Iron Stars - kerilyn

Kerilyn is currently sitting in her home in Mytikas, the first city the Elysium Protectorate founded and claimed on the surface of Heras. The news has just completed playing for the evening, and there is a rustle at the front door as some sort of paper is slipped into the crudely sawed out mail slot on the door. Electricity is not new to the city, though was not connected until last year- but the most sensitive items still come the old fashioned way , a red faced courier, a wax sealed slip of paper, and their own two legs to carry it to its destination

Kerilyn lazily floats off her chair and lowers her self to the ground. Walking from what was her front room, a shoddy 200 square foot space. Kerilyn quickly makes it to the wooden front door and looks at the paper sitting on her front door Matt. She floats it up then pops the ink seal "I really hope this isn't another stupid add asking me to buy the latest version of what this city calls electricity i can't afford it right now" kerilyn scanns the letter seeing what the post man has provided her this time (edited)

It is a message from the new branch of the Psionic Academy on Heras, calling on all psychic citizens to report- though voluntary- to undertake an expedition of importance, that may help Heras, and Mytikas more specifically, to reach a new level of prosperity. There is little text to it, as this is a sensitive matter. Attending the meeting seems to be the only way to figure out what might be happening.

looking at the letter curious then closes it up. Leaveing the front room she takes a dust bath then puts on her best set of cloths before heading out to this so called Psionic Academy "Its nice to actually have something to do works been very slim" she told her self as she walks out the door

The academy is located near the center of town, w here the temple to Ares once stood, and was later leveled by a terrorist attack. The site is given a measure of reverence, as it is a place where a Protectorate leader was killed, but now, its security comes from local militia, ensuring casual passers by don't just stroll in. Presenting your letter, they allow you to pass inside, where an aged man in an antiquated set of combat fatigues is waiting, with three others already sitting on couches or cushions. He smiles and gestures for you to enter. "Please, help yourself to a drink or something to eat, we're waiting on one more, and we'll begin"

Kerilyn gets a glass of water then takes a seat. She patiently waits while sipping from her glass, using the time she looks around the room "I need to ask before everything starts, why why I invited here exactly? Something to do with a expedition I know. Just feels very sudden"

He sighs and sits down. "may as well start. A few days ago we were visited by someone from SCAF. They were contained to the orbital platform but requested permission to come down to the planet, specifically to the Garden of Bones, a dangerous and environmentally hazardous area. The intent was to search for artifacts, weapons that survived the battles and orbital bombardment there, and anything else of cultural value. Many of our best warriors died there, and the Overlord's world tree was destroyed, but while I'm not expecting to find much, we want to make sure we aren't going to have our own important objects stolen out from under us"

18:50

"SCAF may return, and next time they maynot announce themselves"

18:52

"As for my own affiliation, this uniform is not one many of you would know. My organization no longer exists in the formal sense, but I am from the Lamplighter Foundation, and we seek to catalogue important technical and cultural objects, and promote the advance of peaceful civilization. a foreign power taking your cultural touchstones not only deprives you of them, but the resulting war would certainly prevent the spread of civilization and peace"

18:53

"You specifically were chosen Miss Kennet in part to your environmental manipulation talents. I understand you are something of a whiz with pressure fields, and have used them in an emergency response capacity before"

"Oh that is something I'm particularly effective at doing. I don't have as much power as before the scream but I can most definitely protect a hand full of people from hazards without much trouble, just as long as you can keep me somewhat safe atleast. Il do what ever I can to help, iv been in a slump lately and really need this" Kerilyn looks fairly happy to start helping the community again. "Did you already have a team selected to go and find these items, it would be good to meet them before hand. That way we all understand our rolls"

(everyone else save one person was here, should be joining us shortly)

After a long trip back from Gundrun, Kay makes sure that Sasha is settled into Kay's old apartment, before making his way to the Psychic Academy. As he arrives, he drops off the files containing Headmaster Fate's book to the the archivist. 'Fuck, it's good to be back on Heras. I thought I was going to kill one of those beaurocrats if I was there for any longer. I just hope Dai made it back ok.' Eschewing his mech suit for his TAA, which was starting to feel more and more like a second skin, he enters the brief. "Sir, I'm here for the expedition into the Garden." Looking over the man's attire, he recognizes the art from the details on the vault in the mountain. "Wait, aren't you the Lamplighter Daitrij brought back?"

"I am, we'll have some time to discuss things on the way, but that is correct. We're planning to investigate what mightb e left out there. I'm sure we'll be churning a lot of dirt, and mostly dirt"

21:02

"But there are those not from Heras interested in the site, and it's only sensible to make sure we find as much as possible before someone else carries off your cultural touchstones

(May I use Oracle to sense if Kay will come into contact with another sarcophagus or a large number of ghouls again within the next week?) (edited)

(It depends on your interactions but a large number of ghouls is possible )

"I can't quite explain it, but I feel like there is more of a threat there than to just our artifacts."

"That doesn't fill me with a great amount of hope being honest. Most of the work in the past didn't involve combat, I'm fairly new to the idea of killing...let's try to get more information before we try anything risky. I will provide oxygen and environmental protection so don't worry about packing a extra suit"

"I'll be fine, thank you. My armor is sealed, so the radiation won't trouble me too much. I'll see if I can spare some men to help, at least, set up a few OPs while we explore, just in case SCAF does try anything while we're inside the Garden."

"Oh I'm Kerilyn I was recently invited to join this team its nice to meet you. I hope I can be useful during the operation"

"I'm Kayden, though most people call me Kay. I'm the leader of EP's military, though I'm pretty new to a lot of things too. It shouldn't be too bad, odds are we'll be able to split up and tackle several things while we're out there. Hopefully I won't get in any of your ways."

