Iron Stars - soovi

Ibasalo Urt, a place of colonization and a new start for the more militant of the Noctua. Militancy, the refusal to back down, stubbornness, all things the noctua who live here see in the Protectorate. The land is sparsely settled. A culture of recently pacified raiders live to the southeast, their culture content to eat itself until either the strongest emerge or it gives way to fate. In the center of the landmass a settlement where only children survived is present- and is becoming a place where the young are now doing the jobs of the old- a republic of children pretending to be adults. A mysterious lighthouse is the only other fixture here, where the leader of the children climbed to the top in an act of bravery. She did not talk about what she saw inside and never has, but the children respected her enough for doing it to follow her without question. The land is in need of taming, of guiding, and of healing. The Noctua need some of these things as well, it seems. The landing craft banks as it comes in to land outside Gralzea.

Diary entry twenty. ¿Emissary? Soovi Kalevi. Ibalaso Urt

Today is the day. I am all packed up, which is not too hard considering that I can carry all that I still own with me. So much that we all left behind. Not just things, but friends and family alike. A scar on our hearts and souls. One that has only a chance to heal when we retake our worlds from the Ascendancy. But that is a future goal. Now it is Ibalaso Urt. A beautiful world, albeit a bit to bright for my taste. But we can’t be picky. While most will surely be working with the Protectorate to establish a save colony, I’ll be going another way. As the former leader of the Protectorate was also the founder and leader of the religious group called “Paragons of the living Flame”, I do think that understanding her way of leadership and diplomacy can be achieved by learning and understanding more about these Paragons. And as they are interested in learning more about some ancient Lighthouse, I just had to agree to lend my service. Learning more about this planet, while working with and understanding more about the Paragons, was an optimal option. Although I still think that the voice of Ognyena, that some of them believe they have heard, was created by consuming too much of these recreational drugs that they seemed to have been trading with for a while. An Opinion that I do need to keep for myself. Prejudice isn’t helpful, but there surely are no real gods out there. But in the end I am trained to act believably, and I do am interested in what this is all about, so it isn’t all fake. They won’t get that I am not actually a believer. The lander is descending. Time to put my training to the test. A new age for Noctua has begun, I have sworn to defend us against the Chimeran Ascendancy, with diplomacy and other means. The Ascendancy isn’t here, yet, but the challenges have become bigger nonetheless. It is time to prove myself, and I know I will stand the test of time. I just hope that the leaders of the diplomatic caste don't go too harsh on those children here. A planet lead by children, strange new times.

The lander sets down and warning lights flash dimly above the exit, stating that everyone should protect their eyes from the bright light outside. Soovi stows xyr Scripher, something similiar to a dataslab just bigger, so writing with a pen on it was more comfortable. The Scripher could also contain another layer of information on top of audio visual content, it was able to store pheromone information and could emit pheromones. Once it was stowed in the Toolkit that Soovi is carrying in a sling bag, xe prepared to get up. That was when the doors opened and a groaning could be heard and a multitude of pheromones could be smelled when the bright light entered the lander and blinded the Noctua inside of it. Soovi's eyes were hurting when xe stepped out of the lander. With squinted eyes, vision was impaired. Soovi takes out a mask, that they sometimes use during diplomatic meetings. A white mask that blocks most of the incoming sunlight. Same vision impairment but without having to squint xyr eyes and the overall pain of the incoming light. The mask also has ways of modulating the voice to make Soovi's Mandate easier to be understood by non-Noctua. Looking around for guidance xe would walk to any Paragon Priest present or to anyone who could might give xyr guidance on how to get to the local Paragon temple, where xe could meet those priests again whom xe said that xe would be ready to help explore the Lighthouse.

There is a small Paragon presence here as they accompany all who enter Protectorate space as refugees. Most of them are helping with the unloading of supplies or getting Noctua settled into a temporary camp as not to suddenly flood the settlement and inflame tensions with the locals. A lot of the children feel as though this is their city, as they've been the ones here inheriting it a nd the way forward between the two groups is up for debate. Even from this distance the tall form of the lighthouse tower is visible through the fog and haze .

Soovi looks towards Graelza, or at least where it should be, as xe can't really see it from where xe hovers right now. "Funny, isn't it? We fled from an aggressive and invasive species. To those children, we might look the same. This place is our chance to show that we are different than the Ascendancy. But for now, I have no say in that anyway." Xe turns towards the Lighthouse. Soovi can somewhat make out the shape in the foggy distance. "This is where I am going now. I wonder if they have any land bound vehicle here, or if we have to walk." Soovi walks towards some member of the Paragons, identifiable by their clothing. The humming of hundreds of Noctua around xyr, keeps Soovi calm. "Greetings, Paragons. I am Soovi Kalevi, you can call me Soovi, or Kalevi, or Soovi Kalevi or any other variant that is easy for you to be said. I got the chance to talk to some of your Paragon companions onboard of our ship. Where I agreed to lend my assistance in exploring the lighthouse over there." Xe points at it. "Gauging its cultural relevance and chances to use it in the name of the Paragons. That were the words, if I remember them correctly. Would you mind pointing me towards the direction of your temple, I guess that is the place where this expedition starts, right?" (edited)

"We do not have a formal temple on this world right now. Are you going now? The travel overland is a day or two from here through forest where we are known to have encountered hazards"

Xe nods. "Yes, I mean, right now I have no room in the refugee camp or anything. All I possess I have with me right now. So going now feels optimal. And while I don't fear nature, you might not know it and our skin might look hard and sturdy, but we Noctua are rather fragile beings, so if these forests contain hazards, it would be ill adviced to send me alone. Because I would probably die and report nothing back. And death is something I don't want to meet too soon. So what hazards are known so far and is there any more Paragon personnel that would accompany me, alternatively I could try to find Noctua who are willing to take this risk for your goddess." (edited)

"You'll have to find some from your own flock. THere are too few of us here to willingly leave the landing zone. We would be abandoning our work here"

Soovi nods once again. "I can do that. And while doing so I'll prove to you that I am more than qualified to assist the Paragons." That said Soovi turns around and looks at the stream of newcomers who land and exit their landers. As xe brings the brain to this endeavor, xe walks straight to a group of Noctua who could be members of the soldier caste. "Greetings. I need to our three mighty warriors to help me get through this forest to scout a location for a local alien group. Does any of you feel up to the task? Does any of you want to prove to these aliens how strong Noctua soldiers are?" "What they have in their arms and legs and wings, they lack in their minds. And they surely love to show how strong they are. At least that is how I try to convince them." (edited)

(3 warrior types? just in case a stat block becomes relevant)

(Yes, that should be sufficient.)

Three volunteer, those who do not want to sit around and watch the ballet of supplies being unloaded from nearby ships. They sport a mix of weapons, whatever they had fled the home cluster with no doubt. Each is a hexapod, and a strong one at that- and look to be as qualified as any to get you to the lighthouse safely

On their way back to the Paragons, Soovi talks to her new squad members. In Noctua of course, so no alien might understand it. "Thank you for accompanying me. You might not believe in Ognyena or know who these Paragons really are. But it also doesn't matter at all. Success will help us prove to these aliens that we are capable of doing what they seemingly can't. And it will help us bond with them. We are the new ones, we need to show these aliens that we are trustworthy and skilled. Additionally with this trip we will gather important information about this planet. The home for a million of us. Any further questions before we reach the Paragons to get last instructions?" "I don't think there are, soldiers are bred to follow orders." Prejudice sadly is a flaw, of this Noctua.

None of them seem to be questioning anything other than when do they set off to get free of the overwhelming sights, sounds, and smells of the landing zone.

Soovi nods and leads them towards the Paragons who still smile and guide Noctua here and there. Soovi wonders if this was part of their training or if the aliens of this sector truly are this nice. Once they arrive xe hovers a bit higher so the Paragons won't look down at xem. A habit xe acquired when talking to military caste, as they are a bit taller than the other Noctua, and looking down at the others gave them some superiority vibe. And Soovi doesn't want that, xe wants to talk on the same level. "I am back already. These perfectly trained soldiers will accompany me. I guess all we need before setting of would be some rations, as we don't know what vegetation is edible and what not. As we have the lighthouse as a marker already, we know where to go, so we can map the forest until we arrive. Aside from rations, you talked about hazards, a heads up on what to expect might be helpful, so the soldiers can adapt their strategy. And thank you for any help you can give."

“Stay away from the upper branches of the trees. There’s glitter wasp nests in enough of them to make it trouble. We can get you each enough for a week. That should cover a round trip”

"Wasps? Ha, how fitting. Thank you for the rations." Xe turns around to hand the soldiers their share of the rations and asks them. "Does any of you carry a basic survival kit, or do we still need one?"

One of the soldiers has a supply kit but the manual is not worth anything on this world. The rest of the tools are useful

Soovi nods and turns back to the Priests. "We will leave for the Lighthouse now. We will report back to you with any details that we could find. Wish us success, believers of the flame." That said the four Noctua start hovering towards the nearby forest. Carefully as they expect dangerous wildlife, but also happy to be out of the direct sunlight.

(Survive/wis as we set off)

(5, I guess those wasps are just Noctua that got lost and turned savages. ^^) (edited)

(Haha, they're actually a 1E monster I really liked)

7:32 PM

Setting off into these strange woods you lose the path almost right away as the trees block your immediate view of the distant lighthouse. You find yourself turned around several times, with only the constant sounds of some kind of rushing stream or creek nearby for noise.

Soovi slams xyr fist against a nearby tree. Xe is angry, at xyrself. Frustrated and slightly discouraged. Should this first simple task already surpass xyr skills? Impossible! Only thanks to Soovi's extensive diplomatic training xe can suppress to fill the area with a mixture of pheromones that would show xyr feelings. But preventing that, hides that xe feels lost. Soovi turns towards the soldiers, unsure if they realized that they were walking in circles. With the given information, Soovi thinks that it is unwise to climb a tree only to meet aggressive wasps there. "Ducking away from an aggressive insectoid species, seems to become the norm for us." Soovi thinks, saddened. Xyr bodily tells are still in full control, while Soovi's mind works heavily to find a solution. Once such an idea is found, Soovi turns around. Trying to act all relaxed and in full control. "It is hard to navigate in here, but as the Lighthouse is at the beach and rivers and creeks flow towards the sea, we should get towards the creek that can be heard, and follow it to the beach. From there we will find our way to the Lighthouse."

The team doesnt have any objections to that plan and with the water as a directional indicator for you, it is not long before you come to the rocky shore of a rushing river. You've lost the morning and some of the afternoon getting turned around and then finding some type of direction again. The water is helpful for navigation, but as a water source it will also attract creatures.

Soovi isn't too afraid of the local wildlife, and with the afternoon nearing its end, xe can finally put down xyr mask as it isn't too bright anymore. And before long, the local star will go where it belongs, shining onto the other side of Ibalaso Urt. "I'd say we push on to try and reach the beach. If we reach it before it is too late, we will find some spot to rest there, else we need to find it on the way. I guess you are trained for such situations, so we should be safe. For the time being, I guess everyone should watch one vector. I will have my eyes to our left. So front, rear and right hand side are up to you to decide." Soovi almost commands them. Not willing to give away any of xyr control. But xe knows that on missions like that, it is usually the military caste who has the last word on decisions.

The group is unsure but they seem to be willing to attempt to push on. Operating in the dusk and darkness is something the noctua can do where others struggle. The small river itself prevents its first challenge, forming a swift moving and rocky body of water with difficult terrain along its banks

(Would they know if they are on the "right" side of the river? With right, meaning the side closer to the Lighthouse. As the river might or might not become broader closer to the beach, and crossing it, harder.)

(you'd have to cross it to get to the lighthouse side)

Soovi stares at the fast flowing rocky river. Xe hates it. But a challenge is a challenge, and overcoming them only proves xyr skills. The light getting dimmer is just another benefit. "Okay. We need to cross the river, let us do this right now, then we can rest on the other side. We have no rope, so we need to be creative as to not get washed away and die. We cannot fail. I'd say we grab each other by the arms, so that if one looses grip, the others can anchor and keep the one from being dragged down stream. Let us use the rocks to further secure us, or rest if we need some. If the creek gets too deep, well, then we have to swim, but let us hope that we don't have to. So, let us go from rock to rock until we reach the other side."

Making a human chain, the group begins moving to the riverbank and tries to hold on as they enter despite the current (Exert/con)

(3, damn, those rolls. Using my Expert reroll for the Scene, almost forgot I have that. rolled an 11 now!) (edited)

Making a noctuan chain the group is swept 50m down stream by the current over the course of their crossing. You all arrive on the other end, weakened and tired from fighting the river, but alive.

Soovi plummets to the ground. Wet and exhausted. "Great work all! Let us just get a small fire going to warm us while we eat our rations, and then it will be resting time. Two guards, two sleepers, switching after six hours?" Xe asks while adding: "I can be part of the first night watch if you need some rest."

They take you up on your offer and appreciate the chance to rest and get warm. Although the distance covered has not been far getting lost and then fording the river has sapped everyone's strength and they're grateful for a rest.

Once dinner is done and the fire burned down, leaving only some glimming pieces of branches, Soovi leans against a tree. Xe watches the night sky, ears open to listen to anything unusual, but also enjoying the silence. For once it was silent, after weeks of staying inside a never silent space ship. Soovi knows that today was not perfect but it was a beginning. Xe is not a leader, but a diplomat. But the Noctua have to prove themselves. They have to show what they are made of, for the chance that the aliens here support them in getting their homeworlds back. Soovi is tired. But just some more hours and xe gets to sleep as well. Resting against the tree makes xer think about the past weeks. Leaving home was devastating to xem. Leaving xer Egg-Layer behind even more so. So much fighting to get into the Elite Diplomat Program on Ultoth. All shady stuff xe had done to stay in and not drop out. And now xe was leading a group of Soldiers through some woods to explore a Lighthouse on a new world, in the name of some flame goddess that might exist or might not. But in the here and now it is about proving xyrself, not as a Noctua, but as Soovi specifically. Not only to the Protectorate and the aliens here, or the Soldiers with xem, no also to xyrself. That xe is ready, ready to continue growing, and to go beyond what her training has taught xem. Soovi smiles for once, looking at the distant stars while xe still listens to any suspicious sounds around them and doing xyr best to stay awake. (edited)

(no encounters for at night, dice finally in our favor)

7:07 AM

The second watch likewise reports no trouble. The sun begins to rise in the distance and the forest begins warming up.

Soovi wakes up last, sleeping a bit longer than planned unlike the dutiful soldiers at xyr side. The first sun rays look beautiful, but do hurt xyr eyes. To ease the unwanted feeling xe puts xyr mask back on. Which leads to reducing some of Soovi's field of view again. Once xe lifts off from the ground, xe joins the humming sounds of the soldiers before Soovi rises some more to speak. "Good, a restful night but still some distance to cover. Let us stick to the plan, along the creek towards the sea and then along the shore towards the Lighthouse."

