Iron Stars - grupp

Grupp awakens today, the most fateful Of Days. Stonetusk has allowed an audience with this new possible shaman

Grupp stretches, scratches at his hindquarters, and heaves himself out of bed. "Ma!! Did you wash my robes yet?!" Grupp yells down the stairs. He stands in front of his mirror, flexing his four arms. He had discovered he could dismiss them too, and had experimented with different shapes and sizes of appendages, but generally kept to the same four so he doesn't freak anyone out too much. "Ma??"

"In the washroom Grupp!" she yells up the stairs. You hear the sound of dull sweeping down below, as the ever encroaching sand is blown back out into the desert- likely to be tracked in again later.

Grupp comes down the stairs, anxious to be on his way. "Thanks ma, don't know why you make me wear the gosh darned thing though." He makes his way to the washroom, putting on the thick, rough spun robes and grabbing his decorated stave. The odd bits of string, bone, and metal dangling from it made it unwieldy compared to the quartstaff he was familiar with, but Grupp felt more comfortable with it than nothing. He goes and finds his ma trying to sweep out the front room. "Well, how do I look?"

"I guess pa's already out in the fields. You'll tell him bye from me? Don't worry, I'll send letters often. Maybe even get you set up with a compad so we can talk more easily!"

“Pa’s out in the field. He waited for you”

Grupp hugs his ma with all four arms, "I'll try not to let them corrupt me too much, eh ma?" he says with a sly wink. "I'm only joking!" He gives a grunting chuckle at his own joke and walks out the door, waving to his pa calling out, "I'll try to be back for harvest, but no guarantees!" Who knows what the chief might want from me, Grupp thinks excitedly. Visions of grandeur filling his head, Grupp sets off for Delphos. (edited)

It’s a quarter days walk from the fields to Delphos and as you pass you notice many farmers out in the fields. Although winter never truly hits the desert it does get cold enough to stop what plans do grow here from sprouting

5:28 PM

Above, two piggen planes fly by, low and slow

As soon as he's past his farmhouse and out of sight of other farmers, Grupp let's out a loud whoop! and sets off into a quick jog, exulting in his freedom. His extra arms disappear and are replaced by fleshy, pink, bat-like wings. I've been waiting weeks to try this! he thinks as he spreads his wings wide. The spindly wings flap wildly like a drunken chicken and he flies almost as well as one. He glances up as the planes fly past, only slightly embarrassed at his awkward attempt to join them. "Hah! I guess that's not as easy as birds make it seem! Surely with some practice I'll get the hang of it. A piggen shaman can't be one to give up after a first attempt!" Perking back up after his self pep talk, he grunts joyfully and continues into the outskirts of the city.

2

A ground truck loaded with hay and several hand carts with more produce are all waiting to get inside the city walls, being checked over by guards. The flow of foot traffic seems unobstructed

Before approaching,Grupp shifts his disappointing wings back to his extra arms. Grupp snuffles at the produce, his stomach growling, then heads up to a guard that looks less busy. "Good afternoon my dear sir! I have an audience with the chief himself!" He gives a grandiose bow, "Would you kindly point me in his direction?"

1

“He’s at the palace. You’re expected. Head to town center and you’ll see it”

9:51 AM

The city is in the final stages of rebuilding, the city walls to the north the last things to be done now that homes have been restored

Grupp watches the rebuilding for a minute. We were lucky our farm wasn't destroyed, it's easy to forget out there the destruction he caused. Too easy, for some people. He shakes his head and continues to the palace.

Grupp walks up to the palace doors, announcing to the guards, "Grupp here to see the chief!"

The guards lead you through the forecourt to a large garden, fresh with plantings- one of the last things to be rebuilt here. Stonetusk is in the center of everything, standing in front of a fountain

Grupp strides up and bows deeply, "Chief Stonetusk, it's an honor to be here! Grupp at your service, though some people have been calling me 'shaman'."

"That remains to be seen" he says, gruffly. "The Piggen have not had any true shaman in generations. I needed to see this for myself. "

Grupp gestures to his extra appendages, "I'm not sure what the old shamans could do, but I can shift these around a bit to different forms and have performed some minor feats of healing. I would be more than happy to demonstrate or take whatever tests you need for me to prove myself. I am most anxious to do so." Grupp grins widely.

“Head to the monastery on the western side of town. The brothers will verify you. They’ll have the ancient rites.”

5:33 PM

“But I believe what my eyes are seeing”

Grupp bows again, with an extra flourish of his arms, "That means a lot chief. I promise I won't let you down!"

“I know you won’t. The monks will call with their verdict. Thank you for coming into town to meet”

Grupp leaves the palace and heads west for the monastery.

The Monterrey is a stone church like structure where 30 brothers use various mushrooms and herbs to enter trances and see visions of the future- or guidance from past ancestors. The majordomo is otr front

9:15 PM

Out

Grupp walks up with a friendly smile, "Hey there, brother! Grupp here, sent by the chief for a rite of some sort. Supposed to show if I'm a true shaman."

He says nothing, but bows deeply and brings you inside the receiving foyer of the building. The inside is kept cold by the stone, and it is a refreshing change from the already scorching sun outside. He rings a small bell with an ornate wound pull-rope, and two more silent brother descend the stairs, standing before you. One makes a gesture for 'follow' and begins walking toward the read of the temple

Grupp is a bit unnerved by their strange silence, but follows them further into the temple.

You're led to an altar room, where a small stone bowl has been inlaid on its top. Two candles made from a jellied and hardened herb mixture fill the room with a heady aroma. It is difficult for you to breathe but the brothers don't seem to complain or notice. "Proceed" the majordomo says, gesturing for them to lead you up to the altar. "We must test the blood. We do not need much."

Grupp steps up to the alter and holds his hand out. No good piggen should be afraid to spill a bit of blood, that's what pa always says.

The knife is sharp and you hardly feel anything as your palm is cut. The blood drips into the consecrated bowl, sizzling upon contact. Each drop makes a bloody smoke far in excess of what it should produce, Head already aching by the scented candles, Grupp sees figures in the smoke, shaman from past ages. The founding of the desert temple (which is your knowledge of the place now), the fights against the robots, and then even further back, to a time where piggen were among the stars themselves, a time that is more myth than legend to piggen of today. you have a vision of a homeworld. may sectors south, even further rimward, where lost fragments of the former empire may yet be

(The temple he's currently in, or the secret one?) Grupp gasps as he's assaulted by these visions. He shakes his head and blinks as it fades, "Ha!" A wondrous smile stretches across his face, "I saw the stars!" He looks around at the monks, "That was amazing! Did you see that? Wow..."

(secret one)

8:29 AM

As you come back to your senses you see that the rest of the 30 brothers here had filed into the chamber while you were enraptured in your vision. They are chanting, and are all down on one knee, heads bowed to you

1

"I guess that was enough to prove it then huh. Oh, umm... you can get up I guess?" Grupp is clearly uncomfortable with the bowing and reverence. "So.. do I go back to the chief now?"

"We will send a messenger to him to announce our findings. You need not trouble yourself with another errand. The brothers will do all we can to support you in your visions, and in re-awakening the might of the Piggen"

"Oh alright then. So... did you guys know there's an old temple out in the desert?"

"The piggen used a holy site out there long ago. It is a very quiet secret that Stonetusk gifted it to the UNW's psychic academy as a secret refuge. Their psychics and magic users are feared, and it is a safe place for them to go in the event of political violence"

"Psychics eh? Well maybe they'll be nice and share. So none of you have powers right? What exactly do you do?"

"We chronicle piggen times. The past, and the present. We also attend to the spiritual health of those here in Delphos

"Alright. Well. Umm is the anything you need from me? Or am I free to just... go 're-awaken the might of the piggen'?"

"The spirits will guide you. If you find anything of our past among the stars, we ask that it is returned here to us"

(somewhat related, did we give the piggen artifacts back to them after our moon mission like a month ago?)

(yeah, it got lost in the shuffle with Jenny suddenly vanishing and the confusion after, then the alcibiades raid)

10:29 AM

(but they were returned)

"Sure thing. Um, would you guys be interested in relocating to the desert temple at some point? It seemed to be pretty important to the past shamans. I guess I'll need to talk to those academy folk first."

"We will be too far from being able to serve the needs of our kin here in Delphos. We cannot"

"Oh right. That makes sense. Well I'll still check it out soon, how far is it from here?"

10:31 AM

(Would I know where it is from the vision?)

(you would know the exact path, again, secret to almost everyone. It stops becoming a shelter if everyone knows about it)

1

(How far to walk from Delphos?) "Well thanks for the, uh, visions I guess and the whole shaman stuff. I'll make sure you guys know if I find anything interesting!" Grupp exits the monastery, heading to the (post office? Whatever the equivalent is lol) to send a letter and package back to ma and pa.

(they have a courier service)

Ma and Pa,
Well, I'm an official Shaman! Sorry I won't be able to help out for a while, but I'll send back some money once I make some so you can hire some extra hands. I'm including a compad--PLEASE don't just throw it away! If you need help working it, just ask around town I'm sure someone can help. I'll probably be too far for the couriers to reach, so it's the only way to contact me.
Love,
Grupp

Grupp buys the most basic compad he can find (like an old brick phone for old folks) and gives the small package and letter to the courier. (edited)

(I'd imagine the ones most piggen have are probably future versions of the Jitterbug phone,- the one with 4 buttons on it lol)

(Exactly haha)

10:55 AM

That temple sure looked awesome... but also SPACE! What to do... Grupp walks around town a bit for inspiration. Maybe the spirits will guide me... HA.

(There's a train to central from here right? And is the temple walking distance, or should he probably go there a different way?)

(there is!)(

11:06 AM

(temple is more than 1000km)

11:07 AM

(each hex is 200km, i wanted to give people lots of space to build out when I made the map)

I should probably get some sort of transport before I check out the temple. Grupp heads towards the train station to make his way to central, excited to leave the desert for the first time.

The train is a 3/4 day long trip, getting you there tonight. A few humans and several dozen piggen are on the platform waiting to board

Grupp boards the train, finding a seat by a window, ignoring the wierd looks his arms draw.

They don't pay as much mind as you think, and the train, newly upgraded, rockets toward Central at top speed

Grupp takes in the view out the window and checks out the comm network on his dataslab (I figure with 18 int he could have built a rudimentary one from scrap lol) New Moon Cooperative huh? Man, I've a lot of reading to do to catch up on current events. Seems like that's the quickest way to go to space though! (edited)

12:11 PM

A new message appears on the channel. This Calidorious guy must be a psychic of he's at the temple. That sounds dangerous though, a relaxing diplomatic mission should be more my speed till I get some experience. (edited)

Looking up the mission on the cooperative, you see Mordecia the Brown, a Galetan turned Gudrun agent is volunteering his services to go.

12:12 PM

his contact information is attached

After sending Mordecia a note, Grupp leans back to enjoy the ride.

I look forward to meeting you. I Shriven has told me of your Race and he had nothing but praise for your honor and prowess.
-Mordecia

After seeing Mord's note, Grupp reads everything he can on the current political status of the UNW to prepare, excitement blossoming in his chest.

(I made a mission channel just a minute ago for it)

Some time after the Council Grupp receives a message on his compad.

Incoming message: Billy Rigers. 
Hey Grupp. I’d like to invite you to the asteroid base for a tour and to inquire if you were still interested in pursuing an archanotech wing of the engineers.  Should you accept, transport will be arranged.

"Sure! I'm surprised there's anything left after two weeks of learning fun arcanotech stuff!" (So this would be before the council?)

(after it, you guys were traveling back from NMC, and probably went directly to the meeting upon getting home

1:37 PM

(the timing was very close_

Though I would love to take you on the lava monster hunt, I wouldn’t want to take you from your projects in central. Let’s discuss that further in my office.

(Can I arrange for the ID Fighter to come pick him up and take him on a joy ride before he comes to the base or is that on Rahwani?)

(you can arrange for it)

Grupp heads out to meet Billy.

(billy if you wanna narrate the airplane stuff you can, not really sure how you wanted this to go)

As you step outside to head to meet Billy, a gorgeous high tech fighter streaks into view and descends to pick you up. As the hatch. Opens you see an engineer npc pilot open the hatch and invite you in. “You the new piggen? Billy must like you, he won’t let anyone touch this baby! Told me to go give you a ride!”

Grupp stares, mouth agape in a wondrous smile, "To be honest this is only my third time flying, ha! I think he's spoiling me!" Grupp boards the fighter, "I'd love something like this for myself one day! Of course, I don't know how to fly one yet though..."

“He said as much. Don’t worry l, I’ve got this thing!” Once you’re aboard, the pilot makes sure you buckle in and he blasts off at top speed quickly orbiting the planet. “And there is Delphos..” He says as you pass by it in a matter of second. He turns and speeds past the moon with its own atmosphere and ruins and on out toward the asteroid belt where you see mining shuttles being packed into large freighter ships to be sent a system over. And there you come upon a large asteroid as it rotates around finally, the RCOE asteroid base comes into view. It appears very professional and seems to be build from scavenged ship parts and bridges connect a few smaller asteroids together to create the compound.*

"Wow, that's pretty neat! I guess it won't be the main base for long though eh? This is where Billy is?"

“He should be in his office. That big bridge there with the windows.” He points to a small tower section that stands out from the rest.

5:39 PM

You see billy grinning from ear to ear as the ship comes in to the base, waiting for you as you arrive.

Grupp exits the ship, "Heya Billy! That's some ship!"

“I’m glad you like it Grupp! This ship is just one of the wonderful things we have reclaimed from the stars. A far aight better than any other fighter the UNW can muster right now. I have been hesitant to refit it so far because it’s so beautiful as it is. But I will do that soon now that a bay is clear in the cloud. - Grupp come with me, I’ll show you the base. It’s not much right now, but it’s coming along!” Billy will give him a tour of the base pretty quickly before moving up to his office there. Now Grupp I am happy you came, Ive been looking for someone to begin looking into Arcanotech pieces. I know for a fact that it’s possible to infuse weapons with magic, I’ve seen it on weapons on Acastus. I was only able to get one from there though, look.” *Billy pulls out the Laser HMG “See this was wielded in one hand by a shade. As you can see there is no power source, it could have only been powered by the mages own force.”

5:50 PM

Billy seems overtly excited to show a new person around and show off his toys here and he talks for a while with you before getting down to brass tacks.

"Wow, that sure is something," Grupp inspects the HMG. "I might be able to come up with a way for one of you non-magic folk to use it, it'd probably take a while though since I'm new at it!" (Can Grupp get anything out of it Billy didn't? Magic know-int roll?)

(His special thing allows him to detect magic. I believe the stats for it were given out already, probably in his channel. I do know there was a talk about removing heat, so its been seen by more than just me)

(The weapon is a two handed gattling laser cannon (the myrmidon's strength allowed it to use them one handed) It is a hot device. In the hands of a human doing 3d8 damage. By invoking its 'hot' property, it allows the user to fire twice.)

6:25 PM

"Grupp... perhaps we can replicate these properties. What do you think? A worthy project?"

6:28 PM

(Yes this was the first mention of the possibility of a VP of Arcanotech)

"I can probably reverse engineer something. Mord mentioned something though, when we create arcanotech they're coded to our unique MES signature so I'm not sure others could use it could be used by others without some sort of alterations to the creation process. That's something else for me to look into though!"

"Is there anyway we can work on engineering it's... hot property to be used without magic or a specific MES signature?"

(If we remove the heat does it lose the special effect?) "Has anyone tried to fire it? I believe anyone can, but... think of the heat as a sort of magic radiation. It could be harmful to those who try to use it. I could remove the heat to make it safe to use though!" (edited)

(It’ll go from hot to warm which will cause a lesser amount of strain still)

7:14 PM

(But it’s only gained when double firing)

(Oh ok)

(If you’re laying it down that heavy having the space open for stimms probably isn’t going to save you anyway)

"Anyway, Grupp, the real reason I asked you here is to formally offer you the position of VP of Arcanotech. This is some very cutting edge tech we get to work with here and I hope to be able to help to foster this piece as well." Billy hands Grupp and envelope with a cred stick in it. "In this envelope you will find you sign on bonus and we will start you with 250 shares of RCOE. Will you be joining the engineers officially?"

"Wow, um, of course!" Grupp smiles widely, "That's awfully generous of you Billy! I'll need to study up to make sure I don't disappoint! Let me know if you find anything else magic, I'll work on the individual signature thing and maybe I can make you something!" (Currently only we can use items we make, working on a unique focus to let others use mine too)

"Excellent. Thank you and welcome to the Engineers, Grupp. Now, I would encourage you to communicate your new position to Stonetusk and the news we have recieved about the Piggen homeworld and encroaching threat from the south. This job is going to be much more than just research as you clearly realize. Can you do that for me? While you do that, I am going to go lead a team to Tsatsos. Please feel free to come to our new planet. Together this will become a great forge world. There are numerous unexplored ruins there as well I believe. Plenty to do."

7:37 PM

(500k in that cred stick)

"Of course, I have some shaman business to take care of there too. I'll for sure come check out Tsatsos after that! Before you go there let me show you something I've been working on!" Grupp touches Billy's arm and a black, crystal-like chitin grows and spreads across his skin. "This should keep you safe from the lava and heat of the planet, even without a vac suit! Maybe I can add bio-engineer to my resume too, ha!"

"Grupp! That's amazing!"

(Protects from all environmental hazards and you dont have to breathe, eat, or drink while it's effective)

7:45 PM

Grupp beams at the praise, "Ha! You're the first one I've shown, I'm glad you like it! I thought of it after we had trouble with those boiling lakes."

1

Use that money as you wish, though if you wish to build a shuttle with it we can find you a pilot to fly you around on your very own ship. 500 should be enough for that and it could be done in a week.

7:46 PM

"Grupp

7:49 PM

! "If this works on the boiling lakes as well, this could be tremendously useful on a return trip there! There was so much great pretech there, albiet mostly boiled and ruined, but we might be able to get pretech parts from there!... Anyway. All very exciting. I will let you move along and finish what you have going on. Also as a side note. Feel free to go off and use the lab on Riger Two to do a research experiment as well.: (Doing one experiment a month at our lab will add a little RP to it, but still the best place to find RP is to download data on mission.)

"Thanks! I'll drop by Tsatsos once you guys are settled there, I'll trust you to make sure they're no more lava monsters to turn me into bacon ha!"

7:57 PM

(My personal research goes to my arcanotech stuff, but mission stuff is still good!)

(Oh right because you're an actual wizard! Keep calm carry on.) "Take care Grupp." Billy smiles

8:01 PM

"I won't let you become bacon.

8:02 PM

*He polishes his new chiton skin

Grupp waves as he boards the ship to head back to Central.

(how long does this last for grupp?)

(Until I dismiss it, counts as one of my 'changes' the rectifier main mechanic)

8:18 PM

(I can have 4 total right now)

(works for me)

Upon arriving back in Central, Grupp asks around for directions to the academy.

The academy is nestled in the heart of the western residential district, and upon arrival you see two smartly dressed private security officers outside, keeping an eye on the street

Grupp marches up to the officers, "Hello there! I'm looking for uhhh, Doona? Or anyone who's been around a long time I guess!" (edited)

"Ah you must be the Piggen priest from the unity council. Head in. I'll let Dr. Ahn know you're here"

9:04 AM

You see him moving for his throat mic

Grupp smiles and thanks him, heading into the academy.

(I just want you to talk to yourself as Ghost Reg)

(The penitent piggen shall pass, the penitent piggen kneels before Ghost Reg)

2

9:21 AM

A small korean woman makes her way down the hall, pulling on her immaculate white doctor coat

Grupp waves, "Are you Doona?" He extends a hand to shake, "I'm Grupp, it's a pleasure to meet you!"

(Upper or lower arm? It's important)

(Waving upper, shaking with lower. Obviously)

"And you, Grupp" she is doing her best to smile and be pleasant. "We haven't had a piggn here before"

"Ha! Glad to be the first! We haven't had a shaman in centuries, so I'm not exactly flush with colleagues. Mordecia's the closest I've gotten, he's a good friend if a bit secretive ha! You wouldn't happen to know of any others like me would you?"

"any other piggen who can do what you do?"

"I don't think there are any piggen here who can... I more meant anyone who does... growing arms and other kinds of biosculpting. I can learn arcanotech from Mord, but it'd be nice to learn about my actual abilities too!"

11:35 AM

"If there isn't anyone, maybe the old piggen temple could help."

"Is the temple active anymore? Or have you moved all of your facilities here?"

"The temple is a sanctuary for us. It's not public knowledge, and we need to keep it that way"

1:44 PM

"People mistrust what we do, and they're unsettled even further by some information that's come out in the last unity council. It confirms that this whole mess is our fault"

1:44 PM

"If there's a pogrom, we will need a safe place to go"

"Oh, of course I'll keep quiet! I was just thinking of maybe checking it out, seeing if I could get any hints from the old shamans that made it. I'm uh... pretty new to all this." Grupp shrugs, "I'm supposed to be some sort of spiritual leader, maybe our ancestors can offer some sort of guidance or something."

"It's worth a look. There aren't any others who use weave, but there are plenty of bioscopics. Melora has just returned from some business, perhaps she can be of assistance"

"Well great! I'll head that way then! Is there anything you guys need help with here? Seems a bit chaotic with all the crazy space monstrosity business."

(Poke)

“Robert is making ready for the expedition. You may end up finding a spot with them once he gives us the details”

"Lovely, I look forward to it!" Grupp leaves the academy. (Could he buy a grav car or something in Delphos? Or better off looking in Central?)

(Better off in central)

This should be fun! Grupp activates the teleport crystal Doona slipped him.

The sounds of the busy city street are gone all at once and you feel the familiar hot air of the desert on your face

9:23 PM

Before you is a large circular stone door, with a small hole in the center

Ahh, feels like home. Grupp smiles, It hasn't been that long, but it feels like another life. He opens the door.

The door opens with the crystal key and you make your way inside

6:29 AM

(The handout explains better than I can. I’d rather not paraphrase it and risk messing up important details)

Grupp wanders the halls, taking in the murals and everything his ancestors had built. (Anything of special significance to the piggen the others might have missed?) Having seen visions of its construction, Grupp looks for any rooms that might have gone overlooked. I wonder if they were all psychics, or if they had some like me too...

(They spent a lot of time turning over every nook and crannies, there's nothing else hidden here)

(Ok, I thought at some point someone had said there was more to be explored) In the infirmary, Grupp feels the power resonate in him, the biopsionic energy there kin to his own. This would be a wonderful place to practice! He heads out info the courtyard for some fresh air.

(there's not more rooms, but more possible powers/abilities)

1

Grupp glances up into the desert sky and sees a hawk soaring above. Maybe this will be the inspiration I need to get those wings to work! He watches the hawk fly for a minute, trying to gain some insight he's been missing. Might as well give it a shot! Grupp stands in the center of the courtyard and closes his eyes.

(Some pig)

3

He pictures the hawk soaring elegantly above and thinks of his earlier ungainly attempts to make his wings work. Clearly I need to be more like that hawk! The desert wind ruffles Grupp's feathers as he stands, trying to find the right mindset. I wonder what ma and pa would think of this ha! He gives a chirping chuckle.

7:59 AM

He opens his eyes and spreads his wings. Umm... the courtyard seems... a bit bigger? His head cocks as he looks at the world from an alien perspective. He glances back at his light brown wings, mindlessly preening the feathers with his beak. Something's different...

7:59 AM

Oh

7:59 AM

Oh!!! Oh my gods!!

8:00 AM

Grupp the hawk scrambles backwards awkwardly with his talons, trying to get a better look at himself.

