Iron Stars - deckard

Deckard awakens in the Temple of the Five Suns on Terezinho, at the locus of the medication room. The elders suggested he rest here for a night to try to cleanse the vigor and urgency to act from himself, but if your first waking moments are anything t o go by, that was not enough

Deckard gets up, shaking the sleep off. Yep, that was useless! Maybe a nice morning swim'll help. I could at least catch some breakfast. He grabs the harpoon next to him, it hasn't left his side since he made it, and swings it around in a few lazy loops. Let's go! He heads out towards the shore.

The temple is situated around several tidal inlets, where small fish gather to feed and nest in the coral. The water is a crystal sky blue, almost indistinguishable from the sky itself. The hour is early and no one else looks to have risen yet

Deckard looks around, glad no once else is up yet. Let's hunt for something more fun, maybe something that'll fight back! He dives into the water, swimming past the inlets and heading for deeper waters.

The water cools as you swim further away from the surface. Schools of trout and other tropical fish part before you. The icy water is invigorating and a nice change from the already very warm day above

Nothing like an early morning swim to sooth your scales. Deckard eyes the trout, but wanting something more than just a meal he looks around for larger prey.

(Notice wis)

(5)

You don’t notice the ramfish sailing out of the dark below you until it’s almost right on top of you, but it’s sawing teeth miss

(Dude almost got shark conked

)

3

Deckard whirls around, jabbing his harpoon straight into the ramfish's mouth. (Crit/7->14)

The ramfish never sees the blow that ends its life. The point is honed and punches deep within a gap in its head plate, destroying the brain stem

Deckard grins as adrenaline pumps through him, more pleased at his skill than disappointed it ended so quickly. His harpoon goes on his back as he grabs the fish with both hands and hauls it to the surface.

It’s large for what little is known about them so far. More and more have been finding their way to shallower currents.

Deckard notes the curiosity, but doesn't think too much of it, hauling his catch out of the water. He looks around to see if others are awake yet.

A few of the early rising brothers are admiring your catch , looking on from the temple steps

9:37 PM

They’re too far away to easily call out to you

Deckard waves and drags the fish up the beach towards the temple, hoping the kitchens will cook it for him and his brothers.

The onlookers begin walking over now that they see you’re ready for them. “A fine catch! This will be a worthy meal for all of us tonight”

"Bugger didn't know what hit it! I haven't seem one this big close to shore, guess I got lucky. What's the schedule for the morning?"

"Prayers, some reading, then some more, heavier reading"

9:56 AM

"Isn't that wonderful? my favorite type of day!"

Deckard's eyes nearly fall out of his head he rolls them so hard. "Yep. That's just the best. You know, I think I left something back in the water, I'll be back later ok?"

"Of course, see you for first discourse today my brother"

10:32 AM

They begin dragging the fish to the temple, this days stew meat

Deckard walks back to the water, pacing back and forth on the beach where the surf washes over his feet. I'll need to talk to the elders later about my place here... but for now, no way am I going to spend the day reading. Praying I can do. In my own way. He smiles and enters the waters once more. Let's go deeper than I have before, I'll honor the gods in their own home!

(I picture deckard as having pushed the envelope a couple times already, so he's going pretty far down?)

2:09 PM

(3xp, and 5000 credits from before too)

(Yeah, wanting to check out the ocean floor, assuming it's not pitch dark and the pressure would kill him lol)

(It would be both of those things down there)

2:12 PM

(that's ironically what Galene is lobbying for back on Gudrun right now, some more exploration effort down there)

(So probably not that deep then

lol)

2:13 PM

(Maybe just further out rather than deeper)

2:16 PM

(Grabbing elemental warrior and upping dex 16->18 for level up)

(bonza!) The waves grow less intense as you make your way further out to sea, past the breaker shoals where waves normally are interrupted before coming to beach near the temple. This is generally as far as most swim on their exerxises

Deckard floats on his back, staring up at the sky. "It's quite peaceful out here, you'd think the others would want to pray someplace like this. Much better than a dusty temple. Too bad peace is so boring." He dips beneath the surface, staring down at the fathomless depths below. I wonder what's down there. Past where we can swim. He continues swimming out, further from the land.

(Exert con)

(4

)

You’re buffered by the harsh current as you move out past the shoals. The water is cold and dark

A bit worn out from his earlier swim, Deckard decides to head back to shore, hoping to have missed at least some of the reading.

You’ve missed the first reading and most of the second as the tide slowly drifts your exhausted body back to the beach. The temple ground are empty

9:12 PM

As everyone is inside

Deckard tries his best to sneak in, though he's sure his absence was noted. At least enduring their tongues is less painful than sitting still in a room for hours.

Youre nearly to your assigned seat when you feel a firm hand on your shoulder "We missed you this morning"

Deckard winces and turns around, "I went on a meditative swim. I thought being in the realm of the gods would help me feel their peace."

"and did it?" the elder asks, his eyes narrowed to razor fine slits

Deckard sighs, "Elder, I must again request a remote station, you know how I am. Send me to the simians, surely I could help there. Or I could go offworld and help the humans. Spread our Order's goodwill throughout the galaxy, that sort of thing. There's no peace for me here."

"I've been thinking over what you've said, for a long time. And I think you are right. This temple is a prison for you, and for you to be as free as the tides, perhaps there is another ocean you can swim:

A gleam of hope kindles in Deckard's chest, "I will do as you ask Elder. Is there anything I can do for the order? We must have needs for agents outside our temple."

"I've heard there is an academy on Gudrun for people like us, and of another order much like ours on Miriam, having some troubles right now. I'd try either one of those places to start"

An academy sounds just as boring as this place. "What kind of troubles is the other order having?"

"They're based on Miriam, I'm not actually sure too many of the details. I'd recommend heading there and asking directly"

"Bit of a temperate shift there from here. I'll do that. Do we have transport here or should I head over to once of the ports?"

"We've been able to maintain our peaceful, contemplative paradise here by not allowing overflights. You'll have to head to one of the ports, but we can get you there"

"Of course, elder. Is there anything you require of me first, or am I able to leave right away?"

"You're able to leave as soon as you are prepared to"

"Very well." Deckard heads to collect his things, turning before he leaves, "Thank you elder." He grabs his few possessions and heads for the docks.

