Iron Stars - mordecia

Mordecia walks off the shuttle tired of giving space to the nice married couple that offered him a job and a ride off of Galatea on that blasted cobbled together shuttle. His mind is still reeling from everything he read and realizes that he needs to find some work other than just ‘Odd jobs from that pilot.’ Mord walks up to the nearest worker. “Hey, have you heard of Ad Astra? I just got a job offer from them. They some local shop?”

"Ad astra is the foremost in sectorwide shipping! and beyond! Did you come in on that shuttle?"

Mord shrugs, “Yeah I got a ride, that man and his wife ummm... required the cargo space.. but he offered me a job. You serious about the whole they are kind of a big deal?”

"That was the owner. He's quite a deal. The colony is doing as well as it is thanks to his efforts, and many others. He's a good sort to work for though"

“Hmmm” Mord nods at the guy, “Thanks, I will look around and see what I can find.” Mord then heads down asking around for a local tavern. As he walks in he goes up to the bar keep, “Bar keep, I’m new in town do you know of anyone that would need some specalized help?”

9:54 AM

“I got an offer from this shriven guy but I’m not sure if I want to head to Miriam to track down why a bot is having issues...”

"Specialized? well, that depends on the specialty. What are yours?"

Mord shrugs, “I help people find out information and retrieve object that were wrongly acquired come back to the person that has lawful ownership.”

"Sounds almost like marshal or police work. Interesting. Well, I know the knights of House Draconis, down in rebirth, were looking into exploring the southern part of the landmass. Apparently there's a vault buried out there with things their mechs need, from old times"

“Hmm old times usually those have told tomes. You said in rebirth?”

Mordecia stand up after just sitting down. “Thanks for the idea, I am gonna go see this Dragon house.” Mordecia walks to the train station and tries walking on the train completely unaccustomed yo being asked to pay for things.

The fare ends up being minor, but more credits arent suddenly added to the account like you might be used to. The ride ends up being about a day (did you want to do stuff aboard the train?)

(Nothing to do yet. Just look around. I already know what the scenery is so we can just arrive.)

(works for me!) The train pulls into rebirth, notable for the large alien cryolab turned psionic research facility. some new buildings dot the scene- notably a large holding that belongs to a mech household known as House Draconis. Among their various implements of war is a psionics forge, recovered from their ancient stronghold and reinstalled here in the city.

Mordecia steps off the train and head to the house of the dragon.

1:27 PM

As he approaches he looks at the mechs and shakes his head, “Technology at such a level is just throwing pieces of metal at one another and hoping it sticks.” He mutters to himself.

House draconis itself is surrounded by a wall, with towers. Two guards with kinetic halberds cross them as you approach. "Good morning traveler" one says cheerfully. "We need to ask what business you have within house draconis? "

“Yes I heard that you were going to be looking at some ancient tombes or something like that and I was wondering if you would like some assistance. I am formerly of the Galatean Covert Affairs division and was hoping I could help.”

"We could always use a freeblade, let me get the overseer out here for you, please, come in. The chapel is usually where he prefers to meet people"

“Thank you for your time, if you could show me the way I would be much appreciative.” Mord turns to follow the guard.

Loremaster Wescott is waiting outside the chapel doors as the guard escorts you in. He is on the declining side of middle aged, and has a weathered complexion, at odds with his bookish appearance. THe chapel itself is a modest structure, built in European style to a sea goddess known as Auguana. She was worshipped as a life-giver goddess on Rawhani, as she controlled the precious waters on earth, where her worship first formed in ancient days

1:55 PM

(shes a real life polynesian goddess)

“My sir, I have come to see if I can offer my services in exchange for any times that may be found in the tomb. I have a vested interest in old books.” Mordecia grins. (edited)

(Hes a guy, but the diety he worships is a goddess) Loremaster Wescott lowers his goggles. "It's nice to see another as interested in lore as I am, and as our Seneschal. You look like you're from off world. Am I correct?"

“I am, I am formerly from Galatea, I worked with their covert affairs office and had some disagreements with some powerful people there. Thus me arriving at your door. Would you be interested in my offer?”

"We are, You're welcome to make copies of anything we find, but I want the understanding made, that the records themselves, the originals, will be part of House Draconis. These were ancient records from our order, secreted here in the event Rawhani should fall. You can guess by us being here, it has"

“I would prefer any of the MES Engramed document in there original state but copying though time consuming will be acceptable.”

“When do we leave?”

"Tonight, The mech lander is coming down from the cloud. You can ride aboard the command vehicle with myself and Kaleb if you'd like. I saw you did not come with your own transportation. We will likely not have mech support the entire way"

“Excellent, let me know what you need. I’m linked if that matters to you.” Mordecia doesn’t notice that most of the planet is carrying compads instead of being linked internally.

(I think you can still communicate back and forth electronically iirc. Probably just super tedious for you to wait for them to reply since it’s not at the speed of thought)

(Haven’t has a reason to message someone yet and that was his way for asking for their coms ID while he is not present.) when they didn’t answer he says, “Sorry guess that isn’t how you ask for com IDs here. Do you guys have integrated Coms standard?”

“We have a planetary commnet everything is attached to, you should be able to connect”

“Very well, is there somewhere I can stay for the night before leaving for the tomes?” (edited)

“You’re welcome to sleep in the rectory over the chapel. It’s comfortable up there and more importantly it stays warm at night”

Mordecia nods and walks over to the rectory. He sits down and tries to open Dabloonscape and finds a 402 error. Server not found and looks puzzled then mutters, “Must be down right now.”

7:31 PM

(Anychane we can meet up with the heist group as they go to the same place?)

(the server admin folks or do you mean thorn and hailey on rawhani?)

(Ignore me. I was thinking we had to go to Rawhani To get the things but reading above I saw they were dropped here.)

No one else seems to be doing much with their technology right now. This settlement, although developing, is a far cry from even central , where you came in

Mordecia decides to deal with the backwardness of this place at a later date. Then rolls off and goes to sleep. Setting a internal alarm in 7 hours.

(We ready to go on that dungeon clear?)

(this did not light up, but yes, lets be off)

(I figured but wasn’t sure.)

The next morning, a House Draconis grav-flyer is parked in the courtyard, and the mech formation marches out of the hangar. "The plane is going to do some recon for us, ahead of the advance" Wescott says, joining you to watch over the assembling men. Two cargo trucks, with Draconis men at arms, 15 each truck, also draw up behind the mechs. The command vehicle is a massive super-heavy mech, with a domed, bridge like structure on its shoulders. Two light mechs escort it

Mordecia looks at the mechs a little confused, “Why do they need to be so big?” Mord asks the nearest man.

"This is an old pattern, very old, they needed more space for some of the components- stuff that has probably been made much smaller on your world. It's imposing though, isnt it? Sometimes that has a value all on its own"

Mordecia shrugs, “Yeah, if you like that kind of thing. Armies in the field and such. Personally I’m more of a Spec Ops fan.”

8:09 AM

“Where do you want me to ruck in?”

8:10 AM

(Which truck should I be in?)

(you were invited to be in the command mech if you wanted to be, you'd meet for now NPC kaleb)

(I missed that.) “I don’t think I want to be surrounded by that much low technology. Now if it was Engramed then maybe but I think I will ride one of the trucks that has open air.”

(Sorry if that blows the encounter but being a tech snob has it’s downfalls.)

(not at all)

9:43 AM

"Alright, suit yourself. Second truck then, feel free to make friendly with the men, they're all a good sort"

Mordecia hops into the truck, “Hello, I’m Mordecia the Brown.” Then proceeds to show via body language that he wants to be left alone. He then spends some time in his mindscape trying to figure out what all is where.

You're left to yourself, connections are difficult to make electronically but youre able to grab enough bandwidth from the command mech to get a planet map. you can see vast swathes of their own landmass that have not been explored

Mordecia shakes his head, thinks to himself. What have these people been doing for the last hundred years, that’s when he reads that the colony has only been around for under 2 years. Oh makes more sense.

Mordecia then begins to make mental notes of where he would suspect things to be while he rides. (edited)

"Where you from friend?" one of the men at arms says, holding onto his halberd as the truck bounces along. He is clearly oblivious to your wanting to be left alone

“Galatea, I worked with the covert affairs office there doing some sensitive projects. I am finding myself often in situations since coming here where I find myself shocked at the lack of advancement here. Do you too not have integrated Communications cybernetics?”

12:26 PM

“I mean no offense in asking sir just it seems very.... ummm... odd to carry a communications pad when you can just think and it happen instead.”

"A few of the upper echelon folks have 'em, yeah. Not for everyone though. Certainly not for me"

Mordecia shrugs, “Just seems odd is all, where I come from every 5 year old is linked.”

2:15 PM

“What all do you do here for fun? I haven’t seen any Dabloonscape or cyber cafe ads.”

"It's a hard life, but we have some sporting leagues developing- Soccer is getting popular, for example. Hey, maybe that;s something you could help with, get some of those games and stuff here. all we really have is sports and the radio"

“I will see what I can do. How far out do you think we are? Your data structure isn’t agreeing with my com unit.”

"You've been sleeping, or whatever you were doing with your eyes closed, for a while now. We're about a day out, almost time to make camp."

“I have been organizing my data structure and my mindscape. It’s hard to explain unless you have one.” Mord then closes his eyes to continue. Waiting for the truck to come to a stop.

It halts an indeterminate time later; and you’re gently kicked to alertness. “Making camp tonight. We have a climb to make tomorrow”

Mordecia helps make camp where he can. He sets up tents and looks for good weakness in the camp layout Incase enemy operatives were to attack. Then laughs at himself. “Any reason to think some enemy body would oppose us right now?” He as the nearest guard.

"not this far south., and not on world anymore. All the fighting that's been going on has been far more north, and west"

Mordecia relaxes, “Thanks, anything else you need help with?”

"Just get some rest, tomorrow is going to be a big day, for everyone involved";

Mordecia nods and goes to prepare for sleep. He spends 5 minutes retaining his light focus then goes to sleep.

You’re gently woken in the blue grey early morning. The sun isn’t up yet but it’s about to be. Already you see men at arms breaking camp and getting supplies ready for the trip up mountain

Mordecia quickly breaks camp, then hops onto his slot on the truck after helping those slower than him.

Mordecia turns to that same man at arms, “I think I may have found a way to describe a mindscape. It is like a hologame in your head, where you can store books which contain memorizes that you can pull out and walk through again. Or where you can imagine anything you can and bring it into existence in your dreamscape. It is kind of like a dream you can control.”

"I think I'd like to have somethnig like that in my head too" the man at arms says. "that would really be something"

7:00 AM

The mechs follow the trucks up the hill, planning to move to a low plateau in the foothills, before everyone continues forward on foot

“Let’s just say the process changes you and from my experience not all in good ways.” Mordecia makes small conversation with the man at arms about how he can try to make one in small ways. (Memory palace not anything tied with the Grimore.)

The men at arms have grown up hearing stories of the technological prowess House Draconis once had, and are eager to experience those days yet again

8:35 AM

Approaching the top of the plateau ahead, the ground begins to rumble

Mordecia turns to the Man at arms, “What is that? Is it another walker or a beast?”

"I....I'm not sure" Someone blows a whistle. "All men at arms to the front of the column!"

Mordecia goes and stands beside the foot of one of the mechs preparing his mental aresenal.

(I think discord is not playing nice today...)

(it is not)

(

)

Stomping around the mountainside, on the plateu ahead of you, a leviathan of a creature emerges from the ground, a mechanical wurm, metal mandibles hissing and clanking

11:27 AM

towering over even the command mech, it looks down at the assembled formation before it, and hisses a torent of what your mindscape sees as binary

Mordecia waits to see what the commanders do. Preparing to open magical fire.

Who dares disturb the sanctum of The Three Roses

(Does kaleb step up?)

(You are actually the only one who can tell what its saying, which I think after a handful of seconds of silence, you'd come to realize, since no one else is innately datalinked)

Mordecia steps forward and mentally says, “I have come as apart of the House Draconic in-exile. We have come to see the Tomes and Artifacts of Power that were stored here for just such an eventuality. We have no hostile intent.”

11:36 AM

Then right after it yells to the men, “I can communicate with it hold your fire. Kaleb can you come here?”

(Is he in a mech?)

(He is not) Kaleb heads over, climbing off the ladder of the command mech, halfway up when the serpent appeared

Mordecia nods to Kaleb, “I heard the beast ask over comms, who dares distub the santucm of the three roses. I seeing that I was the only one that understood i responded with I have come as apart of the House Draconic in-exile. We have come to see the Tomes and Artifacts of Power that were stored here for just such an eventuality. We have no hostile intent. it hasn’t replied yet but is there anything else you wish me to add?” (edited)

Kaleb does not answer, but pulls a roseglass rose out of a pocket on his belt, holding it up to the creature

12:39 PM

it cranes its immense head low, almost toppling the foremost mech over as it approaches. It casts a shadow over you, and everything in the clearing, and you can feel the heat emanating from its various circuits.

12:39 PM

(can you see data going between things with your powers?)

(Not with my armor on.)

12:40 PM

(One or the other.)

12:41 PM

(This is seriously legit.)

The rose begins to glow, and finally, break, as some kind of unseen connection acts on the device

Mordecia is able, bearly to stop himself from switching over to see the interaction.

It lays on the plateu, stock straight (think like, that urban legend where if a snake is stock straight its trying to measure to see if it can eat you) its mouth opens, and you can see what look like rooms, within. "Enter. Draconis-in-Exile, and face your trials within"

Mordecia looks at Kaleb, “You ready for this?” After seeing him nod walks in just behind Kaleb.

Kaleb signals for three of the men at arms to join him. "Wescott, head back to rebirth, let everyone know what we found, and double the guard on the forge. Take some of the men back with you"

Mordecia waits a moment before heading in with him. (Unless He is going to do some more prep work.)

The first room, you pass the iron jaws of the beast, retracted into the ceiling to allow you safe passage inside.

1:44 PM

The room is square, with a door at the north end, leading deeper into the beast. A mechanical sentinel, that looks like a clockwork soldier stands at each side of the door. Their arms are positioned like they should be holding something, but are empty

“Kaleb do you have any relics from the fall of the house?”

"One, but I'm....I'm loathe to part with it"

“Well then let’s go on ahead.” Mordecia waits for a second Incase Kaleb wants to go first. On edge for attack. (edited)

Kaleb takes a battered bronze cup from a pocket pouch. Youre senses show an immense amount of data stored inside, almost all of it in formats dozens of generations of formatting removed from current mainstream.

2:14 PM

He places it in the hand of one of the sentinels. The worm rumbles. Good. Good. You have the font of all knowledge

(I feel like I’m playing kalebs adventure oh wait that’s right I am... this is legit cool how his story wraps with this.) Mordecia stand next to kaleb and waits for an attack or action by the clockwork guards.

