Iron Stars - bask

Bask awakens in the lamplighter platform Parvitar, sleepy and rubbing his eyes with two of his hands as the teleported crackles to life nearby. It’s been some time since the young slyth got a full night of sleep and hopes no one noticed passing out at his station. Minerals from the surface are beginning to come through. A new message is waiting to be read on the screen of the terminal in the control room here as well marked Urgent

Bask happy to have something to distract him from the boredom that originally led to him falling asleep on shift checks the urgent message

The message is marked Deployment Order and is signed by Lan Yu, a highly ranked Lamplighter responsible for many of the day to day operations while Grim is off adventuring and speaking with the various councils needed to keep their organization running. She doesn’t want to meet directly and instead has offered you to head for the shuttle bay here. You are being sent to Ilaria to speak with the Slyth and take them up on a contract to explore more of their large adopted system

Excitement fills Bask. My own mission, and with my own people Bask heads to his quarters and gathers his things before heading to the stations shuttle bay

(wanna meet up with A void warden player to do some scouting? )

(Sure, which player?)

(Karre, Einer’s new character )

(That will be fun.)

(sounds good, let me get that mission nudged a pinch further along and I'll set something up where you guys meet)

There is a LLF captain in the shuttle bay waiting outside the vessesl assigned to you. He seems nervous, and is doing his best to keep himself calm and level

“Hello, I am Bask. Is everything ok? I can’t help but notice you seem somewhat uncomfortable.”

"Bask, I was waiting for you. We have a special mission of a sort, and well, it is dangerous. Best you step on board and I'll discuss it with you"

Bask boards the ship, preparing himself to hear about the danger and thinking to himself. Danger? But I am just a scholar. There must be something important worth researching. With both fear and excitement Bask awaits the news of what the assignment will be.

"We're going to be heading to the former Shaper cluster. We're going to be linking up with an explorer team from the Void Wardens to check each world and make sure nothing managed to stay alive out there. It's impossible to know what to expect out there and most of the crew are feeling it"

1

“That’s understandable. I am feeling it too. But we will be safe and take precautions. The research we gather will be important.” Bask then takes his seat prepared for the flight

(I'll set up a group mission and we can meet Karre there)

Level 2. 
New HP is 7. 
4SP gained.
Taking Hacker Foci 3 points towards program, was already lv 0 so 2 points to get lvl 1 and 1 point towards level 2
using 2 sp to raise know to 1. 1 sp to get administer 0. 1 sp to get notice 0

2:57 AM

Level 3. 
New HP is 12. 
4SP gained.
raising program to 2 using 2 sp and 1 sp previously invested.
taking fix 0
taking pilot 0

(all looks right here)

Realizing that if he is going to continue going on mission he may find himself in danger Bask decides will spend the 3 days travel to the Voidwarden station researching books on techniques for handling a firearm. (3/80 shoot)

 
shopping list - pending approval and availability on VW station

Bioscanner - 300cr
comserver - 1000cr
remote link unit - 250cr
line shunt 3- 300cr
backpack tl4 - 50cr
low light gogles - 200cr
metatool - 200cr
navcomp - 500cr
portabox - 50cr
portable lader - 100cr
power cell type a 3 - 30cr
power cell type b 5 - 500cr
presure tent - 100 cr
rope tl4 100m - 200cr
spare parts 6 - 300 cr
survival kit - 60cr
telescopin pole - 10cr
rations 30 - 150cr
tool kit postech - 300cr
survey scanner - 250cr
atmofilter - 100cr
glowbug 10 - 50cr
armored vacc suit - 400cr

(Everything here looks to be in order)

(8/90 shoot with the 5 days downtime)

(14/90 shoot with 6 days downtime)

Soren (Grim)

used /roll

Grim Request: [4d6] Roll: [6, 5, 3, 2] Result: 16

Changed my mind. Forgot I was downtime working on shoot.
Level 4. 
New HP is 16. 
4SP gained.
raising know to 2 using 3sp.
raising talk to 0 using 1sp

(edited)

After all the work with the Shapers Bask decided he is ready to work on something else. With the station being engaged in the war with the Chimera he instead heads back to Tece. Here he heads to the LLF archives that know have copies of additional records that Grim was able to obtain from somewhere (the libraries he had coppied from the vampire clans). Bask will proceed to comb through the books and conduct research looking for any mentions or clues to old LLF relics or plans. (basicly wanting to work on the faction endeavor of discovering old llf relics or plans if that is ok?)