The beach is found after two hours of following the stream. There is no reason to stumble in the woods anymore and you finally are on the right direction toward the lighthouse. Salty sea winds make the trees bordering the white sandy beach wave. Sea birds cry out from high above the waves.

Soovi slows down, obviously enjoying the walk on the beach. Soovi didn't have time to enjoy beaches on Uloth, and xe likes the rythmic sound of the waves. Xe enjoys it, even if the birds partially destroy that. "What a beautiful beach! But we still have work to do. I guess we can't walk past the Lighthouse if we stay on or close to the beach."

From here you estimate you have an entire days' trek from here to the lighthouse, possibly more if the terrain ahead ends up being rough. A large whale like creature breaches the water 200m off shore with a massive spray of saltwater and bellowing

Soovi points at the whale. "Wow, just look at it! Our scientists will have a lot to explore on this world. Amazing! I guess we still have a bit to walk, just tell me when you need a break." Soovi xyrself will push way further than xe normally would, just to not be seen as weak by the physically stronger and better trained soldiers. If Soovi was here alone, xe would definitely lay down, touch the sand and watch the see, with those beautiful creatures like the whale in the background.

(no encounters rolled) Heading to the lighthouse takes the rest of the day and as dusk falls you find yourselves standing just a few kilometers away from the dark structure. Itis imposing, a hundred meters tall at least. Its peak is lost in low hanging clouds and lighting begins to brew within them,

Soovi stares at the Lighthouse for a moment. "It looks nice, I was not expecting it to be that high, considering what else we have seen on this world. Nothing compared to our Arcologies back home, but that scenery is still really beautiful. Let us push forward. We can rest inside of it. Sleeping on an old cemetery." Xe laughs. "Beware of the undead!" Soovi says in a serious tone, before bursting out in laughter again. Walking so far is showing already. Soovi isn't used to it, and for that one moment xe was dropping xyr mask. Soovi quickly returned to some more professional chatter and regretted that foolish talk immediately. But all xe wants is to enter that Lighthouse and take a nap before they really explore it.

The doors open handily without needing to force them ope. The ground floor of the tower is relatively unadorned with a simple staircase leading up to the first level of the tower where you had hoped to get some insight about the place.

Soovi looks at the soldiers. "Shall we explore the first floor and camp there, or are you to tired and we stop right here to eat and sleep."

"The plan was we rest here for thr night, wasnt it? We've been walking for two days, everyone is tired"

"Good. I guess if we close the door we just need one guard. It should be pretty save. So let us share some rations and then I'll take the first watch. You are right. We got to our destination. Time to rest before we take a look at this Lighthouse." Soovi takes out a ration and smiles. Part one, done.

(d10)

(7)

During the night watch you're awoken close to 2am local time. Something is stirring upstairs and sounds like aimless footsteps, walking about in the upper reaches of the lighthouse.

Soovi is grumpy. Xe was hoping for some sleep in the relative safety of the Lighthouse, and now this. Soovi isn't reaching for xyr bow. Partially due to the fact that xe is no soldier and sees archery as xyr recreational activity, but also due to the feeling that this is a prank by the soldiers. It bursts out of Soovi. "Really? So you think this is funny? Pranking me, why? Just because I am from the diplomat caste and I am leading this expedition? I have seen the looks in your eyes. Yeah, where we come from, soldiers would lead such missions and diplomats would just be decorative. But here, these are different times. So who is up there fooling me?"

Something upstairs shrieks and the entire mood goes from one of uncertainty and annoyance to fear. The small glow lamp keeping the campsite dimly lit pops , plunging the ground floor into complete darkness

Soovi reaches for xyr bow now. Afraid of what is going on. "That is not funny! Please tell me this is a prank! If not, open the door! Outside we have at least starlight."

The doors to the lighthouse do not open no matter how hard you push or pull on them. There is suddenly not just silence upstairs but an absence of sound entirely

Soovi pulls at the door as hard as xe can, just to realize that xe isn't and won't be able to open it. Being upset from being pranked, turns to being in fear. And the latter can be smelled by xyr all Noctua companions, as Soovi fills the room with a certain pheromone mix. So far Soovi was mostly acting like a leader, but xe isn't one yet. Xe is still freshly out of two different Elite Program, and the second was only offered to Soovi because xe did a remarkable job at cheating and blackmailing xyr professors during the first one. But all that won't help xyr during this nightmare. Soovi, unable to see much at all, keeps the wall of the Lighthouse in xyr back. "What is this? This can't be real!" While the bow rests in one shaky hand, Soovi holds the Scripher Dataslab in the other and activates the flashlight of it. (I guess compads and dataslabs all have this basic flashlight) To at least see something. "Maybe you get your compads out as well."

(Yeah I always pictured them like a modern smartphone)

8:48 AM

A rickety looking body is 10m away at the top of the stairs. It is partially wrapped in funerary cloths and carries a rusted sword in one hand. It’s eyes glow purple in the darkness and could be seen even without the flashlights. It’s voice rasps. The master…will see you…now…follow me

Soovi tries to open the door again, which is to no use. "What nightmare is this? Is this normal here in the Iron Stars? Maybe I should have stayed on Uloth." Soovi looks at the Soldiers, partly hoping that one of them moves first, partly afraid that one of them opens fire on whatever that was upstairs. Xe knew that whomever that Master is, they are the one dictating the rules in here. It was Uloth all over again. Soovi sighs, but without releasing more pheromones. Time to put xyr training to the test. Even if all xe wants is to run away. Their is guilt, for leading the soldiers here, so Soovi has to play xyr part, the same xe would expect from them as well. Another sigh accompanies Soovi's move forward. Xe hovers towards the stairs, looking at the creature that talked to them. While hovering past the soldiers, xe says. "Stay with me please." Soovi is ready to follow that creature to their master, unable to really shoot xyr bow with the dataslab as a flashlight right now. Xe speaks towards the creature, one of the phrases xe has said so often already. But never to someone else but a mirror. "Greetings. I am Emissary Soovi Kalevi of the Noctua. We are here in the name of the Paragons of the Living Flame. We mean you no harm if you mean us no harm. Please lead the way and we will follow. Please refrain from unexpected quick movements, just to not provoke any wrong reactions. We will do the same."

The creature remains unmoving for several moments. You’re not sure if it can comprehend you or not. The master…will see you now…follow…me… The wight turns on its heels and begins moving up the staircase to the dark floors of the lighthouse above

Soovi gulps and turns towards the soldiers once more. "I am sorry, I was being unprofessional a few minutes ago. But please, if something attacks us up there, protect me please." That said, Soovi hovers up the staircase. Going first, despite the fear of being eaten alive by some monsters. Xe stows xyr bow again and continues to use the dataslab as a flashlight, so they can see what awaits them upstairs.

)notice/wis)

(6 unless the flashlights are too bright, then it would be 4)

(6 is fine) Other revenants are waiting in alcoves. They seem content to watch you pass for now, and don;t seem to be moving.

10:36 AM

You enter the first floor up from the ground and begin looking around. A large chamber sealed off from the rest of the tower is to the west and seems to be your destination

"Please let this be a bad dream. Please. This is a nightmare here." Soovi shivers as xe slowly hovers towards the sealed off chamber.

The creature takes up a place outside the wooden door like a dragoman or a seneshal. The master...is inside...

"Are, are we all allowed to enter?" Soovi asks just to be sure. Xe is unsure what this monster cabinet is all about. All xe knows is that they should act according to their rules to maximize their chances of survival. Just as Soovi trained over and over. The Ascendancy is not much different, a fungus-insectoid monster cabinet of their own. As xe waits on the answer, Soovi is deep down afraid that it might be just xem who is allowed to enter the master's chamber. Xem alone.

YOU. must. Enter. the being intones

Soovi shivers as the being speaks. Once again releasing pheromones that clearly show the soldiers that xe is afraid. But Soovi complies. Xe turns to the soldiers with a forced smile on xyr face. "Just wait here for me, please." One more deep breath before Soovi hovers towards the door and tries to push it open to enter the room behind it.

The door opens and shuts behind you. Seated at a small wooden table and hidden in the shadows cast by candlelight, and elderly man of human origin sits at the table. He gestures for you to seat but has not gone as far as to remove his hood. All you can see is a white/silver beard spilling out the bottom of it.

Soovi slowly and shaky takes a seat, always keeping an eye on the figure in front of xem. Once seated, xe goes through the same greeting procedure that xe went through before. Xyr voice shaky. "Greetings. I am Emissary Soovi Kalevi of the Noctua. We are visiting your Lighthouse in the name of the Paragons of the Living Flame. I do hope that we did not break any rules that have not been known to us. If that was the case, I do apologize in the name of all of my companions." After the initial rundown, Soovi's voice gets a bit less shaky and more firm, but always with a somewhat friendly tone, if it wasn't for the hollow voice of the Noctua. "I heard you were ready to meet us, me. I am here now. What is it you want to share with me or tell me?"

"Do all of your kind choose to camp in the homes of friends or neighbors lending aid? You are a traveler, and a guest. We have nicer accommodations on this floor for you. You have come from Graelzea? "

"Well, my kind normally doesn't need to camp in a seemingly lost place, as there are, were, plenty of hotels even deep in the woods or on mountains. I remember a particularly beautiful one that was built around a beautiful large tree." Soovi is quiet for a short moment, remembering Uloth, before continuing. "But here we wanted to rest somewhere save and the Lighthouse, which was our destination anyway, seemed like the perfect place. And we won't refuse your generous offer of letting us sleep in your quarters upstairs. But we are rather cautious when it comes to meeting new friends, as we are refugees. Not just us four, all of my people. So who are you and your people? Do you live here?" Soovi has a hard time of getting that question out straight, as whatever these beings are, they don't feel normal at all. "Oh, and Graelzea? Well we come from that direction but I had no chance to visit the city where only human children live. I just read what was available to me."

"I see. So they do not know you are here. I had hoped to get some news of my friend Rosa there. The Protectorate, they know you have landed on this world?"

Soovi stares at him, thinking for moment. "Rosa, argh, that name, I read that somewhere. Yes! The leader of the children it was!" "We had no chance to meet Rosa so far. And I guess she is busy enough with being a child and leading the other children, and with a million Noctua who came to their world. The Protectorate allocated a million Noctua here. So you met Rosa before? And no, nobody but the Paragons know we were en route here." "Oh shit did I just say this?" Soovi quickly adds: "But if we won't return, they might send someone looking for us."

"And why did you come here?" the wizened man asks

"As I mentioned, we are here on behalf of the Paragons of the Living Flame. A religious group primarily devoted to the Goddess Ognyena, who they believe is real. As they knew this Lighthouse was somewhat of a sacred place and Ognyena is, by some of them, called the "Guiding Light". I guess you see where this is leading. A lighthouse is a guiding light for the ships, and metaphorically for lost souls as well. So they wanted to learn more about this place, most likely to set up a larger temple here on Ibalaso Urt. In the name of Ognyena while also making space to worship whoever had been worshiped here before. And yes, we are here to find out more about this place that, should have been empty, I guess. But that is not the case as we had to find out. So who are you?"

"The master of this tower. The master of this world, once, In better days before the locals drove me into hiding. They did not trust the ramblings about metaspace from their old sorcerer king, and now I am here instead"

Soovi tries to keep a friendly face, but the revelation of whom xe is talking too, gives xem a headache. "Shit. So this is some evil sorcerer who was put into this jail, most likely for a reason. We need to deal with him, for our own sake and our future on Ibalaso Urt." Soovi tries to put on xyr kindest voice. "Does the Protectorate know you are here? That you exist, I mean. And why is it that you were forced to retreat in here? I don't think you stay here because you want to, right?" (edited)

"They might not. Alas, I tutored Rosa to use her gifts safely without hurting herself or her companions. She will teach whoever else emerges from the population. I have tried to nurture society as best I could on this world after the Twin Gods got their tendrils into the adults. A fault of my own doing"

"So this Rosa is to be approached carefully, I see." "As far as I am informed, neither the Twin Gods, nor the entirety of the adult population are of any concern anymore. So why don't you leave this Lighthouse? What is it that keeps you here? And what are those servants of yours? Sorry for asking so many questions. But besides finding out what this tower is all about, I am also a representative of my people, my people who try to find a new home on this world."

"These servants were...found. I gave them a second life and they help me maintain this place, and defend it from the animals and other things in the woods that might wander to my doorstep. You came in peace, there was no reason to harm you. This place is also my home, why would I leave my home?"

"Maybe because it is a haunted mansion in the form of a lighthouse and your servants are undead! Well, maybe it is good because well I am kind of afraid from you." "Maybe because you had a home somewhere else and lived a life without, um, people in their second life and all that. So do you plan on staying in here forever? Like your retirement home?"

"I came from nothing. One day I will return to that same cosmic nothing, I am sure that day is coming soon. You would not kick an old man from his home so close to the end of his life, would you?"

"If I did, I would be of the same breed than those who took away my home." Soovi softens a bit. "One million of us make Ibalaso Urt their new home. I just need to know what your plans are. And, well, for the Paragons I need to know if this place inherits more than an old human, something more spiritual. I will not kick you out, nor do I think others would if you pose no threat. Although I don't know what to think of those people in their second life. Something we might talk about at a later stage. So what are your plans and what else can you tell me about the cultural meaning of this Lighthouse? "

"This lighthouse is the house of the dead. In ancient days the people of this world believed the beam of light it used to shoot into the heavens was illuminating a safe path to the spirit world, and allowed the dead to find their way. Rosa brought two of the children here that had passed during her exploration here, and they are the most recently interred. I have not reanimated them , before you ask. The bones I am using are people who no longer having living families and no longer exist in living memory"

Soovi seemingly relaxes more and more as xe speaks to the sorcerer king. Although xyr opinion is still not a positive one. Someone who ressurects the dead can simply be creepy, or really, really dangerous. "I wouldn't have asked, I guess. And while I understand why you didn't resurrect the children, it doesn't change anything, for better or worse. It is strange to have the dead walk among the living either way. But overall it sounds quite fitting, doesn't it? If we could get that light going again, the Lighthouse would once again be the cultural object it once was. And would likewise fit into the Paragons religious beliefs. So they could theoretically build a temple right next to it to honor the original beliefs from Ibalaso Urt and use the Lighthouse as place that brings them closer to Ognyena as well. As it is mostly about the light, the interior of this Lighthouse shouldn't be of much interest, you could stay. But it would be great if no one would be awoken at night by some walking dead."

"I will not give up my servants, or my protectors for your religion and creed. If we cannot coexist here, then you will be forced to leave"

Soovi immediately makes soothing gestures. "No no. I just meant like, you know, being surprised by them. And the light we can repair and leave the Lighthouse untouched. So you have your Lighthouse and what is within. And the Paragons would build their temple outside and separate. Like some coexistence. But aside from all of this, you should see that bringing people back to, well is it life? Well, that this is nothing one sees normally. I mean you meeting me is nothing normal as well. I am not here to judge you. I am here to find out what I can about the cultural relevance of this Ligthouse and if a temple can be build. Would coexistence be acceptable for you?"