A small hydrofoil is what the order owns for when they need to go beyond what can be swum. Two acolytes crew it

6:56 PM

And you’re directed to it once picked

Deckard boards the hydrofoil. "It's been a while since I've left the temple, where are we headed?"

“New Antioch. From there the lifter to space and then Miriam. You’ll be the first of us in a long time to leave the planet

"I imagine so. Well perhaps more will follow, I don't think it'd be such a bad thing to shake things up around here a bit."

7:44 PM

Deckard settles in for the ride.

The trip is about a day of tearing over the open ocean, in the ultra-fast hydrofoil. The coastal city of New Antioch emerges, its white buildings lit a myriad hue of orange, pink, and flame red with the setting sun. Schools of fish basking in the late day heat scatter before the sleek craft. You see a lifter touching down on the beach, its engines kicking up sand

Deckard thanks the acolytes and bids them farewell, heading toward the lifter on the beach.

The lifter pilot waves you in, unable to get out right now with needing to keep it on the ground. The side ramp opens to allow you on

"Hey there, name's Deckard. Can this ship get me to Miriam?"

“Just into orbit. There’s a passenger ship waiting for you there. Nice to meet you Deckard!”

6:40 AM

Once you’re aboard the ramp shuts and the engines pick up. You begin flying over the island, and the endless sea and sky become one after a long moment

"Ah, of course. Lifter. Makes sense." He watches as his planet shrinks. And the monks are content on their tiny island on a small blue ball with so much else to do. A wonder I didn't go mad there.

The platform hangs in space above the planet and you can see a ship docked to the part furthest from the ongoing construction. It looks to be a liner of some kind

Deckard boards the platform and heads towards where he saw the ship docked.

The liner is recently upgraded and the carpet is still a vibrant red/yellow/blue hue. It has a pleasant and crisp smell in the air. Two crew are in the cockpit, reviewing maps

Deckard feigns disinterest in the ship, trying to act like it's not his first time in space. "Hey there, this the liner headed for Miriam? I heard that place is pretty cool."

2

(Groan) “this is. We will be making the jump within the hour. You’ll find a cabin back there to your liking, have a few special Merlon compartments

"Special Merlon compartments? I like the sound of that." Deckard heads back to his cabin to check it out. Hopefully they have a pool or at least a large tub, I don't imagine swimming on Miriam would be pleasant.

They do have a pool and it is heated to the temperature scientifically proven to be most comfortable for you. It feels incredible. An Ad-Astra, EI, WS, and RBOE logo are all printed in colored tile across the bottom

Deckard enjoys soaking his scales in the pool, waiting in there for the jump. I could get used to this.

There is a momentary dislocation, as the spike jump kicks off

(No downtime plans if you wanna skip ahead)

Several days pass as you make your way to Miriam. The frost locked planet is below, turning in the heat of a sun now too weak to warm it

"Can you let me off at the local order's temple? If not then just the nearest settlement will do, I know ours doesn't like people flying over."

"It's the same here, Nearest settlement is the hub, you should be able to find a driver to go the rest of the way from there"

"That'll work, thank you." Deckard goes to gather his things and debark.

The Hub is a domed city, walled and insulated against the cold. To the far west, a snowstorm is beginning to build. Dozens of workers, and a few snowcat vehicles labor outside, near the external landing pad

Hopefully I can make it before that storm hits. I doubt snow storms are any nicer than tropical ones. He heads over to the snowcats, looking for a ride.

There are several pulled into a herringbone parking lot, their drivers smoking or playing dice with one another, all competing for the meager transport fares that so rarely come into miriam

Deckard approaches, "Which of you lucky gents wants to take me out to the sunblade temple?"

They all tussle with one another to try to be the first to get the fare before one finally triumphs

6:41 PM

“Right this way sir. The heat in my rig actually works!”

"Heat is lovely. Is the trip long? Looks like a storm is coming, I'd hate to get marooned out there."

“Not long from here. We should beat it. Climb aboard”

7:58 PM

The snowcat is a press metal and insulated can of a vehicle on studded snow tracks

The vehicle takes off, rolling over the snow pack as the blizzard behind is moving in. You arrive at the temple of the knotted wheel just a few moments before the storm breaks. It looks as though the driver may be staying. Viola , and aiden, two young sunblades are in residence here along with their lorekeeper elder kennore, and knight commander Lancaster

"Well done and thank you, looks like we made it just it time!" Deckard tips the driver a little extra before approaching the sunblades, "Greetings friends! I'm Deckard of the Order of the Five Suns."

"Deckard of the Five Suns, Welcome to the Temple of the Knotted Wheel. I'm Viola" the woman says "And this is aiden, our initiate. It is a pleasure to see a fellow order at our doorstep"

7:15 AM

"You would be the first, in a very long time"

Deckard bows, "It's an honor to be here! My kind doesn't like to leave their temple much. We heard you've been having a bit of trouble lately and the elders have sent me to aid."

"ah so you've heard of our trouble with the brothers of Fenris then, have we?"

"Brothers of Fenris? I haven't heard specifics, just that you could use some help. Are they another sunblade order?"

"They were. They were us once, now a breakaway faction. Only a few of us survived the massacre of their leaving. "

"Huh, I guess there are some benefits to being a mostly nonviolent sect. I suppose with your numbers reduced you're unable to combat them on your own, hence my being here. What can I do to help?"

"Come in, lets ride out this storm, and we can speak. Our lorekeeper would want some time with you too, if you have it. He is hard at work chronicling other sunblade orders, and their beliefs"

"Of course, a trade of information benefits both orders and I admit I'm most curious about yours and the Brothers."

"As are we, of you. Our last dealings with other sunblades have involved a lot more shooting them. Aiden here is a page, who surrendered after his knight was killed, and welcome back into the order. He will be your point of contact as far as the brothers and how they operate.

"I see, it's good to have someone with intimate knowledge of them. Are they just on this planet, or is this a wider threat?"

"Much wider. We don't know how far their network goes, but they're on several worlds, and may even have a highly placed contact in the UNW government. Our grandmaster even suffered a telepathic attack from a UNW dignitary, acting as a conduit."

This is awesome! "That is terrible! So not just your problem then. Well I'm glad to help, I'm one of our strongest warriors. Do you have any questions for me? Or I suppose your grandmaster has the questions. Should I go see him now?"

