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post archive character threads / vukan
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"Vukan. You've been called, there's a squad assembling on the sea-deck , near the bottom of the mountain. Scouting expedition, sounds urgent" The runner leaves a small slip of paper on a bulletin board near the door. The order isn't sealed, but the contents of it are not exactly classified.
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Vukan grabs his jacket, slings his rifle over his shoulder, and grabs the paper. Jogging towards the sea-deck, he does his best to read the orders
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Silvano is sending scouts out to various places on this giant wheel of a world. There is currently a team exploring the northwest already, and a large island to the west currently has an automated survey scanner deployed on it. The team is assembling, looking at a map down at the sea deck, where a hydrofoil is tied up, deliberating on what direction to head
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Vukan leans over the map. "I assume we'll need living space? And somewhere which isn't the bosses fortress? Checking out here..." He taps the East North East section of the map, on the green peninsular "...would be a good starting place. At one point we're going to need to feed people, which last I checked works better on grass than mountains, snow or swamps."
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"Our mission is to find a way through the ring of mountains that separate our center of the world from the entire rest of it, and then explore the mainland as far as we are able, documenting what we find Lord Mazzio has set the processes in motion, but its up to us to figure out what's actually out there, and what might be used to improve our status on this world"
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"Punching through the SE? At least, that's what the scans show as best course of action." (edited)
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"There might be more direct paths through rivers or smaller bodies of water we can't see from an orbital view, we might not have to go that far out of the way"
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"So a circuit of the south east quadrant? Cover areas not yet covered?"
03:39
Vukan draws a quarter circle along the mountain line on the map
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Daira of Artema| P| Andra| Aruke 24-Jun-20 11:28 AM
(Not entirely sure but if you rolled HP, set it to 8 for the first level. We don't roll the 1d6, we get the full 6 for first level plus your two for Warrior)
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(Already did that Eish told me)
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Daira of Artema| P| Andra| Aruke 24-Jun-20 12:32 PM
(I see, he seems to be always faster. Sleeky fish....)
🐟 1
🕵️ 1
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"Sure. We've got some liberty in where we're exploring. Its just a matter of where"
14:40
"But this looks good. If everyone has what they need, we should set out while we have the daylight'
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Vukan taps his rifle, and energy cells. "I'm good to go if everyone else is."
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Everyone seems ready, and boards the foil for the journey out. There are five others with you, for a maximum crew of six on the vessel. The large rock face door opens, allowing the foil to exit the base of the mountain out into the open sea. Waves gently splash in the protected bay, though the sea is overall calm
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Vukan sits still, and inspects the other members of the scouting team.
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There is a medic, four riflemen , and the team leader. One of the riflemen doubles as a radio operator, and another has a light machine gun in place of the combat rifle the rest of them are carrying. They have opted for woven body armor instead of a more bulky combat field uniforms.
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(When you say light machine gun, what do you mean? Is it the heavy machine gun? Or what?)
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(no, there is an actual light machine gun weapon)
19:32
(called Light Machine Gun)
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(What book?)
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(Starvation Cheap)
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(cool)
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(Looks like I'll be on this trip)
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Vukan marks himself in a similar category as the LMG, heavier fire support.
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The foil heads off, heading southeast to the possible passage through the mountain chain. There are several hours of sailing ahead, with a stop during the night to drop a few sensor buoys in the ocean to try to track currents
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@Deleted User Can be seen walking around the ship a little, but mostly stays in his room, reading an undisclosed document
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Vukan spends a lot of time on deck, either meddling with a small vial he tucks into his inner jacket pocket, or checking the grav projectors of his rifle.
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One day, Lucas decides to confront the interesting elfish person on the deck
19:40
"Hey there. If I were you, I'd stay below deck. There be shadow people in these waters, and their not friendly"
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"I'll keep an eye out. And if they're going to take a shot at getting on the foil, better someone's got a gun on deck than not."
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"I guess. Hey, what's your name? I've just seen glances of you>"
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"Vukan. Came in a few cycles back."
20:28
Despite his position on boat security, Vukan does move so one of the support structures of the foil is between him and the ocean.
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"Well, I'm Lucas. Let's have fun! I mean Cough, cough Explore and do work"
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Vukan grins. "I try to make my work my fun. And lets face it, working on what is basically a wonder of the sector? Not much can compare."
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"Your right. I have fun on this job, and I hope I can make it fun for others. In that sense. Lucas takes out his drone and turns it on, expecting it to fly up and start taking measurements
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(taking measurements of what?)
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Vukan glances over the drone. "Sleeper drone chassis? Didn't see many of those back in the shop. Scanner set up?"
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(Nothing, just to look interesting)
20:35
"Yeah! Enviro power and everything. I even got a med fitting to make my job easier"
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Vukan lets out a slight snort through his nose. "Making your job easier. Last person to ask for that had me fit a suicide charge to the drone. Idiot didn't know how to pilot the damn thing, but wanted to use it to kill the guy banging his ex."
20:40
"But I'm sure you don't have that in mind." (edited)
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"Of course not. I'm too lonely. Uh, well I'm a medic, and this boy here can remotely inject medicine from 10m. Nice, right!"
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Vukan laughs gently "Sure beats the sawbones on my last job."
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"That sounds worrying"
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"Well, he was more of a "get you better faster" than actual medicine. If bed rest couldn't fix it, he wasn't going to waste time on you."
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"Damn. I'd never do that. Well, let's find some interesting stuff, yeah?"
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"I'd take useful over interesting. Interesting in this place seems to range from snow fields next to swamps to weird phantom people wanting to kill us."
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"Don't forget the weird tentacles that were half plant-half animal"
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"Haven't really been reading the AARs. Haven't had time."
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"Well, I'm looking for a creature that would make me an incredible chain"
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Vukan raises his eyebrows "Chain?"
20:50
"I've heard to trophy hunting, but that seems... particularly unique."
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"Well, it seems that I've become a bit of a pacifist. I'd like to subdue my victims rather than kill them. A chain seems best for that"
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"Watch a few fights on space docks and then try to tell me chains are a pacifists weapon. But if that's what you're going for..."
20:53
"Also, when you say pacifist, what do you mean? Won 't hurt anything? Non-lethal self-defence? Never start a fight? Lots of things pacifist can mean."
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"I don't want to kill if there is another option"
20:54
"If something wants to kill me, and it's clear, I will use lethal force"
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"Self-defence only then. Fair enough. Just wanted to make sure I wasn't trusting someone with my back who won't shoot a shaper off me."
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"If it's a shaper, I'd whip that bit*h to hell"
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Vukan snorts "Glad to hear it. Though if his lordship has allowed shapers onto this world, we might need to rethink our life choices."
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"Agreed. I'm fine with fighting shadow things"
21:01
"So, finding farming and living space, are we?"
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"Finding anything from what I hear. Way out of the mountain ring, but looking for a place where people can live without being in a mountain fortress would be nice. Never really got to feel grass under my feet, but I get the appeal."
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"I can agree with that. Well, I really want to fight something, so let's do it"
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(I'm ready)
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(I'm all good))
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The absolute blackness of night begins descending on the hydrofoil after a day of sailing. SCAF has not been on this world long, and with the fleet focused on other duties, the captain decides to weigh anchor for the night to avoid losing his way in the darkness. This is also the general area the sensor pods are to be deployed at, and the technician and his assistant in the squad will be working on that now that the boat has stopped.
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Lucas will head to his quarters to make 2 anti toxes, and 10 healing powders
22:21
(2 heal/int rolls of a difficulty of 10, right?)
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(anti tox is 10, healing powder only needs 6, lets do the anti tox first)
22:23
(but we do need a check for each kind)
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(8 for it, a success. Now, does it automaticlly roll 3d6 and drop the lowest one?)
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(roll 1d6 and if its better we will replace it, i fixed your sheet so it does that going forward)
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(2d6, but alright)
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(no, you rolled a 5, and a 2, you should be rolling 3 dice, which i fixed. I need you to roll a single dice, to see if its better than a 2)
22:29
(because if it is, then its 5+whatever you got)
22:29
(since we will be dropping the 2)
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(Ok, I will)
22:30
(4)
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(so that brings us to 9 between the two dice, plus your mods makes this a success)
22:30
(and then we need a check for the heal powder)
22:32
(And last time you wanted another one, so 1, so no change)
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(i fixed your sheet, it rolls the 3d6 and drops the lowest now, but i hadnt fixed it until after you rolled the very first check)
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(So success for that check)
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(correct)
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(Ok, added that to my sheet, but I want it all to load into the drone)
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Vukan remains on deck, glancing over the side every now and again.
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(Any particular goals for the trip, Vukan?)
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(He wants to prove he's valuable, not just here as another body to fill a role)
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(Makes sense, still doing that myself. I mean ooc, any loot or anything?)
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(Money. He needs money) (edited)
22:48
(Currently, he doesn't even have armour of any sort) (edited)
22:48
(He has a really nice gun, and a dose of null)
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(Well, I can heal thee, and for armor, ironhide does pretty well for me. Almost at 17 ac)
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(Looking to get the cybernetic for that)
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(The more 'netics you have, the less you can get healed)
22:54
(System strain and all that)
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Sure, from Biopsi
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(Nope, for all meds, pretty sure
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(Rules don't say that. only certain drugs)
22:58
(Stuff like lift etc, sure, but the Frontier med stuff doesn't have that. it's got other penalties, like the Dex hit)
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(Oh, yeah. You ready for that?)
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(Got 16 dex, so I'm not going to drop below +1)
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(Wow, ok)
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(I'm a Taros) (edited)
23:01
(And it's my class attribute) (edited)
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(well, ready)
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There are bubbles floating up from the bottom and as the first buoy splashed into the dark water it begins transmitting data. The area is warm, possibly geothermal vents or some other outlet of heat or chemicals from the ocean surface below. The captain marks the area on the foil’s expedition notes and radios Mount Hope about your general location in the event it’s needed
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(Are there any holdings for gathering power?)
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(as in like energy? )
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(Yeah, just wondering why we would stop here)
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(was just part of the mission)
17:14
The next morning comes and the hydrofoil begins making its way across open sea again, toward the mountains. Up close, the way through them is not as solid as the ring is in other areas of the planet and with some skilled piloting, a way through for smaller boats can be navigated. The land beyond from orbit looks to be more interesting, and more varied in climate (not sure what specific area you want to look into)
17:14
(Vukan had planned the route)
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(I mean, I was told we were looking for an easy way through)
17:15
(then finding somewhere to explore)
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(So ideal would be some kind of plains, but green, with an easy path to get through) (edited)
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(A route to the green peninsular area on the map was what I was thinking, since that's the most likely place to be able to support a settlement)
17:17
(East South East of the map, 4 o clock)
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(Ok, so one of the ways there is going in smaller boats, but we would be seperated)
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(that's all I needed Vukan, thank you)
17:21
So far, minerals and a species of cat have been located in the northern area of the planet, and it is unknown if the south represents a different set of challenges. A peninsular area that looks more lush has been identified as a site of interest, and the foil begins closing in. It beaches itself as afternoon arrives, mooring pegs pounded into the beach so it will not drift while you are away. The beach is warm, made of a grey-yellow sand, as though the color has been drained from it. Ahead, scraggly grass clings to the dunes, though the carpet becoming less rolling sandbank and more long grassland punctuated with small groves of trees the further in you look
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Lucas looks on in wonder as he looks onto the beautiful land. He shoulders his pack, turns on his drone and sets it to hover right over his shoulder, and alert him if it reads anything strange
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Vukan jumps over the side on the beach, eyes darting side to side. He seems a little on edge, and is taking shorter breaths than he was on the boat, keeping his rifle ready.
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Lucas places his hand on Vukan's shoulder. "Relax! We have a beach head, and can easily defend against anything here"
17:30
"We're safe. Just relax and take in the view"
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Vukan snorts "Shadow beings, living plants, and a world that was created by a powerful MES event? Sure, I'll relax."
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"At least for a minute. All that stress can't be good for you"
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Vukan's eyes are twitching side to side. "Look, I'm fine. This is just me on alert."
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"Just take a break for one second. I'll be alert for you. Doctor's orders"
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Vukan glares at Lucas. "Listen, "Doc" until we're back at Mount Hope, I'm going to assume something out here wants to kill us. Too many sightlines, too much open space. No easy cover, or clearance points. Give me a ship to clear any day of the week."
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"Alrighty. Well, should we set up camp here and explore later, or vice versa?" (edited)
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"I think we should set up camp, maybe some science equipment here, and set up some scanners"
17:59
(I'm gonna go send my drone 200m over there, take some readings and stuff)
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The drone reports no anomalous readings within 200m of the group. It is ordinary open beach and rolling grassland.
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(Unless shadow creatures spawn out of nowhere)(jk) (edited)
18:08
(Ok, so how would we start to set up a settlement here? Is that later?)
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(you're here to scout, find materials, get samples, ect. You guys came in something little bigger than a speedboat, and don have the supplies or heavy equipment on board)
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(So what exactly counts as a sample? Everything? tree samples could be good, I guess)
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(Well, a bit of soil and sand, from there you could get grass and tree cuttings, if you find any animals life samples or dead ones)
19:01
(you guys are essentially scouting the area to see what might be around, and if things look safe/ natural hazards look within tolerances, a settlement might be a good thing to put here)
19:01
(but you wouldnt spend those kinds of resources blindly)
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Vukan glances over at Lucas "Any sign of a water source? If we're going to find animals, and find a decent place to settle, that'd be where we start, right?"
19:02
"I know I'd like to be able to get a drink wherever I live."
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"I'll send the drone to look for one. A water source is definitely something we want"
19:03
(I'll just scan for one of those, i guess)
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(In the mean time, wanna get some grass and tree samples?)
19:31
(Maybe they do something)
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The drone is not able to see any freshwater springs near the beach, and the tree cover 500m in from the beach prevents it from getting a good look at the ground to see if there are any springs, creeks or small ponds (edited)
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"Well, I can't scan further than those trees 500m away, so it seems like we'll have to personally venture over there to find shit"
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"Any thing you wanna do before we head to find a water source?"
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"I'm security, not a scientist. I'm just going on what I think would be needed for animals." (edited)
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"Well, I think finding water would come first, but we should collect a few samples here so that we have a better understanding of things we can plant"
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Vukan looks around. "It's a beach. That's grass. And that's seaweed."
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. "It's all about what you can do with it. Special grasses are edible, and some can be used to make medecine. Anything can be valuable" ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
02:55
(Shrug was supposed to come first)
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(Anything you want to do before we go straight for a hypothetical water supply? Also, Can you have more than one medium weapon?) (edited)
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(What do you mean, medium weapon?)