"The lighthouse interior is to remain my own. If workers need to repair or maintain the beacon the Paragons will need to meet with me before hand to discuss access. I will only allow certain people within, you being one of those people"

"I guess that is a good way to handle that. And I am honored by the trust you seem to have in me. Although I highly recommend that one of those allowed in here is a real technician. So it gets repaired in the least amount of time, so your silence at home isn't disturbed for too long. But I assure you, the Paragons seem to be nice people. Accepting other cultures and eager to learn more. So I guess they are trustworthy. I guess this is a good agreement for all sides. But I have to ask, to avoid avoidable conflict and tension. Aside from your peace within the confines of your home, do you need anything else?"

“I have all I need within my home. Being left to my peace is all I require”

"Well, that I will promise you." Soovi stands up and spreads xyr wings. "This talk lead to a mutual agreement that will benefit many sides. And ensure you the peaceful life that you wish to have. Thank you. I guess the promise to sleep up here still stands?"

“My guardians will ensure you’re not bothered. Your companions and you may rest as long as you need”

"Thank you. Also for being open to what I proposed. We will rest then. It was a rough trek here. And I feel like we will meet more often in the near future." Soovi bows with open wings before returning to the rest of xyr group, to report and tell them that they can sleep safely now.

(3xp, 5000 credits. You won’t be bothered until morning or unless you decide to do something else

LvL 1 - > 2
AB 0->1
HP [3+6]=9
HP 6->9

Focus Pick: Ghost Tech I

4SP: Program - 1 -> 0 
         Fix - 1->0 
         Notice    -1-> 0
         Wis 7 ->8

1:15 PM

Soovi regroups with xyr companions, but only tells them the bare minimum, unsure of how to deal with this whole situation. It is a restful night. At least if one considers the fact that they slept among the servants of a former sorcerer king. Servants who are living their second life. A strange thought. The next morning the group prepares for their return to the Paragons when Soovi ones again returns to the sorcerer king. "Sorry for another interruption of mine. But I though it might be wise if I checked out the light upstairs before we leave. I most likely won't be able to repair it. But I could document what is wrong so a technician can look at that and we can return with all parts needed to get it going. So less visits would be needed. I guess that is in your best interest."

"It is indeed. You alone may proceed to the roof to inspect. I have not looked at it in a very long time. I am not sure what it might need.

Soovi nods. It feels strange to xem. Xe shows exactly that behavior xe trained to sooth the Chimerans and to please them to avoid conflict. While this planet should have been a restart, and factually, they are the new leaders ob Ibalaso Urt, yet they are who they are. But xe needs to find out more about the dangers of this sorcerer king, but who could give that to xem? Doesn't matter now. Soovi needs to see just how damaged the light was. And xe needs to hope that xe can comprehend what xe sees. Soovi knows something about electronics. But nothing too in depth. "I guess it is just up the stairs?"

"I will have one of my attendants show you the way, if you are not unnerved by their presence. They are under my control, and my orders not to harm you, but the journey to the roof is beyond what these old bones can handle anymore"

"Being unnerved? Those things are dead, they creep me out!" "No, no problem with that, it will work just as fine with a servant of yours. Just let him guide my way and I will do the rest!" Soovi says with a somewhat smile on xyr face.

With the matter decided, one of the wights waits outside the door. It does not have a weapon, but does have a lantern to help light the way.

Soovi follows the wight. Carefully. Xyr eyes more often than not focused on the lantern. Soovi exchanges no words with the lantern carrier on their way up to the broken light. Instead xe looks at the Lighthouse interior to see if there are any other things of note on their way up.

There are five other floors in here. The doors to them are all closed and out of reach of the stairs. You get the sense your relationship with the light carrier might take a turn for the worse if you decide to stray from the path and try to open one. The stairwell itself is a stone stairwell that aside from some empty braziers for wood burning fires or torches, is empty of decoration. It exists as a purely functional space. Upon reaching the metal storm door at the top, the creature takes a reflexive step back away from the door, not wanting to be seen when it opens to the roof.

Soovi nods towards the wight. Unsure on how to treat it. Xe mentally noted down the other five floors, with the remark that they may contain wondrous things. But now there was a machine to be examined. Soovi was okay at fiddling with Compads and xyr Scripher, computers as well. But a large machine, that was a first. One deep breath before Soovi tries to push the doors open to see what awaits xem on the other side.

The sunlight is blinding this high up. A mirrored and highly reflective room surrounds you and the rotating brazier of the beacon is in front of you. O:nce this place burned wood and oil to make an actual flame but was later switched over to an electrical system. You can see dozens of radio masts here transmit automated messages when the beacon is on, assisting with guidance and navigation to those who are lost out in the void, or across the planet.

With the Scripher in xyr hand, Soovi would first assess if there are any obvious damages to the whole apparatus. If there are none, Soovi would try to switch it on to see what happens.

(What’s a scripher?)

(Scripher, something similiar to a dataslab just bigger, so writing with a pen on it is more comfortable. The Scripher could also contain another layer of information on top of audio visual content, it is able to store pheromone information and could emit pheromones. so aside from this description it is nothing more than a Dataslab.)

(Thank you)

There is damage to the power supply, the connectors, and the weatherproofing keeping water from getting into the chamber and making everything a lot worse than it is right now.

There is damage to the power supply, the connectors, and the weatherproofing keeping water from getting into the chamber and making everything a lot worse than it is right now. Soovi stares at the whole thing. After determining at least some of the possible damages xe thinks about solutions while also taking pictures of the problematic parts. "I have nothing with me to make that thing waterproof again, maybe it needs a new casing, but that is something someone else should decide. But I could put some cloth from the survival kit on it, so if I fix something it won't break again after the next rain or so." Xe gets closer to the power supply, hovering gives xem somewhat of an additional insulation. "I should open that up, just need some tools." Soovi reaches for xyr toolkit. "Oh no! I forgot it downstairs. I can't go downstairs already, that would be weird with the wight. How could I forget it? All I need are some screwdrivers." After Soovi had this though, a screwdriver, the fitting one, appears in xyr hands. "What is this!" Xe almost screams as xe throws it away. Once it leaves xyr hands, it fizzles in the air and makes the sound of flapping insect wings. Xe breathes heavily. "I need a fitting screwdriver." And so it appears again. Soovi stares at it. "This must be this place. Did the sorcerer king do some magic on me? Was it the long travel in the space ship? What is this? But whatever it is, it is useful I must say! I, I just hope it doesn't fry my brain. Don't want to end up being as stupid as one of the Chimeran Ascendancy." Soovi tries to not freak out as xe tries to remove the casing of the power supply to see how bad it looks inside. Whenever another tool is needed, it simply appears in her hands and the other one fizzles away. "Is this corrosion? I could try to clean these contacts." Xer newly found ability somewhat makes her want to repair whatever xe can right now. Trying to see what is possible with her magic trick. So xe tries to repair whatever xe can, so it may can be switched on once.

(I'd think with you being able to make tools and whatnot we don't need a check here)

1:19 PM

You'd confident you can get this beacon to re-light for a short time here now, just once, before heavier repairs are needed. Seeing it active even if only for a few moments will give you all the insight you need to see if the effort to power this place is worth it.

Soovi is happy after somewhat patching the machine. One final deep breath before Soovi pulls the lever to start the machine. Eager to see what happens.

For twenty seconds a beam illuminates not just the sky but the stars, a safe path of life and light to those lost in the black ocean of space

8:51 AM

The machines shut down after that, the patchwork not able to hold up to the demands of running it

After the machinery shuts down again, Soovi for once touches ground and sits down. It was all too much for xem. First meeting a self proclaimed sorcerer king with his servants, who serve him after their actual life. Then finding out xe possesses abilities beyond that can't be called normal, or regular, and that those abilities established themselves here, on a still foreign world far from home. And now this spectacular machine that definitely fits what the Paragons are looking for. "The Paragons. Is this all connected? Was the old man a test? My new ability, a gift? And the working machine a showing of greatness? No, I must be overthinking this. It is surely all coincidence. But a coincidence I will never forget." Soovi stays in the chamber for another few minutes before getting up again. Xe documents anything xe deems important to a technician, so this Lighthouse will one day be running at day and night. Once that is done Soovi slowly hovers towards the door. Xe will say xyr temporary goodbye to the old man before leaving with xyr companions for the encampment again. But first Soovi has walk with the wight again. Xe slowly opens the door to see if it was still there. (edited)

The wight is waiting, its lamp still held in a closed fist.

10:08 AM

It says nothing, waiting merely to accompany you down again.

Soovi just nods, still creeped out by this servant. Xe makes xyr way back to the sorcerers chamber, where xe knocks at his door. "May I come in?"

"Enter! Please!" The old sorcerer calls out from inside the room. He has some books out and looked to be making more of his endless notes based on how things look when you come in.

Soovi doesn't take a seat this time. Xe just wants to update the old man. "I, uh, I did some repairs and it worked for once. An amazing machine you have here. I documented everything and hope to find a technician that can finish the repairs. But we need to be realistic here, I might find a talented technician among the Noctua, no, not might, I will find one, but with this machine being so delicate, I can't promise you that the parts needed to repair it are present on Ibalaso Urt. So getting replacement parts might include some traveling, and I am not too familiar with the EP to know where I could get my hands at them. But I will. I want to see the Lighthouse active again. The light. The light was soo mesmerizing! I could get lost in it for all eternity and know that I am not lost. Strange, right? Anyway it might take a bit until I return." Soovi is ready to say xyr goodbyes and leave, when xe starts to argue with xyrself again if xe should tell the sorcerer about the ability that developed out of nothing. Which leads to an awkwardly long pause. "No. I don't trust him. Yet." Soovi turns to the old man again, with something like a smile on xyr face. "Goodbye, we will surely meet again." That said xe would return to her travel companions if the sorcerer King has nothing to add.

He seems to have nothing to say has he returns to his notes, his routine unchanged as the world around him gradually moves on. (3xp, 5000 credits)

Level 2 -> 3
HP Old = 9
HP Roll [4+1+5]=10
HP New = 10

4SP
Talk-1 -> Talk-2 (3SP)
Know- -1 -> Know-0 (1SP)

Soovi walks downstairs to regroup with xyr companions "I hope waiting for me wasn't all to boring for you, but that Lighthouse is amazing. Before we push on, let us check the immediate area if it can be used to built the temple that the Paragons want to build. You might know better than I if the ground outside is suitable for that. Are we ready to head out?"

The team is ready to explore the surroundings, and they wish to know if you wanted to make a report to the Paragons , or to the Protectorate first.

Soovi thinks about it while they pack their things and leave the Lighthouse to explore the surrounding area. (maybe a km2 or two so that the soon to be temple would be in sight of the Lighthouse) "I guess we make a report to the Paragons, or I do for that matter. This is some cultural place that is mostly of interest to the Paragons, I guess. Maybe a short message to the Protectorate as well, that the Lighthouse is a no go zone and some cultural heritage of this world. Yes that would be it. More detailed for the Paragons, basic info for the Protectorate."

Setting up a small comm server, your technician gives a nod that you'll be able to get a message out from this remote location.

Soovi thinks about what to say, xe has some time to prepare while the technician puts up the comm server. The first message goes out to the Paragons.

This is Soovi Kalevi, the Noctua you sent to explore the Lighthouse. I did. It is an amazing cultural place for the people here, and seems to align with what I read about the Paragons and the Ognyena faith. But at first I have to say that the Lighthouse is inhabited, and has been for a few years now. The inhabitants are, special. In many ways. At first I have to tell you that they don't want anyone to enter, except for a selected few. I am among them, as is Rosa, the leader of Graelza. Nonetheless would a temple here be an amazing thing and that has mostly to do with how the Lighthouse looks when it is active. A Guiding Light, for the dead and the living. I would love to repair it and make it work again. But I will most likely need parts that are not available on Ibalaso Urt, so if there was a chance you could get me off world, that would mean I could repair it with a skilled technician, once I find what is needed. For now we scout the surrounding to see if the area is sufficient to build a temple on it, once we return we can talk about the off world topic. Until then, goodbye.

Message two to the Protectorate.

This is Soovi Kalevi, of the Noctua on Ibalaso Urt. We explored the Lighthouse. It is an important cultural heritage of this world. But it is inhabited and those inhabitants want to have their peace, so visiting the Lighthouse's interior should be forbidden. The are around it does not fall under these rules, just the interior. No other dangers had been encountered. If we find anything else that could be of interest for the Protectorate, we will make a report. Until then, goodbye.

Soovi doesn't expect an immediate answer and thus sets out to explore the area around the Lighthouse to find a suitable spot for a temple.

9d1)

7:38 PM

(*D10)

(7)

The woods here are thick and dense and are home to all manner of strange creatures that have adapted to the almost permanent darkness here. You can see tracks and head their hunting calls

Soovi pushes away some branches with xyr arms to see further into the darkness of the woods. Xe sighs. "The ground here might be suitable for a temple. Those trees can even be used as construction materials. Yes, the flame loving believers of Ognyena do build temples out of wood to show everyone that their goddess will make sure that flames in her name don't burn houses. Sounds strange, but no temple has been hurt so far. At least that is what's in the official data. Most likely because their novices have to watch those flames, be it candles or larger, at all times." "Am I a Novice now? In their eyes, I very well am. Strange thought." "Anyway, let us see how dangerous those forests here are. We can't let them settle here and fell trees when they are in danger of being eaten alive. So let us make a quick visit into the forest. If it seems to be too dangerous, well, then we retreat and report that to the Paragons, so they have to protect the temple and construction of it with their personnel." That said, Soovi makes a few steps forward. Xyr bow ready in one hand while a xe puts the other into a pocket to create a flashlight but making it seem like xe had it in the pocket. To not create any questions with the soldiers, or worse, lose their trust.

Heading into the woods you see prints of a beast about the size of a Noctua. It is quadrupedal, and based on some scratch marks on trees you think it has at least two sets of claws.

Soovi kneels down and points at the tracks. "You see that? What might that be? I did not have any information about local fauna at hand, sadly, but it can't be too dangerous, right? I would say we push on, find it, see what it is and with that knowledge return to Paragons, where you are freed of your duty to walk with me." Xe gets up again, pointing with xyr flashlight in all kinds of directions. "But in the end, you are the ones with the expertise for expeditions like that. Your training surpasses mine in that regard. So if you think this looks too dangerous, we can always retreat."

"Hard to judge when we don't know what it is, but if its capable at hunting we might not find out until its too late. Whats your decision?"

Soovi stops for a moment, thinking. "If it isn't dangerous, we can report back that this place is rather safe. If it is highly dangerous, we have to report that. But what we can't do, is retreat, tell them all is good, and then they all get murdered while building their temple." Xe shakes xyr head. "And besides that, we need to show the Protectorate and the Iron Stars that we are highly capable. We will earn our spots here. Let us find the thing, and see if it is dangerous." When walking forward, Soovi points at xyr flashlight. "You know if it is dangerous, we do have an advantage. It is accustomed to the dark, so are we, but I have a flashlight. So should it attack, I can blind it while you defend us, and bring it down. It will have some problems, fighting with the light of my flashlight in its face."