“Head on in take some refreshment. The grandmaster will be down from her room soon”

9:04 PM

“She’s still recovering from the incident

Deckard heads in to see what kind of refreshments they have and to wait for the grandmaster.

Inside, a long table has been set out with fresh fruit, brought in from offworld, reconstituted meat, bread, and a few other small dishes you can't easily identify. Elder Kenmore sits at the table, scratching away on the yellowed pages of a blank journal

Deckard grabs an assortment of food and sits across from the elder, trying some of the strange foods he doesn't recognize.

(Ready to do stuff here when you are, no rush!)

(Pressure's on Neko ⏰ )

There is a strange fruit like a pinecone with a ruddy outside , but inside a taste and smell like peach (edited)

6:29 PM

After ten minutes knight commander Lancaster enters, still a bit worse for wear and haggard looking

Deckard stands as she enters, "Greetings elder. You look well for someone who's endured what you have. I hear you're interested in other sunblade orders?"

“I am. We have a mutual enemy, an order of our own that would prey on us and we seek allies”

"My order is fairly isolated and the elders' weapon of choice is the tongue. But I've found that I'm more martially inclined, if that's what you're looking for."

“You’re a balance of both of what we value. The knotted wheel follow Vandar, the aspect of justice. What words cannot solve our hammers will”

Deckard unslings his harpoon from his back, spinning it with a flourish before presenting it to her, "Hammers don't work too well underwater, this is our preferred weapon when words don't suffice. Besides the remnant, I can't think of a time my brothers have chosen to use them though."

“The Brothers of Fenris May yet be the second group. How much have you been told?”

"Not much. Just that they violently splintered from your order and have since spread."

"They have. We're not sure what their end goal is, or what they might be up to since their attempted purge, and schism, but they're back, and they're meddling"

"So they're still on this planet? Where can I go to help?"

"We've dealt with the attack here, and that's just it. We don't know where else they're operating. We're reacting, not pro-acting, and that is where I thought our allies could be of use.

"Information gathering then. I can do that. I don't have my own transportation though, is there anything I could take? I'd rather not rely on that bloke I hired to get around."

"We've got a couple grav bikes, and if you need to get off world, we can call in shuttle service to make a landing directly"

"Let's try to clean out our own temple before rushing to others. I'll find their current base here so we can discover its scope and if we'll need reinforcements or not. Any clues at all to where they might be active here?"

"They aren't. Calidorious handled their operation here during the event that had me enthralled, but he went after them, to Lohitzune, and we haven't heard from him since"

12:43 PM

"He was supposed to check in over a week ago"

"Lohitzune? Guess I'll head that way then. Calidorious is one of your own I assume?"

"He is. A fellow Justicar of the Shaori, and a member of this temple. He's been my ward since the purge when his parents and most of our fellows were killed"

1:16 PM

"I can't help but feel responsible for sending him therE"

"No need to worry, I'll find you're ward and return with him safe and sound! What exactly was his mission there? Might as well complete that as well as find your friend."

"He was looking into Brother's operations there. We had reason to believe there might have been a safehouse or some kind of concentration of them"

"I'll look into that as well then. It seems likely that he'll be there anyway, hopefully captive but unharmed. Anything else I should know before I go?"

"They don't take prisoners" she says, sternly "Do not take any either. They'll use your kindness against you"

"No prisoners. I can do that. I'll leave as soon as the storm blows over. Anything you'd like to know about my own order while we wait?"

"Kenmore is probably about to shake out of his old bones with questions to ask you about the order you're from. I'll leave the history to him"

Deckard chuckles and turns to the elder, "Very well, I submit myself to interrogation. But afterward I'd like to spar with one of your initiates, all this sitting and talking makes me jittery."

"I'm sure you'll find no shortage of candidates here. Violet and Aiden have likewise grown bored from fighting one another"

"Hopefully I'll be sufficient to entertain them. Alright then elder Kenmore, ask away and I shall try to be patient."

(If you want to expand on the order a bit we can, otherwise we can move into the spar, i just wanted to give you an opportunity if you had ideas)

(Nothing too specific, we can skip.)

Aiden and violet are two junior sunblades in this order, both hoping to become full fledged members soon themselves. The weapon of the knotted wheel is the hammer, something they are both well schooled in using

"I haven't fought someone using a hammer before, this should be fun! Who wants to go first?"

Aiden jumps at the chance, hammer whirling as his muscles loosen. He is a young man, barely more than 15, but has the hard lined face of someone who has seen violence.- previously as a brother's squire, and then as one for Calidorious, who took him prisoner and showed mercy

"Not a very elegant weapon, your hammer. Bet it packs a whollop though." Deckard takes a defensive stance, feet wide, body low, harpoon held ready in one hand, a small buckler on the other, bouncing slightly on the balls of his feet. "My elders teach the path of still water. Small, efficient movements. But I've found water to not be very still at all." He grins, beckoning for Aiden to take the first strike.

aiden moves forward swinging his hammer high in a two handed swing. The head makes the air whine as it passes, narrowly missing your own head

Deckard flows to the side, using the momentum of his dodge to sweep out with his harpoon, aiming for Aiden's leg. (19/6)

Aiden yelps as the harpoon makes contact, and he counters with a swinging blow at your chest

12:08 PM

(Crit, but 3 with both hit dice)

Deckard winces but keeps smiling, "Solid hit!" He swings the harpoon around again, going for the other leg this time. (22/7)

Aiden raises a hand as the harpoon sinks deep, hammer dropping from his hand. "You're pretty good with that thing" he says breathlessly

Deckard rubs at good bruised chest, "You're not bad yourself! A little more force behind that blow and you might have taken me out. You want a go Violet? I've still got some energy left to work out."

Practicing with two hand hammers, she nods and moves her arms through the wide cartwheel motions to get her joints loose. "I don't need you to offer me first hit" she smiles. "Lets's see who strikes first"

"Very well then." Deckard readies his weapon. (3)

Violet surges forward and swings the first hammer high and the second low but the hafts are short and they sweep short than she had anticipated

Deckard jumps back to avoid the blow, but it makes it own swing fall short. (I assume we're ignoring shock for this, both of theirs would have damaged me)

(yeah its just a spar)

8:03 PM

(i wasnt going to treat it like life and death combat)

(Yeah I figured, just checking)

(12) "You're damn quick" she says breathlessly

Deckard laughs, "You're not bad yourself. You should try fighting in water, it makes moving through air feel effortless." He lashes out with a quick lunge. (22/8)

This blow lands cleanly and she ragdolls away from you, twisting round. She releases her grip on one of the hammers and turns to throw as it slides from her fingers

9:33 PM

(22/2)

The hammer impacts on Deckard's shoulder but he shrugs it off, countering with a throw of his own. (22/5)

She is knocked onto her back by the Harpoon, chest heaving with exertion.