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(My bad, medium advanced melee weapon) (edited)
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(I see no reason why not. Though using them both at the same time gives you a penalty to hit unless you are a Slyth)
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(No, I mean like in a sheath, and then drop one when the other doesnt fit the situation)
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(Well, both need to be readied, so you need the encumbrance. Also, Primitive melee weapons straight from the book is identical)
18:38
(So not sure why you'd change weapons)
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(One is a chain, or a pacifist weapon, used for gentle way. The other one I was thinking of a medium advanced katana, in case things get to the point where lethal force is necessary)
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(As said, as long as you have the readied equipment, you can. So I think it's a move action? Not 100% sure)
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(Alright, thanks. I just thought a katana looked cool and was a clean way of ending someones/somethings life)
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The team decides to move in from the beach toward the treeline, and the wind gently stirs the leaves on the tallest branches. The drone keeps its station above the group, extending its scanners as far as it’s able. As you reach the treeline, the drone is able to locate a small pond about a kilometer from here through the scrubland and dense tree cover. There must be animals here as small paths run everywhere around the largest trunks
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Lucas walks through the scrubland, chain out, taking samples as he goes. He knows everything can be used for anything
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(Finding what these things are would be know skill, right?)
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(Finding out what things are?)
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(Yeah, or what it can do. I'm fine with not knowing, though. Our research labs can do that)
20:47
(I'm more interested in the animals that are here)
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(Whenever anyone's ready)
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(the lab would need to figure that out, and you're at the edge of the woods, I wasnt just going to throw you guys at the pond)
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(No, I meant that whatever we find, I'm sure someone can figure it out, and of course we have to walk, makes sense. It was more converstation)
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The treeline stands before you, and you hear the sounds of animals stirring within, and the woods are criss-crossed with small game trails blazed by the larger of these creatures. The rest of the exploration detail is standing by, waiting for someone to enter the woods and begin trying to find their way to the water source the drone discovered
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Lucas looks interestedly at the trails left by these animals, but figures a source of water is more important at the moment
17:54
He continues onto the pond, signalling the team to follow him, making sure all accounted for
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Vukan checks around for any particular high tree he can move into, where he can keep an eye along the whole path. (edited)
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(I'm afraid that something is just going to take people one by one until we're the last ones left)
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(Hence why I'm finding a nice high tree)
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(I have a nice whip, I'll be fine)
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(I have a sheer rifle, I'll be fine)
19:03
(And a tree to hide in. Hopefully)
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(And whatever that null thing your fingering is)
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(That's for emergencies. Like super emergencies)
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(What exactly does it do?)
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(Bonus 16 temporary HP)
19:12
(But I don't think I can get it outside the UNW. Got it because Vukan was a black marketeer before he joined the SCAF)
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(I can probably make some frontier medicine with similar effects
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(Null is a frontier med thing. Just super addictive and hard to make)
19:17
(11+/9+)
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(Not that bad. A medpak is like at 13)
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(notice/int Vukan)
20:14
(please)
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There is a shimmer near the lake, which Vukan almost misses. A trio of masked figures peer up from the depths of the lake, before slowly allowing themselves to sink back into it, as to make as few ripples as possible
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Vukan calls out from the tree
20:25
"Keep clear of the water for now. Don't want to disturb any tracks of anything in there."
20:26
Vukan then begins aiming into the depths.
20:28
(Can he still see them? Or are they hidden)
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Lucas prepares for a fight, hoping to incapacitate one for more substancial probing of information
20:30
(Can I shout a peace treaty sorta thing, like come out unarmed and we won't hurt you? I assume I know they're there) (edited)
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(theyre below the waves again, too deep down to be seen anymore, but you know they're in there and havent left) (edited)
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"Please come out without weapons! If you comply, we will not shoot and accomodate you as long as there is no violence"
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There is no reply except for the whistle of the wind through the trees.
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"As long as we have someone watching the pond, we have no reason to stop investigationn on the animals. If someone strikes first, it's not gonna be me"
20:57
(How would we go abut investigating the animals?)
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(I'd need a survive/wis to track one down)
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There are several sets of small prints that are close together running down the trails, signaling whatever it is , is small.
21:50
You have a large number of tracks heading west , away from the lake
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(Are there any trails with less tracks? Confrontations are easier when not swarmed
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There are less tracks heading south, also away from the lake
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Lucas takes 2 people to head south with him, and designates one person to continue to watch the lake and signal him if anyone comes out.
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Vukan remains in his tree, gun trained on the water, but keeping his head on a swivel.
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500m south, the tracks end outside of a small barrow, made of piled sticks that shelters a hole going into the ground. the hole is only a meter or so wide, but a number of creatures could easily be responsible for digging something like this. Back at the lake, the masked creatures have not emerged, and no other groups are sighted as Vukan continues his overwatch position
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Lucas begins to make a small fire, and after it's done begins to feed it with green saplings, making smoke, then fans that into the burrow
17:05
(Plan is to smoke them out)
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(initiative)
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(7) one of the small cats from the northern region leaps out of the hole at you, claws bared, though missing by a wide margin as the smoke disorients it. It seems they live in this region as well, and do not take kindly to their burrows being disturbed
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Lucas tries to calm the creature, not wanting to harm it. (Do we have any non-lethal options between the npcs?)
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(nothing other than trying to subdue with fists. The masked creatures are everyones biggest worry, everyone came packing)
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(Attack 1, dmg 5, 2 shock dmg against anything under 13 ac)
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one of the soldiers manages to lay in with an elbow, wounding the creature slightly, while the other one flails for it and misses. the creature rounds on the one who had harmed it, jumping and latching its fangs around the man's throat, as it scrabbles up the front of his combat armor. It tears violently, wrenching a bloody red shred of meat free, as the man grasps at his torn neck (crit 12)
18:37
(back to you)
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(Attack 12 dmg 6)
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(what weapon are you using)
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(Chain, so blunt)
18:43
(Haven't gotten katana yet)
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(thats fine, but with justnumbers and no real description on the roll20 i had no idea)\
18:43
the chain manages to catch the creature around the back leg, wrenching it off your fallen comrade and dashing it into the ground, where it appears stunned
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Lucas rushes toward the creature, chin in hand, and attempts to bind it with the chain
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it yelps and struggles but you're able to contain it after a few moments, and the chain is now being used to keep it essentially hogtied
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Lucas then rushes to the soldier to stabilize him, then attempts to inject him with one dose of lift
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(Can he recover from a chunk of neck being taken out of him?)
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(He is mortally wounded and needs to be stabilized before he can be further healed)
20:07
(oh if you have lift he is fine, just roll the d8 plus your lvl of heal)
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He soldier is still badly wounded, but not in danger of bleeding to death any further
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"How are you? You think your ready to get back?" "Does anyone have a secondary weapon I can borrow while I tow the cat into camp?"
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one of the soldiers tosses you a revolver, while your free hand hoists the growling cat onto your shoulder, careful to keep its head away from you
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"You all okay? Sounds like something nasty is going on there."
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"Yeah! We better go get this cat in a cage, then continue"
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"I'll keep a gun on the water, someone cover it while I reposition."
00:46
Vukan waits till one of the squad is covering the water, before moving down his tree, and repositioning to a point he can cover both the water and the group.
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Lucas walks back to the boat and tries to find an empty room to place the cat into
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The boat has a few specimen cages for an eventuality such as this, and the creature angrily tries biting you as the chain comes off, before retreating to curl into a ball near the back. In the forest, the water remains silent, and the rich background of sound and forest creature noise has gone away
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Vukan goes on alert, carefully scanning his eyes around the forest floor and trees near him "Something's spooked the animals."
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"Let's find somewhere we can defend with our backs to. Maybe they won't attack first"
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"What about the beach?" one of the squad asks, "there's nothing to block sight lines there"
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"No reason to be terrified like children. Just keep your heads up and wits about you. No wandering away from the group, keeping together."
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The trees part, 200m from the group, and a large creature the size of your hydrofoil rears up, attracting everyone's attention
18:45
18:45
The fight with the small cat and spilled blood must have attracted it
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Vukan raises his rifle, and opens fire (edited)
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(initiative)
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(Vukan, Lucas, Creature)
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Vukan aims a burst volley at the creature.
18:48
(22/7)
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Though lucas has retrieved his chain, he fires with his revolver, wanting to keep space between them (7/4)
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A few spurts of blue blood pop from the side of the creature as the micro-shear field collapse skin and crunch muscle underneath. The creature howls, surging forward to 150m away, frothing some sort of whitish blue fluid around its crooked jaws
19:04
(Vukan)
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Vukan carefully aims again, and fires another burst.
19:05
(17/5)
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Lucas repeats fire. (11/3)
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A few more shreds come from the creature, and it leaves one of its many legs behind. It continues its screaming charge, closing to 100m
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Vukan sighs, and shakes his rifle slightly. Overcharging is meant to make it hit like a truck. He then fires another volley. He has yet to see anything that lasts 3 direct hits from the rifle.
19:13
(11/10, using my warrior ability to make it hit)
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Lucas repeat fires. (5/3)
19:16
(Hoping it doesn't come to close combat, it looks scary)
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The shear rifle blast is true, and the creature leaves most of its right talon, and some of the jagged hook it has for a 'beak' behind, the remains of it smeared across whats left of its face. The revolver shots thus far have gone wide, and head down, the creature fires a number of spines from its back at the group (18/6 Vukan, 12/2 Lucas, and one of the NPC's is hit for 3)
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(The hit has to exceed my ac, right?)
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(meet or exceed)
19:20
(ties go to the attacker)
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(I take no dmg!)
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Vukan swears loudly and fires his last shot, before moving around to the tree trunk is between him and the creature.
19:21
(14/5)
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(Is it dead or retreating?)
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(it is doing neither)
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Lucas goes to fire again, hoping and praying that he can go save Vukan in time
19:23
(17/7!)
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The revolver sings true, and the dense wadcutter round blows the crown of the creature's head free, causing it to collapse and thrash in the dirt. It is in the grips of its death throes, and no longer a threat
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Vukan yanks the spine out of his body, and walks down the tree, tossing the spine down first.
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(Your spine?)
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(the spine it shot him with)
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(Oh, alright)
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(I read that weird too, thought you legit killed yourself because reasons, haha)
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Lucas then sends the drone a command to go to vukan and inject him with 1 dose of healing powder
19:27
(How does that work again? 1d6 plus my level of heal?)
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(if he accepts, he might not want the -1 dex penalty)
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(I can take the -2 to my dex and still have a bonus)
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(if he accepts, its 1d6+lucas heal, and vukan takes a point of strain)
19:28
(and tha'ts fine, but no one should decide whats mechanically happening with you except you)
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(5, vukan)
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Vukan pushes the drone away slightly, after it has applied the powder, and reloads his rifle. (edited)
19:30
"Well, thats a specimen and a half." (edited)
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(Just saying, it can inject you from 10m away)
19:33
"Yeah. I wonder what we can discover from this corpse. I think that with both of these specimens, we can go back to the mountain with both hands full"
19:33
"Do you want to keep going or stay"
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Vukan kicks the spine, and sweeps his gun around the trees. "Going back now might be okay. Do we have a sample of the water? Check if it's clean or not?"
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(I never rp'ed it, but I think I would of)
19:35
(not sure though, gm ruling)
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(no one went to the lake, since there were more of those creatures in it- and since there is known danger there, we're not going to handwave it)
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(Forgot about that.Guess we'll either have to go get it or leave without it)
19:47
"No, I didn't. We'll have to bring more people if we decide to get into there."
19:47
(Also, I just realized. Are the masks magnetic?)
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(no one's tried)
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(hohohoh)
19:48
Lucas loads up the equipment on the boat, while marking the location on the map as a potential settlement location (edited)
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Vukan, with the help of some of the patrol, heaves the body back to the boat, and loads it on.
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(We're pulling out then?)
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(Seems like)
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(3xp, 5000 credits)
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On the way back to the mountain, Lucas tries to study the corpse of the creature
20:19
(Was there anything weird about the creature lucas would have observed? We really just shot at it while it ran at us)
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Lvl 1->2 2 boosts for Dex, taking Dex to 18. Gunslinger as a Focus> Shoot ->2
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It seems to be a mix between a crustacean and an insect, but no lab equipment, few tools, and it being done on the boat prevents you from making any other discoveries
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(Lucas goes from lvl 3-4, going to 17 health, lvl 2 heal, lvl 1 stab, and increased dex to 14)
20:26
(And ok, makes sense)
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Health to 9
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Vukan looks to purchase an armoured undersuit, and a dataslab (edited)
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(Hacking, are we?)
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(It's a better commpad. Why not take it?)
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(True, I guess)
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Returning to Mount Home, the beast is taken to SCAF labs, along with the other samples and captive small cat. The location of a possible settlement site near fresh water is also copied from your survey gear. Presumably, Lord Mazzio has plans for the shape of that project and will be starting it soon.
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Vukan looks around to see if he can't find himself a bar. Or similar dens of vice.
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He feels the urge to locate a dice game, or card game, or gambling of any sort
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There is not much space in Mount Home right now, but a small impromptu drinking hole of sorts has cropped up in the mid levels, with two large portholes looking out over the ocean. Many people come down here just to get some light.
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Vukan leaves 3000 credits in his quarters, and heads down, fully intending to find or start a card game, and drink low quality hooch till he runs out of money.
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(we can do a luck save if you actually did wanna do some gambling, or are you looking for a hook?)
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(Nah, Vukan is gambling) (edited)
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(15 vs 14) (edited)
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(should have asked this earlier but how much are you staking?)
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(well, he's brought 1000 credits with him, so lets say he spends ~ 1/3 of that on drinks for him and the table, so 700?) (edited)
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You're able to make your drinking money back tonight, plus one credit (so 301 credits won) after several hands. Most of them go against you until the every end.
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Vukan tips the bar 111 credits, and then heads to sleep off his recreation.
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(did you and lucas want to explore that system then?)
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(Yeah!)
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(Lets go!)
