwait Liberation Medal (Emirate of Kuwait).
Right Breast: Army Presidential Unit Citation, Army Valorous Unit Award, Army Meritorious Unit Citation, Army Superior Unit Award, Vietnam Presidential Unit Citation, Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation, Vietnam Civil Actions Unit Citation.
Qualification Badges: Combat infantryman’s Badge (third award), Master Parachutist Wings, Air Assault Badge, Pathfinder’s Badge, Expert Marksman Badge (w/rifle, pistol, and sub-machinegun), Ranger Shoulder Tab, and Airborne Shoulder Tab.
Foreign Awards: d
Foreign Qualification Badges: British Parachutist Wings, German Armed Forces Badge for Military Proficiency (Silver), German Armed Forces Parachutist Badge (Bronze), German Armed Forces Badge for Weapons Proficiency (Bronze).

Statistical Information:

GOA Jonathan L. 'John' Cummings, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs-of-Staff: adult Caucasian male Charismatic 6/Leadership 10 (16th Level). Init: +7 (+3 Dex, +4 Misc.); Spd: 20ft.; Def: +22/+33 (+7 Class, +3 Dex, +11 Equipment, +2 Misc.); HP: 132; Atk: +10, +15 unarmed (punch/kick/head butt, 1d4+1), +15 unarmed (brass knuckles, Crit: 20), +15 melee (pistol whip, 1d4+1, Crit: 20), +15 melee (rifle butt, 1d6+1, Crit: 20), +15 melee (ASP Tactical Baton, 1d6+1, Crit: 19-20), +15 melee (M 9 Bayonet/Survival Knife, 1d6+2, 19 20/x2), +17 ranged (Pepper Spray, DC 15, 1d4 rounds), +17 ranged (taser, 1d4, DC 15, 1d6 rounds), +19 ranged (Beretta 92F-M/M9 9mm auto pistol, 2d6, Crit: 20, 30ft Rng, 8rd), +20 ranged (Colt M4A1 5.56mm Carbine, 2d8, Crit: 20, 60ft Rng, 30rd), +20 ranged (Colt M16A2 5.56mm assault rifle, 2d8, Crit: 20, 80ft Rng, 30rds), +20 ranged (Colt M16 Squad Designated Marksman 5.56mm semiautomatic marksman rifle, 2d8, Crit: 20, 90ft Rng, 20rds), +19 ranged (Knight Armaments Master Key ‘S’ 12ga. pump-action shotgun, 2d8, Crit: 20, 40ft Rng, 5rds); SQ: Talents (Coordinate, Inspiration, Greater Inspiration, Intimidating Presence, Shake, Skill Set, Power Players, Target Acquired), Voice of command 3/day (snap decision, rally, command decision), Advanced Training (Marksmanship 1, Trench Warfare 1 & 2, Shock Assault 1 & 2), Occupation (military: knowledge: tactics, survival), Advantages & Distinctions (Academic Degree: Doctorate 3pts.; Military Rank: US Army GEN O-11 17pts.; Property: 50 acres 3pts.; Property: Large house w/protection & security systems 5pts.; Special Reputation: National Security expert 4pts.), Disadvantages & Flaws (Age: Old 4pts.; Dependency: Ugly habit 1pt.; Dependent: <>, Wife 2pts.; Duty/Responsibility: important/challenging, hazardous duty, restricted movement, restricted contact 11pts.; Easily Winded: slightly out of shape 2pts.; Heroic Code: Law & Order 2pts; Heroic Code: Loyalty 2pts.; Impaired vision: Poor vision 2pts.; Intolerant: Politicians who use events to their political advantage 2pts.; Nemesis: Senator Belington, US Senator 6pts.; Nemesis: <>, <newspaper name> 4pts.; Old Injury: Aggravating 2pts.; Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: jungles of Vietnam nervous jitters 2pts.; Quirk: Thick Southern Accent when aggravated 1pt.); SV: Fort +7, Ref +9, Will +12; Sz: Medium; Rep: +10; Action Pts: 00; Wealth: +36; Attr: Str 12 (+1), Dex 16 (+3), Con 12 (+1), Int 16 (+3), Wis 16 (+3), Cha 16 (+3).