The guards each bow, to both of you, and on a mechanical track move to the left and right corners of the room. The door grinds open, into a room lit by some kind of forge. Power flows from it to millions of smaller destinations, this must be the heart of the beast. There are metal bars, forging tools, and various old fashioned blacksmithing implements released from secure housings for your use. Above the door to the next room , also north, is an inscription To these iron gods you cannot pray. They can break you, but not your promise. Not even death will keep you apart. In your darkness you will find it. In your sword still beats a heart

(yeah it started off as his thing, but you can be the reason it gets completed. feel free to take the lead)

(Is the door still there?) “Do you know what ‘your promise’ refers to kaleb?”

(The door ahead of you is. To compensate for the dramatic power drop of the people doing this mission it’s going to be puzzle heavy)

4:53 PM

“House draconis made a promise to the people of rawhani that we would rid them of the corporations once and for all”

(I vote you just keep the power level up. If I have to retreat I do.) (edited)

“They enslaved our world”

4:53 PM

“And we have come to armed blows before

(Kaleb can deal with it when he gets back or I can try round two after I level. If I do get knocked out.)

(I don’t think he’s coming back from what I’d heard)

(There’s always round 2)

Kaleb will press on but you’re free to follow Wescott and his men at arms back home

(He has bio-0 or at least heal-0?)

5:21 PM

(And a Lazarus patch?)

(Yes I realize I’m asking for a get out of dead free card...)

(He’s got bio 1, and 5 Lazarus patches)

Mordecia follows.

“I think there’s something to this forge here.

(notice/int)

“I would agree.” Mordecia says it again. To these iron gods you cannot pray. They can break you, but not your promise. Not even death will keep you apart. In your darkness you will find it. In your sword still beats a heart “Hmmm taken literally that’s a little scary”

'They called our mechs iron gods before. some of the natives did anyway. "

<6>

Turns to kaleb, “What’s the smallest mech that you brought back with you?”

“We had a suit mech. It was shot to hell during the evacuations from rawhani”

“Do you still have it? It seems to fit all the markers.”

“I do. It’s in one of the trucks”

“It seems to fit all the requirements. It came back broken, but not your promise. So if we take the suit and put it on the forge and somehow start the process perhaps it will unleash the heart?”

7:56 AM

(And did my 6 notice do nothing for me?) (edited)

(did nothing for you but you're on the right track anyway becsuse you're smart)

(It helps playing a character that I don’t have to dumb down for. Shriven was fun but he had a terrible wisdom... 8 in cha is Mordecia only issue so he comes off a little brusk and distant.)

Kaleb types into his compad, and a few moments later a truck pulls up to the worm-turned-dungeon

8:07 AM

He returns, after a few moments, wearing the suit. Near the forge, he climbs out of it. you can see that it is heavily damaged, a ruined thing from its previous glory.

“Ruined, broken but not without hope.” (Is there an obvious forge that we can move it to?)

(yeah, like an armor stand and there are tools here to make the things its missing in order to restore it)

(Ahhhh I get it.) “I’m terrible at forging but can you use these tools and build some low tech gear to fill in these slots?”

"I think so. These are more advanced than you're probably thinking" Kaleb says. "Anyway, think your high tech hands can give me a hand with some of the machinery? I can't use the press and work the bellows at the same time

10:14 AM

(fix/int)

<6>

its a bit much for Mordecia on his own, but with Kaleb's help, over the course of a few hours, the suit is completed. With the suit completed, and the corrections to its form made, it appears as though it is needing to be inserted into the door somehow. Kaleb begins climbing back into it. "Well, here goes nothing' he says

Mordecia pauses and asks, “Do you want what I can offer as it comes to magical armor as well? It will stop the requirement for breathing and protect you from any radiation as well divert some attacks.”

"How would that work?" Kaleb asks, curiously. "Is there something we need to incorporate into the design>

“No it is just a meta-dimensional force that creates air for you to breath and shields your body.”

"Couldn't hurt" he says "thank you. Alright, moment of truth I suppose" He stomps over to the door,a nd it looks like there is a hole in it the size of the mech fist

Mordecia casts his spell on Kaleb and feels his armor begin to fade (it takes an hour to dissipate.)

He presses his first into the gap, and there seems to be some kind of grab surface inside, and he slowly twists the door open.

The next room is cooler, the forge and its oppressive heat no longer confined to such a confined space. This room is filled with junk. Mech pieces, broken machinery, scrap metal, cogs, wheels, there's even the captain's chair from a starship in the junk piles. There is, as always, another door at the north end of the room.

(Is it lit?)

(yes)

12:24 PM

(dim wall light, and light from the forge behind you, so everything is kinda darkly backlit

Mordecia walks into the room, “Kaleb are you okay?”

trash at the end of the room, near the door ahead, spills over, and you get a brief glimpse of something burrowing into the next mound

Mordecia readys himself and calls back “Kaleb?”

"I'm..I'm alright" he sounds distant

12:45 PM

(initiative)

<9>

“Kaleb are you feeling okay? There’s something in here.”

The mini worm launches from its scrap pile, hitting the stunned kaleb directly in the chest. Sparks fly as it begins trying to burrow into the armor

1:46 PM

(mordecia is up)

Mordecia steps back to the door and sends a blast of magic to appear next to the worm. <23 7damage>

1:49 PM

(Critted

)

(Granted just middling damage but MarkdownContext { Depth = 1 } )

The creature is knocked to the far corner of the room, more sparks flying as it bounces away. It readies itself for another spring, recovering (evasion save mord)

(20 save!)

2:09 PM

(I’m gonna say it and then probably get betrayed by them but, THE DICE LOVE ME!)

Dodging , Mordecia sees an opening, a place where articulated plate has been knocked away by previous damage (skidding across the floor, most likely)

2:14 PM

(make a snap attack for a crit success dodging, and then you get your regular move)

<4 6dmg>

2:49 PM

Mordecia after seeing the opening and missing turns and focus on the small beast and tries to see a ball of force appear in front if it’s motion. <20 8dmg>

passing through it, the mechanical mini worm falls apart into its constituent components, a metal rain tinkering off the floor of the room. The door at the far end opens

Mordecia searches the room for anything that might be a book of value or a scroll.

4:16 PM

(Here’s for hoping.)

(Notice int)

<8>

A small blue glow from the bottom of. A pile near you reflects off the shiny floor

Mordecia sifts through the pile to get to the blue glow.

A small cube, half the size of your palm sits at the bottom of the pile. It is lined with a circuit board type arrangement, which is the source of the glow

Mordecia calls kaleb over. “Kaleb you feeling well enough to come look at this?”

"I think so" he says, he sounds like he is slowly coming back to himself

7:09 AM

He marches over, still in the mech suit. "I've seen something like this before. It's a storage device. There was one like this when we discovered the psionics forge on Rawhani"

“Is it safe to pick up you think?”

(I really don’t want it to die in the next room.)

"It's safe, the font of all knowledge was like this too, it sort of...it unpacks things as you need them...t.hats why I've been distant"

8:10 AM

(he has something called the crown of command which gives him special things when he drives mechs, as he relives the lives and experiences of past house seneschals. he's sort of in a waking dream superimposed over all this as you both move through it)

(That’s cool. Man I really feel kind of bad right now if he comes back..... till then Dibs!)

(cube is yours, if he does come back ill figure something else out)

Mordecia puts the cube in his pack. “I’m going to keep going.” Then he walks up to the door and looks through.

The final door begins to slide open, and there is a pedestal lit by an overhead light when you enter. A blade has been sunk into it, and it is proportioned to be equivalent to the suit mech's hands

“Kaleb I think this is for you.”

9:29 AM

Mordecia knows when he sees a holy moment usually...

Kaleb marches forward, and with a fluid stride, removes the sword from the pillar. The blade is pure silver, though tough as diamond. The guard, is a dragon with wings outstretched, as though seen from above, to form the quillions. The blade extends from its open, roaring mouth.

Mordecia walks forward. “Kaleb do you feel... Okay?” Mordecia looks around for anything aggressive or out of place. <7 notice>

(I command thine dot to appear!)

Two small hatches open in the northwest and northeast corners of the room, and the worms liquid iron blood begins to trickle, then stream, and then pour into the space )you have a moment to react(

1:08 PM

(The doors have also remained open)

(So just to confirm in the room he pulled out the sword it is filling with worm blood?)

(The whole dungeon will after a few moments)

5:17 PM

(But yes. He’s expelling you)

Mordecia makes sure he still has the cube then runs out.

5:51 PM

“Kaleb let’s get out.”

Kaleb, shining blade in hand, grabs you in the mech suit's other arm, and sprints for the door as fast as the mech suit is able

7:32 PM

You hear the hiss of molten metal dissolving what is behind you, rapidly, as though the worm is trying to vomit you out

Mordecia prays to the unknown forces that govern the universe that they would be able to make it out as he is carried out.

(

)

The suit is partially melted on the back, nothing some skilled smithing cannot fix. The wurm begins to cough and wretch, the mechanical grinding sound sounding like its rattling even the wind

9:22 PM

(6xp, 10,000 credits)

9:22 PM

it rears back, diving back into the dense mountain rock

Mordecia turns to Kaleb, “Thanks for getting me out of there.” Then looks around (are there some trucks to make it back?)

(Yeah he kept some people here” “It’ll be a nights March. Two most likely. And thank you for your help”

“It was my pleasure. If you don’t mind I would like go back with you so I don’t have to hoof it the whole way.” Mordecia grins.

2:10 PM

He waits for the night before looking into the cube and see what he can see in there.

The cube talks about some very esoteric psitech. It beyond anything that could be made now and would have been considered fringe even in better times. You’re able to glean enough from it though to better understand some of your own abilities

(Sorry I’m being slow I’m trying to figure out what I want to do with my level up.)

(Oh no worries friend,)

6:07 PM

(I just never want you waiting on me)

Mordecia hops in the truck and heads back.

10:17 PM

Trying to get back to central.

It's a three day journey, involving a truck, and a train, but eventually you do finally make it back home to Central, cube in tow

Mordecia works on the cube during his travels and uses his mindscape to learn 2 new spells. Feeling exhausted what to him seemed like days of work. He has time to recover before getting back into Central where he checks his compad and sees that the remnant meeting ship has returned.

10:27 PM

He swings by the market to pick up some odds and ends. (Nameless materials to be able to build my first Archotech device.)

10:27 PM

Then asks around for directions back to the place all the ships come in at.

Mord returns, a bit worse for wear, but alive.

Mord goes and meets with shriven where he is grabbed into the UWN meeting.

(Wedding weekends are rough. Groom freaking out. Then tonight an 8 hr drive then tomorrow a 9 hr drive.)

(All good buddy. Life comes first. You won’t miss any of the major stuff set up)

7:32 AM

(You’re a good man trying to keep the groom settled)

Shriven walks out of the meeting with Mordecia by his side, Shriven turns to Mord, “I know Ana has already given you one share of Ad Astra before the recent merger. I wanted to offer an opportunity to you. I need someone else to run around the sectors making sure things are going well. I don’t want to offer a wage as after all our conversations that holds no real value for you. What I will offer is 5 shares when you get back out of my shares. So it is in your best interest to help that which you own grow and produce. What do you say?” Mordecia looks at Shriven, “I think that I can do that but I’m not putting everything else down to just run your errands.” Shriven laughs, “I don’t expect you to. Just to help where you can. Do what you can. See where it takes you.” Mordecia hesitates, “It feels like there is a catch here. Some kind of Gotcha that I’m missing.” Shriven gives him a sly grin. “Two things your missing that I will let you in on if you agree. Do we have a deal?” Mordecia looks and him then reaches his hand out and shakes shriven’s hand. “Deal. What am I missing?” Shriven replies, “First my wife likes you, second your the first high technician that I have seen willing to leave Galatea that’s worth the risk for me.” Mordecia laughs, “Not that I had much choice. If that’s all I’m missing I think I did pretty well. So your not going?” Shriven shakes his head, “No Ana would kill me, and with the complex on Galatea going to shreds I don’t want to risk her wrath. Been 3 years building and I’m glad to be with her again to much to risk it. Dr thorn has the fleet and since you took my deal you will have a shuttle. Anyways you should go get ready.”

Mordecia then walks off to find a Cyberware shop that he can trust in Vapormills based on where Shriven had gotten his. (Getting Holoskin Emitters and Inertial Shunt Nodes)

The same clinic, with its mint walls and friendly staff are excited to see more human patrons embracing the wonders of cybernetics, and happily oblidge

(That’s it for me till the main event. I’m out of cash and about to hop back on the road for 10 hours followed by sleep.)

(threads are set up, we won't go very deep into it)

Seeing the landing zone for a stricken lifeboat, Mord teleports down, 30m from it in the treeline. Thin gray smoke drifts off its flanks and engine section, part from damage, part from re-entry

Mord moves toward the lifeboat.

You can see the two crewmen inside did not survive the fall, but the emergency beacon is on

Mordecia searches the bodies for their IDs and any compad also tries to figure out which one has a less bloody uniform

There is a deck officer that has a relatively intact uniform, his ID is slightly heat warped, but intact. His compad is smashed

The officer is a 0-5 spacer first rate Obel

1

“This ought to do.” Mord lifts him out of the pod and carries him stripping him out of his uniform before hiding his body the best he can. (Nature check?)

(survive/wis)

<7>

You find a small depression in the ground a short ways into the other side of the clearing. There are enough fallen branches and leaves to get a thin layer of refuse over the body

10:10 AM

You finish your grisly work only a few moments before a Remnant patrol steps into the clearing, on foot, hunting for survivors.

10:10 AM

One of the squad members has a hand-held beacon tracker

(Obel prize is that his full name because yes that would be awesome?)

(it is indeed)

1

“Obel Prize spacer first rate. How did the battle go with those dogs?”

"Spacer! Youre lucky to be alive. They withdrew from the system, but the palace is gone. Nuclear detonation"

1:39 PM

"Are there any other survivors in the boat?"

“No, your free to check but only 2 of us made it out and only I made it down. Do you have any water, I’m parched?”

"oh..oh of course, yes" the paramedic looks a bit sheepish, but he disconnects the canteen from his belt

1:43 PM

"I'm sorry. There's just....its overwhelming:

“We were lost early, was it as bad as the contrails would have me guess?”

"It is. Only the platforms and the relief fleet are still up there. Even the titan came apart"

“Wow.... that’s....” Mord shakes his head. “Do I need to follow you on your rescue patrol before we head back? I’m pretty sure I can make it if you need me to.”

"Head due south, 2 kilometers, there's a lander coming down that will get you to (I think its moonglade, can't picture the map in my head)

2:41 PM

to safety"

(Thanks Cyrus.)

2:47 PM

“Thanks.” Mord hands back the medics canteen.

(I got you friend)

“You happen to have a pad I can borrow or just head generally that way.” Mord waves in a southernish direction.

He unclips a basic survival pad from his belt. “Only got a couple more of these left” he says to his companion. “Ship location is pinged. You got a weapon?0

“No, I thought I had one on the way down though. Let me go check.” Mord goes over to the lifeboat to look for a pistol.

Mord shuffles around hoping to find a pistol and maybe a pack.

There is a carbine inside the boat, and what looks like the boat's survival kit, more than enough to keep you going for a week

Mordecia looks at the medic, “Guess I hit my head harder than I though.” As he pulls out the carbine and survival kit.