(lets get a survive/wis to try to track this thing)

(I don't know what I did in the roll20 fat finger multi rolled with wrong skill and all. First roll was wrong skill but would be a 5 with the right one. So 5 is my roll)

9no problem)

2:03 PM

Moving 100m into the woods, there is a scream from the last member of the column as a large fish eyed panther drops from an upper branch. The noctua is shredded under its claws with barely enough time for it to scream.

Soovi quickly turns around to point with xyr flashlight at the beast. And unfortunately also to shine a light on the last struggling moments of one of xyr companions, who obviously lost the grab at life and was about to glide down to the afterlife. Nothing comes out of Soovi's mouth, xe is shocked. Xe never experienced violence like that. Soovi has to fight against tears, the urge to vomit, and to just succumb and faint. But xe was not alone, xe has a responsibility for the other two. Soovi grabs for xyr bow, xe has the small flashlight in xyr left hand between two fingers while also trying to have a good grip at the bow. With the light at xyr target, trying to blind it. Soovi would try to shoot an arrow. "Get the beast, get our companion free!"

(I think we'd be rolling with at least a -4 trying to hold a flashlight and fire a bow)

(Which is more than okay. Soovi has no trust in xyr combat ability. And while an arrow might hit, xe mostly tries to keep the target iluminated so the soldiers have an easier time hitting that thing, and, with the light, to blind the beast. Um, do we roll initiative or is the first attack free?)

(also need initiative, sorry. I was more hung up on the flashlight thing)

(8)

(You, ambush cat, rest of the team)

Soovi is shaking, the light of the flashlight swerves from left to right, always illuminating the cat, reflecting in its eyes. But Soovi isn't ready for this. Xe is close to running. Xe just wants to flee, but xyr companions, xe can't let them down. Soovi gets ready, but xyr breathing, xyr grip, both on bow and string, are far from optimal, and that is not just be because of the flashlight, making the grip on the bow way more complicated than needed. And so it happens that the first arrow flies off into the darkness of this forest. Most likely never to be seen again.

The ambush cat springs forward, trying to pin the archer under its bulk

1:20 PM

(evasion save)

(fail 5v11)

The cat lashes out with its whip tail and scored a talons hit across your torso. (2 damage , so 4 due to noctua vulnerability)

6:33 PM

(Team up

(Soovi down to 6HP) (Assuming the soldiers are +2 to hit with Combat Rifles, my rolls are 20/11 and Crit/5) (edited)

(+3, one for dex, one for shoot, one for attack bonus, if you want them to burst its a +5 in total, and we add two damage to each shot as well)

(in that case I let them burst. 23/13 and Crit/7)

The ambush cat has no chance against the fast responses of the Noctua guards. The creature is shot to pieces against a hail of combat rifle fire, and rolls over onto its side, dark blood bubbling down midnight black fur.

Soovi sits on the ground. Cat blood on xem and the dead cat right next to xem. Xe breathes heavily and starts to cry, unable to move for a short while. Once xe can move again, Soovi crawls over to the attacked soldier. Xe knows that all help might come to late, with the severity of the cat's attack, but xe has to see it for xyrself.

The soldier was beyond medical help the moment the large cat sprang from the tree. There is little left of them, just blood covered wings and a thorax smashed to pulpy white/yellow wreckage.

Soovi starts crying again and while sobbing xe talks to the remaining soldiers. "What do we do now? Do we bury them? I just don't know what to do."

(I think this is where I defer to you on noctua burial traditions, if any, or if any are so inflexible they;d need to be observed in a situation like this even if its impractical)

(I guess with their society so advanced, like the others, there is not one way, but many. In this case, with the body mangled as it is and in a forest with possibly even more beasts around, I guess burning the body so they don't get eaten.)

(sounds good)

8:31 PM

It seems burning the body is what the group deems the best thing to do right now.

Soovi nods. Together with the others xe prepares the fire. Once the soldier has finished burning, Soovi prepares for them to leave the forest. Through all of it xe doesn't say a thing.

(heading back to the lighthouse?)

(not just that. Soovi is done. She won't enter such a forest unprepared again. Back to the Paragons to talk about the finds. And try to see if there are hints on where to find the parts that are needed for the Lighthouse)

(Maybe a trip to Heras to the main paragon temple to meet with an order historian?)

(sounds good. If we want to skip the talking and head to heras immediately, I would have a post in mind for the, how her Taxi to heras lands. If you don't mind.)

(go ahead and do it, i think we're looking at 4 days downtime here)

Soovi and companions make their way back to the camp. Knowing the way and its troubles helps. But the mood is a sad one, and Soovi only speaks when absolutely necessary. Xe is devastated. Xe was so helpless and someone died under xyr watch. Soovi is no soldier and the soldiers with xem did know the risk. But that one death, Soovi knows that xe is responsible for it. The Paragons are more than happy to hear that the Lighthouse was indeed usable for their religion and to preserve the local culture. The fallen was blessed posthumous, something Soovi didn't yet fully understand. But xe couldn't deny the fact that xe liked it. Knowing that the fallen soldier might live a better afterlife now, was taking some burden of xyr chest. And even though xe thought that the Paragons might send their own technicians, they offered Soovi the job to finish what xe started. A chance to forget what happened and really see the Lighthouse working. Soovi didn't even think for a second, xe said yes, right away. And the Paragons even had an idea where to look for those parts. The Protectorate homeworld, Heras. And even the question on how to get there was answered by them. A Paragon ship was to make a stop on Ibalaso Urt the next day. With its next destination being Heras, it was the perfect taxi. The soldiers were gone before Soovi could talk to them, xe has no hard feelings, xe simply failed as a leader and they were moving on, finding their luck elsewhere. The night xe spends in the small temple, that might soon move to the Lighthouse. A night filled with an ever repeating nightmare. But also a good feeling, deep withing. Soovi was still there, and some people, even if it were just the Paragons, trusted in xyr abilities. Strange.

5:53 AM

. The next day Soovi waits close to the landing area. The Paragons said that she will know when the right ship landed. It's look and the leading Priestess on it, can't be mistaken. After about four hours an all black ship was on its descent. Black and it somewhat looks like a spear head the tail of condensed water was like its spear pole. Once it landed Soovi gets closer so close that the ramp comes down about ten meters from xyr. And the Priestess that left was indeed out of the ordinary, a large greenish woman, of a species unknown to Soovi. Soovi blatantly stares at the woman, a woman in clothes that don't look like those of the other Paragons, no robes no emblems, no flame. Nothing. The clothes resemble those of a more simple person. Almost like what beings wear in the early times of their civilization. Strange but interesting, and additionally, that woman carries a shield on her back. For her it might be a small one, but it was almost as large as Soovi's chest. Soovi continues to stare, not realizing that the woman did realize that this Insectoid was staring at her. The Jademane quickly closes the distance between the two, and while Soovi doesn't know what to say, the Jademane does. She smiles, gets down on a bit so the Noctua doesn't need to look up and starts to talk.

5:55 AM

"You must be the Noctua who works for us here. So Vi Kal Evi? I am Dreamy Foxglove, Priestess of the Paragons, that is who it is called, I hope. You come with us when we leave from here? To get some parts or something? Machines are not my strength. Nature is. Why don't you go and get your belongings, if you have any. There is a room on board prepared for you. The Paragons have no idea what a Noctua needs, but even if things end up life threatening, remember that it was all done in the best intent." Dreamy smiles, bows, and pats Soovi's shoulder before making her way towards the temple. "We leave later today. Don't miss the flight. Would be sad." A baffled Soovi just stares at the leaving tower of a Jademane. A minute goes by, and xe still stares as Dreamy enters the temple in a distance. Then, out of nothing a hand rests on xyr shoulder and a raspy voice of a human man can be heard behind her. "Don't stare for too long. She'll take you with her on a safari of hers. Gets you mind free. Gets you out of mourning. But she won't let you bring a tent. And she always knows what disgusting plants to eat. The name's Sol by the way. I'll be your pilot for the voyage to Heras. Your name is on the passenger list. And as it is the only name, I at least know it. But to not hurt your feelings, I won't try to say until I hurt it first." "It is Soovi Kalevi, nice to meet you." Sovvi replies. "Well then, Soovi. Feel free to board and make yourself feel right at home in your cabin. We are looking at four days of travel time." Sol says while looking around. "I read about you in some of the reports of the former Herald, those that are publicly available. Did you know Daitrij?" Soovi asks, innocently and without malicious intent. But Sol doesn't just take his hand off of Soovi's shoulder, his face also turns serious, almost sad.

5:58 AM

. "You know I was looking for a drink in town. Just for fun. No I hope those kids do have real alcohol so I can drown the sorrow. We will see each other soon enough again. But do me a favor, don't mention her name to random people. Some did know her. Some even did know her well. Her loss. Her loss has left a vacuum in some people's lives. A vaccum that feels way more empty than space itself. Now, board the ship, Soovi." Sol leaves, and whatever Soovi mumbled, it got lost in the cacophony of sounds on the busy small port of Ibalaso Urt.

5:59 AM

. Soovi stands in front of what seems to be xyr cabin for the trip. It has Soovi Kalevi, in glowing letters on a LED screen right next to the door. As Soovi enters, something like a scan seems to be done if xem, as greenish light fills the immediate area around the door, followed by a calm female voice, with a slight accent that somewhat reminded Soovi of some speeches xe heard of the late Herald. "Welcome, Emissary Soovi Kalevi of the Noctua on Ibalaso Urt. I am Ufyuin, the ships virtual intelligence. I am the personal assistant of every passenger on this ship. But don't be afraid, I am not an AI and neither do I have access to any data you carry, unless you give me the permission. I do check on the passengers vitals tho. As I want you all to be healthy and well. How should I call you?" Soovi is again baffled. A day full of surprises. "I,uh, hello Ufyuin, just call me Soovi. That would be enough. What can you tell me about this ship?" A green light to Soovi's right flickers as Ufyuin starts to speak again.

5:59 AM

. "The Kicineki Jalin, is the most advanced ship among the Paragon fleet. And without being conceited, I have to say that it is most likely the most comfortable and best designed civil ship in the Iron Stars. Once meant to be the personal ship of Ognyena's Prophet herself, it is now used on important voyages of high ranked Paragon official, of which there aren't many right now. If you would take a walk through the ship you will see that, unlike the sharp exterior, the interior only has a small amount of edges. Some corridors do have tapestries, but don't worry, they are fire resistant. I advise you to take a look at the hydroponic garden. It is not just the source of fresh vegetables during long journeys, it is also a perfect place to rest. I advice every crew member and passenger to stay in it at least fifteen minutes once per day, as it greatly improves the mood during long stays in space. I could tell you way more about this ship, but I don't want to bore you. And as I have access to any room, you can ask questions whenever they arise." The green light switches off and Soovi was alone again. Alone in xyr cabin.

6:02 AM

. In the coming four days, Soovi has no chance to evade Dreamy who xe has great short conversations with. And Soovi has to say that xe never met such a friendly and heartwarming person ever before. Yet, Soovi tried to evade most of the rest of the crew, xe was somewhat afraid to cross lines again, like with this pilot, Sol. Who was surely angry at xem, he can't be an inherently grumpy person, can he? When Soovi wasn't evading people or was talking to Dreamy, xe was talking to the medic on board. A dark haired human woman named Belén. Albeit being soo young she experienced war already, as part of a small Paragon combat medic squad, and she went there, to this world, Yauvani, voluntarily. "Who does that?" Soovi thought. Talking to her, gave Soovi some new angle to look at war. But xe mostly met the medic, to use the voyage to learn more about basic first aid. Xe didn't want to feel so helpless again when a comrade of xem gets hurt in battle.

6:02 AM

. Four days of interesting conversations later, early in the morning, the green lamp, indicating Ufyuins presence, lights up. "Good morning Soovi. We are about to enter the Heras system. The heart of the Protectorate, seat of the Government, and first Elysium among the stars. It also houses the First Paragon Daitrij Cathedral, which you surely will visit soon. So once you got up, you are a welcomed sight on the bridge to see the system's beauties." Soovi, who was awake for almost an hour already, gets ready and heads towards the bridge, to see the center of the Protectorate with xyr own in eyes.

6:03 AM

. The Kicineki Jalin enters real space in a bubble with clouds of blue, yellow, and red particles. After a bit of traveling through the system where most of the time only sun in the system's heart was visible, the ship gets in sight of the Protectorate's capital world. Soovi gets closer to the window as xe stares in awe at the construction site in space, where the space station, that one day will house the government, is being build. The Omphalos Station. The navel of the universe. The Kicineki Jalin, being a Paragon ship, bypasses docking procedures at Heras One and lands close to the Paragon Daitrij Cathedral and the Blessed Catacombs. This is where, for now, Soovi separates from the crew of the Kicineki Jalin, as a small shuttle transports her to Mytikas, on xyr search for the missing parts for the Lighthouse.

6:03 AM

(tl;dr Soovi flies to Heras trying to find the missing parts for the Lighthouse. Heal 4/90)

(Everything looks great here, take a re-roll)

8:07 PM

A lamplighter Vault on Heras where the herald had her start comes to mind based on Paragon records. Its doors had something like a lock that used light and heat to open. The lamplighters and Protectorate have looted its contents and put them to use advancing a civilization here on Heras, one once on the verge of collapse and now the ruler of several planets. The intricate lock and doors were sealed once again, leaving an empty metal chamber at the top of a remote mountain, far away from everyone, and everything.

(thank you) Soovi, once xe acquired that information, knows that xe can't go on an adventure like that unprepared again. So while xe strolls around Mytikas' streets with architecture alien to xem, as would be Noctua architecture to the people here. Xe stops at a shop that says it has the best cyberimplants on the planet. Most likely what every shop like that would say. But it was Taros run and Soovi read that they are pretty good with cybernetics. So xe enters the shop. "Greetings. I am a Noctua, if you have never seen one before. Would you be willing do implant a drone control interface into my head?" (list price would be 20k)

(and we wanted to play this out right?)

(sure!)

Heading into the clinic you can see a Taros doctor behind the counter working on some kind of components for cyberware.You're not sure what for. "Very forward of you, hardly even a hello. You're looking for a drone control link? I can't say I've ever worked on one of your kind before. What are you, anyway?"

"Oh, how rude of me. I am sorry! I, uh, had a rough thing happen to me. But, but that is not what we should talk about here. I am a Noctua. I, I don't know, did you get any news of our arrival here? I don't know if any of us are on Heras right now."

"None, we had thought you were all on the frontier. I will need to take some scans, if those come back normal we can operate. You'll need to agree and sign a waiver"

Soovi's wings start to flap rather hectically. "Su-sure." Xe signs with shaking hands. "But you do theoretically know that it will work, right? It won't fry my brain, or would it? I don't want to end up as stupid as a Chimeran."