(lets get an admin/int)

Soren (Grim)

used /roll

Grim Request: [2d6+2] Roll: [6, 1] Result: 9

(9)

(we tried this with grim already didnt we?)

(We did Grim did not find anything)

(because there was nothing to find)

(If this came off as trying to do something underhanded I apologize. Not my intent whatsoever. I am just looking for direction on where to go to work towards the LLF endeavor.)

(You're fine, we just have run this particular lead dry. We don't have any leads right now, so we can explore planets and whatnot to try to generate more )

(Is the larger map known to the public yet? Just checking before trying to figure out what planet to explore)

(not yet)

12:29 PM

(We've got plenty on the existing map that are stubs or totally unexplored as well )

(Ok I will look through the world anvil tonight and find something)

(So my plan was going to be to head to Xandros. But I don’t think I have any available ships to get there. So depending on the enigmatic explorers fate. My other question would be if the element of reason is free now or if it’s still tied up with preceptor archive mission. Depending on those questions I may just need to explore Tece while I build Bask a personal ship)

(element of reason is available)

(Thank you. Tece-korophali-tecmeda-xandros 7 days downtime, 21/90 shoot)

(alright, I'll get a report together)

https://www.worldanvil.com/w/iron-stars-nekosmash/a/xandros-location

Xandros

1

Bask will try and examine the once inhabited moon further to see if there are any prominent ruined buildings or anything worth examining that may provide clues as to why the people left.

(Through scanners, or are we landing to check it out?)

(Scanners)

(program/int)

Soren (Grim)

used /roll

Grim Request: [3d6+4] Roll: [5, 5, 4] Result: 18

(14. Bask has hacker foci which is why the 3d6)

There was once an arcology on the surface- it looks to have been taken down and brought to the surface to be re-assembled. You notice gas vents close to the colony site that look to have opened recently.

Bask will don his armored vac suit and pack his backpack with the equipment he will need and then uses the ships teleport pads to head down near the gas vents. (Let’s say like half a mile away)

(d10)

Soren (Grim)

used /roll

Grim Request: [1d10] Roll: [7] Result: 7

(7)

Landing near the vents you can see that although the moon doesn’t have much of an atmosphere to speak of, there are toxic gasses venting from what’s been trapped below the rock. This fissure is new , and was not active when the original colony site was established.

Bask begins taking out his survey scanner and setting it up. Calibrating the device he then attempts to gather readings to see how far and deep the vents go and to analyze the gas to see if there is a way to make it inert, (probably nothing that can be done, just doing due diligence before moving on)

There doesn't seem to be a way to make it intert, but the fissure goes 500m into the crust of the moon before opening up into a cavern where gas concentrations are very high.

Bask will try and determine if the high concentrations of gas would be too much for the vac suit (as in can he explore or is it to corrosive) and if he can determine if the gas has any use (like can it be industrialized)

The gas is corrosive, it might have industrial uses where things that are corrosive might be called for.

Satisfied he had what he needs for now Bask will return to the ship and attempt to contact the leadership of the human population. (If they have radio vía that. Not sure if I can contact them from orbit as they are tl2)

(They do not have a way to speak with you)

After getting no response via the radio transmissions sent Bask decides to head to the surface. He first switch’s out of the armored vac suit and into secure clothing. Bask the. Teleports to the surface half a mile from the human settlement. He will the examine his surroundings to gain his bearings before heading towards the settlement

(notice or survive, either with wis)

Soren (Grim)

used /roll

Grim Request: [2d6+1] Roll: [4, 2] Result: 7

(7)

There are active hunting parties in the woods and the technology in use here looks to be human. You see a lope hung nearby from some kind of snare, struggling as it is still alive- waiting for the huntes to come collect and process it.