"You'll be far from the only one saying that today"

8:04 PM

they begin moving west, tracking another pod

“Thanks again.” Mord heads south.

You hear the dull idle of the lander engines long before you see it. It is a scratched and pitted system shuttle, pulled from cargo duty to assist with evac recovery. A chainveil in damaged armor, and a remnant crew chief are directing survivors aboard

”Obel Prize reporting for reassignment.” (Mord still has 1 hp left to really sell the whole I’m dying thing he didn’t heal.) (edited)

“Trooper you’re hardly standing. Get into the cargo bay, the medic is aboard”

Obel prize walks into the cargo bay. Looking around to try to absorb all the information he can pick up for the coming time.

There are three men on pallets being attended to. All have a complex array of wounds. The cargo space has been cleaned out for everything but medical supplies and passenger room

Obel walks up to the medics. “Got kind of banged up. Anything you can do for it or should I just wait with as I’m walking wounded.”

Obel realizes the medics couldn’t hear him being so busy with more important things. Walks closer taping them on their shoulder. “You got something that can help me get put back together or is should I just wait it out?”

(this didnt light up)

4:55 PM

"No no, you look dead already. Lie down son"

4:55 PM

one of them helps you to a cot. You feel an IV and some medication beginning to take effect

(Figured.)

4:57 PM

Obel lays down and relaxes while he waits for the effects to hit him. “Were you all planet side when the dogs came to bite at our heals?”

“We were. Based in silverspear. Was scrambling the reinforcement fleet then the bomb went off”

5:54 PM

“Command is probably going to have the reserve base commander shot” (edited)

Obel shakes his head, “Should have been more diligent.”

5:57 PM

Obel settles in for the transport to a ship and looking forward to his health coming back.

Youre starting to feel a bit better as the medicine begins taking effect. When the transport lifts off for moonglade, there are 10 wounded aboard

6:10 PM

The platforms report recovering many other lifeboats

Obel waits for the transport to land on the station.

The lander sets down on a landing skirt outside the city. There’s a handful of other small system ships here all doing the same business of recovering survivors

7:13 PM

A quick count at the landing skirt shows about 200 men here. Most are regular army. A handful are technicians. There’s a few chainveil survivors as well

(Obel prize was just a ship’s officer right?)

(Yeah he would have been the second to the master comms officer)

7:35 PM

(But probably would have known how to do anything on the ship. Never know who’s gonna die when the ship starts taking hits)

(Do I know what kind of ship he came off of?)

(No but they lost everything so you’ve got a reasonable shot at being okay)

8:32 PM

3

2

Obel walks out of the transport feeling a bit better. He then waits to see if there are any officers that can point him in the direction of the mess to gather more information.

There are a handful of pad attendants helping walking wounded get triaged, directing those in better shape to report to the comm center so they can remove survivors from the missing presumed dead lost

8:55 PM

List

Obel walks up to one of the attendants. “Where do you want me?” (Don’t know how much I healed up.)

(You're at full, they gave you lift)

9:18 AM

"Comm center if you can walk. Report in so your family knows you're safe"

(Sweet.)

Obel salutes and heads towards the com center. Sad in his heart that he is going to be giving false hope to the Prize family. Though he is glad that his spell changes his appearance and genetic code.

There is a short line of spacers checking in to inform command they survived the battle. A handful of officers have terminals set up and are giving the cadets and survivors privacy to speak to their families

Obel waits in line to check into command. “Obel Prize checking in for service. I would rather not talk to my family at this time it is rather.... hard.... thinking of what.... I would just rather not.”

Obel shuffles his feet feeling ackward.

“Alright spacer. Well. Terminal time is yours however you want to spend it”

Obel nods and walks to the terminal then sits at it for a minute before wondering if he can pull up a request for transfer and see where all he can get sent.

There are a number of standard forms available- a personnel transfer request is one of them

2:10 PM

The following options are available- (as neko consults a map and puts it in ABC order)

(Muwahaha my plan of making more work for neko is working.)

-Chloe -Cruesa -Parnika -Pelea -Shalini

Nekosmash 3/10/2019 2:12 PM

(Thinking. Preparing to travel out of state so it will be a bit till I get to this.)

(No worries. Arrive safe)

Obel then looks to see if he can request a position on one of the Titans.

The Sunless Sea is expected to make port within the day, needing an entirely new gunnery section, fleshshaper weapons venting their entire deck into space.

Obel keeps scrolling through and tries to see if there is a rotation of any other titans. (Trying to get a titan count.)

The transfer system shows open positions on 2 other titans, as well as a posting on a new hull class- A colossus

12:48 PM

Attempts to get it to show other vessels (with full crews) are not registering successful

(Yeah Figured just wanted a rough idea of at least x number.)

12:48 PM

Obel then looks for the completion date on the new colossus.

The vessel is active in the north, and what logs you can find show it has been deployed for at least a few months

12:49 PM

There is however, only one

Obel is going to request to be apart of the communications rebuild on planet. (So he can be around in the week to get picked up.)

(Nothing else really jumps out at me.)

(works for me) The week passes as you are assigned to various points around the camp getting arrays together. A shuttle slips in system, avoiding the blockage, and you are retrieved in the dead of night from watch

2:31 PM

(theres no way they'd have detected that shuttle in the chaos)

2:31 PM

(and youve got invisibubble, so no risk to getting away either)

When Mord gets back he messages shriven as he is the closest one to the government that he knows of.

Shriven acknoledges message received. He is attending the unity council meeting, and will relay what you have discovered

8:39 PM

(6xp, 10,000 credits)

Mord asks the shuttle to stop at Sumati to talk to the Balak to set up a trade of information for shriven.

(Poke.)

A stealth shuttle is provided for the operation, and you're given clearance to transfer up to the platform to get aboard

(Sumati has a platform? Or are you talking about the cloud? I was hoping to stop as the first jump on the way back to Gudrun from the battle would be Sumati.)

(oh i thought you came home first, okay)

11:40 AM

(redo)

(Would I be teleported to the harbor or have they gotten another location I get to appear at now?)

(

)

(The cove where they normally meet people)

1:17 PM

It takes about an hour of waiting for a carrier to meet you, just returnning to station from driving another to the capital, the driver says. "You Gudrunites have been here an awful lot today"

“Yeah, I had a warning that this might happen, Shriven sent me to discuss a possible agreement to create a mutual flow of intel data on the sectors update.”

"You'll be wanting to get right in with the general then. She's the only one with clearance. Very good, hop in" he says, turning the heavy engine of his cargo 2 over

Mord goes with him.

The drive inland is a few hours,passing through some rough mountains and low country before coming to the Balak League's city. There are several outlying farm settlements you pass through on the way

Mentally he is preparing his speech to the general. Muttering some of the words to himself as he goes past them

The carrier pulls up to the front of a the palace, and youre waved through by an adjutant that has more gold on his uniform than you'd even seen at home on Galeta.

7:39 PM

A wizen woman, on the declining side of middle age, is in front of a host of monitors

Mord salutes in the Galatean fashion. right fist to heart “General, May I speak freely?”

"Of course, speak honored guest" she smiles, her face showing every single one of her years

“I have been asked to try to secure a mutual intellegence pact. We have the ability to send encoded communications with a 24 hour delay. We would be interested in setting this up on a consistent loop.”

"There's an issue with that, and it comes down to the fact that signals can be traced, and tracked, even by interested civilians. How do we explain regular broadcasts to the same area of space? "

Mord smiles, “Radiotelescope. Point it at anything that may seem interesting.”

10:48 AM

“You May have to send junk messages along with the actionable but we can parse the difference.”

"Anything we think may seem interesting, well, we really don't know what is out there"

“Well there is a nice nebula that looks pretty in the right direction. We can even get you pictures to release to the public.”

11:49 AM

“Nice space gasball.”

"That...That can work" she scratches her chin thoughtfully. "The components for something like that are being used by our active defense radars- when this war is over- one will be re-tasked, as you wish"

“It should be over soon from what I hear. 3v1 should help.”

(So does that count as job well done once the war over?)

(once the war is over)

12:20 PM

"Maybe. One of the specialists from your UNW is out at the front now"

(Works for me.)

"It is my hope the war ends, and soon:

“Do you have plans that you can share for after the war?”

"They largely depend on the peace negotiations, and what is left to us once they are ratified"

“Between Usean, totenham and you?” (I know the middle one isn’t right but airport WiFi isn’t playing nice with roll20... let’s pretend that he said it right can we?)

(of course)

12:37 PM

"Yes, the three of us will decide what to do about COST and the ten cities that make it up. I'm sure some will come under our administration. what we do after depends on what they need and what they can provide

“Would bring in a few thousand tons of Postech building materials help? UWN could help provide that relatively easily if that would help.”

She shrugs "It all depends on what we end up with. Easiest to see the needs after"

(Looking forward to the change in requirements on the trade table.)

12:56 PM

“That is probably best. Would it be possible to set up a secure teleport landing pad closer to the city? It could help in our ongoing communications. It also wouldn’t take much, just a locator signal going out not being jammed. I can give you the specs to jam it so it couldn’t be used without your express permission.”

"I'm beginning to sense the sudden thrusting of all this technology on us has an alterior motive..." she says "This is exactly how COST fell into step with the Remnant you despise so much."

“I apologize,” Mord bows, “it was not my intention to push more technology at you. It is not our intention to push you beyond what you consider in your best interests. Honestly it was a bit of a selfish request. I was hoping to avoid having to take a truck back to the bay. Please forgive my insensitivity.”

"I can arrange for a more expedient trip. We have only a handful of aircraft here in the city, most everything is on the front. There is a rotorcraft on the roof, you're welcome to use it to return to your vessel"

“Thank you for your consideration and understanding. I just spent far to long in a uncomfortable situation and I’m looking forward to finding a place to call my own.”

1:25 PM

Mord bows, “Unless there is anything else Madam General.”

"You've brought good information, I will consider your requests, and I appreciate your understanding.

Mordecia heads to the atmo

4:27 PM

(Planning on heading back and starting my own sanctuary on Gudrun.)

(The one the academy is building isn't good enough for you?

)

(Nope.)

1

4:31 PM

(Also I want mine to be all nice and hidden.)

You are conveyed back to the beach in short order and the spacecraft is made ready for departure and home

5:07 PM

(Doing the order of events properly this will be the first you’re back since the operation)

1

Returning to Gudrun is an interesting feeling- gazing upon your home but not home. The fleet is in dock, under repair for the myriad of scars

(My phone

is having trouble making the back ticks. Could I send a message to Shriven here or is it better somewhere else?)

(Messages to Shriven should probably go to ad Astra unless it isn’t ad Astra business then here is fine. You can copy the below if you want.) (edited)