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THe expedition prepares to head out with the final destination being Actala. Something happened several sectors away, and in reply, this world seems to be responding. Lord Mazzio would like to dispatch explorers to investigate, and a free merchant has been set aside for use, escorted by a corvette
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Lucas has been seen boarding this ship. not missing an opportunity to explore the stars
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Vukan looks a little worse for wear as he signs up, pausing only to purchase 2 Mag Pistols, and 2 clips for each as back up. (edited)
01:37
He looks far more comfortable the moment he steps onto the free merchant, and immediately begins moving around the ship as though he's lived his whole life on it, helping to stow cargo quickly and efficiently
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Lucas, on the other hand, is more comfortable on land, not subject ot the void. There was simply too many ways to die out there. He quickly stows away his things, and settles in. (edited)
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(We have a day of downtime first to balquis and then we begin jumping west)
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(I'll put one towards pilot)
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Vukan spends time down in engineering, learning how to do small repairs (1 to fix)
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The ship exits at balquis. A follow on expedition by other SCAF members is planned here and the captain plans to head on to the next port of call, fueling by the system sun with the ships fuel scoops before leaving
19:49
(1 day in spike to thorgunna)
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(Repeat, 1 towards pilot)
20:33
(So 2/90)
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(Same for me, except for fix, so 2/90)
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(Thinking about adding a mod to your new weapons?)
21:17
(Also, why two mag pistols?)
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(I have gunslinger, so it's quicker to change weapon than reload)
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(Oh, makes sense)
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The planet Thorgunna spins along its orbit in the habitation zone of the local sun. The world is awash in signal traffic, and dozens of orbiting satellites upload and download incredible quantities of information. A large space station keeps watch over the planet, guns trained toward the void This world provides delights either rare or impermissible elsewhere. Matchless local beauty, stunningly gengineered natives, a wide variety of local drugs, carnal pleasures unacceptable on other worlds, or some other rare delight is readily available here. Most worlds are fully aware of the value of their offerings, and the prices they demand can be in credits or in less tangible recompense. Thorgunna is a totalitarian police state. Any sign of disloyalty to the planet's rulers is punished severely, and suspicion riddles society. Some worlds might operate by Soviet-style informers and indoctrination, while more technically sophisticated worlds might rely on omnipresent cameras or braked AI “guardian angels”. Outworlders are welcome here, but they are heavily watched by local security forces and are known to disappear when they cross the government.
00:08
(There’s a surface map up too)
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Vukan looks over the scan report, and whistles slightly. "Strange place. Lots of luxury, and trying to get tourists, but lots of police."
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(If we want to stop we can)
01:41
(Up to you guys)
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Vukan tuts. "Don't think we should stop. Me and Police... they just don't like me. And if they work out where we are going, they might consider it grounds to delay us."
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"And I don't think we're getting paid to take a holiday." (edited)
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(Val has some dealings with them. Externally facing they’re a collection of day spa type places)
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(Vukan still doesn't like Police.)
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"Who knows, maybe on the way back."
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"Yeah, maybe. We may need a rest on the way back."
03:25
"If you don't want to deal with the police, we can just skip it though"
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(1 More day to grima then if we aren’t doing anything here )
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(Keep working on Fix)
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GRIMA The planets in the Grima system are four in number and all too close to the angry red sun of this system to host life. There is a dense asteroid field forming a ring, conjoined with ice crystals around the third planet. The fourth and closest planet to the system edge is a gas giant, rich in Helium-3 and other rare gasses. There are no signs of life or prior mining work done in the system despite the close proximity it has to other inhabited solar systems.
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Vukan looks over the scanner "Good money in H-3. Best hauls I was a part of was selling" he grins "missing H-3. Might be worth marking when we get back."
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"Yeah, we could make some good money off of that. Let's keep going"
18:28
(3/90 pilot, before after-grima time)
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Actala is a system of twin ocean worlds, surrounding a trinary star system at the center. Each world has a thick ring of ice, asteroids, and other stellar debris, forming brilliant Saturn like rings around them. Actala II looks to have life on its surface, where 1 has nothing but local flora and fauna on initial scans. A downed carrier wreck in a valley on the second planet is something of a site of interest The light from the Slyth facility sectors away shimmers on the second planet as well, concentrating to a point on its surface, though scans return no information when directed to that location
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Vukan blinks a little as he reads the scanner report. "A bloody carrier? All the way out here?"
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(the wreck is there, but EP carried off everything of value inside)
03:43
(it was one of the still lady emissary ships)
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(Vukan is just surprised to see a carrier out here) (edited)
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(Just wanted to lay out what we did so no one wasted their time)
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(What do you mean by sylth facility sectors?)
03:50
(That looks interesting, mostly for machinery)
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(The Slyth facility, sectors away, shimmers...)
03:50
(Think neko forgot some commas)
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(It can't be sectors away, for us to see it.)
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(yes, it can be)
03:56
(as it was in the news)
03:56
(a research project activated a very powerful beacon on Al-Yaldi, which is sending a beam of light shining on this world, and one over near GS/CBSS)
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(The thing doing it is literally Pre-pretech)
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(Oh, it's that beacon. We should go there, and not explore actala 1, because that's basically bergasa. We'll hit it later)
03:58
(Sylth machinery is gold for us)
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(I mean, if you want to, vukan)
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The ship remains in orbit, as the group decides how it wants to approach the facility
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*So, scanner says there's nothing there. But the light disagrees. Either it's underground, or covered in stealth shielding. Either way, boots on the ground, no?"
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(I know Lucas had a trip coming up, if theres no reply by morning, you and I can just continue)
04:06
(I cant remember if he already went or is about to go)
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"Well, no lighter on this one, we bring the whole ship down if we get men off this thing. How close to that point on the surface do you tihnk its wise to get ? "
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"Secret facility, pointed to be giant space lightbeam. Too much weird stuff involved. Play loose die poor, play safe, live rich, boys. Lets go land a few miles away. Make sure we're clear of flak guns. And lets pray there ain't auto'd breakers."
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On the way down to the planet, as the ship comes in to park a few miles from the complex. A brief snapshot is taken from above, though the ship does not linger
17:06
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"Huh. Those look like guns. Well, nothing ventured."
17:28
Vukan gears up, and begins the hike towards the complex
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"guns? where?" the navigator asks, looking over a map of the complex "I see several buildings down there, looks like some kind of loose wall keeping the side of the gorge protected, but whatever we're looking for is probably across it:
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"That doesn't look like a tank to you? And those things on the roof across the gorge?" Vukan points to the square object to the north of the image, and the two white things atop the facility
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"Ah suppose so, Tank isn;t going to hurt this crate though. Sounds like you foot sloggers are going to have a time though" he laughs as the vessel sets down in the middle of a wide grassland. the ;land begins dying and drying out the closer one gets to the ramshackle defenses and more modern looking facility
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Vukan stays low, and looks for a decent vantage point
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A small hill is found that looks at the complex from a slightly elevated angle. It seems quiet, there is no movement outside, and a fine skin of dustclings to the walls and turrets, showing they have not moved in some time. It's hard to determine if there is working power or not, though ship scanners did not find anything notable on the way down
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Vukan continue to stay low, and tries to make his way towards the outer wall, moving between what little cover he can find
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Nothing springs up or pops up to shoot at you as you make your way to the wall. There is a ramschackle gate leading inside that seems like it is not secured in a way that prevents entry, but it is as solid as the rest of the wall (as far as not being able to see through it) and there is no telling what is on the other side
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Vukan pushes on the gate, seeing if it opens
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The gate opens on creaking hinges. A small medical building looks to be at your left upon entering, the white walls now a milky white-orange mix. To the right, a squat looking blockhouse of unknown purpose sits, next to the boulder straddling overlook, and the garrison buildings where residents would have once lived
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Keeping his head on a swivel, Vukan begins to slowly move towards the blockhouse
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(Notice/wis)
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A small red diode near the gun port overlooking the gate begins to flash from the darkness of the firing slit
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Vukan immediately calls out a warning, and dashes to cover, pressing himself against the blockhouse.
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There is a beep as the sensor seems to now think the area is clear
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Vukan looks from where he is to see if there is some sort of control panel or computer linked to the sensor
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If there is it seems to be inside, but with a burst of speed you should be able to get inside the guns firing arc
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Vukan mutters under his breath "No guns my arse." and prepares to make the run
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Seeing the gun and knowing it’s range of motion, you’re able to get inside it’s firing arc quickly and pressed up against the wall of the blockhouse
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Now inside, Vukan looks to see if he can find the console for the gun. If not, he looks to slip inside the blockhouse.
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There are no controls on the outside but a large metal door hangs loosely on its frame , separating the inside of the bunker from the outside environment
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Vukan moves to the door, and kicks it open, still pressed against the side of the bunker
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There is a very loud metallic bang as your boot connects with the door, though the bunker seems empty aside from the machinery within. You're hit with a haze of heat as it gently begins swinging back on its hinges, as the monitoring and gun automation electronics continue working
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Vukan slips through the door, and inspects the machinery, seeing if he can deactivate any of the defence guns. (edited)
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there isnt an obvious programming way to deactivate them, but smashing them seems to be just as good upon inspection of the engineering space
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Vukan sees if he can just disconnect them, rather than fully smashing them
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With your only basic level of programming, its difficult to tell where exactly or how exactly the machines shut off (we can try a program/int to see if we get lucky, though)
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(6, so not really)
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shorting out the sensitive electronics seems to be just as effective a way of bricking the system as physically smashing it. The room quickly smells of melted rubber and general neglect
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Vukan shrugs, then begins to sweep the bunker for anything of interest beside the controls (edited)
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The bunker just seems like a defense bunker, and with the electronics slagged there is nothing of value
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Vukan moves across to the medical building, gun still raised and ready
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The medical building is canvas sided that is faded, threadbare in a few places and has gone from a brilliant white to a grey and orange baked film. One of the flaps is slightly open, the ties worn away by the endless breeze
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Vukan crouches down, and peers inside.
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The medical tent is empty. There are four cots within and a few empty cabinets where medication would have once been housed. There are a few leftover vials and jars but most are missing entirely or dried out
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Having cleared the first two buildings, Vukan moves towards the Garrison building.
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The U shaper Garrison building has doors marked IN and OUT, bringing some organization to the people who would have been passing through it. There is a small rumble within the semi-rigid walls, as though something is shifting inside. The doors are powered, but closed. There does not seem to be any kind of external lock
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Vukan keeps his gun ready, and moves towards the door, seeing, if like the gate, it's automated.
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The door does move gently upwards as you approach
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With gun still raised, Vukan moves inside.
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The garrison entry room is an abandoned shift desk where an officer would have made note of who was coming in and out, and when. Some of the notes on the yellowed pad are still legible from how it appears, but barely. Some sections are entirely missing. There is a small button on the desk that will open the security doors to the living area when pressed
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Shrugging, Vukan takes out his dataslab, and takes images of the journal. He then checks if there is internal security cameras.
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There doesn’t seem to be a camera system in this entry room
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Vukan keeping his gun pointed towards the security door, and presses the button to open them with his elbow
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There is a metallic and hollow sounding buzz as the door opens into the common room of the garrison. Lights begin to flicker on, and you’re greeted with the sight of two human bodies sitting on a lounge in the west wall of the room. One skeleton holds a rusting pistol and both have a single bullet hole in the forehead
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Moving forward, carefully Vukan begins to sweep the building.
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There are more bodies in the next transit hallway. These have shots in the back of the head and a few have secondary rounds embedded in the spinal cord. A security door ahead begins to open into some kind of armory space, catching halfway as it rises , and then stops half open. You see the base of weapon racks behind though not what’s resting in them. If anything. There is also a pair of boots from something sitting inside, sole up and toes pointed toward the ceiling
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Vukan stops moving, and carefully listens, seeing if he can hear breathing.
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There is no breathing within and the body shape is likewise not moving as though it is breathing
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Vukan rolls under the door, keeping his gun trained on the boots
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A body sits there, and it is not apparent what he died from. A battered compad rests in one hand, and a handgun is in the other, though there is no evidence of him firing it, or using it on himself
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Vukan knocks the compad and gun from the corpses hand, and picks up the compad, seeing if it has any files stored on it.
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there are three archives, all in chronological order though the dates do not seem to be rendering
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Vukan tries to copy the files across to his dataslab, hoping that the file being transferred to a device that hasn't been sitting in a dust filled base for Silvano-knows how long might be better at displaying the inherent data.
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Transferring the fragments to a new digital container still leaves you with just the fragments, just in a better way to display them.- but its transferred easily enough
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Vukan shrugs, and looks at the three archive files
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Lucas looks over his shoulder as he does this, covering the exits
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The first log details the arrival to this facility. The Tenebrian Empire was interested in whatever it is the slyth were doing in the building across the canyon. The slyth were already thought to be extinct by this time, so the group took their time digging in for a long expedition. The camp has reasonable amenities as you’ve seen. It ends with a few private words , concerns about the leader of the science team who was widely regarded as ambitious and politically hungry
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Vukan copies the files over to Lucas.
02:39
"Doesn't look like they found anything. But they seemed to think something was here."
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(the first log ends with the private words)
02:39
(we still have 2 and 3 that you havent read)
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(Do you want me to peel off and try to look at some more stuff, vukan?)
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(If you want to. Vukan isn't going to have hurt feelings over it.)
02:44
Vukan flicks through the next file
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(I'll stay. Strength in numbers and all that. You gonna take the dead dude's gun?)
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(Mine are better)
02:47
(And it's been in dust for like, at least 4 years)
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(I'll take it. Anything can be sold)
02:47
(Or mounted on a drone)
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There has been at least a few months since the previous recoverable entry. Some disagreements have occurred within the camp at the wisdom of continuing the process of exploring this facility. The log is short on specifics but there are enough hints that some kind of strange psionic or biological experiments were taking place within before the Slyth's untimely demise. The log mentions something called The Black Masque several times, though it is unclear if it is a person, a slyth legend, or the attention of the dig here
02:49
(the gun doesnt work, picking up every single random thing to sell for a pithy amount of credits is usually frowned upon in this system, which is partially why mission rewards are so high)
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(Makes sense)
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Vukan marks down a few notes, then moves on to the last file.
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The black masque has done something, still unclear if it’s a person or the object in study here. Whatever was unearthed was so horrible that the military people here have all agreed that the empire at large can not know what was found. There is tension with the science team and what looks to be plans for a purge of all members of the expedition. the final survivors are expected to kill themselves to prevent the information from ended up in hands that will mis use it
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"Hands that will misuse it, huh? Doesn't sound like us." Vukan says with a grin. (edited)
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"Well, only really 1 place left to go. Let's clear out here, then make our way to the facility proper."
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"That looks like a biological weapon"
17:26
"Or maybe a literal mask, that gives the user power. We might have to blow it up, to keep it out of other goverment's hands"
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"I think Mazzio would be royally pissed at us if we did that."
17:26
"And that's not a position I desire to be in."