8:03 AM

Ha! This is amazing! Grupp yells in excitement, a piercing screech cutting the air. Alright, let's try this new body out! He gives his wings an experimental flap and tests his tailfeathers. With a rush of air Grupp shoots into the sky, exulting at the freedom.

3

Some time later, Grupp lands and talons become hooves as his form reverts. He falls onto his back, panting in breathless wonder. "Ha! Ahaha! And Dax thought his teleporting was cool, HA!" He heads back to the left tower, into the infirmary. Who knew flying would be so exhausting! Grupp yawns and stretches. Might as well stay here for the night, maybe the old shamans can speak in dreams or something ha! He lays down and quickly falls into a deep sleep.

(Teleporting is cool though)

2

There is a sense of being here feeling right, and you are comforted by it as you curl up for the night. Outside, a rainstorm, the last of what will probably be the year, brews over the desert

Grupp wakes, feeling better rested than he has in years. I like this place. The monks may not want to move here, but it'd be nice to see it alive again. He looks over the temple one more time, spending some extra time in the old machine shop, wondering if he could repurpose it for more arcane functions. I was thinking about finding a place to stay in Central, maybe I can just stay here instead. Grupp pulls out the crystal to head back to Central and glances at the arms sprouting from his shoulders. Those are going to get in the way. The arms disappear, and after a moment of concentration they reappear just under his normal arms. From his shoulders now flow the beautiful brown wings of a hawk, the tips barely brushing the floor. Grupp grins, This is going to be fun! and activates the crystal.

(Grupp would have seen evidence of other people being there, and I think doona would have mentioned the psychics have been using it when they need to. Silvano put in hidden power, the generator buried deep within the mountain, and there is an aquifer his robot tapped into for water)

1

(Would this count for my exploring shangri la goal? I really thought there was some unexplored parts haha

)

(yea it counts)

10:12 AM

(we have had 4 other PC's past and present delving into the place. its been well documented by now, though not how it reacts with magic)

10:13 AM

(theres also lots of room for growth, and repair, like the towers are clean but mostly not occupied, ect)

(Yeah, makes sense that they would have found everything. He'll look into the magic stuff for sure and probably fix it up a bit)

(Could Grupp go on a training mission kind of thing to get a pilot-0 skill? Don't know if you do that kind of thing beyond faction rewards lol)

(we could, sure)

(Is Stonetusk in Delphos? I know some leaders were relocating to the new capitol station)

(he is, hes' not going to leave his people behind. Plus with the hearts and minds divided, if he leaves theres probably going to be another rebellion)

(Yeah I figured) Arriving back in Central, Grupp heads to the train station to Delphos.

The journey is overnight, the trip itself pleasant, and you arrive the next morning at daybreak, back on what feels like home turf to you

Grupp exits the train, stretching out his wings to their full 10ft wingspan. Good to be home! He winks at a nearby lady-piggen and takes off, flying towards the palace. (edited)

Grupp lands in front of the palace and walks up to the guards, "Is the chief in?"

"He is. Welcome home Shaman. We heard the brothers have accepted you"

Grupp bows slightly, "That they have!"He smiles at the guards and heads in to see the chief

Stonetusk is standing alone, on a third floor window overlooking the gardens below. He is gently pulling upon his long stemmed pipe

Grupp bows deeply, "Good to see you chief!"

"Ah Grupp. Welcome home"

Grupp walks up next to him, looking out at the gardens. "Did the monks tell you what I saw in my visions?"

"We're not from here. Our spacefaring ancestors were from a planet south of here."

"Yes. This is all known. The shepherds have told me this"

2:34 PM

he looks very weary

Grupp looks at him concerned, "Is everything alright? Is there something I can help with?"

"The last unity council. So much bad news Grupp. You were there"

2:42 PM

"Sometimes I wish the humans had never landed here. We were so naive. We knew nothing of what was hiding out there"

Grupp nods, "Yeah. I get it. But ignorance won't protect our people--piggen protect themselves. The Helldivers. Underhill." Grupp shrugs, "I don't know if we can survive everything that's coming, but I sure ain't going down without a fight. Ha, it could end up being just the thing we need to drag the rest of us off this planet. Underhill will be gone soon and the piggen won't have anyone left here to fight."

"Its the fighting that I think we need a rest from. 60,000 of us are all that remain, just a little bigger than the humans right now" (edited)

Grupp looks contemplative, "It's hard to envision peaceful piggen. I mean, I've never been much a fighter myself. Piggen strength, but clumsy and slow. But I think a rest could be good for us, I'm just not sure we've got the time."

“We don’t. That much we can tell. Things are moving fast now. Too fast. But you’re right. We have no choice. “

7:43 PM

“So you’re going after the homeworld then?”

"There's an expedition southward to find whatever thing caused the scream. I'll tag along with them. If there are still piggen there at least I can warn them. They're much closer to it than we are." Grupp is quite for a minute. "I may be the only shaman for now, but I'll do my best. Hopefully that'll be enough."

"It will be. I have faith in you, and so do our people. Its strange. this world is all so many generations of us have ever known, and yet there may be more out there"

"Strange, but exciting! Maybe they have some shaman of their own to help me out! Oh, by the way, I teamed up with that Billy Rigers guy. He said he talked to you some about the Prometheus projects. He's a good guy and has my recommendation if you find any others wanting a tech or mechanic kind of job."

1

"Speaking of Prometheus projects, are there any ongoing around here? I was thinking about taking a pilot crash course kind of thing."

(I don't know what specific one billy started) "We were given some planes by the Task Force. They've been making local flights, and patrols of the old helldiver cities"

(I paid for TL 4 cause I thought they had tl 3) (edited)

(gotcha, thanks)

"Think they'd let me join in on one of those patrols?"

"I think so. The airbase is west of the city, just outside the walls."

"Thanks, I'll go check it out! Anything else you need chief? Not sure when I'll be back by."

"Have the patrols found anything so far?"

"theres some leftover intelligence in the city, robot cores, some slaved to anti air guns, but the cities have largely been picked over. Cleaning the sites and carrying away what can be used for good is something i was going to bring up in the next meeting"

"Yeah, maybe I'll head in and check it out after the patrol. I'm glad we can get something back after all the pain they've caused us." Grupp bows again and heads to leave. "Don't worry too much, chief. If nothing else, the piggen are survivors!" He smiles and exits, heading towards the airbase

The airbase is a cement runway, paved over a leveled rocky outcrop in the sand. Two hangars are wide mouthed and open, each with several compact atmoplanes inside.

11:40 AM

A dozen piggen are hard at work right now, two pilots, and a number of mechanics

Grupp approaches the pilots, "Hey there! Would you like an extra hand on your patrol?" He spreads his wings a little, "I have some experience flying, but haven't used a plane. I'm one of those rare piggen who likes to try new things!"

"I see. well, there's a spare plane. Who recommended you?"

Grupp grins, "Well I work with Billy Rigers, the UNW grand admiral but was recommended by Stonetusk!"

"Good enough endorsement for me. You've ever been inside any kind of aircraft before?"

"I've been on a couple larger ships, nothing quite like these. They're just for flying in the atmosphere right?"

1:53 PM

Grupp sticks out his hand, "Grupp, by the way. I'm the new shaman."

"Nice to meet you Grupp. These are just for the atmosphere, you are right. Well, we only have a few of these, Let's see how you do"

1:54 PM

you can sense their reluctance, but defying an order from stonetusk isnt likely to bring them any kind of success

"Don't worry, if something happens I'll just buy a you a new one ha!" He heads over to the planes and climbs in one.

"Alright, so how do I do this?"

2:52 PM

(Want a dex/pilot check or something?)

2:54 PM

(Or int/pilot for remembering directions and stuff?)

(You're at a -1 right?)

3:04 PM

(0 allows you to skip certain things, checks like that, for example)

(For pilot yeah lol)

(yeah lets get that check then, pilot/dex)

(0)

5

3

3:09 PM

(Nat 1s with a -2)

The engine turns over, and detonates (luck save)

(SAVE 12V12)

The ejector seat fires, slamming Grupp down into the chair, and launching him into the sky. The plane explodes below him

Grupp's wings catch him and he glides down sheepishly. "So uh... about how much do those cost?"

"We'll bill Whitaker Solutions. You're alright shaman?"

"Hah, a bit singed but no worse for wear somehow. Maybe your next ones won't blow up so easily heh." (edited)

"maybe. We can't afford to lose another"

Grupp scratches his head, feeling awkward. "Maybe there's something else I can help out with? I'm better at fixing things than flying them if there's something I can do."

"Well, we've got another one that you didn't blow up, that needs some repairs"

"Hah. Well I'll take a look at it!" This one better not blow up too...

(fix/int)

(11)

2

The engine and a few of the control surfaces look to be frozen, and improperly lubricated. It takes an afternoon of work, but you do get it running agan

Grupp dusts his hands off, satisfied with his work. "There we go!" Grupp smiles at the pilots, "Maybe I should stick with what I'm good at for now, ha!"

"one for one, id say thats an even trade:

"Right you are! Well, I appreciate you letting me try. How would we ever know what we're good or bad at if we never try? Ha! Now I know I need to hire myself a pilot!"

"Never seen one of these blow up on the ground like that before, you should consider that"

1

"Ha! Maybe I'm just good with explosives eh? I'm not defeated so easily, I'll try again sometime! Don't worry, I won't try it on your ships ha!"

(3xp, 5000 credits)

1

(Do I get an extra -1 on future pilot rolls for that 0?

) (edited)

(I wasn’t going to punish you any further haha)

(How far away is the helldiver city? Thinking of going there or checking out Galatea)

(I cant see the map from where i am right now but each hex is 200km, theyre the three radioactive symbols in the desert)

Grupp, nice to have you in the RCOE. I'm going past Galatea on a journey South, you're welcome to hitch a ride if you want.

Tanzer

(edited)

Grupp heads to Central to meet with Robert.

(We can fast forward to Galatea since Robert's just dropping me off. And we can finish the rp when he wakes up

) (edited)

Galeta ground control, one in every city, broadcasts into the void, requesting contact before any sort of landing is made

Grupp comms in, "This is Grupp of the UNW, looking to land on Arctopia!"

The link is quiet for a few moments, before the clearance is generated, and a paper copy of the order is printed inside for you to present on landing

Grupp takes the paper and prepares to leave, "Thanks for the ride Rob! And the absolutely riveting convention!" Once the ship has landed, Grupp exits.

I can turn into a hawk, let's see if I can do something else! As Grupp exits, his form stretches, growing a bit taller and slimmer, more of his natural musculature showing through previously covered by fat. (Casting Manifest Aspect, boosting dex and cha to 18)

Five identical trans human shells all walking in close formation emerge from the grandest of the lodges here, where youre directed to land. Their facemasks are all impassive porcelain shells,

10:33 AM

Some of the scrolling ivy like designs are a bit different, but there are no other discernible differences between them

Grupp approaches with a smile and presents the paperwork, "Hello there! A friend of mine tried to describe this place to me, but I can see his words were insufficient, ha! This is much more beautiful than the desert I'm from!"

"We welcome you, UNW official, to arctopia."

10:40 AM

"How may we best facilitate your purpose for visiting" they all speak at once, in an emotionless female monotone

"Well, as much as I'd like to sightsee, mostly I'm here to learn more about high technology and maybe see this grail of yours eh?"

"Grail time is very jealously guarded here, but you are an outsider, we will take no offense. You came to learn? what can you offer in exchange?"

Grupp thinks for a moment, "Well obviously you don't really need material goods. How about I offer my skills as a shaman? I can sculpt the physicality of your more uhh organic citizens into nearly any appearance they like!"

"The body is weak, as is all flesh. Merging with the groupmind is beautiful. How limited the body is, honored guest"

11:01 AM

you hear a tiny bit of emotion as they reverently speak of their groupmind

Grupp shrugs, "My shaman stuff seems to only work on the flesh. But I have some experience with both low and high technology, is there anything I can help with in that regard? My friend mentioned he used to maintain the grail, I don't know if that's something I could help with!"

"Of course, I don't mean to offend by offering. Maybe if I can show my worth first I can earn the privilege though!"

(I can transfer strain from others to myself, but I don't think Mord would have been that specific in his description for Grupp to know that'd help)

(yeah to get grail time, you need to gain some Face, which is accomplished by doing stuff for them)

11:38 AM

"You might be able to help us out with an unrelated matter, but, to be frank, you give us a bit of the plausible deniability we need"

Grupp smiles, "Well, I'm happy to help! What do you need? As long as it's not piloting, I'm game!"

"I mean, even if it is piloting I'm willing to give it a shot, can't go worse than last time ha!"

"Well, we'd like someone to head to anchorite city and....remove...some sensitive records"

"Sounds fun! Uhh are there organic people there or mostly ones like you guys? What kind of records do you need?"

"There are, but none here. The records of our groupmind, and the member minds within it are knowledge for the polity of Arctopia only. We do not know how they came to this information. It existing in their catalogs at all is an affront to the privacy of our citizens"

"Hmm alright. What kind of security is over there? Can they detect magical stuff?"

"Those are things we are unsure of. The great game is constantly changing, as is their security"

"Any idea where the records are kept? Or yours specifically?"

"Their library is vast, but all on paper. You should be able to find it without much trouble once inside"

"Well this should be fun! Do I need anything to get access to the libraries? I assume you guys can get me over there right?"

"The cities on this world do not cooperate. We have peace, because war is wasteful, but there is hostility, taking place around you in the digisphere. You may be able to hire one of the fleshbound to take you, but official transport would immediately arouse suspicion.

Man these guys aren't much help... but I guess that's why they need me! "Alright, well I'll watch out for any digispheres then. I'll be back soon! Then I'll check out the grail and hopefully have time to ski before I leave, ha!"

(yeah they have no physical wants, so they view physical destruction as supremely wasteful, so its just lots of covert activities about super minor things constantly going on, just so one group or another has an 'upper hand' in this little game they're all playing_

2:52 PM

(scheming on such a petty and esoteric level it probably doesn't make any sense unless youre part of one of the group minds, but they're still grateful for help, even if the motives don't make sense)

(Yeah, I dig it!) Grupp heads into the city to find someone to take him to Anchorite.

There are dozens of small helicopter and ornithopter pilots for hire, usually meant to take people to the top of the mountain peaks

Grupp has no idea what to look for so he approaches one at random, "Hello there! Do any of you offer rides over to Anchorite?"

The chopper pilot has thin compartments cyberware in his arms and nods. “Looking to charter? You said where? Anchorite ?”

"Yep! Just some personal business in the library!"

“I see. Well, hop aboard. I’ll bring you as close to the city as I can”

"Thanks!" Grupp boards the chopper, looking forward to an aerial view of the city.

10:10 PM

"Weird question. Do you guys happen to have hawks on this planet?"

“Cyber hawks. All the wildlife is a carefully remade simulation”

"Oh wow! Do they look the same as normal ones? Or are they robotic?"

As they take off, Grupp keeps an eye out for possible birds/animals he could use for a disguise later.

"They're perfectly, lifelike robotics"

7:01 AM

"Much cleaner that way"

"Well of course!" These people have made things a bit too perfect. Life loses its charm when it's too predictable, ha!

1

Grupp spends the rest of the trip in relative silence, trying to formulate a plan with his limited information.

The helicopter moves with as much speed as it can manage, crossing the southern ocean below. Whales bask in the light of the perfectly temperate sun

8:08 AM

Seagulls squak and complain around them

I really need to try turning into a whale sometime! Though probably not while flying in a small helicopter.

"We're going to be approaching the beach in a few minutes. I'll leave you there, they have a small ferry point just inland from there. It's better if you're not seen using Arctopia transport"

"Much appreciated friend!"

The vehicle blows up a small sand storm, setting down on the sandy beach. Perfectly manicured palm trees and tall reed grasses sway in the dunes before you, with a small wooden lined trail leading deeper inland from this pleasant beach

(The vehicle blows up

) Grupp smiles and waves as the chopper flies away.

1

8:43 AM

Then turns into a seagull.

8:43 AM

Grupp the seagull flies above the trees following the trail beneath.

The path is narrow but the wood is precisely laid, the same amount of space exactly between them all. It leads to a small platform, built into the canopy. A small dirigible is on its way to it.

Grupp lands on the platform, turns back into himself, and waits for the dirigible.

it stately comes into landing, the car at the bottom empty, save for an unspeaking drone pilot in a jack frame, its hands hard wired to the controls

11:30 AM

the smooth automatic doors open

Grupp looks around for any people and steps aboard. "Hello Mr. Drone, are you part of the groupmind?"

He takes a seat. "Hopefully this takes me to Anchorite, ha! Otherwise I'll be totally lost!"

The drone pilot does not answer, but you do see a positioning map on the wall, and the route marker is heading toward anchorite city

1:42 PM

there is a gentle bump, as it pulls away from the platform, floating stately over jungle, and then open ocean. The large sky-ark (think like the brotherhood of steel kinda thing from FO4)

1:42 PM

looms ahead, snaking cables looped down into the bay to take in water

Grupp stares out the window in wonder, "Wow! I guess they have a lot of time to make awesome things when they don't have physical needs."

The smaller dirigible turns right, connecting to a stamped iron gantry, where several hooded figures stand, waiting.

Grupp waves to the figures with a smile, "Hello there!"

Once the dirigible docks, Grupp exits and extends an arm, "I'm Grupp!"

'Welcome, Grupp, to anchorite city" one of the dark cloaked brothers says

"It's wonderful! Am I free to wander the city and take in the sights? I'm new here and don't fully understand the customs, ha!"

(Are these guys human? Or a different groupmind?)

(Human)

9:36 PM

“You’re free to wander but stay out of the main library”

"Oh of course! Where is that? So I don't wander in on accident ha!"

“Middle of the airship. Guards are posted. They’ll direct you

"Thank you very much!" Grupp heads into the city, taking a meandering rout towards the middle.

On his way, Grupp significantly enhances his vision and hearing with Ten Thousan Senses.

10:12 PM

("Visual acuity of a bird of prey, hearing acute enough to pick out a single conversation in a noisy club.")

The airship is divided into hundreds of small cloisters. Each has a small radio and a writing desk where a monk diligently records everything coming through.

Grupp uses his new hearing to listen in for anything interesting on his way to the library, particularly any news from the south.

(Are they all wearing the same robes?)

(Yeah)

9:55 AM

There is reference to dozens of places you have never heard of before but the knowledge is either too vague or far too contextual to get any kind of a read on direction

I guess we have a lot left to learn! Reaching the area around the library Grupp tries to find a more secluded spot to watch the entrance before approaching. (edited)

(If there's a place to duck out of sight, he'll turn into a seagull for a better vantage point)

(There is I’m just trying to get stuff done today so I’m not on much right now

(No worries, you're good! Was just changing his approach a bit)

There is a small access shaft that you’d guess leads to vents or an engineering crawlspace. You think you’ll be able to observe for a bit there

(Vents within the library?)

(You’d have to invest in that decision before you’d have any idea)

(Yeah, I meant the access shaft was in the library as opposed to a place to observe across the street or something)

3:27 PM

Grupp flies up to the shaft and watches the entrance to the library, trying to get a feel for general security--specifically relating to detecting magic.

(The shaft is where you’re observing from. Like a panel they could Remove for engineers to get into the ducts)

3:34 PM

(I thought you were asking if the ducts went in there but you couldn’t tell from out here)

1

(What can he tell of security from there?)

There are two armed guards in power armor outside of this door. There are no windows, and the door looks heavily reinforced

(People in robes going in and out? Any sort of ID checking or anything?) Grupp checks the shaft behind him to see where it leads.

(not at the moment, no(

Grupp hops further into the shaft. (edited)

The shaft looks to cut toward the library,before angling upwards, sharply

9:36 AM

the top is lost in darkness

Grupp moves slowly up the shaft, a bit awkwardly cause he's a bird. He tries to be quiet, but it's hard. His claws try to get a good grip, but he has to use his wings for leverage. When he reaches the climax of the shaft, he takes a short break before looking around.

2

There is a slowly spinning fan blade ahead, before the grate opens up into a room beyond

1:14 PM

Though you cannot tell what is there

(Slow enough to try and get by? How big around is the shaft? I assume he couldn't turn back into normal-size Grupp)

(you've got a little room in the body you're in now, and you'd have to be quick, but its not moving so fast it is totally impassible.

(If there's room to fly, his flying speed is 30m would that do it? Evasion save to get through?)

(Evasion save was where I was leaning if you went for itH

(Alright, this is gonna get a bit technical lol. So I have a spell that lets me put objects into a metadimensional space without shapeshifting and then bring it out later. Things on you go there naturally while you're shapeshifted. So could I use that spell now to get my staff out of the metadimensional space while remaining shapeshifted?)

5:51 PM

(I'm wanting to try to jam the fan with my staff but its disappeared right now lol)

(The spell is disjunctive shift if you want to look at it)

(just read it, works for me, lets do it)

Grupp walks up close to the fan and summons his staff between the blades.

There is a thump as the metal blade bites into it, and a hum as the motor tries to power through the obstruction

Grupp slips through quickly while the blades are stopped and then dismisses the staff again.

The engine coughs, and starts to spin again, slowly. Ahead, the vent shaft turns gently right

Grupp continues along the shaft. (Was there a grate somewhere?)

At the end of the shaft, which you can now see, turning the corner, there is a grate that looks into the library, where meters tall book cases, computers, datapad chargers, and any other way to store data you can think of is neatly catalogued

Grupp takes a minute to watch from the grate, looking for any monks or guards patrolling.

There are three monks around a table below you, all listening to some kind of audio recording

9:08 AM

There is a guard standing at the foot of a bookcase behind them, watching the distant doors

9:08 AM

(so he's looking at the main doors you snuck around by using the vent

Grupp floats down behind a bookcase, out of sight of the others, and transforms into the monk he spoke to when landing.

You're not paid any special attention, as a monk of your supposed station is a routine sight in the great library

Grupp first heads to one of the computer terminals, to see if there's a cataloging system he can search.

It turns on with a small beep, and the system begins compiling information. There is an area for a search query (so basically, you get a couple questions, if we do anything very complex or detailed, there might be some program checks against the security in the most sensitive part of the database)

(He's looking for physical records for the groupmind right?) Grupp looks up where he could find the records of the groupmind. Then he searches for any information they have on piggen, specifically the location of their homeworld.

10:38 AM

Lastly (program check for this I assume) he looks for information concerning the grails, specifically anything they have about their creation.

(correct)

10:41 AM

(program/int DC 8 for the groupmind, since its espionage related, then we will do the other one depending on how this goes)

10:42 AM

The piggen are located galactic south. It appears there are some survivors in scattered communities two sectors south of (your home sector) what UNW would classify as H sector.

(11)

The data on the groupmind appears, and has the complete listing of all 300 members

(Do I need a separate check to delete it?) Grupp will download the info to his dataslab and erase it from the archives.

(nope, its covered by how well you cleared the one you took)

(Alright going to try another for the grail info. I need to make my characters less curious

)

10:50 AM

(9)

(What was the DC? I have a reroll I may use)

(12)

(

If I fail does it set off alarms or I just can't access it?)

(You're not sure)

1:17 PM

(all you can see once attempting with the 9 is there is some kind of security measure there, you can make some assumptions there would be an alert somewhere

1:17 PM

but if its audible or not/what comes with it, you cant be certain)

Eh, if I make it back I'll get more info on the grail anyway. At least I got a bit on the piggen too! Grupp looks around to see if anyone is watching so he can get back up to the vent. (edited)

The monks do not seem to have noticed anything nor looked up from their work, but the guard puts a finger to his ear bead, listening in

Grupp ducks back behind a bookcase and turns back into a seagull. He'll look for a moment when the guard isn't looking to fly for the vent.