9:48 PM

Aiden helps her up, and she concedes

Deckard tugs on his connection to his harpoon and it flies back into his hands, "Thanks for the spar, I really needed that. You guys are pretty good! We'll have a rematch once you finish your training alright? I can even give you some pointers if you want."

“Can you teach me to throw like that?” Violet asks, recovering her fallen hammer

"My techniques may not translate exactly for throwing a hammer, I imagine that's a lot trickier than something made for range like my harpoon. Your aim was true, but it didn't hit at the optimal time for maximum damage due to its spinning. Practice using the momentum of the spin to add to the strength of the hit. It's very difficult to perfect, especially against a moving target."

She mimes how you tried to throw, and falls, off balance with the weight of the hammer head

9:54 AM

"I'll need some practice" she laughs

Deckard laughs with her, "I'll bring your teacher back, I'm sure he'll be better able to help."

"Please, save him as soon as you can" (3xp)

"I'm off as soon as the storm lets up. Don't worry, I'm sure he'll be just fine." Deckard goes to find some rest to wait out the storm.

(I assume this counts for his meeting another sunblade order goal?)

(yeah)

1:47 PM

The storm blows itself out overnight, just a few short gales of wind by morning, its enough to have a shuttle from orbit able to touch down (edited)

Deckard gives his thanks to the grandmaster then heads back to the hub to board the shuttle.

The trip is quick and your enforced stillness comes to an end as a refurbished free merchant awaits in orbit. The ship looks to have had a few names since its birth, most recently, inides replaced and polished to a mirror sheen "Scrapper" is on a handful of surfaces inside

"Scrapper eh? I'm going to need one of these myself some day, can't rely on others forever. Doesn't need to be this nice but a large pool would be lovely." Deckard settles down for the trip with his few belongings.

“No pool but maybe we can set down in the ocean on terezinho after we take on fuel” the captain says, coming aboard. Most of him has been replaced with cybernetics and he wheezes with a mechanical rasp

"That would be most welcome, the cold here has rather frosted my scales." Deckard looks at the cybernetics with interest, having not seen many before.

"ah admiring the hardware? " he says as he catches your stare

"We don't see that much on Terezinho, doesn't mesh well with my people. I assume this wasn't all voluntary?"

"most of it was not" he rasps. "I caught a flesh eating disease on a planet to the south of here"

8:05 AM

"it was this, or death"

Deckard winces, "Is that the Ashen One planet? I haven't met any of them yet, but their old planet sounds horrible from what I've read. They'd have to stick me in three of four vac suits before I'd visit."

"I wish I'd done the same" he exhales with a mechanical wheeze. "So I am to take you further afield to search for someone. Did I understand the orders correctly?"

"Lohutzune. Looking for a fellow called Calidorious. Was looking into some bad folk there and hasn't been heard from in some time."

"Right. Well, settle in. We'll have a good current at our back, I hope"

Deckard makes himself comfortable, looking for at least a shower or bath to soak in.

There is a shower room, where the water seems to be recycled and heated often enough, and it looks to be comfortable enough for a long spell here and there

Deckard gets in the shower, letting the warm water wash over him as he waits for the trip to end. (As far as languages and downtime, I think the sunblade translation skill is auditory only so he'll start learning Slyth since that's mostly just written)

(that's correct, so yeah the written is good)

You arrive over the planet several days later as it begins it’s morning cycle. A message beacon left by the shuttle carting Doona and Cal here has been deployed, stating they will send word and return in a month.

(How long has it been since we heard from them?) Deckard exits the ship, looking around him for a good place to start his investigation.

(About three weeks or so, but that includes their trip here)

(Going back and looking at his thread Deron stayed with the ship, have we heard from him?) Deckard heads into the town of Blackthorn to look for signs and ask around.

(No he dropped the message beacon and headed back. That’s how you guys know, but he didn’t get back to Mariam by time you left

(Gotcha, just trying to figure out how much Deckard knows without metagaming lol)

(Makes sense to me!) Blackthorn is a larger village, though still agrarian and fishing based. Several sails have an icon of a golden fish against sky blue cloth out at sea, the fabric clean and their ropes oiled, in contrast to the other smaller boats out

Deckard heads towards the docks, hoping to score some fresh fish as well as information.

The dockworkers pull several from the fishing nets loaded onto the deck, stringing them out at hurriedly salting them so they preserve and cure in the sun

Deckard approaches the workers, "Hello there, I was looking for a couple friends of mine, have you seen them around recently?" He shows them a picture of Cal and Doona.

"ah yes, few weeks ago, Were asking about the guilds, and then went with some pilgrims out of town to see the monks who live at the solar collector. Hard to miss 'em. Hard to miss anyone from offworld"

"I'm sure. Have any of the pilgrims they left with returned?"

"They have but your friends were not among them. The wagon returned short of its offering chests, and them"

"Is there one I could speak to? I suspect I'll need to make the pilgrimage myself but more information never hurts."

“I think Mabon, over in town hall was on that trip. He could probably tell you more than we could”

"Thank you good chaps, you've been most helpful." Deckard tosses them a credit stick before swiping one of their fish and gulping it down raw.

They pocket the stick and watch in awe as you consume it the way you have

Deckard winks and heads off for the town hall.

The town hall is a small keep with a few clerks and a about half that number of actual decision maker types here. One very clearly looks like the man described

Deckard approaches the man, "I heard you were on a pilgrimage a few weeks ago with some offworlders. They're friends of mine and I'm afraid I've rather lost them, could you tell me when you last saw them?"

"I saw them last the night before we reached the solar collectors. They went off into the forest chasing after some kind of faerie light"

11:00 AM

"We didn't see them after that"

"Before you reached the collectors? Interesting. Are there any caravans leaving soon?"