Outside, a pair of the large juggernaut like vehicles the Protectorate is famous for pull forward, extending their long boarding ladders, and farting their air brakes to ensure they have come to a full stop. One of them is a fighting variant with additional hardpoints for weapons, and a small compliment of soldiers aboard as a quick reaction force.

"Alright everyone, this is our ride" the Lamplighter says, hefting his own archaic looking pack. Most of the gear is mundane looking, but old. The only strange thing on it is a large oil burning lantern that is on, but cool to the touch, emitting an odd sapphire blue flame

"Oh wonderful let me grab my stuff and il be ready. Hope we all get there safe" Kerilyn grabs her backpack and rifle then heads to hefty vehicle and gets in the back seat. She looks over her items making sure everything is in order before relaxing

"Too easy, these things actually ride pretty smooth given what they are." Kay slings his Taros rifle and makes sure his last demo charge is secured in his pack before climbing up the ram and taking the gunners seat. And talks to the driver. "Garden shouldn't be too far, maybe a few days at most. When we get there, just make sure we have comms with you guys before going in. No telling how the radiation could fuck with the signal."

(We have three days of downtime on the way out there. The area between Mytikas and the garden is pretty well traveled and patrolled so no need for much security. Kerilyn there is a handout on the Roll20 with what can be trained)

06:07

(And then I’ll kick things off once the book keeping is done)

Kk))

(Program 3/90)

(Training medicine)

3/30)

(3/90 for heal, but you got it) The Geiger counter begins to chirp on the 4th day of travel announcing your arrival at the edge of the garden. The skeletal and petrified remains of a massive tree hundreds of meters tall stands on an island at what was once the center of the garden Even from dozens of kilometers away. The ground is glassed in most areas and this far from the main bombardment zone you’re able to see a few corpses though their uniforms and exposed bone have been blackened. Wrecks of walkers, armored vehicles, and fighting positions likewise look like melted wax as they suffered from the brief yet intense heat

(The vehicles aren't hardened against the environment, but does everyone inside have the gear for it?)

seeing that the group has entered the garden she adjusted her self before consintraiting. Transparent bubbles suddenly enveloped each of the crew inside their vehicle preventing any dangerous substances from damaging them. Along with all sorts of environmental defenses "This should keep us safe from the non shooting dangers"

"Alright then, you'll stay with the vehicle. Once we get further inside, I should probably break off, we'll cover more ground that way."

"Stay with the vehicle? But to keep the bubble i need to keep atleast some kind of proximity to my targets, otherwise it pops. I was hoping to maybe explore with everyone"

"I'll be fine without your protection. The crew here won't be. If you keep the bubble up, we can take the vehicle inside."

"Ah I see the crews isn't coming. I guess I understand why I should stay here then"

(How many people fit in your bubble? Just so I know what we can bring)

I can make 5 personal bubbles

19:53

)

"Alright then, let's pull the vehicle back to the very edge of the radiation. Including me, that's 6 people we can bring in with us."

"Oh okay sounds good. What did you have in mind? Also what kind of artifacts are we looking for.?"

"The Lamplighter will know artefacts from his people. Anything that could have survived a bombardment is worth looking into. Myself, I'm looking for any large concentration of ghouls. Long story short, if you find a sarcophagus with ghouls around it, destroy it."

"Il be on the look out for these..ghouls. they sound rather scary. But shouldn't we recover the sarcophagus? Would that not be a major find?"

"The sarcophagi exist to bring an ancient monster called the Overlord back from the dead by distorting time. So the longer they exist, the better chance he has of coming back. And trust me, this planet can't afford to fight someone like him again."

"Oh I didn't know something so terrible could happen. Il let you know if I see one sitting around"

(I'm caught up, just didnt want to get into the middle of RP)

Kay opens up the ramp and walks out onto the irradiated plains after the IFV pulls out to the edge of the radiation zone. "Alright, no time to lose."

Kerilyn's bubble is more than enough to support herself, the Lamplighter, and the other three academy members heading out into the Garden with her. The heavy sealed armor worn by Kayden is enough to protect him on its own. An earthen mound ahead with a massive somewhat melted mech leg sticking out of it is a natural landmark, and the radiation begins ticking up outside everyone's protective fields with every step in. The land otherwise is a blackened, ruined wasteland, and the blasted ground has accumulated in dozens of small barrow like foothills, for in many cases, they are. A large pile of vehicle wrecks is ahead where a massive collision in the war against the overlord piled them up. the hill where Cyrus and his Myrmidons called down the bombardment that killed them all is also a short way from here

Kay looks forward towards where Cyrus called the bombardment. 'Please, never let me be like him. But I wonder, have I done enough? Did I do well? Am I like him?' He turns to Kerilyn. "Take the Lamplighter, the rest of the team, and start picking through the vehicles. There might be something worth salvaging in there. I'm going to push forward onto the hill, see if I can find another place to go."

she nodded at Kayden then turned to the rest of the party. "I guess we can do that just be careful of any radioactive rats or ghouls" she points at a random group of cars "Why not there i doubt we could point out anything to interesting from here so let's just go for it"

(trying to figure out what you said there kerilyn, you're trying to stick with kayden and go up the hill?)

Splitting up to go look in cars)

(alright, we can return to yours Kayden, and I;ll continue on here)

(Got it)

The vehicle wreck is far from cars as you see getting closer, but is a jumble of tanks, armored carriers, a few civilian trucks pressed into military service, and even a few bikes left behind and fused into a massive jumble. Although the wrecks likely can't be pulled apart and reused for anything, there could be bodies within, along with items from that long lost battle, or personal effects.