"That is the purpose of the scan. Theoretically we know it will work but I am a medical professional. I need to be sure"

"Good, then, then let us do the scan and see if you can work it out. But please, if you think you can't, tell me, I don't want to end up, like, stupid or something."

The scan is done over the process of an hour before the doctor finally makes a decision. Maps of your anatomy are displayed on both the wall and float in the center of the room- printed on flat X-ray paper, and holo scan. "Your anatomy is nothing I have seen before directly, but it has similarities to Mosks and some of the more humanoid races. I think we can operate. "

2:42 PM

(I think RP wise too this is probably how world anvil and people in the future know more about mosk anatony)

(That is great.) Soovi nods. "I would love to say that I'd sue you if things go wrong. But in that case I wouldn't even know how to spell 'sue'. I guess, I guess I am ready. And if things go really well, I will advertise your work among other Noctua I meet, who look for someone to enhance them."

(Nocuta anatomy I mean, but the statemetn stands)

4:16 PM

"Well, no sense putting things off. Are you ready?"

Soovi nods once again. "Hmhm, yes. Let's do it! Will, will it hurt?"

He says something in reply but you're not sure what he said, something in his own language perhaps. You don't remember much after that, but awaken to what your compad says is a day later, and your arm is wrapped under bandages . (or wherever you wanted it)

(no preference, so arm is good) Soovi awakens with xyr vision still blurry. And some pain in xyr bandaged arm. "Hey, hey you. Are you still there? Did it go well?"

"The surgery was successful. The dronel ink has been installed and it was an easy procedure. You'll be doing cartwheels and figure 8's with your drone before you know it"

"I need to buy one first." "Do I need to rest for a few days or am I able, well experience stressful situations again? Oh and do you know a good drone shop?"

"You'll be tender for a few days, but the implant was done with success. You will be able to have full control again in the limb soon. I install link so I'm not allowed to recommend one brand over another, but near the capital temple you'll find more of the high end shops and will probably get what you need"

"Thank you. Also for the great work." Soovi puts a credstick with 500credits onto the counter. As a thank you for the good work in new uncharted territory. With the information given, Soovi walks over to the city center and suddenly stops at a shop that strikes xyr interest. "Big Game Hunting. Gear made for Astyoche." "I could need some more protection as well, well and a bow that is not just there for relaxation." Soovi enters the store and hands the clerk her list.

Masterwork Conversion Bow
CB 500
Boosted +2dmg 2000
25k total cost

Combat Field Uniform Masterwork
CFU 1000
Customized +1AC  1000
20k total

"Do you have those?"

"We have the basic stocks of these items, The modifications you're asking for don't come installed, and its something we would need weeks to do"

"Weeks you say? How much time would it take? Because I could buy both, the basic varient and custom made ones. Take the basic ones with me and get the custome made ones, once they are ready."

(I'd have to look at the exact fix levels but its a week per fix of mod)

(customized is fix-1. boosted is fix-2)

(We'd be looking at 3 weeks in total)

"Three weeks?" Soovi asks, surprised at the length while thinking if it was still okay. After a hot minute xe says. "Yeah let's do it. I'll be back in three weeks for the custom made stuff, and I take a base version with me now. And some more arrows." Xe puts a credstick with 50k credits on it on the counter. (price would be less than 47k) "The difference is me tipping you up front for hopefully good work. And please, I need a CFU that fits my Noctua body. Is that okay with you?"

"With this, I can work anything you need. I'll take some quick measurements so we can customize this for you, and you'll just have to allow us the time to work"

"I hope to be alive to collect your work." Xe mumbles. "Can't wait to collect it in three weeks." Soovi says more clearly as xe collects the things that she takes away now what she bought in the base version." *That deal done Soovi leaves the shop and enters the first Drone shop xe finds. "Greetings, um, I'd like four of those, would that be available?" Xe shows xyr scribus with a construction plan.

Hull: Sleeper (2500 credits)
4 Fittings + Stationkeeping (that comes with the hull)
Observation Suite (250)
Reinforced Structure  (1000)
Ammo Unit (250)
Weapon Fitting (1000) with Submachine Gun (200)
Total:5200credits

(you can control 1+ your program level at a time, so in this case 1, but he can build you 4 if you've got a way to truck them around somehow)

(yeah, a Taxi, a shuttle and Eli's Foodtruck will be the place to store them, for now.)

(Alrighty. Sounds good to me

8:11 PM

“Alright. We can build these for you. We can have them done by tonigjt “

"Sounds good to me." 21k credits change hands. Soovi uses the waiting time for some sightseeing in Mytikas. Later that day xe collects the drones and via Taxi and later shuttle xe travels with xyr new equipment to the Blessed Catacombs. The xe learns that the Kicineki Jalin and its crew are already underway to some different destination but might be back a few days later. But Soovi can't wait and the Paragons offer xem a very special vehicle for xyr travel to the vault mountain. The same vehicle that brought the Prophet there. Eli's Foodtruck and with it three Paragon Black Phoenix members to accompany xyr. After a night of rest, Soovi is ready for xyr journey to the mountain and its vault.

(Seen. I'm going to read a bit of Dai's early adventures so I remember what the approach looked like, its been over an irl year since we've needed the info)

The team and Eli’s good truck can make it to the base of the mountain and possibly halfway up with good driving , but the remainder will have to be scaled on foot

9:08 PM

The team loads up and prepared to head out , intent on salvaging the doors and elaborate mechanism on them to help restore the lighthouse back on Ibasalo Urt

With the Truck, the Crew and some new rations, they start their journey, following the Heras' Railway track to avoid any obstacles, at least for a while. Soovi thinks that once they leave the track to drive closer to the mountain, that nature, still hidden security measures of the vault, and other things, might pose an unexpected challenge.

Approaching the mountain the vehicle makes it halfway up before the approach becomes too unstable and narrow for a vehicle this size or this heavy. The air is growing thick with oncoming storm and the sun begins to reach its evening arc for the day when the vehicle finally stops.

Soovi is eager to move on, but xe can almost breathe the incoming storm front. "I guess it is better if we wait that out. Let us stay here for the remainder of the evening and night. We can wait out the storm in the Food Truck and move on tomorrow morning, with a full day ahead of us, we might even get to the top and the vault."

Passing the night the storm continues dumping rain and occasional lightning come morning though the severity is less than it was lest night

Soovi's Droon Depoo

4x Mesilasi
🤖 Sleeper Hull
❤️ 12 🛡️ 12 ⚔️ Submachine Gun (1d8 | Burst)
🧰 Observation Suite, Stationkeeping, Ammo Unit
🧰 Weapon Fitting, Reinforced Structure
💰 5200

(edited)

Soovi looks out of one of the Food Trucks' windows. Rain runs down of it, impairing vision. It is loud inside the truck, it has been for the whole night. The rain has no rhythm, it is just a chaotic mess, and it gets on Soovi's nerves. Xe hates loud cacophonies. Xe doesn't want to endure it for any longer. So xe decides that they will start to climb up this morning, they might get wet, maybe even soakingly, but xe is willing to accept that, anything was better than waiting in the truck, with rain pouring down on it. After informing the three Black Phoenix that they should prepare to head out with xem, Soovi gets into xyr new CFU. Not as good as the custom-made one will be, but it should help xem stay alive in case of any unforeseen dangers. After squeezing xyrself into the CFU, xe steps outside, into the rain that makes hovering above ground harder than it should be. "My wings are getting wet. Disgusting!" Xe thinks while walking around the truck to a cargo space that is accessible from the outside. Xe opens it, links with one of xyr brand new Mesilasi drones and does a quick test flight, to get accustomed to the drone link controls. After about fifteen minutes, xe parks the drone right next to xyr, links with a fresh one, flies it out of the cargo area and closes it. So one drone is in active use and one waits outside in the pouring rain, in case it was needed. Xe flies the drone a few kilometers ahead and lets it rest in place there to scan the area with the Observation Suite for any movements that isn't from Soovi's group. Once that is in place, Soovi grabs what little gear xe takes with xem and starts the hike up the mountain with the Black Phoenix in tow and Mesilasi I on watch somewhere above them.

Eisheru, et al. pinned a message to this channel. 10/4/2021 5:35 AM

The drone floods your compad with data showing animals scurrying away or trying to get to ground both from you and the storms.

7:32 AM

General heat bleed from the ground makes for another layer of mess on top of the data feed and it becomes to much to pick through and walk all at the same time.

7:33 AM

The first of the cliffs is ahead of you and small streams have developed as water pours down the cliff sides

Soovi is overwhelmed by the sheer amount of Information that xyr drone sends, so xe switches the Observation Suite off to focus on the current climbing situation, which needed more than enough focus. Mesilasi will stay mostly stationary and only reposition to stay within a two-kilometer radius around Soovi. Long, durable, lightweight rope appears in Soovi's hands, with safety hooks xe secures it at xyr new CFU and hands the other end of the rope to someone of the Black Phoenix next to xem. "I, and my equipment, am not as heavy as you are. So let me try to get up first. It might be slippery, so please don't let me fall down. Once I am up the cliff I will secure the rope there, so you all can get up relatively safe." That said, Soovi tries to climb up the first cliff.

(Exert/str)

(10)

The way ahead is difficult but with you leading the pack and following the herald's original route tou make it up to the top of the cliffside come early afternoon, where long but flatter trails wind up the remaining 2/3 of the mountain. It was in this area security robots were once encountered, and indeed almost had killed the herald then,

Soovi knew about the Herald's journey to the mountain top. Xe read any available report on their way with the Food Truck. But overcoming the challenges of this mountain, was tiresome. But there was no way around it, xe wants that Lighthouse to shine again, every day, and the Vault and its remains are xyr only lead right now to accomplish that. The reports said that this was the area where the miracle happened, the miracle of Ognyena protecting her chosen prophet. Soovi still isn't really buying into these stories, but the Black Phoenix are different. The small military arm of the Paragons might be battle hardened, tough, soldiers, but they are also devout believers of Ognyena. And this fact shows itself up there. Close to a place of wonder, all three Soldiers get on their knees, grab their dog tags, which are formed like flames, and quietly pray to their chosen goddess. Soovi watches them, xe even sets down on the ground so xyr wings can go silent as well. Soovi assumes that the soldiers would surely want to visit the graves of the fallen, those who gave their lives protecting the Prophet. As those graves are close to their way further up, they could surely do it. Knowing that the area was once protected, Soovi lets Mesilasi scan the ground, with a smaller radius than before, for anything metallic that might be in the area.

There are a pair of metallic contacts, semi dug into the ground up ahead, 250m in front of the group. The carpet of thick grass keeps you from seeing anything more than just a rolling area of the red-green stringy grass that grows this high up. It is embedded deep, whatever it is.

Soovi waits for the Black Phoenix members to finish praying until xe approaches them. "There is something out of metal, over there" Xe points at the location that Mesilasi found. "Could be nothing, could be something. If it is some kind of defense mechanism, it could get us from behind if it activates and we walk past it. But maybe it is just debris, but it could also be useful debris. So if we get a bit closer to it, like within 100m, I could get my drone closer to these things and if they activate, we could have a jump at it, right?"

"We can try. Without knowing what they are it is hard to say. Combat is a game of variables"

In that, Soovi had to agree. But xe had to learn this game of variables if xe ever wanted to face the Chimeran Ascendancy and drive it away from xyr homeworld. It might have been a shared one, but the moment the Chimerans decided that sharing is not what they wanted, they lost their right to stay on Ulloth together with the Noctua. Soovi shakes xyr head, getting out of this day dream. "It is, yes. But still. Um. The whatever it is doesn't do anything right now, so why don't we find a good position that gives us an advantage, before I get closer with the drone? If those are things as dangerous as those spiderbots from the First Paragon's reports, no position guarantees absolute safety. So, you are the more experienced ones, let us find a good position first, I'll follow you." "And in the end, it is nothing more than metal scraps that I am afraid of." Xe thinks.

(they'll move into a good spot within 100m so we don't have range penalties, and they'll wait to see what you do)

Soovi moves in position as well and then starts to move Mesilasi closer to the two metallic objects beneath it. Weapon trained on one of it, in case it moves and looks dangerous. That way Soovi moves the drone closer to see if and when something happens.

(evasion save for the drone, would be just vs 15 i believe)

(fail 12v15)

The beam from the emerging spider bot saws the drone in half and two flaming pieces fall toward the ground to tumble away as blackened junk. The two spider bots emerge from their hiding places, damaged and battered but functional enough to perform their security function

(Initiative, or do we get a shot at them first?)

(initiative)

(3)

(2 for the bots, so you and the gang are up first)

Soovi quickly calls the second Mesilasi drone, the one xe parked next to the Food Truck, but deep down xe knows that the drone will not arrive before this fight was over. So all xe had was xyr new bow and the Black Phoenix, and those three, those are who xe was banking on when it came to surviving this situation. Calling the drone and thinking too much wasn't helping Soovi's aim as xe missed by quite a bit. Sadly most of the Black Phoenix seem to be not too ready as well, as only some of the bullets hit one of the targets. Will this be the place where another miracle happens, or will sadness and death be what will be left in a few minutes? (all miss but one soldier 23/11)

(and your main was calling the bot? You can use your move for it since you've got the control link, if you wanted to use your main action to attack too)

(I did shoot with the bow, it missed. And all three Soldiers Burst fired. The only one in the double digits out of those four attacks was the one soldier with 23/11. Ognyena was not wanting to help during that first set of rolls.) (edited)

One of the drones is damaged, though they both remain in the fight, each sending lancing energy beams back in your direction. The pulses are long and sweeping, making them almost impossible to avoid. (19/10, 19/8, so two friendlies down)

Soovi sees two of the Black Phoenix fall. Xe screams. Xe knows that they won't be able to outrun the bots. Xe will die here. With shaking hand xe reloads xyr bow and sends an arrow towards the damaged bot. To xyr right the Black Phoenix, a young Taros, seems to be shaking as well, his shots go wide maybe hitting a tree or something in the distance. He aswell seems to feel that their situation is bad. But despite the shaking, he doesn't falter. He doesn't run. Instead he seems to pray to Ognyena while aiming for his next shot. (Soldier miss, Soovi 18/6 on damaged bot)

The arrow pierces the eye lens of the attacking bot, and it deactivates, venting blue sparks before going inert.

7:38 AM

(crit/14) Sensing the soldier as the greater of the two threats, the remaining bot plants its legs into the ground, and fires another piercing heat beam that punches through the armor, bubbles the center mass of the Black Phalax, and blows out the back of the man's combat field uniform.