Grupp narrowly makes it back into the vent before the guard turns around. He sees the bird, and takes a small piece of his ration pack, tossing it onto the floor, making cooing sounds

1:47 PM

he is smiling

Grupp cocks his head at the food, before flying down cautiously to peck at it. Grupp watches Grupp fly down as he slowly backs away down the shaft, blinking his eyes as he gets used to seeing double. Groppleganger takes the crumb and flies to the top of a nearby bookshelf to eat it while the real Grupp slinks away back down the shaft.

1:58 PM

(Doppelganger manifestation)

(Grupp watch grupp eat good food food)

2:33 PM

(lmao)

2:33 PM

The guard does not notice the trick played on him. "Clever girl" he whispers to the bird, watching it eat

Upon reaching the fan, Grupp sends Gruppelganger flying out the front door and out of sight before summing his staff in the fan again, causing his double to poof away.

There are some faint jingles throughout the library as a less obtrusive but still sounding alarm tolls, the database attempt logged.

Grupp makes his way through the shaft back to the access hole he first entered through. He flies out and away from the library, checking if the alarm is localized or throughout the city.

The alarm looks to be localized.

He lands in an ally out of sight and turns back into himself. He walks around casually, looking for a non-monk to approach about transport to Arctopia.

There are a few porters, small ship captains, and other air transport looking folks on the outside hangar, the warm sea breeze buffeting the canvas overhangs of their ticket platforms.

Grupp approaches one at random again, "Hey there! Do you transport people to the other cities?"

"I do, where would you like to go?"

"Arctopia, I heard the skiing there is amazing!"

"Very good, be aboard and we'll be off" the pilot puts on a ship captains peaked cap, and begins getting the vehicle ready to fly

Grupp boards, "Thanks!"

8:39 AM

"Are the other cities worth visiting too? I haven't heard as much about them."

(the handout does a nice job of explaining their general feel, better than i can re-create from memory, but they're all open to you. Galeta is pretty chill as long as you behave yourself)

(Each city has its own grail right? May try to see another since I'm here for like 2 weeks till Robert picks me up lol) Grupp enjoys the view once again, the ocean a beautiful mystery to him having grown up in the desert.

(at least one yeah, bigger cities might have more, to allow all their members their deserved time with it)

(SORRY I'M ON A COOL PLANET)

3

Let's see what this grail is like before planning any other trips. I'd like to stop by and chat with Mord's gramps too! I bet he could teach me even more!

"the cities all offer something unique. It depends what you're looking for"

"I'll look into those more after I hit the slopes, ha!"

The small VTOL comes in for landing in Arctopia, and it does not appear anything has followed you.

10:30 AM

(6xp, 10,000 credits)

4

Grupp thanks the captain and heads into Arctopia to find one of the groupmind.

It is not long before one of the stalking organic shells finds you

1:18 PM

"Welcome back, friend and ally. We wish to hear of your mission"

1:18 PM

the faceplate is ever unchanging, along with its voice

Grupp smiles, "Well, friends and allies, my mission was successful! I deleted their records of you from their archives. It was actually surprisingly easy!" Grupp winks at the trans-human.

"And your reward. I've been authorized to allow you an hours access to the grail, but anything created with it will fade once taken beyond this world"

"Wonderful! If I may beg one more favor of you, is there an expert of sorts on these grails I could talk to? I'd like to learn a bit more about them!"

"I'm afraid that's not possible. It is our most treasured instrument. There are already many who feel access now is an over-step"

Grupp nods, "Of course, I meant no offense. Maybe that's something I could earn in time though!"

"You may. It's happened before"

"Well I look forward to a flourishing relationship! So where do I go to see the grail? Do I need an appointment?"

"We can escort you straight away, if you're ready to go now"

"Sounds good to me, lead the way!"

Grupp discreetly tries to get a glimpse of the figure behind the mask as they walk.

There is a small back plate but you cannot see anything in there like a host body. Just wires and diodes

8:55 PM

You’re taken down a pristine oaken hallway with manicured snow on the parapets outside. A large vault door is before you, guarded by a dozen sovereign class war robots

"Impressive defenses! I have a friend who'd love a look at bots like these ha!"

The doors grind open on tracks, and youre escorted inside, where a literal cup sits on a platform, with a large, sterile white computer terminal in front of it

7:43 AM

the keys are perfectly ergonomically spaced apart.

"So how exactly does this work?"

"The machine can design and create whatever you wish, you just need to input your plans into the terminal"

7:52 AM

"It harnesses energy, and constructs the desired form, but the energy dissipates if the object leaves Galeta.

"Sounds neat! So I've got an hour to mess around with it right?"

(Make more arms)

3

"An hour, exactly one"

Grupp walks over to inspect the cup and the computer, "You gonna watch the whole time?"

2

"No, we will be outside now that you are settled"

8:02 AM

The shell trudges to the large doors, and they close behind you

Ok, what to do with my hour. Let's see what this can do! Grupp inputs plans for the magic HMG he's been working on for Billy.

=-0

The gun re-prints, but as its function, not imbued with the magical essence that is on the original

Grupp inspects the gun, "That makes sense, I guess I would have seen more high tech in the city if it could replicate it. "

10:07 AM

Grupp spends the hour creating a variety of objects, mostly just watching the process and devising theories on how to replicate it. (Maybe a magic-know roll to see how much he can learn from it?)

(yeah that's good ,lets do thaT)

(13)

2

(i'd think with that you could determine how it functions, but not how to make one)

10:41 AM

(which really, is the far more valuable piece of information, but ill post the function below)

10:45 AM

Certain sectors of transhuman space have the right metadimensional climate to allow for the construction of “grails”, manufacturing devices nicknamed for their ever-flowing provenance of goods. In some sectors, these are massive synthesis engines that take raw feedstock and fabricate it into anything imaginable, while in others they exist as clouds of industrial nanites that transmute rough asteroid carbon into an equally broad range of substances and products. For groups with access to a grail, material wealth is literally a trivial matter. In such places, the ability to command the output of a grail becomes the basic measure of material influence. Smaller, simpler versions of the machines are usually common enough to allow any ordinary citizen to have all the mundane necessities they could require, while more sophisticated devices or physically larger objects might require the services of a major engine. There’s usually some critical resource that prevents the simple self-duplication of a major grail; some substance that the engine itself can’t synthesize, or some special quality of the local metadimensional environment that must be located before a major engine can be built.

(Awesome. So basically he couldn't probably recreate the effect on Grudun since it requires such a specific metadimensional climate?)

(right)

10:58 AM

(and thats why the goods fade when removed from this world)

Grupp exits the room decked out in a fancy new scarf, hat, and boots; skis thrown over his shoulder. "Alright, now I can hit the slopes before my ride gets back!" He smiles at the transhuman waiting for him.

"We hope you enjoyed your time" the shell has a hint of emotion in its voice, and sounds pleased

"Oh, thoroughly!" Grupp pauses as if a thought just came to him, "Oh, and is there a mister 'the Brown' around these parts? The elder if there's more than one."

"not here, you're looking for NovaNovagrad"

Grupp, it's Tanzer. I'm in orbit. Do you want a lift? It's probably worth mentioning that I've got company on board the Wanderlust, I'll explain it to you when I see you.

"Alright, well thanks!" Grupp smiles and waves as he heads out into the city.

11:55 AM

(Robert was in spike for a week just going there, I should have time to visit Novanovagrad right?)

(yes if youd like to

(Would that count for my personal goal of discovering how to make a grail for the piggen since he actually can't?

)

(yes for sure)

1

(And is that info worth any RP? Maybe not since he didn't learn anything about making one?)

(you didnt get anything groundbreaking, aside from your no)

12:15 PM

(would probably take more than an hour of playing with it too)

(Yeah makes sense

gonna go ahead and get back to Gudrun for now)

(Let's cut to Gudrun and finish RP when Rob's back if that's ok) (edited)

(Sure)

12:48 PM

The wanderlust returns with others aboard, docking with the cloud

Grupp waves goodbye to Robert and the jawas, "Good luck on Tsatsos!" Man, I love those guys. I need to go pick up that HMG to finish that formula, I'm so close! Grupp looks for a shuttle to take him to Billy's asteroid base. I need my own ship too, but I'd like a bit more cash first.

(If I'm creating a formula for my research month, do I roll for it at the end of the month or just whenever?)

(I can loan you the money if you want to start now)

(roll it whenever but itll be this month of work)

7:50 PM

There is a shuttle on hand, taking you to the asteroid base

Grupp heads to Billy's office and grabs the HMG, stashing it in his meta pocket. It may need a couple more things to be functional, but the temple workshop should be enough for me to get started! Unsure of the range on it, Grupp tries to activate the teleportation crystal.

The crystal blinks you to the gates of shangri la, the hidden refuge in the mountains

8:34 PM

A news clipping about the attack on the Vapormills branch has been left out. Probably from Doona. You can begin to see why they were adamant this place remains protected

Hmm.. I'll have to look into that attack. These people are under our protection, we can't let that kind of thing slide! Grupp heads to the workshop to try to finish the formula.

(Grupp better be coming to the party)

1

(Would this be functional as a basic arcanotech lab? That I could upgrade later?)

(Yes)

(What's the DC for making the formula? Most run 9-12 with super strong ones being 13-14)

8:43 PM

(Most 30 lore ones are 11 looks like if you wanna do that)

(Got 13, should be good enough lol)

(Yeah sorry. I was passed out when you asked

6:35 AM

(That passes either way

Grupp throws triumphant fists in the air, "Ha! That should do it! I'll need to fiddle with the gun itself for a bit, but with the formula ready it shouldn't take longer than a week!"

7:49 AM

(Is Stev taking care of the Vapormills branch stuff, or is there more for Grupp to do there?)

(Stev is going to basically repair the security personnel there through a mission rather than you using a faction turn)

7:54 AM

(you didn't really get time to grow before attacks started coming in, and this was a nice opportunity for a new character to start making a name- and give you a leg up)

3

HEYA BILLY GRUPP HERE! I JUST FINISHED THE FORMULA FOR YOUR GUN SO I'LL HAVE IT BACK TO YOU IN ABOUT A WEEK. I'M WANTING TO BUY A SHIP, BUT SINCE YOU'RE THE EXPERT I FIGURED YOU'D HAVE SOME ADVICE IN WHAT TO GET!
GRUPP

(edited)

1

@Paxcyan Wilder (Billy)

(lol thanks)

Thanks for reaching out, Grupp!  I've already wired you the 1 mil cred advance to get you started. If you'll be exploring the stars, I'd recommend survey sensor arrays, atmospheric configuration, a good spike engine at least 3, but I'd reccomend specializing it to cut down on power/mass unless you have a weapon that works out to be a better investment for your  p/m ratio output.  I wouldn't worry too much about an auto-targetting system, we can just hire you a gunner.  There are plenty around and I plan on implementing some additional training soon for our organization.
But that's my suggestion, sometimes it is more valuable to free up those gunnery positions for people on your crew as a free merchant is limited in that aspect.
It's up to you Grupp, but I'm available for efficiency inspection as well if you'd send your plans over.

Grupp sends his ship plans to Billy. I'll wait till it's done to hire a crew.. I'd like to make some more improvements to this place, but I had better check in on the Taros academy first.

12:19 PM

Grupp takes a stroll around the temple, pausing at the courtyard. He kneels in the dirt, feeling its quality. With a little effort, this could be a beautiful garden again! Ma would certainly approve of that ha! Seems like no one's maintaining it now that the psychics relocated. Maybe one of the monks can stay here for maintenance and to keep it clean while I'm away.

12:24 PM

"You've grown much since last you were here... you must be quite the prodigy young shaman."

12:25 PM

Grupp spins around, looking for whoever said that, "Huh? Who's there?"

12:28 PM

A strange figure glowing a soft blue-white knees in the dirt next to Grupp, "Your chief is very kind to offer sanctuary to our people. I am sure he's glad for the shaman to return at such a tumultuous time for his people."

12:28 PM

"Uhh who are you? Wait. WAIT! You're that ghost guy Dax and the other were talking about!"

(Is Fate speaking with Grupp?)

2

(I think grupp is just tripping balls)

6

The ghost smiles, "I'm sure Mr. Withers had all sorts of things to say about me..."

12:31 PM

Grupp shrugs, a bit uncomfortable talking to a dead guy, "So uh.. what do you do when you're uh, dead?"

12:34 PM

The ghost stands, looking off into the distance, "Most of the time I am not myself. When I am, I try to help out however I can. Manifesting here in Shangri La is relatively easy, other places are much more difficult." He looks at Grupp, "When I am here, you may call me Fate." His eyes sharpen and seem to look through Grupp, "Hmm... Mr. X would have called you Rectifier."

12:35 PM

"Uhh what? I mean, I guess I fix stuff, is that what you mean?"

12:37 PM

Fate tilts his head to the side, "Yes. And no. It is simply a classification of how your metadimensional energy manifests."

12:38 PM

Grupp laughs, "Ha! I think I get what Dax was talking about... umm I think I'll stick with shaman. Sounds more fun to me!"

(I told you, that guy is boring)

Fate strokes his beard in thought, the bushy tangle a blur of light. "So then young Shaman. Are the people ready for the Still Lady's attack? You've had a month to prepare, it should be eminent."

12:43 PM

Grupp looks confused, "I mean, they talked about some stuff like that at the council I guess, but I don't really remember an attack. Most people were just kinda sad about... ya know. You."

12:49 PM

"Have they forgotten about Umbra Mortalis? The rebels of Acastus said we had a month before the attack, surely that time is near. I'm not sure if it is a cultist of hers or an extremely powerful shadow, such as the one that finished me off. But it is a threat that should not be ignored."

12:51 PM

Grupp holds up his hands, "Alright, alright! No need to be so intense, I'll talk to Billy about it. And Doona I guess. What's up with these shadow guys anyway? Where do they come from?"

12:55 PM

"Hmm, yes Dr. Ahn will know. Seek her aid. And talk to Mr. Rigers about the nulmetanium research." Fate sits cross legged, a foot off the ground, "Shadows are metadimensional beings, mostly shallow creatures of base instinct. One such as I faced knows only to kill and destroy, I can... sense others out there but have not encountered them. Except for the Still Lady. Eaten god."

12:56 PM

Eaten god? Jeez, this guy picks the most ominous names. "Uh so the Still Lady is a shadow too? And can make more of them?"

12:58 PM

"Correct. The most advanced shadows are complex creatures, their lives and power sustained by the worship of others. Weaker shadows subsist on metadimensional energy, even one such as you could theoretically summon one provided you know how."

12:59 PM

Grupp's ears perk up, "Hey, I could summon one of those? That sounds awesome!"

1:00 PM

Fate sighs, "I think you missed my point... For now, go and talk to Dr. Ahn about what you can do to prepare. If you or others find need of my advice, seek me here. Fate bows low as his form shimmers and fades.

1:02 PM

"Uhh bye I guess?" Kinda rude, just popping in and out like that. Coulda told me more about getting my own shadow too, that's something worth the lecture!

1:03 PM

Grupp stretches. Maybe he can water the garden for me while I'm gone! Can he even touch things? I'll have to ask next time ha! He activates the teleport crystal.

1:04 PM

(And scene! Lol)

1

The crystal has you back outside the psionic academy, in Central. It seems lke it always deposits you here no matter where you head to the temple from

Ha! Guess I should have warned the shuttle I'd be coming back a different way! They'll figure it out! Grupp brushes the dust off and heads in the academy.

Doona and Crane are behind the desk, along with Yan..but, not Yan.

(I don't think he ever met real Yan) "Heya Doona! How's it going?"

(the timing was darn close, thats for sure)

3:04 PM

"Hi Grupp" she hugs you warmly. "Nice to see you. I smell the desert on you

Grupp hugs her back, slightly lifting her off the ground. "Ha! Smells like home! You been out there recently? There's a guy there who told me you could use some help!"

“I have been. We are expecting trouble.”

6:56 PM

“Have you heard about the situation in Vapormills?”

Grupp's expression darkens, "Yeah.. you'd think our people here would be more understanding. They should know better. Has anyone looked into it yet? The marshals?"

“They’ve been looking into it but there are only so many, and there are other more concrete threats”

Grupp glances at Crane and Yan, having not been introduced yet and unsure of how much they know, "Our uh, mutual friend in the desert mentioned an Umbra Mortalis? This isn't related to that is it?"

“We can’t rule out its behind the extremist attacks. We are the only branch for now, until such time as it’s safe to reinhabit there. I think he’s going to come to us”

"At least it'll be easier to defend here than spread out our resources... Well, I'll head to Vapormills myself and see if I can find anything out! Any of your people care to join me?"

“I’ll follow” crane says quietly

Grupp smiles at Crane and sticks out a hand, "Glad to have you along! I'm Grupp by the way!" (edited)

"I'm Crane. I think we met once, maybe. My mind is all kinds of jumbled"

"Ha! Some of the best minds I know are jumbled, mine included!" He winks at Crane, "Nothing sorts out a jumbled mind like unjumbling a mystery eh?"

She smiles at the riddle

"I think we'll get along just swell!" Grupp turns back to Doona, "Any leads for us to go off of?"

@Dax Withers enters the academy, as Crane and Grupp make introductions. They're planning to head to the academy in Vapormills to check the site, and see if the attacks there were instigated by Umbra Mortalis

Grupp turns as Dax enters and smiles, "Oh heya Dax! How'd zombie smashing go?"

"Hi there Grupp. I'd say it went pretty well. We blew up quite a few things, and pretty soon we get to go back and blow up some more!"

"Well if you've got time we're gonna go check out the attack in Vapormills. Never hurts to have some muscle along! Have you met Crane?"

"A few times." Dax gives her a wave. "Hi there."

8:24 AM

"Uh..... yeah. Yeah, I can come along. I don't have much else to do that would be as productive as that." (edited)

"Great! Hope you don't mind a little extra company Crane. So Doona, any leads to start with? Or should we just talk to security there for that?"

"I'd check the building"

11:03 AM

"The security personnel there are reorganizing with a consultant, and getting some training. THey won't be reachable for a while:

11:03 AM

(the faction attack 'destroyed' them, so they're scattered /in need of some love, which one of our new players is doing)

1

"Sounds good, thanks Doona! Crane, Dax, you guys ready to go?"

"Sure thing. To the train station then."

11:25 AM

(Unless someone has a faster way of flying there)

(I can't remember if Crane has teleport?)

(Oh doesn't the temple let us teleport across Gudrun?)

(if you leave from it, so yeah you could double jump, use your crystals

Grupp pulls out his crystal and offers his arm to Crane. "Shall we?"

"That's a different train than what I was thinking, but yeah. That'll definitely work."

(Oh, I wanted to place my ship order before I left for stuff, do I need to rp that out beyond sending the plans to Billy?)

(shriven is our shipmaster, but as long as he's got a co[y, once he gives the thumbs up it begins)

11:47 AM

(copy)

(Yeah I sent him one)

Grupp takes Crane and Dax by their hands and activates his crystal.

(Which arms?)

(Yes)

1

The lights flash, and you arrive outside the desert temple

Grupp leads the way to the teleportation room, "Have you two been here much?"

"Just once. Had a good spar, and found a room with a Piggen head statue that set my sword on fire. I haven't been able to put it out since."

"Oh wow, so that's what that room does! I had figured your sword was always on fire since it was magic and all. I wonder if it works for other weapons too..."

"Or magically manifested limbs...."

Grupp perks up at the idea, "That'd be amazing ha! Did you talk to the ghost guy when you were here?"

"Ghost guy... you mean Regulus? I haven't spoken to him since the day he passed, actually." Dax is silent for a moment, thoughtful. "I haven't seen him here, though it makes sense if he does show up. Seems to be an... intersection, of sorts."

"Yeah he prattled on about metadimensional nonsense and stuff. Like, what he said was interesting. But he makes it sound so boring. He told me if anyone needed him for something to come here though. I bet he'd be here if you needed him."

"Perhaps... I wonder why he talked to you and not to me. You'd think he'd talk to his friends given the chance."

Grupp shrugs, "Who knows what crazy old ghosts think. Have you talked to him Crane? I think Doona has."

"Not yet. I hope to"

3:10 PM

"I didn;'t know him long, but he was kind to me"

Grupp smiles at her, "I'm sure he will soon! I think he mostly talked to me cause he knew Doona needed some help. Anyway, the room's right over here!" Grupp leads them into the teleportation room. "One of you needs to do the honors, I can't teleport. Yet! Ha!"

(Dax has the technique unlocked, so he can access this)

(Didn't know that, neat)

Dax steps in, a bit unsure of the mechanisms involved. "Uh.... well, here goes, I guess." He draws upon the power he's become familiar with over the last few months and doesn't try to teleport himself, but to push that technique into the room with the destination fixed into his mind. Having been to Vapormills before, he is familiar with the site of the new branch, and brings everyone along as he teleports through the conduit in the temple to a spot across the street from the Academy there.

"Huh, so this is Vapormills eh? First time in a Taros city, it's not too bad!"

(we don't know if we made it yet, I have to roll on the wild magic table to make sure I didn't accidentally send us to the astral plane)

(Nah you made it)

(Is the academy branch damaged, or just the security?)

The Vapormills building itself is fine, but the security has been driven off. You see a contractor has been assigned to handle re organizing them

"Well, let's go check out the building then. It doesn't look damaged at all... seems like if they were serious it would have been taken out too. Getting rid of security makes me thing they're trying to weaken us which fits with that Mortalis guy attacking later."

5:36 PM

"I'm not super familiar with Taros politics, but isn't there a faction that's been causing trouble lately too? They're the only other ones I could think of."

"Beats me. If there's trouble, I'll beat them."

He and that Regulus guy really were opposites... "Well let's go look and see! Feel free to pipe in Crane, you know much more about academy stuff than we do!"

5:44 PM

Grupp heads inside.

With Dax behind him.

The wallways is partially burned, it looks like a fire was attempted but never spread. Blood is still pooled on the grouund, but the body of the unfortunate security officer was taken by coroners

(Is Stev on his way here? Or is he going to be somewhere else for a bit?)

"Hmm, what do you think Dax? You're the fire expert ha! Seems a bit amateur to me."

(He's doing sometrhing else

8:18 PM

(related to but not what youre doing)

"It's almost like... it wasn't really meant to get done? If that makes sense. Like if they really wanted it on fire, they would've made sure it happened. Or they ran out of time."

"Ran out of time might be right, that big of a ruckus gets noticed quickly ha! But you're right, the fire clearly wasn't the focus of the attack." Grupp continues further in.

The gymnasium door at the back of the building is closed but it looks like dim light is on within. It flickers gently like a candle gently blown by the wind

"I'll go in first." Dax cautiously goes to open the door to see what's within.

Grupp hangs back with Crane while Dax enters.

The gym has been burned as well and there is a sigil on the floor

10:25 AM

Grupp enters having not heard Dax get brutally murdered, "Ah, nice! I mean, it's not nice of course. But it is nice of them to leave us a note! Does this mean anything to you Crane? I think it matches what the marshals have found with other cultists."

1

Dax scrunches his face a bit. "Kind of looks like something rising? Like over a horizon or something? I don't know. I'm no good with this stuff."

"Hey, not bad Dax, that's a good guess!" Grupp looks around the room for any other evidence.

“That symbol is used on acastus by the lady.

1:04 PM

“That’s how she marks those who do not believe, it’s her symbol”

(So Dax would've seen it on the soliders there during our mission?)