"Say Mr Lamplighter. You don't happen to have a scanner of some kind with you. My budget hasn't given me the opportunity to buy one and I think it would greatly help in the effort to search these cars"

He produces a survey scanner from his bag and tosses it to you, keeping an eye on the bioscanner himself, trying to anticipate any ghoul packs that might be moving through or around the work area

20:25

(program/int)

!roll 2d6-1

20:37

i just rolled it on roll20, got a 4)

(yes, we don't use bots on here)

21:08

The survey scanner does not ping anything specifically, but one of the members of your group calls everyones attention to the far side of the wreck, and there is a tremendous bang as the pile shifts, one of the wrecks near the top falling off on his side

she quickly runs to their side "are you okay, that car nearly fell on you" she pats their body to look for injury's

21:44

(unless it did fall on him and i read it wrong)

Coming around the corner, you see that it did fall on him, and he is pinned below the front half of one of the cars that had been commandeered into service. He is alive, but injured. "Saw something in the cab, tried to reach for it" he gasps, blood beginning to pool around his mouth

uses her psychic ability to push the car to the side. Lacking any actual medical equipment all she can do is try and stop the bleeding. But seeing its bubbling from his mouth Kerilyn quickly understood that hope was basically zero. She does her best to sooth him

The Lamplighter kneels down beside the wounded figure. "If we can move this car off of him I might be able to get some healing stimms into the wound. Everyone needs to work together to lift this thing, so I can drag him out" (edited)

(Already moved it)

01:15

(Unless the car weights like two tons)

(The CRB has them at 10 tons for purposes where we need to know the weight)

01:33

(So it’s not something you yourself could do on your own)

Your telling me this car is 20 thousand pounds. Even if we all worked together we can't move that)

(For context it takes 5 people to lift a 500 pound toolbox at my work)

(You don’t know what your companions skills are. I wouldn’t set you up for something you couldn’t do without at least a reasonable try. I’m aware of what real life cars weigh. You’re welcome to bring the matter of weights of space cars up with Mr Kevin Crawford.) (edited)

02:14

“Maybe something like levers, or all of you using telekinesis at once to glide it in the same direction. Maybe even some rollers under it if we can . You’re all smart people. I’ll try to keep him stable while you figure it out”

(I guess thats true)

"If any of you know about vehicle's we could take apart some old engines and use that and plenty of rope to make some kind of crude pully system...more then likely a few of these cars have car jacks that can lift a corner of a car easily enough. After that all we have to do is apply a bit of force on the side to swing it off him. Let's spilt up and find what ever we can. Rip apart the car if we have to."

02:40

(Id like to search for any cars with gass still in them and drain it out to power the abomination of a pully where about to make)

02:42

(Also do these vehicles use pistons or is it all electric, that might be important)

(They use Type B power cells in some and most models also have a Petrofuel back up since charging isn’t always available )

(Do i need to make any rolls?)

(we would need a fix/int. I was not sure if you had anything else to add since you had asked a question last)

Il roll when I get home den ^_^)

I got a 2)

(Where'd you roll it? I don't see it in the roll20 chat)

I rolled it on Google, 2d6-1)

(All rolls need to be done on R20 or they aren't valid)

Oh sorry I though I'd roll ky before I got home)

I rolled on roll20 and got 7, do you still want me to take the 2?)

(Whatever the roll is on Roll20 is what we use, so stick with the 7. We're after transparency because there have been issues before)

2

You are able to direct your team into making a pulley with some cannibalized parts from surrounding wrecks. (someone else in the NPCS has fix as well so with +2 we're at a 9)

16:30

All that remains is for you to get the order to flip the switch, and get the wreck moving.

she looks at what the team had made and noddds approvingly for the switch to be thrown and the car lifted off the man "Lets do this. Make sure everyone is ready to push the car away when it lifts up"

The mechanical creation lifts just enough for everyone to move the suspended vehicle away. the lamplighter drags the man clear, and there is a flare of energy from his hands as the wounds begin to re-knit, and some color begins to re enter the wounded companion's face. His breath slowly returns to normal though he seems quite tired from the ordeal

"Honestly I didn't think we could have done that on our own..I'm realy happy that we could all come to getter and save some ones life" she goes go hug everyone

(3xp, 5000 credits)

02:09

(We did some Rp and got past a challenge, we can go ahead and level now as we continue exploring)

One of my goals was to save a person. Would this count or am I getting a lot of exp already) (edited)

(It counts)

02:16

(so you get lvl 2, and should be halfway to 3)

Kk)

02:26

Il update my sheet when I get home and remove that goal)

(Sounds good, we'll pick up once the leveling is done. Page 56 in the CRB has everything you need)

Done leveling. Il be busy all day tomorrow, long work day)

06:14

Oops forgot my foci...)

(Alright, just post what you did when you get back)

(Old level: 1 New level: 3 Old hp 6 new hp 12 Increased heal from -1 to 1 Purchased telekinetic armor for one skill point Increased telekinetic skill from 1 to 2 New foci: healer Final choices)

(you also get one free telekinesis technique for leveling up the skill. It can be either a level 1 or level 2 technique)

Completely forgot that)

11:44

I'd add it in a bit)

11:44

Oh ya I got force stump)

The lamplighter looks on out over the wreck field. “That hill there is where the myrmidon s died. Along with allied troops from Hephaesta. Our friend Kayden was just up there but we might be able to scrounge some armor pieces or artifacts from our allied contingent. Returning those to the families would be a big win for the protectorate

"We can head over there right now if you happy with the cars, but I did remember out friend did say something about seeing an interesting item before the vehicle fell on them. I think that's worth investigating before we head to the graveyard"

He nods, and as he now is on his feet again, fishes an archaic looking laser rifle from the passenger compartment of the car. It is old, and might not function again without serious work , but might mean something to someone out there. It is adorned with small metal trinkets on leather cords, each stamped with images that have either been burned away or worn away by time