Bask will begin heading towards the settlement keeping his eyes open for any humans he may come across before getting to the entrance to the settlement. His intent being to introduce himself to whoever he encounters first.

1

3:00 PM

The village is rustic and it looks like only a few hundred people have packed into this place. many of them sharing generational homes from what you can tell by the sounds and sights as you approach. Two guards look to be making their way out to you, weapons held low but cautiously.

“Hello, my name is Bask. I am with an organization called the Lamplighter Foundation and I have come from off world. May I enter your village and meet with the leadership?”

"Off world? where exactly off world?" one of them asks, now raising his rifle into a readied position.

“My organization I belong to primarily works out of Tece or a mobile space station. But has locations across the Ironstars. Polities have formed and many worlds are involved in affairs outside of just their world. We can discuss it all further and I can fill in your leaders and share updated space charts if you would like?”

"None of these worlds are Lerden? There were once pirates who came from there to raid us"

“What I know of Lerden is that it is full of wrecks and an exploded station. The LLF conducts occasional salvage missions there. As far as we are aware though there is no one living there. How long ago was this?”

"Close to ten years ago, our last contact with the outside world"

“The most I can do I share what’s publicly known in the database, beyond that I don’t know anything else. The LLF is willing to help if you need to recover or rebuild. Our goal is to help planets recover from the scream.”

"Very well, are you armed?" one of them asks, looking a bit more relaxed but still wary.

“I am. Just a pistol that I can barely handle. I understand if you need me to turn it over.”

"You say barely handle, but a pistol in untrained hands can still kill. We're going to need you to turn it over"

“I understand your concern” Bask says as he slowly and safely hands over the pistol, ensuring the safety is on.

You are quickly taken into the village and up to the second floor of a barn converted into something that looks to now be serving as a town hall. Two figures sit behind a long desk there idly going through paperwork, and look up as you enter, escorted by the patrol.

“Hello, my name is Bask. I am here to learn more about your world and if desired help with recovery efforts.”

"Hello Bask, welcome to our settlement, You've come here at a strange time for us, but why don't you have a seat if you erm...can...sit, and I suppose ask your questions" one of them says, momentarily setting down the paperwork.

“Thank you. I stopped at the moon first and saw the fissures leaking gas. I am assuming that is why you moved. Between that and the pirate raid I was told about, I imagine things have been hard. So my first question is can the LLF assist you, and if so how best would you like that help? Rebuilding infrastructure perhaps? We are well known for building hospitals and universities. Also, can you maybe enlighten me on what is so strange at this time?”

"We don't trust anyone from off world, especially not with that moon cult just a few kilometers away from us. We don't want anymore help or anyone elses' involvement. We jut want to be left alone"

“That is your choice and I will respect it. I will however meet with the other residents of this world, specifically looking for the rumored Geon.”

"You're free to do that. We can't stop you" the other says.

“Thank you for your time and if you change your mind I will likely be on planet for a few days. When I leave may I have my pistol back?”

They nod , and you are given it back as you are escorted out of the settlement.

While being escorted out Bask will ask “Do you all have any maps or can you provide directions, or at least any clue as to where to start looking? Basically can you point me in the right direction to find the Geon?” (Understand if you don’t want to do a full map. Just trying to get a crumb to follow) (edited)

(I need to draw one for this planet, I'll get that done over the weekend)

(Just checking on map. I know things have been busy, so just being pointed in a direction is helpful too)

(I can show you the quiet year map, which I haven't drawn into an original just yet, let me get that for you)

12:24 PM

Bask will try and locate the cult of the moon that was indicated to be nearby

(Survive/wis)

Soren (Grim)

used /roll

Grim Request: [2d6] Roll: [5, 1] Result: 6

(6)

(How close would we want to get)

(Trying to meet them, so as close as bask can get in the open. Probably a bad idea if they turn out hostile but Bask would head straight there assuming there friendly)

You approach the woodline of the moon colony and you can see it looks to be habs and a few farms made out of the landed hulls of shuttles- then cut up and repurposed into something resembling a settlement. The moon- cult has kept their vac suits on to use as clothing, though without helmets.