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"Yeah, me either. Let's just do this with caution"
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"Sure."
17:28
Vukan moves to sweep the rest of the garrison building.
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Lucas follows Vukan, just covering his openings with his mag pistol
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Nothing else of note is found in the rest of the building, just a few more bodies with self inflicted gunshot wounds. Some have died within range of open liquor bottles or other mind altering substances, likely to make suicide easier to manage.
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Lucas has a moment of silence for these people, who killed themselves for the good of the galaxy
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Vukan heads towards the main facility.
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The bridge leading to the facility across the gorge is still extended, allowing you to pass, but there is no cover on it, since it was meant to be an access way. There are no obvious defenses on the Slyth facility itself
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Slowly crossing, Vukan keeps an eye on the roof, before inspecting the entrance.
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Lucas commands his drone to go ahead and scout out what is here
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As the drone moves to within 50m of the door, a single iris port opens up above the doorway. The laser rifle port fires, knocking the drone out (20/10)
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(Is the drone destroyed?)
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(it only has 8HP, so yeah, its destroyed)
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(I'ma kill this dude)
🤣 1
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(no way to tell from the outside if its an automated gun port or not, but at least the drone got slagged and not one of you)
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(Yeah, I was thinking about that)
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Vukan frowns, and sims his rifle at the port. "Think it's worth breaking it? Imperials got in, shouldn't be too hard."
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"You kept the other turrets for research, right? It shouldn't be bad if we slag one"
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"Didn't break them."
18:12
Vukan sees if his dataslab can communicate with the door.
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(I'm assuming this is a combat round?)
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(Don't think so, since we aren't being shot at) (edited)
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(There is a turret who would like to though)
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(But it can't see us atm)
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(It murdered my drone, I'm pissed)
18:55
(It cost close to 10,000 creds, and I don't have insurance)
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(It is only engaging when you get to within 50m from the door , as far as you know)
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(We can try the age old trick of throwing shit at it, and waiting until it runs out of ammo)
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(I'm just seeing if my Dataslab works with it. It's wireless, and works in LoS, and maybe the Tenebrians overode security.)
19:06
(So it still shoots, but isn't locked) (edited)
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(program/int if we're trying to access base security)
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(Can I try, see if I get a better score?)
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(Do you have a black slab or compad?)
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(Compad)
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(dataslab is fine too, go ahead lucas, same thing, program/imt)
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There is a burst of static and sparks from the gun port as the automated weapons terminal inside is blown out
21:12
Anti-tampering software has fried the system, rather than allowing an outisde party to take control of it
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Shrugging, Vukan walks towards the door, still on edge and watching for movement.
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Moving past the wreckage of the drone, still smoking with its ruined medicines scattered across the bridge, the automated defenses do not fire
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Vukan approaches the door (edited)
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The gate has a set of controls for up and down. They are sealed but it seems the compad files you downloaded act as some kind of proximity passcode and the doors begin to hiss as pressure releases
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Vukan glances back at the drone, wondering if triggering the anti-tamper system was worth it, before heading inside, gun raised.
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Lucas follows suit, still mourning for his drone
00:49
He take a quick look at the sentry (Turret thing) to see what technology went into it
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The turret is nothing more than a cut down laser rifle attached to an expert system. There is nothing to salvage there now, and the technology is no different than what is already in s
00:51
SCAF drones and other automata
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Vukan grunts as he looks at it. "Would think a deep site could afford better guns."
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(Can I take the expert system for my next drone?)
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(if not) Yeah, would think so. I thought it'd have some psytech. Oh well, let's keep searching.
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(no, the technology is fragged)
02:47
(its all worthless scrap)
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(Damn, alright)
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The doors seem unlocked now with your passcodes on the borrowed log files. Entering the facility, you find yourselves into a T junction, with a laminated sign on the wall. The slyth has been translated to Mandate English/Common Lab space branches off to the left, with engineering to the right. There is also a reminder that hard hats and safety gear must be worn at all times, followed by the now long out of date Tenebrian Empire law code number
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Vukan snaps a few images, before pointing down the two routes
15:46
"Engineering, or Labs? Labs for research, Engineering might have useful stuff for transporting the Masque, whatever it is."
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"Labs first, so that we don't come back completely empty handed"
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Vukan shrugs. "Well, if you go insane, and try to eat me, I'm going to shoot you."
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"Same for you, though I might try to restrain you first"
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Vukan takes the lead, rifle ready.
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Lucas backs him up, mag pistol sweeping his weaknesses
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The laboratory double blast doors also begin unlocking as you approach , the codes broadcasting from your compads. THe first room is a receiving space, where a dozen containers have been stacked up on a pallet, along with a manifest, and the skeletons of two people wearing the remains of workers uniforms
22:12
They must have been shot while loading the pallet, judging by how they are laying
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Vukan quickly checks the skeleton for any information or compads
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They have no pads on them, and must have been on shift when they died
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Vukan checks over the containers, looking for labels, or markers explaining what they do.
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Lucas follows suit
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(There’s a manifest as well)
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Vukan copies an image of it onto his Dataslab, then sends a copy over to Lucas, before checking it.
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The list is called test manufacture equipment , and seems to be housewares popular before the scream. They would have been fixtures found in any number of homes
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Each, However has some minor defect
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Lucas sets up a note taker on his compad telling him to come back to this for minor research
03:12
Then he walks into the second room
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(Evasion save)
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(success 13v11)
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A grenade dumper opens from the ceiling and you’re able to throw yourself back on Vulcans side of the door before they explode , the hard cover shielding you from shrapnel
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Whatever's in this room must be important, to warrant a booby trap
17:35
Let's take some more caution
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Vukan grins, then moves to the door, peering around, carefully checking if there are any further trigger systems or traps.
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It appears the grenade canister was the only measure that could be rigged in short notice. The room is massive with at least four generators hooked up to a chair. A small black box sits on the seat, with a power cable from each generator plugged into it
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Vukan carefully walks around the generators.
17:57
"Any idea what the box is?"
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In a spooky voice. "The black masque"
18:00
"Honestly though, no idea"
18:00
"What needs four generators?"
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"Don't think the box is the masque. Think it's storage for it."
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"Oh, maybe it needs all that power to prevent scanners from picking it up"
18:02
"Have you ever seen anything like it in your black market days?"
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Vukan looks around, checking for any consoles or analyses equipment.
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(Are these regular generators or some special tech?)
18:04
(Less metagamey, Can I smell gas or some sort of fuel)
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"No, we dealt in stolen fuel, illegal imports, nothing that would justify military getting involved. Little out of league."
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"Let's take some pictures of everything, meaning EVERYTHING, and send them over to some of the guys, see if they've seen anything like it"
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(Each one of them could power the building by itself but they’re plugged into this instead) (edited)
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"Well, we'll need the ship to move this. Let's check engineering. Might have construction reports, readouts."
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(Are there any more rooms this way?)
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(No this one takes up virtually all the western end)
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(Thanks)
18:25
Lucas follows vukan to engineering, and checks the door for traps
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"Probably only manual traps. So somewhat simple. Makes it easier to access, that's for sure."
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"Still dangerous. Grenades hurt"
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"But we're not going to have nerve gas dropped on us is my point."
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"Honestly? I hope so"
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"I'm going to tell the ship it's safe to come in closer. No sense in us waiting once we've scoped this place out. No sign of breaker guns or similar."
18:31
Vukan sends a short message to the ship, explaining that it is safe to approach with the ship, and that they'll need to prepare to transport 4 building scale generators, without them turning off. (edited)
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(Maybe it's a matter compiler, was the box closed?)
18:32
(Nvm, doesn't apply)
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(Who knows, we don't. Thats why we look for their notes on the thing.)
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(Space grave robbers, assemble)
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(I intentionally don’t use most of the exact book text for reasons like this. All you’re doing is convincing me that remains a wise choice) The ship begins its approach. The burn in and final land will be about ten minutes from now. Engineering doors are likewise armored and there is a sally port in the ceiling. It’s unclear if organic response or something else is meant to come down in an emergency
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(I just got that idea from some book I just read, where matter compilers turned energy into food instead of people cooking it.)
00:21
Lucas pushes the door a little bit to trigger a response, then instantly closes it to be ssafe from whatever response comes out
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The sally port opens and two metal shapes drop from the ceiling. Each is a black sphere on the ground, and they sit next to one another about 5m apart and 10m from the two of you
01:03
There is a clicking or ticking noise coming from each, and steam begins to slowly waft out
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Lucas closes the door quickly, hoping it's airtight
01:54
"Dang it, Vukan. You jinxed us with that nerve gas comment"
01:54
"Any ideas on how to deal with it?"
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"You got a survey scanner?" Vukan says as he backs up quickly
02:04
(Am I right Neko that they are on our side of the door?)
02:04
(Not inside the room?)
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(They’re on your side of the room, and also initiative )
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(6)
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The spheres pop open revealing two mechanical protectors designed to keep the room from being entered
02:30
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Vukan, as an on turn action draws his sheer rifle, moves back, and shoots a burst at one of them
02:31
(Gunslinger)
02:32
(11/17)
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The shear plate fails to deform the thick armor the protector has. Each of them levels their mag crossbows and fires a shot
02:33
(Missing vukan, 20/1 on Lucas)
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Lucas returns fire with his mag pistol
02:34
(14/14)
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The mag shot ricocheted into the door behind the right guardian, embedding in the door. (Just let me know if you’re shooting left or right so I can track damage)
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Vukan raises his gun again, and fires another burst at the left protector
02:45
(24/15)
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The Shear rifle tears the hydraulic assisted fist from the left protector, but it remains upright, its twin wheels revving to keep it steady. (16/7 on Vukan, 22/1 on Lucas) The two mag crossbows fire again, fed from an internal magazine. There is a distinct whiz as the charged rounds streak from the bows
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(Isn't it 6, not 7)
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Lucas then shoots the left defender again, hoping it goes down. (5/14)
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Vukan lets loose with another burst, at the left protector, looking to shut the thing down.
03:27
(22/13)
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(yeah, sorry, accidently combined the values)
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(np)
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(At this pace, My buddy may die)
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(I'm fine. I'm a warrior)
03:45
(I can play a bit more dangerous and close to the edge)
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The left defender is shredded under the second distortion field, and its metallic pieces scatter across the decking. (Evasion save each of you)
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(i'm 20 m away, I moved first round, does it still hit me?) (edited)
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(Do expert re-rolls also count for evasions?)
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(If it does, I pass, 14 v 12)
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(its using a heavy weapon, you're in range, expert re-rolls only apply to skill checks)
03:56
(Vukan takes 4, I halved it already) The emitted set into the crown of the guardian's head glows a brilliant icy blue, before sending a short beam from left to right across the hallway in a sweeping motion
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(Do I take 8?)
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(Oh, you failed, you never said anything in here, yes)
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(Vukan is down)
03:59
(Warrior ability expressly only works on attack rolls)
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(you can also entirely negate damage from an attack iirc)
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(Lucas peels off to some cover to apply some lift)
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(page 18 Vukan)
04:01
(lucas we're going to pause here for a second so he and i can figure this out)
👌 1
04:01
Once per scene, a Warrior can either automatically negate a successful combat hit they just received, taking no damage from it, or else they can turn one of their own missed attack rolls into an automatic hit. This versatility makes Warriors exceptionally dangerous enemies in a one-on-one fight, and significantly more likely to survive the gory chaos of a general melee
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"but it cannot be used against environmental damage, effects without an attack roll, or hits on a vehicle you’re occupying."
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(its an instance of combat damage, so I was willing to broaden it)
04:02
(but if you wanna be dead thats fine too)
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(Sure, I'll use it)
04:03
(Not looking to die, just thought I couldn't use it here)
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(It used to be broader in 1E, which is the assumption i was still running under. To me, its combat damage, so im ok with it)
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(Cool)
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(If you guys have that covered, Is there cover in the room?)
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(Youre in an access hallway, so not really)
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(I will drop my mag pistol and pick up my katana)
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(Are you doing anything else?)
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(Can I?)
04:12
(If so, taking one shot of lift)
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(You had the katana readied, so its an on turn action, you have a move, and a main action still. Since there is a skill check involved in applying medicine, it will be your main action)
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(I'll take the medecine, then switch to the katana, then rush to the bot with the intent with taking it's gun arm off)
04:16
(11/3)
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(You cant also attack if you're applying the medication to yourself)
04:18
(that is too many main actions)
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(Oh, makes sense)
04:19
(I'll move 5 meters back, then apply the medicine)
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(no med check needed, but its d8+heal lvl for health regained, but the healing doesnt start until you rest for 5 minutes)
04:22
A Lift stim augments and amplifies the body’s natural response to physical injury and exhaustion. This boost speeds natural recovery drastically and heals 1d8 plus the user’s Heal skill in hit points after five minutes of rest. Lift stims do not work on PCs who are mortally wounded; they need to be stabilized before the Lift can help them, though application to a stabilized target will get them back on their feet and active again. Each application adds 1 System Strain to the target. Each additional application of Lift to a target the same day increases the minimum Heal skill needed by 1.
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(Alright, 3 points gained)
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(after resting, so not yet, but we'll remember to add it)
04:23
(Vukan is up then, since he evaded the blast)
04:25
(Null? )
04:25
(What book is that from?)
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(Frontier medicine) (edited)
04:26
(Gives me 16 temporary hit points, and is addictive)
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(got it, we do need a physical effect save for that)
04:27
(not that it would impair you right now)
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(Wait, damn I need to roll, ignore me)
04:27
(And I'm not risking failing that)
04:28
(I misread the first bit of Frontier Medicine, about what the manufacture numbers were)
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(yeah manufacture and apply, since they're unstable compounds/not reliable)
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Vukan drops prone and reloads his rifle.
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(I don't want to cut you off)
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(Nah, thats me done. I'm far enough away it can't rush me in melee, and I couldn't burst it with the 1 shot I had left.)
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The mag shot from the defender's crossbow goes wide, embedding in the deck a meter from Lucas' boot. The emitter on its forehead steams as it cools
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Lucas rushes forward with the intent to cut the gun hand off the infernal creation (edited)
17:38
(20/8)
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The blade shears some plating and cables off the gun arm with ease, though the bot remains standing, its stabilizers moving counter to one another to keep it upright
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Vukan curses, readies one of his pistols, and runs 10m closer.