Soovi almost pukes when xe sees the last Black Phoenix being evaporated. "At least it will be over fast" xe thinks, with tears running down xyr face. Xyr hands are shaky as xe once again aims and tries to bring the arrow to the target. But it hits the ground after only half the distance between Soovi and the bot. Xyr hand grabs for the next arrow as xe almost awaits certain doom. (shot missed)

The beam charges but sputters out, as it has been fired too many times in too quick of a succession. (6, so missed)

(the luck has left me) Soovi's shooting is almost mechanical. Afraid that the next shot might take xem out. The range at least isn't too far off this time, but it was still a clear miss. The drone, still too far away to help. (rolled a 7 to hit single digit again)

(14/5) The beam passes close by, scorching grass and sizzling the air with the heat and violence of its ripping through the air

The Spiderbot's shots are getting closer. But they all miss. No shot actually hit Soovi so far. Was there still hope? Is this a place for miracles? Xe doesn't know but through the tears shines a small amount of confidence. Maybe this isn't the end. Xe is not focused enough to hit with the bow, as another shot misses the target, but that focus slowly comes back. (12/3)

The beam fires again as the rain continues to fall. Heat passes by with intense fury, like looking into the heart of the sun, before it vanishes as the beam loses cohesion (non-nat 20/12)

Soovi sees the beam, and it is the last thing xe will ever see. Xe falls down on xyr knees. A promise for a new future, wiped out by a challenge xe was so educated about. Xyr last thoughts go to xyr egg-layer on Uloth, who might never be rescued, at least not by Soovi. And xe realizes that xyr decisions brought the small fireteam down. Maybe xe would have been no help in a war against the Ascendancy. Who knows? Xe doesn't even feel xyr head hitting the ground, as xe long lost consciousness. (all four are down/dead)

(i dont' think the drone would be here in time, or has a medical suite)

(nope)

There is a sudden feeling of warmth and a pinch. The grav plate of the drone you had called makes annoying buzz sounds that your wounded head is amplifying. Before you, two bots lie scattered among the grasses of the mountainside , metal shards resembling droplets of mercury among the long leaves. A paragon quick reaction force mobilized when they saw the expedition had begun taking casualties, and the soldiers here are undergoing the grim process of bagging up friends and comrades.

3:49 PM

(burning a plot point)

Soovi's thoughts are a clouded mush when xe opens xyr eyes again. "There is a life after death. I would not have thought. But why, why are they dead in the afterlife as well? And why does death hurt so much? And why does this, my, drone hover here, directly over my face? Why is its damn grav plate so loud?" Soovi opens and closes xyr eyes over and over as if it would help xem to see better. "What is this?" Soovi reaches out to xyr drone. A red light flashes next to an open compartment on the bottom side of the hovering drone. "What does it say? Emergency First Aid... Wait, they said one drone got a little extra, because I bought four in bulk. Does this.... Oh, no... I am alive, and they are not." Xe lays down again. Tears running down xyr face, and slowly the pain, from where the beam penetrated xyr armor, kicks in. Soovi's eyes reopen when a shadow falls over xyr head. A tower of a man in Black Phoenix combat armor stands close to Soovi's head, but looks at something further down xyr body. "Will this Noctua pull through?" He asks in his deep and commanding voice. And just now Soovi realizes that there was someone working on xyr the whole time, a middle-aged woman, most likely a combat medic, who almost immediately answers the man's question. "Yes, they most likely will. I am not too familiar with Noctua physiology when it comes to long time complications or things like that. They got lucky that they called in a drone and that we came here before the spiderbot killed them a second time. Almost miraculous, this mountain really is a place of grief and wonders. But I still think this one should rest for a week to not risk anything."

3:27 AM

. The man shakes his head and says. "This is not for you to decide, sister. This group was on a mission, that mission isn't finished yet. Three of our young recruits died here, that mission will be finished, and if this Noctua's technical expertise is crucial to it, they will assist. In the end, they lead that mission." The woman jumps up. "You can't be serious! That this Noctua is still alive is already a miracle, any further trauma, before they got some rest and some throughout checkup, will surely kill them! And anyway, this one is so sedated, I don't think they can even walk already." Soovi touches the woman's leg and says in a sad voice. "It's okay. He is right. It was my fault. And I don't need to walk, I can hover with the help of my wings. I will finish this mission." The woman laughs and helps Soovi up. Just for Soovi's wings to act up as well. "I told you this Noctua won't walk anywhere, brother." The man turns around and yells two names. And just moments later, two Black Phoenix come sprinting towards the group and after a short chat with the man, they support Soovi under xyr shoulders, and as xe still has trouble walking, carry the lightweight that is Soovi. "I warned you. I this Noctua dies, that is on you, brother. May the flame in your heart guide your way." The combat medic says as Soovi is taken out of her protection. "And may your fiery flame burn as bright forevermore, sister." The man replies. Soovi has heard enough Paragons already to know that the two were not actually brother and sister, but that those were simply terms used to show that the other one was a member of the Paragons as well.

3:27 AM

. The Tower of a man gathers a small group of Paragons and with this group it was going upwards towards the vault. On the way Soovi overhears some of the talk. "The Truck will be brought back, we have all tools needed with us. If the Noctua needs anything, we have it. They get their belongings when we are back home." "At least the recruits should have entered Ognyena's realm pretty quickly, they died on the wonder mountain." "Who thought it was wise to let someone like this Noctua lead a mission up here?" "Aren't the Noctua the same as the Chimerans? I read something like that in one of my Newsgroups." "These LLF people, looting vaults left and right and playing space police, but they don't put in the effort to remove any stray security measures that they left behind. I wonder how many people die to them, per year, in the Iron Stars, there must be some statistic about it floating somewhere." Soovi phases out, trying to get some rest as xe is carried up the mountain. Hoping that xe was able to butcher what was needed out of the door's mechanism.

You lose time over and over again as you fade in and out of sleep. The dressing applied to your mid section feels more and more damp with the expression of your wounds every time you wake up, before what must be several hours later you are deposited at the mountaintop, both of the Black Phalanx sweating and panting with the effort of carrying you, their gear, and your gear. Before you, the elaborate doors of the vault stand out from the almost inaccessible mountain peak, as towering an imposing as they must have been when the Herald saw them for the first time.

Soovi is exhausted when they reach the vault. But xe can hover again, even if it isn't as steady as it should be. But those who were with xem, are dead, pain and exhaustion is one thing, but xe still has the privilege of feeling something. Soovi slowly approaches the door, unsure on how to get to the needed parts or how the door operates on a technical level at all. Xe equips the Mesilasi drone with a new Type A cell and with drone, compad, hands and tools xe tries to find out just that, how the door operates and what parts could be useful for the Lighthouse. (one Type A remaining) (edited)

(know/int)

(13!)

You think the entire locking mechanism of the door is going to be needed , especially the fire box, the elaborate pipe work, and the actual door motions themselves.

11:55 AM

the panels and artwork are pretty, but don't need to be taken for the lighthouse to function again

After gathering the information, Soovi sighs and slowly hovers over to the Paragons. "I could get the parts we need. But, considering my current condition I sadly can't give you a timeframe. But I don't think it will be finished before night falls. I mean I can work in the darkness, but pushing too far could really be dangerous for me and thus for the success. Is there a chance to rest here, can we camp? Can we call a shuttle to sleep in? We need to carry the parts away, anyway."

"We can camp here. Shuttles are grounded for the night , some severe electromagnetic activity from the system sun. Won't be able to call them in until morning"

"Fine with me. While you set up camp, I'll start to take the door apart. And then I hopefully finish the work after night of rest tomorrow. I will give it my all. Promise."

(Didn't roll an encounter for the night, and our fix roll was pretty good, I think this honestly does what we needed it to do)

(I don't mind. Not dying here is a good thing!) After a good night of rest. Somewhat good night. Actually it was a bad night. Sleeping in a tent, on a dangerous mountain, after almost dying, after leading a group of young men to their death. No, the night sucked and was full of tear filled dreams. No the night wasn't really restful, but work had to be finished, or their deaths would have been pointless. So xe reloads Mesilasi with xyr last Type A cell and does xyr job. Butchering high tech to get what they need. Once finished, Soovi waits for the shuttle to arrive to bring them and the tech to the Blessed Catacombs, xe will soon be traveling to Ibalaso Urt again. But first xe wants to rest below the Ognyena Cathedral.

(We can skip right to that then, nothing really to add other than you successfully take it down)

(skipping to the Blessed Catacombs of Ibalaso? In the end either one is okay.) (edited)

(The catacombs here? Or ibalaso? I didn’t realize you names more than one

(I was unsure if we want to skip to the Catacombs here on Heras or the Lighthouse on Ibalaso) (edited)

)did you want to go to the catacombs here? If you didn’t want to rp anything I guess there’s no need ) (edited)

(no need just yet, no. Let us go to the Lighthouse and let it shine again.)

Returning to the lighthouse having healed some over the last few days, you are a bit more like your old self as you land outside Gralzea, for the trek east and then north to the lighthouse through the path you had explored prior

Soovi knows xe needs some more hands to carry all of what they found to the Lighthouse. One day there will be a landing platform there, once the Paragons build a larger temple in the area, but for now xe needed manpower. Or maybe, just maybe there was some vehicle to be found that was suited to reach the Lighthouse, even if it was by a longer route. So before searching for people, Soovi would look for some kind of quartermaster of the EP or of the Noctua exodus fleet, here on Ibalaso Urt.

There isn’t an existing land route to the temple it seems , at least not one that can accommodate a vehicle and you get the sense a road connecting the place to civilization is going to be a whole other set of issues to handle with the old man and his servants

"Infrastructure, a problem we might have to tackle another time. Can't have pilgrims walking through that forest or the permanent noise of shuttles starting and landing." Soovi thinks before waking to a market to buy eight Type A Cells to keep xyr Mesilasi Drone going. But xem and a drone won't get there. Not with all the dangers that wait underway. Soovi trusts xyr bow, but using it for actual combat while also trying to control drones? Still too much for Soovi. So Soovi walks along some weapon shops and tries to see if they have a Tempest, or at least a Laser Pistol available. Once that is done. Soovi looks around for Noctua, other lost souls. Xe knows that some more security was needed to get them through there, alive. But they also need hands to carry the parts. All in all xe thought that xe would need at least five or so people for this trip to carry stuff. Or less with more burden to carry. Approaching various Noctua and asking them to come with xem, xe was hoping that it wasn't already common knowledge, that coming with xyr was pretty much a free ticket to death. And if nobody wants to come, xe might need to buy a new drone that carries the stuff for xyr. (Buying 8 A Cells, a Tempest or if not available, a Laser Pistol. And then trying to get enough Noctua to come with xyr to carry any parts that need to be carried, or level up first and buy another drone with multiple heavy lifts, so xe can go through the woods with two drones) (edited)

(either one is fine but if we're going to level we should handle that before we do anything else)

(alright, cashing in the 6XP Goal of getting a TL5 drone)

Level 3->4
Old HP: 10
HP roll: 2+3+3+4=12
New HP: 12

AB 1->2
No Focus

4SP
Fix 0->1
Program 0->1

(Buying a Sleeper Hull Drone with 4 Heavy Lift Fittings 10500Credits, the 8 A cells, a Tempest if available, a Laser Pistol if not, and 6 Rations)

(tempest is available, everything else is around too)

(perfect then Tempest, the Cells and Rations <1000credits I deducted 13k for Drone + the rest. So Soovi is handing tips out left and right.) After finding a small Noctua drone shop, Soovi changed xyr plans. A quickly built carrier drone would allow xyr to do the heavy lifting beforehand and to travell alone, with one of the Mesilasi Drones and "The Butcher" at xyr side. Not risking anyone's life but xyr own. So Soovi loads the heavy lifter of a drone and pilots it with its content to the Lighthouse, unloads and repeats that until everything is at the Lighthouse. Everything but Soovi. So with the rations and xyr two drones xe starts to hike towards the Lighthouse again.

You spent most of the day getting through the woods but now that you know the way the trek is much faster. By evening you manage to make it to the base of the lighthouse and find the site is fairly quiet.

With it being evening, Soovi parks xyr drones inside of the Lighthouse and carries all of the parts inside as well before going upstairs and stop once xe finds one of the servants. "I, uh, hello, I would like to talk to your master."

The skeleton makes a “follow me” gesture before it turns and heads inside , beginning the slow March up the stairs. It’s bony fleet make a clacking sound with every fall of its flat sole until you’re once again before the door of the masters study

Soovi is still unnerved from seeing those undead, and to somewhat work with them. But the feeling xe had, up there, seeing the light, was just too incredible to not overcome the disgust of working with dead people. And in the end xe was working for the Paragons who saved xyr life. Did they really tho, xe still has to work through the drone's memory to find out what actually happened. But everything has a time and place, and right now xe needed to say hey to the Sorcerer King to make xyr presence known. So xe knocks and enters once xe is called in. "Good Evening. I just wanted to say that I am back, with the parts I need for the light. Um, I would just take a nap, as walking was really stressful, alone in that forest. And once I am all rested I would start working, it might take a while. Would that be okay?"

"Of course" the master says from within "rest well, and I am happy at your safe return to the tower"

Soovi shivers on xyr way to the sleeping spot. That place creeps xyr out even if the hospitality of the sorcerer king seems nice. Soovi goes to sleep and after some good rest xe starts carrying parts up, a tedius task. And once that was done xe starts to patch up the ceiling before starting to work on the more delicate parts of the actual machinery. All alone xe tinkers for as long as xe needs.

THe work takes three days in total between breaking down the old parts from the door locks and mechanism, repurposing it for use here, and then finally installing and testing it. You believe by the end, you have something set up to make it a suitable test case.

Soovi thinks about asking the Sorcerer King to come up and witness the test with xyr. Or even asking for a Paragon to come. But no. This moment was xyrs alone. Xe lead people xe didn't even know into death. Xe xyrself almost died. This moment was not to be shared. Xe pushes the button and looks up, hoping to once again see the same scenery, this time without it breaking down in the end.

The beam of light once again illuminates the heavens. It is steady , unbroken, and bright. This will be seen w herever you are in the hemisphere, as a bright red orange lance of energy punches into the heavens.

Soovi stares at the beam, for way too long, but that is the burden of being a Noctua. One question circulates in xyr head. "Have I survived, have I been lucky because I was meant to finish this? Did Ognyena have her fingers in this? Nah, can't be, she doesn't really exist, or does she?" After a while xe sits down and types a quick message to the Paragons, informing them that the this mission was done. The Lighthouse is restored and can be a great cultural POI again. I place to worship Ognyena, or any god actually. What happens next has its root in one of Soovi's less positive characteristics. Xyr drive to take revenge. So after saying good bye to the sorcerer King, xe takes a short rest before planning to head out again, with "The Butcher" and Mesilasi, to take down the beast that killed one of xyr former companions.

(alright, heading into the jungle with butcher and another drone to go hunt that shadow cat? lets get a survive/wis for tracking as we step off)

(yep that is what xe plans, with the butcher and a Mesilasi drone. Rolled an 1 gonna reroll, Expert reroll 7) (edited)

Moving into the woods you see that there are foot prints and some splatters of blood from the encounter almost a week ago now. The creature has moved north deeper into the woods after coming back to sniff about the conflict zone.