"Another pilgrimage is set to begin tomorrow"

"Excellent, I'll leave with them then. Thank you, Mabon." Deckard leaves to prepare for the pilgrimage. (I know their supplies are limited, is there any gear he could buy?)

(Not really electronics, or advanced weapons, but basic adventuring supplies)

(A couple glowbugs and low-light goggles?)

(THey'd have the glowbugs)

1

Deckard grabs a few glowbugs and takes a quick swim before heading back to the ship to sleep there before heading out in the morning.

There is a small cart, pulled by two horses, with a handful of sacks of food, and an offering chest in it. Ten other pilgrims are there with their own offerings, milling around the cart, or speaking in two or three person groups

Deckard joins the group with his small pack and harpoon slung over his shoulder. He looks around to see if there are any sort of guards or if anyone else is armed. "This the group for the pilgrimage? About how long is the journey?"

No one else is armed but there is an approaching horseman with a hunting rifle who looks to be joining you. “The trip is about five days and yes. That would be us” the wagonmaster says. He has the weary look of someone who has been at this for a long time

"Five days isn't too bad. Do you see much trouble on the runs?"

“Not much. A bandit here or there but they’re only trouble if you’re unarmed or by yourself”

"Fair enough. Well, I'm ready when you all are." Deckard grabs his harpoon and settles in near the wagon, spinning his weapon idly in his hands.

The wagon is small, for tribute only, but those looking to make the trip look strong

Deckard waits around impatiently for the others to start moving.

There is a whipcrack as the reins cut air, and the horses begin to move, the rest of the pilgrims following suit. The horseman not attached to the wagon (security) begins moving forward to scout the road ahead. Flaregun drawn, just in case.

8:32 PM

"Lets hope this one works out better than the last" the wagon master grumbles to himself

Deckard follows along beside the wagon master, "Trouble with your security?

“Last trip. Had some bandits sneaking close to the camp and he was asleep. Thank the gods for those two offworlders. They drove them off without even firing a shot”

"Well with me around you shouldn't have to worry about that. I doubt bandits would want to tussle with me." He does an extravagant flourish with his harpoon. "Those offworlders are whom I'm after anyway. I heard they went off chasing some lights?"

"Night before we got to the solar collectors to see the brothers. Ran off into the woods, chasing some kind of witch light. Exactly that. Not sure what happened to either of them. We spent a couple hours looking for signs of them, or their bodies , but we had to move on after a while"

"We'll see if I can have better luck then. Guess I have a few days of travel to kill." Deckard moves to the outside of the group to be on the lookout for any bandits or strange lights.

"You'll be moving almost the whole time. You seem like someone who doesn't enjoy being idle for a long period of time"

"You're not wrong there. I don't like waiting around or being confined. Gives me conniptions. Walking is better than nothing though. Anyone fancy to train with the shortspear? Cheapest weapon to produce and simpler to learn than most melee weapons. Not great against rifles but I doubt your bandits are much better armed than you."

“Might get some takers when we stop for rest tonight. It gets a bit lonely around the fire sometimes. Most people do this kind of thing because their own lives have a big problem. Offerings to the monks sometimes help. They have some interesting gifts”

9:44 PM

“Strange though that they all carry pistols”

Deckard's ears perk up at the mention of pistols, "Strange gifts and they all use the same weapons? Very interesting indeed. How long have they been here?"

"About a year or so now. They built a small temple in the ruins of the solar collector, thats who we're going to see after all. They've been able to bring some of the power back , literally. Giving them some food and provisions in exchange for their continued work seems small"

"How benevolent of them." I wonder what they're getting out of this. (Ready to skip ahead till something happens)

The wagon rolls along for two nights and two days, and the third dawns, to find the security trooper is not with the rest of the group. "Damn it all. This is the same thing that happened last time" the wagon driver says, as he makes his rounds with you, getting everyone else up and ready to move. Your short spear classes over the last two nights have had almost everyone attending, eager to take this rare chance to learn something from an alien species. You are often times asked questions about merlon culture as well, and feel that you have at least an amicable, if not friendly working relationship with your fellow caravan mates after these past couple days of shared travel

"You think he followed those lights? Has anyone else seen them?"

"He might have. I've seen them once before, so have a few other regular pilgrims, but none of us felt anytihng like that before, nothing making me want to chase after it"

"Let me see if I can find any tracks or signs of him, otherwise you should move on." Deckard searches the surrounding area for any tracks or signs of anything strange.

(Survive/wis_

(4. Better than the last time I rolled with a -2 mod though

)

You find some horse tracks, but they vanish or become too hard to find in the dense forest undergrowth. You do, however, find some tempting looking berries

Deckard picks a few berries, popping a few in his mouth before heading back to the group.

"He left that way but it's impossible to track with that undergrowth. Not sure if I should try to follow or just keep going. Want some berries?"

“Let’s just keep together. I can’t have everyone running off. Not with the security gone now.” He peers into your hand. “Those are good luck. Gooseberries are a sign of good health”

"I'll stick with you for now, I'd still like to see the brothers. If they don't have what I'm looking for I'll look out here some more. Assuming the lights don't take me tonight as well."

"Try to stay close to camp, I'll do my best to stay awake and keep an eye on things with you" he says.

"At least the people here now have some small measure of self defense, they've done well with their limited training even if it's mostly done out of boredom. I've quite enjoyed myself."

"It seems like it's been good for them, its been a nice way to keep the muscles loose around the fire in the evening. Anyway, lets be off, we should be close to where we're going tonight, and I'd expect to be there late morning tomorrow"

Deckard nods and takes up a position in front of the group where their guard had previously ridden.

At midday, the caravan stops for rest, for a moment. (Notice/wis)

(5)

You catch a brief glint of something shiny, like glass, or a scope, from the top of a nearby hill, but as soon as you notice it, it vanishes

Deckard walks up to the caravan master, "I think we're being watched, I'm gonna go check it out."

He nods. “I’ll get the people together and ready to move. Just in case.”

Deckard heads towards the hill, staying low and trying to use cover to approach stealthily.

You approach the base of the hill, and continue to see the glimmer, and as it moves you can see that it is clearly tracking the caravan. A man in traveling clothes of dark leather armor and thick cloth pants, shirt, and boots is looking through a crude telescope. An ornate pistol at odds with the rest of his gear is on his hip.