18:32
(Gunslinger)
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A long blade extends from the left arm of the remaining guardian, and swings as Lucas. It's knocked aside by the Katana, and both fighters regain their stance (edited)
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(He just had to have a sword)
19:58
(No detriment to your gming, it's awesome)
19:59
Lucas attempts to chop off the head of the robot. (21/9)
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The neck joint stops the sword for just a moment, before it finishes severing the cables and pipes. The body goes slack, the head sliding across the floor the opposite way, skidding sparks, before coming to a halt
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Vukan angrily restows his pistol and removes his sheer rifle.
20:19
"Maybe next time, don't run in the way of a sheer rifle"
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(Was that to me or the bot)
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(you)
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"I had a better chance 0f hitting it with my sword than you did when you tried with your gun"
20:25
"Anyway, I need to get us healed up before we go on"
20:26
"Then we should study these bots, they look pretty advanced" (edited)
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(Youll get your 3 health from the lift now Lucas, since we're resting)
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(Alright, now I just need 1 dose of healing powder for me, and 2 for Vukan)
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(We'd need checks to administer it, and for Vukan, his permission, since there is a cumulative dex penalty for applying it)
20:47
(It goes away after what we would consider long term rest, so between missions)
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(Well, I'll do one for 4 heal)
20:49
(I just rolled 1d6 though, unless you have something you want to add to that)
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(you didnt roll a heal/int check for applying it)
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(Alright, healing for 4, and suffering -1 to dex until we get some longer term recovery)
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(All set up, ready to load stuff into the lighter)
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(You didnt go into engineering, unless you dont want to now)
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Vukan hands the Null to Lucas
21:49
"Shoot me up. I'll need my wits, and I didn't like the sluggishness I felt when that powder was applied"
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"And I had no problems hitting that one."
23:15
Vukan points to the first protector
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"Alright, whatever you want. And besides, it took you 3 hits to get one"
00:26
(So how exactly does null work?)
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(TN 9 to apply, gives me 16 temp HP for an hour)
00:27
"And it took you a full clip of mag rounds to learn you can't aim for shit."
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"Bullshit. Only 1/3. Besides, It went a lot easier with my blade"
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"Stab me with the Null, and lets clear the engineering section. We can pick up the remains and ship them back with us."
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"Hopefully not our remains"
00:38
(13)
00:39
"Let's trek on, I guess. We've got money to make and cool stuff to find"
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Vukan snorts, and then approaches the door, rifle raised and ready.
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Lucas sheaths his Katana, then pulls out his mag pistol and reloads to more rounds into it, before readying it and walking behind Vukan
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The door opens to a large chamber, and the exterior is ringed with metal spheres half the height of a human. They all have thick cables going into the ceiling, running back toward the generator room.
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Vukan approaches the metal spheres, looking for any signs of notes, markings, or records.
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The spheres are unadorned and are bare metal, though there is a seam running across the circumference of each
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"The Tenebrians must have worked out what the damn thing did, otherwise they wouldn't have..." Vukan puts a finger to his temple and makes a "bang" motion
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"True, True. What's more interesting is what these balls are"
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"I'm not opening them. They're plugged into 4 generators plugged into a tiny box."
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"So are these powering the other stuff, or is the other stuff powering this?"
03:15
"And I agree, but how are we safely put this stuff on the lighter?"
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Vukan shrugs
03:17
"Cut it out? Take down the ceiling panels? Also, the ship landed, not a lighter, so that's handled"
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(I meant the sip, but whatever)
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(It's a free merchant, with cargo space. I think we can fit 2 rooms of stuff onto it)
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"We could try taking out the ceiling panels, maybe the wiring will live us some clues to this stuff, as would some note"
03:19
"Let"s keep going"
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(aside from starting it up, or trying to, there's nothing left to see)
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Vukan looks at the ceiling, specifically where the cables enter, and tries to gauge how easy it would be to remove the machine.
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(I thought it was already going. Let's start it up) (edited)
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Vukan slowly turns his head to look at Lucas.
03:23
"Are you mad?"
03:23
"Why would we do that?"
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"For science! Alright, but we may never have this chance again"
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"So you want to turn this thing on, by messing around with it, instead of after Mazzio and a whole bunch of lab-types back at Bergasa have worked out what will happen when we do?" (edited)
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¯\_(ツ)_/¯
03:26
"Yeah, caution would be option number one. Can I borrow your data pad, try to hack the system to see if I can get any more notes?"
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(There's no system to hack into, the facility is inoperable)
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"The last time you tried that, the thing blew up. And that was a laser turret. Not a piece of pre-tech black ops shit."
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(no power)
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"And since it seems to be depowered, no reason we can't dismantle the whole thing."
03:28
"And bring it back where we can assess it safely."
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"Alright."
03:29
(Cue montage, though I will make sure to take pictures of everything in it's condition) (edited)
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(Vukan, your opinion?)
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(He's always been pro dismantle and remove) (edited)
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(Well, we're not going to montage this, because we're dismantling very complicated pre-tech machinery. I think removing it is probably still outside the spectrum of what any of you are capable of, because our fix scores across the group are barely positives. )
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(I mean, is it possible to detach the cables, and then move the thing like that? Or take the roof off the place?)
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(which one of you would be handling the black box?)
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(Or maybe just wait and get a spaceship of smart people here?)
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(That might take a while. Since that would be Hagen, right?)
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(I meant as far as transporting it out of here)
03:37
(Hagen seems to have emerged as one of the more skilled engineers though, yes)
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(hmm. Vukan can handle the black box)
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(Or we could ask if Mazzio can teleport it.)
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(True, true)
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(Also a valid option)
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(Probably best option too.)
03:39
(Since it means he can make sure it isn't psi-tech before we start poking it)
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(Once we're agreed on a course we'll move ahead. That option is something that can work too, as Silvano can do dancing teleport to get between worlds once per week)
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(I think that is the best option. And when brought up in character, it's something Vukan would agree too alot.)
03:40
(Since it means he gets to meet Mazzio)
03:41
(Having done something good for him)
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(I agree as well, though is he going to teleport the whole building or just important stuff?) (edited)
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(I mean, I leave that to the god boss)
03:44
(It's a little out of our league, tbh)
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It takes about a day for a message to reach Mount Home, and ten minutes beyond that for a runner to make it up to Lord Mazzio's sanctum. One of the ship's fitters makes a comment about lunch, and trying to get something to eat from the ship when there is a dazzling beam of light, and Lord Mazzio appears. his hair is still cropped short and his goggles are quickly removed from his eyes, the reflective glass steaming a bit with the amount of energy unleashed. The fur lined edges of his coat have gone from a white wool to something resembling a perfectly cooked marshmallow. He turns to the assembled group, and takes everything in for a long moment. "You did well to send me a message, all of you will be commended. I'm going to take a look inside and see if this can be made sense of"
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Vukan gulps, nods, and steps aside
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"I'm sure You'll find it interesting"
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Entering the science wing first, he sees the black box and begins gently stoking the power generators to life with bursts of electrokinesis. There is a loud hum in the room as the quiet but powerful pretech generators come online, and the box assembly begins to move on its own. A lattice work of various graphite grey filigree panels begins unfolding into a matched chair, and something that resembles a crown. The cabled box hangs off the back, with a small clamp to allow it to be fixed to the base of the neck. Silvano thinks for a moment, and reaches down to place a hand on the object- using a modified version of his precognitive senses to get an idea of the device and its past
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Vukan leans over, peering while still as far back as he possibly can be
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(Excited!)
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"you've both done a great service" he says, after a long m oment of concentration ends. "I will ensure both of you are rewarded for your efforts." Silvano sits as the ornate throne finishes constructing itself. He sits and contemplates the crown for a long moment, and then places the crown on his head. His body shudders as though thousands of volts of electricity are pouring through it. In engineering, the pods that remained closed and uninvestigated begin to hiss open, human and slyth bodies inside swimming in spoiled nutrient fluid. Sonic vibrations pulp the bodies and the fluid is drained before being replaced. Embryos swim inside the jade green mixture. There is a rumble underground, as sub levels of the facility likewise are coming online, though there is no discernable way to access those levels. The ship begins radioing in. "There are massive signals coming from the second planet. Electrical especially. something massive is going on over there"
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Vukan slowly backs away from the chair.
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"If I may ask, Lord Mazzio, what did you see?"
03:57
(Recolonization of a Sylth world in our part of the map? That'd be awesome)
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(I'm more interested in why there are human embryoes, in a Slyth facility)
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(there were humans here exploring and the logs indicate something greasy was happening before the military element made the decision to self terminate)
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(oof)
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(which is all info you had already, but i know its been a few days)
03:59
Mazzio does not reply. His mind may not even be here for what anyone here can tell
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(Thanks for the refresher)
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Vukan moves to the door, and crouches down, aiming down the corridor, establishing a position as best he can.
04:01
"Can't leave yet. Specially if..." his voice becomes a whisper "the boss isn't, you know... here."
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(What;s Vukan's position on Mazzio? Scared or..)
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The ship lifts off, its captain deciding to investigate the second planet for himself. The next sit hours go by without word from the ship, or word from Mazzio-who has not moved at all. Finally the merchant signals in. "The planet, the second planet. Massive factories, farms, everything...fabricating on the surface. Everything but the people to run them, but they seem to have automated machines working all on their own anyway. I've never seen anything like this before. It's like they're all being controlled in unison"
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(Both scared and or...) (edited)
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(Nanobot time bois)
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"So the boss is making them work?"
04:04
"How do we get him to stop? I mean, it's great and all he can do this, but..."
04:04
"We kind of need him not organising a planet"
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"Well, this planet could become part of our empire, but I get the sentiment"
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"I mean, it doesn't need to be controlled? We get the people, it works, right? Not as well, but still."
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"We'd need someone smart to get him out of this, to understand the technology"
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Vukan swears loudly
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"Oi, it's fine. I'm sure we can at least try to understand it, If not do more"
04:08
"Maybe If we got a look at the lower levels we'd be able to do more"
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"You see a staircase? Or elevator?"
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"No, we just have to blast our way in"
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"Honestly, think it's better we try to speak to him."
04:10
Vukan slowly approaches the throne, moving slowly, with his weapons away
04:11
As he gets closer, he reaches out slowly to touch Mazzio. "If he kills me, let him know I wasn't trying to kill him."
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There is a ripple of force as your hand is about to make contact with his body, and youre gently pushed back a few meters. Leave me. Leave me to my work. This great work. I can make our nation great
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Vukan pauses, then speaks. "What about Bergasa? Everyone else? How long before someone comes and looks to take what is yours? And you are here?" (edited)
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"I think the question he is looking to ask sir, is how long will you be here?"
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I can manage our affairs from here, with more capacity than ever before. You've both done our emerging organization a great service
04:27
(9xp, 50,000 credits)
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Vukan looks at Lucas, then throws an uncertain salute, before heading out.
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"Sir, If you ever need aid, or just someone to talk to, i guess, then just come to me"
04:29
"And the second planet. Are we to claim it? What do you want us to do?"
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*It is claimed for us already. I will reach out to you if aid is needed. For now, I will work to understand just what we have at our disposal"
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Vukan jerks his head from the doorway at Lucas. He looks a little eager to be away
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Lucas leaves with Vukan
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Goal Complete: Prove myself to the SCAF
04:32
3xp
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(12xp payday for you, nice)
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Goes to Level 4. HP 9-> 23 (3d6+8 due to Taros penalty). Pilot 0->1->2 (5 SPP), Notice -1 -> 0. (edited)
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(Goes to level 4. Hp 17 - 28. Stab - 2, fix -0)
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(What cyberware is available in the SCAF?)
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(Core book for now)
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(All I wanted to hear)
04:54
(Vukan, when he gets back to Bergasa, will be installing the following into himself.)
04:55
(And I am assuming TL4 only)
04:56
(Bioadaptation Augments, Dermal Armour, Panspectral Optics)
04:57
(Thats 10k, 20k, and 15k, for a total of 45k)
04:57
(Actually, hold off)
04:58
(I might get a Gravflyer)
05:04
(Nah, can't put enough stuff on it now, I'll take the cybernetics)
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(Can you post that level up in your own channel Lucas so I can find it later if we need it)
05:15
(Installation and recovery time is one day per point of system strain, and those days can’t be used as downtime since you’re adjusting to your cyberware )
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(No problem, thats 4 days. Vukan will also look to buy a hovercycle) (edited)
05:20
(Hovercycle which has a Smugglers hold) (edited)
05:21
(Cost of 6,000) (edited)
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(Do I post it in shipyard updates?) (edited)
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(Not for vehicles just make a sheet and keep it handy
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(Cool. Also, because phosphor tattoos were described as something that could be gotten from the Polychromia book without going to polychromia when I asked, can I get a few?)
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(Sure)
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(Cool.)
05:36
(He'll buy 5 phosphor tattoos, 3 B cells, a Solar recharger, a Vacc suit, and a survey scanner. 500, 300, 500, 100, 250)
05:39
(1650)
05:45
(And with that, Vukan is done with his purchases) (edited)
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(Sounds good, not sure if you had anything in mind next)
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Vukan will look to go and explore Unn, to the south, once he is recovered. With his new equipment, he's very well equipped to explore.
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(your cyberware recovery downtime was 4 days, Lucas is working on modding one of his two weapons for the week , so he would need another 3 days beyond your 4. If you want to wait, we can apply some addiitonal time to something, or whatever you want to do. Or we can pull you and an NPC team to go now)
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(I'd prefer to do some solo stuff at least for a mission. Already mentioned it to Lucas cause he messaged me about it.)
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Vukan will prepare to travel to Unn, looking to at least get a proper scouting report of the planet most suited to expansion from Bergasa
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The Unn system has three planets in it. The main world is an ocean world close to the sun, on the close side of the temperate zone. The second world is a gas giant, with three barren orbiting moons, and the furthest planet from the sun is a broken planetoid, Slain by an ancient cosmic collision
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Vukan directs travel towards the ocean world, the most likely to hold life.
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The ships captain thinks for a long moment. "We should try to get a scan before we get too close, we don't know what we might be walking into"
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"Of course. High orbit, scan for anyone looking back, find an island. Of course, if it's all water, we move on. Don't think this is amphib, no?
15:29
Vukan gestures around the bridge.
15:31
(this ship actually is fitted for it)
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(Oh cool)
15:31
(Thats actually superb)
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(Everything tha tthe group has agreed on fittings for is on the registry now. There's a few things we need to finish hammering out, but I think about 70ish % of what you guys have is fitted)
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(Great)
15:32
(Still, Vukan would like to know if there is land down there)
15:33
(He survive in a lot of places now, but underwater is not one of them)
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(did you want to run the scan, or should the crew, last question)
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(Scan uses what, notice?)