Soovi draws xyr new laser pistol as the butcher walks at xyr side. Xe sends Mesilasi up, well above the trees to scan the area around xyr. This time to not blind xyrself xe let's it scan for a fifty meter radius around xem. And also let's it filter out anything that was way smaller or bigger than the shadow cat. With this prepared xe goes deeper into the woods following the beasts trail.

You walk for half an hour before finding a scrap of blood covered gray fur on one of the overturned tree trunks near the game trail in the woods. It looks fresh, the underside is still wispy and light, meaning it has not been cut from a creature for a long period of time. The claw marks are consistent with that of the creature.

Soovi orders the Mesilasi to stay in shooting range of its submachine gun while continuing to scan for shadow-cat-like animals on the move. Xe gets xyr new laser pistol out and it feels weird to hold a gun like this. But xe needs to find the cat soon, with it having feasted so recently, it may not be fit to fight, and as such an easier target. Soovi wants revenge, but not necessarily die for it. So xe tries to guess the direction the cat left towards by looking at the area around xem, ground and trees to try and find the trail of this beast.

(notice.wis)

(9)

The blood continues, through a large hollow log ahead. Soemthing nesting just above the entry doesnt blend in quite right with the surroundings

Soovi follows the trail until it enters a large hollow log. Xe stops. binoculars appear in xyr hands as xe tries to get a better look at what was inside.

(initiative, was a tell the creature was perched up there)

(4, Soovi's revenge is here. This time with The Butcher on xyr side and Mesilasi above)

(you are up first, got a 2, it is in melee already so the drone would suffer a -4 with the submachine gun)

Soovi gets ready to unleash hell onto the Cat. That will be xyr moment. It will be the perfect revenge. From above the trees Mesilasi fires into the fight, using its various sensors to pinpoint the locations of the combatants. Its bullets fill the air with lead but only hit trees and the ground. The Butcher, this example of prime technology, throws itself into the cat and performs as well as it did in the Galatean Games and swings with its now two handed sword. Soovi is not just a little unprepared to shoot with xyr Laser Pistol. Never using one before didn't help. All xe had to do was pulling the trigger and aim at the cat that was right in front of xyr. Soovi still managed to almost shoot down Mesilasi, the drone that is above them. How xe managed that? That is indeed a good question. (11/10 ; 19/4; 0/3) (edited)

The butcher scores a hit, as does the drone (natural armor, so 11 is tied)

7:35 AM

The cat is mid pounce as the hail of projectile fire from the submachine gut punctures it a dozen times over and the impact turns it aside, just before it is ready to add you to the number of Noctua it has eaten in its life.

Soovi stares at the now dead cat, and xyr succesful revenge. Some lights shines through the trees and reflects from The Butcher to Soovi, revealing a really sinister look on this usually friendly Noctua's face. Showing a darker side of xem. "That is what you get for attacking Soovi Kalevi!" Xe screams at the dead animal. Soovi tasted blood. This revenge was clenched, but the Chimerans are xyr real target, and for a possible war, xe needs to be prepared. Soovi orders Mesilasi to continue to scan the closer area around xyr, in case another of the shadowy cats tries to jump on them. But xe has no further desire to stay in these dark woods alone. So xe tries to get back to the Lighthouse, to rest there and afterwards return to the landing zone and the Paragon Temple.

(3xp, 5,000 credits, if we want to try to skin it we can get a survive/wis)

(a tooth would be enough and I rolled a 3 so I guess I can be happy with anything that I don't destroy)

(Tooth sounds good to me! I think its got a lot of teeth, so no skin or anything but we've got our trophy)

Soovi doesn't simply walk with xyr drones in tow. Xe walks with xyr drones in tow and a tooth hanging around xyr neck! That way xe walks towards the landing area with a proud smile on xyr face, and any animal that would dare to jump at xyr would surely see that they would end up as another tooth around xyr neck.

(I know we talked about a few new missions in PM, where are we headed?)

(I guess hearing from a Noctua that Tecmessa is in a bad state which will make her search for solutions and flying to Kanagyrlz, that is the idea)

(Tecmessa is great)

8:18 PM

news of the Project Root on Tecmessa reaches you. Noctua are being sent to the world but the planet is barely holding on to what little green space the colonists have been able to pull from the desert sands. The project's founder, Ife, has vanished, and a steady hand is needed to take control of making the desert a fitting home for all.

Soovi is not an engineer. But what xe is, is a proud Noctua. Hearing that xyr people are left alone on a world that can't feed them all was like a rusty sword to xyr side. Ibalaso Urt was in a good state. Not perfect, still much to do, but they won't die from starvation and can built cities and infrastructure like they would at home. But Tecmessa needed to be helped. Especially with all the news of the Protectorate joining the Federalized Galatean Nations. And the Speaker of the Cloud telling her people that it had to be done to further ensure the safety of all of her people. Noctua might belong to those people as well, but it was obvious that the current situation meant that the focus of the politics was elsewhere. So the Protectorate might not help xem right away, even with Soovi being an Electrum Medal winner in the name of the EP. No xe needs to convince somebody. Xe needs a ship. So Soovi enters the Paragon temple on Ibalaso Urt to talk with the local head priest. And convinced her to lend Soovi the Kicineki Jalin once again, to fulfill a mission in the name of Ognyena. Soovi is a great talker, xe didn't say it was primarily for the Noctua. No. Xe said that the Noctua on Tecmessa are also children of Ognyena, and by helping them, in the name of the Paragons and Ognyena, might lead some of them to the true faith. The Head Priestess was convinced pretty quickly and so Soovi sits once more on board of the Kicineki Jalin, this time on xyr way to Tecmessa. To see the situation for xyrself. (edited)

Arriving on the planet you can see the large stone tower temple Ife had made notes about. The digging machines also continue their work here below the surface and thus far no one has been able to stop them or figure out the meaning of the arcane symbols they are carving into the mantle of the planet

Soovi, as xe sees the temple, just checks the publicly available notes for this POI, just to gulp. Xyr wings flap faster than usual. "What in the world. And they sent Noctua here? What if this is dangerous, no, what is this at all?" Soovi quickly reads every available information, which as of yet aren't too many. Xe sees the Heras branch of the academy mentioned and tries to see if there is available information about their answer Ife's request on if they know anything about these symbols.

(there isnt much i think i said in the world anvil, i always planned to come back to it with ife but we never got there)

"Nothing. Of course. Soo many issues here. Alright, I'll check out the temple after speaking to the local Noctua to see how bad they have it right now." Soovi turns around away from the windows. "Captain Sol, there should be a green belt, or better a green belt in planning on this world. Could you please fly over it, so we can see the status of this green belt?"

He does so. It looks like most of what it is is a few kilometers long patch of grass near the large settlement, a project fighting against desertification that has only just begun. There is not much complex plant life below you during your fly over.

"This world is a nightmare. Nothing is finished. No real Terraforming. Nothing. But it is also a great chance. We can make this world, a world like home. With more sunlight. But still." "Captain, please bring us to the Noctua landing site. But it will only be a short stop. I just want to make our presence known. In person."

He does as asked and the Noctua landing site seems to be just the landing pad, where they've been able to get a cement pad anchored in enough sand material where it will not shift and break apart.

Anything Soovi got top see of Tecmessa so far, was a major let down. A destiny only minimally better than dying on Uloth as a slave of the CA. But this place being a vast empty desert posed the chance of becoming something more, something better. Soovi leaves the Kicineki Jalin as soon as it has landed and tries to find out if already a small council of elders was in charge of the Noctua here on Tecmessa, and if so, xe wants to talk to them.

They don't seem to have elected anyone yet. One of the main components of project root was that species would not be segregated from one another and an elective council of everyone living here has been established. Invitations have been extended to the Noctua but no one has been given the position or put forward for anything yet.

A megaphone appears in Soovi's hands. Talking, that is what xe was trained to do. So xe talks, trying to get some people to listen while also trying to do xyr job of bringing new believers into the Paragons. "Greetings, my friends, spread your wings! I know you have expected something different when you fled home for a new life, a future. Tecmessa is not that. Not yet. But it is a diamond in the making. You all have the chance of shaping this world to our needs. Yes there is a Protectorate colony here and they need to live here too. But out homeworlds are real beauties and if we show them, they want our vision as well." "The Protectorate is stretched thin, they may want to help but don't have the means. But the Paragons want to lend a hand. Protectors of culture and most of them, followers of Ognyena. The goddess of the flame wants us Noctua to live good lives as well. She helped me win the Electrum medal, helped me show the world how good we Noctua are!" "A lie, I did not need help. But sometimes you gotta lie to make a point." "We are here now, with the help of Ognyena we will make this world an Elysium for our kind, and everyone else as well! The Paragons and will make a short trip soon. When we return, we do need some information. Do we have any seeds from our homeworlds with us? What are the most immediate needs? And how long will the stocks of the ships that brought you here last?" Soovi has no idea if someone listened at all, but xe waits to see what the first reaction is.

A lone Noctua ranting with a megaphone, that the council has not appointed or given legitimacy to doesn't gain much attention. Your speech is passionate and inspired, but no one is bending over backwards to help you not having any kind of authority given to you by the ruling structure in place here already. Any of the humans nearby begin walking away, not really included in the speech though they lived here first.

That was a let-down, but not unexpected. They might think different once Soovi changed something for the better here. Just slightly embarrassed Soovi returns to the Kicineki Jalin. They all might have seen xyr spectacular fail. But they will soon see what a singular Noctua can do, what problems xe can solve. Back on board Soovi enters the bridge and approaches Sol. "Didn't go too well, but um, could you bring us to the temple we saw from the sky? I would love to see what is in these tunnels. I guess nobody did that before. And my Mesilasi drones can easily scout out those tunnels."

"Alright, no problem. I'll get us as close as we can, but my job is to stay with the ship. I won't be coming down with you" he says, settling back into the controls.

7:19 AM

"Make sure you stock up from the locker before you leave"

"I guess I expected that. I'll go alone. Would it be okay if I left some of my belongings in my quarters, so they don't slow me down?"

"They'll be safe here. Promise. Take the key with you too then if you want. You'll be back to get into your room again, I know it"

(I marked a few things as "other" on the sheet. Those will stay on board.) "I hope you are right." Soovi puts a few things into a locker in xyr room before going to the ship's armory and locker area, to see if xe can restock on Type-A cells. (While the numbers didn't change on the sheet, I do believe that Soovi would have run through the 8 Typ-A cells on her last trip, as drones need them to be used. So I would like to take 8 new Type A cells out of the Ship's Locker)

(they're available)

Soovi turns the empty cells in and grabs the fresh ones, xe also puts fresh ones into two of xyr Mesilasi drones that will be her eyes and ears in the tunnels. Xe waits for the ship to land and then gets out to see the temple and its crazy drill machines for xyrself.

The machines seem to be underground for right now and sand has filled in behind them. You can hear the rumble of their digging and carving. The large temple is ahead and is riddled with tunnels underneath it.

Soovi, with two of xyr remaining three Mesilasi drones, walks towards the temple and enters it. Soovi read Ife's report, but seeing the temple for xyrself was something else.

If the plan is to head directly below ground, the temple basement is a roughly carved access stair that leads to under where the water is collected from underground. You can feel the building shaking more closely here as the drills are closer, but none seem to have actually punched through the temple wall yet.

(so is there no opening to the tunnel system right now?)

(not at the moment. It changes daily depending on the course of the diggers, sometimes they get close and sand falls into where they've beem, so an opening forms)

"Of course. Access obstructed." A shovel appears in Soovi's hands, but xe quickly shakes xyr head and it disappears again. "No, I won't start digging now, not yet. Maybe a drilling machine will soon be here so I can send down a Mesilasi to fly trhough the tunnels." Xe places a drone in the drilling area to inform xem if something happens and instead walks to the other part of the temple again with xyr second Mesilasi drone to scan the area for any information that might be hidden from plain view. Any further information regarding the symbols or the actual reason why the drilling machines do what they do and where they do it.

Ife has walked these steps before, and done the things you are doing with the same results , nothing. The drills themselves seem to hold all the secrets and after an hour the drone down in the tunnels reports a tremor is growing, and is getting far closer.

Alterted by the Mesilasi drone downstairs, Soovi rushes the stairs down almost stumbling on xyr way. The plan was easy, if possible Soovi would enter one of the drilling machines, banking on the fact that xe is an Electrum Medal Hacker, with hopefully the skills to get more out of those drills, or to derail one. At the same time xe wants to pilot the Mesilasi drone through the tunnels and do scans, to see if there is anything special here that might be the reason to drill the symbols underground just here. But all of this was thoughts and speculations, nothing was certain until xe sees it with xyr own eyes. Once xe rides rodeo on that drill, or rather inside of it. So xe stands there and waits, waits for the drill to pop out of the ground.

The drill passes by after a rumble in the ground, you can just barely see its metal flank as it passes by, and changes course to begin digging deeper into the ground,

"Stooop" Xe shouts before realizing that nothing and nobody will hear xyr screaming as this machine follows an age old program. But before the hole fills itself again, Soovi sends Mesilasi behind the drilling machine. Starting scans and activating the lights so xe sees where to pilot the drone in small tunnel. If someone was claustrophobic, they would surely crash the drone. But not Soovi, hopefully. Xe tries to follow the path, run scans of the soil and rock, trying to find out if the ground had something special, as an explanation for why the drill was drilling its course there. And besides that data mining in a somewhat literal sense, Soovi checked if there was a possibility to infiltrate the drill via its wireless communication. Doing all that together brought xyr mind to its limit.

(pilot/dex for the piloting the drone)

(2 expert reroll for the mission makes it a 9)

You’re able to follow it. There is clearly no pilot but you see an access hatch on the back of the drill that someone could use to get inside

"A hatch. I could get in there, but can I do it while it rushes past here?" Soovi sighs and shakes xyr head while xyr wings flap a bit unrhythmic. It doesn't matter that nobody cared for xyr speech after xe landed here. Xyr people, the Noctua, can't sit on a ticking timebomb. Xe will try to get to the hatch. Just at that moment a grappling hook appears in Soovi's hands. Xe knows exactly where the drill is, thanks to Mesilasi behind the machine. Xe while ride the monster to steal its secrets. Xe won't fail. And like that xe waits for the drone and drill to return to xem.

It takes four hours for the drill to repeat its course, this time you are ready, and the heavy tracked vehicle rumbles by at high speed the drill head spinning but not needing to churn much material here.

Soovi races with the Drone behind the drill until xe realizes that the drill is getting close. That was the moment xe was going for a move that wasn't Soovi like. Almost like an action movie star from a holovid, xe tries to attach to the drill with xyr grappling hook, to get a chance to get to the hatch and open it.

(i feel like it would be a shoot/dex to time the shot right)

(8)

The mag anchor fires, and latches on perfectly. There is a satisfying clink before you're pulled forward after the drill.

There was no time think about options. It was getting to the hatch, opening it, and entering before Soovi lost grip or otherwise hurt xyrself by surfing behind the drill. So xe tried to get to the hatch immediately to get into the strange machine.