Bask shouts his greeting “Hello, I heard there were people here. I’ve come to introduce myself. May I enter your community and do so?”

“You may stay there and ask your questions “ two of them say almost in unison as they abandon their task and make their way to the wood line

“So I am with the Lamplighter Foundation, I want to explore this world and be of assistance to those here potentially. People I’ve talked to already have called you a Moon cult. May i ask why, and what your goals or beliefs are?”

"Because we came from the moon, and we worshipped the celestial body that allowed us salvation from the wreckage of our fleet. We seek only to make a life and a home for our people"

“That is a noble goal. I actually visited your moon before coming here. Can you tell me why there seems to be a difference of ideology between you and the larger settlement?”

"No. I can't" he says

“I see. Is there a something you are working towards different than them maybe? Do you have a larger goal other than just building a life here?”

"we do not. The moon was not a place we could live anymore, and we want to live, so we are doing what we can to try to do that for ourselves here on the surface"

“That seems normal and reasonable. I wish you good luck with making a good life here. What wrecked the fleet, and do you have any historical records you could share?”

"We didn't wreck, we landed on the planet here and no longer need to return to space. These ships are our homes now, and one day there will be a town here , in a few seasons"

“That is impressive. Do the others not agree with building a town? It seems like the smart thing to do.”

"We're all working together to ensure this planet is a safe place to live for us all. The town will be built here, and we all know there is no chance for a return to space, nor do we desire one"

“Do you know anything of the rumors of Geon on this planet or where I may find them?”

They are relatively new presences on this planet and have not ranged far beyond their settlement, To that end they've also not have much to do with the settlement to their south and have not heard any rumors.

“Unless you have anything to discuss with me I guess I will be leaving. Thank you for your time.”

They dont seem to have much to discuss on their own. They are content to work on surviving here, and don't seem to want to look outside the other members of their cult for help.

Seeming to finally understand Bask departs towards the crystal stone forest. He will take his time getting there and stop at anything of note on the way.

(We're looking at several days of overland travel to get there, are we equipped for this?(

(If I head to the ship and switch my gear out I do. But I need to switch load out. Alternatively I can just have ship beam me closer)

(Let me know what you prefer )

(I will use transport beam to get closer, probably about a mile out from forest)

(d1)

8:05 AM

(D10 * )

Soren (Grim)

used /roll

Grim Request: [1d10] Roll: [10] Result: 10

(10)

A mile out from the forest the land is quiet and made of a grassland type area, where rodents and bugs claim dominion over the local plants. You see no evidence of inhabitation by anyone or anything out here.

Bask will continue towards the forest, at a regular pace. He will remain vigilant attempting to see if anything changes as he gets closer, but not trying to be stealthy or hide his presence

(notice/wis)

Soren (Grim)

used /roll

Grim Request: [2d6+1] Roll: [4, 1] Result: 6

(6)

You see no evidence of life in these woods aside from the creatures that live here like birds, bugs, and medium sized herbivores. There is evidence of some kind of canine predator at the top of the local food chain, but nothing suggesting civilization exists within these woods.

Bask realizing that if the Geon are here they are too well hidden from him for now will instead put effort into looking for the canine, hoping to catalog a new creature to add to the database. He examines the evidence he has looking to see if he can find the direction of the canine.

It looks like their territory extends east of where you are right now, toward a large highland area where mountain lope look to be present and plentful.

Bask before he goes yells out, “I don’t know if anyone can hear me or if there are any Geon out there, but my name is Bask and I mean you no harm, just want to introduce myself and make contact. I get if you are shy, I will be heading East looking to document some of the wildlife if you chose to find me.” He then heads east in the direction of the highland.

The woods are quiet around you. You move into the highlands and see the first evidence something is out here , and that something is a beat eater. A mountain lope corpse has been torn open. The guts and nutrient dense organ meat have all been eaten, and the hollowed out body is now home to flies and other insect eggs.

Bask will examine the area looking for tracks or disturbances in vegetation that may indicate the the trail of the predator.

From here, there are loose tracks that look to be about a day old leading up the highlands, through the woods. It looks like there is a snowy peak beyond that might serve as a place where this pack has made their lair. You see about six to eight distinct sets of tracks here.