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(Program /int)
20:31
(Not fitted with survey scanners so no bonus this time)
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(Sure, Vukan will do it.)
20:34
(10)
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The ocean world is entirely or almost entirely covered with liquid water. Habitations cling to the few rocky atolls jutting up from the waves, and are constantly going through repairs to their breakwater walls. Survival depends on aquaculture. Planets with inedible alien life rely on gengineered Terran sea crops. The people of Unn are human, and worship their psionic leaders as gods, though most of them are at least partly torched due to the effects of The Scream. These natives view psionic powers as a visible gift of god or sign of superiority. Psychics occupy almost all major positions of power and are considered the natural and proper rulers of the world. The world lacks training facilities, it is likely a hodgepodge of demented cults, with each one dedicated to a marginally-coherent feral prophet and their psychopathic ravings.
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Vukan looks down at the readings and frowns.
01:48
"If we can get them to understand about Mazzio, should be super easy. Just gonna need to do that. Lets go have a look at the most second largest settlement. If I can speak to them, might get some decent ground work in." (edited)
01:48
(What TL is the world?)
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"Let's go speak to the Mist-speaker. Got the most reasonable name, ain't looking like he's a crazy biomancer, also got the eyes to see through those mists. Lets rock."
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(unclear from orbit)
02:58
(enough for long range radio, but beyond that its a mystery)
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(Oh, great.)
02:59
Seeing the planet has radio signals transmitting, Vukan asks the crew to attempt to communicate via radio with the Mist-Speaker buildings.
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The comms station raises a hand after a few moments of trying to dial in the frequency, indicating they have it, and are ready for you to send whatever message you plan on sending
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"Greetings, Mist-Speakers. This is Vukan Korda, of the Insight, Free Merchant in the service of Lord Silvano Mazzio, leader of the SCAF. We seek to begin a dialogue with you, and look forward to your response."
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There is something like the sound of wind blowing coming back, before a point 5 kilometers from their settlemnet, deep in the jungle is laid out for you. There is no further communication after that
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Vukan shrugs.
20:34
"Set me down, then move off. No sense getting too close. I can survive long enough for you to pick me up."
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The ship makes a quick entry into atmosphere, stopping only for long enough to get you off, before making its way back into the sky. You stand in a palm forest, alone for now, the whooping of birds and small primates the only real noise. The mist is thick and cloying. It swirls around your arms and ankles like silk, though parts quickly when you move your hands through it
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(Can Vukan see through it with his Panop Implants?)
03:33
(They give him vision across the entire E/M spectrum pretty much)
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(There’s nothing to see at the moment. After a short distance there would still be too much interference, but you’re better equipped than someone without fancy eyes)
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(Cool.)
03:35
Vukan shrugs, and takes out his survey scanner, taking readings around him, before running up the tallest tree he can find, looking to get above the canopy and get his bearings for the building that the ship scan had revealed.
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The optics reveal there is a building behind the mist, as expected, and there is a bit of heat in each of the peaks of its towers. Rounded walls keep everything tall and strong, and there are no outbuildings you can notice
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Making sure to mark the direction, Vukan descends, and then begins making his way towards the building
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(notice/wis at +2)
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(10)
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The optics get brief humanoid sized returns from the mist. Four in total are flickering toward you, almost like blinking in and out of vision
00:14
They’re armed with long solid shot rifles but nothing apparent beyond that
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Vukan scrambles up to a branch he can lie and go prone on, and calls out. "I am an Vukan Korda, Emissary of Lord Mazzio. Who are the four who come to greet me?"
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There is only the sound of the wind, but the four figures allow themselves to be seen now, 30m from you at the edge of the larger trees to your north.
17:50
17:50
You arrive, from the stars A voice on the wind seems to say. A statement of fact, rather than a question
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Vukan remains where he is, and replies. "I do. I come from Bergasa, where Lord Mazzio sought to make a new way of living. I come here to speak to the people of this planet about being a part of it."
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(Mental save, once we get the result you'll either get some info or all the info)
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(Fail, 1v12)
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You sense your mind being probed telepathically for information, as they pilfer your feelings and information about the veracity of your claims. After a moment, your vision corrects itself
22:45
You speak the truth, of this Lord Mazzio
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Vukan frowns "Why would I lie? You can see his power. It needs no embellishing."
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He is a threat. He will supplant us, and turn out great works against our flocks
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"Doesn't have to be. Mazzio believes in nothing but ensuring his people are safe and prosperous. He can show you how to master your abilities even further. Show how to prevent the eventual end that most psychics without guidance reach. How many do you loose to their own powers each year? How many with great potential push themselves further than they can contain?"
23:52
"If Lord Mazzio wanted to be hostile, he would not have sent me. I came of my own choice, to persuade you of what I believe, that Lord Mazzio can do great things with you as part of the SCAF, greater things than if we end up opposed."
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*He sent you but you also came of your own choice? One does not need to be telepathic to see the contradiction. However, the core of your words is understood. You seem to think we have something to gain, but in losing our autonomy we have far more to lose”
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"I'm his man. He tells me to do what I think's best for what he want. I decided this was that. So he sent me, and I chose to go here. But your freedom don't have to go like space dust." Vukan's accent thickens somewhat, the spacer slang creeping back in. "Workin' gether, tradin', no need to go surrendering. Hell, couple of psychics, trained by him? Change your whole world when they come back. Lord likes psychics, and he's fair. You got problems with anything, talk it out with him. Clear you gonna respect him more than me." (edited)
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If he or a psychic comes to this planet, we will consider speaking more closely to him. Trust not the words of one who has their mind closed the four of them say at once
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"Figured you'd say that. And if Lord Mazzio wishes to speak with you, no doubt he will. Mean time, I'll see if some of his students might be willing to do a turn down here."
00:12
"Before I go, about the other tribes here? Anything I should be wary of, if I look to explore the ocean? Any who might take offense? Don't want to have my mind attacked while I'm takin some readings." (edited)
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there are others here who follow their own ways and paths. They may act differently when approached. It is not for us to know
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Vukan shrugs, then walks down the tree, and back towards the clearing of mist to contact the ship (edited)
17:47
"Bring me back up. We'll check out that sunken tower, see if there's anything alive in it, then send a message to the other tribes, see how they react."
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THe sinking tower is a lighthouse, trapped amid a swirl of raging white water. Ocean spray kicks up in large plumes , battering the rocks, and sending water high into the air. There is a small green light at the top of the tower where the beacon once would have lit up the entire local area
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"Lets give it a scan, see if anything is down there. If there is, we'll try to contact them."
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There is power on inside the tower, along with some signs of life. No radio contact seems to be made.
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Vukan shrugs. "No sign of life, lets go see."
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"The scanners say differently" the sensor officer says "All the same, how close to we want to get to these guys, doesn't look like there's a whole lot of space to land"
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(Whoops my bad I misread that. Oh well)
22:11
Vukan frowns.
22:12
"You could try dropping me off. My anchors should allow me to hold on and climb to an entrance. Or we can just land in the water, have a peek around."
22:13
"Find a point we can enter visually"
22:13
"Lets do that. No sense me jumping onto a "sinking" tower when there might be a door."
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The ship plunges down into the ocean, as there is nothing visible on the outside of the tower above the waves From below, it appears there is some sort of door at the bottom of the strange whirlpool surrounding the location
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Vukan shrugs. "Get me close enough to get onto the tower, I'll shimmy down to the door."
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(above water or under it?)
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(Above, he's planning to jump across and slide down) (edited)
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The ship ascends, pulling out of the water, and hovers as close to the tower as it dares without catching a control surface on the outer rocks. The airlock whines open and pail sunlight streams in
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Vukan grins, as he looks at the tower. "Time to see if these things were worth the surgery"
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(Can’t really think of a reason youd fail to cling on)
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Vukan begins to jug down the side of the tower, towards the door, still on alert.
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Nothing emerges and the tower does not seem to notice. You hear the howl of the wind, and the roar of the sea. Combined, they blot out all other sensation. You rapidly approach the water line, with the submerged door justbelow.
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Vukan takes two deep breathes, then prepares to go down.
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The door under the tower seems to exist in some kind of air pocket, trapped by the awning over it. It appears to be an ordinary wood and iron banded passage door, with no additional locks or outward security on it
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Vukan rolls his shoulders, and knocks.
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There is a blast of air as the door opens and you're pulled inside.
14:58
The room is dark, but warm, and it sounds like trickling water is dripping down from above. Heavy foot-falls on the stone steps winding down to this level boom, sending dust down mixing with the water
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Vukan looks up the stairs, seeing if he can see who is coming (edited)
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Your cyberware flicks through several vision modes, before focusing on heat as the best, and you see a large figure, human, but broader and taller, standing a few stairs up from the landing. "You...You have entered the Sinking Tower....You are...not of us"
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"True. Though as I'm finding out, thats the case all across this planet." Vukan stretches his neck slightly "You certainly all have a flair for the dramatic. Though hearing voices out loud and not in my head is a welcome change."
16:29
"I am Vukan Korda, explorer and emissary of Lord Silvano Mazzio, ruler of the SCAF."
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"And your business with the Lords of the Sinking Tower?"
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"Mainly to establish contact. This planet is a short distance from Lord Mazzio's new home, and he wants to see who's out there, who's friendly, that sort of thing." Vukan runs a hand through his hair, and shakes the water from his hand. "We did try to contact you over radio before I came down. But the lack of response meant a more direct approach was needed."
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"Replies came in a way you cannot hear" the speaker says, remaining somewhat in shadow. "You are here you have made contact, what is the purpose of this contact?"
19:28
"What is Lord Mazzio wanting, with us"
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Vukan leans against the wall, still looking up at the heat signature, and continues to brush the water off of his coat.
19:32
"Curiosity about what's around his holdings, interest in anything he can both help and make use of. I figured he'd be very interested in this place, given your high percentage of MES users. Given he's possibly the most powerful psychic in the galaxy. Currently, he's looking to prove he can rule better than his former nation, best I can understand. So friendly relations between neighbours, help with developing your abilities, that sort of thing. He's very interested in psychics, and how they can develop themselves."
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"Lord Mazzio then...wants subjects. Allies he may call them, but subject to his grand vision. "
14:56
"How does he intend to rule better ? Has he shared these plans?
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"Honestly, he hasn't shared his most intimate plans with me. But it's early days. And given where he is now, everyone can telepathically communicate with each other, even if they ain't MES users, I'd guess he plans to go that way. If you want to talk to him about it, sure he'd be happy to share and explain, but I'm not the person to do that. I'm just the scout, and occasional diplomat."
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"How do we reach this Lord Mazzio ourselves?"
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"Well, we can give you a lift to see him in person. Or I can see if he's willing to speak through me. Haven't tried this before, but Lord Mazzio is basically unlimited in normal MES stuff, so lets see."
15:20
Vukan closes his eyes, thinks of Mazzio, sitting on the Chair in Actala, and thinks. "Boss? I have some MES users who might want to speak with you. They don't seem willing to trust me on my word."
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There is a swimming sensation and it feels like you have been dunked into a warm bath. It feels like floating, and you have no recollection of what happens after. Your watch, when you recover your senses, shows three hours have gone by, and the front of your uniform is stained by trickles of blood from your nose. Your head aches fiercely- but otherwise, you seem to be unhurt. "Thank you, scout for SCAF, for bringing us this news. The people of The Sinking Tower will answer Lord Mazzio's call"
15:37
(I will say you get the sense physically that doing this often is probably going to lead to issues, both since you're not trained to handle MES, and because we don't want Sil just fixing issues for everyone to become a meta)
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Vukan swears a little under his breath, and wipes the blood from his nose.
15:37
(No problem, I've now got a new goal for Vukan)
15:38
(Find or develop a cybernetic that allows Mazzio to talk through him without Vukan bleeding/vomiting)
15:40
"Not trying that again."
15:41
Vukan coughs a few times, and then looks up the stairs again.
15:41
"What sort of relationship do you have with the other clans on this planet?"
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"We keep to ourselves. The strongest minds attract those who can hear them from those not gifted. We have...a hard time...with the mainland"
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"Fair enough. Don't think I can survive having the boss in my head again. So I'm going to ask if any of them want to go see him. Any of your people care to tag along?"
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"We have spoken with him, and he has given his instruction. We have no reason to leave, for now"
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Vukan whistles. "Welp, you're now officially more in the know than I am. Wishing you all the best."
17:57
With that, Vukan turns towards the door, and prepares to make a dash out and scramble up the outside of the tower.
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The tower begins to rise, the door elevating above the crashing waves, so you no longer need to do acrobatics to get out
20:04
(3xp, 5000 credits)
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Lvl 4->5. 23hp-24hp. Sneak ->0, Sneak->1. Taking Alert Rank 1 as a focus. (edited)
21:01
Vukan heads back to the ship, and points to the scan of the world. "All's ticking down there. Time to see what the others think, try to get a little deputation from here to go speak with Lord Mazzio."
21:02
"We'll head to the Forest Herald, have a little word."
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Storm clouds are gathering over the area where the Forest Herald has made his base of operations. Magenta lightning flickers between clouds, flashing and the thunder bangs with a tremendous concussive impact, shaking the vessel.
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"Can we get a signal through this? Or is it completely blocked?"
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"If its short we should be able to get a clean send, a few lines, dont go more than that or theres a risk itll garble in the storm"
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Vukan nods., and sends the following message. "This is SCAF expedition, seeking to speak with the Forest Herald. We have matters to discuss."
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A short message appears on your screen, as the storm continues raging SCAF is not a name we have heard before. We have no business together
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Vukan sucks on his teeth briefly, before sending another message. "We serve Lord Mazzio, a psychic of great power. He wishes to meet more psychics near his home."
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Lord mazzio is free to come meet himself. We will not deal with stooges or lapdogs. The Herald is proud, and all nature is his domain
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Vukan exhales sharply through his nose, and massages the bridge of it. (edited)
02:30
"One day. Lord Mazzio will let me go down there with a sheer rifle and not come back till dumb messages like that aren't being broadcast."
02:30
Vukan then sends a final message.
02:31
"Your message is understood. The Herald will understand in time."
02:32
Vukan then waves to the bridge crew.
02:32
"Take us to the volcano place. Surely they can't be as arrogant as this fisking sonna."