1:04 PM

(Oh it's un-believers)

(You’d have seen it on regular people and probably on some of the rebels)

"Nonbelievers eh? Well at least we know for sure it was her people. Let's check out the rest of the rooms just to make sure they didn't leave anything else." (Anything else in the gym?)

Grupp heads out to check the office and classrooms.

(Nothing else). There is more blood in a classroom across from the gym and some shot out brickwork. A security guard died in here returning fire against first wave fanatics. Outside, the doors close, and the windows shutter all at once. The sunlight is hidden and the interior lights all go out

Grupp changes his eyes for perfect darkvision (Ten Thousand Senses). "I've got a bad feel about this..." He reaches out and the HMG materializes in his hands.

3:27 PM

(I assume Dax and Crane followed?)

Dax has his mageblade out a moment later, illuminating the space. "What in the....."

3:28 PM

"Stay together, and stay behind me."

(Oh I can enhance three senses at a time now, so darkvision, acute hearing, and scent ability of a bloodhound

)

(Sorry about the smell. I walked right off a spaceship and into the Academy)

3:30 PM

(Alayna got me all hot and bothered)

Grupp's nose wrinkles in distaste as he gets accustom to the rank smells around him. "Here Crane, just in case." He hands her his laser pistol.

The air smells strongly of smoke, like a forest burning. Something very heavy falls down upstairs

"I'm on it!" Dax disappears towards the stairs to head up and see what's happening.

Grupp and Crane follow behind cautiously.

(I'm going fast)

"Glad he's with us, eh Crane?

Upstairs there is a clinging black smoke that pools around the ankles and is colder than if the flesh was exposed to a winter wind. It feels like something is brushing up against you, like countless fingertips running along where fog covers

4:11 PM

It begins to bubble without heat

Dax slashes at the smoke with his sword.

Grupp spreads his wings and hovers just over the smoke, "Can you see what fell?"

"Nothing yet! It's freezing here!"

(I must assume we have died to the crazy shadow monsters)

1

A form begins to coalesce in the smoke, the vapor itself pulling back , away from you to create this form. “I’ve been waiting a long time for this. You have stuck your noses into a place where it does not belong”

"Really? This is OUR building! Shove off!"

(iNiTiAtIvE)

(is this guy affected by "The Hand of Fate" +2 to Still Lady stuff?)

10:31 PM

(4)

(10)

(Yes he is affected by it)

(Grupp up?)

(rolling spirit now, one sec)

7:33 AM

(was jsut getting my computer up)

1

7:33 AM

(2, Grupp, Dax, Umbra)

(Would it be considered a 'living target' for rectifier spells?)

(Doubtful)

(I think shadows technically have organic host body things)

(let me look)

7:51 AM

(this is a manifested shadow and has no organic form)

(Ok cool. Yeah it says most shadows have human-like tissues, got it)

7:53 AM

Grupp uses manifest aspect to boost dex to 18, natural AC to 16, and 10 bonus HP.

7:53 AM

(Dax up)

(Good move)

(outstanding move)

Dax activates the Neural Overload and his Energy Buckler before lashing out with the mageblade sword.

8:18 AM

(26/14)

8:18 AM

(First turn)

8:19 AM

He quickly reverses and strikes out again. (19/24)

8:19 AM

(Second turn at end of initiative)

The forming shadow recoils, its form becoming clear as it staggers back from the sword blow

8:22 AM

(Holy fuck, I approve of this bad guy)

3

(Mental save to see if I poop my pants?)

two shadowy longswords form in its hands, and it gives a polite engarde! to Dax, before swinging at him with both blades

(AC 20)

(22/10 is the only one that goes in, first one was a 19)

8:25 AM

(*21/10)

8:25 AM

(Grupp up)

(Physical Save 6v6 Success for Neural Overload)

The wiring fires, and faster than anything has a right to move, the mageblade lashes out again, rending a plate from the beasts armor

8:29 AM

(you'll have hit, and i dont want to forget)

8:29 AM

(2nd round, Grupp)

(Look at this big boy make him your friens)

(probably just needs a hug and new planet from Robert)

(I mean the offer is there)

Grupp casts accelerando on Dax. (Basically haste, gets two main actions)

10:09 AM

(A bonus main action rather, three total if he uses overload)

(Dax moves into the next campaign)

(Byeeeeeeeeee)

10:44 AM

(My overload is counted as a full second turn, movement and action and all. Does it mean I have 3 or 4?)

10:48 AM

Dax keeps the neural overload active and goes full anime as he ducks and slashes into the weaknesses he sees in the shadow's defenses. (27/20) (36/23) Dax spins once with the enhanced mobility and keeps the barrage of attacks up. (23/17) (If applicable, 21/17) (edited)

(3, your normal main action, the accelerated one, and then your cyberware)

10:59 AM

heavily wounded, the demon creature screams (mental save both of you)

(6v6 Success) (that's 2 in a row)

11:01 AM

(Physical save 3v6 fail. No more neural overload after this round. 2 total strain)

Dax avoids the psionic assault, (we will see if grupp does) , and it lays into Dax again with both blades

11:13 AM

(both hit, 23 damage in total)

(Good stuff)

11:20 AM

Through the combination of disorientation from the hyper speed and flurry of blows both directions, Dax becomes too focussed on his assualt to raise his shield against the incoming blades, and the attacks strike true. He feels a hot spot in the back of his neck as the Neural Overload Wiring overheats, rendering it useless for now.

(grupp, also mental save for him)

(He's at work)

(no rush, just didnt wanna lose it in messages)

(17v7)

12:11 PM

(Should be v9, forgot to lower cha when I switched manifest aspect. Still success)

Grupp likewise avoids the psionic attack

(My seccond turn goes off, and now we're back to Grupp?)

(yeah, )

(Not letting me add HMG on roll20 lol, I'm using the app. I'll just roll d20+2 and 3d8+1 I think? AB is 1, Dex is +2 shoot is -1)

(Looks right to me)

(Nat 2 lol, miss)

12:31 PM

Grupp fires the HMG, but hadnt finished calibrating it and the shot goes nowhere near.

It choke-laughs as the energized shots chew flooring and walls, but not its body (dax up)

Muscles and mind pumping faster than should be possible, he goes for a shot inside the broken armor, followed by a slash to attempt to decapitate the shadow. (21/20) (37/11)

(describe your kill, good sir)

3

Dax stabs the fiery ethereal sword right into the center of the Shadow's chest and drags it up through its body and out through its neck, severing head from body. He steps back as the creature shrieks in its last moments and says, ("Nothing personnel, kid.") "That was for Regulus." (edited)

1:06 PM

(This was Umbra Mortalis?)

(yes, thought AC 20 was going to be more of an issue but you made him look like a bitch)

(My max damage roll in the first round was a natural 1... +18 to hit. The only way not to hit him was rolling a 1) (edited)

It seems like a fog lifts as his spirit is destroyed, cast back to metaspace in fragments so tattered he'll not be summonable for thousands of years. A smoking black horned helm is all that is left behind, thin wisps curling through vacant eye holes

"So that... that was Umbra Mortalis? I thought he'd be a bigger deal. Not just some guy I'd kill in a hallway. Well... Good. One less thing."

1:45 PM

Dax bends down to pick up the helmet.

It is very hot to the touch, painfully so

"Ow!" And Dax drops it. "I'm gonna give that a minute." Dax stands back up and one of his legs gives out and he stumbles to lean against the wall. "Guess he actually got me pretty good there..." One of Dax's legs is bleeding pretty heavily from a sword slash.

Crane, now able to move up the stairs, comes to your aid, and you feel her cold, slender fingers on the wound. There is a flood of warmth, and bioscopic energy begins knitting the wound closed.

2:38 PM

(1 strain, 8 hp returned)

"Wow that was amazing! Crane, did you see that? Dax was zipping all around all like 'pow! Wham!' And I was like 'He's so fast, let's make him faster!' And then I reached out and it was like I was fueling his body with my own energy and I could hardly see him he was so fast!"

3:09 PM

"Man, the way Reg was talking I really thought this guy would be more of a challenge! Oh, you got pretty beat up, ha! Nice healing Crane, let me see if I can help too!"

3:10 PM

(Cast at 4th lvl, heal 33, another strain point)

3:11 PM

(Casting siphon strain too, I'll take on 3 of your strain)

2

The helmet looks to have cooled

3:15 PM

It crackles gently as the air finishes the work

Grupp goes over to pick up the helmet.

3:18 PM

(I can't see magic so I think it takes a day for me to identify with a DC-9 magic know check)

(Full health, 6 strain reduced to 3)

2

(Grupp when I turn my computer on later I have a psychic discipline to send you

5:16 PM

(That’s what’s in the helmet)

5:17 PM

It emanates power, you feel the cold and loneliness of the void of space as you pick it up, like holding the essence of a photo negative

(Friggin sweet)

the helmet sounds like the void when held best your mind. You can faintly make out the ever present howl of the outside against a ships hull

6:15 PM

Crane looks at you strangely. “I can’t sense you anymore. Try dropping it”

Grupp sets the helmet down.

“Hmm.” She smiles. “There you are”

Grupp raises an eyebrow and picks it back up. "I reeeeeeaally want to put this on..."

"I.... wouldn't try it. That's how Regulus died. He stuck his nose somewhere it didn't belong and the Still Lady didn't approve."

6:25 PM

"At least wait until we know more about it."

"Alright, fair point. I'll check it out when we get back to the temple..."

"Should we try to find the cultists who helped him?"

“I think we should let the marshals or that contractor handle that” crane says. “We should tell Doona what we found here”

"I think the rest of it is pretty small potatoes compared to this. The cultists will probably be turned away pretty easily now, unless the Still Lady puts another one of her big baddies here."

"Yeah, are there any more rooms to check out really quickly? Or just head back to Central?"

"Do you think we should stick around until some other authority gets here?"

“We should tell Doona the building is clear and let her organize a security sweep” Crane says “she had someone in mind to do the mop up

7:06 PM

“You know how she is. Bleeding heart. Everyone has to have a chance”

"Ha! Well maybe she's right. We'll never get more support for our cause if there's no trust! Alright then, let's double jump back to the academy."

"Let's do it then."

Grupp sends the helmet to his pocket, takes Dax and Crane by the hands, and activates the crystal.

You appear back at the academy, Doona is out front speaking with a couple of the residents there

"Hey Doona! We're back!" The shadowy helmet materializes in Grupp's hand. "We don't need to worry about ol' Umbra anymore!"

"Ol' Umbra... ha! Sounds like a pal when you put it like that!"

“Just like that...” she doesn’t know what to say. Finally, “can you tell me what happened ?”

"Honestly Dax here did most of the work, Crane and I just cheered him on! There wasnt too much left in the building, cultists left a symbol in the gym. We heard a sound upstairs and there was creepy fog everywhere and Umbra Mortalis himself just popped up! Seemed to have it out for Dax, but man you should have him move! Slashing and jumping all over the place, the shadow never stood a chance! Then he poofed away leaving his helmet. Seems to block metapsi senses and who knows what else!"

"Don't sell yourself short, though! Whatever you did back there really helped. I don't know, it was like I could've outrun a train with whatever he did. Thankfully I didn't sprout extra limbs!"

"Well and we can't discount Crane either! She knew all about the strange glyph we saw and help heal us up after the battle!" Grupp gives her a smile.

"Sounds like the whole team had a place" (6xp, 20,000 credits)

"Is anyone else starving? I could really use something hot right about now."

"Speaking of hot, I need to go check out this helmet! Any of you need anything else before I head back to my workshop?"

"I'm just glad to see everyone returned from a confrontation with one of her followers"

"Fine with me, but let me know what you find out about it."

"Yeah... I'm glad Dax showed up or else it could have gone a lot differently! Thanks for the help Dax, Crane. I'll keep you updated on the helmet. If you need me you know where to find me!" Grupp winks and teleports back to the temple with the helmet.

The warm desert air, now close to sunset, is beautiful, and welcome, after the day you've had

Grupp stretches, "I think I've got an hour or two left in me, I'm too excited to sleep!"

(Before he disappeared) "Hey, I couldn't have done it without you. You really are something, Grupp."

1

He heads to the workshop and starts examining the helmet. (Want a magic know roll?)

(yeah lets do that)

(16!)

7:56 AM

(Grabbed specialist in MK last lvl up btw)

1

(DECENT)

8:44 AM

The helmet is a sinister looking thing, that never seems to warm up, Faint smoke continues to pour from the open eye-holes even with nothing being inside

After thorough examination and study I have determined that this helmet... is pretty creepy!

9:00 AM

Grupp shrugs, What's the worst that could happen? And he puts the helmet on.

2

(RIP Grupp

)

2

Grupp feels cold, like he is standing out in a blizzard. The crawling sense of being totally, utterly, alone, not connected to anything floods him.

9:09 AM

He is physical, he has a body, with lungs that fill, and a heart that beats. He is both there, and not there.

This is not entirely pleasant. Grupp shivers, but leaves the helmet on, committed to his study. Doesn't seem to be arcanotech exactly, it's... hard to explain.

9:31 AM

Grupp wanders around the temple slowly, seeing how the different areas of metadimensional focus affect it.

9:34 AM

I could feel a little something in the telepathy room, but I'm just realizing there's no room that enhances metapsi abilities I wonder why that is.

9:36 AM

Feeling a bit defeated, he returns to the infirmary--now somewhat repurposed as his room. Maybe I just need some rest and I can look at it with fresh eyes in the morning.

9:40 AM

Grupp reaches up, grabbing the helmet by the horns and pulling it off. "Ow!"... Umm. What. Grupp pulls out a mirror and glances in. Two curved black horns arc out from his head, now fused with his skin. Well that's something. He turns his head in the mirror, looking at all the angles. I guess I have horns now. And... I guess I can't take the helmet off now.

9:43 AM

Grupp shivers again, trying to suppress the frigid loneliness threatening to overtake him. I hope these things don't tear up my pillow... Grupp lays down and tries to sleep.

2

Grupp;s dreams are dark, like looking through negatives. Colors are wrong, muted, and dim. Shadowy figures move about at the edges of perception. Lighting cracks in the distance, the stark black shape of the Still Lady's pyramid lit by the storm above. In this sight, the lighting is green.

Grupp wakes, sore and tired after a fitful restless sleep. He checks the mirror. Yep. Still have horns. He sighs and stretches. I guess I'll have time to figure that out later. I helped out the academy, I'm working on the HMG for Billy, I should probably do something for the monks I wouldn't want them feeling neglected. Grupp checks the news on his dataslab and sees the recent piggen excursion to the moon. I think there's a temple there no one has checked out yet. There may be some old shaman relics or maybe something to explain what the heck is happening to me. Ha.

9:55 AM

Grupp teleports back to Central and books a shuttle to the lunar temple.

(did you want to join wrench's mission then? since he's already there? hes checking out the trade post, but with two of you, it;ll go faster and you can hit both)

(I can, I was planning on just going solo but whatevers easiest for you. I figured Grupp might want to be alone for a bit to figure himself out)

(alone is good then)

The shuttle lands near the temple after a long flight. Grupp gathers his things to head out and turns to the pilot, "Wait for me out here, I shouldn't be more than a couple hours."

"Alright" the pilot says "No problem. "

11:10 AM

before you, the temple stands alone, the tall peaks rising defiantly against the dusty surroundings. Distantly, soil, and grass, begins to return, the Terraforming tower beginning its slow, partial work.

Grupp exits the shuttle and heads towards the temple, his mind numb with cold, a dull throbbing ache taking root at the base of his head.

The wooden doors have been broken open, though not completely. by something in the past. The broken wood pieces littering the area are nearly decomposed, not standing up well in the harsh conditions

Hm. Hopefully whatever did that isn't around anymore, Dax isn't here to protect me this time. Grupp continues through the door.

(i wish dax was here to protect me, too)

1

(Gimme dat map

)

(Should've taken Dora)

(It's coming)

12:42 PM

(I'm trying to find one i like)

2

(this'll do)

(Awesome)

12:56 PM

Grupp stands in the entryway for a moment of quiet reverence for the past shamans and monks who lived here before searching the main room.

There are four long benches almost the length of the building itself. A font of long dried away water is in each corner, torch stands above them also long gone out. There are not even coals left. An altar of stained pink and white marble sits at the front of the room, rusted harvest tools rest on top, laid on top of the frayed remains of a rich purple cloth

Grupp dumps his canteen into the font and tries to relight the torches, using the door ruins as fuel, before approaching the altar and running his hands along the tools. "I've never been particularly religious... I need to talk to the monks when I get back if I want to serve as shaman for my people."

1:55 PM

"We'll see about fixing this place up once the terraforming is finished."

You're not sure if a building can feel, but you feel some kind of relief, at some of the artifice inside being repaired

Grupp gives a small smile and heads into the bedrooms on the left.

this looks like it was once the personal quarters of the monks here. THe furnature is rotted away to petrified wood and frayed blankets. The window was smashed forever ago, and it looks like dozens of different Wolf-beatles have made their lairs and nesting grounds in here over the years

"Not much left here after so much time. I wonder how much was lost..." Feeling a bit melancholy, he heads through the northern door.

The next room is a dinner room, where a broken fire place sits in the middle of the floor. a rusted stew-pot hangs on a spit, half knocked down by the passage of time. You feel a strange sense of 'right' in this place, like you being here is again, pleasing to the building

Grupp takes another minute to tidy the room, taking pleasure in the small menial tasks. The cold in his mind fades a bit, the void still present but quieted, less alien.

you can almost hear the wind, whispering 'thanks' as the accumulated sand granules slide over one another

"This plane is really just as nice as our desert temple. Not as much crazy energy everywhere, it's much more subtle..." Grupp smiles, "Does wonders for a troubled mind." He heads out through the eastern door.

This room is a library. It appears a few of the volumes even might be intact

Grupp's eyes light up and he immediately goes and very carefully looks at the books.

(The book explodes)

(Don't jinx it Rob, I have bad enough luck already

)

They appear to be several volumes of journal. The writing is ancient. There are a handful of carryovers to the piggen hieroglyphs used today, but not many. You can already see you'll need some expert help getting them translated, but the dry hair has preserved them well

7:15 AM

moisture is ever the enemy of paper bound volumes.

Grupp handles the journals carefully, The monks may be able to help with the translations. Grupp tries to send them to his metadimensional pocket when the void in his mind overwhelms him. The world turns negative and his body freezes, pressure pushing in on him from all sides. The void closes around him, squeezing the breath from his lungs, slowly crushing his body. Grupp's vision darkens, shadows coalesce over his eyes, just before he loses consciousness the void releases him. Grupp falls to his knees gasping and shivering, shooting pains in his head. (Taking 4 damage)

After a minute, the pain subsides to a dull throb and Grupp is able to stand on shaky legs. So I guess I shouldn't try to use my abilities till I see Doona or Crane about this... He winces and brushes himself off, noticing the journals are gone. Hopefully they're safe in the pocket. He staggers slowly into the next room. (edited)

this room was a storage room, where casks of strong piggen stout were being aged. They look to still be sealed

2

I hope those are still good, I'll need a good drink after this. Grupp makes a note to come back for these after he's checked out the rest of the temple.

8:38 AM

He heads down into the basement.

8:39 AM

(Oh there's not technically a door between the library and there hah)

8:40 AM

(Grupp phased through the wall during his bad trip)

(it was super hard to see, it looked like there was, but its just thin)

The basement is cold, but pleasant compared to outside. Prayer books, some very old robes , and candlestick holders sit in crates.

9:05 AM

they were lovingly packed

Grupp grabs one of the prayer books and leaves the rest. He flips through the book as he heads back upstairs.

Once he's upstairs, Grupp heads to the southern door to check the last room and the tower.

There is a corroded brass bell in the belfry, the pull rope for it a pathetic pile of ruined fabric, coiled like a snake. Some of it has been used as nesting material by local birds

(Anything in the room under it?) Grupp looks out over the desolate landscape, seeing the encroaching of the terraforming off in the distance. The peace and calming feeling here at odds with the vacuous space in mind. I need to go back to the academy. They'll know what's wrong with me.

(nothing)

Grupp heads back down and grabs the barrels of stout, taking them out to the shuttle.

The pilot is instantly in a better mood and aids you getting the very precious cargo aboard

10:49 AM

"You can smell it, faintly. I bet its delicious"

"Heh, I'll save some for you when we tap it! I think we're done here, let's head back."

10:50 AM

(Was the prayer book in the strange language too?)

(yeah, everything written in i guess you'd call it proto-piggen)

(Awesome

)

(Would I be able to teleport with the barrels to shangri la?)

(yes)

After landing back on Gudrun, Grupp takes the barrels of stout to the temple with him to decide what to do with later. Once they're settled, head pounding, he teleports back to the academy.

Doona is upstairs, in the gym, finishing a tai-chi routine to some calming music

Grupp knocks at the entrance, giving a grimacing smile, "Hey Doona, I think I made a mistake..." He gestures up at his horns and notices his hand becoming slightly translucent, trailing faint shadows as it moves.

"What is with you people and touching things" she says, her normally calm demeanor cracking. slightly.

"I ran every test I knew, the helmet came back completely normal on all of them! No signs of arcanotech or psitech or anything! So I tried it on. Now I keep getting these headaches and there's this... cold void in my mind. Weird things have been happening, even weirder than my normal shaman stuff. I dunno, it feels different."

"Is there anything you can do to help?"

"A cold void. Did you have any other experiences?"

"There was a moment where I froze and the world turned negative, almost like I was within the void itself. After that was when the headaches really started. Can.. can you sense me? Crane said I disappeared when I held the helmet."

She concentrates for a moment. Normally you would be able to feel the touch of here telepathic contact, but you cannot. "No. Its like I'm casting my awareness out into an empty room"

"Is this related to the Still Lady? I don't really know anything about her powers besides summoning those shadow guys."

"I think I could do it again if you want to see.. it wasnt particularly pleasant, but I think I know how to get out of it if I want."

"It can't hurt, if you're willing to try"

I mean it kinda hurt last time, but here goes... Grupp vanishes from Doona's sight. Grupp's vision goes negative as he enters the void, once again frozen. The pressure around him increases, but more slowly than last time, his will pushing against it instead of panicking.

She freezes herself, unsure of what is happening. You are invisible to all her senses

8:51 AM

You feel a slight pop at the back of your skull, and a rush of cool air, as the helmet frees. you sense you can slide it off if you want to

Grupp exits the void, this time before any real damage is caused. He reaches up and feels the helmet and relief courses through as it comes loose. He drops it to the floor next to him.

You sense the cold void, a seed still planted at the back of your mind

8:55 AM

though it has diminished some in intensity

Grupp looks up at Doona and gives a slight grin. "What do you think?"

Grupp glances down at his hand, still slightly transparent, subtle shadows playing across the skin making it harder to focus on.

10:52 AM

"Heh, seems the helmet left something with me."

"Just glad its off you. We'll need to make careful study of what happens to you. I cannot sense you, my powers are unable to connect with you"

(So psychic tutelage doesn't work and I die?

Best discipline ever)

(shes got to figure out how to shape it in such a way where she can get through)

"Well I've got some time now. I was going to check in with the piggen monks and then scout out a helldiver city, but that can wait."

(TBH, wasn't entirely sure where this was going, it felt like we were going in a direction, and i wasnt grasping it)

11:27 AM

(I am great disappoint in myself)

(Haha I figure there's a way to toggle the nullifying effect on and off so friendly psychics can do stuff)

(woosh, yeah , there is. I thought since it wasnt explicitly said, you wanted to kepe it on or something)

11:30 AM

(i am shame)

(Haha I'll write it in the description to clarify)

Grupp focuses on the void for a moment. Pushing against it, similar to how he exited it physically just moments earlier. There's resistance, but slowly it shrinks down to a pinpoint. Concentrating on suppressing the void, Grupp walks over to Doona and places his hand on her shoulder. Something passes between them--the physical contact enough to slip past the weakened barrier and a connection is formed. Grupp releases his hold on the void and it reforms, this time with an almost imperceptible crack, with a tiny stream of energy flowing to and from Doona. Grupp smiles at her, "Try again, I think I did something..."