"Thats a realy nice find. We might want to look through the cars on our way back from the battle field, just in case we find more trinkets. Let's move forward to the next area and look for old war stuff, I bet a lot of familys would be happy to get back dog tags or old notes written long ago"

They seem pleased with the find. Its wrapped in linen and placed in a carry crate until such time that it can be examined and arrangements made for returning it to the right party. The hill is tall and the top is cratered like an inactive volcano, the site of the most serious bombardment. Outside your pressure field this area would be far too radioactive for everyone to even transverse without becoming incurably ill

"Every one stay close. I got a minimum distance that my field can be away from me. Id rather not see some one cook alive from radiation Let's all check for old war relics. Anything we can return to familys is top priority in my eyes" she starts to search for things like dog tags, old guns, and coats

(notice/wis)

Sry bout taking so long long hours this week)

(all good, thanks for keeping us in the loop at least)

I got a 7)

A hand reaches out from where it is buried in the hillside, sheathed in power armor. Youre able to see a gauntlet, a forearm plate, and a few other small pieces of the undersuit grasping out. Some small writing has been carved into the plating but the script is very fine and difficult to read

(I saw i got 50k credits. I don't even know what to do with that...)

(you did as well too. We will return to civilization after this and we can figure some things out.)

17:24

(Vehicles are a good choice)

Kerilyn reaches down to collect the items from the dead soldier. After removing the items she dies her best to read the fine writing on the plate, maybe it told her about some one

"wrath is the tool of the virtuous man" is barely scraped in the metal , the heat and abrasion of debris scoring most of it away. This was an inscription Malak Al-Muta once had on his power armor, and it was something of a local legend that Cyrus had incorporated a piece of his first bounty's armor into his own. This seems to confirm the theory and is a significant cultural find

"I think this alone would be enough to bring back. Its significance to this planet is quite high and id rather not lose it to a raiding party. We should group up with kayden and see if he needs help"

Kayden appears over a hill nearby, looking a bit scarred but otherwise able to walk and function normally. He and the lamplighter have been communicating with one another this whole time, but he has not said what about

"Kaden, it looks like youv seen a ghost. Did you run in to those monsters you were talking about? Do you need medical attention at all? Well besides the point, we found a lot of relics. I think we should head back to base and discuss what we bolth encountered today, I'm sure everyone is curious about what we found"

Though not bleeding, there seem to be a few holes bitten through his leg. He seems to be walking and moving just fine though. "I'm fine, I found a huge boat in the river up ahead, filled with ghouls, another of those temporal traps, and some kind of thing that was trying to rise out of tar that had gotten into the ship. Ended up having to blow the thing up."

"Im glad that your fine. We ran in to a little of our own trouble with a car falling on some one but figured it out. Its good that you took care of those monsters, id hate to have to fight one my self"

The group re assembles and it seems like with a few treasures now found, and Kayden recently stirring up the ghouls down by the water this might be a good time to leave

"Lets all hop in the vehicle and get out of here before our good luck runs out. I don't feel all that safe anymore with the explosion. That's going to draw a lot of unwanted attention, not just from monsters but maybe even looters"

"Agreed, let's get the fuck out of here. I'll explain what I saw on the way."

(3xp, 5000 credits, Kay i know i just handed you some in yours as everything tidies up in a neat little bow here)

More exp?)

03:03

(yeah, fresh reward. I think we've played this mission out pretty decently)

03:40

Returning to safety at the edge of the garden, the Lamplighter calls everyone together to review your findings. Aged as he is, there is an air of mysticism around him, and he seems to be able to get an idea of an item and its history by thinking about ti for a few moments. It is something he would like to do now

Kay hands over the broken top of the spear as well as the bag he swiped from the ship's bridge. "This spear, I found while I was on top of the hill that I met you on. And this bag, I found in the bridge of the ship that I blew up."

“The spear of Adonis. I sense a presence in it. A lingering sadness perhaps. This belonged to the former regent himself. The surviving fragments here could be turned into a truly magnificent weapon but as with anything made or marred by the arcane there would be a chance or risk to using it. It is a highly personal choice and one I will leave to you. This bag is filled with survey data and reports of the original battle that has taken place here. Most of the landmarks I suspect are gone now due to the bombardment but we should scour these and see if any underground fortifications or bases were planned or constructed “

"Do we have any way of doing a deep scan of the surface, maybe from the air or with a vehicle. Something stronger then a hand held device would surely yield data on any tunnels or bunkers that we can't see our selfs. These places may hold old tech vital to our cause"

“It’s been tried dozens of times by the fleet and the two orbital platforms the Protectorate has over this world. The radiation, jagged terrain and dozens of other variables making that kind of orbital scanning a complete mess”

"I can take the records to the research team. See what they can make of it. As for the spear, I'm not sure. I heard how horrible Cyrus was and how he treated the people on Heras. Then again, everyone deserves a second chance too."

"Id be willing to try the spear. I already have part of their armor, I thought compiling the set could being some kind of prestige. Give us political pull and what not" (edited)

The lamplighter looks around. “Cyrus in his own way has been redeemed by his actions against the scream beast after death. The spearhead could be made to serve again. As for that armor shard, this is a significant cultural find. Perhaps the most significant of the protectorates to date. That shouldn’t be relegated to a personal armory. The Galaxy needs to see that. It should go to the curators on Galatea “

13:27

“The orbital fire has im sure ruined it beyond any kind of combat operability , especially post scream as we are now. Not any suits of Titan plate just hanging around”

"It shouldn't be too difficult to get this thing back to usability. It really just needs a new handle. Though, i would still like to give it a closer look. It's very unusual for a piece of someone to stick around in their weapon. I do have another question for you though. On the ship, there was this thick black substance in the water around the temporal trap. It started to form into something before I blew it up. Any idea what that could have been?"