11:32 AM

```

1

(Not Ad Astra... has to do with retrocloning resurrection of wife)

(That system was broken. Unless you work with neko it won’t be coming back. To easy to break the game.)

Mordecia steps out of the shuttle, noticing that he has a message from shriven,

Thanks for securing that covert deal, as we discussed I have transferred 5 shares in your name. Don’t forget to check your account you will be pleasantly surprised.

Mord looks at his bank account and his jaw drops. Nearly a million credits are sitting there waiting to be spent. “Looks like it is time for a shopping spree.” Mord heads off to see what he can do with this newfound wealth. (edited)

The colonial marketplace is bustling, and there are a number of people on the streets already - looking at all manner of the simple goods produced on planet so far

Mord goes around picking up odds and ends and has them shipped to a warehouse he rents for the purpose. (Stuff we Dmed about.) then runs to the shuttle for the trip we talked about spending a few days working with stuff. Then after getting it all going heads back to Gudrun.

Stuff and things are off to a good start, and no complications are reported so far

(Just left work and forgot to do the north east.... doh. Well looks like Monday I know what’s on the docket.) (edited)

6:15 PM

Mordecia tries to track down any information that he can about Rannveig.

(No rush. I'm going to get everything else organized this weekend)

6:19 PM

(Rannveig?)

6:28 PM

(I don’t think there is anything known yet just didn’t want to say. Tada I’m there now make it interesting.)

(oh wow thanks lmao)

6:36 PM

No probes have made it there yet, the route is completely unruttered.

Mord heads towards Rannveig. (Fingers crosses not a enemy stronghold. But taking the stealth shuttle just Incase. Along with pilot1-3 and marine 1-4 hopefully they just chill but MarkdownContext { Depth = 1 })

9:13 PM

Taking the time to go over his witchgate plan in his mindscape.

The week passes, and you end up outside the gas giant and its three moons

“Pilot do any of those moons have an atmosphere or any signs of life?”

“Or any ships in the area?”

"No, No to both" he says looking down at the controls

6:23 AM

One of the moons is 100% covered in water, save for a few very small islands. It looks to have an atmosphere. The others are barren and rocky.

“Let’s go check out these islands. Something does smell right.”

The pilot brings the ship into the meager atmosphere of the planet, and a sea of rippling blue spreads out below you. The islands are rocky, and volcanic. There is not even vegitation on them above water

“Any com signals that you can see? Otherwise let’s land on one of the islands. It seems odd that these moons don’t have anything. Do you see ruins or a cave system?”

"I don't see any ruins. Atmosphere is thick though. "

“Okay can you get a lock on the ground so we don’t have to fly though the atmosphere? We can just teleport down or is the atmosphere to thick?”

“It’s causing a fair amount of interference. It may not go as planned”

“Then let’s just land on the surface.”

(makin some moon maps, not ignoring you)

(Back to the snap fingers make things neko, gosh it’s like your not just a video game or something, seriously what am I even paying you for. Oh wait....)

3:40 PM

(fun with opacity filters!

(Pretty. So roll a d10 to see which island I land at? If I can choose I like the one with the cave?)

(you can choose, you're directly landing, no reason for you to end up somewhere youre not meaning to)

(The island ~~where Mord slowly it chopped to pieces~~ with the cave it is.)

The shuttle lands outside the cave, 150m from the entrance. Ocean spray carpets the stony path to it, the mist condensing in the puddles like hundreds of ever-falling raindrops

(I’m sensing the whole Star Wars episode 7 island thing. Along the same idea?)

4:02 PM

Mord walks out and asks the marines to stay back at the shuttle Incase he needs their help. (Has the armor light focus from the trip up.) Then begins to approach the cave.

(I still haven't seen that one, so maybe haha)

4:05 PM

(only saw rogue one and force awakens)

4:05 PM

(**last jedi)

(Kinda!)

Mordecia’s old covert training comes into effect as he begins to sneak towards the cave slipping a little as he moves over the wet ground. <5>

Nothing seems to notice the fall, or respond to it. (but you get the sense of a distance neko sounding voice laughing) The inside of the cave is very dark. Light mist , and heat from inside seems to slowly waft out

Mordecia slows walks forward, careful to make sure that he doesn’t fall down and make that racket that he did outside.

(~~Then suddenly Mord is shot dead and we cut to black.~~) (edited)

2

The warm wind gently breezes over you as you approach the cave mouth. It remains dark, supernaturally so

Mord stops and searches his pack for his Low-light goggles and puts them on. Then looks at the cavern.

The cavern approach slopes down gently, before curving right, deeper in and out of sight

Mord proceeds down the slope, watching his step trying to notice if there is any change from outside? (Moister level, stone type or any kind of non natural formation.)

The level of moisture increases as you descend and the stone goes from smooth ocean-worn to a steeper and rockier rough hewn incline down. It is step like- but not carved to be such.

8:11 AM

turning the corner, the tunnel continues to gently descend, to a bright orange glow ahead

Mord pauses, arguing with himself. If this is a hostile situation then he needs to go in without them being able to see him, however if it is a first contact then appearing out of no where is probably not the best first steps for a cooperative relationship... Finally after about two minutes he walks forward without trying to actively sneak. Pulling off his low light goggles. (Mordecia’s training never completely leaves his stride.) (edited)

You hear a hiss and bubble as you move down the rough stone shute, do a rock outcropping overlooking a lava sea

11:24 AM

the planet is in turmoil, rock being forced up into an island by the tectonic activity

Mord begins to search around as to why there would be stairs down to this point. (Notice?)

(sure)

<6> (Mord discovers he has shoes on and didn’t notice them until now. Overtaken by this thought he forgets everything else.)

The path is worn, and a faint circle of some kind has been carved into the stonework, but the glyphs have been worn away by time.

2:57 PM

Someone has been here, but not recently, not in a very long time

2:57 PM

You'd guess this was some sort of meditation area, as an empty moon makes the perfect place

Mord drops his armor (takes 5 hours to disapate.) and casts Variant MES Perception to sw if there is any magic in the area.

There is very very faint magic around the circle, but it has not been used in quite some time

(Can I know Magic to see what it was used for?)

3:43 PM

<10>

Someone, or something organic, was mended here, before moving on

3:49 PM

(Mend the shattered vessel)

(Not sure what to do here kind of want to study it but I’m more concerned about the whole it coming back and ouch.)

(Flip a coin?)

Mordecia coms back up to the shuttle and says, “Keep an eye out for anything odd I’m going to spend some time down here studying something odd.” Mord then proceeds to spend the next 8 hours studying this and trying to figure out what could have cast this as it looks nothing like the kind of magic he has know to this point.

(is tracing it a spell you have?)

While Light Focus is maintained, the caster can visually perceive metadimensional energy flows, allowing them to detect active magical effects or arcanotech objects. If an effect is being supported by Focus or other magical connection to a caster, they can see the lines of force leading back to the origin of the effect. When con- fronting strange magical effects, a Wis/Know Magic skill check at a difficulty of 8 or more might be able to get a sentence worth of description of the magic’s effect.

8:57 PM

(But more out of something he has never seen before than anything else.)

8:57 PM

(Know Magic 13)

9:02 PM

(Hoping for a description like. Human like creature rebuilt itself from just the brain. Or the like.)

A human body on the brink of death and ruined beyond normal healing was brought here, and restored

“Hmmmm interesting. I wonder...” (does it can be repowered by someone and make it work again or was it a one time enagram?)

(One time engram this is just the remains of it)

Mord shakes his head, “No, it wouldn’t work. This has been an interesting inquiry.” Mordecia then turns and heads back up toward the shuttle. Keeping up his magical perception.

"Anything down therE?"

“Nothing currently that I could see, there was just some remnants of a engram that healed someone. It is beyond what I can replicate but it does raise some interesting points.... I will need to report this back to the council.”

"Are we setting course for home then?":

“Not quite, I saw something about gorillas that are trying to talk. Or something. Let’s head there.” Mordecia pulls up the info and sends it to the pilot.

"Terezinho. Alright, I'll get you in touch with the governor once we get in system."

“Sounds good, let me know when we get there.” For the 3 days it takes Mordecia pushes as much time as he could out of his mindscape using the time to research how to build an Energy Emanation Cloak Arcanoprosthetic. (12 strain taken.) <12v11 success>

Arriving over Terezinho, a few days later , broadcasts from the ground below repeat again and again, contact must be made before landing.

Mordecia composers himself and reaches out to the planetary government. “This is Distant Inquiry 2, requesting permission to land and proceed to make contact with the Simian’s”

"distant inquiry, you're permitted to land and study, but removal of specimens from the planet has been forbidden"

“Roger, proceeding to land.”

Once on the surface Mord asks around to find the Simians and track down a ride to their location.

There is no one else on the island they occupy, but it is well documented they inhabit the ruins of a failed Slyth colony on the northernmost landmass. The area has been left un-settled by the actual inhabitants thus far.

2:48 PM

(so really its a matter of how close to the ruins you want to land)

(Can I teleport down here? About 2 miles out from the ruins?)

5:01 PM

Mord prepares to cast the his Translation spell.

Universal Translator Rubric (2)
Spell
The caster targets a visible living creature. While the spell is maintained, everything the creature says is understood perfectly by the caster, and everything the caster says is understood perfectly by the creature. This spell can translate even non-vocal forms of com- munication, though non-sapient animals may not have very sophisticated messages or the ability to understand complex ideas. This spell translates the true meaning of phrases and words, stripping out metaphor and cir- cumlocution; “Bless his heart” thus may be translated as “He is an idiot” if that is the actual meaning of the phrase. This bluntness hinders efforts at verbal grace on either side, applying a -2 skill penalty to any social skill checks made through it. The spell lasts as long as Light Focus is maintained.

(edited)

5:02 PM

(Soooo I’m expecting a lot of terrible translations...)

(you can)

6:23 PM

There is a flash as Mord teleports down to the surface, dense coral crackling underfoot

Mord calls out, “Hello, I come to talk.” Mord holds his hands up trying to make it obvious he has no hostile intent.

Three of the neon green furred simians shuffle walk to the front of the ruins, watching you curiously

(I can only cast it twice so does one look like a leader?)

(one is bigger than the other two but thats really the only thing easily apparent)

Mordecia casts the spell towards the largest, hand waving for 6 seconds. Hopeing that they won’t attack before he can cast it.

they seem to be just confused, because it looks like you are trying to talk to them for those few seconds, but they can't figure out what you're trying to sign

(Translated poorly to them. Gonna have fun with this.) “Greeting large strong one, I have come from the stars to communicate to your people thoughts and ideas and find why there was death of others who have approached.”

"Others make long sleep because they approach home place, and shoot hot thunder at us."

“(I) Hand waving man has no hot thunder and wants to know thoughts of large strong one about the house of the old ones. Hand waving man also wants to explore and learn from the house of the old ones.”

8:29 AM

(I am sooo enjoying this.

)

"House of the old ones not for dull furs. Large strong one and small strong ones protect. Big hiss hiss get upset"

Mordecia’s eyebrow raise, “Hand waving man is surprised by this, hand waving man wishes to speak to Big Hiss Hiss and wants to talk to Large Strong ones head of pack.”

"Large strong one is head of pack. Hiss Hiss sleeps inside home place. Sleep Egg not hatched"

(So he is saying he is the head of the pack or another one?)

(He's the head of the pack)

(Want...to... talk.... to.... Snakez..... But... mama... soooo.... torn....)

“Hand waving man wants to know if you would want some pain gone magic in a moveable hole rock. (box) With some people who would try to learn hand talking with large strong one.”

(i don't know what youre asking him)

(I want to know if you want medical supplies and people who would learn your language.)

"We do not need pain gone magic, no bright fur in pain."

“Do you need new food or fast brain juice? (Coffee?)”

They shout excitedly at the idea of new food

“Hand waving man wants to know if hand talking men bring new food and no hot thunder of safe for hand talking men?” (I am curious, if we bring food will our people who want to talk to you be safe if they don’t have guns?)

(I’m really having fun figuring out how to talk but not.)

(their frist contact with humans was herb and co shooting at them)

1:39 PM

Smell bad dull dur shoot hot thunder. dull fur stay outside home place, leave food there

(If we leave food there will you come and talk with sign language with us?) “Dull fur leave food not home, bright fur come talk with hands at not home?”

(This is fucking great to read)

2

(I’m having soooo much fun with this.)

"Bright fur will talk when dull fur bring grubbins"

2:14 PM

(how long does this last for? I think we're good time wise still, since its a convo, just trying to get an idea of how much info can realistically be passed right now)

(I can keep it up with him as long as I maintain light focus which can be maintained through sleep if I have 5 minutes of prep time to focus on it before hand.)

2:20 PM

(What is your relationship to the snake?) “How do the bright fur think of big hiss hiss?”

Big Hiss Hiss is protector, she sleeps in egg, mindspeaks with us

(Oh fuck)

(How long has the snake slept in the egg?) “Big hiss hiss protect through father and fathers father?”

Through fathers fathers father. Many fathers. Hiss hiss sleeps long time”

(Would I be able to meet the snake after I gain you trust?) “After moons come and go. New food is given, hand talking people learn, would Hand waving man okay talk to Big Hiss Hiss?”

"Hiss Hiss will want to speak with you once moons pass and furs are together"

(I look forward to talking again then.) “Hand waving man jumps with strength and pounds chest for the next talk.”

9:05 PM

(This is me saying goodbye.)

The simians peacefully head back inside the ruins

7:12 AM

(3xp, 5000 credits)

Mordecia coms up to the shuttle to beam back up. Then messages shriven and let’s him know about the contact and terms he was able to get for the Simians.

Then heads back to Gudrun.

Gudrun greets you after another day in spike space, finally home after an extended time off planet.

Mordecia heads to the harvest spirits.

Mord sits down in the corner enjoying an ether fruit after shriven talked so much about them.

The Baron breaks away from speaking to some patrons. On the news, a story about an acid attack and attempted shooting at the port is playing on repeat (edited)

Mord leans back and just relaxes not sure what to do next. (just in character no idea waiting for...)

(waiting for what?_)

(Cyrus.)

Mord goes back to his table and consumes his etherfruit.

You feel a bit wired but not unpleasantly so afterward

Mord spends the night working through his ether fruit and then heads to the Stealth shuttle to go to Cruesan.

Cruesa is a busy airspace, even busier now, bolstered by the presence of the Remnant colossus, redeployed here from the fleshshaper front after the attack on Alcibiades. The ship is immense, 20km long at least, and bristling with guns.

11:54 AM

Flocks of fighters and smaller craft fill the airspace, and you see mines being laid near known in-system jump points, though thankfully this one does not seem to have been given attention yet

Mordecia once again blesses the stars that shriven handed him something which such high stealth. Then turns to the pilot, “Let’s stay here for about 15 minutes to see if we have been spotted then we can proceed in to see what we can around the planet.”

(I'm wondering if a program check is even worth it here)

(Well I have a 0 at it and the difference between all your boosts and my roll has to be 8.)

1:55 PM

(Assuming skill 3)

2:01 PM

(Wall of math incoming. My bonuses +1 (skill) +2 (dampeners) +3 (mod) +5 (shuttle size) Their roll bonus +5 (Planet size) +? (2/0)(Scanner upgrade) +? (Skill) -3 (size of target) - (2/0) (If passive scam or active scan.) Totals +11 v +5+?+? -3 It was only impossible when Sarah with her +6 & 3d6 was in system to roll prog.) (edited)

(Alright, lets do it)

2:14 PM

(program int)

2:15 PM

(for me it ends up being a +2, after negating the target size and it being a passive scan)

2:15 PM

(9_

(15)

(you is invisible)

2:24 PM

they do not seem to detect you on the passive system scans. None of the vessels in Cruesa's choked orbit seem to move toward you

After the 15 minutes pass “I think we can get closer.” then they move into orbit. (Technically when we enter orbit you would get a second roll. If you want.) (edited)

(I sure do want)

<19>

(Had a good chance last roll...)