Deckard sneaks up close to the man before standing up straight, harpoon held loosely at his side. "Hey there friend! Looking for something in particular?"

He jumps in alarm and the telescope breaks on the ground. His hand reaches for the pistol on his belt

Deckard holds his hands out disarmingly, "No need for that, I'm a friend." (Committing effort for Insinuating Will. He gets a mental save, on failure he believes what I say or carries out whatever I request as long as it's not damaging or suicidal)

(Failure)

"Just answer my questions honestly. Why were you watching us?"

"Keeping an eye on everyone approaching the collectors"

"Do you know anything about the strange lights people have been seeing?"

"Ah, the locals. I think they're confused when they see our strobe lights in the darkness"

"And those who follow the lights, what happens to them?"

"We captured two UNW members, snooping around, chasing one of our scout teams, if they're locals we just knock them out and let them go"

"Are the prisoners held at your base?"

"They are. A man and a woman. Both very strong" he taps the side of his head a couple times, to show what kind of strong he means

Deckard nods, "Of course. The UNW invaded my planet and forced us to join their union, I'm well aware of their strength. What are your plans with them?"

"They havent yielded much information yet, but they're close to breaking. Once we have what we need we're going to kill them"

"Have you heard of the merlons before? My people are famed negotiators and diplomats. Less publicized is that those skills transfer to interrogation as well. I would be willing to lend a hand under certain conditions."

11:32 AM

(Insinuating Will is an effort/save per suggestion so he's not under any obligation to obey me besides answering my questions honestly without committing effort again)

"I don't think they'd like that back at the collectors."

"I suppose that makes sense, they've no reason to trust me. Perhaps there's a way I could prove myself to them?"

"There's a security type person roaming around here. We shot his horse but he survived the fall. Find him, bring him to the forest at the edge of the hill the collectors are on. I'll be waiting"

1:31 PM

"He's failed us for the last time:

"Sounds like no problem for someone like me. How did he fail you?"

"He was careless, brought those two back to the temple instead of just killing them in the field. We lost six brothers trying to restrain them"

"Do you need him alive when I bring him?"

“No. Not necessary. Just proof of the deed if a live capture is not possible. The brothers will be pleased”

"The forest at the edge of the hill. I'll be there." Deckard takes his leave of the brother, heading out to find the man's fallen horse then track him from there. The caravan should be fine for the last day. The brothers won't harm them and their small amount of training should be enough to keep bandits away.

The horse is not hard to find, it has lost an incredible amount of blood and you had a bit of an idea of where to find it in the first place. The saddlebags are still attached, but it looks like animals have been feasting on the haunches of the beast

Deckard goes through the saddlebags, keeping an eye out for scavenging animals.

The haunches of the horse have been picked clean. Inside, you find a pistol similar to the one seen at the hip of the Brother observing the convoy. There is a thick cord of rope, a few power cells, and a compad.

Deckard puts the rope and cells in his pack before checking the compad to see if he can access it. (edited)

The compad does not have a lock on it and there is a satisfying click as you run your finger across the screen. The chat function is working, and it looks like there are two messages asking for status reports, and location of the wagon train.

Deckard puts the compad away for later and finally picks up the pistol carefully. (Using another order's weapon would be kinda sacrilegious right?)

(I think its one of those things where if you have no other option, or a survival situation, your life is more important than tradition)

10:54 AM

(Deckard seems like he sort of bucks tradition anyway, so he might not have any scruples about it)

(Yeah, was just wondering)

(I think it would run the spectrum really, The Knotted Wheel would probably look unkindly on it, but the brothers obviously have no such concerns)

(Yeah I figure the five suns would be in the middle. The weapons are mostly symbolic and they don't have significant attachment to them since they don't use them often)

The pistol is clean, and does not look to have been fired recently. You feel cold essence within it, a capture in microcosm of the newfound blistering cold of Mariam.

Deckard keeps the pistol at his side just in case and looks around for tracks or a blood trail.

There are tracks going into the woods and they are not subtle, boot prints made in the ground some half filled with congealed blood. The bark of a few passing trees is likewise stained with long dragging hand prints

Deckard follows the trail, keeping as much distance as he can from it while keeping it in his sight so he doesn't stumble into a trap. Doesn't seem like he'll put up much of a fight. Pity.

You hear panting and heavy breathing carried on the wind, coming from north of you, and you see more blood on the ground though the trail looks to be growing thinner, as wounds begin to clot

Deckard circles around, trying to get a glimpse of his quarry. He readies his harpoon in one hand, the pistol in the other.

You spot him, sitting propped up against a tree, pistol in hand, and panting heavily. His cream and pale yellow tinted shirt is darkened with spreading blood, injuries from the tumble off his horse. He does not seem to have noticed you

Deckard sneaks up behind him, trying to disarm him so he can question him.

(sneak/dex vs his notice/wis)

(11)

He does not seem to notice that he is being observed and stalked through the brush

(What should I roll to disarm?)

(theres an actual rule for it, let me find it)

2:17 PM

(Shooting it out of his hand can't really be done, but you can wrestle/disarm)

2:17 PM

(It's an attack roll but i forget what the modifiers are off the top of my head- one moment)

(Yeah was gonna knock it out with the harpoon)

To execute a disarm, the assailant must choose to spend their Main Action doing so and make a successful attack roll. If they hit, they do no damage; instead, both they and their targets make Dex or Strength-modified skill checks with the weapons they’re using, with the defender gaining a +3 bonus on the roll. If the attacker wins the opposed check, the enemy is disarmed. On a tie, both are disarmed. Disarmed weapons skitter 1d4 meters away in a random direction. If the attacker beats the defender by at least three points on the opposed check, they end up in control of the weapon if they have a free hand.

(Sunblade/dex 13)

(9, they are disarmed and you have control of their weapon)

2:30 PM

By time he realizes he has been beset upon, a flash of scales wrenches the pistol from his hand, and all he can do is look up in shock

Deckard holds his harpoon up to the man's neck and smiles, "I heard you're in trouble with your friends. Answer a few questions and I'll grant you a quick death rather than whatever they have planned for you."

He sits back, resting his head against the tree. "Okay" he rasps "Okay. I'll talk"

"Why did you take those two prisoners back alive? And what are they hoping to learn from them?"