“Dark magic. Likely a guardian of some kind. A shadow like a Render or something with similar defensive principles. Very old and very powerful magic, used for evil ends. You’re lucky to have escaped”

Kay nods for a second. "Yeah, this is why you come prepared. Either way, Persepha should hear about this. They'd be interested in hearing about the destruction of another trap and the possibility of others around the Garden."

"Indeed, and to do any of those things, I would suggest it is time for us to leave"

"Sounds like a plan. I'm glad everything has turned out with a side of success."

The vehicles are assembled, and it is time to leave the area for now, especially with the destruction of the ghoul nest and the near fatality earlier in the day. No one is sorry to see the landscape go. The roads are patrolled frequently and your three day trip back to Mytikas is uneventful. You pass a few other Protectorate patrols who politely wave, and stop to make small talk for a few moments, but there are otherwise no issues upon returning to the seat of the Protectorate on Heras.

(And we are good to split off into whatever. The lamplighter is going to restore the armor shard to the cultural item it is, but other than that you’re free to get into anything

Free to just do what ever? Okay)

(If you didn’t have anything you wanted to get into I can make another mission. I just didn’t want to dominate the flow of the game)

Il think of something good to do, don't worry)

(Would it be possible to help in the effort to stop the looting of civilians in Erdoza. That something Kweilyn would be interested in assisting)

(Yes we can sneak you in. Ivan and Grimm are both on the planet as well and could use the help )

(Id love to help)

15:31

after successful helping find relics, Kerilyn hears about the resistance fighting against the unjust treatment of citizens and travels to assist in the effort

(3 days of downtime if you wanted to work on anything on the way there)

Nothing that I can think of. The skills I want to increase will be when I level up)

(no languages or anything?)

Il just cast comprehend languages, easy)

01:52

Can I make tech?)

(Alright, just didnt want to cheat you anything. There is a handout on roll20 near the top of the list of what you can make or do) your vessel weaves through the massive constellation of defense satellites, orbital platforms, and system patrols of small spikeless gun cutters. It is a tense day long run into the planet, hiding among the thick asteroid belt that rings it, before you're brought to atmospheric entry, landing in the rebel encampment on the western side of the planet.

Il look over it. Wanted to make something like a Lazarus patch. A one use item that absorbs x damg one time. Id assume that would take a long time to resurch, and be super costly but I'm fine with that) (edited)

(not really going to allow people to make their own homebrew during downtime, hate saying no to that, but we'll try to some up with something)

No problem I understand)

(you're in the rebel camp , if you want to link up with grim or ivan we can message them)

Sure, but after work.) (edited)

Kk I'm ready, work is basically over at this point)

(alright, you can drop a message in either or both of their channels, see what they're up to and if they want help. I don't think its fair for me to just pop you in, but I'll make a mission if they're not ready for help)

(You have 500k credits now plus whatever else you had, if you wanted to fit your car before we get into anything new, we can take some time do to that now)

Kk)

(I need to level up and upgrade my car

(Sounds good, we can do that here)

Trove ain't working atm, il do it later) (edited)

(We have all the books in the rules and books channel)

02:07

(On the iron stars resource sheet, there is a link called source books. Anything you’d like is in there)

HP: from 12-18 No skill increases, saving points to upgrade telekinetic)

14:00

level 4)

purchased ghost walker with medical support and Environmental power, a new grav truck, mag pistol, small adv melee weapon, 3 medpack, 1 anti-tox, 1 anti-rad, 1 radpack) (edited)

(Sounds good.

00:02

(I know we are sort of in tbe@middle of mission planning in Ivan’s thread)

No problem)

rejoining the conversation as Ivan begins planning to make a route overland to get word to surrounding cities that now is the time to rise up, the Forgian mayor speaks with you. "So your friend is preparing for an overland trek, what about you? Do you plan to go with him? "

"That sounds like the best idea, if we encounter any danger they will need a medical practitioner. I also outfitted my vehicle to be an emergency medical vehicle if that ever becomes a thing we need"

"The hope is we're able to get you there undetected, but there's always the chance things could go wrong. I'd almost expect them to. You've done well here helping our own people too , you have my thanks. We'll owe you a favor once this war is done"

(6exp)

22:54

10k cred)

(not sure what Kerliyn would be wanting to do now that the fighting on Erdoza is ending mostly peacefully. If you didn't have any plans right now I have plenty i can send you off on, but as always I'd rather default to you)

Il give it a good thonk after I get off work)

(sounds good to me)

I had stop nexcorp as a goal, was that the exp I got or should I add the new exp?)

(you should also add the XP assigned to that goal)

(Hp from 18 to 24 telekinesis from 2 to 3 got Tangible Force Construct teliportsation from -1 to 1 got Proficient Apportation and Spatial Awareness)

08:35

26 not 24)

(everything looks right to me. Did you have your think about what to do next, or do you needme to spin something up?)

Il look at current events when I get home, if I don't see anything il ask for a spin

1

05:33

)

Id like something rolled plz ^_^)

(Did you want to join the group mission?)

What are they currently doing?)

(Going to handle the pirates on the west coast of Heras. They’re planning it out in the protectorate meeting right now)

Il look over everything tomorrow, I need to go back to bed)

(if that doesnt work out, I've got some other stuff planned out too. Just let me know how to help you best)

I think il do a separate mission, I don't really see kerilyn doing breaching missions and what not)

(Now that Erdoza is wrapped up we could always explore some other nearby worlds and see what’s happening/who might be talked into protectorate membership)

That sounds like something I can do ^_^)

(Any of the planets north of Astyoche haven’t been touched )

20:56

(There’s no world anvil information since theyve never been explored)

Sounds incredibly dangerous, il look in to it when I get home)

(I'm not sure whats on them either, it might come down to just picking a name if no info pops up on world anvil, and ill generate something)

(Il start with mentanor

Metanor is a system with a green sun, a large asteroid field, and a single planet within the habitable zone. It is a feral world where hundreds of thousands, if not more, fallen peoples work hard on a great structure in the center of the planet. This must be the work of several generations already, and it is not anywhere close to complete. It is equally mysterious what this great building might be, there are no tell-tale signs. The inhabitants are also not human, but seem humanoid. Valentina Spiros of the Aphroditian Guild of Adventurers explored the planet between April 2668 and May 2668. A navigation buoy was dropped into orbit warning others of the hostile and feral natives.