Personal Belongings: d, a laptop computer w/a rechargeable battery, iPod w/60GB of assorted music & rechargeable batteries, a personal radio/tape player w/rechargeable batteries, a personal CD player w/rechargeable batteries, several assorted CDs, several notebooks, several sketch books, several ink pens & lead pencils w/spare lead, a couple of paperback novels, a couple of magazines, a duffel bag w/ civilian clothes (<>), a duffel bag w/a full set of uniforms (Army Dress Blues, Army Mess Dress Blues, Army Class-A Service Dress Uniform, Army Class-B Service Dress Uniform, Army black all-weather trench coat, black cardigan sweater, black pullover sweater, black windbreaker, garrison cap, 8 sets of Army Battle Dress Uniforms, 2 field jackets, 4 physical fitness uniforms, 4 improved physical fitness uniforms, a pair of dress shoes, a pair of running shoes).
Personal Gear: a pair of Uvex XC protective eye wear, sun/wind/dust goggles, pocket survival tool, glass cutter, zippo cigarette lighter, 1 set of dogtags w/silencers, <black/maroon/tan/green> beret(w/flash or w/o flash), Army Battle Dress Uniform (tunic and trousers), a BDU web belt w/buckle, light brown undershirt & underwear, a pair of cushion soled socks, a pair of combat boots, quartz military watch, Nomex flight gloves.
Tactical Equipment: PASGT Ballistic Helmet (DM: +2; DR: 0; ACP: -1), D.A.P./M-Tac 300 Level IIIA Ballistic Vest (DM: +5; DR: 3; MDB: +4; ACP: -1), Under Armor shirt & leggings (DM: +1; DR: 2; MDB: +5; ACP: n/a), Knee/Elbow pads (DM: n/a; DR: 2; MDB: n/a; ACP: n/a), Undercover Vest (DM: +3, DR: n/a, MDB: +5, ACP: -2).
Field Equipment: AN/PVS70 nightvision goggles & hard box w/ batteries, Spare batteries for flashlight 2 sets in plastic bag, Motorola Saber-1R two-way radio w/handmic & earphone, maglight flashlight, 1 pocket knife/Leatherman/Gerber, Trifold entrenching tool (combo shovel/saw/axe), Strobe light, 50' nylon rope, repelling harness, spare batteries, M40 Gas Mask, 2 MOPP suits, LBE (pistol belt, H-type suspenders, 2 5.56mm magazine pouch w/3 clips each, first aid dressing pouch, compass pouch, pistol holster, 2 9mm magazine pouch w/2 clips each, radio pouch), 3 2-quart canteen w/canteen cover & canteen cup, canteen cup cook stove, Folding E-tool and carrier, M9 bayonet w/scabbard (works with scabbard to serve as wire cutters, the scabbard also serves as bottle opener, screw driver, & sharpening stone), first aid dressing, lensatic compass, crookneck flashlight, 3-day pack, 6 MREs, 10 Chemlight (2 red, 2 green, 2 yellow, 2 orange, 2 blue), 2 Infrared Chemlight, MOLLE system (includes a modular rucksack w/removable compartments & components, a fighting load vest, and an on-the-move hydration system), Soft Cover, Boonie Hat, wool watch cap, wool scarf, wool sweater, black leather gloves, wool glove liners, Poncho & poncho liner, field jacket & field jacket liner, Extended Cold Weather Clothing System (parka & trousers), Polypropolyne underwear, a spare pair of Uvex XC protective eye wear, 2 spare sets of BDUs, 2 sets of undershirts & underwear, 4 pairs of cushion soled socks, 1 pair of spare boots, 1 set spare boot laces, 20 magnesium flares, sunscreen, gun cleaning kit (contains: 1 Steel barrel rod with swivel handle, 3 Steel barrel rod extenders, 1 Double-ended nylon gun brush, 1 Shotgun adaptor, 1 Slatted patch holder, 1 Bottle of gun oil, 1 Package of cotton cleaning patches, 1 Silicon gun cloth), Shelter Half (canvas sheet, 4 metal tent pins, 3 section tent pole and 1 line), personal first aid kit (2 syringes of morphine, 1 roll of sterile gauze, 1 roll elastic tape, several field dressings, antiseptic, burn cream, band-aids), camouflage GORE-Tex bivouac shelter, Waterproof bag, extreme cold weather sleeping bag, Isomat (foam sleeping pad), 5-gallon solar shower, water filter, bottle of 20 water purification tablets, magnesium firestarter, Mess kit (can opener, pan, utensils), personal commode, field washstand, 4 bungee cords, 4 210rd bandoliers of 5.56mm ammo, camp stove.