(Yeah for sure). The shuttle slips into orbit undetected by passive scan

7:54 PM

(I don’t think a third roll for you scanning is going is anything more than artificially forcing a mistake) (edited)

7:56 PM

Three cities float on the skies of the gas giant, inside its atmosphere. (Cloud cities) Innumerable small transport craft, gas collector craft, and fighters fly between all three. An orbital platform turned large commerce and gas purification facility floats serenity, a hub of traffic. Another platform, armed with banks upon banks of mass cannons peeks above the planets horizon

(Are there civilian areas?)

(the cities are nominally civilian but there is def a military component to them)

(Can I tell if they have active ECM jamming? Thinking of seeing what a civilian Remnant is like.)

(the cities do individually, but a lot of the planet is open space between them as they skim the surface of this gas giant)

8:55 AM

(and that is not shielded, would be way too big)

(Kind cloud city I Star Wars style? With Lando?)

(cloud city as far as general shape of how it looks is pretty accurate)

(So my 2 favorite options are out. Tele in or invisibuble... hmmm I’m at a bit of a loss of what I can do here.)

(i think some of it depends on how deep into the intelligence gathering you want to go)

11:12 AM

(You've got some good information as it stands)

Mord turns to the pilot, “Hmmmm. Do you think it’s worth trying to go close to figure out what the civilians are thinking here?”

"how would you use the knowledge?" he asks, keeping one eye on the time and distance monitor

“More than anything to try to get a pulse if the civilians hate us as much then diplomatic overtures would be fruitless but if the public is neutral or openly tired of war with us then we may be able to begin making some overtures to talk to them.”

"Might be worth figuring out what kind of conflict we can expect.

“I’m just wondering if we might be better finding out at a non-semi-military station...”

"We could try to.....what if we try to waylay one of the civilian grav transports, or something"

(that just gave me an crazy I would never do this but why not kind of idea. Are there landing bays or landing pads?)

(on the platforms yes, and on the cities too, they have civilian hangars)

“So I think I can get the mechanics right to jump out of the airlock as one of the shuttles are coming in then once I’m sure I aimed right throw up my Bubble. If I haven’t hit something after 5 minutes I drop my bubble and you guys teleport me back to the shuttle and we get out of here and call the whole attempt off. But if it works I can get info then jump out a bay send my cords out across the waves and you tele me out. What do you think?” Mord looks a little over eager to try this death defying jump.

(Aka if you want to stop this speak now or I’m going in.)

"I'm game for it, lets do it

Mord and the pilot wait for a ship to begin its approach toward one of the bay doors. Then Mord steps into the airlock. “Remember stick around for 24 hours if I get into some serious trouble then get out I will find a way to make it home... eventually.” Mord then prepares himself to leap out of the airlock at the pilots go. (Exert/dex? know/int? I’m at a loss of what skill this requires? Luck check?)

(I'd say exert dex)

<7>

8:20 PM

Mordecia throws himself out of the airlock when the light turns green. He sees he is moving in the right direction but it is to early to tell. He casts his invisibuble the stars goes black. I sure hope this cyberware work otherwise I’m just gonna go splat. he thinks to himself as he flys through space. Crap forgot to start the timer ummm let’s say 4:45 he types it in on his compad. (edited)

THe cyberware works, and you're able to float out of one of the open bay doors (you're trying to float down into the city?)

(Float into the bay where the ship docked and use my cyber ware to not die when coming to a sudden stop when hitting a wall or the floor. Then use the holoemitters to look like one of the crew uniforms if they have them.)

Mordecia floats to the ship docks, the cyberware firing to cushion the landing. engineers and deck ratings are doing a host of different duties in the hangar

Mordecia walks over to some of the boxes and drops his bubble. Looking at the crew and seeing what they are wearing seeing if there is anything similar in the data stored in the cyberware.

The safety gear used by UNW ratings is similar, minus some insignia

Mord selects it without the insignia. Then walks out looking for something to grab to look busy and like he is going somewhere with it

There is an airgun nearby, and some loose rivets that seems to have been left on a gantry

Mordecia grabs them and begins to walk toward the door with the most traffic. Walking with a purpose.

Two chainveil guards in their spiked power armor are standing by the main doors further into the station. They don’t seem too attentive. Battle damage gone unrepaired marrs both of their suits

Mordecia keeps walking noticing the unrepaired damage. Trying to move from the space station side to the civilian side trying to note of any security checkpoints.

The deck leads to a very very large octagonal room. There is a bar in the middle of it (think an airport terminal with gates). Three of the tunnels on the opposite side of the room are for civilian traffic, with the name of a different city above each, for transfers passing to the world below. There are two other gates not being used right now, but with soldiers standing near the,.

1:14 PM

The one behind you leads into one of the military transfer hangars

Mordecia walks up, checking that ministry of light’s credits are still used in the remnant territories.

They do accept ministry of light credits. The ministry, or rather the remains of their infrastructure, is and had always been a party agnostic banking group

Mord walks up to the bar sitting a few chairs away from a group. “Man that was a rough day.”

A bartender wheels over to you and begins to pour. “Were you at Alcibiades? That’s what everyone from there says when they sit down”

“Yeah, I was... what have you heard out here? I was stuck on the ground for most of it.”

“ we heard we lost one of our big bases and part of the super weapon”

7:23 PM

“They’re not sure if they can make another one”

“Yeah, I’m still trying to put the pieces... I was ummmm... otherwise occupied..” Mord looks at one of the women nearby then coughs. “What do you know about who came after us?”

“It was the UNW. That battleship has been in a fight with us before”

“Ahhh, but what about their crew? Are they... normal?”

“The way they fight. Anything is possible”

Mord downs his drink then leans in, “want to hear a secret I overhead in the bay?” Mord waits for the nod then whispers, “I heard the military had made overtures to them just after the attack to band together to fight those in north.”

“We have seen what they do to us. Maybe they’ll be the push we need to exterminate those flesh meddlers once and for all”

“I thought it was just a drunk petty officer talking to much you think there would be any validity to it?”

"Command would never let that happen. They don't listen to the rank and file. I want that alliance though. So does most of my unit." she laughs "Too many of us for the Commissars to shoot for that opinion now. There'd be no one left to fill the ranks"

Mord looks down at his empty drink, then sets down 500 credits, "This should cover drinks for the night, to the hope of peace." Mord looks around, "Where is the restroom?"

“Next to the janitor closet over there” the barnan points

Mord walks over towards the restroom once the barkeep looks away he heads back out to hangar bay.

7:11 PM

(Time to head home before my armor wears off and I have to recast it...)

The bay is busy, and another shuttle has touched down inside, in the middle of disembarking passengers

Mord walks over by towards the edge. Then runs full tilt toward the edge and jumps.

8:25 PM

After 15 seconds he comms the ship, “Beam me up Scotty.”

There is a flash of light, and you're back aboard the shuttle

“Let’s go home, I think we have figured out everything that we need here.”

(3xp, 10000 credits)

9:09 PM

The shuttle remains undetected as it pulls out of Creusa's airspace, and returns to Gudrun

Mordecia directs them to land on the cloud.

The ship docks, and umbilicals are attached, allowing fuel and repair crew to begin transferring between the platform and vessel.

“Okay crew I’m going to see who all wants to go to the north, we may be taking this we may not. I’ll com you and let you know.”

They're content to wait and see how things plan out with the rest of the expert help.

A Message From Cyrus Pings

This data is really something Mordecia, thank you!  The Elysium Initiative would be happy to offer you a full time place in it's Intelligence branch.

Okay, let me know how the NMC goes, if you can get a read on whether or not they are playing us please let me know. I'll be moving into their territory to hunt Malak soon, I'd rather not think they had a hand in his escape.

Mordecia after dropping Grupp off begins to work on building and writing installations instructions for his Arcanoprosthetic. <12v11> (Forgot to add the plus 2 from the advanced lab in roll20...)

(very good. We were saying mord is going to be doing this for the month right?_

(Atleast 2 weeks of it while we run around if he spends the whole time researching then I may try something else too.)

(alrighty, I will make an LFG for the sumati talks)

HEYA MORD, I'M HEADING TO CHECK OUT GALATEA. ANY TIPS? WANT ME TO SAY HI TO YOUR FOLKS FOR YA?
GRUPP

@Regulus/Grupp

Just don’t try to buy anything with credits. It is a great place. Be sure to check out the slopes. When you get back I have something to show you.
-Mord

Mordecia emerges from his studies, noticing significant time has gone by

(Can we say I finished building and installing it. It takes a week of recovery after the operation installing the Arcanoprosthetic.)

(yeah that is fine with me)

Mordecia the Brown gets up out of the medical bed after spending a week recovering in his bed. “Thank you doctor. Your efforts are much appreciated.” Mord then heads to the shuttle Low Technology and speaks to the 3 pilots. “Let’s go back to the colony I have some ideas on something my grandfather said.”

11:22 AM

(Thinking about how to track down a spike-4 while we wait for the months to flip and cruesa occurs.)

(Is your shuttle named Low Technology? Cause that's amazing)

(Yes. Because it is. It also happens to be able to beat most other low technology via stealth.)

The Imago Dei shipyard is a warren of systems still coming online. The droid-masters that used to own it, and the three former colony ai working it now, are slowly re-powering old systems, and discovering more of its past. Your efforts there could speed things along considerably.

Mordecia hops off the Low technology “Boys thanks for the ride, you have the week off. I will take one of the personnel transports to get to the station. I will com you if I need you sooner. Enjoy the free time.” Mord then waits most of the day for the shuttle to take off to the UWN head quarters.

The shuttle and following flight have you at the new capital complex after a day passes. The platforms are anchored stately over a habitation dome, and lighters, lifters, and small few person passenger ships are everywhere. "This space is going to get even more crowded once some actual people are living here"

"Looks like Chief Engineer Rigers is heading for the shipyard too, I see that stunt fighter of his"

“Secret to UNW Base Camp, this is Billy Rigers coming in for a landing. Permission to dock.”

Mord waits at the hab dome for billy.

Billy hops out of the fighter looking pleased with himself. “Mord! It’s nice to see you. You taking a tour too?”

“Yeah I thought I would look around and try to find a lab. Something my grandfather said is tickling the back of my mind.”

*like a teenage girl * “Iiinterezted!”

“Let’s look! Any idea where the lab or original servers are?”

“Not a clue. I think we would just start on one corner and head through.”

“Sounds like a plan to me.”

(Start from the top?)

(Works for me.)

The top floor was boarded by Cayne during his initial trip, to bring the facility under UNW control. Leonardo, Vee, and Nemo have transferred from their robot shell, and are now the tri-partite brains of this station

“I’m guessing it is downhill from here.” Mord chuckles.

1

“Aquaint yourself with the other AI, Vothe. Maybe you’ll learn something.” (Tally ho!)

7:50 PM

“How are the three of you doing? Have you found any old files salvageable or leftover on the ship?”

"There are many sections still coming online. We have identified an engineering post we cannot access, three decks down. The wireless and hard wired connections are cut"

“Oh! Hell yeah! I’ll get right on that. Thank you. Let us know if there are any other areas you need help accessing. Is there a lab here too?”

"None that has been discovered, but the shipyard is vast. One may exist in an unconnected section"

Billy gets excited and proceeds downward with Mord.

There is a small tube elevator that opens, deck destination programmed in

“So billy I heard your a tinker of sorts. Can you handle the wires? I’m more useful in the whole flow of power area.”

He chuckles. “Yeah that seems easy enough.”

The elevator opens, three floors down, to a deck totally blacked out. A T shaped corridor extends from the elevator door

“Mord walks though the door and then heads left.”

A small control room sits at the end of the hall, iris door looking to be fused open. Darkened instrument panels are beyond, lit by dim glow strips in the floor.

Mord walks in and looks around. “Can you get power back here billy?”

“I can certainly try.

(Fix/Int or should we go and search the room?)

(we can do a fix/int)

On the road. 3d6+7

Billy is able to find a control box and activate the power, a few of the consoles do not turn on with the power system. A small, dome shaped object on a long pole descends from the ceiling

2:40 PM

A blue grid emerges from it, scanning both of you, and the contents of the room

2:43 PM

The room goes blindingly white, before you emerge on a vessel, made of wood. You hear the creak of the sails above, and the soft slip of ropes sliding over one another. A bell rings, and birds complain overhead

2:43 PM

The Dabloonscape theme music slowly fades, at the back of your mind

(❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️)

You and Billy seem to be in period appropriate officers clothing. A sloop's worth of sailors and crew are on the deck below you, all looking up at both of you on the stern castle.

3

Mord knowing the music snaps into character. “Ensign, what’s our heading and port of call?”

3:07 PM

“You should know this by now!”

(Does Eyebot have a Captain hat on?)

(eyebot looks like a parrot right now)

(Perfect)

"Mindbox isle captain! They've got the key we need!"

3:18 PM

(A mindbox is a quantum program, with a personality, defeating it will grant access to the systems here, but we're going to have some fun with our own version of digital combat)

(Neko you are awesome!)

4:01 PM

Mord nods knowingly. “Well done. Now carry on.” Mord then turns to billy. “I knew that dabloonscape was old but I never expected this. Have you heard of it before?”

“No.... but I get the sneaking suspicion that I’m Admiral Rigers again.”

5:27 PM

“This is amazing technology.” He clears he throat. “And how far is the isle?!”

“It’s about 10 nautical miles off the coast of Varrrrock. We should be there in a few hours sirs!”

5:35 PM

The computer generated crewmen begin manning masts, swabbing the deck and singing a shanty about drunken sailors and what to do with them

*Billy checks his weaponry.”

The anti vehicle laser is a hand cannon strapped to your back. The rest of your gear looks pirate appropriate

7:45 PM

(Damage is the same. Just re skinned)

(Very good, thanks) "Well, it seems we... have weapons at least. Looks a bit primitive, but I bet it will get the job done." Billy is dressed in a faded red, almost orange Captain's Coat with weapons strapped to him and a tricorn hat. He adjusts it and peers out across the water.

A storm looks to be brewing out to sea, jagged green lighting forks behind the clouds. The sea in that direction turns a sickly green in response

8:57 PM

The clouds seem to form the shape of a skull, it’s dead eye sockets backlit by the lightshow in the clouds. A fortified island is below

“Hey... Vothe, any chance you can hear me?” Billy looks deep into the storm.

Mord grins, “I wonder if my mage abilities have transferred over from the server on Galatea.” Mord then tries to fire a ball of energy into the water.

Vothe does not reply

7:17 AM

THe water splashes and sizzles at the magical energy strike (edited)

“Looks like we are on our own... well... besides them.”

"Make way for the Island! Full speed ahead!"

Mord walks over to a barrel and takes the Captain Morgan pose. “ONWARD!”

The ship plunges bow first into the waves, the spray feels real, cold, and tinged with salt. The storm lashes at the sky above. A lookout from the crows nest points east. "Sail!"

9:45 AM

A telescope pointed in that direction is mounted to the deck

Billy and Mord peer through the telescope at the same time.

Mord steps back and bows, “Admiral.”

Billy motions toward the telescope "...The... Brown?"

Another sloop sized vessel is barreling toward you, one cannon on the bow is already elevating to try to lob a cannonball at you

9:49 AM

its sails are black, and it is flying a checkered yellow and black flag behind it. In nautical terms, this means- a virus, or plague is aboard

"Man the cannons!" Billy takes out his hand cannon, which has a range of 2000/4000 (Are they within range?)

(they are) The sailors all begin getting the cannons on the right side of the vessel aligned. They are labeled 'shear' , 'muffle' , and 'crush'

"Fire cannons when ready!" Billy aims at the bow cannon with his. (19/21) (7 initiative)

(3 for enemy boat)

9:58 AM

(the digital combat is basically rock paper scissors, and really lame, so we're just going to have fun with this instead)

9:58 AM