16:23

(3 days of downtime upon flying here)

Ignores the crazy aliens for now and scan the planet for any other intelligent life or interesting material

16:40

looking specifically for anything in the relm of high grade alloy, Cristal, and gold

The planet would need to be explored from a ground level to obtain that kind of information. The ships scanners are unable to penetrate beyond a few meters of soil and do not turn up results.

Kerilyn will land far away from the native to not bother them to much hop in to her power armor and start a basic exploration of the area she keeps her weapon ready at all times incase some undocumented animal or native pops out of no where

(I can draw up a map since we're doing something with it now)

17:02

(just highlight where you wanted to land, or tell me)

17:03

(Each hex is 200km)

20:04

(Walks in to the city. This..this my boom stick.)

The ruins here were once another neolithic village, and look to have been destroyed in some kind of raid by other inhabitants. The destruction is recent, within weeks, or a few months at the long end. Almost all the structures here have been burned- though the vanquished were at least allowed to bury their own dead befiore prisoners were carted off- tall sticks with ribbons on them adorn the top of a nearby hill

notes the sighs of slavory before heading back to her ship and frying to the lower village, she first examines them from afar to see what their upto before landing. Kerilyn pulls out her data pad in hopes it might be able to translate for her

20:51

the pilots are unwilling to get too close. The natives here are documented heavily as being very violent beings with a variety of natural weapons that would make short work of a human. The closest they'll get to the town is 3km out.

20:54

(just without the gun, but thats how they look)

"If I go down, can you provide back up if anything goes wrong?. I should be safe inside my armor but its allways good to have a back up plan. I hope to atleast try and communicate"

(oh we're staying here then? I saw you were moving on but wasnt feeling well yesterday so didnt have it in me to generate something)

Mhm)

"It depends on how you go down. We can't risk the ship, or the crew. The Protectorate has few of those as it is. "

(How far away is it?)

13:15

3klm)

13:16

"Il walk over to the village and try to initiate communication, if anything goes wrong il defend my self and head back to relay and info"

(yeah still 3km then)

13:41

"We'll hold the clearing so you've got a safe place to come back to. Be ready to book it if things go poorly. Valentina's notes said she was attacked as soon as she announced herself, but once is hardly an all encompassing law, I suppose"

"Good luck, we'll hold the ship and be ready to go if you run into trouble"

gets out of the ship and makes her way to the village. She keeps her pistol at the ready and her data pad open on hopes it might translate atleast a little bit for her

(the ships locker has a translator torc if you prefer- though either of those options only works if they've got an actual language aside from grunting)

Io do that)

Heading toward the village, there is evidence of hunting parties stalking the woods. More than once on the 3km hike you find a site where scattered fur, old blood, and broken bones dot a clearing- where game animals were captured and processed to be brought back to the community. The work was done without the use of tools, you can see the imprecise nature of the harvest evidenced in the amount left behind. You can reason their claws and teeth are sharp and dexterous enough to handle this kind of work for them- inefficiencies aside.

she snapes a few pictures of the scene then continues to the village. She keeps a look out for any hunting partys or odd nick nacks

(notice/wis)

4)

30m behind you, the hunting party emerges into the clearing. Three of the creatures, caked in mud to blend their heat and smell into the background environment emerge, claws and snouts low as they try to get a fix on you.

Kerilyn watched the party closely ready to act as they do. She puts up her arms as a way to show she means no harm

(Little do I know this gesture is the most offensive thing to their culture)

One of them gets low to the ground, and seems to have gained a scent.

17:32

bellowing, they begin running toward you

seeing as they are infact going to try and kill her, she fires her weapon in the air

closing to 20m, the large creatures show only a few seconds hesitation, one of them peeling off from the pack, but the others remain surging on

she lowers the gun and aims it at the creatures, and fires another shot. She deliberately misses wanting to see of there reaction

They close to 10m, continuing the charge tjough a second one peels off from the pack, leaving you facing down two of them

she let's them aproche ready to defend her self, putting away her gun and taking out her vibro blade

(What’s a vibro blade?)

Vibration blade, the small advanced weapons don't have examples so I made one up))

(If you want to hold your action so you get a swing in on them before their turn you can. So we can resolve that now)

Il let them attempt a hit first)

(24/13, 17/4) the creatures lash at you with claws and teeth, the two remaining a wall of meat and natural weapons

Do these attacks even hurt me?)

05:14

I'm currently wearing storm armor)

(yes)

Crazy ass Natral attacks)

05:16

Il update my sheet when I get home)

(its not listed as readied or equipped on your sheet either. )

05:17

(but their origin focus is natural weapons )

I thought I readied it. Damn

fuckin 13 damg mate)

07:12

or is that its second hit?

07:15

well in any case i rolled a 11 to hit)

07:19

AC is 18 atm)

The blow is deflected from long claws, and one of the beasts swipes at you. As you dodge away you fall into the claws of the other (19/8) , who roars as they sink some ways into your body before withdrawing

How much damg did I take in this first scuffle?)