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Flying across the planet you begin approaching the volcanic borderlands where the aspect of fire has made his lair. To your surprise a trio of fighters rise from the very large island and seem to be on a path to intercept the ship, though the accompanying weapons locks and radar spikes aren’t sounding inside the cockpit of your vessel
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Vukan sends a general hail out towards them, while moving into the pilot seat. "Unknown Fighters, this is Sovereign Colonies merchantman Insight. Identify yourself and make your intentions clear." (edited)
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Insight, this is our planet, and that's a bold request since you're the stranger here. State YOUR intentions or we will consider you hostile and open fire
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(Is it a radio message or a telepathic one)
16:57
(Assuming it is a radio message)
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(Radio)
16:57
(Cant do the tilde key from mobile)
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"Unknown Fighters, we are an exploratory and now diplomatic mission, seeking to explore systems in proximity to our own. Forgive the terse greeting, it's been a long day."
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Lock weapon bays and stow guns, follow us in if you wish to talk. Deviation from the route will have you fired on
17:01
Two of the fighters drop back into an escort position, where the lead takes on the role of a guide, leading you toward the large volcanic black settlement of iron below
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"Understood escort fighter."
17:03
Vukan follows the craft in.
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The city you're led to is made from volcanic stone, veined with rich streaks of mineral color. Everything has been polished to a dull sheen , reflecting the light of torches that line simple streets, burn from small iron baskets near building entryways, and most windows even have a candle in them. A large obsidian tower dominates the city, towering above even the large manufacturing buildings here, and the upper windows are ablaze with firey orange, though its not clear if its deliberate or a trick of the light
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Vukan whistles slighty. "These guys seem more useful than the others. Actual manufacturing, air capable fighters, decent tech base."
02:49
Once landed, Vukan will stash his pistols and rifle in a carryall, and move to the ramp, waiting for further instruction.
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Two men with vulcanized rubber gloves, smocks, and hoods come forward, each with tight burst hand flamethrower units, though the weapons aren't raised. One of them makes an adjustment to a dial near his neck and his voice comes through as a ragged cough. "Your business with The Aspect of Fire?"
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"Firstly, extending a greeting hand. Pretty lonely out in this part of the sector." Vukan seems to pause, then pushes his fringe out of his eyes, straightens up, and the orange SCAF symbol on his arm flares brightly. "Lord Mazzio, founder and ruler of the Sovereign Colonies Armed Forces, extends greetings to the Aspect of Fire through me,. Vukan Korda. He hopes to move forward together, to achieve mutual goals of prosperity and progress. Already, some of Unn have accepted his words, listened to them, and agreed to mutual co-operation and friendship. It is my hope that the same end can be reached here."
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they nod, and you're roughly moved into something of an escort formation with the guards, and more of them fall in until there are six of them around you. The destination seems to be the large tower, the one looming over everything. Although the initial treatment is a bit rough, there doesnt seem to be any outward hostility toward you
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Vukan makes sure only his black band phosphor tatt is glowing, and takes the chance to have a look around, mainly trying to assess the level of industry. While they clearly can produce fighters, he's interested in how widespread this is, and what common life is.
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The city is developed according to what you'd expect would be the new normal on a fortunate world. It does not look that much different than Gudrun, Acastus, or the other worlds where polities rose up from
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Vukan is suitably impressed, especially with how it compares with the other islands.
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At the door into the tower, there is a knock as one of the sentries announces you being there of a sort, and it opens gently, with a whine. A long staircase, spiraling upward is waiting for you and the guards in front of the door wave you in, indicating you need to climb
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Vukan nods in thanks to them, and begins walking up the stairs, hands in pockets, looking around himself as he climbs.
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Climbing the endless stairs it feels like you've been doing it for hours, though only five minutes have passed by your watch count. THe first floor you come to has a polished floor, made from the same dark tile, though veined with white and cream. They seem to suggest the wisping heat and soot trails that come with fire. In the center of the room, a figure in soot stained workers clothes applies fire from the palm of his hand to a glass orb, using telekinesis with the other to tease out a shape, though right now the form is hard to guess. "Hello there, please, have a seat. Sorry about the fighters, we were...not expecting guests"
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"No problem. We weren't expecting fighters."
16:32
Vukan sits, and slouches down in his chair, before catching himself, and straitening up, and sitting properly.
16:32
"From what I've seen rest of this planet, last thing we thought we'd see was aircraft."
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"There are different viewpoints when it comes to the organization of life, and society. This flexibility isn;t the normal on all worlds, I understand. Especially due to The Scream. Everything you see here awakened, and rose after"
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Vukan whistles slightly.
16:38
"When you say everything, how everything? The Islands? The societies?"
16:38
"Cause I've seen some pretty weird stuff, so an entire Island chain wouldn't be out of the norm."
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"The land was here, but the new psychic orders rising after it, and the technology re-developed after are all things we have done in the last four years or so"
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"Makes sense with what I've heard. Though you seem to be the only group focusing on somewhat decent quality of life. And manners."
20:10
"The Herald was downright rude, the Mist Speakers refused to believe anything I said because I don't have MES, and the people in the tower hid their faces, even after Lord Mazzio spoke to them through me and they agreed to join."
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"I can't really offer much there. We mostly keep to ourselves and organized life our own way. They've done the same for themselves and its been working for them"
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"Not expecting you to. Just nice to meet people who act like... well, people. Either way, I'm here because I'm fairly certain you could benefit from working with the SCAF. Our scans suggested that while you have a very rate of MES, you don't have formal training, or ways to limit the consequences of untrained use of MES abilities."
20:19
"Lord Mazzio is almost certainly the most powerful Psychic in the sector, and very competent at preventing psykers from burning themselves out. You could benefit from his knowledge, and he's interested in developing psychic potential. Hell, just a few weeks ago he managed to prevent a psychic who'd been going slowly crazy inside a lifepod from killing themselves with their powers. Right now, he's sitting on a Psi-tech throne, controlling an entire planet's worth of factories, and still was able to take control of my body and speak to the people of the Sunken Tower."
20:19
"However, it was a less than pleasant experience for me, felt like I'd been drinking engine coolant for a week. Furthermore, I don't expect you to take me at my word."
20:21
So, what I'm offering is something different. Lord Mazzio can't come here, but we can take a deputation of your choosing to him. A diplomatic visit to Actala, about a weeks transit away. Once in system, he'll be able to speak to anyone you send, and you'll be able to speak to him. Let him explain his ideas, he knows them far better than me."
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"Don't have any ways to limit the consequences? I trained everyone with talent in the city here myself, even if their powers were dim. If you're having problems its not with us" he says, his temper flaring like the fire he is described as. "I'll go with you to meet him though, if I'm clean enough for my humble feet to walk the halls of your giant magical space rectangle" The object he was making begins falling apart, the shape falling to molten droplets and hissing as it hits the ground
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Vukan raises his hands "Hey, hey, no need to get angry. No comment on you, just on what I was told about MES." (edited)
20:24
"And to be honest, I'm pretty certain I'm more likely to be seen as the one getting things dirty on the ship."
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"We worked hard to rebuild anything of value here, and I'm proud of what we did. When the effort gets...looked down on..I get a little upset"
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"Sorry if you felt that way. I'm not really a diplomat, and honestly, I'm more freaked out by Lord Mazzio than anything. So much of the stuff he does I have no idea, so I can only explain it in terms I get. Honestly, here? You're doing better than I'd say 50% of the worlds I've seen reports on. Hell, some of my colleagues found a world that used to be a trade hub, and now has a bunch of slavers kidnapping explorers on it. Just surviving the Scream without outside help is impressive, let alone building anything more." (edited)
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The molten ball reconstitutes itself, and begins flowing into a flame looking shape, though a small aspect of the same fire is witin, burning without fuel, and with a trace amount of warmth. Telekinetically, he strings it with a fine chain, and floats it over to your hand
21:46
"This is for you, a token of safety for as long as you remain here, and a token to remember this nice conversation"
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Vukan takes it and nods. "Thanks. Do you mind if I take a look around your city while you think on the offer?"
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"Of course. Can you come back tonight?"
21:48
"I need to speak with a few of my retainers first"
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"No problem."
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Vukan heads back down the stairs, fiddling with the pendant.
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Outside, the city life is like normal on any other planet. People go to work, to school, run errands , and go about the daily tasks required of them.
18:34
Above, a pair of fighters flies high over the city, on another one of their patrols (edited)
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Vukan feels a little bit of a chill at the fighters, a remnant of his smuggler days, but looks to see if there is a bar he can win some money in.
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There is a small bar near the tower where several people are sitting outside enjoying drinks and the nice weather.
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Vukan will approach, and enter the bar. "Do you accept credits? And if you don't, can you point me to a money changer?" (edited)
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“We take exchange of light credits here. What’s your gamble of choice?
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Vukan grins. "Cards by preference."
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"Well, we do have those here, find a table and im sure you'll find a game'
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Vukan nods, tips the man 100 credits, and looks for a card table.
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(As is not really sure anything else applies here aside from a luck save)
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(Success, 12v11)
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After several hands and a couple hours of playing youre 100 credits richer than how the night began
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Vukan nods to the players, buys a round of drinks for the table, and then checks the time.
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It would be late enough to return for an answer to the question you posed to the fire lord earlier
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Vukan will make his way back
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Getting to the tower, Vukan will knock twice on the door, and wait.
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Entering the tower you see that there is more activity here then before. Several functionaries and soldiers are preparing what looks like trunks and other luggage to go, and the craftsman youd spoken with earlier is likewise stowing some of his belongings while directing the work
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Vukan saunters in, and nods. "Unless you made a new house while I was gone, I'm guessing you accepting my offer? Gonna ask, you personally, or trusted people?" (edited)
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“Me personally and a few of my senior retainers to help protect me while I am away”
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"Not a problem. Should have plenty of room. I'll go inform the ships crew, and prepare to depart."
21:49
Vukan will head off back to the ship, and give orders to prepare to leave, with passengers. "We'll be making for Actala. Got a diplomatic visit to Lord Mazzio."
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(No other stops while you’re here?, or do you want to leave right off)
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(Honestly, Vukan is so done with this planet. He got a killer hangover without drinking, a bunch of telepaths told him they couldn't trust what he said, despite reading his mind, and then he got insulted by a guy who lives in a tree.)
00:26
(This is vukans perspective on the whole thing)
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(Alright, well it sounds like you're leaving then, I just was not sure what to write next before, so I asked) As the Aspect of Fire and his trusted compatriots board the ship, they refuse to be parted from their arms, though understand the risk of firing a non-void chambered weapon inside a ship. They're content to settle into cabins and enjoy their work in the workshop or cargo bay if allowed
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Vukan basically gives them the run of the ship (edited)
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(3xp, 5000 credits)
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(Straight to Actala then, essentially?)
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(Yeah, basically. Vukan has had it with Psykers for a bit)
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(5 days of downtime by my count as we travel)
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(Working on fix, now 8/90)
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Arriving at Actala you can see that there has been a bit more development around the facility where the Black Masque was found. Defenses are now mostly complete, and business in other sections of the world now seem to be the focus
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Vukan tentatively sees if he can hear Lord Mazzio in his mind, seeking the same brief communion he felt after the Black Masque was put on.
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(You've got the worldwide comms here)
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"Boss? Got some people need to talk to you. Didn't feel like melting my brain like last time"
18:25
(Yeah, but Vukan is still freaked out by it)
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(Did you go in? or just sitting on the landed ship trying to talk? trying to figure out what to write)
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Vukan would have landed, and is waiting to be told whether or not he should bring the guys in.
18:33
(He doesn't know if Mazzio wants people who aren't SCAF coming into the base proper, when he's more than capable to TPing with them without them moving close)
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Who have you brought to speak with me?
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"Another of the cult leaders from Unn. He's the leader of and established a proper city on the place, mainly with what looks like TK."
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I see, this brings us to two of the main groups on the planet. You may send him in, and attend yourself if you so wish
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Vukan nods, then realises that was stupid.
21:29
He then speaks over the ships internal comms system. "Lord Mazzio will see the Aspect of Fire now, alone. Your guards can remain outside the facility, with my weapons. I'll escort you in." Vukan will leave the carryall with his weapons on the ship, and see if this is acceptable to the Aspect.
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As you enter, Silvano is still remaining where he was enthroned, but there are another six men and women inside the main chamber. They come from all walks of life, many of them are sporting equipment that is very clearly seeing better days, and road-worn
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Vukan bows towards Silvano. "Presentin' the Aspect of Fire, of the planet of Unn."
22:02
Vukan jerks a thumb over his shoulder, then makes a slightly more grand gesture, ushering the Aspect into the room. (edited)
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Hello, aspect, I'd like you to meet some friends of mine. both of you. With no significance applied to the order, I'd like you to meet Brethan Allemond, Sanjit, Saul Harcrow, Janov Perloat, Dr. Melora Reydove, and Agent Ricardo, the latter formerly of UNW intelligence, thought lost on Creusa
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Vukan reflexively shrinks a little back at "UNW intelligence", his normal reaction to law enforcement of any sort kicking in.
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These are all people who have chosen to support me, and our cause, and have unique sets of skills. I expect we're going to be working closely together over the coming weeks and months, and years if we make it that far
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Vukan looks around, and nods in greeting, still looking a little uncertain of himself.
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It seems Silvano has now turned his attention to speaking with The Aspect, and it is not a conversation he has deemed necessary to loop you in on. the others resume their duties most of them preparing gear, or trying to figure out what can be salvaged.
17:54
One of them, wearing a battered Greenbriar Colonial Marshal uniform tries to flag you down. "Hey, you know where a guy might be able to find a grav bike mechanic?"
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Vukan sucks on his teeth. "I'm in a similar place myself. Lookin for someone to tune my bike up. Most likely, someone back on Bergasa could, not sure bout specialists."
18:11
"Currently, I'm self-learnin."
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"You think we might be able to pool some knowledge or some tools? figure this out together maybe? I'm Saul, by the way. Dont mind the uniform, it was this or come naked"
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Vukan shrugs. "Gotta say, glad to here that. But it's basically a hobby for me, and not one I'm good at currently."
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He shrugs back "Well, I'll keep looking then, thanks" He goes back to fiddling with his ornate looking bike, whistling a disjointed marching tune under his breath
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(well, that was what i had, im good for whatever you wanna do next)
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Vukan is going to wait till Mazzio is finished, and then politely ask if there is anything specific Mazzio needs done, which Vukan is capable of doing.
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(I don't know what you think youre capable of doing then, the couple things i had sorta got brushed off, so I'm relying on you now)
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Seeing the way that different people are travelling, Vukan will instead head out back towards the UNW, specifically to Andere, in one of the Puddlejumpers, intending to explore the strange sounding world and it's moons.