Weapons: M4A1 5.56mm Carbine w/7 magazines, M9 9mm automatic pistol w/5 magazines, M9 Bayonet, 6 M67 Fragmentation Grenades, 1 M15 WP Grenade, 1roll Det Cord (Dmg: 2d6/+1d6 to +4d6, 5ft radius, Ref DC: 12), 1kg block C4/Semtex (Dmg: 4d6/+2d6, 10ft radius/+2ft radius, Ref DC: 18), 2 M18A1 Claymore landmine (6d6, Crit: 20, 60ft cone, Ref DC: 16), 6 blasting caps, 1 section of fuse a few meters, 2 M72A3 LAW rocket launchers, 1 M136 AT4 84mm rocket launcher.
Home / Residence: d
Vehicle / Transportation: d
Skills: Balance +6 (+3 Dex, +3 ranks), Bluff +12 (+3 Cha, +9 ranks), Climb +6 (+1 Str, +4 ranks, +1 misc.), Computer Use +6 (+3 Int, +3 ranks), Craft: Structural +8 (+3 Int, +5 ranks), Craft: Writing +10 (+3 Int, +7 ranks), Decipher Script +6 (+3 Int, +3 ranks), Demolitions +6 (+3 Int, +3 ranks), Diplomacy +20 (+3 Cha, +14 ranks, +3 misc.), Drive +6 (+3 Dex, +3 ranks), Gather Information +12 (+3 Cha, +7 ranks, +2 misc.), Hide +6 (+3 Dex, +3 ranks), Intimidate +14 (+3 Cha, +9 ranks, +2 misc.), Jump +6 (+1 Str, +5 ranks), Knowledge: Applied Sciences +8 (+3 Int, +5 ranks), Knowledge: Behavioral Sciences +10 (+3 Int, +5 ranks, +2 misc.), Knowledge: Bureaucracy +12 (+3 Int, +7 ranks, +2 misc.), Knowledge: Civics +10 (+3 Int, +5 ranks, +2 misc.), Knowledge: Current Events +10 (+3 Int, +5 ranks, +2 misc.), Knowledge: Earth & Life Sciences +8 (+3 Int, +5 ranks), Knowledge: History +10 (+3 Int, +5 ranks, +2 misc.), Knowledge: Physical Sciences +8 (+3 Int, +5 ranks), Knowledge: Political Sciences +8 (+3 Int, +5 ranks), Knowledge: Social Sciences +8 (+3 Int, +5 ranks), Knowledge: Tactics +18 (+3 Int, +11 ranks, +4 misc.), Listen +10 (+3 Wis, +7 ranks), Move Silently +8 (+3 Dex, +5 ranks), Navigate +6 (+3 Int, +3 ranks), Perform: Public Speaking +10 (+3 Cha, +6 ranks, +1 misc.), Profession: Military +16 (+3 Wis, +11 ranks, +2 misc.), Read/Write: English, Read/Write: German, Read/Write: French, Read/Write: Russian, Read/Write: Vietnamese, Research +8 (+3 Int, +5 ranks), Search +10 (+3 Int, +7 ranks), Sense Motive +10 (+3 Wis, +7 ranks), Speak: English, Speak: German, Speak: French, Speak: Russian, Speak: Vietnamese, Speak: Spanish, Speak: Korean, Speak: Japanese, Speak: Arabic, Speak: Hebrew, Spot +10 (+3 Wis, +7 ranks), Survival +10 (+3 Wis, +5 ranks, +2 misc.), Swim +6 (+1 Str, +5 ranks), Treat Injury +6 (+3 Wis, +3 ranks), Tumble +8 (+3 Dex, +4 ranks, +1 misc.).
Languages: English (native), German (fluent), French (fluent), Russian (fluent), Vietnamese (fluent), Spanish (speak-only), Korean (speak-only), Japanese (speak-only), Arabic (speak-only), Hebrew (speak-only).
Feats: Air Assault Training, Charismatic Plus (Target Acquired, Greater Inspiration), Charismatic Plus (Power Players, Inspiration), Combat Martial Arts, Confident, Defensive Martial Arts, Dodge, Education (knowledge: behavioral sciences, knowledge: current events), Frightful Presence, Education (knowledge: bureaucracy, knowledge: civics), Education (knowledge: history, knowledge: tactics), Improved Initiative, Jump School, MOS Administrative, MOS Rifleman, Personal Firearms Proficiency, Poker Face, Point Blank Shot, Renown, Simple Weapons Proficiency, Tactician, Teamwork (US Army), Trustworthy, Weapon Focus (M4 carbine/M16 assault rifle), Windfall (x3).