"There" she looks on, eyes wide, then focusing "Alright, there. Whatever you did, try to expand on that"

11:41 AM

you feel her own power, flowing into you, trying to help shore up the gains you've made

11:41 AM

(gains trains and automobiles ferda)

Grupp pushes more energy through the gap, the stream growing stronger, almost tangible. The crack doesn't grow, but seems to become more permanent. Grupp releases her shoulder and the connection remains, getting stronger and more stable. Grupp's smile widens, the pervasive loneliness infecting him since he put on the helmet vanishing, replaced by the warmth of Doona's power.

11:49 AM

"I'm not sure what just happened, but I think you should be able to sense me from now on!"

"I can feel that. That was...challenging" her calm demeanor returns. "Please try to refrain from touching strange alien artifacts without proper study"

Grupp gives a wry grin, "I'll try but no promises! So now that you can sense me... what exactly are we looking at? What's happening to me?" (edited)

"This...thing..that happene to you, is nullifying my ability to sense you, and formy powers to act on you"

"Well not anymore right? I can feel you in there a bit, like there's a bypass in whatever's blocking your powers. You metapsi's can kind of... categorize abilities right? Am I like Mord now? He can turn invisible too I think."

1:35 PM

(Here's what I was going to add: an ally can get past the nullification if you spend a main action to attune with them basically)

1:38 PM

(So the effect is still always on, but you can choose to allow allies in)

(ah i see. Yeah that works, i dig it)

(Thanks for working with me

)

1

"So, what's next? Am I safe now?"

“You should be. It looks like we broke through”

"Yeah, we should probably do the same with Crane too. It should be easier now that there's a little crack." (Takes a week of training to be able to use psychic abilities safely, wanna skip a week or do some sort of training mission?)

(I don’t know how much I can build out of just leaning a new discipline. Skipping the week helps some of the timelines match up though)

(Sounds good

)

Grupp exits the academy after a week of training with Doona and Crane. He glances down at his hand and smiles at the shadows shifting across his skin, now under his control. I guess I'm a psychic now, that's pretty cool! Time to get those journals to the monks and see if they can decipher them. Grupp starts to head towards the train. Oh wait! My ship should be about done! Oh but I don't have a crew yet, and I probably shouldn't try to fly it. That'll be my next goal after the monks. Grupp continues on to the train to Delphos.

You arrive at Delphos later that night to a busy train station. There are many humans and piggen on the platform

Grupp's happy to the station so crowded as he slips through the crowds and heads to the monks' temple.

The monastery is concluding evening service when you arrive and the brothers open their cloister to you after a few moments., once the last of the assembly has left

Grupp gives a bow, "Hey brothers! I went to the old temple on the moon and found some old journals and a prayer book, written in what I assume is ancient piggen script!" The journals materialize in Grupp's hands, "Is this something any of you can read?"

They take the books from you, reverently. “The abbot can. He knows how. Head up to him”

Grupp bows again, "Thanks, I will!" He heads to the abbot.

"Hey abbot, the brothers said you read ancient piggen? I found some old journals and a prayer book you might be interested in."

"I do read the old script. You found some of it? where?"

"I took a trip up to the moon and visited an old temple there. Small and a bit dishevelled, but it was quite peaceful. The journals are from one of the monks who lived there I think. There was a whole box of use prayer books, but I only grabbed one."

"Interesting. I'll need some time with them before I can summarize for you"

8:44 AM

"This is a great treasure you've returned to us though. Brothers will translate them, and we will have another piece of our culture in circulation:

Grupp smiles, "Good, I'm glad I was able to help! Is there anything else I can do for you or the brothers? I'm working on finding our homeland, I heard that there are survivors there too! But it's far south and will be a bit before we can get there. I just want to feel useful. I've done some very interesting things but I feel I haven't helped the piggen much yet."

"It's been helpful. Well, there are more cultural sites out there and you sya there is more to the south, maybe even other survivors. I can't think of anything more helpful than that'

Grupp shrugs, "If you say so. Stonetusk wanted someone to go check out the Helldiver cities so that's where I'm off to next. How long till the translations should be ready?"

"I'd say a week. It'll be slow work. We need to be careful with the volumes"

"Yeah, I'm surprised they were in such good condition. I'll be back to check on them then!" Grupp bows, "Let me know if there's anything else I can help with!" Grupp waves as he heads out of the temple. (The closest city is just 3 hexes away, is there like a gravcar he could rent or something? Seems silly to take the train all the way to central to pick up his new ship)

(yeah there are trucks, and ATV explorers. not like a 4 wheeler, think like a tank and an RV had a baby)

(A Dora without the floating bits)

Grupp heads into the city and hires an ATV to take him to the closest helldiver city.

(are you taking a crew? or going yourself?)

(Do we know what's left in the cities in terms of enemies?)

11:25 AM

(I need a crew for my ship anyway, so let's start with that and this can be their trial run lol)

(no, very scattered contact, some people run into war-bots, or construction vehicles half ruined that just want to kill, but so many people have been picking through the cities, that both salvage and danger have gone way down)

(Get him a cute piggen girl crew!)

3

(Actually change of plan, Stonetusk wants the cities cleaned and goods taken yeah? I'll go grab the ship since it has a bunch of cargo space)

11:40 AM

Grupp heads back to Central to check in on the Javelina and find a crew for her.

(yeah basically a last sweep through)

(Alright, so taking my new ship, grabbing a pilot, gunner, and some extra bodies to help carry/load things if there's anything large to grab)

(lets do a connect with cha or wis for quality of the recruits )

(10)

Grupp's likeable personality makes it easy to find recruits, as they're also very eager to work for a shaman. Grupp finds everyone he is looking for, and they seem reasonably skilled (+3 between attribute and core stat)

Grupp smiles at his gathered crew, "Alright, so we're heading to a helldiver city to clean it out. Shouldn't be a lot left, for both valuables or enemies, but we'll take what we can get. If this goes well I might offer a permanent position working with me on my new ship, the Javelina. Speaking of which, follow me and let's check her out!" Grupp leads the group to the cloud. (So a pilot, gunner, and 3 general workers--which skills get +3?)

(for the pilot its dex 1, pilot 1, the gunner has shoot 1 dex 1, and the workers have con 1, work 1, (I was thinking of combat for the +3

(Cool sounds good, trying to find art for the ship lol)

1:54 PM

The Javelina

2

1:55 PM

(Didn't want something too slick and cool for Grupp, I feel like this suits his style lol)

1:56 PM

"Aha! Here she is! She's not much, but she's mine, ha! Let's go check her out eh?"

(fits their aesthetic as a whole too)

(Got names for the pilot and gunner? I may keep like one worker around too for fun lol)

(only if you dont wanna name your crew)

(Pilot, human male- Tim; gunner, Taros female- Shura; worker, Taros male- Sergei) "Alright crew, get cozy! Don't go breaking anything yet, let me talk to Billy about getting an engineer on board first eh? Take us away Timmy!"

Timmy does indeed “take it away” and you are off, over the sand quickly

6:59 PM

There are some notes about anti aircraft fire depending on what city and what direction

(I don't have the map up right now, but let's do the NW one I think) "Alright, here's the plan. Tim'll set us down out of range of the anti aircraft and stay with the ship while the rest of us go in. Shura and I'll take out the AA while Segei's crew scout out anything valuable. You see something, you grab it. There's plenty of room on here. We'll comm to Tim when the coast is clear and he'll bring the ship in to load. Should be easy right? Ha!"

(I'm fine with either of the west ones, I assume they're slightly less picked over since they're further away)

(How far out from the city do we have to land?)

(coming in low, about 100km, but youve got the explorer to cover the distance)

The Javelina sets down just out of range of the AA and everyone but Tim loads into the explorer. "Shura, grab a rocket launcher from the armory. I'd love to not need it, it ruins what we could salvage, but I'm not sure what the armor is like on the AA. The rest of your grab rifles just in case, but hopefully you won't need them, eh? Ha!" Once armed and loaded they head out towards the city.

The explorer moves out at a steady pace, crossing the sand over the next couple of hours. The expanding ruin field of the Helldiver city is ahead, most of the buildings are in ruins, spawled across what were once roads and city blocks.

"Sergei, you and your team start sweeping the buildings for any goods you see. Mark anything strange and I'll take a look at it after. Look out for any functional AI cores, we can split those between the engineers and piggen. And any working computers mark for me too look at too!" Grupp slaps Sergei on the back and heads over to Shura, "We'll scout out those AA and take em out. You ever fought helldivers before? Though I suppose underhill was more of a problem for you folk, ha!"

The taros have both fought them before, during the final push when they tried to run from the planet

10:11 AM

As you cross city edge, a rattle clank, regular sound is heard, echoing strangely around the buildings

"Alright, let's park the explorer over here. Shura, let's go check out that sound." As Grupp exists the explorer his form fades a bit, the shadows around him blurring his figure and making it hard to focus on him. He winks at Shura, "Bet you haven't worked with a shaman before, ha! Let's sneak up and see what's causing a ruckus."

Grupp and Shura quietly head towards the noise.

(lets get a sneak/dex)

(13)

(What pig? I didn't see a pig)

(Also I have fade up so they can't see me if I'm more than 30m away. Which I'm going to nerf at some point lol)

3:07 PM

(But not too much, I mean Mord can go straight up invisible... lol

)

(it was more stealth for the group than just you, seeing the person standing right next to you and shooting at them arguably puts you in danger too)

1

3:29 PM

A ramshackle buggy, with a quad mounted anti air gun on a roof gimbal rounds the corne

3:29 PM

one of its wheels has been fused to the body, and drags on the ground, but the other 3 keep it balanced.

The HMG appears in Grupp's hands, "You shoot out the wheels, I'll try to take it out with as little damage as possible."

(It hasn't spotted you, so you have surprise)

1

(I took a strain to shoot twice, missed both lol. Hers is 15/5)

3:50 PM

(Just a rifle for her, not rocket yet)

3:51 PM

Grupp revs up the HMG, firing all around the buggy but just hits the ground sending dust and sand into the air.

3:56 PM

(4 for initiative)

(8 for the AA truck)

4:43 PM

The gunshots halt the vehicle, and its quad gun comes level with the ground, firing off a burst in your direction (evasion saves)

(8v6 for me, rolled a 10 for Shura)

(Shura fails. You’re fine) (14 damage. I believe she’s down)

2

(RIP lol, half damage for me?)

(My damage rolls are all garbage lol, I assume an 11 misses?) Grupp takes two more shots, but is distracted by Shura falling beside him.

(Yeah. And 10 hits. It’s a vehicle , the laser shots just didn’t really do anything due to armor)

(18 damage for that hit then)

12:54 PM

(With the HMG)

The truck shudders as the heavy rounds punch into it. Armor plating blows off the back, and the engine catches fire. The weapon mount slackens and you hear the whine of failing power

Grupp kneels and checks Shura for signs of life. He closes her eyes and says a silent prayer. "May she be the last of the casualties of the Helldiver war. Sergei, do your people have any rituals for fallen warriors?"

“We burn the bodies, on our consecrated ground at home. We can wrap the body before then”

"Alright then. Let's wrap her and get her on the explorer. We still have a job to do." Grupp helps the workers wrap the body and place it in the explorer before going to check out the wreckage of the truck.

The truck is still burning, the fire beginning to spread through the sensitive components. ammunition begins cooking off inside from its deep magazines

Grupp starts throwing dirt and sand onto the fire, "Hey, someone grab an extinguisher from the explorer!"

(Would a post-tech toolkit have an extinguisher or anything to help?)

(It would. You’d be able to put it out)

Grupp looks through his pack and grabs the extinguisher, quickly putting out the flames before they cause more damage.

Half the vehicle is burned. Ammunition still cooks off inside but the heat is simmering out. It will take some work to repair.

Toolkit already out, Grupp tries to repair some of the damage (Fix/int 9)

It’s more than you can repair in the field. Some kind of heavy lift will need to take this away, to somewhere you can fabricate the proper parts

"Sergei, prep this to take on the Javelina, there should be plenty of room. I'm going to double check for any more AA before we start searching for anything else." Grupp spreads his wings and takes off, soaring over the city, sunlight streaming through him. I need to get better at, well everything heh. Then I won't have to risk others for things I can do myself.

Grupp takes to the air, looking over as much of the city as he can. The entire ground is a mix of different shades of brown, black, and gray, the same metal rust and dirt mixture that was caking the enemy vehicle.

Let's try something new! Grupp's vision alters slightly as his eyes begin to pick up electronic signatures. He looks for any more anti aircraft or other places of significant electronic activity. (It's one of the options for Ten Thousand Senses)

The reactor core is a source of significant electronic activity, but its power is residual, and fading, blown apart due to intentional sabotage. Ignoring that, you see a bunker, four blocks into the city from where you are, that has some electronic returns below.

8:13 AM

it is a sloped building, allowing it to ride out the blast wave. The cities are pocketed with fortifications like this

Grupp glides down to the bunker, wary of enemies but excited for potential loot. He lands and glances inside.

The blast doors have remained closed, and youre face to face with two black slabs of pitted metal, scoured and scorched from the heat and power of the explosion

Grupp places his hands on the doors and shoves a surge of metadimensional energy into the metal. The metal dissolves in the barrage of energy and a 3m hole in the doors is formed. (Breaching charge- failed the physical save for surge but used my piggen trait to reroll and saved, so no strain taken)

(Hey that's really useful)

(yeah thats awesome!)

9:34 AM

Lights and power are flickering, and inconstant inside. You hear the clank of splay claw feet on a metal grille floor, though cannot see any contacts yet, as the sloped floor heads down into darkness

Grupp pulls out the HMG again and makes his way down slowly.

(just you?)

(Yeah, none of the workers are good with guns and he doesn't want to risk others after Shura)

(Solid plan

)

1

(What could go wrong?)

1

(Oh wait I have more fun spells) Grupp retreats to just outside the bunker and opens an invisible window to the inside, as close to wherever the sounds originated from as he can. (Clairvoyance Window Probe- I can see/hear into a spot up to 80m from me, invisible on the other side except to metapsi/teleporters)

Four warbots are heading to the open door, each carries a grenade launcher and heavy machine gun. The room they are protecting looks to be a tooling room, where a handful of workers repair other bot bodies.

(So you're saying I shouldn't go in all by myself? Lol)

10:10 AM

(No more AA anywhere, just warbots left?)

10:12 AM

(And would a ship's armory have any demo charges?) (edited)

(I'd say probably not, only because the risk of a detonation means you're all going to die horribly in the void

(Maybe some rocket launchers?)

(Yeah that's fair lol) Grupp takes flight again and retreats back to the workers. "You three up to taking out some warbots? It'd be dangerous but there's a functioning repair station down there trying to fix more bots. We don't take it out and they'll only make more."

TIM, THE AA IS GONE BUT WE HAVE FOUR WARBOTS TO TAKE OUT. HEAD THIS WAY AND GIVE US SOME AERIAL SUPPORT.

"We don't have a choice if that's whats down there"

11:06 AM

Tim replies that he will get the bird in the air

"Alright, each of you grab a rocket launcher. Let's try and ambush them, take a few of them out before they can hit us back eh?" Grupp heals himself (11 health, another strain) and looks through his window to check on the bots (it lasts the scene).

(we're clearing out the locker by taking this many gunnery weapons from it, it'll need to be re-purchased if you'd like to use it again in the future)

11:18 AM

Your rocket team sets out into the rubble fields,

(Yeah I figured. Stealth roll for the group?)

11:25 AM

(And can I see the warbots from the window or are they outside now?)

They are outside now, spreading out to try to locate the group

11:29 AM

(and yes

(Sneak/dex 9)

(8 for them)

(Cool, so ambush round for us four then the ship joins for the next?)

(ambush round for you, regular initiative, ship comes in a few rounds)

1

Seeing the warbots around the corner, Grupp turns to Sergei and casts accelerando on him before giving the order to fire.

11:45 AM

The workers each fire at a warbot, Sergei shooting at his twice as energy courses through him (Workers: 17,14,9,19(crit),6 Damage: 11,20,17,18,6)

11:46 AM

(Shooting at -1, is that right?)

(yeah)

Grupp fires as well, driven by all the pain the helldivers have caused his people (22 (CRIT!), 17)

(5 initiative)

(3), The warbots have all been hit, and are damaged, but are all still active, their weapons rattling as they load, and begin to zero in on your group

(Oh, I rolled one too many times for the workers last time, just realized. But the last 6 didn't hit anyway)

12:36 PM

The workers once again fire at the warbots (18,16,14,13 damage: 12,17,13,17)

Two of the four bots go down under the rocket barrage, their iron forms falling to knees, then elbows, before blowing out.

(Grupp hasn't shot yet)

(yeah but why would you shoot at an enemy thats already dead)

1

Grupp fires once each at the two remaining bots (16, 12 for one 7,7 for the other, taking another strain)

A third bot is brought down in the street, leaving one remaining

12:58 PM

he lowers his grenade launcher, firing to suppress (evasions for all)

(14v6 for me, 17,14,4 for them)

(one fail, those passing take half, dmg coming once i can get to my phone again)

(These guys have +1 con, what's their health?)

(9, 1d6+2+ con, and at lvl 1 i just give them the max, so 6)

1

1:17 PM

(damage is 11, so full damage on fail, halved on everyone else) The chain of airbursting rounds showers deadly shrapnel on the rocket team, the bot barely managing to keep the barrel level, its body heavily damaged

One of their friends falling beside them, the workers keep up the barrage of rockets (11,15,7 damage: 14,19,15)

1:21 PM

Grupp fires at the last bot again (10/9 if it's not dead I'll take another strain to shoot again)

Grupp's shot grazes an already falling bot frame, its shattered armor plating falling off with dull clangs

Grupp heals the two remaining (4 and 8 health) and checks the last body as the Javelina arrives. "We'll put him in with Shura. They died heroes. Load up the explorer and the AA truck, I'll go finish the job." (Do worker bots fight at all? How many are in there?)

Heading down into the work-area, your companion is looking strangely at one of the tables

1:38 PM

"I've never seen a model like this before. I was in the wars, too."

Grupp goes and looks at the table.

1:43 PM

"Are they making something new?"

"I've never seen a crystal lattice like this before"

1:44 PM

He holds up a core, inlaid with strange, white purple crystals, in a perfect grid pattern, festooned with chips made of silicon, gold,and the same mineral

Grupp activates his Void Flow Scan and looks at the crystal, "This is arcanotech... how'd they get their hands on something like this?"

1:49 PM

(Rolled 14 on magic-know so I know what it is) Grupp looks it over carefully, "I think I know what this can do... I'm gonna have to talk to a certain scholar I know about this." Grupp searches the room for anything else of note.

The rest of the components are fairly mundane. They were repairing bodies down here, but the cores needed to get them to run are absent. The damaged bots in the street are too far-gone to be of use

"Let's go ahead and bag everything, if nothing else it'll be useful for scrap." Grupp helps Sergei and the other remaining worker gather the various components and scrap and load it in the Javelina.

1:54 PM

Afterward Grupp does one last careful sweep, flying over the city to make sure there are no remaining bots.

Nothing is visible on the street right now, and if there is anything left, they are dormant, your thousand senses not detecting anything strong enough for it to stand out

Grupp boards the Javelina. "Take us to Delphos, Tim. We'll unload the truck and scrap then take the Taros back to their resting place."

He nods, getting behind the controls, and you feel a rocking as the ship takes off, heading for new errands

2:58 PM

(3xp, 5000 credits)

On their way, Grupp sorts through the electronics and scrap, pulling out components that could be useful for his future plans. Arriving in Delphos, Grupp helps unload all their loot. "Tim, take Sergei and the fallen to Vapormills or wherever he says. He'll make sure they get where they need to go. Afterward take the Javelina to Central, I'll meet up with you there eventually. I've got a couple things to take care of." Grupp waves as the ship departs and heads for the palace to see Stonetusk.

Stonetusk and his personal guard are touring the regrowing gardens, helped along especially now by the regular imports of water from the seaside cleaning plant

Grupp approaches, admiring the growth, "Hey chief, just back from one of the Helldiver cities!"

“How did your expedition go?

"Not as well as I'd hoped to be honest. There were a couple casualties, but we did manage to take out four warbots and the anti aircraft. The warbots were destroyed but parts of the AA are salvageable."

“A shame when any death occurs on a mission”

Grupp nods, "Pa told me stories of war when I was younger. He never believed in sugarcoating things. Never made it sound heroic and noble. I knew those Helldivers were nasty bastards eh? Ha! Still, this was the first time I fought one. The others were more experienced but some strange twist of fate gave me these powers which apparently makes me fit to lead. Death feels different when you're in charge. I know I'm rambling a bit, all I mean to say is, I get why you think the piggen need a break from war." (edited)

“It’s so easy to snuff a life out. There are not many of us left”

"And may the rest of us grow old and fat, ha! I'm more than willing to leave the fighting to others, but I think I'll end up fighting more so they don't have to. Ever the burden of having power eh?" Grupp kneels down and picks a flower, examining it, "I've no problem with killing and I've no fear of dying. Death is what makes life so sweet, and it makes room for new people grow. A gentler people maybe. I'll play the reaper if that's what our people need."

He seems calmed by this, the ways of the shaman already beginning to take root in you through your own discoveries.

9:49 PM

“I understand they are working on some items you found on the moon. A week is what I had heard”

"Yeah, some old journals and prayers. I'll check back with them after the next council, should be ready by about then. Are you interested in history? I'm excited to see what's in them!"

"I am very interested in our history. I only have what the Shepherds tell me, and I want to read it for myself. It's going to answer some....questions of faith...that I have"

6:59 AM

He gestures for his guards to close in around both of you. With a stick he writes in the dirt I don't think the shepherds are acting in our best interest

Grupp's eyes widen and he casually brushes the words away with his foot. "Ah. Well, I really hope you get what you need from it. I'll make sure you get a copy of the translation as soon as the abbot is done."

Grupp takes the stick and writes. Do the monks know?

He shakes his head no

"Well, nothing to do for now but wait! I have a couple things to take care of, I'll see you at the council chief."

"Goodbye for now, Shaman" he says, heading back into the palace with his guard

Grupp watches them go, standing in the garden by himself for a minute. He sighs and heads back to check on the AA buggy they dropped off. This complicates things...

The buggy is being taken apart, plate by plate, and laid out, by an automated scrap bot

11:12 AM

anything too damaged to be of use is cataloged for you, and the component put aside for recycling

Grupp checks what parts are salvageable and if the AI core was damaged.

The core was overwhelmed in the blaze, and is not usable

Grupp frowns, Well at least I've got a better one! I should probably study it a bit more and see what I can do with it. He takes some scrap that looks usable for his project then teleports to the temple. Grupp heads straight to the workshop, dumping out the collected scrap on various tables, some spilling to the floor. He pulls out the strange core, studying it closely under his Void Flow Scan. "Hey Regulus, you there?" .... That guy never pops up when you need him, ha! Grupp takes the scrap and starts working, building a humanoid chassis for the core, teleporting back to Central as needed to get various parts for its construction.