(reminds me of the old spaceship combat where you had to guess right and see what phase they're in, AND THEN your attack still has to hit, ect)

<9>

10:53 AM

Mord runs down to the cannon deck. And begins to yell commands trying to keep the cannons in sync with each other. “Powder, stuffing, shot, pull. Aim Fire!”

(3d10 for the cannons)

10:58 AM

(just need a 10 to hit since its a vehicle)

<14= 1,6,7>

The cannon salvo, and a shot from billy's AV hand cannon sail out, the cannonballs cracking hull wood, and the AV laser cutting the foremast at its middle

11:05 AM

you hear pirates on the other vessel in chaos, trying to cope with the damage. A figure on the deck with a flaming beard, and a long pipe, with pirate hat glares, and with a hooked hand, points at your vessel

11:05 AM

The two cannons on the side of the pirate ship return fire, the spike cannonballs skipping across the water toward you

11:06 AM

(I'll roll shortly. they're tightening up with phones here, so i have to be more careful)

(2 hits, 16 damage total)

11:44 AM

The cannon shots are well aimed, and a hole is blown into the deck down below (50hp total on your ship)

11:44 AM

Back to billy

(Similar to ship combat in space, can I fix the damage? I’m waiting for a passenger to come back out. Would you roll for me? If not, just another AV shot.)

(yeah you can fix)

Billy slings the hand cannon over his shoulder and runs down to help path the freshly splintered wood.

(Fix int for billy. Mord up in combat)

+7 is 12

1:59 PM

(So yes 12)

nice!

2:03 PM

Billy repairs 10 points of damage, taking the oak planks and hammering them back into place with a few other crewmen

2:03 PM

a few more have buckets, and are throwing water overboard

Mord yell, “powder, shot, fire!” Forgetting the to remind the men of the cotton wad that gives the cannonballs power nor giving the men time to aim before firing. <6 = 1+1+4>

(Yep Mord failed rolling...)

There is some laughter from the pirate ship, as they return fire, also realizing their cannons are fowled . They begin readying grappling hooks

(Shriven told me I could fire to suppress with the AV laser, may I do that to all the folks on the other ship who think they’re coming over here?)

(

)

(Wait did you brace it on something already as an action? Otherwise you got a -4 to hit on all that and can’t suppress till you have.)

(No I haven’t.)

7:06 PM

(I’ll just shoot the captain)

"Yar har fiddle de gee! Being a pirate is alright with me!" you hear their song, over the tides

1

7:28 PM

(and alright, mess em up)

(11/16... should have just used the mag rifle)

The captain laughs and laughs. He has a megaphone attached to the hook, placed there by a crewman “My gran shoots better than you and she’s riddled with rickets!”

8:21 PM

The crew laughs in pirate some more

8:21 PM

(Mord Up)

(Alecto shoots him)

8:22 PM

(But it looks like a bird poo)

(Yesss

(Ah only 13/8)

He sidesteps narrowly as a steaming Alecto poo misses him but burns a small hole in the deck

8:24 PM

“Thar be wisdom in not feeding your bird hot sauce!”

1

8:24 PM

(Now Mord )

Mord walks up to the deck and fires at the captain. <10/8>

Some wood from the railing blows out around him. The pirate ship fires

8:33 PM

(4 damage on the ship) two of the cannon balls fall short, though one scores a glancing hit. The grappling hooks in the hands of some of the crew begin to twirl in the air as they get ready to toss

(Back to billy

Billy quick draws a different weapon, this one looking like a blunderbuss and aims it at the pirate. Alecto fires off another volley. (Ad Astra Rifle) (27/20) (15/8)

The captain's laugh is stifled as he pitches forward into the water

7:11 AM

(Mord)

Mord casts kinetic syphon on the other ship to separate the two ships back to a ranged fight and limit their mobility.

A single target within visual range no larger than a groundcar has its kinetic energy siphoned off into metadimensional space. If the target is a living creature, it loses its next round of physical action and every sec- ond round afterwards for as long as the spell is in effect. On these “lost” rounds the target can still take purely mental actions, such as triggering psychic powers. If the target is an inanimate object, its speed is immedi- ately slowed to a pace no quicker than 10 meters per round. Living creatures can make a Physical save to resist this spell, but inanimate ones get no resistance. Targets under this spell’s effect are immune to falling damage. The spell lasts as long as Light Focus is main- tained and the target is within visual range.

(Normally I would not risk trying to cast this as if I were damaged from the start of the turn till mine it would fail but I’m gonna do so now. As I am feeling like I have the jump on this combat.)

1

8:23 AM

(Unless the boat is to big then I will just target the other captain.)

(other captain has been slain, and your spell can effect the boat, so it goes off at end of round, right?)

8:26 AM

(Which would be their turn, and then your thing happens)

(It goes into effect now but I would guess that everyone has time finish this turns action before the other ship can’t keep up with out momentum.)

(your way is fine, i just wanted to make sure i was understanding)

8:29 AM

The other vessel rocks violently as its forward momentum is ceased. THe grappling hooks splash harmlessly into the water, from those few managing to keep their footing

8:29 AM

The first mate takes the wheel of the enemy vessel, listing slightly, as damage begins to tell

8:29 AM

"Keep them at volley!"

8:29 AM

(back to billy bones)

(Hurry this fight up so you can get to Varrrrock. I'm still waiting to see Lumbrigg and Barbara Village. Oh! You gotta check out Faladur too)

(not to mention Catharrrrbury)

8:34 AM

(great fishing, better pillaging)

(Nat 20 AV Laser. 12 damage)

9:20 AM

Billy Hauls up the AV Laser again, propping it on the deck of the ship and fires.

The cannonball blows a hole clean through the enemy vessel at the waterline, it begins falling behind

(Mord up or crew onboard?)

(mord)

(Are there enemy crew on the deck?)

(

)

(No. Their grappling hooks fell in the water because you’re magic)

(Handful Of crew

6:43 PM

(Just got home from town stuff. Sorry)

Mord runs back down stairs. Focusing on holding the deep focus. “Fire men at that ship. It’s not going to be moving.”

(you ccan roll the cannons if you want, the cre will fire)

8:50 PM

(crew)

(16= 9+5+2)

The ship detonates as the cannonballs rip into its primary powder magazine. Burning wood falls into the water all around you, before the hulk vanishes. A treasure chest appears on your deck

9:50 PM

“The captain gets first touch of the booty!” One if the deck mates tells the others

Raises eyebrows "Am I the Captain or are you the captain and should we ask permission of the booty before we touch it?"

"Right. I'm the captain." Billy goes to open the chest, feeling slightly uneasy. He remembers magical conjurations on Acastus and the touch of the still lady on his mind. A dull headache begins to thrumb like the beating of an anvil. He shakes it off quickly as his eyes right themselves and continues on.

The chest opens up to reveal a small fortune in dabloons. A helpful interface shows its enough to buy custom sails in any color you like. Your ship is also repaired.

“Huzza for the admiral!” Mord yells as he walks up. “Huzza for his hand cannon.”

"This is absolutely fascinating. Have you done this before?"

8:59 AM

Billy begins customizing the sails, going back and forth for entirely too long.

“Never full immersive. My Father didn’t want me to waste the time. Oh you might want to keep the dabloonscape for a later upgrade. There’s a lot of things we can get at port other that sail dyes.”

The storm flashes and rages up ahead, over the island. The skull cloud is now clearly defined.

Interrupting images of boiling black clouds flash through Billy's mind as he looks on. "This is fucking eerie. I think i'll go with red sails, what do you think, Mord?

Mord shrugs, “I would save up for a better carpenter when we get to port or a better navigator but that’s because I’m crap at it.”

"Oh... i've never done this before. So save the coin?"

(As I throw a wrench in nekos plans.) “Yeah I think so. But there is the whole reputation of having unique colors and cosmetic changes. So in the end it just depends on how good you are at piloting and repairing.”

(my job to adapt to you my dearest Jabronis)

"Well I think we have those skills pretty well. Let's see what she's got for us."

“Let’s go with red. What do you think about using that eyebot of yours as a emblem?”

“Let’s go with that then!

The sails flap in the wind before the emblem and color are changed. The crew is inspired by the new decor

“You want to navigate or fix the damage?”

(Ship is already repaired.)

“Are you an okay pilot? I can ummm do not a whole lot.”

I’m a pretty good pilot actually. Not best in the galaxy, but top of a class, sure.

12:43 PM

“I’ll steer this thing.”

The map table has an icon of the ship and a dotted line showing the path already traveled. Varrrock is to the west while the island with the skull is north. South appears to be open water

12:47 PM

East is the color of faded parchment, the color filled in by exploration not present

12:49 PM

(You can go right for the island and try to crack this mindbox program open by beating it or we can explore. I’m on your schedule here

“Mord... you have more experience with this than me. Is it ill advised to go straight for the skull or do we need to build ourselves up first?”

“I think we should check out varrrock and maybe grab another ship if we can. We can’t really call you an admiral with only one ship.” Mord grins.

(oh my god i am so excited for you to see this whole shitwagon)

3

(Lol I am too.)

(You need to spend the next couple days just chopping down trees to get your woodcutting up. Then you can build your own ship!)

“Oh of course”

“To Varrock!” He touches the space on the map.

The ship turns west toward the port of varrrrock

5:31 PM

The port is four docks. Another ship is in town right now and you see carnival colors of tents arranged along the piers.

5:31 PM

Strange symbols are on banners outside some of them. Faint accordion and hurdy gurdy music is playing

Mord waits for the ship to dock then heads towards the gurdy music, grinning. “Let’s see what the storm brought in.”

There is another crew in the bar, drinking at a table overflowing with gold coins

8:03 PM

the music is very loud from inside, wafting out, over their table.

“Ch-uh... Cheerio, m-mateys! It is I... oh boy. Uh- hi! Billy Rigers. How’s it uh. Mord what the hell is going on here. You seem right at home.”

2

They raise glasses. “Greetings! That’s our ship out there, the Plundering Polychromian! Nice to see another vessel around today!”

“Greetings! We hail from the ship DaxNAlyana. Have you seen any flotillas we should avoid? Or maybe news of some ships scheduled to come through?”

8

3

9:18 AM

“I know the ship has an odd name but I think it is Latin or something.”

“I personally think it’s perfect and can’t wait till we add to the family. Is there any way we can get another ship to join us? What about you lot?

“We’re celebrating a great haul but what’s your plan? We might want to add to it?”

1:06 PM

They move over so you can all sit down. “I hear the king has a new advisor” an NPC says to no one in particular, walking by

1:06 PM

They seem to get confused on a fence post for a moment before continuing on

2

(This is great.) “Thus far our plan is to loot the island of its treasure but to do that we must gather men, resources and ships so none can stop us.”

“Ah you’ll want a second ship then. Split it down the middle if we take it?”

“Profits down the middle yes. With the rights to buy your side out at 120% of market value.”

“It seems like you’ve done this before, Mord.”

“Like I said never in full emersion but I may have spent a year or two in here.”

“Sounds like a deal to me gentlemen.”

"Well, we got nothing to lose. Let's do it" They throw their 'drinks' onto the ground where they fade out, and stand up. "Lets meet offshore in about ten minutes. Just going to get a few things for the trip"

“Sounds good.” Then turns to billy, “Our crew will probably need that whole time to get out there. They are probably all still low skill sailors.”

To illustrate your point one tumbles from the riggings, caught by a knot around his ankle. Dangling a few meters over the deck like a pendulum, for some inexplicable reason he begins playing the accordion

3

“Bloody Hell... show me how to train these guys then. How does it work in this game? Are you the tutorial guy, Mord?”

"Is your morale improving?" he calls out, still dangling, as you return to the boat

“My morale is the highest it’s ever been!” He tips his tricorn hat to the sailor.

“Well last time I was here we just had to constantly be on the edge of a storm to get the best gains. But I don’t really want to spend the months it took to get from a sailor 10 to 99 again.”

The sailor flickers out and re-materializes on the deck. The bell rings twice, as you come aboard

11:53 AM

on land, you see the other player-sailors getting their supplies loaded as well

“Can we just go with this crew or is our ship going to sink, Mord? Have there been successful low level runs?”

“Yeah it all depends on the party and zone or something like that. Let’s just hope that this next raid goes well and we should be fine.”

both of you aboard, the crew makes arrangements and youre soon back on the open sea, the storm to the north is intense, but not getting stronger. The island is backlit by flashes of lightning

“Great. Well let’s get to it then. To the storm!”

The ship creaks as the waves rise in intensity. Lightning lashes out overhead. Sailors begin bailing out buckets of water

“Are we seriously bailing buckets already? Oh hell, why doesn’t this thing have a top?

Mord straps himself to the topmast and laughs manically. Then yells, “Come and get me Thor! You have no power here Poseidon rules the sea!”

Billy’s pupils dilate. “Well looks like this is finally it. I am crazy. I’m probably not even in this pirate ship, but in a solid white room with pads clamoring on about the Still lady and refusing my medication. Let me just control this parrot I can see through to see if I see any anomalies on the high seas.” “Parrot two! What do you observe from thy harried perch!”

(Is Mord parrot 2?)

An odd feeling flashes over Mord, “Bacaaaa, Storms all around, hope we don’t drown. Waves crash as lightning flashes. Through the storm we go.”

The sea itself appears fine and you can see the other allied ship keeping position 100m off your starboard side

5:23 PM

They’ve kept their promise, flying colorful flags through the storm of their own

“What is my life.” Billy says under his breath. Steering the ship ever deeper into the storm. (Yes ha!)

7:49 AM

At some point the wind takes, Billy’s Tricorn hat leaving his hair wet and matted to his face. The rain even stings a bit as it hits him.

(I feel like Lt. Dan right now.

)

1

"Eye of the wind!" the allied ship calls over with a megaphone, laughing at Mords antics. High on his perch, Mord sees the storm abating soon, a break in the clouds upcoming, and on the island, torches begin lighting- shadowy black shapes are running to towers, and beach landing poitns

“Mord, get down from there! I’m gonna need you!”

Mord climbs down. “Let’s do this!”

Billy sets up his AV cannon on the bow of the ship.

The pirates have stopped singing. You hear the other vessel shout something about this being a 'sea of dweebs' and the begin coming to battle stations. (lets get initiative, and I'll set the scene)

(7)

(allied vessel got a 4, island also got a 4, so friends will go first)

(5)

Billy, mord, allied boat, island)

(AV cannon to suppress, roll for me?)

(You still have to brace it as an action to do that before you can.)

(Already did that)

1

The island ahead is made up of three towers, with a wooden wall between them all, opening into a cove, between towers 2 and 3. There is a castle inside, watching over the bay. It looks as though the defenses out here will need to be cleared, or you'll take tremendous punishment running between them

10:35 AM

(sure, which tower do you want to suppress the gunners in?)

(T3)

Two of the pirate gunners wink out as the cannonball flies into the tower, knocking wood and two of their bodies out the back

11:26 AM

There is one remaining, trying to wheel the cannon in there around by himself

11:26 AM

(Morddddddd)

Mord targets the remaining man on the cannon. (23/11)

The figure fades out , the cannon tumbling into the sea

11:47 AM

Seeing what you're planning, the allied ship fires a cannonade, hoping to knock out tower 2, while your crew focuses on moving the ship into a battle line with them

(Is it their turn?)

Two of the allied ships cannons hit. Wood splinters from the towers but it’s only glanced. The cannons in tower 1 and 2 return fire. One on your ship, one on theirs

4:57 PM

(19/7 on you 10/3 on allies. Back to billy)

Billy runs to help fix the ship. (Fix/int 17)

5:01 PM

(Actually 19 if eyebot is helping.)

The parrot pecks at some places your repair work was inadequate. You repair the damage. (Mord Up)

2

Mord fires at one of the men who fired on the ship. (21/9)

He has enough time to smile at you dumbly, before blinking out.

8:17 PM

The allied ship fires on the damaged tower, but it isnt a cannonball you see flying, its a cannon person

8:17 PM

cutlass out, you hear "AVAST YOU SCABIES RIDDEN DOGS!" as he sails across the sky

8:17 PM

the sound of steel on steel inside the tower can be heard across the water. The final tower continues firing on your vessel

8:18 PM

(4 damage, back to billy)

(Best ship battle yet.)

9:16 PM

Billy straightens his tricorn hat that has seemingly reappeared on his head and marches back to his AV Cannon. “This’ll be yer last scuffle with Billy Rigerrrrrrsss!” (Final Tower suppressive Fire.)

The gunners indeed do not have anything left in them to fight the dreaded black billy and his parrots.

9:18 PM

The allied ship pulls in front of you, preparing to head through the channel into the bay, to the main part of the encounter