(You’ve taken 25 cumulative damage )

Kk i have 1 hp left)

04:25

Kk uh)

04:26

Let me know if I survive to my next turn)

It’s your turn now)

I'm at level one teliportation, whats that, 200 meters?) (edited)

04:30

Its 100 meters)

04:31

kerilyn teliports 100 meters tords the ship and ends her turn

You’re able to escape from the combat, teleporting when possible and exhausting your effort to return to the ship, but breaking the chase and more importantly, surviving

sits on the ship debating her life choices "To the next planet. Mark this one as don't colonize"

(Where to next then bexause you deleted the post with where you wanted to go when we decided to stay here)

It was the planet directly above it. Can't get on my computer right now)

Pelecuy was the next planet)

(sounds goo,d I'll generate something)

(1 day of downtime) Peleucy is a large system. Two burning worlds close to the system sun hold no life of any kind. Within the habitable zone, a tropical world lies in ruins and spreading webs of machine shops, factories, and other hypermodern settlement slowly spreads across the planet with clockwork precision. The sky on this world is frequently dark and dozens of solar collection satellites orbit the planet and beam energy down to ground stations. The planet is likewise well defended from the ground with surface to space defenses. The planet's moon likewise hosts defensive fortifications and would need to be bypassed to make a run at the planet itself. A gas giant is the fourth and final planet. (edited)

"Is this planet part of our colon, it looks rather advanced to be out here alone like this"

she looks for any information on the planet that might have been gleamed by another traveler

All the information that is known about the planet is what is laid out before you, reproduced in the report above

(Youre the first person post scream to see it, so what you do is literally populating the scouting report)

"This might be a new intelligent species. I doubt its safe to land but il send a transmission and see if anything responds" she record's a message then starts sending it with different wave lengths "Hello, whe come in peace, can you hear me. Where from a different star system"

Unidentified vessel, state your name and purpose here. We do not understand your mention of a star system

"We came from another part of the galaxy, I'm Kerilyn. Part of a government called the protecrorate. I'm simply here to explore new habitable planets and find intelligent life"

There is no response from the ground, but one of the orbitals begins tracking the vessel. A warning light begins to chime that a locus lock is being plotted, but the gun its connected to has not fired

"Well I think its time to remove our selfs from this situation. Let's mark this planet as unfriendly and move on to the next one. Being chased by crazy natives is one thing but having our ship blown up is far from okay in my book"

“Alright. We will back off. What’s our course then?”

"Lets head to metanor. Were bound to find a planet with friendly life eventually. I wasn't expecting so many of them to harbor such violent organisms"

(You were just at Metanor)

14:31

(But if you wanted to join up with Reza and Linya for something there we can, since they've just arrived)

Sure I don't mind hanging out with new players))

Well they gana die. I'm gana head back to home-base)

(I’ll get you a number of downtime days when I’m back to a pc)

I don't even want to be near that planet let alone help some one explore it.)

(4 days of downtime as we return to Heras then)

(I feel like going from planet to planet will eventually get me killed so why not hang out at home for a bit)

(Okay. Any ideas of what you’d want to do?)

(Can I train skills here? Like computers or engineering?)

(Not outside of downtime no. The skill points and skill levels are balanced and j don’t want to mess with that )

Kk no problem, then I'm going to go talk to my friend the Lamplighter))

17:39

See what he needs help with)

17:42

kerilyn heads to the academy to speak with the lamp lighter curious if he had anymore work for her.

That spear is probably finished by now as well right?)

(The spear is a cultural relic and isn’t being given to players )

17:53

(None of the items found on your garden of bones trove are being made into relics for anyone) (edited)

Ah sorry I interpreted what you said about it wrong)

17:57

(When you said it could be turned in to a magnificent weapon but was risky useing. I guess you ment it was better behind locked doors)

(That’s what was decided once recovered and analyzed)

(No problem, I still want to speak to the lamp lighter about more work)

The Lamplighter is supervising the cleaning and reconstruction of the academy. Some kind of fight or confrontation had taken place here hours or days ago, and there are cleaning crews fixing the ceiling, removing rubble, and repairing bullet holes in the floor. He is supervising the work, but is able to speak and waves you forward as you pick your way around workers and debris piles

she walks up to him wile looking around the damage "What happened here exactly. Did those zombie things attack or was this some kind of terrorist thing?"

"Something followed Commander Zayre back from the L-gate. He went to Chrion, and then through the gate to explore and make contact with the beings on the other side. Meeting went well, mostly, but he evidently made an enemy"

"I can see that. If you need help with rebuilding il be glad to help, but I assume you also need help combating what ever attacked.. When you say something, did only one thing do this?"

"Only one. It took on the appearance of a knight. Armor, sword. Whatever comes to mind when I say that is probably correct enough for you to get the idea. It was aflame, but the fire didn't seem to hurt it. Commander Zayre thinks he got it. Our resident shadow expert thinks so as well, but it's too early to tell"

she looks around the carnage then back at the Lamplighter. "Now I don't get me wrong but a single knight doing this does sound silly. Something this strong must have some kind of psychic power or advanced technology to ward off gunfire. If you think its dead then il start with helping rebuild. Let me know if you need anything in the mean time"

"If you're determined to help, the rooftop crew could use a hand then, though there is one other thing. The creature manifested at a farm outside town before coming here- stopping to kill some of Mr. Zayre's friends.

21:33

"If you have the time, maybe stopping out there to confirm that report, and see if there are any lingering signs of the thing"

"Sure I can investigate that. Let me get equipped first before heading out their to be safe" with that she leaves for her truck to get armored up, then drive to the farm he specified (I don't have access to my sheet right now so I can't change anything yet)

(we can square it up once you can, no problem or rush)

Sheet been updated))

(what did you buy? I cant see the sheet changes)

I was just putting on my power armor)

The farm is a burned ruin of a main lodge, guttered out barn, and several empty pens where the fields and animals have been burned to cinders. A raptor pack and their warrior handler/riders used to live here, and a warrior woman with a spear and painted raptor is waiting for you at the farm's gates, waving her hand in greeting

"Hello, I was sent here by the lamp lighter to investigate the situation. I see a lot of damage. Could you fill me in on how this flameing knight came to be, and how it destroyed everything?"