Bask begins following the tracks while trying to remain vigilant although some distance away still, Bask is just trying to observe them from afar and not encroach to close or appear threatening

You hear the first howl after an hour of tracking. Unit is answered by three more

Bask will attempt to discern what direction both sets of howls came from.

The howls came in the direction you're traveling in. It seems you're getting close to the lair where these creatures seem to be living, though you cannot tell exactly how close from here.

Bask will carefully try and get closer while taking care to minimize how much noise he is making. (Trying to stealth approach if allowed, I will roll)

(will def need a sneak dex)

Soren (Grim)

used /roll

Grim Request: [2d6-1] Roll: [4, 1] Result: 4

(Using my expert reroll)

Soren (Grim)

used /roll

Grim Request: [2d6-1] Roll: [6, 3] Result: 8

(8)

You get to within 200m of the cave to observe it. Five Koth Hounds, the catch all for canine predators adapted from earth wolves and introduced into a number of different ecosystems , look to be basking on the warm rocks outside of their lair here, their snouts still red from eating a recent kill

Bask will observe the hounds for a bit, photographing them and taking notes on their behavior and appearance. (Basically just getting information for the llf database, then will move on) (edited)

(move on to what? i don't know how to progress based on that. (

After noting the location of the hounds and the details about them Bask will message the llf ship the transport him away and to about 1 mile outside of the liquid mercury tarpits

(d10 )

Soren (Grim)

used /roll

Grim Request: [1d10] Roll: [10] Result: 10

(10)

This close to the mercury vapors there are warnings that filtration equipment is needed. Not much lives in the area around the lake, though the vapors and liquid lake itself could be valuable for industrial purposes. There is another settlement close by, made of different folk than the moon colony.

Bask secures his atmofilter to his face and then heads to the nearby settlement

(sneakily or openly)

(Openly)

The colony is surrounded by a wooden wall, tall enough to keep you from seeing directly in to the village. Four guards near a gate they've made begin coming over to investigate as you come out of the mercury lake region, wreathed in fumes.

Bask introduces himself “Hello, my name is Bask. I am visiting the different locations and settlements here on behalf of the Lamplighter Foundation. May I enter your colony and talk for a while?” Bask also attempts to discern if they are juman like the rest of the settlers

They are human, and you're permitted to enter to speak with the village council. They have a home set up in the middle of the city, near a large community fire pit where many of the colonists are currently cooking their afternoon meal.

Bask sits near the firepit and begins conversing. “Did your people also come here from the moon with the other two groups?”

"We have always lived here on the surface. We did not come from the moon"

“How do you feel about the new colonists from the moon?”

"We don't like them very much. They're competing with us for a lot of the resources in the area"

“Do you know anything about Geon that also share this planet?”

"Geon? What's that?" the local asks. "Is it good for eating?"

“Haha, not so much unless you like eating rocks. They are a species of humanoid rock people. Have you heard any rumors of something like that?”

"Might have heard something about that, but you might need to do something for us to get the information. You up for a job?"

“Possibly depending on the job. I am here to help and want to be of assistance, but will need to hear you out before I agree.”

“We want the leader of the moon colony dead. They’re squatting on our land and they’re competing with us for the resources we deserve and are entitled to. “

“I am not really skilled and capable in the way of killing. I can help with negotiations between your groups but I am no assassin. Even if I agreed to your request I would very likely just get myself killed and end up causing an incident that negatively impacts you”

'That is what we are offering. We have tried to negotiate, and they ignore us. We need them removed, somehow. If you have another way to do it, maybe. but they don't see us as equals"

“I will see what I can accomplish to at least bring them to negotiations. If what I do benefits you and you are then willing to share information it would be appreciated, but I can’t agree to assassination even if it costs me the info. Hopefully we can all improve our situations peacefully though.”

If you are willing to try, and get the colonists to leave, the locals will give you the information they are after.

“I will be back shortly after I have made my attempt” Bask then departs back towards the moon colony. (Is it the main group the cultists or both that are of concern?)

(The moon people are one community )