Billy walks in place for a moment before returning to the helm. And turning the wheel after the other ship.

The lights in the castle on the island, perched atop a hill, rising from a sandy beach begin to come on, and bells sound. You see many more pirates getting ready to man cannons. "Two options here!" one of the allied crewmen shouts "We slug it out with ships, or we make a beach landing"

“Admiral it’s your call either way is fine with me.”

“I’m not certain but I think I’d rather the ships be targeted with cannons rather than our bodies, no?”

“Sounds good to me.”

Ships being selected the lights in the large castle turn on. It’s a stone structure, a central keep with four towers, one on each corner. The roof of the fort itself also has a few guns on it. “Doing it the old way then. Sounds good to me” the allied ship calls. The fort is 200m away atop a stony hill, overlooking the cove. The burning outer defenses are behind you. The storm swirls around the cove but is gentle enough in here

Mord goes downstairs to the cannons.

Billy man’s his own cannon and Fires his AV laser, moving one of the bomber drones forward. (edited)

(billy would be first, keeping same initiative)

(8+11=19)

8:13 AM

7

Billy's hand cannon fires, its dull bark splitting the calming night. The round sails cleanly, cracking stonework on the castle.

(not sure if the drone is doing anything, otherwise, mord)

(I don’t think the drone can get there in a round.)

(Not for bombs no, alright, Mord)

“Powder, cotton, shot, aim, Fire!” (3 still?)

(3 still yes)

8:26 AM

(Technically six but three guns on each side

(17 = 3+10+4)

The first volley flies true, impacting the castle walls

1:30 PM

The allied vessel also fires, keeping an eye on what you’re doing. You see two of them are struggling to get a launch boat into the water (5 damage on the castle from them) The castle returns fire, hitting the plundering polychromian amidship

(Back to billy)

@Paxcyan Wilder (Billy) ^

(Billy bones, we need you!)

(Sorry!! I was... caked up for a bit. Just got home.)

4:38 PM

(How many turns do I need to more the bomber drone for it to get to the walls?)

Billy fires on the same target. (14/4) “Avast! These walls be tougher then they look!”

(One more)

4:54 PM

The shot bounces; the stone is solid.

4:54 PM

(Mord)

“Powder, cotton, shot, aim, Fire!” (13= 7+1+5)

One of the walls slumps as the barrage hits home. You see the friendly vessel getting their launch in the water. “Let’s take it to em! We’re almost there!”

“Charge!” Billy provides them with suppressive fire before heading for the row boats to shore.

The boat filled with randomly generated pirates, all of them with notched cutlasses and snub nosed pistols. One of course is playing an accordion as the long boat plows through the surf

7:15 AM

“Oh a pirates life is a wonderful life, a wonderful life for me”

Billy pulls out his mono blade and laser pistol to fit in.

Cannonballs hit the water around you and you see your allied ship is battered by a storm of shot from the fort guns. Billy’s weapons are re skinned but look in better condition and cooler

7:17 AM

“Almost at the beach!” One shouts. Ahead is a dirt path heading up the hill, thick growths of jungle trees on both sides. The way is lit by torches, pools of warm light against the darkness cast by the storm overhead

“Onward and upward, then.” Billy advances forward with the pirates. (And Mord, assuming he joined us.)

"Lets parrrrrrty!" you hear, from some rough-housing ready looking pirates, coming down the path

7:57 AM

There are ten of them, one for each of you, from the looks of it

7:58 AM

"You'll never take our beautiful gold!"

“Charge!!!” As Mord gets the men below deck to come with him.

The ship is emptied but for a skeleton crew, Mord leading a second wave to the beach in an overwhelming assault

8:13 AM

(Billy up, as the beach pirates close in)

“Pistols up! Fire!” Billy raises his pistol in front, his cutlass high in the air. (23/10)

The pistol shot strikes one of the NPC pirates, and he tumbles into the sand. "Barnacles!" he swears, as he fades out

8:31 AM

the others around you are meeting cutlass to cutlass, the combat looking about even. Mord's second wave plows through the shallows, boat beaching itself next to the first launch. Your allies, having overcome their own group, with one player loss, are making their way over to you as well

“Onward! The prize is in sight.”

The fight is a foregone conclusion with the enemy pirate patrol out numbered 3:1, and you quickly regroup at the first torch, looking up the hill

12:27 PM

The polychromians join you. “Almost there. Just got the castellian and his honor guard left. Gonna be a tough one. You all ready?”

“Let’s do this, nothing left but to succeed.”

(Billy uses his turn to guide Vothe bomber parrots to drop their loads on the honor guard.)

The bombs look like large bird craps but they explode with force. From above you see ten skeletons in armor have survived the blast though their unprotected cousins have not. The castellian is in a suit that looks to be made from grog barrels. A complex array of pipes and tubes keep pressure to limbs and joints as needed to help them perambulate

1:44 PM

(He’s in a barrel mech suit basically)

1:44 PM

They stride through the wisping bomb smoke and begin running down the beach toward you

(Mord up?)

(yep! targets are 10 skeletal honor guard, and barrel mech)

4:30 PM

(magic will hurt it)

Mordecia turns to the barrel Mechs and yells, “I think your holding on to something that is mine!” (21/13) (Edits because I can’t read roll20...) (edited)

The grog blast hits him squarely, spinning the suit around.

4:32 PM

"tis a strong brew you're spilling out me hardy!"

4:33 PM

the suit begins to build steam pressure, whistles blowing and cartoon gauges spinning comically fast. The skeleton honor guard advances, firing their muskets into the crowd (it'll just be 1 shot on each of you, rest divided out among everyone else)

4:34 PM

(21/11 billy, 10/12 Mord, Billy up)

(Yay miss.)

(Hard to aim when you've got no eyes!)

“Feel the wrath of me birdies!” Billy and Alecto each shoots for the barrel mech.

7:53 PM

(28/12. 18/7)

Their bombs fall on the mech. “Arrrrr!” It cries as the shrapnel peppers its armored bark.

8:20 PM

(Mord next if billy doesn’t have anything else)

(23/13) Mord fires again at the barrel Mech. “Hope you have some liquor in there with you.”

You hear “what do you do with a drunken” sailor playing inside the suit, before it’s chest ports open up. Four cannons are inside, and the ale hoses on its hands fire high pressure streams of burning alcohol. (One flamethrower at each of you, so evasion save. And two cannonsballs each. I’ll post hits and damage next)

9:27 PM

(25/8 and crit /27 on billy 23/8 on Mord , and billy is up)

9:27 PM

Around you, the allied players and the last of your npc crew duel the honor guards

(Mord saves 11v10)

(Save 9)

11:10 AM

"Oh that pain is real, Mord! That pain is real." Billy steps back for a moment and raises his AV laser to the barrel mech as Alecto swings to the side firing inside the cannon ports. (9/13 av (Crit 1) | 17/11 Alecto)

(Mord and billy have passed and take no damage from the burning liquor

11:16 AM

(No crit fail. You just miss and look like a goofball)

11:16 AM

The bomber drone delivers another payload, as Mord readies himself to act

(I'm stumbling backwards firing off into the digital sky)

(Yeah billy glitched out and started moonwalking into the sky like my one friend whenever we do vermintide

(ahahaha Damnit! This lag!)

11:24 AM

(My laptop can't handle the new crit bursts from the latest patch.)

Mord fires again as he grasps his arm in pain. (13/8)

The barrel golem rattles and stomps. He laughs heartily as the magical blast reflects off the thick armor

2:55 PM

The honor guards and players have completed their combat , only two of the plundering polychromians still stand, both wounded. None of your allied pirates or enemy honor guard remain, the ground littered with discarded muskets and cutlasses

The golems beer launchers are recharging but another cannon ball barrage fires at all of you

3:47 PM

(One shot each this time. Rolling soon

(Danger danger.)

(19/5 on Mord and one of the polychromians is knocked out of action. Everyone else is missed. Billy up)

(I forget do ties go to the defender or the attacker?)

(Attacker)

4:35 PM

(That’s how I’ve been doing it for you guys too)

4:36 PM

(Like when you swing and tie)

(2hp left then)

(Billy up!)

Alecto will heal Mord. (Driving. Can you roll for A Astra Rifle?)

(sure)

11:58 AM

(26/15) The bot falls to its knees, Dabloons, jeweled skulls, goblets, and a scroll case vomiting from its open chest wound

11:59 AM

"Curse you, privateers"

The 'boss' falls apart, turning to pixels. The two remaining polychromians cheer, and laugh, making angels in the spreading pool of gold

12:33 PM

"So much beautiful gold!" one shouts

Mord walks up to the pool of gold. “Well Looks like we found billy’s booty. Or ummm the admirals booty. Or ahhh plunder for the admiral, this booty. Okay I’m gonna stop while I’m ahead”

The scroll case gravitates to you, and as it makes contact, the world fades, and you both are back in the shipyard

1:35 PM

Vothe is standing over both of you, changing out an IV bag. both of you are wearing one

“Holy shit! Was that a pretech VR? Wow that was realistic.” (I check my body. Am I -50 health in real life?)

(yes)

2:41 PM

your injuries have carried over, as have the rigors of spending two weeks in this shipyard, dueling with the remains of its brain-box

2:41 PM

you find, each of you have complete copies of the famed Imago Dei ships, and plans for spike 4 vessels. The shipyard itself also has these plans now, you sense Leo, Vee, and Nemo all discussing among themselves how to best apply them

“TWO WEEKS!” Billy grips his kidneys. “These fucking plans are amazing. Vothe see if you can process some of this with them and I’ll take a look as well. I think we are going to need these.”

2:45 PM

Billy scatters off onto the floor, slipping a bit, before climbing up to mord. “We fookin did it laddie.”

“Wow, I ouch. How under the light of the stars did we get back here? I was looking forward to counting our booty. Oh well.” Mord then Realizes that his goal of spike 4 is realized! “Eureka I knew that following my gut would work. Let’s take a look at this.”

The plans are complete, with a core that will never misfire or fail (outside of battle damage)

2:48 PM

More importantly, they can be made with components the UNW already has, utilizing Jaxtonite and underhill crystal in a revolutionary new way

1

“Mord. These ship plans are the most advanced, I’ve ever seen. Much more expensive to build, but nonetheless.... we’re in business here.

I have to go reach my team. Two weeks! So much to get done so little time. Wow this sucks!”

Billy motions to Vothe. “Nope gonna need your help buddy. Let’s get back to the ship. I can sleep in spike space. You need a lift Mord? I flew one of these fighters in here.”

2:53 PM

“Shit- where is food?!”

"I've been feeding you both through IV for most of the time in here"

“I have a strange hunger for Aranges.” (Such a cool mission.)

3:09 PM

“Vothe did you analyze the tech that put us under at all? That could be massively valuable.”

(6xp, 50,000 credits)

3:09 PM

"Only a little, I was preoccupied keeping both of you alive"

“Thank you. Send any scans you have of us and our brain patterns to the lab for analysis. And have a small team come out to investigate it. Fascinating.” (Ok Mord can have his thread back. :p )

1

“Two weeks, wow I need to get to cruea.” (Unless that would mess with anyone else’s time table that is..)

(It won’t no. Kensh’s operation will be done there , and Cyrus hasn’t begun his own)

Mord finds a ad Astra shuttle back to Gudrun to pick up his shuttle.

The shuttle is waiting for you and you’re taken to another shuttle, your own

Mord heads back to crusea. Making full use of the stealth nature of the shuttle hoping to find an opening in the defenses to space dive into one of the city stations.

(I think even my best roll can’t detect it if this is the same shuttle as last time)

(So +11 v +4+skill+int-(2/0 -2 if passive))

8:30 AM

<20>

(yeah i cant even get close to that) There are three cities below, with not much difference between them, each plys a different part of the gas giant, flocks of gather-lighters and lifters accompanying them

Mord looks at the pilot, “same as last time, after 5 minutes if I haven’t made it into the city teleport me back. You will probably lose lock once I get into the city.” Mord slaps his head “I nearly forgot to let Cyrus know that I’m going in to try to start the rebellion.”

10:05 AM

@Garion

Im heading in to the city stations to try to work on a rebellion. I will check in again in a week. If something needs to occur before my next check in... well we will deal with that when we get there. 
May the star light your path
Mordecia the Brown

10:08 AM

Mord then turns and jumps out trying to time the landing behind one of the shuttles between the cities. (Using my magic armor to not go pop in space. And my cyberware to not go splat on landing.) (edited)

You know the plan, good luck and may the Gods cast their favour upon you.

You've had some practice doing this, and you're able to get the landing you want, now familiar with the strangeness of gravity close to the environment field.

Mord goes over to the corner and drops his magic bubble quickly looking for what people are wearing to match it.

(I’m in one of the huge floating cities right? With the general population?)

(yeah)

8:39 PM

The people are wearing a mix of coveralls, tough traveling clothing, and more specialized gear for spacers and aerotechs

Mordecia has his cyberware change his clothes to some traveling clothes and joins the crowd. Trying to blend in. Mord then tries to get out of the space port area and into the city proper.

THere are a handful of military guards but not many, and before long youre out amid the sprawling streets of the densly packed city, hab blocks running in all directions, dotted by gas refineries, processing outworks, lighter-ports, and other facets of urban industry

Mordecia heads to a nearby bar. (If it is anywhere near dinner time.)

(It is) There is a bar near by called Stratosphere and it seems like it is a catch all for many different types of professionals

1:07 PM

The inside is pleasant and temperature controlled. People play billiards, darts, and there is a sad country song playing through one of the music cubes

Mord walks in and looks for a billiards table that looks open to buy-in on the next game. Then sets down after putting down his anty for the next game.

Your opponent is a scrappy looking gas plant tech, still in his slightly dirty manufacturing clothes. The table has a small audience as well, a woman you’d guess is his girlfriend and a few others

Mord steps up and asks, “My break or yours?” (I don’t really care who wins the game so you can just make it up. I’m just hoping to talk while we play.)

(yeah i figured we would just describe the game as the back and forth went on)

8:03 PM

"Haven't seen you in here before. youre a guest, go ahead" he gestures

“Yeah just transferred in. I’m actually not sure what to do yet. Haven’t even found a place to crash.”

10:47 AM

“Any ideas?” Mord grabs a stick and lines up the shot.

"Might try the outboard ventral stack area."

10:50 AM

"It's where most people who are new end up setting up. but the apartments are nice"

Mord distracted by the idea of going back to a rented apartment mishits the shot and nearly misses the tacked balls. “I was hoping for something more... permanent is there somewhere you can point me for that?”

"Hmm. well if you've got some credits to throw around, you could get something spinside, those are lofts, like a whole floor to yourself. Probably the best you'd be able to get around here. Not exactly a whole lot of places to go"

“Your shot.” Mord looks flustered at his bad shot. “and thanks I will look into it. I know there are a lot of people here but do you have any idea how many? Just a rough ball park would be helpful.”

"About two million here, I think Secondary has about what we do, Tertiary is newest though, only about 300,000 or so there, last time I saw the census. There’s a lot more around the collection hubs and the platforms though. Someone told me something about a sub gas project too. I’ve seen lighters diving down there” You one of the Alcibiades survivors or something? had a bunch of you in town looking around like lost dogs lately" (edited)

12:17 PM

"Feel bad for you guys, heard it was a mess out there"

“Yeah I was planetside during that attack. It was.... a terrible thing to watch.”

"You're lucky you walked away at all... " he pauses, sinking a nice shot that sends the first of what might be many solid colored balls into the corner pocket

1:54 PM

"I work for admin here, so I know a bunch of vets from that fight who've come to settle in"

“Really? I had a buddy that went off and I though he was stationed there, Obel Prize. Any chance you can look up to see if he made it through?”

1

"your shot" he says, scratching his next one. He pulls out a compad while you size up your move. "He was reported as recovered"

Mord lines up a shot and is able to knock in 1 ball and then scratches. “Ahhh that’s good. He always seemed smart. So your tied into the military support structure?”

"Just the logistics part of it, even then, nothing exciting. Mostly just census and personnel"

“Makes sense, how did you get such a convenient low risk semi military job and do you know of any openings?”

"I was in the service, and left just before the Rawhani fight with the UNW. My term was up. I was a logistics specialist for the logistic ship merchant division. You know how the military is. You never actually leave. Being released to reserves is just active duty with more home time"

“Yeah, I lucked out. My family was able to get me a decent job with a company right out of school. Your shot.” (Mord is getting a whole I’m loyal because I always have been from this guy so I think I’m going to just let the game play out and take the name of his contact to buy a flat.)