"UNW operations. Temple of Knotted wheel survivors"

8:32 PM

he is breathless, aspirating dark arterial blood down his chin, dripping onto his shirt

Deckard nods, "Thanks. Hardly needed to send me after you though. Here, a warrior should never die unarmed." Deckard places the pistol back in the man's hand before pushing the point of his harpoon through the man's neck, pinning him to the tree behind him. He withdraws his weapon and cleans it before tossing the body over his shoulder and heading back towards the edge of the forest.

(Heading to the meeting point?)

(Yep)

The meeting point is quiet and you arrive close to evening, to the snapping and swaying brush of the would-be spy emerging. "Have you completed your work?"

Deckard lays down the body of the man, "It was easy. He was mostly dead when I got to him. Have I proved myself useful enough?"

"Very. Do you think you can do the same to some of those layabouts we have back in the camp? The prisoners, I mean"

"Easily. They'll be a nuisance to your people no more."

“The apostates will pay for their treason and heresy. Once we get what we need from them” he says pleased. “Come with me. I’ll bring you to the rest of the family here on planet”

"Lovely. I think your family and I have a fruitful relationship ahead of us." He follows the man wherever he leads.

The walk is about an hour long, heading to the base of a plateu. On its top, a massive solar collector farm and clusters of stucco buildings bask in the exact same amount of sunshine every day, as the planet does not wobble on its axis to cause a change in the length of days. Cables run out from it in all directions, though you get the feeling most of the substations it would connect to have been broken or otherwise damaged

Deckard continues following the man, "Nice place you got here. You even have the locals bringing you gifts and supplies, smart. Why'd you set up shop here? Doesn't seem like this world has much going for it aside from nice weather."

“The collector powers our sensors and advanced radar. Told the locals it’s mostly broken, slowly trickling out the excess power here and there so it looks like we are working but it makes a fantastic listening post”

7:30 PM

“Even if they find out someday, sticks and rocks against pistols and heavy weapons. I think we have the locals well in hand”

"They seem fairly simple and ignorant, I doubt they would find out on their own. What's the range like on your sensors? Reach as far as Gudrun?"

“Not quite. We just transmit reports from other agents and send them back to where they’re going”

"Still, an important post. Very useful to those back at headquarters. Where is that by the way? I was surprised you'd been ousted from Miriam. Damned apostates."

“You’ve been helpful but you’re still an outsider. I’ve said too much as it is”

"Of course, I didn't mean to overstep. Merely curious. Lead on, friend."

You’re taken up the hill to a trio of low ceilinged stone buildings. Six brothers mill about the area. One has a spyglass keeping an eye on the road. Currently he is tracking the wagon train of pilgrims coming. All have the same pistol on their hip

Deckard approaches, leaving his weapons at his side. "Hail, brothers. Don't worry, I'm here to help. Just ask your friend here."

"He's been exceptionally helpful. Helped take out the trash. He says he might be able to get some information from those prisoners, but I'll let him advertise his own skills himself"

"My people are famed diplomats and debaters. Naturally my own order has extrapolated on this with more subtle forms of manipulation. I may not be as skilled as our telepathic tidecallers, but I am not constrained by their cowardly morals."

“I like him already” and exceptionally brutish and bruised brother says, a long scar on the side of his face making his sneer far longer than it is. “Take him to the lockup, but keep an eye on him”

"Thank you brother, you won't regret it."

He nods, and youre taken to a squat building near the center of the complex, that looks to be the doorway for a building that is mostly underground. Originally this was probably once some kind of engineering space, but now it has been converted to a convenient lockup. There is another warden at the door with a keyring, idly leaning against the door.

"Hello there! I'm a friend of the brothers with orders to see the prisoners."

He looks to your companion, who affirms this.

2:21 PM

he takes the key ring off his belt and begins turning the heavy lock, and the door opens with a click of metal/ "Inside first cell block"

Deckard nods to the warden, proceeding in to the indicated cell.

Inside you see Charles and Doona both chained by their ankle to a peg set into the floor. They both look filthy and half starved. Doona has been fitted with nullmetalum shackles, and Cal has had a stud of the same driven into his arm

(Are they awake?) "Nulmetanium, smart. Unfortunately that interferes with my abilities but let's see what they have to say before we get to that."

(barely)

9:00 PM

"I'll leave you to it, I'll be outside if you need a hand with them"

9:01 PM

He begins heading back up the stairs, and the light from outside fades as the door shut

Deckard looks around for any cameras or windows for them to watch through.

There are two fireproof and barred windows that allow the passage of dim light, but nothing else, set into the far western wall of the room, but the glass is frosted and very thick

9:20 PM

(like those basement block windows)

Deckard approaches the captives, keeping his voice just barely above a whisper, "Doona and Calidorious? I'm Deckard Arcfin, Order of the Five Suns. I've been sent to help."

Cal nods his head weakly, Doona does nothing but stare with glassy eyes

"I guess neither of you are up to fighting our way out, even if I remove your bindings. Sorry, you'll have to keep them on a bit longer." Deckard cuts his own hand, spreading the blood on his clothes as if it were from beating the prisoners. "Any advice before I bullshit our way out of here?"

Doona points to her mind, and then with a trembling hand, to your head, you get the sense she's asking permission to do something

Deckard nods, acquiescing to whatever she's wanting to do. (Do I need to take the shackles off first?)

(Yes)

9:22 PM

(but she wants to make contact with you, once you do)

Deckard removes the shackles, grimacing as the metal briefly cuts off his own abilities.

You feel a warm presence in your mind Thank you. I thought we were doomed, and we would never see the sun again

"You clearly have many who care for you. I don't think they would ever leave you to die. Do you know of a way out that doesn't involve fighting our way through the whole brotherhood?"

Cal nods, clearing his throat as much as he can "Blood sluice in the floor, room across the hall, grate is big enough to slip through, but gods only know what its like down there or where it drains to"

"It's a better plan than mine. I'm sorry Doona, you're going to need these back on for just a moment." He closes the shackles around her once more and heads to the door, raising his voice. "You guys have a better place for this sort of stuff? I'd hate for these new boots to get ruined by pools of blood."

You hear a chuckle from the other side "Oh yeah, got a special suite just for that." A key is passed through the doorway slot, "You need some help moving them?"

"They're mostly skin and bones at this point, I don't think they could fight if they tried. I can handle it." Deckard takes Doona and Cal into the room across the hall.