(Fix/int, and we will see what happens )

(13)

Always having the necessary tools on hand, the door opens quickly and you're able to get inside the cramped drill pod control room. The controls remind you of a bulldozer, with an extra layer of complexity involving the drill head. An automated navigation sequence has been plugged in to the controls. (edited)

Soovi lets the Mesilasi drone leave the tunnel and go to standby. And now xe can focus fully on the problem ahead of xem, well around of xem. Tools appear and vanish as xe tries to run some tests. It is four hours until the drill would come back to its starting point, if it takes the same route, more than enough time for some checks. At first, Soovi tries to access the control software to see if the drill receives orders from outside, or if the automated navigation was hardwired into the drill.

The navigation has been hard wired into the drill. It is not getting orders from anywhere else, and the orders have not been refreshed.

Soovi tries to get any available information out of what was available concerning the reason that they are drilling where they drill. Soovi has seen the symbols that the routes seem to form in Ife's old reports. But a reason was never explored. There was a remark that those symbols were of alchemist origin. But those drills seem to not be making gold. So the reason was maybe a malicious one, or maybe they were simply meant to dig for resources, that is why Soovi tries to find out if there is more information concerning the drilling reason to be found in the system.

Nothing is found in the system aside from plotting this drill to drive along certain coordinates.

"So Ife was able to get everything available. Fuck." Still on xyr autonomous ride, Soovi tries to think of more questions that xe might has. So before taking over control, xe tries to find out if all symbols have been completely carved and if the drills are only maintaining the tunnels, or if maybe one is stuck and did not finish their symbol so far.

(program/int)

(12 Soovi going strong)

All the symbols except one have been carved. The drill near the planetary south pole has become stuck and has not reported movement in some time.

Soovi expects to learn nothing new. Xe almost doesn't read the output until xe realizes that xe indeed found something. "That, that is actually something. If that one drill finishes working, the symbols would be complete. Something could happen, something good or bad, or nothing at all. If I share that information with anyone, they would advise me to double-check and be sure that it isn't going to kill everyone or something like that. But then they will likewise claim that they helped in finishing this. No. I won't tell anyone. If the result is bad, I figure something out. If it is good, then I will claim the success just for myself. They will look up to me!" After that thought xe focuses on xyr current situation again. Soovi prepares to take over manual control once the drill gets closer to the Temple again. So xe doesn't have to jump out on time but could instead stop the drill in the Temple and just get out. If, well if xe can gain manual control and pilots that thing correctly.

The navigator aid can switched off easily by someone within the drill , as the assumption is you’re supposed to be there if you’re inside such an inaccessible place. Manual control returns after a few seconds of waiting , the controls suddenly becoming fairly heavy

"Wow, was this built for some super strong people?" Soovi thinks while trying xyr best to stay in control of the machine. "Something as advanced as this should at least have some steering support, this is really hard!" Soovi tries to stay in manual control, with the plan to stop in the temple. Seeing that switching controls is followed by a few seconds of grace period, xe would try to activate automatic control again and rush out of the drill and into the temple room.

You’re able to do so when the drill makes its pass , dropping you off in the basement of the temple once again

Outside the drill again, Soovi just feels exhausted. At least four hours of hunting and riding that drill, and getting new information out of it, was a pain. Xe just wants to sleep. But xe won't. Soovi activates both Mesilasi drones, and with the knowledge of the location of the stuck drilling machine, xe had a new goal, to find it, and to find out what happens when its work gets finished. Soovi waits for the Kicineki Jalin to get xem up in the air again, so they can fly to the south pole. Using what little of transfer time they have, to reload the Type-A cells, and to close xyr eyes for a moment.

(The ship power can recharge the A cells pretty fast, or we can just replace them in the locker for new ones, so mechanically however we slice it you've got new cells)_

(perfect. On to the south pole it is then)

(d10 on landing, we've never been here before)

(4)

Upon landing you do not hear the sounds of the drill. Since it encountered an obstruction it automatically turned itself off but you can see the borehole it had dug to get down to where it eventually got stuck. There is more than enough room for you to walk down it with your two drones flying with you.

Soovi walks down the steep tunnel. Once it gets darker, the drones to xyr left and right bath the dark tunnel in bright artificial light. A variety of scanners appear in Soovi's hands. To see what materials might have stopped the drill, and, as one of the scanners is a Bioscanner, to make sure xe isn't walking into anything dangerous for xyr own health. Whatever awaits xyr down there, it may change the future of Tecmessa. And as success is following xyr every step, accompanied with death, the outcome could be anything from from comedy to tragedy.

There are no biological signs within the tunnel, just a drill that has turned itself off. You do not need to lasso yourself to the hatch this time and after a half hour walk are able to find it. YOu cannot see what the drill head has dug into from back here, but sensors aboard may be able to shed some additional light on the situation.

While additional light wasn't needed, considering the brightness of the built in lamps of the Mesilasi drones, and the brightness of Soovi's mind, and considering Noctua actually don't like light so much. But finding the drill starts an automatism. Opening the hatch, climbing in. Looking at the outputs xe had seen before. This time with a new challenge tho, and Soovi was ready to break whatever stopped the drill, so xe checks the event log and any other relevant information.

(program/int here too, since we're looking in anotherpart of the database and security here might be different)

(10)

Looking at the programming here it seems like the drill stopped because it hit a dense mass in front of it. The drill can be backed up away from what it has run into

Soovi switches to manual control and moves the drill backwards before climbing out of the hatch again to see what dense mass that might be, and to see if there was any damage to the drill.

There is a side of something metallic here. It looks like it might have once been a starship and you’ve cut into the midsection with the drill

"Damn, a lost star ship? No wonder the drill got stuck." If the hole was already big enough, Soovi would try to enter the ship. If not, xe would try to make a hole big enough for her to get through, with assortments of tools that xe can produce.

The drill-head alone is bigger than you are, and as the machine is backed up it seems as though the machine has cut in amidships. THe craft has hit the ground like a spear, coming in at a 45 degree angle, and the heavier engine section hit the ground first causing the bridge to be still buried, but closer to the surface.

Soovi knows that this ship is junk. Nothing that hit the ground like this, should be in a state to ever be repaired again. But scraps, technology, and information, those could still be harvested, or butchered out of its intestines. And before more gets lost after xe made the drill go through it, xe wants to have a short look at it xyrself. Mag-Shoes appear at xyr feet. Xe could somewhat hover up there, but the angle of the burried ship would make that a hustle. So Soovi supports that by well, sticking xyr feet to the ground. Soovi looks around to see what was around the drilled hole, if there was nothing but damaged engine, xe would go straight for the bridge, to get an idea whom this ship belonged too.

(know/int and we'll put some stuff together)

(9)

You're able to figure out this is a pre-scream vessel in service to the Black Sun, crashed here in the sand long ago. It looks like some sort of malfunction rather than damage in battle caused it to rest here in the endless sands of techmessa. The bridge section is open, it looks like the crew managed to get out and it seems like the drilling machines had come from this vessel originally as well

"That, that is interesting." This ship became from an interesting novelty, found during the search for the cause of the blocked drill, to the place that maybe houses the answer to the question of why these drills exist at all. And the underlying reason for their strange drilling patterns. But to get to that answer, there was a problem to solve. How to power the ship's system to access the data within? Soovi looks around to see if this age old and destroyed ship still had some emergency power system that xe could use to power some of the ships systems. The dead crew shouldn't have used up that source of energy at least. But it may also ran dry playing warning sounds for no one for ages, after digging itself into the ground. Nonetheless, it was Soovi's first option to see if some EPS still had some juice left.

It looks as though the ship systems are entirely dead, but the drill has plenty of power, far more than what would be needed for it to complete one circuit of its drill course.

Taking the drill's power was way less risky than trying to get out power of a destroyed alien engine core. But as xe can't carry the power from the Drill to the console, xe does as a tech butcher does. Rummaging the mangled ship for cables to be soldered together, Soovi tries to create a cable long enough to connect the drill to the computers on the bridge. And if succesful, xe would push the power button, hoping that there was no fingerprint sensor to be fooled to log in.

(no fix needed since you're really good at it)

12:30 PM

From the drill, you're able to restart power to the ship and its logs and what remains of its bridge equipment begins powering back up. It saved the previous sessions each bridge crew member had been logged into.

Soovi sits down in front of a monitor and starts browsing logs. The first one xe tries to examine for clues on the mission of this ship, is the captain's log. The captain might have talked about why the drills do what they do, when they were dropped off to this world.

This ship was once in service to a unit of psionic commandos interested in some kind of ritual psionics. They were attempting some sort of "world transformation project" and it was thought that the planet's climate would change if the sigils were completed. Each design was meant to invoke some element like iron, gold, water, and so on, essentially attempting to give the world instructions for what to transform into as though this was some kind of baking recipe.

Soovi stares at the report for a few minutes. Thinking, weighing options, courses of action. What could happen? Nothing? The proposed thing? How? Will it be reproducible? A weapon in the wrong hands? Not a weapon xe could use against the Ascendancy, but surely something to bring a famine to an unsuspecting world, if the transformations wasn't positive, but negative. Should xe warn the population on Tecmessa of unknown happenings? They might blow it of. But what if people die? Many Noctua, dying at xyr hands? A guilt xe couldn't live with. Whatever this is, it was hard to distinguish between God-Tech and Maltech. Tech so powerful it should not be in the hands of the public. But before thinking about it too much, xe was looking for more information in the logs. Maybe some scientist or psychic had some thoughts about what the completed ritual would do with Tecmessa, as in, if the change would dramatically reshape the world and endanger everything on planet, or more gradually change things. Xe was in for a long reading and browsing through logs, xe was sure of it.

(know magic/int)

(9, damn, Soovi's rolls deliver and deliver)

You are working off someone elses notes, and there is no way to judge their understanding of metaspace and the transformative energy of all of it. They believe once complete the world will have water, will be mineral rich, will have a healthy but simple biome, and will be temperate in climate. Specifics of mineral distribution, volumes of them, and where things will be distributed are unclear and it did not seem they had a way to place them.

"So an integral change of the whole planet." Soovi calls Captain Sol. "Captain, could you do me a favor and contact the local Noctua Captains. I need to talk to them, or at least one." "If they could get the colony ships up once more, The Noctua and local human population could sit out whatever happens to this world. If not, well, I could end up with blood on my hands. I would need to contact this Elysian Cloud once we risk a million lives."

The conference is over quickly. Once landed, and they all have, the colony ships are too big to ever take off again. The colony cores have been deployed and everyone on the ground is staying here.

Soovi, confronted by Teucer's questions, tries to find out why the ship crashed after trying to leave Tecmessa, and more importantly if the System has any information about Black Sun Outposts that should have been on planet when the ship dropped the drills. Which could lead to the assumption that the Terraforming process could be less dangerous than feared.

It seems the crew simply was unlucky and was forced to crash here due to drive malfunctions in the time before The Scream. This ship was registered to the Pre-Scream Psionic Authority, and it seems upon hitting the ground the survivors decided to both set their work into motion , and leave the area, hoping to find refuge or shelter in the desert for long enough. This drill hitting the ship was an unforeseen complication and for unknown reasons those survivors were unable to make it back to fix the problem.

Soovi ends the connection with the Elysian Cloud. Getting a somewhat strange message from the Khan. "Politicians, they have no guts." xe thinks. But that didn't matter, a hole needed to be made, so the drill could continue its part. With a line shunt and xyr compad, Soovi tries to upload some data to the Kicineki Jalin, so that after whatever will happen, some information was left for scientists to look through. But Soovi makes sure that the Drill's batteries won't be used too much. Valuing the Drill's ability to finish what it was meant to do, way higher than collecting the information. Once that was underway, some goggles appear, protecting Soovi's eyes and projecting the path of the drill. This ship won't be moved, xe also can't simply use explosives, or else whatever delicate carving the drill did, might be ruined. Making use of xyr ability to produce whatever tools xe needed, various cutting tools appear in xyr hands as xe tried to make the hole through the ship, that the drill couldn't do for itself. Xe knew that this was quite some work ahead of xem. But xe just had to do it. (edited)

(Alright, ready to spin up a planet? )

7:35 AM

(cutting through the ship is easy in terms of being able to do it, just a matter of time which we have basically infinite of

(Oh heck yeah. Let's push the button!)

(d100 first!)

8:47 AM

The drills begin running again when the button is pushed. The drill here runs through the wreck of the crashed ship now that its decks and rear wall have been weakened and after four hours of tense waiting the alchemical symbol it was in the process of making is completed. You're not sure what colors or arcane energy it would have turned into but you feel the electric pressure change in the air. Something is happening, the process has completed to one end or another.

(52) To really see what is happening on Tecmessa, Soovi would make xyr way to the Kicineki Jalin if xe still can, to see the world from up above.

The survey scanner begins working. The atmosphere begins to change as the psionic event on the planet begins. Concentrations of atmospheric gasses thicken and for the first time in the planet's history the desert and some regions begin to get the first rains they'd get in generations. (d100 for temperature!)

(58

)

The rains intensify as the atmosphere re-forms itself. The desert will bloom under a carpet of storms, rains that will become fairly endemic to this world. The climate will cool, becoming a swampy, temperate and wet world. (one more d100 for something else!)

)

Tectonic scans show the resource and density of the planet are changing. Resources will no doubt be created, pushed to the surface, and otherwise will reveal themselves with time and attention. The settlements on the surface have been made far enough away from the seas where the tsunamis will not flood them, though the landscape is undergoing spectacular damage. A new biosphere will develop in time, but the colony is essentially starting once again from nothing as survival considerations made for the desert are now rendered useless.

10:00 AM

(so we'd need to be supporting both this colony, and Ibassalo Urt)

Soovi opens coms with the human settlement and the Noctua captains. "What we experience right now, seems to be an age old machine that now finalized what it worked on for a long time. Sadly that wasn't discovered earlier. Nonetheless, this new world that has been given to us, while being a challenge, will way easier provide for all of us. And be a more forgiving home. I will make sure that this world, same as Ibalaso Urt will soon be well established worlds. I will do that by organizing trades and ship movements to supply the worlds as best as possible. You will get what you need. And by Ognyena, the future will be glorious and soon we can help the EP as a whole, to fend off whatever thread is out there."

For now the people here are tense but there has been no threat to life or property, there easily could have been. The conditions here will get worse if they';re not supplied, and if an extensive program of improving the colony to adapt to the new conditions does not begin.

Soovi calls the Captains of the landed colony ships to meet xyr at the Human colony to device a plan on how to proceed. That would also be xyr next destination.

(3xp, 5000 credits. I know you talked about wanting to do other stuff so if you don’t want to go on some colony building adventures we can set Soovi down)

LvL UP
LvL 4 to 5
HP 12 to 20

4SP
Trade -1 to 0 (1SP)
Admin - 1 to 1 (3SP)

New Focus
Specialist (Admin)  Admin 1 to 2

(Sick. Looks good to me)