The day is passed getting the body together, but everything you need to complete the project is able to be found

Grupp looks at the scrap body. This should work for now, maybe Billy or someone can build a better one later ha! He takes the core and places it in the body's chest. The densely packed metadimensional energy in the core spreads through the body, energizing it as it floods the systems. The concentrated energy in the temple streams into the core and is pushed through the body in pulsing waves. "Who are you? What are you doing?" Grupp smiles, Right on time! "I thought that might get your attention Reg. Ha!" Regulus appears, staying back from the body. "Shaman is that you? Why can't I see you?" "Ha! I picked up a few new tricks since last time eh? Let's fix this..." Grupp concentrates on his cerebral void, a thread of energy escaping and touching the incorporeal form of Regulus. "How's that eh? Training with Doona paid off that was way easier than last time ha!" Regulus blinks. "Ah... there you are." He squints at Grupp, "So you are a psychic now to? I'm not familiar with this discipline. And that is a rare thing." Grupp grins, "I'll let you study me in exchange for something yeah? Tell me what you think of this bot." Regulus frowns at Grupp, then gets closer to the body. "Hmm... it seems to be absorbing the ambient metadimensional energy to form a self sustaining system capable of..." He looks back to Grupp, eyebrow raised, "There's nothing in there to power, the core is empty. What... what are your plans for this? I assume you know what it can do?"

4:45 PM

Grupp laughs, "No need to be coy about it Reg, it's for you! The helldivers had it, though I doubt they made it." Regulus looks down at his ghostly form, "I.. thank you Grupp. I mean that." He reaches out and touches the core. The core starts glowing a strange ethereal blue-white and begins to draw the essence of Regulus in. The construct flashes and Grupp's momentarily blinded. His eyes adjust and Regulus is gone. The robotic body lifts a hand, turning it over to examine it. A strange but familiar metallic voice emanates from it, "This will take some getting use to. Thank you again, young shaman. With the concentration of energy this supplies... can we go to the academy? I would love to see it again." Grupp cheers, "Ahaha! It worked! Doona will be so excited! And Crane! And everyone! HA!" He takes Regubot by the hand and activates the crystal.

1

(heading to the academy then? that was awesome take a reroll)

(Yeah the academy)

Grupp and Reg-bot appear outside the academy, it is evening, and the air is cool. It will snow soon, you can already tell

Grupp excitedly ushers Regulus in.

Doona is inside, along with Crane, a seminar for the recovered psychics, now fully healed, has just finished up. THere is animated talking among them, as they look to re-inhabit the vapormills branch, and spread from there

"It does me great good to see the academy flourishing during my absence." The robotic body isn't advanced enough for fine facial movement, but the smile is heard in his words.

10:03 AM

Grupp waits impatiently next to Regulus, waiting for Donna or Crane to notice them.

THey have a look like they recognized the voice, but are trying to ensure what they are seeing is actually what is happening

Grupp laughs at their perplexed faces, "Come on, scan him you metapsi! Ha! He's the real deal!"

Donna does, and her eyes fill with tears, running to hug the robotic body

Regulus hugs her back awkwardly, still not used to his new body. "It's good to see you too Dr. Ahn. And you miss Crane." Grupp rushes in and joins the hug, his large arms enveloping everyone as he laughs.

(this is so precious)

3

A few moments later, everyone separates. "Well, Reg, if you're really here to stay, your office is still the way you left it. I couldn't bring myself to move in"

Regulus bows, "I would be honored to resume my position. That is, if I wouldn't be in the way. I don't suppose I require food or sleep anymore, so it shouldn't be too much of an imposition."

1:35 PM

Grupp slaps him on the back, "Ha! I don't think you get how much people've missed you Reg! I'll let you all get settled. I'll make sure to talk to Billy about upgrading that body eh? We wouldn't want to miss out on your signature frown! Ah- see? I know I'm missing one right now!" Grupp winks at Doona and Crane and waves goodbye, heading out into the night air.

The night sure enough, is silent, and snowy, the first large flakes are beginning to come down

Grupp stares at the snow in wonder., catching some flakes on his tongue as he's heard people do before. It's pretty, but doesn't taste like much ha! I don't get it. He shrugs and teleports back to the temple for a good night's sleep.

3:52 PM

Grupp wakes early the next morning and watches the sun rise over the desert. I should probably get a new gun if I'm giving this one to Billy. I'll miss it, but that new rifle I saw in the news looked pretty fun. I'll check with that Pops guy Dax is always talking about.

Pops is the colonial armsmaster and his forges are always busy. Recently thanks to data provided by UNW research teams, he has unlocked the secrets of the shear rifle

Grupp teleports back to Central and heads to Pops' shop.

Pops is always at his shop, the paunchy, quick with a joke armsmaster hard at work on replacing some burnt out machinery

Grupp approaches, "Heya there! I hear you're the one to see about a new weapon? What are you working on there, need some help?"

"We're just replacing one of the powered presses. My men can handle it, I'm already paying them" he laughs, and so do they. "What kind of weapon are we thinking? I've had all kinds of strange requests today"

"Ha! Fair enough! I wasnt thinking of anything too crazy, I just heard about the new shear rifles. I've been using an arcanotech gun but I gotta give that back to Billy. A fancy new gun would be a good replacement!"

"Ah youre interested in the shear weapons. Well, it just so happens I do have a small supply of them available as part of the pilot program. "

"Well, I'd love to be one of the first to try them out!"

9:51 AM

(Are there any upgraded pistols we've researched? Not for now, just curious)

(not really, slyth weapons are double damage but no ones found a pistol version yet)

1

"How much for one? Got a decent bit of cash recently, though I don't wanna blow it all in one place, ha!"

I believe its 10k in the book)

11:09 AM

(he just charges book rate)

(Ok, also restocking ship armory for 100k)

"Understandable, well, we have a wide selection here, and what I charge I think is pretty fair"

"Seems fair enough!" Grupp buys his shear rifle and new arms for his ship, "Thanks Pops! I'll be back I'm sure!" Grupp waves and exits the shop.

12:58 PM

Someone needs to go check out Wasim some more, I should find some people to help me check out whatever that dead guy found!

(you can post in looking for group if you like, I think you'll have better luck)

(Dax and I think Hailey are coming, waiting to hear back from her)

1:19 PM

(She's busy the next couple days so Dax and I will go ahead and start. If there's more to do she can meet us there when she's ready)

(kk)

Grupp walks up to Valeria, "Hey, mind if I come with you to make sure the cargo's still in good shape?"

"Of course, your find. I'd do the same thing." she begins moving, walking quickly with the case, and the equipment to a lifter, already prepped to head to Rebirth

Grupp joins her on the lifter. "I'm Grupp by the way!"

"Very nice to meet you Grupp. I've read up on you a bit"

Grupp raises an eyebrow, "Oh, there're things to read about me eh? Ha! Good things I hope!"

"All good" she smiles "Let's get aboard"

7:49 PM

She climbs through the crew gangway into the lander, and there is a judder as the release opens, as the last of you get aboard

"So what do you do in Rebirth? Are you part of House Draconis?"

She laughs "Between us, Kaleb is a bit too starchy for me. Knight Seneschal and all. I run the psitech research facility, along with my team, and two slyth"

"Ha! Psitech eh? I'm a bit of an expert in arcanotech myself, haven't dipped in the psi part yet. Maybe I can take a look at the forge while I'm down there, who knows maybe I'll make something for a friend, ha!"

"You'd need to ask the knights. Kaleb recovered it from Rawhani, and he'd been letting us study it, but only myself, Kaleb of course, and Doona have been given access so far"

"Ah, well maybe Doona can put in a good word for me! I don't mind running some errands or whatnot for them either if that makes them more comfortable. I don't really get the whole secrets and exclusivity stuff, but I guess that's business eh?"

"It's a very important treasure to the order. He had a very powerful spiritual experience when he touched the core of the forge. It really changed him. He didn't elaborate much on what exactly happened, but he's given me nothing to suspect anything untoward."

7:37 AM

The lander rattles gently, as the atmosphere begins heating the ablative shielding on the vehicle

"Spiritual? Heh that makes more sense to me. I'll have to talk to him about that sometime. Though I've my own spiritual issues to take care of first. We almost there? I've never been to Rebirth!"

"Almost" The ship rattles again, more violently, before you hear the whistle of air outside. Below, the small but growing settlement of rebirth begins to peak through the cloud layer. The cryogenic facility turned lab is surrounded by a 50m high wall, cornered with towers. Guns track movement on the ground, and in the air, but do not fire. The barons new brewery, and the slowly expanding settlements, and silver mine, are all churning with the morning's labors

Grupp stares out the window, nodding in approval at the defenses, "Looks busy down there!"

"Town used to be a pretty sleepy place" she says, as the ship comes in for a landing inside the research complex. You get the feeling aircraft don't normally land here. "I kind of miss those days"

"Ha! I bet a lot of the piggen would agree with you there! Of course they never mention all the good things that come with growth. Change happens whether we ask for it or not, least we can do it take charge of it eh?"

"My thoughts exactly Grupp. I'm glad to meet a piggen of such a like mind." The ramp lowers with a hiss, and she begins moving briskly toward the slowly winching open lab doors.

8:42 AM

"The slyth had a name for this place once, typed into their computer system before the last of them sealed themselves into cryo:

Grupp follows her, "Oh yeah? What was it?"

"The house of Dead Names. Everyone inside put their names or titles into the main database, turned on the custodian system, and went to sleep. hoping they'd emerge one day with a cure available. They did, I made one, but it was too late for all of them here but Gheist"

8:47 AM

"He's taken possibly being the last organic one of his kind surprisingly well"

"The last one eh? Yeah that sounds rough. How did the other slyth take it?"

"Other slyth?.. Oh, Jexad. He's got problems enough being an organic mind in a robotic body. Then spending a few hundred years in virtual isolation:

"Yeah that'd drive anyone crazy, ha! So where are we storing these tubes?"

"Come inside, and I'l show you" Val opens the door, with her palm, eye, and reciting something in her native language which to your ears sounds very sharp.

1:17 PM

The cool air of the lab floods out before the door seals behind both of you. Entering the cavernous space, a flock of maintainer eyebots heads from one duct, and enters another. A handful of scientists work on terminals or on various devices. One is working on some crystal like device with lapidaries tools, finishing touches rather than outright work

1:17 PM

She is heading to the center of the lab, where a circular floor level elevator is stationed

"Wow, nice place! My lab's just me in a dusty old workshop, ha! I might need to upgrade!"

2:20 PM

He follows her to the elevator.

A fence surrounds it so no one falls into the hole, and the elevator slowly winches below the floor, into the sub levels of the Rebirth facility.

8:18 PM

it winches down to the first, where all but one of the cryovaults has been removed, their contents spoiled, for a lack of better words. The space has been repurposed as a holding nook for experiments currently frustrating val.

Grupp switches on his void flow scan to see if any of the projects are psitech related, "Need any help with anything down here? We're using up your freezer space, I'd like to repay the favor if I can!"

"

8:29 PM

I am taking a vacation from some of this. I've spent a long time spinning wheels. I haven't taken a vacation in three years, pretty much since this happened. Maybe I'll check out Terezinho

8:29 PM

"I heard you can even get fish from there as pets now

2

"Fish as a pet? Ha! Find me a fish that can herd or pull a plow and I'll get myself one, ha! Though I bet if there's such a fish you'll find it there eh? I hear even the people are fish!"

"There are on Terezinho. Maybe we should take the trip together eh?" she elbows you playfully

"Ha! Maybe someday, there's too much to do for the piggen's only shaman to take time off! They'd be helpless without me!"

"I heard there was another doing some interesting things. Big Fork....Big hammer...something like that. You met him?" She is talking, while getting the cryochamber door cycled through its complex security protocols

"Oh yeah... I uhh. Kinda blew up his plane, ha! Not sure what he's up to these days. What was his name.. Big Arm? Big Piston? I really cant remember, ha!"

1

(we all know Seung is big piston(

1

After several minutes of complex unlocking, the freezer opens, and Val enters, with you, and the sample case. Almost all of the specimen racks are empty. Only a few samples are in the space, labeled as to their contents 'Cow' "pig;' 'Chicken' and 'Slyth'

8:39 AM

The scientific names are written below in elegant flowing script

"Ah the terran farm animals! You know, I've always wanted a pet pig. Much more useful than a fish I'm sure, ha! Well at least there's plenty of room for these. Can we do diagnostics while they're in here?"

"We can. I'll need your help with that actually"

9:53 AM

she rolls one of the shelves out, along with a complicated looking bioscanner. "A man named vulcan made this for me. It should help to stabilize any of them on the edge. Might save a few more than otherwise. Place them on the racks as quick as you can" she is typing away at the computer, and 6 racks for samples or cryotubes appear, with calipers to adjust for size differences

Grupp quickly places all the tubes on the racks then looks at the bioscanner, "Alright, how does this work?"

"Everything in place? " she looks over. "Alright, wall to your right, big lever, there's a red rubber cap on the end of the handle. Pull down on it as hard as you can"

11:45 AM

she has a matching one between her palms, ready

Grupp does as she says.

The power fades for a moment, plunging all of you into black. power flickers back on, and you hear a prolonged hiss, as the capsules are stabilized, those that can be. Out of what was taken, 36 are still viable, green lights shining in the dim light. A trio of them are amber, samples compromised, and not viable for functional life, but something could be learned from them. The remainder are a harsh, angry red

11:51 AM

"Well, more than I thought" Val says, pleased

"Not bad for storing them in a freezer eh?" Grupp points to the amber samples, "What all can we do with these?"

"Well, we can extract some material from them, but I dont think we can do anything to restore them to viability

8:57 AM

"Not without knowing a lot more about their biology. Being frozen, they won;t get worse"

"So we could maybe restore them with more knowledge? I'll need to talk to Billy about how he's getting on with the ones on Halia, it's their tech and their bodies, surely they'd be able to do something. Well, thanks for your help Val! I'm sure Terezinho will be lovely, maybe I'll join you after I finish up some things ha!"

"I'd like that" she smiles, leading you back to the central elevator, after locking the cryostorage unit back down. "We might be able to help them with more knowledge, but until we have it, I don't think any further interaction is a good thing. We have no idea what we're getting into"

"Yeah, trying to contact the aliens seems to be the next step. Do you know if anyone's been studying their language?"

"There are a few. I know some samples of it are being passed around, like anything new, it takes time. "

"Yeah, I'd study it myself if arcanotech stuff didn't take up all my spare time ha! I hate having to just wait around though. Oh well, nothing to do about it for now eh?"

9:17 AM

"Is there anyone else who can get in here if I need to while you're gone?"

"Two of the other techs can also access the vault, there's always at least one around, so day or night, if you have a breakthrough, or an idea, just report at the front gate, and we'll run down whatever leads you find"

"That'll work! Though I doubt they'll provide such pleasant company eh? Ha!" Grupp smiles, "Thanks Val! I'll see you around!"

"See you around Grupp" Val smiles, and the lab doors seal behind you

(It's been a week since giving the journal to the monks by now yeah?)

(yeah about that time)

Grupp boards the train and heads to Delphos

The train makes its way there through the course of the night. Arriving early in the morning you are one of the few on the platform

9:35 AM

There are many more guards present than normal

Concerned about the extra guards, Grupp hurries on towards the temple.

Arriving at the temple you see a few stationed there as well. They let you pass without comment. The monks inside are going about their labors as best they can, though the extra attention has somewhat diminished the serenity of this place

Grupp asks around for the abbot and heads to find him.

The abbot is upstairs and is expecting you. The journal is laid out on the table and he waves you inside

"What's it say?? What's going on, the whole city feels off!"

Hey Grupp, how is my favorite Piggen Shaman?  I wanted to give you a heads up since I might be heading to Delphos to try and meet Stone tusk sometime soon.  I was wondering, you know Piggen culture and magic right, are there any Piggen words or symbols of protection or something?  I had an idea I think would be cool for a Phosphor Tatoo.  Sorry if that's taboo, ,but I figured you might not mind being into cool tech stuff.  I want to learn Piggen, and some of the myths and History of your people, but I had a little on my plate becoming a Marshal, and catching a cannibal serial killer.  I swear this wasn't just a setup for a humble brag.   Well, maybe I'll see you soon?   

Your Friend,  Marshal Cornelius Hardt

P.S. I had your custom jacket made, It should fit really well with the scan, I hope it was ok to use it that way.  I'll bring it, if you're not there I could leave it with your parents maybe?

“Stonetusk has extra security around critical parts of the city. He’s been acting a little strangely. Hasn’t said much about it though. Not too sure what is going on”

Hmm I hope he's ok... "Have you finished the journal?"

I have. Some pieces of it are illegible, the books are old, but it’s a record from the original piggen settlers than ended up here, after emigrating north.

"The first ones on the planet? Was there anything that stood out to you?"

"The Piggen who came here settled the moon first, they were out of fuel and running low on food. They

6:54 AM

had been sailing for some time.

6:55 AM

"They settled there first, and tried to get by, but the terraforming project was not completed. They scavenged what they could under the direction of the shepherds, and sent a flock of system craft down to Gudrun

"The shepherds came with them? Does it say anything else about them?"

"They were developed from the piggen homeworld. our first attempt at AI. Our very first. "We;ve done a little reading, and I managed to get to Central, to talk with a few people I am friendly with there, specifically, Herb Rotterdam. I know he and stonetusk are close too." The abbot writes something on a piece of paper, and slips it to you. Piggen scientists never developed brakes for our AI. The Shepherds may not be sane anymore

8:13 AM

He gestures around the room, at the few pieces of technology here, trying to make you understand he's not sure if you're being listened to or not.

8:14 AM

"So like I said, they were our very first attempt at AI. They've been leading us well for a long time now, and helped is get from the moon , to here. I've translated several passages about them for your reading, I marked them"

Grupp nods in understanding, "I'd love to read them. Then maybe I can show you and Stonetusk something I've been working on!"

'Really?" he raises a bushy eyebrow. "What have you been working on?"

"Oh just some renovations at the temple and stuff." (Was thinking I'd bring them there so we could talk openly)

"Alright Grupp, well, we will talk then. Enjoy your book

"Thanks Abbott!" Grupp finds a comfortable pace to sit in the temple to read the translation.

The translation is spotty, but one thing that is clear through the entire volume is the occasionally erratic behavior of the shepherds, as they've tried to guide the Piggen through their travels, and later through the landings on Gudrun's moon, and the planet itself

1:14 PM

As time went on, they became less a guide, or advisor council, and more and more taking on the role of direct leader. Several chiefs have even forfeited the Karultai based on their advice, whatever threats or warnings passed out were of course unrecorded

1:15 PM

they do not seem to be acting with malice, but as time has gone on, their thoughts into how to secure the best future for the piggen have become more and more removed from reality, as their quantum processing works into levels of concern so far removed from the day to day experiences of their piggen charges

Grupp heads back to the Abbott, "Would you mind waiting at the temple for a moment while I check on the chief?" He holds out his crystal, "I can get us there right away."

The abbot is willing to wait there

(Forgot that'd take me back to Central lol) "Actually, would you come with me to see the chief? We'll all go at the same time."

He smiles "Of course Grupp. Let's go see Stonetusk together, then"

3:12 PM

"We'll need to watch what we say, and do,, we don't know who might be watching" (edited)

"Of course!" Grupp leads the way to the palace.

Stonetusk and his guard are on the gardens. His usual haunt lately especially with the first snows falling back in central and the more temperate lands.

"Hey chief! Are you busy?"

“Grupp” he breaks into a wide smile

7:43 PM

“Hello again “

"There was something I wanted to show you at the old temple, could you spare some time for the trip?"

"How are we getting there?" he asks, you can almost feel him thinking about his upcoming obligations, and time tables

Grupp smiles, "We can get there right away, but you'll have to take the train back from Central. Or I could give you a lift in my ship!" (Would the ship be faster than the train?)

(ship would be a lot faster)

Grupp extends a hand to the chief, pulling out the crystal. "I'll get you back by this evening, don't worry!"

"Alright, ready when the rest of you are then"

Grupp holds on to the chief and Abbott, and teleports to Shangri La.

The three of you arrive at the temple. Aiden, a squire to Calidorious and his Temple of the Knotted Wheel had been residing here for a while, but it seems now the two of them have gone. You are totally alone.

Grupp takes them to his workshop, "Leave any tech you have here. Just to be safe." He then leads them to open courtyard and pulls out the translated journal, "Ok, let's talk."

They both sit, waiting to hear what you have to say (the meeting was predicated on you wanted to show them something, so thats what the assumption is right now)

(Right) "We need to talk about the Shepherds and what to do about them. I brought you here so we could talk plainly and privately. Chief, I assume you've read the translation?"

"I've read enough to have a general idea. my Proto speak is needing improvement"

“It alarms me. The shepherds seem to have become more erratic over time. They’re not hostile. But they are dangerous. It’s something I can’t get my head around” the abbot says

"So we have three mostly friendly but unbraked AI on our hands. Is there a way to brake them? Or are they too far gone? I dont have much experience with AIs."

"The humans do. I think" stonetusk says. "But the AI's will know we're trying something. We should be ready for what they might do"

"I guess we can't reason with them in their current state. The only unbraked AI I've read about was the one on Alcibiades but that one seemed particularly corrupted by its past. You know them much better than I do chief, do you think they'd get violent?"

"They've could have been violent if they were intended to, or felt they needed to. I...." he takes a deep breath and you can see he is struggling with what to say next. "I am very concerned about if our attempts to brake them, or take them offline, would be a reason to make them violent"

"Yeah I agree. Do we know the extent of their abilities? How much control they have over technology and what their range is?"

"Enough to be disruptive. Shutting down communications, spying on us through public safety systems. Ironically, much of what the humans have brought us can be used to harm us if the AI decides to turn"

10:43 AM

(think skynet, spreads wirelessly, through communications, is what they're suspecting)

10:43 AM

(They've been luddites for so long its all just educated guesses now)

(Yeah that's what I was thinking) "Hmm it'll be hard to do anything without tipping them off. I think our best option is to hit fast and hard before they can react. For Alcibiades I think people mentioned an EMP? I don't think any of us want them destroyed, so if we could disable them long enough to install the brakes.. is getting an EMP possible?"

"We should see if the humans have any of those EMP grenades left from the helldiver wars" Stonetusk says "I saw a few being used when the bots breached the marketplace wall."

"Who would we talk to for that?"

"Val, she was the one who designed them"

"Ha! Well hopefully she hasn't left for Terezinho yet! And for the brakes?"

"Id say the same, or maybe that Charles Trivedi fellow, he's responsible for quite a bit of the human's technological advancement"

"Alright. I'll see Val first and if she can't help I'll check with him. We should keep this between the three of us though. This would be sacrilegous to the piggen and the humans just nuked a planet for having one unbroken AI. Not that I think they'd do that, but they wouldn't understand the delicate nature of our mission. As shaman I take full responsibility for this and whatever happens after. Is there anything else I'm missing? We only get one shot at this."

"You seem to have a better understanding even than we do already. Lets hope for success"

"Alright. Umm, here." Grupp materializes one of the advanced glaives in his hands, "Take this chief, in case someone questions what I was showing you."

“You’ve got everything thought out. I knew a shaman coming back to us was good news”

Grupp grins, "Let's hope I'm around for a while yet eh?" He collects anything they left in the workshop and teleports back to Central.

Central is quiet, the whole city still in the grips of the first major snow.

11:28 AM

The streets are largely empty, and the air has a crisp chill in it

"Alright, you two can take the Javelina back to Delphos. Just tell Tim I sent you. Chief can you get me an audience with the Shepherds?"

"I can. How soon do you need it?"

"How much time do you need to set it up? If it doesn't take long I'll just let you know once I have everything I need. If Val doesn't have the EMPs on hand I don't know how long it'll take."

"About a day. You think that;s enough time?"