The heavy iron door shuts behind the three of you. An examination table and blood stained tools sit out in the cold breeze and dim light coming through another block window set into the ceiling. The drain on the floor is indeed large, and looks to have been cleansed recently

"How quaint. Let's get moving, we should have a decent headstart by the time they come check on me." Deckard removes both of their bindings and looks down the drain.

There is a 5m vertical drop into some kind of a dark pool below, you can see the water rippling, and it looks like there is some sort of tunnel or drain mouth to the right that allows drainage to move and not pool near the collector's foundations

"I'll go down first and I can catch you as you fall. I can't tell how deep it is, but honestly I can get us out easier if we have to swim. Wait for my word before you follow." Deckard drops down into the pool.

The pool is water. mostly, and deep enough to protect everyone from the height of the dive. There is a grate half down that leads into a tunnel, but it can be swum underneath easily enough

"Jump down, it's safe. You may be too weak to swim but don't worry, I can more than make up for it."

Cal seems to be finding some reserve of strength within himself, and looks to be swimming fine, but Doona is shaky, and flops into the water on weak limbs

"Don't worry about swimming Doona, just take a deep breath as we go under this grate. Relax your body and I'll pull you along." Deckard takes Doona by the hand and swims them both under the gate and into the tunnel.

The tunnel is dark but the water only half fills it, and it allows you to poke your head out of water to see. and more importantly for your human companions, breathe. There seems to be a very faint light at the end of the tunnel, but it looks to be at least a couple kilometers away, passing through the plateau the solar collector sits on

"Let's go, speed is better than stealth for now, I don't think they'd hear us down here." Deckard swims towards the light, carrying most of Doona's weight as she floats beside him and making sure Cal is keeping up.

You emerge after a short but quick swim, carried along by an increasingly rapid current, to spill into a shallow river, a slight taint of sludge and refuse from the collectors mixing into the clear water. You see you are a few kilometers away from the fortress at best, the end of the pipe 10m above you , cascading white capped industrial runoff.

"Ugh, disgusting. Like breathing in a thick cloud of smog. You two holding up ok? We need to get as far as we can before they follow, they'll know we came out here." Deckard sends a message to his ship. We need an extraction as quick as you can get to us. Not sure what vehicles they might have, but expect resistance.

The shuttle pilot still landed in the village since earlier in the week lifts off. Us? Are the hostages safe?

As long as you hurry yes. They're in rough shape and can't run long. Deckard takes off towards the ship with Doona and Cal as fast as they can manage while trying to keep their trail somewhat hidden.

The shuttle skins the surface of the water as the first sirens in the collector station begin to wail. The ramp lowers and you’re all pulled aboard, heading skywards. The proximity sensors in the cockpit begin going off

Once sure that Cal and Doona are on board Deckard rushes to the bridge. "I'm rubbish at this ship stuff, what do I need to do?"

The pilot points to the empty electronics officer seat, the conpilot is strapped in and the crew chief is getting the two patients secured. “Brotherhood vessel. Patrol boat. It’s definitely seen us”

Deckard sits in the indicated seat. "Alright, can we get away or do we need to engage?"

(7vs 14 for escape vs pursuit. ) “They’re on an intercept course. We are going to have to hold them off long enough to flee”

"Lovely. Want to toss me out the window at them? Or can I shoot them or something?"

“No weapons on the shuttle. We just have to try to shake them off while the drive charges. You any good at anything?”

"Mostly hitting people. Or talking to people if I need to. Not the best at ship stuff but I'll do whatever we need."

“I don’t know if we can talk our way out of this but you can always try. Stall for time. Anything. We just need to not be shot at”

"Alright, worth a shot." Deckard hails the other ship's comms to see if they'll answer.

The comms pick up. “Cut engines and come about UNW shuttle or we will fire” a stern voice says

(Commit effort for Insinuating Will) "Do not fire! I repeat, do not fire! The psychic witch captured me and one of your brothers, he's here with me she knocked him out with her mind powers. I think I can retake the ship if you just give me a few minutes."

(Do they get s save against that? Don’t have the book handy atm)

(Yeah mental save)

9:53 PM

(If they save could I do a talk/cha check to try and convince them?)

(they're going to get a chance to do something before we roll right into the check, but lets see how this goes)

7:01 AM

(16 vs 12, pass) The ships engines flare, but your own pilot opens the throttle in kind, keeping the pursuit distance where it is (10 vs 8)

"The warrior is dead, he was too wounded to put up a fight. If you give me the chance I can sneak up on the witch and end her I only need a minute." (Talk/cha 7) (edited)

The ship fires its engines harder, but pulls starboard, changing to a more shallow angle of intercept

Deckard disconnects the comms, "How long do we need? I think I got them to hold off firing for a minute."

"Another minute, almost got the course plotted"

"Can I do anything to help that happen faster?"

"Nav terminal, disable the course safety interlock! Then grab on to something!" (program int)

I have no idea what I'm doing... "Sure thing boss!" (3

)

The ship comes to a dead halt, as the plotting loss shuts the engines down, just as the spike drive fires

8:39 AM

(Lets get a d10)

(8)

(passed the check) The ship emerges over Terezinho, somehow ten minutes before you departed spike space in your original destination star, the crew is breathing heavily, everyone exhausted, and on the verge of getting severely sick from the translocation (pilot tied the check, oh man)

9:23 AM

The ship creaks, and systems are all dead, but everyone is safe, and whole, and life support has remained on

Deckard tries to stand and stumbles over on weak legs, breathing heavily. "Ugh, let's not do that again. Is everyone ok?"

Everyone groans, which is at least a sign they're all still alive

Satisfied that no one is too seriously hurt, Deckard goes to check on Cal and Doona.

They both seem to at least not be doing worse than they were when you found them

"Glad we got out of there in one piece. Doona we'll get you back to Gudrun and your academy. Cal, you mind if I come with you to Miriam? I can help train your squires and rebuild your temple while you recover. And when you're ready we'll come back and take down the brotherhood for good."

"I'd like nothing more. I have a few people there who would love to talk to you" he says with a throat that has not known water in some days

(I'm good pausing here unless there was something specific you wanted to RP. It'd be fun to bring him back once Cal gets back though)

(for sure. if you're ready to roll regbot back out, we can house this one, but 6xp, 20,000 credits as you go)

3