Physical Information:
Ethnic Group: African-American
Gender: Male
Sexual Orientation: heterosexual
Age: 00 (day-month-year)
Height: 0' 00"
Weight: 000lbs.
Hair Colour: d
Eye Colour: d
Physical Appearance: Jonathan L. '<nickname>' Cummings is an above average looking <00>yr old African-American male in excellent physical condition for a man his age, height and build who engages in moderate regular exercise on a daily basis.
Distinguishing Physical Characteristics: <A brief description of any distinguishing physical characteristics such as unique hairstyle, eyeglasses, body piercings, tattoos, birthmarks, or grooming habits>
Normal Attire: GOA Jonathan L. '<nickname>' Cummings normally wears the standard uniform of the day as proscribed in the POD.
Quote(s): "."

[kato13]

WOW Fantastic details. Looking forward to the rest.

Quick question what gaming system do you use. It looks like GURPS to me but I never played only looked as source books.

[stilleto69]

Great work nate,

But IIRC General Cummings was described/hinted in "Gateway to the Spainish Main" as being African-American. I like how you use actors as a basis for your characters. I also personally liked using James Earl Jones from "By Dawn's Early Light" as my example of General Cummings.

[natehale1971]

Originally Posted by stilleto69

Great work nate,

But IIRC General Cummings was described/hinted in "Gateway to the Spainish Main" as being African-American. I like how you use actors as a basis for your characters. I also personally liked using James Earl Jones from "By Dawn's Early Light" as my example of General Cummings.

I hadn't gotten to get my hands on 'gateway to the spainish main' until just recently, and still hadn't gotten to read it yet... i'll fix that then! James Earl Jones works GREAT for Cummings. Billie Dee Williams could also work as well. they both have the age to pull off the role, and the charisma to be good enough to inspire so much loyality.

[stilleto69]

Hi Nate,

Here are some notes I have regarding "GTSM"

Gateway to the Spanish Main Notes

Adventure Plot
The principal plot of this adventure revolves around the person of a 12-year-old black girl who’s grandfather happens to be the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and Commander in Chief of the military government of the United States of America. Loretta Ann Cummings has been sent to Grenada by her paternal grandfather, General Jonathan Cummings, to protect her and her mother from exactly the type of political dirty dealings this module deals with.
As to those involved in the plot to kidnap the girl and use her as a lever to control MilGov, they are a shadowy group so secretive that their own agent on the scene knows little or nothing about them. They call themselves the New Americans and are prepared to issue gold, false identifications, and even Letters of Marque and Reprisal to their agent, Kevin Jerdan Jones, as reward for his part in this dubious mission. A Letter of Marque and Reprisal (Letter of Marque for short) is simply a license issued by a government to a private citizen to become a privateer. A privateer is a pirate who steals only for a government.


PLOT
If the players question the girls for information about themselves, they will learn that Loretta’s father was a soldier who went to fight in Iran and became missing in action. (Any players having served in the 82nd Airborne Division in Iran will have a 1% chance of having heard of a Captain Mark Cummings. Players making this connection have a 10% chance of knowing his father was General Jonathan Cummings, current Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and de-facto Commander of the Military Government of the United States.) If the players leap to this conclusion on their own and ask Loretta about her grandfather, all she knows is that she does have a grandfather in the army and she thinks he is a Sergeant Major like her other grandfather, whom she calls Uncle Dan. Everyone else calls him Sergeant Major Rojos. Uncle Dan used to be in the army a long time ago. Any Ranger or Special Forces character with an MEB of 9 or greater will have a 5% chance of having heard of a Sergeant Major “Dangerous Dan” Rojos. If the players do not qualify, do not tell them. They will have other chances to find out once they get ashore.


PERSONALITIES
SERGEANT MAJOR “DANGEROUS DAN” ROJOS
Dan Rojos is just another black American career combat-arms NCO who came to Grenada to retire in 1987. He is a leather tough 64-year-old who still has the voice (and vocabulary) of a drill sergeant, and the belt line of a 21-year old. The red clay of rural Georgia still clings to his accent and the tropical heat of Grenada cannot take the temper out of a backbone forged in the blast furnaces of combat in places with names like the I Drang Valley, Dak Tu, Son Tay and Point Salines Airport.
Dan had been a Spec-4 in Vietnam when he pulled a wounded young lieutenant named Johnny Cummings out of the line of fire in the I Drang. He had been staff sergeant when he led the survivors of his battalion off a hill near old Dak Tu, the place where he won his Congressional Medal of Honor. He had been a Ranger Battalion Sergeant Major when Colonel Jonathan Cummings pulled him off the bloody tarmac under Cuban machinegun fire at Point Salines Airport one bloody October morning in 1983.
Dan is interested in ham radio operations and astronomy, being able to speak at length and entertainingly on these and other subjects. His house is hung with memorabilia of a 30-year-long military career. His walls are decorated with his Medal of Honor, an M16 hanging over the fireplace, and a large family portrait hanging in the dining room. The painting shows Captain Mark Cummings and his wife, Maryjo, with Loretta Ann between them and both sets of grandparents behind them. Besides Dan and April, General Jonathan Cummings and his late wife Glenda are plainly visible.
Military player characters will instantly recognize General J. Cummings, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and de facto Commander-in-Chief of the Military Government of the United States, from photos posted in every orderly room and barracks in every branch of the armed forces for the past eight years. If they have not figured out just who Loretta Ann Cummings is by this point, the painting should make the connection painfully clear.