(How long's the train to Rebirth? Would it be faster in the ship even stopping by Delphos first?)

(Still yes for now anyway)

(Yeah they're upgrading the rails soon right?) "A day should hopefully be enough assuming everything works out." Grupp leads them to the Javelina and tells Tim to take them to Delphos.

(Yeah. End of month it’ll be done. Got paid for by WS last month. The stuff I posted in the other chat is the next round of proposals.

Grupp drops off the Abbott and Stonetusk and heads to Rebirth. Hey Val, have you left yet? I've got a couple questions if you're around!

Not yet the reply comes in I'd be happy to talk with you

The Javelina lands in Rebirth and Grupp heads to meet Val.

Val brings you inside the lab as you arrive , into a sealed and secure office

(Secure enough we shouldn't need to speak in writing?) "Thanks for seeing me again so soon! I heard you were the one to talk to about EMPs?"

(Yeah it’s not connected to anything the shepherd have access to)

(You want to pause this for Cruesa?)

(We can get in a bit more before bed and op commencement tomorrow)

"I'm gonna have to be a bit vague on my reasons just to be safe, but do you have any of those EMP grenades left? I heard you were the one who developed them to use against the helldivers."

“I’ve got two. The rest got used in the fight and there was no need for more. They take a long time to make”

"You mind if I take both and then help you make more later? They'd be useful on Asta and any other places with aggressive bots."

Grupp, you’re beautiful. Thank you for this. Is there any additional footage from the place?

“I’ve got a couple here. We can talk mass production when you get back”

Thank you Grupp. That is brilliant.

Grupp smiles, "Thanks, that sounds great! Now to the more sensitive matter... do you know how to brake an AI?"

(We can pause, but I was going to use her lab to fully inspect the advanced glaive)

(Sounds good, we can work on that. They most often resemble long cutting bars or retrofitted axe blades, the edges smoldering with micro-plasma emissions. Almost all require two hands to wield effectively. Thermal razors inflict substantial damage on targets they hit, but they are especially useful in cutting holes in anything short of armored military bulkheads. They can melt their way through plastics, metals, common construction materials, and other solid barriers, cutting a man-sized hole up to a meter deep in one minute of work. Most of them were originally intended to be attached to industrial power feeds, however, and so they are voracious energy hogs. Each one consumes a full Type A power cell for each three minutes of operation.

9:21 AM

(It's their version of a thermal razor, this one has a 10ft reach, 2d8 damage, advanced heavy melee weapon)

(Sounds awesome)

(Were you planning on sticking around for the TECT stuff, or did you want to return?)

(Were we doing more TECT stuff? I'm down to do the skill challenge but the others didn't seem to)

(I think the plan now was some team was going to go in after or RP some stuf,f i have no idea now)

3:16 PM

( weeps in neko )

(Oh gotcha lol. I thought it was a cool idea. I can hang around there if others are going to do stuff with it)

“How to brake an Ai. Well we would need programmers. A dozen if not more and they’d all have to be very good. And efficient “

"A dozen, that'll be tricky. How long does it take to do? And how long does your EMP last?"

“The EMP will fry anything for good, but if it’s got a quantum personality like those AI probably do, I’d say about an hour. Maybe a bit less.

5:20 AM

“That’s about the time we would need to get the first set of brakes in. After that we could take a more relaxed pace

"Well at least we have two of them just in case. So if I'm trying to do three AIs at a time I'll need 30-40 people helping?"

"A lead programmer for each, and then some assistants, I'd say 30. Surely in your travels you've met some friends"

8:24 AM

(so a team of 10 for each, boss and some helpers)

"I've met friends sure. It's just going to be hard to keep this quiet with so many involved. Would you be interested in being one of those?"

"I'd be happy to organize the teams, and be the master monitor for the whole process, along with you"

"How many people could you bring?"

"I could staff one of the teams with lab workers from both the main lab in Cenrtal, and here, but you;d need to find the other two groups"

"Thanks, I'll need to head out right away. I heard Trivedi was another who could help, do you know of anyone else to lead the third group?"

"Met anyone in your travels? Galeta seemed pretty advanced. "

"I'm sure they'd have people who could help. I suppose I could postpone a week or so to visit them."

“To ensure this is done right , it may be worth it. We will only have one shot at this”

9:35 PM

“Once they realize what we are doing, if there’s any kind of imperfection, they’ll make life very difficult for all of us”

"You're right. I'll let the chief know to be on standby. Thanks Val, you've been inVALuable ."

3

Grupp. A thought. Is there any way you could make someone look like a Wasimian?

9:45 PM

Brilliant. Ive got a plan brewing for Halia. We will need to continue cracking the code for their language though. Maybe having their anatomy might help us understand them. Do you want to try running some lab tests before we make contact again?

9:48 PM

Agreed. Thank you my friend.

"Val, do you think you could run some tests on the on the tubes from Wasim while I'm gone? Billy wants some info in their anatomy. Not sure how much you can do without harming them."

"What do you need me to look for? We have established possible viability already"

"Maybe just general anatomy analysis, determine how their bodies work and differ from humans or piggen."

"I'll see what I can model, the samples we have aren't much to work with"

"I know, it's fine if you can't get anything but I figure it's worth a shot. Alright, I guess I'm off to Galatea! I'll let you know when I'm back so we can prepare."

She acknowledges your statement, and begins getting ready to get whatever information she can out of the samples

Grupp heads back to the Javelina. "Looks like we're heading to Galatea, let's get on our way Tim!" As they're leaving Grupp sends a message to Stonetusk. GOING TO GALATEA FOR SOME HELP ON A PROJECT. I'LL LET YOU KNOW WHEN I GET BACK! (edited)

(So heading there and then we go to Billy’s thread? Do I have this right?

(I meant for him to go on without me so I didn't hold him up, if he's waiting for me I can just join him first)

(I think even so you’ll catch up to him) Arriving in space over galeta Grupp can see little if anything has changed on the surface below

Grupp lands in Arctopia, hoping they still hold him in good regard after his previous encounters with them.

Arcoptia seems friendly and the same five strong detail of shells greets you as your ship comes in to land, their platinum blonde hair all blowing the same way in the artificial wind

"Hello there my groupminded friends! How have things been the past couple months?"

“They are well, thanks to your efforts.”

"Wonderful! I have a bit of a favor to ask. I'm willing to pay the favor back of course, but it would be a bit later if that's alright. Do you know much about AI and braking?"

“We do very much. Nearly our whole society is optimized by such technology’s

"Well that's remarkably handy. I've got a couple of AI friends back on Gudrun, they were built before we knew how to brake them. They're starting to.. degrade now. Would you be willing to supply a team for the purpose of braking the AIs? I'd owe you a favor that you could call upon at your discretion after the fact."

“How many did you need? We will be happy to make our account square, you’ve aided us once already”

1:59 PM

(The stuff you made with the grail you didn’t really get to keep since you have no holdings here and anything taken off world fades. As far as they’re concerned they still owe you one)

"Ten would be enough, though twenty would be perfect!"

“Twenty, and we call our accounts even?” The groupmind shells ask. A chilly winter wind kicks up blowing picturesque snow around the landing pad

"That sounds great! My ship won't fit that many, do you have transport?"

"We do not possess spike capable craft- but we have a solution"

2:20 PM

one of the shells lurches forward, and a shimmering blue light begins constructing an object in its hand. It looks to be the size of a data tap, but far more complicated. "This device will not deteriorate when off world, but it will once the mission is complete. If you can attach this to the object in question, we will be able to assist from here, even through the wide gulf of space"

"Wow that's amazing! Is it possible to get two of those? I kind of need ten working on two things at once. The timing is quite tricky here."

She thinks for a long moment before the device splits into two

Grupp smiles and takes the devices, "You guys never cease to amaze me! I'll come by again sometime and we can trade favors again."

The two devices are tucked away and the shells return inside, to begin organizing the teams and equipment needed to assist

Grupp thanks them and boards his ship, heading back to Gudrun.

The return trip has you back two days after you left Galeta, and plans on the ground, as far as Val's end, have been completed

Grupp sends Val a message telling her to meet him in Delphos. He sends another to Stonetusk letting him know he's back. The Javelina sets down in Delphos and Grupp waits to hear back.

Val appears on your location five minutes later. She sheds her winter coat almost right away.

1:47 PM

“Welcome back Grupp. How was your trip”

"Successful! I've got everything we need. I heard you had some security issues, nothing related to our business here I assume?"

"Nothing related to our project, but enough of a delay for me to run things closer than i wanted"

"Hmm well maybe it's something I could help out with later if needed, you're doing me a great favor already. I'm off to meet with Stonetusk, you can get your people here I trust?"

“Yes. I wanted to check in with you first. We will be ready, Ive got all the equipment together. The galetans are with us?”

"Got em here in my pocket!" Grupp winks, "They're an odd but helpful folk. Do the charges work instantly? It seems silly, but I'd kind of like to talk with them first before we work on them."

“The EMP? Once you release the trigger spoon on the grenade it goes off after five seconds. It’ll work right away”

"Great! Ok, I'm off to see the chief. You'll know when to pop in. See you soon!" Grupp heads off to find Stonetusk.

“I’ll be ready” she says and heads out to complete her preparations. Stonetusk hasn’t left the palace grounds since your last talk but you see the royal guard normally attending him has doubled

"Hey chief! Everything going ok since I've been gone?"

He nods. "Things don;t change very fast around here. How was your trip?"

"That's true enough. My trip was productive. Were you able to schedule my meeting?"

"THey're willing to see you whenever you wish. They were not hard to convince"

Grupp smiles, "Wonderful! I've been meaning to see them for a while now. Um, where are they?"

He hands you his staff of office, a walking stick a bit taller than he is. It is capped at the bottom with a metal tip, and looking at it very closely, you can see the mico-fine circuits woven into it. "Behind the throne, there is a gap in the floor. Insert this, and twist. A passage will open"

Grupp bows, "Thanks chief! I'll head down there now." Grupp goes behind the throne and places the staff into the gap.

Twisting it, there is a grind of stone on stone, as a very well concealed panel of a mural opens, and you enter into the now open mouth of a piggen warrior, to a stone cold passage, and carved spiral staircase heading down

Grupp descends the stairs in quiet reverence.

Down below, grupp climbs down several floors worth of winding stair, though there is nowwhere to get off but the bottom. The air is chilly, and dry, and the sounds of clicking machinery grow more and more noticeable. At the bottom of the stair there is a small landing, before a large iron door. On it, is an inscription. "This, is the place where gods and Piggen meet"

"I wonder if the gods are watching me today." Grupp enters the door.

The door opens with a hiss, and gently shuts behind you. Ahead, each in a 3m tower of metal, and wire. an Ai core is perched in each, connected to a squackbox , and each has its own black domed camera. All focus on the door, and on you

10:33 AM

"Welcome, Shaman" they say in unison

Grupp bows, "Shepherds. It's an honor to finally meet you!" He stands up straight and smiles.

"Your presence is known to us, Shaman Grupp. Chief Stonetusk communicated that you wish to address us"

10:41 AM

The camera lenses all focus, in and out

"I seek our homeland. You came with us, all that way. You've been with us, all this time. Can you tell me about our people? Our history? Our gods?"

there is a strange, repeating tone that echoes through the space, as one of the intelligences is mumbling something incomprehensible, like a mantra, over and over. "The Piggen as a starfaring race date back thousands of years. The Piggen have many gods, but none more active in securing their welfare than us"

"You've been an invaluable resource for our success, it's true. That's why I'm here, to secure our future. What's our next step in advancing as a people?"

There is a hiss of static, as all three of the intelligences begin explaining thieir plans, but rather than one unified idea, the ideas are wildly different, fantastical, and not at all in synch with one another

12:49 PM

dozens of different rending pass by almost faster than you can see them, The city of New Delphos, A biomechanical piggen rebuilt from helldiver parts, a new space program, settlements on the moon, a planet free of humans and taros, cloning, and above all, a calm control, by the three intelligences here

Grupp clasps his hands behind his back, nodding in agreement, "You are truly wise, many ideas I would never have considered." The EMP falls into his hands from his void pocket, "But which one is best? Surely between the three of you there must be a consensus?" He activates the EMP. (edited)

There is a slight tick, as the device begins burning down from 5 seconds

1:08 PM

The argument grows with even more intensity, and the device explodes, sending a shockwave of electrical energy through the room. The overwhelming argument suddenly falls entirely silent

Who answers your prayers when you pray for your gods? Grupp brings out the devices from Galatea, attaching one to two of the AI cores.

1:13 PM

He fingers the other EMP nervously as he waits for Val.

Val's black-pad calls, and your own comm devce is able to pick it up despite its low operation

1:50 PM

"Grupp, we saw power there went down, we...." The line goes dead, and a blue beam pierces your chest. A cold sensation spreads through your chest and the world goes black It feels like you are being dislocated, and in your ears, you hear nothing but the sound of the sea, and...someone playing an accordion?

1:50 PM

WELCOME TO DABLOONSCAPE a message banner flashes ahead of you on a path through some tropical looking trees, toward a beach

5

Grupp stares around, wide eyed. Dabloon... wait is this that game Mord wasted literally years of his life on? Grupp walks down the path towards the beach.

"Grupp. Grupp can you still hear me?" you hear val's voice in your ear

"Val? I hear you! I think I'm stuck in a VR pirate game? Not sure how all of this works but I'm glad I can hear you. What's going on out there?"

"Massive power failure in Delphos. We've got the connections made, my team and the Galetans are going to help you, we're starting the brake process now, but we'll need you to compete it. When Billy and Mord did this on the ID platform, they had to beat whatever encounter the game set up for them to get the data. Maybe its the same here?"

"Seems weird, but alright. I'll do my best! Let me know if anything changes out there ok?"

2:40 PM

Grupp walks out onto the beach.

"Marnin Keptn!" the accordion player with two eyepatches on says, sensing your approach. A small sloop is anchored just out in the shallows, and a few pirates lounge on the beach near a longboat, eating bananas and comparing their cutlasses

Gods why does Mord like this kind of garba- "ARRRRG YE MATEYS! AVAST! YE SORRY SCURVY LADS WEIGH ANCHOR AND AWAY!" Grupp flexes in his long sleeveless captain's coat, bare chest sporting a grinning pig skull tattoo. Peg leg knocking against the wood as he boards the longboat, he points to the sloop with four hook-hands.

5

1

(This is the best thing you;'ve ever said)

3:25 PM

The pirates jump to attention and pile into the boat , launching it just after you climb aboard. You can hear val chuckling softly on the other end

3:25 PM

The sloop throws down a rope ladder as the lot of you approach, and the pirates begin working to have the launch recovered

Grupp climbs aboard the sloop. "QUARRRRRTERMASTER, BRING ME A FLAGON AND AN EYEGLASS, WE'VE BOOTY TO PLUNDER AND AI GODS TO DISMANTLE! WHERE DO THE WINDS BE TAKING US TODAY?"

You have a flagon Of frothy ale and a Spyglass in two of your more than that number hands before you’re even finished speaking. “Our quarry be on a galleon sailing near shepherd crook isle. We sink her, and we carry the day.”

Suddenly, an oddly shaped parrot with a familiar eye poking out of the chest flutters up to your shoulder, thrusting out it’s leg to show a piece of parchment attached. It reads: “Grupp, Hope all is well. I am getting ready for a visit to Galeta to find help breaking the Wasimian language so we can communicate and resolve the situation on Halia. I’ve bought a month through negotiations with the Blacksurf floatilla. Is there any advice of something they might want in return for such a service or anything I might need to know?” (100 Gems to reply.)

"A GALLEON EH? DO THIS SHIP BE EQUIPPED TO DEAL WITH SUCH NASTY BEASTS?" (edited)

"We've six guns my captain!" will be a tough contest of arrrrrms!"

"WHAT ARRRR WE WAITING FOR THEN? PULL THE MAINSAIL AND SWAB THE POOPDECK! FULL SPEED AHEAD TO SHEPHERD CROOK ISLE!"

a cabin boy begins swabbing the deck behind you, and the sails fill with wind. The navigator pulls up a course to shepherd crook isle, and it looks like a few hours of sailing

10:44 AM

"We'll be upon em at sundown Keptn!" one of them calls out

"ACCORDION GUY, IT'S SEA SHANTY TIME! ANYONE WHO DOESN'T BE SINGING WALKS THE PLANK! ARRRRG!"

What do you do with a drunken sailor plays out several times over the next couple hours of sailing. You hear Val, and a few of the galetans singing along as well through your earpiece

11:22 AM

it will be in everyones head for days

11:23 AM

Ahead, the lookout calls out "Mast!:

Grupp holds a spyglass to each eye, "PREPARE THE CANNONS, OUR TARGET BE IN SIGHT!" One of Grupp's hooks shifts into a cannon as well.

The ship is a three masted second rate, two decks of guns begin unspooling. "Well, that's just not fair" Val says. "Hang on, We're coming to help"

2:20 PM

Around you, the ship swims with light displacement and heat ripples, and you hear the sounds of hammers and saws as a cloud of dense sawdust rises

2:21 PM

It clears, and you now sit much higher out of the water, in command of your own second rate to match. Val stands with you on the stearncastle, the Galetan's and her team now resembling themselves, as avatars on the gun deck in front (and slightly below) you, and on the second gun deck below.

"HA! MANY THANKS AND WELCOME TO THE CREW MATEYS! NOW IT'S TIME TO BLOW THOSE LANDLUBBERS TO SMITHARRRRREENS!"

(initiative)

(5)

(they got a 1) The gun ports on the below-deck cannons open, as you pull up for your first broadside exchange (10 guns, d20+5 to hit, enemy Ac 18, each cannon is d6 damage, not usng armor for the ships)

(So 6 cannons on each side now right?)

2:47 PM

(And how far away are we for boarding purposes?)

(10 on each side_

2:48 PM

(about 100m right now)

(20/1, 22/6, 18/2 for the cannons)

2:50 PM

(My shot missed)

The first volley mostly splashes short, but the gunners find the range. A few shots hit and punch small splintered holes in the body of the ship

7:08 PM

The broadside on the Shepherds vessel fires at the same time (3 hits, totaling 6 damage, you're at 69/75)

7:08 PM

The ships pass one another, respective side guns reloading, the process expected to take at least a few minutes

Grupp turns to Val, "TAKE THE HELM FIRST MATEY! I'VE A DASTARDLY PLOT TO HATCH!" He gives her his winningest smile and jumps overboard, turning into a fish on the way down.

You see her rushing over to grab the flywheel, and the game allows you to become a fish. Above, you see the twin shadows of the boats sailing aay from one another and beginning their wide, re-aligning turns

(Does all magic work here?)

(So far)

Grupp swims as fast as his fishy tail will let him towards the other ship.

(How close did you want to get)

(Right up to it, wanting to blow a hole in the hull)

(their notice roll fails, you can do whatever yuoure going to do unspotted)

(Want me to roll stealth? They get -2 to notice from nullifier)

(It's going to be impossible for you to get below a 3)

1

8:17 AM

(in this case a 1 with 2 dice)

Grupp swims up to the galleon. Turning back into himself, he places his hooks on the bottom of the hull and casts breaching charge. (3m hole)

A shaped charge of frothing water, wood splinters, and loose cargo blows into the bottom of the Galleon, knocking the sailors on the deck off their feet.

10:29 AM

The ship groans as the water continues bubbling in through the breach. Above, you hear the first sets of stamping feet beginning to find themselves, and head down to see what happened

Grupp swims around and up the side of the ship, flying up and peaking over the edge onto the deck.

The three shepherds have swords drawn, all dressed as finely uniformed piggen themselves, unmarked by any kind of scar, or blemish, and each of them sports a different but highly opulent powdered wig

(Could I get a sneak attack or do they see me?)

(You could get a sneak attack, they're focused on Val's ship_)

Grupp vaults onto the deck, unleashing a blast of void energy at one of the Shepherds before closing with them, one of his hooks growing chain links turning into a hook-flail, glowing red with heat. (Bonus action on surprise attacks from nullifier) He swings the flail at another shepherd. (20 damage to one, 11/14 for the thermal razor hook to another)

They reel from the blows apprehend scoundrels they all blurt at once, closing in with cutlassai

11:15 AM

(21/8, rest miss)

11:15 AM

Two of the swings go wide, not used to this style of digital combat, but they quickly rally.

11:15 AM

(Youre up)

"I'VE MATEYS WHO'VE SLAIN GODS, BUT NONE WERE THEIR OWN. HAVE AT YE OLD FRIENDS!" Grupp swings at the one hit by the psychic blast, (20/14)

One of the shepherd bodies collapses, falling to pixels and flickering out, before fading away

11:59 AM

some gems are left behind

12:00 PM

(19/1, crit 11 already doubled)

12:01 PM

the remaining two adopt fencing positions, using their long poniard's to attack you from opposite sides

12:01 PM

You have many arms. We have different angles one beeps

Grupp slashes at the injured one, "CUT OFF ME ARMS AND THEY GROW BACK, DO YOUR ANGLES DO THE SAME?" (11/15)

A cutlass deflects the blow, and the two of them reposte as one, swinging back at you

1:27 PM

(oh its got windcutter, so they take shock from the razor, not enugh to kill but close)

1:28 PM

(21/7, the other misses)

Grupp grins, a bit of blood showing at the corner of his mouth. He does a flying backflip over the injured one, striking down as he lands. (13/11 or 4 shock)

(not bad for a pig with a peg leg

)

Another of the shepherd forms falls overboard, pixelating and dissolving before he hits the water

2:22 PM

The final one lays in, stabbing straight ahead with his sword, hoping to pierce your chest

2:23 PM

(Crit 8, already doubled)

(Ouch) "JUST YOU AND ME NOW MATEY! LAY DOWN YOUR SWORD AND SUBMIT TO THE TRUE MASTER OF THE SEAS, ARRRG!" Grupp starts casting a spell. (He can snap attack if you want) (edited)

(I have 1hp left and am about to heal to full, you should take the snap)

(This didn’t light up for me. ,12. Miss)

(Healed 27) Grupp's wounds close as his body is flooded with revitalizing energy. "IT BE FUTILE SCALLYWAG!" He swings the hook flail in a couple loops before lashing out at the last Shepherd. (15/11)

Sea shanty 2 begins playing as Val and the galetans pull up alongside, throwing grappling hooks. The final shepherd lies mortally wounded at your feet; offering you his sword , hilt first

Grupp takes the sword, a bit clumsily with his hooks. "Be at peace Shepherds. It'll all be better when you wake." He turns towards Val, holding up the sword. "ARRRRG, VICTORY BE OURRRRS!"

You have enough time to see her smile, and the Galetan deck crew is cheering, before the world begins to fade out, and you awaken back in your own body, on the floor of the chamber. Both data taps have somehow been placed onto the towers, allowing the Galetans to hack

8:49 AM

You see a royal guard, the captain of them to that end, standing over your body, several small eyebot like creatures dispatched. He is burned in several places from laser wounds

8:49 AM

His long talwar staff spins, knocking the last of them into a wall with the flat of the blade, before his counterswing cuts it in half

Grupp stands, placing a hand on the captain's back and healing some of his wounds. "Arrr- I mean, thanks captain. I think it's over."

"Grupp?" your comm buzzes "Grupp did you make it out?"

9:18 AM

(6xp, 10,000 credits)

"Val? Yeah I made it out, are you and your team ok?" Grupp goes and checks on the Shepherds.

"A few bloody noses, and some bruises, but everyone's alive. We have the first layer of brakes in now, if they re-activate, we can work around them."

"I guess you don't need me for anything right? I'll need to go check in with the chief, make sure the power outage didn't hurt anyone."