The game comes down to its final shot and Mord makes an unlikely but well done sink. “Beginners luck” he says happily “means you’ll have to come back for a rematch.”

“Sounds good, and thanks for that contact name. I’ll come back and take you up on that rematch.” Mord then heads off to the real estate agent.

The agent is a waspish looking man with horn rimmed glasses, an ever increasing stack of datapads on the desk as requisition orders keep coming in

4:40 PM

Hearing the chime of door entry he looks up from his work. “Ah hello there sir. What can I do for you today?0

“Tom sent me and said that you were the one I should talk to for a flat. I just got into town and wanted to put in a cash offer.”

“Well now. Which one did you have in mind. You sound like a man who knows his business”

“I would like one either with a parking garage entrance or a private entrance. Not having a doorman is not an issue actually I would prefer if there wasn’t one. One flat is what I’m looking for. I am trying to get used to be around people again but prefer privacy. Any questions I’m overlooking?”

(Poke for re-dot-ability)

(i had tis all typed out on my phone and forgot to hit enter, i suck lol ) "Not sure what you might be overlooking, but you don't need to worry about a doorman, we're not that high class here. I can get you a parking entrace"

“Excellent. How much are we looking at for one and how long until I can move in?”

"The unit i have in mind is empty now. its 640 credits per month"

“Works for me. Is it furnished or can I pay you to have it done?”

"It should be furnished..." he says, looking down at his notes to confirm. "Yeah, there's plenty there, but we'll provide a catalog on move-in, so if there's something you need, you can get it"

Mord pulls out 700 credits. “Please keep the excess for your time. Hopefully you can point me in the direction of a good place to eat.”

“One of the nicer places I’m in the mood to celebrate.”

"I have always had very good neo-italian at The Etruscan, north district in town"

“Thank you for your time.” Mord then heads out towards the Etruscan. On his way he looks for a place to change.

The city has endless dark alleys and overlooked repair access junctions that are tucked away off the street, finding a place to slip out for a moment is very very easy

Mord steps into the shadows for a minute and steps out in a 3 piece suit. He also changes his walk to one that his father used to use when trying to impress the council.

(Are there taxis or cars?)

(Ground Yes. You can also pay more for air service)

5:43 PM

(20/100 depending on what)

(For the record I converted 100k into hard credits so there isn’t any tie to the UNW)

Mord flags down an Air taxi

(Would I need to use a compad or integrated com cyberware?)

(Makes sense. And for a taxi?)

8:41 PM

(It’s Like UNW. Most people use compad

Mord hops in the air taxi and asks to be taken to The Etruscan.

The vehicle smoothly pulls away from the sidewalk, heading into a neon lit downtown that would rival even Acastus' nightlife in better days. The Etruscan is a roman themed italian restaurant, obviously mixing time periods for the sake of consumer happiness. Wait staff are dressed in period garb, platters of fake fruit and faux marble statues of roman gods line the processional into the fine dining establishment. A doorman opens the large gold leaf inlaid door for you, and you feel the warmth of a wood fire inside.

Mord walks in and looks at the host, “Greeting, I am Garion Adams. I am hoping to get a spot at the bar.” Garion tries to shake the hosts hand with 50 credits in his palm.

(yessssss I love him already)

10:18 AM

The host smiles coyly and takes the credits. "Right this way Mr. Adams" he tips someone off their stool who has long been nursing the same drink. "Please. please sit" he cleans the counter off with a rag and also some of his sleeve

10:18 AM

"So sorry about the mess sir

Garion sizes the man up. (Does he look well connected and like he would know everyone in the restaurant?)

(The host, yeah for sure)

“Would you be able to take the rest of the night off to help me. I’m new to the city and need to find out who’s who.” Mord holds up 200 credits.

10:22 AM

“I would of course need your discretion.” As he adds another 100 credits with his other hand.

"Oh you're new in town, well sir i would love to assist you. I'll inform the chef I have been employed for the night"

Garion nods as he turns to the bartender. “Scotch neat.”

The drink is poured for you. It's not as good as the baron's but it is different enough for you to appreciate the vintage

Garion sips the drink and waits for his new majordomo to return. Looking around to make sure his 3 piece suit fits in well.

It fits very well. you feela very handsome man. The majordomo returns. "Chef said i'd be a fool to pass up that kind of credit. Let's go"

(Hah, I see you)

Garrison adams being such an upstanding gentleman turns and asks the Majordomo, “I’m new but I was hoping to be able to get into the family business. News and entertainment. I know this is the place to go for The Who’s who here but I need to know who here tonight would be best to broach with an offer of my services.”

"I see, a man of spreading culture, interesting. Well, It just so happens one of the radio station owners is a frequent diner. I dare think he and i are even friends now. I'd be happy to get you in touch if you;d like to go for a short walk"

“I would rather enjoy this drink here but if you can set that up I would be very appreciative.”

"Very good. I'll have them send someone down. Please enjoy your drink sir!" He almost falls over his own legs trying to make haste on his new errand

Garion leans back and sips on his drink. Enjoying the time. He spends the time scrolling through to find what he could on the radio station mentioned before. (No need to elaborate.)

A few moments later, a very very out of breath majordomo, and an equally belabored radio station functionary return,

Garion stands, “Good evening, my new friend here says that you are the person that I need to talk to so I can begin my career again here.” Garion pulls out 300 credits and places them under his empty scotch. “Can I interest you in another scotch so we can talk like gentlemen.”

"I would be very interested in that" she is catching her breath, and one of her heels have broken

Garion orders 3 scotches and places the 300 from under his old glass to the radio ladies. “So how does one go about interviewing for a spot as a talk show host.”

"This is a good start" she looks down at the credit chit with avarice in her eyes

3:20 PM

"What else can you show me?"

Garion assumes his deep radio voice. “Welcome one and all To KiLA radio station today I will be your host, Garion Adams, I can bring tales of my adventures west, song from the long lost bands of earth and most important of all.... contests. The most outlandish time sensitive contest and prizes the likes of which you have never seen. Want to try you hand as a fighter jock. There’s a contest coming in 4 weeks that will be just that. Tired of scraping by on credits? The war got you down. The 15th caller that can correctly answer my question will be rewarded with 500 credits.” Garion drops back into his normal voice. “Now I know that the station can’t justify this expendenture so to help build up my career and brand recognition I will be willing to cover all these contest for the first 3 months and then at your descression from there we will decide a pay structure that is mutually beneficial. How does that sound?” (edited)

(Talk/cha?)

"Well, we'd need some kind of proof of financial stability to show you can cover these kinds of expenses"

Mord reaches in his coat and pulls out a 10,000 credit note. “Will this suffice?” Then pulls out another. “Or this one?”

"That...that works. well, you;ve certainly convinced me" Around the bar those who could hear over the other noise in the place, are paying rapt attention

Mord pulls out 500 credits and places it on the bar. “Drinks are on me and KiLA radio. Be sure to tune in for Garion in the morning.”

(Garion for the grind! I love it!)

7:07 AM

The bar is very appreciative, as is the radio exec. News of "Garion the Great" is already beginning to spread

Garion sits back down and spends the rest of the night trying to build connections and making sure he doesn’t get to drunk then requests a air taxi to a main hub. (Going to make sure to lose any tails.)

THe taxi is soon lost amids the other air traffic, and you are in the very busy main transit and transfer hub

1:11 PM

flocks of vehicles are landed, or in the process of loading or unloading passengers. There are more people here than you've ever seen

Garion seeing that he can easily lose tails goes to the other side and calls another taxi to go to a hotel.

The taxi brings you down the row of hotels in town though many look to be a bit rough on the outside. The roofs are stained with a red brown rust from heavy metal pollution

Garion goes in and gets a room and a good rest. In the morning he calls the real estate agent to find out if his place is ready yet.

The apartment is complete, his workers doing their jobs feverishly through the night to get it ready for your occupation. Your small contribution evidently sped the way.

Garion heads there via air taxi.

The apartment is exactly as you desired, and the furnishings, although a bit aged, you sense are the newest here that can possibly be found. Everything on Cruesa is old, or recycled, or being re-used in some way.

A quick look around has you relieved, if any tails were present, they havent managed to keep up with you. Several offers for programming slots appear on your compad, and your meeting with the radio exec must have gone over very well. Some of the salaries are considerable. Everyone is eager to boast Garion the Great, as you're already starting to be known.

Garion smiles to himself. “I love it when a plan comes together.” Garion spends some time hiding several of his 10,000 bill around the house Incase... (do I need to roll anything for my stealthilyness of my hiding?)

(Well; you don’t have anyone or anything trying to oppose your efforts right now. And you could spend as long as you want doing it. I think if it comes down to it, it’s going to be more on the seeking person to notice rather than on you to hide

1

After hiding half of his hard currency he calls for an air taxi. To head to KiLA radio HQ.

Kila radio is a busy tower at the city’s heart, the tallest building in the city and almost totally owned by them aside from a small shop and some news print stands on the ground floor. Dozens of people mill about the lobby

Garion walks in and drops into his radio voice. “Garion is here, where is a mic and our wonderful listener. Let’s get this started.”

You're brought up to the top floor of the building where a number of recording suites are located, No one has bothered to question you, still enraptured by your performance at the bar the other night. Everyone is eager to hear what you actually do wit a microphone and airwaves in front of you. "Mr. Garion, this is one of our recording booths. It's a little older than the others but the other jocks are a bit territorial, better to not force them to share unless we have to. You can record , transmit, anything you need to prep for your show in here"

“Excellent! Let’s get to work.” Garion walks into a recording booth and nods to the engineer recording. Dropping into radio voice garion starts, “Goooood morning. Welcome to Garion for the grind. Where we value music only slightly less than the giveaways. To that end, when during this hour you hear the same song played twice I’m looking for the first caller who can tell me what song repeated and where they heard it from.” Garion drops into an obvious stage whisper, “For those of you who are a little short a spike drive that would be Garion for the grind on KiLA.” Then drops back into his radio voice. “That first caller that can do that will win 500 credits. And to kick off the set here is a song by Alex and the Trees.”

1

(I love alex and the trees! Can you play their hit 'Conk my Life Up'?) (edited)

1

A small counter on the keypad of the booth shows about how many personal devices are listening to the station, the number was small when you entered, only about 2% of the city's inhabitants, but the number is slowly climbing, now reading out at close to 10%

(I'm a fan of the song 'Jordan Smells' by 'Socks and Underwear' personally)

Garion spends the next hour making small jokes and trying to help people relax until the 40 minute mark when he queues up a sound for the second time this hour.

you interact with a number of people over the radio, and it seems like their commute is quite improved for it. Its striking how similar people are between the two nations, even though they are at war with one another

Garion spends the next 2 hours doing the same thing then prepares to sign off. “This has been Garion for the grind just remember, we are in this together.”

4:48 PM

(Hitting send would have been a good idea...)

Ratings have skyrocketed during the day for your show and the station enthusiastically wants your continued show. You’re approached with a show contract before you’re even out of the building (not an employment one which you got already)

Garion grins when he reads the show contract. (They want me to do a regular show right?)

(Yeah, every morning, and you can just pop into other ones if you want to. The people love you)

Garion asks “Does this give me the right to pop into any show at any time? I also want the right to not be cut off without you notifying me under any circumstances. I know how fickle the crowds can be and I don’t want you pulling the plug on a show just because I said something that made one of you mad. I need it in writing that you will come and tell me in person what and why then you can kill it.” (edited)

"We'll have a meeting with you before any show gets taken off the air, but we retain the right to end a broadcast if it might be against public safety" (so their counter is, they wont instantly cancel you, but they'll meet with you before they do)

“What’s your definition of against public safety, if I make a joke about the fleet am I disappearing?”

"Hah! We're not as bad as those fools on Pelgason, no no, but if something said starts a panic, or news is given out without fact checking, things like that"

11:13 AM

"Rule of common sense"

Garion grins, “If I say something that breaks the common sense rule do I get a warning?”

"Yes. Of course. We arent' savages. You won't get dragged off to gulag" they all laugh

“Sounds good I will sign, with that confirmation.” Garion smiles.

The contract is completed, and Garion for the Grind, becomes an official program

7:13 PM

You're given an ID card, and access to the radio station lounge, one of the few places on planet for certain luxuries

Garion shakes their hand and heads to the station lounge to see what they were referring to.

The lounge is the entire penthouse of the building, with long couches set out

There is a bar with a few staff members and even music

11:01 AM

Which is something the Remnant has recovered little of themselves

Garion brushes elbow and talks the talk with them. After a few minutes into the conversation he asks, “I noticed we have a % number, I thought that there were hundreds of millions here? Is it based on this station or all system?”

“Now keep this quiet but a lot of the population lives below the gas layer. The upper gas layers below us I mean. It’s all system”

3:47 PM

“There’s a TECT down there millions are connected to. Tens of millions. We refine and mine thousands of tons of product a day down there. That’s what keeps our fleets going”

(Would Mord know what a TECT is?)

(Not as of your current knowledge no but theyre speaking to you as through you’re a citizen and do)

“Ahhh of course. So what % did you get to today.” As garion goes back into small talk.

The other shows report pitiful amounts and you’re the highest listened to in the room for the day. It’s a record for the first show from what it is made to sound like

Garion spends the day getting to know his fellow hosts and smoothing feathers. He then goes and asks to see how to set up face to face meeting and rallies with his listeners.

Hosts regularly do meet and greats around the community, usually visiting or promoting cultural things to do

3:25 PM

The Remnant is trying to prove they’re more than ruthless military officers hanging on to the past, and lately have been trying to push culture even more

Garion sets up his next weeks, morning the show, afternoon a face to face and then evening getting to know The Who’s who of the stations.

(So since we have to make up some time, your connections/fledgling 'social revolution' group can accomplish one of the following, before transitioning to work as a mobile reserve during the battle. Small scale attacks, industrial sabotage, or organized social pressure hampers military operations) A) Fewer fighters show up when city squadrons join the fight B) Ships using ammo based weapons cannot reload once currently stored munitions are expended (ships start with full mag) C) Fewer soldiers appear in encounters, unable to be recalled from increased police duties in time

(Let’s go with long term planning. They look more kindly on the UNW after my sprees once I come out as a UNW personality.)

(Works for me)

Mord now known as Garion looks at the people surrounding him. He is filled with a sense of completeness. Mord pulls out his compad and records this message. “Greeting people of cruesa, as you know we have had visitors from the UNW. I want to come clean to you all, my faithful listeners, I too am from the UNW. I care here to help with the invasion but you all with your calls and your stories have stolen my heart. I am yours here till duty calls me away, you will be able to catch me every morning where I will still go by Garion. I will see you all tomorrow signing off, Garion for the Grind.” Mord leans back and grins. “I think I’m gonna like it here.” He says to himself as he waves down a taxi to go back to his apartment. “Though I’m gonna need to by that whole complex... maybe next month.”

1

(I like to think that a little bit of Garion lives on in all of us)

(What a sendoff)