[natehale1971]

Thank you so much stilleto69...

This helps alot. I'll be going with Morgan Freeman for what General-of-the-Army Jonathan Cummings looks like then. heck, i could have gone with the possibilty of the General being of mixed heritage since i found out that there are a lot of African-American general officers who got their start out as enlisted and worked their way up to the officer ranks. One such was a young mullatto who started as an enlisted man during Korea and retired as a Two Star General, and has numerous doctorates and masters degrees...

[Targan]

Did iPods exist in 1996? If not how could Cummings own one?

[natehale1971]

Originally Posted by Targan

Did iPods exist in 1996? If not how could Cummings own one?

In my alternate timelinle, the Sino-Soviet War didn't start until 2000, and the war doesn't really get nuclear until much later. This allows for the war to get even more nasty than in the main timeline. Basicly there is combat going on in every Unified Combatant Command... By pushing back the start of the Sino-Soviet war it allowed the Eastern Bloc to ecconomically start to catch-up to the west. Also allowed the developement of new weapons systems and the like on both sides... And allow players to be able to play a campaign in what ever kind of combat they wanted (be it Jungles in South America, Africa or Asia... Or deserts in the Middle East and North Africa...)

If you will have noted in the notes, GEN Cummings was one of the leading US Army General and Flag Officers who had pushed for the creation of the United States Africa Command during the 1990s.

[Legbreaker]

Originally Posted by kato13

Quick question what gaming system do you use. It looks like GURPS to me but I never played only looked as source books.

That looks suspiciously like the evil D20 system!

Such an abomination has no place here on these boards of pureness and good!

[natehale1971]

Originally Posted by Legbreaker

That looks suspiciously like the evil D20 system!

Such an abomination has no place here on these boards of pureness and good!

it's the d20 modern system, using some of the better sourcebooks that make the system flexible enough that you can actually build a decent character at lower levels that feels like they could be a 'real' character in a movie, tv or novel...

[kato13]

Originally Posted by natehale1971

it's the d20 modern system, using some of the better sourcebooks that make the system flexible enough that you can actually build a decent character at lower levels that feels like they could be a 'real' character in a movie, tv or novel...

I like some of it, and plan to steal bits for my custom system. To be honest I had not looked at the details of any D20 stuff.

[natehale1971]

The distincitions & flaws is great for designing a well-rounded starting out character, and some of the blood & guts II stuff is pretty interesting. But could use some minor modification to make it not as 'cheesy'

but i really enjoy it as a way to keep track, espeically since the system shouldn't be the end all, be all of any game. a system is just there to help deal with problems that arrises and needs to be dealt with. and if a system desn't just fit how you play, you should use one that does... heck, most of the time, we only used our systesms to create characters to get an idea of just how good they where when measured against other 'big named' NPCs that would be showing up to shape the plot/storylines we where having during a campaign.

[Targan]

Originally Posted by Legbreaker

That looks suspiciously like the evil D20 system!

Such an abomination has no place here on these boards of pureness and good!

Aww hell, if you guys have to put up with me talking about Gunmaster we'd may as well have someone promoting the evil D20. Although personally I consider the former to be 24 carat gold and the latter to be, how shall I put this, dung.

[Fusilier]

Originally Posted by natehale1971

Also allowed the developement of new weapons systems and the like on both sides...

But... Isn't it the old weapons that are cool?

[natehale1971]

Originally Posted by Fusilier

But... Isn't it the old weapons that are cool?

Oh yeah... but having to rely upon them alongside the new stuff that's starting to fail makes it even more fun.

having more opurtunities for 'old timers' having to teach the 'new kids' how things where done (just ten years ago or less) is so much more fun with my extended timeline.