He nods, and continues combing the room for any more of the bots. You do not hear anything else down there, that must have been it. Above, the chief is surrounded by a phalanx of guards in the garden. THe city is in a bit of disarray at the blackout, but everyone looks unharmed

"Chief! It's done. Is everyone out here ok?"

"Looks that way. What happened in therE?"

"Set off the EMP and I got sent to a virtual world to physically battle the AIs. It's really quite piggen of them. I just barely got the better of them and now the first stages of brakes are installed. Val and the Galateans will keep working, but they'll be safe even once the power's back."

“It’s really over then. I can hardly believe it”

5:00 PM

“Things look different now without their conflicting voices”

Grupp nods, "If all goes well they should still be able to advise, though I think perhaps a bit more regulated than before. I'll be interested in what they have to say as to our future though."

Your earpiece is a steady back and forth of the different programming teams working at a fever pitch

"I think I'm going to spend some time here, helping out close to home for a while. Visit my folks and get the temple cleaned, maybe make some upgrades. I'll head back out when the expedition south is ready but for now I think this is where I'm needed."

“The piggen will need their shaman, especially now with the shepherds going through their own changes”

"Don't know how useful my advise will be, but at least I've got more outside experience than most piggen here eh? Ha! I'm going to head to the temple for some studying and work, but I'll be back to help clean up some of this mess soon."

9:14 AM

(Since this was technically before Cruesa, he'll spend the rest of the month upgrading the workshop to "advanced" for 250k and doing arcanotech research)

(Researching the Auctoritas Weapon blueprint for last month 15v13 success. Then upgrading my glaive with Auctoritas also 15v13)

9:26 AM

(300k and 45 Occult Lore cost for the research and creation)

(Awesome! So what does it have now)

(Auctoritas Weapon: Intended for use by great generals and martial leaders, these +3 pattern weapons grant their bearer an uncanny aura of leadership and command. Enemies that face them directly in battle suffer a -2 penalty to Morale, and any soldier or warrior who believes they are under the legitimate authority of the bearer must make a Mental saving throw to resist any command that is not patently suicidal or entirely against their nature.)

(Cool beans)

“I’ll get the guard organized to help out with that. Maybe see if dank crew can send some people out too”

"I'm glad the blackout didn't hurt anyone. Things really went as smoothly as they could have. If you don't mind chief, it's been a while since I've seen my folks. I'm way past due for a visit, ma's not going to be happy, ha!"

"Even a chief can't help you there. Give them my best Grupp"

Grupp grimaces, "Thanks chief, I'll be around." Leaving the Javelina in Delphos, he decides to walk back home, returning the way he left.

Your parents are out in the fields when you return home, harvesting winter wheat. Your compad pings HEY SON. I THINK I FIGURED THIS OUT

7

5

Grupp chuckles and shakes his head, wordlessly joining them in the fields, arms extending out into long scythes to help with the harvest.

2

(I will get another thread up for your Merlon if Grupp is chilling for a while)

3

(Yeah, let me get backstory and stuff set up for that first

)

"Grupp!" someone calls up the stairs, as evening grows on yet another day where psionic secrets have not been wrested from the forge. "Message for you grupp!"

Grupp stands and stretches all four arms with a grumbling groan, "Back in a sec Val, don't make any groundbreaking discoveries without me eh? Ha!" Making arcanotech is so easy, why is that darned forge so complicated? "Maybe when I get back we can take a short break. Been a few days since we've blasted some virtual pirates, ha!" Grupp makes his way up the stairs to see what the message is.

There is a small pad left for you, with a note from headmaster Fate of the academy, detailing his recent trip to Sumati, and the pool there. He sends some additional information, showing the battle, and his hopes that something can be learned from the nexus pool there. As a powerful arcanist in your own right, Headmaster Fate is interested in what can be learned in his absence

"Are you kidding me? Reg gets to fly around battling evil with my bestie Dax, while he makes me do his research for him? I mean, I'm by far the UNW's most expert arcanologist so it makes sense he wants me." Grupp gives a resigned sigh before hollering down at Val, "I'M GOIN TO SUMATI VAL! DUNNO HOW LONG IT'LL TAKE BUT I'LL BE BACK IF I DON'T DIE!"

(Val and Grupp sound like an old married couple)

“ALRIGHT!” You hear val reply from inside. “BRING A JACKET AND MAKE SURE YOU EAT!” Mothering, the thing she does best, as is a common light hearted tease

Grupp grumbles to himself as he grabs a few snacks for the trip, "I don't need a jacket, I can make myself immune to the cold..." He heads out to the Javelina and updates Tim on his new orders before settling in and making himself comfy for the ride.

Tim sets the coordinates and brings up the reports on the island for you. You can see that Intel has failed two operations there before the headmaster arrived to clear things up. The identities of the mages there have been recorded and they are bound to UNW service with binding oaths

"Mages eh? Ha! Haven't dealt with many of those besides Mord, that should be fun. Alright Tim, let's check out this mystery pool and these supposedly redeemed evil guys."

5:48 PM

(No plans for downtime beyond arcanotech stuff, I need to roll for last month's research)

5:53 PM

(Researching blueprint for Pavis of Regret; Magic Know: 15v14 success. Cost: 250k credits; Gain: 30 EP) (edited)

(Sounds good) The planet Sumati is on high alert, as one of the shaper rocks entered local system space this month. The governor led a strike fleet to destroy it, and the pieces it fragmented into, but the mood on the planet is still tense and frightful

"Alright Timmy, set us down on that island over there. Theoretically there shouldn't be any fireballs or anything there anymore."

Timmy sets the craft down by the castle ruins which have remained just that, ruins- though those closest to the pool have been cleared to prevent another cave in

(They should also be starting to construct a research facility here, that was part of this month's faction action) Grupp takes in the ruins, "They said Reg was here by himself? Ha! I need to see him in action sometime eh? Not bad for a dead guy!" He exits the ship and heads down into the tunnel.

Inside the tunnel you see some galleries have been dug out, and some lines, pipes, supports, and air exchangers have been run underground, the beginnings of the discrete facility here to study the pool in an environment of both security and secrecy. Several workmen who are not workmen tip hard hats as they pass, features totally hidden behind goggles, dust masks, and coveralls

Totally not creepy. Pretty sure every holovid that starts this way ends terribly. Grupp activates his Void Flow Scan to see any active magical effects and proceeds further into the tunnel to the pool. (edited)

2

(Ready here whenever you are

)

There are magical effects present in the area, one being rectification, interestingly enough. The tunnel remains creepy , and you pass more of the stance workmen. You likewise get a sense of some kind of energy from@them, like they are bound to their forms or this place.

9:37 AM

It is both life, and unlife

Huh, rectifiers. And zombies. I'm gonna sell rights to this story to Hailey later. Grupp gives the workmen a wide berth as he moves into the chamber with the pool.

1

Three figures are standing back to you, in front of the pool, each are holding hands in a line. You sense a nexus of magical energies around them, too intermingled to distinguish one from the other. If they notice your presence , they give no isndicsrion

10:07 AM

Indication

Grupp walks around the pool, glancing into the water and then up at the figures. "Heya guys! I'm Grupp! Whatcha doin?"

The three figures slowly turn. “You’re the one sent by the headmaster fate?” The middle one says; arms still clasped to his fellows

"Yep! Ol' Reggie himself sent for the great master of magical arts, me!" Grupp gives an elaborate bow. "So you guys are mages huh? That's neat, I haven't met many others yet!"

(Poke)

"And we have not met any either, since the disaster. You too are a rectifier? You can sense the nexus here, can't you?"

"Yeah this pool is really something else. More concentrated natural occurring power than I've felt anywhere, even Shangri La. What all do you know about it so far?"

“This nexus is a combination of various magical leylines. Combinations of magical effects are@possible here that simply aren’t anywhere else”

6:13 PM

(I had some ideas for some fusion abilities)

(Sounds awesome!) "Ah, that's why I couldn't get a clear look at what you guys were doing! Combining magics... I have a few non-rectifier things I can do, but I haven't tried combining effects beyond just stacking the passive physical upgrades of rectifier while focusing on something from a different arcane discipline."

“It’s a complicated study, and one only possible here. Our work was kept a secret and now we still do not fully understand what is beneath our feet

"Well I love secrets, I share them whenever I can! Alright, so what can I do to help? I'm pretty awesome, so just give me whatever you need the most help with!"

"Have you noticed the laborers here? Tell me, what is your impression of them. " the rectifyer says, as he begins looking back into the swirling multicolor depths of the pool

"Uh, creepy that's for sure. Not really alive. The energy is a bit similar to a guy I fought before, a minion of the Still Lady. Got a cool helmet from him, it was a whole big thing. Anyway, workers you don't have to feed and pay sounds pretty convenient, though I'm sure there's a different cost somewhere, there always is, ha!"

“We were able to create these by pacting the spirits of former servants into a basic bioscopicsally grown framework. Those are all servants of ours killed in ways where we could not recover a body.

8:30 AM

They exist in there. Shreds of consciousness, but they still welcome the chance to serve”

"Huh weird but efficient. Dunno if Reg might have some moral quandaries about it but if they're willing like you said that sounds fine to me! So how can I help with that? Want some servants with wings or extra arms or maybe just bigger?"

“We are experimenting now, trying to find some way to restore their spirits to actual bodies like the ones they had. Think of it as something akin to resurrection

5:13 PM

True resurrection, not binding to a machine shell, or pacted into crude diminished husk forms”

"Huh, well I've heard of rectifiers with a limited resurrection but it has to be done pretty shortly after they die cause it uses the same body... Also the Galateans did something resurrection-like. And then, well, you've met Reg and his 'machine shell'. This is definitely some mad scientist stuff and I'm totally into it."

"We are pleased, if you will, join us at the rim of the pool here. Gaze deeply into it, and take our hands. If your intentions are clear, and your mind is open, it will allow you to see, and feel as we do"

Grupp steps up next to them and takes their hands, "Sure, what's the worst that could happen?" He looks deeply down into the pool.

(Poke)

Grupp looks deeply into the swirling light and energy storm@of the pool. Thoughts feel like they’re being pulled from your head, and then poured back in, interwoven with the thoughts and knowledge of the other mages here. A single word stands out in grupps mind, his most central quality. The core of his being. (What would you say it is)

Vivacious

As you are full of life, and bring forth animation, so too, does this pool recognize it in you. You feel your command over the shaping of life subtley change, as the pool and its nexus gently re-writes some of the MES sensitive areas in your brain. (You can take two lesser gifts, or a greater gift from Earth word in the godbound main book)

(Freakin sweet)

(I thnk most of them port over pretty easily, as they're mostly narrative)

(Rectifier Nullifer Godbound Gifted. Sounds OP)

(Going with one greater gift, though some of the lesser ones were pretty cool too.)

9:21 PM

(Builder of Mountain Peaks: Each round, create, modify, or destroy a stone or earth structure of up to 20 x 20 x 20 foot size within your normal line of sight. The structure can be elaborate, to the limit of your own creative skills. See page 27 for rules on trapping victims in walls or zones. You can create normal earth or stone as part of this process. Creatures made entirely of earth or stone within the area may be completely controlled, with worthy foes allowed a Spirit save to resist.)

So you are the life of the room or endeavor so too are you the life of the worlds you walk on. You feel your rectifying powers expand , giving you shaping abilities over not jud flesh but now stone, Stone is the bones any world is built on and you feel the ground as an extension of your own body , your magical energy penetrating the surrounding flagstones

Grupp gasps, releasing the hands of the other mages as this new energy and awareness floods him. He looks around him, a wide grin stretching across his face. He holds out a hand and a small, intricate statue of a four armed piggen made of rock appears. "Ha! This should interesting!" The statue turns to sand and falls to his feet, "Did you guys get cool abilities too??"

“We did, but not to what you are demonstrating now. We established our small school here to study and safeguard this. You must understand, strangers approach your shores in secret, by shuttle and by submarine, and skulk through the undergrowth. We feared the worst”

"Well sure. Not sure about all the blood sacrifice stuff and destroying everything ever part, but I get why you'd want to protect this and keep it secret! Do we know the limitations of it? Like can just anyone get these cool things or only people with magic stuff? Psychics? I know Reg's all about sharing knowledge and stuff but if some bad guys catch wind of it we'll need some solid defenses. I bet those Fenris guys would love this, they've got magic-y things."

(Yeah they intentionally didn’t give you the whole story. It’s not a lie though so their pact I believe doesn’t mess them up)

4:41 PM

You see their faces sour a bit as it becomes known you’re much more informed than they were assuming. “We have no idea as to the limitations , but something like this is a beacon for trouble. You can see why we wanted to ensure nothing would ever be trouble , to anything

(Yeah, I figured Reg would let him know the situation if he had asked him to help out. Their pact should be fine though) Grupp inspects the pool more closely, nodding along distractedly, "Sure, sure." (He's looking to see if there's any visible/magical difference in the pool after gaining his ability)

There is a new hue of grupps favorite color in the pool, a brilliant streak of it, the purest expression of the color he has ever seen

"Huh, that's neat. When you guys got your gifts did the color change like this? Did the color stay or fade over time?"

“It stayed and they were added to the pool. We can only think this is the work of dozens if not hundreds of supplicants before us”

Grupp scratches under his chin as he thinks, "Interesting. Well to study more we'll need to bring some more people to observe. I assume you only get this sort of gift once eh? Dax is an obvious choice, he's got magic but isn't a real mage, also a psychic with no magic would be good, and then someone completely normal. We could test the changes in the pool after each one, see if there's some sort of recharge time necessary, and see who could possibly receive these gifts in the first place... What do y'all think?"

They think for a moment. One closes his eyes. The other puts his hands over his mouth, stroking his mustache. The other must have some kind of headache , for he is rubbing his temples and around his ears. “Very well. One at a time. And we do this slowly. The secrets of this place must be maintained.

"Alright well Dax is already gone again and I honestly don't know many 'normal' people very well... There are a few psychics we can trust though. Doona's the obvious choice, Crane's trustworthy too. Val's probably not as good at keeping secrets but I know she'd love to help study it. Oh, Tim's here! He's normal! He's been with me for a while now, a pretty decent pilot and only cheats sometimes at cards. I'll call for him, then we'll see if the pool works on normal folk at all, ha!"

TIMMY,
COME IN THE HOLE AND DOWN THE TUNNEL. IGNORE CREEPY WORKMEN. MEET ME AT THE POOL.
GRUPP THE SHAMAN

Timmy sends a quick OK back to you, never one for texting. You hear some crunching of boots coming down the tunnel about ten minutes later, and Timmy looks like he has seen a ghost. "I didn't ignore the creepy workmen" he says, his face pale

Grupp slaps him on the back, "Ha! They're hard to ignore eh? Alright Timmy we've got something for you to try. These gents here are mages like me. Take hold of their hands and mine and look into the pool with us. There's a good chance nothing happens, but let us know if you have any weird visions or anything!"

Timmy looks a bit nervous as he takes their weirdly elongated fingers. He looks down into the pit with them. The room chills and Timmy looks into it deeply. A strange sliver of yellow begins uncoiling from him and adding it’s own color to the pool

6:15 AM

“grupp. I don’t feel so good” he says, looking pale

A stone chair grows from the ground behind him that Grupp gently pushes him into. His fingers make complex motions over Timmy's body as he casts Truth of Flesh and Bone to see if he can figure out if anything is wrong. "Everything's ok, I'm here. What did you see?"

“Thank you for that. I’d have fallen and cracked the back of my head. I saw it happening.” He says breathing heavily. His eyes widen as he sits in the chair. “Grupp...I saw it happening”

Grupp makes sure the others back away some to give Tim some space. "What's it Timmy? What was happening?"

“I saw myself falling and hitting my head before it happened. I. I don’t know how I did that”

5:00 PM

(He’s wasnt psychic before but just had terminal reflection)

"Ha! Seems you've caught a bit of precog eh? Based on what I got it's probably in a pretty limited fashion rather than a true psychic but we should make sure. Can you sense anything else? Concentrate and try to see the future. Sense what's to come."

He sits and squints. His face turns red with effort and there is a colossal fart, seemingly the only thing he can force his body to do at the moment

Grupp gives a raucous laugh, "Haha! The sound of a conclusive test! If it works on a nobody, no offense Timmy, we hardly need to test to see if it works on a psychic. I wonder if it draws from the power of people who've used it?" He turns to the three mages, "What were your abilities like? Magic, psychic? Mine feels like magic, but different from anything I'm familiar with. But then Timmy got an ability that's well documented. I'm intrigued, certainly!"

"We were mages from birth, or shortly after entering our teenage years for the rectifier here, but all of us began with a sensitivity to metaspace. We have never seen it open the sensitivities of another before, though we also had never tried."

"Generally seems like we really just don't know much about the pool yet. Well I have some more trustworthy people to test it on but it'll get harder to keep it a secret as more people see it eh? Reg and Dax should have a go for sure. Billy would be a good pick too, one of the smartest guys I know, ha! All those people are off doing various galaxy saving things right now so I think further testing will have to wait. Is there anything I can bring you guys to help out in the meantime?"

“We are hard at work fulfilling our pact to your masters. And ours, now. We would like to examine some of the research of psychic and magical phenomena you have compiled to sift it for relevance to what we are seeing here”

"Oh sure, you guys got compads? I can send you anything non-confidential we have. With the OK from Reg and Val I could send some info on the psionic forge too, not sure if anything there is relevant but wouldn't hurt to check!"

“We do habe a communications terminal. Anything you send will be recorded with great interest

"Alrighty. Well Timmy and I are gonna head out then, I'll send you the stuff when I get back to Gudrun. Reg or I may bring someone by soon to see what kinda cool powers they might get so keep her up and running eh? Otherwise just sift through the stuff I send you, that should keep you busy!"

(I think I'll switch back to Reg for the shaper stuff since he's so well suited for it, even though I really wanna try out some earthbending lol)

(Now I wanna do an engineer’s mission even more, so Hailey and Grupp can do earth lightning combos)

2

(6xp, 10,000 credits for Grupp)

Grupp arrives on Asagapur after a short jump from Gudrun. The planet had calmed with the infected and their governor dead, though bandits still plague the space outside of the few human freeholds that held the storm back. Cayne Neverwinter is governor here and has begun building a large trade post around the gate, lengthening the service road down to the mine where the gate was found and installing a much higher capacity elevator down

"Alright Timmy, you stay up here and mind the Javelina. Imma beam down and check out this gate! Hopefully Cayne's around, I haven't seen him since Creusa, ha!" Grupp slaps Tim heartily on the back and heads to the teleportation pads, teleporting directly in the middle of the trade post.

The trade post is bustling as much as a place like this can be on a little better than backwater planet. Most of the work is around the access road and elevator. Stakes and surveying ties have been pounded into the ground where warehouses will one day go, and there is construction on a large barracks area in the far northwest of the base near the way down to the mine itself

2:16 PM

Heavy work on the fortifications is also being done. Any sturdy piece of metal or lumber looks to be being sent here.

Grupp heads towards the elevator, waving to the wolves on guard there, "Heya, is Cayne or Alayna anywhere around? I've heard there's a sweet psi-tank and a magic portal here just begging to be played with- I mean, studied!"

Grupp is directed to Alayna’s sturdy work building where she’s hard pressed trying to get an exotic looking hover tank working again. The power system is nearly re installed but the cell or whatever source this machine uses is not firing properly

Grupp sneaks up behind Alayna before enveloping her in a giant four-armed hug, "Alayna!! Ha! Haven't seen you or your brother in months! Dax says hi! Or he'd probably give an awkward wave more like, eh? Ha! I heard you've got a problem with some sort of MES powered thingymabob. Thankfully thingymabobs are my specialty! What seems to be the problem?"

10:36 PM

Grupp casts Void Flow Scan so he can see any MES effects that might be embedded within the tank.

There is an MES energy source missing. The machinery is dead without it. You feel this by the gaps in the mes sensitive circuitry rather than by the presence of the power unit itself

"Yep, definitely needs some MES energy for it to work... An EK could power it for sure. Billy said the engies had one but I haven't met him yet. I know some mages could power it too, but I specialize more in fleshy stuff so not really in my wheelhouse. I could probably create some arcanotech to power it but that'd take a minimum two months to have ready plus no easy way to mass produce if we wanted more of these. What do you think Alayna? Any better ideas?"

“Something you can make so we don’t need to rely on someone would make Cayne really happy. It’s hard to get anything out here”

"That'd set me back on my own projects, but could be worth it. Oh! I wonder if any of those old mages have any experience with arcanotech... I could make the formula for them and they could work together on the actual battery, that'd only put me back one month instead of two! Hmm, are any of those Children of Joy guys around? Could be helpful to talk to them."

“They tend to find us pretty quickly when we go through the gate. It was within minutes last time. I hardly got my mapping software up”

"Seems like I should head through then! Ooh, I can't wait to check out the gates themselves! It'd be pretty amazing if I could somehow replicate them eh? Ha! Alrighty, I'll be back!" Grupp waves to Alayna before heading to and down the elevator to inspect the gate.

The ride down is several minutes long and at the bottom you see little had changed in the abandoned coal mine. The air is very hot this far underground and the red light of the activated gate energies bathes the stone scattered corridor in a hellish light

10:23 PM

The portal itself makes a noise like sucking and gurgling as though gorging itself on the air or conditions

Grupp approaches the portal wide eyed in wonder, "Incredible! I thought it'd be more similar to the witchgates Mord used to talk about... Not sure if this is something I could replicate. At least by myself!" He steps closer, inspecting it thoroughly through his Void Flow Scan. (Can I make a magic-know check to see what he can get from it?)

(Sure thing

(16)

The gates are old. Incredibly old, dating five billion years after the creation of the universe. You feel the immense age and imperceptible intellect of the intelligences that built these structures as whispers in the stone. You come to realize the construction techniques are not something that will ever be replicated in this age of knowledge degradation and psychic diaspora , but the existing arrays seem to have weathered the scream

Grupp gently strokes the outside of the gate, "Beautiful. Truly genius. No way could I make something like this, eh? Ha!... Gives me some inspiration though. I bet I could tweak Mord's witchgate formula to stretch even further! Alright, now to see what's inside! Judging by the star map I have from Wasim it should be huge in there, a whole sector!" Grupp smiles widely, looking over the gate once more before stepping through.

8:44 AM

(Got a couple of new goals up when you have the time. One was figure out how to replicate the L Gate so I'll just take that one off though haha)

(Take 3 for at least getting the answer)

(Sweet. That'll push me to 11, but I'll have it take effect after the mission) (edited)

(Unless you need the SP mid-mission :+1: )

2

(By time we do this, at my rate of posting, the brotherhood mission should be run or almost run by then. We should be able to meet back up with not much hand waving)

11:13 AM

(Only noting it since I think some@of the needed people will be on it)

(So pause this and start the Lohitzune raid?)

(Is Grupp going to it? I meant like you doing this and them doing that should finish about the same time)

(Oh gotcha. It'd be fun to go but I'm also good just doing this. Not sure who all was planning on going besides Eish and Dorian)

(Guess I'm going then. We can continue here till that starts since Eish and Kensh are finishing some stuff up first)

The gate is a warm membrane of energy as you pass through. It feels like stepping into a pleasant summer day, and then that is taken from@you on the chilly barren moon stretching out before you

3:06 PM

The surface is featureless but an electronic nav point shows where cayne found some buildings months ago (edited)

"Guess I'll head to those buildings. We should probably build something on this side of the gate like we are on the other. Guess we'd need the children's permission for that." Grupp spreads his wings and lifts off, gliding just over the surface as he travels north towards the buildings.

(Creating Blast Shield: success 16v11; Cost: 35k, 25 RP)