"Not quite sure on its origin , only that it followed commander Zayre through the gate. It appeared at the farm in the middle of the night, and set the place afame. Its sword moved so fast, i barely managed to drive it off- and that must have been when it went to the academy."

"Yes there was a battle at the academy. Looks like they poured quite the amount of ammo in to that thing before it dropped. If you okay with it, id like to investigate the area to look for any clues"

"Of course. I'm going to be doing the same, anything left behind by any of my men, or their mounts. Their families on Astyoche would want something of their loved ones to truly have a measure of peace"

Kerilyn starts to investigate the area. She keeps her spacial awareness up to try and find any hard to find items

(notice or survive/wis)

Il do that when I get home)

(okay, theres never any rush, i obviously have no idea where anyone is or what they're doing irl at all) (edited)

Got 5)

07:46

Can I have adv for useing spacial awareness?)

(no, because the latter 3/4 of the writeup for the power says: The sense is roughly equivalent to sight out to 100 meters, though it cannot read text or distinguish colors. It is blocked by solid objects) (edited)

14:06

(which is what we'd be sifting through)

Kk np)

17:55

(Does a 5 discover the secrets of the universe, or at the least tell me what the heck this knight is)

You're not able to find any traces of the knight itself, but there is evidence of his work here a a harvester of life. A small leather bag sits against one of the support beams. It's front is singed and it blends in with the ash around it, you almost miss it.

Kerilyn first scans the bag for threats then picks up the bag and opens it

Some bone charms, and a leather wrapped bone dagger are inside the bag, and these are clearly the personal keepsakes of one of the Protectorate dino riders

*she picks it up and stores it in her back pack to give to the lamp lighter. Then goes to the farm hand to see if they found anything

(Farmhand?)

The lady that I talked to earlier. )

19:09

Oh not farm hand. The warrior lady)

Zerene is sifting through ashes and some larger building chunks nearby, pushing over a fallen crossbeam. She is working on trying to lift a burned body from the wreckage and is struggling to do it by herself.

Kerilyn goes to help the women the best she can "Here let me give you a hand."

Thankful for the help, the beam falls over and you're able to team lift the body out. "Jourah" she says sadly, removing a burned panflute from a pouch on the body. "Always quick with a song, I'm going to miss camping without her there"

"It looks like a lot of good people were lost out here... but I still wonder why the thing started here of all places, and why did it chase Zayre in particular"

"He must have done something to get its attention on the other side of the gate. He didn't really say much of what went on back there, but he did have to kill one of the weeping company. Not sure if there is a connection or not, but if I was a betting woman, I would bet there is. "

"I don't know anything about this weeping company so I couldn't say. But for now let's bring these items back to the lamp lighter so they can be returned to their families"

(3xp, 5000 credits) With the body buried, and a few trinkets in hand you return to the Academy where the Lamplighter is still supervising the clean up and post-battle inspection of the campus. He waves away the workers he is with, to allow you some privacy to talk

"when i arrived at the farm i noticed plenty of damage and dead body's. when i talked to Zerene, a woman warrior I met. she told me the creature was fallowing Zayre. Something about killing part of the weeping company. I have no intel on it"

“No you wouldn’t on that. He’s kept it close to the vest. Zerene js important to Kayden. If the creature didn’t appear then I think we can consider things safe

"Did you learn anything from its body?" Kerilyn opens her data pad, prepared to take any notes

"We have some ash left over. We believe this is a product of The Still Lady, who was merely using The Weeping Company's proximity to us as a way to get her creation through the gate and on to this side. She has some personal matters to settle with several of us on this side"

"Not going to lie, pissing off a extra dimensional being sounds like it won't ever end well. Who is this Still lady? Some kind of alien from another reality?"

"Seems like you've done enough research on your own to arrive at the right answer. That is probably the best way to describe her"

"I doubt I can understand the reasons for that..but I am glad that I found these remains. I hope their family can finally be at peace. I did have another question regarding this Knight. Whats the possibility of another finding its way here and causing chaos?"

"We're not sure. The L-Gate is deep below Chiron , which even overland here on Heras is a good distance away. I think we're safe from a surprise attack, Chiron would fall first if something did come through the gate, and for them to fall, it means the Weeping Company did first.

00:04

This feels targeted, something Kayden had happen personally. "

"Could it be related to what he found when we went to find relics? I remember Kayden saying he saw something quite interesting"

“No. This isn’t related.”

03:37

“I can rule that out pretty confidently”

"Hmm maybe I can ask Kayden more about it. I know he encountered it, I'm sure he might know something important about this flaming knight. Am I right to assume you already spoke to him in the subject?"

"He was with me when it attacked. He's in the training yard right now getting our soldiers ready for the campaign against the Ghoul King. You'll find him there if you're wanting to talk to him about it"|

(not sure if you wanted to jump right in with your friend or not, but between missions like this seems like a good time)

(Sounds good to me)

“The ghoul front is heating up in the meantime , or there’s plenty of exploring the planets to the west and north of us away from SCAF. You’ve got your pick of things to do”

"For the time, I think going on to help on the ghoul front. Keeping the people safe is my priority and getting rid of those monsters is a good step. Il head over to Kayden and see where he needs me"

(He’s good enough for sending you there if you want to pick up Amelia for it. I’m still working out the fine details

03:43

Should be rolling on that mission soon)

(Group thread is up)

Where is it?)

(group mission threads, Yauvani Campaign) (edited)

Thank you)