22:27
Before going however, he will have a Body Arsenal Array installed
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A world of nighttime oceans lit only by a pale blue sun and three moons waits for you below. Purple seas brush up against reef continents and archipelagos that will never know the light of their sun. Even from space enormous webs of bioluminescent plants can be seen flowing in all hues of the visible rainbow. This world of eternal sunless sea offers a unique opportunity to study plant and animal life developing on a world with almost no ambient light.
02:42
(there wont be any downtime while you're recovering from getting the cyberware implanted, since you're doped up and on hospital drugs, but its a 3 day jump to Andere after)
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(11/90 on fix)
02:42
Vukan will direct a full scan of the planet and the moons
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A world of nighttime oceans lit only by a pale blue sun and three moons waits for you below. Purple seas brush up against reef continents and archipelagos that will never know the light of their sun. Even from space enormous webs of bioluminescent plants can be seen flowing in all hues of the visible rainbow. This world of eternal sunless sea offers a unique opportunity to study plant and animal life developing on a world with almost no ambient light.
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Vukan directs the shuttle towards the moons, intending to check them closely for any sort of survey base or observation facility.
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(a 'full system scan' is how they got this info in the first place)
04:29
There is no base, as a system scan would have likewise revealed this information. Without landing, or closer investigation, the information you have is all the information that seems to be available
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(Ah right, I was more reffering to any satellites etc. Never been 100% on how detailed the "Scans" are.)
04:47
Vukan directs the shuttle to one of the moons, intending to explore all the moons before landing.
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(its basically very general system information but it would reveal power, cities, ect. Its not fined tuned enough to pick out individual lifeforms or specific information, nothing can replace actually landing)
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(Cool. Sticking with the flyover of the moons+ a short landing)
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The general flyover reveals no more information than the survey scanners do, as its being done from the same altitude. An actual landing somewhere seems to be the only way to refine your results. The ship crew is waiting for you to make a decision on where to land
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"The first moon. The largest one. We'll check the three moons each first, before we risk landing."
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*Vukan checks if the moon has atmosphere, or if he'll be wearing his vaccsuit
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The first moon does not have an atmosphere that is thick enough to allow you to breathe there without a suit, but someday it might. The rock is a greenish purple, veined in black, with the beginnings of mountains and seas beginning to form
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(Wait, does it have a breathable atmosphere with my bio-adaptation implants?) (edited)
21:23
"These additional synthetic organs and filters allow the bearer to survive in thin-atmosphere conditions, as well as tolerate temperatures ranging from Antarctic chill to heat sufficient to boil water. They can also eat a wide range of native life forms for sustenance; no normal planet’s native biology is ever considered immiscible for consumption."
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(because of your implants then, you would be fine. Thank you for the reminder, I will probably need that a few times before it gets firmly in my head)
21:42
(There are a lot of you)
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(Not a problem)
21:44
Vukan lands the shuttle, before giving a carefree wave to the crew who are with him, as he jumps out onto the moon. Once down, he makes use of his implanted weapons to cut off some rock samples, and fills a small container with the proto-sea water.
21:45
From there, it is on to the second moon.
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as you cut the rock sample, something rumbles in the ground, and it begins to rise out of the ground, a meter taller than you it turns to face you, gemstone eyes glittering from beneath a hood of rock. "Oi , that really hurts you know. you should ask a fellow before you start peeling him like a geode"
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Vukan holds up his hands, and drops the rock sample, looking up at the giant rock man.
21:48
"My bad. Didn't realise you were, well you."
21:49
"The ship didn't detect anything down here, just what looked like a moon without anything down there."
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"Names Vukan. Vukan Korda."
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"I am Luminite , please do not cut any more pieces off of me, and we will consider this a good first meeting" he says, holding a rock fist forward, to touch yours
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Vukan will fist bump him.
22:34
"Again, my bad."
22:35
"So, Luminite, you are what exactly? I've heard of things called Geons, but they all seemed, well smaller than you. By quite a lot."
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"I am also, a Geon. THere are more like me out there?"
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"Well, I've heard some popped up. Two of the people who I work with met one, don't know what happened to him. But yeah. You ain't the only one. If you don't mind me asking, how do you know you are Geon? If you are only one you know of, who taught you you were a Geon?"
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"There are others here, of my tribe, the ancestors tell me this is what we are, and it is what we know ourselves as"
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"Interesting. Good to meet you Luminite." Vukan looks left and right, and whistles slightly. "Well this puts a twist in the cable. Not sure what to do, I thought I was just exploring a system with some shiny fish. Now I've met a whole tribe of Geon."
14:32
"Guess I should explain who I am more. I work for Lord Silvano Mazzio, very powerful psychic, founded and leads the Sovereign Colonies Armed Forces. Or SCAF. I'm pretty certain I know some people who'd be interested in meeting you, like that UNW guy who showed up."
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"Are they going to cut pieces off of me as well?" Luminite says, digging some of the nearby soil away with his hands, before crunching it down and swallowing. There is a hiss of acid as you can hear the fragments bubbling away
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"Don't think so. As I said, didn't realise you were... well, you."
00:27
"Gotta ask, you have a tribe here? What do you live off, this place doesn't look like it could support life."
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"There are others like me here, not many, but enough for the space we have. The very ground itself nourishes me, and allows me what I need for life to continue"
15:38
"It may look outlandish to you, but it is all I have ever needed "
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Vukan shrugs. "You do you. Not really anything wrong with it. Everything good here? No help needed?"
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He thinks for a long moment. "I am not sure. Nothing is wrong with me"
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"And your tribe? Nothing there?"
17:58
"Kind of looking to apologise for the whole cutting thing here."
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"There is actually one thing, you might be able to assist with. My people are quite heavy you see, and if we venture below that water we might not come back out again after a certain depth. At the bottom, sometimes at night, there is a bright green glow you can see. It is not always very bright, some nights is does not happen at all, but we would like to know what is down there"
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Vukan nods. "Should be able to go down there. I'll need you to keep an eye on my stuff, and give me a bit to go get my suit. Most humans can't breathe out here, but I've been adapted so I can, but I can't breath water yet."
18:24
Vukan will jog back to the shuttle, update them on what he's found, and retrieve his vacc suit.
18:25
(What weapons would work underwater?)
18:26
(I guess the advanced melee weapon would, but I'm not certain about my Energy Projector (Laser Rifle from the BAA) and the Shear Rifle. The Mag pistols probably wouldn't, being solid shot)
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(energy wouldnt work underwater, solid shot probably would, just with halved ranges is how ive always done it)
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(Ok, not sure why the Shear rifle wouldn't given it's not using a "beam" of sort, but grav fields)
18:30
(But if thats the ruling, np)
18:32
Vukan will put both his mag pistols on his belt, and leave his rifle on the ship
18:36
"So, Luminite, lead on."
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(It’s energy based )
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"I cannot go into the water, I will sink, but the lake is somewhere I can bring you, and I will wait on the shore."
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Vukan nods, and follows behind, checking the movement of his internal blade
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The lake is a kilometer from where you had met Luminite, and it looks to be deep. He was not exaggerating the size or draft of the body of water. True to form there is a faint green glow in the middle , interminably down, that pulses rather than remains constant
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Vukan pulls on his vacc-suit, and begins to descend.
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The water is thick and oily black as the sun fades , the deeper you go into the water. There Aren’t many features or outcropping and hardly any vegetation on the way down either. The world is still growing
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Vukan's eye augments kick in, Vukan cycling through the various modes till he reaches one that gives him the best possible vision.
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Thermal seems to be the best though its still a sea of confused blue. There is a faint greenish yellow, the beginning of heat, coming from deep below, another 200m down at least
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Thankful for his vacc-suit's air supply, and his bio-adaption, Vukan shifts a mag pistol into one hand, then continues down towards the light.
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At the bottom of the deep lake, you begin to see the remains of a crashed vessel, though are unable to see what is glowing inside. The vessel was shuttle in size, and has not fared the hit with the water and subsequent hit to the bottom of the sea well
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Vukan grins, and then descends towards the vessel, looking for a breach or entrance port to enter through (edited)
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The front section and its airlock are blown open, and seem to be the easiest way to get in, as the cockpit was one of the more reinforced parts of the vessel
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Vukan moves to the airlock, weapon still drawn
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You haven't seen anything living down here that isn't a plant, but you enter the busted airlock, to see the source of the light, a beacon, clutched in the hands of two skeletons in the remains of ship suits
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Vukan approaches, and checks over the skeletons and the cockpit, looking for any sign of origin.
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The flight uniforms are faded, and bleached by the water. The patches are hexagonal, but the emblem is gone now.
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Vukan pulls off the patches anyway, then checks if any of the cockpit's systems are functioning at all, including crash records.
18:25
(He's looking for the equivalent of a Black Box)
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After so long underwater you're able to find the flight data recorders, but they are heavily corroded. Its possible the data could be restored but its not possible with the facilities you have here
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Vukan still stashes the recorders, then grabs the lantern, and does a final check over of the main body of the shuttle, checking for anything he might have missed. (edited)
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without knowing what it is supposed to look like aside from the most general design elements, it is hard to tell if it was a mechanical failure or if it was shot down. There are no obvious signs of outward/external damage.
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Making note of this, Vukan will swim back up to the surface
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Luminite is waiting there, pondering something, and marveling as the light gets closer and closer to the surface
19:02
he gets as close to the shore as he dares , careful not to step into the water
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Vukan emerges, and gets out of his Vacc-suit. "Well, seems like I'm not the first visitor you've had. Crashed shuttle, like what I came in."
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Vukan tosses the lantern onto the floor.
23:07
"This is your glow."
23:08
"Not some beastie."
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He marvels at the device , staring deeply into the glowing distress orb in amazement
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"It's a warning signal. Meant to attract attention. Pretty much a last roll of the dice. Got their data as well, going to see if anything can be recovered by the techs."
01:33
Vukan leaves the lantern and Luminite, and begins to head back to the shuttle, shaking out his hair where it became damp from the vacc-suit coming off.
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(3xp, 5000 credits)
15:59
The shuttle has remained on the ground, the surveyors aboard looking around, and taking some general readings
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Vukan waves to them, and tosses the flight recorders and the patches to them. "Crashed shuttle, bottom of a lake or ocean. Nothing I can tell by looking. Don't know if our shuttle can do anything with the records, or if we need a computer lab for it."
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One of the techs moves over to a terminal, and begins plugging it in as best he can, and frowns as no information transfers over. "We might need a bigger lab, and some better equipment"
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Vukan shrugs. "Anyone you know who has these style patches?" (edited)
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"Looks like old Lamplighter Foundation insignia"
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Vukan shrugs. "And what's the Lamplighter Foundation?"
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"probably better off consulting a databank back at Mount Home if you want the full story, but they wanted to spread knowledge"
22:50
"In case something like this ever happened"
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Vukan nods. "Well, I don't think we've got much more here. Geon community, very low tech, proto-planet."
22:51
"Next moon!" (edited)
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The geon seems very concerned why you suddenly walked off and left but cannot do anything but watch as your shuttle blasts skyward. The next moon is equally barren with just as little of an atmosphere , though the desert here is sea rather than land. The water is a deep black, veined with purple where it is more shallow
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Vukan tells the puddlejumper to maintain position over one of the more shallow sections, puts on a vacc-suit, and lowers himself towards the water, intending to use his survey scanner to get some more detailed readings.
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The water is wet! and made of 2 hydrogen atoms, and one oxygen atom. The scanners seem to think this is standard for water. There is also life in the sample collected consisting of single cell organisms that reproduce by budding and other forms of division.
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Vukan frowns at his scanner, disapproving of sarcastic scanners. He knows water is wet. He collects a small amount, intending to provide some of the single cell organisms for study, before waiting for a few minutes, moving the scanner backwards and forwards, so it looks like light, intending to see if there is any large lifeforms in the water, who would be drawn to a moving light.
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You see the tips of sea grasses growing up from the bottom gently following it, ever so slightly, as it mirrors the passage of the sunlight across the moon's horizon
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Vukan frowns, but reluctantly accepts that no sea monsters are coming to try to eat him, so returns to the shuttle after recording the sea-grasses reaction.
00:23
"Final moon, then. Then we'll see about the planet. Then we'll check back with the Geon, before heading home. Like to find out where these Lamplighters were from and going to. And had been."
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(When you get time just shoot me a d10. I’m indecisive so we are gonna randomly generate it)
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The moon here is likewise airless but seems less dense than the others signifying it is riddled with caverns and other sub terrain features. There is likewise a very thin atmosphere
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Vukan pulls out his survey scanner, and begins to scan for entrances into the cavern system.
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There are thousands of them across the planet, ranging from some leading to shallow, simple chambers above ground, to others that run miles into the mantle, covered in chambers, natural pockets, and what look to be underground rivers
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"Don't wait up for me." Vukan tells the shuttle crew, before looking for the largest cave system he can, and descending, pausing to grab his vacc-suit in case of unavoidable underground rivers.
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The one you're able to disentangle from the confused mess of underground passages is a massive system with hundreds of rooms and chambers. They are naturally formed as the planet pulls itself together from whatever loose asteroids or other space rocks, and there is no evidence of artificial manufacture.
13:42
The shuttle sets you down 50m from the nearest cave mouth allowing entry
13:42
13:42
(bottom left looked like the only way in to me)
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Original message was deleted or could not be loaded.
Pinned a message.
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"Right, going to see if there's anything useful down there. Complete honeycomb system should mean can see any ores or resources." Vukan will head into the cave system, using his survey scanner to keep checking the walls for mineral composition.
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The first chamber is a wide area where a column of rock supports it near the middle. It is barren aside from a thick carpet of moss underfoot where it has fed on the little air, and the steady dripping of water droplets from the cave roof above.
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Vukan heads north, his eyes moving to low light vision, keeping an eye out for and bioluminescence moving towards him.
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(I'll try to enlarge and clean this up, and obviously you're not committed to exploring the entire thing)
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(Yeah, I'm angling for checking out that big cavern to the north, and the system above it)
00:53
(nope, jsut as bad, standby
01:03
(comes up about the same)
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Vukan heads to the large cavern his scanner can detect ahead of him, turning east at the t-junction.
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The room has a large pool of collected water running along the back of it, where it glitters despite the absence of natural light from above. Something bioluminescent must be below the surface of this inky pool. The rock here is otherwise uninspiring and no different from the rest of the cave's makeup so far, though it glitters when light is applied to it, as the beams pick up on flecks of mica and other minerals
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Vukan peers into the pool, looking for whatever the light source is, before moving to the south east, intending to head through the cave system to the strange structure that appears to be buried at the center
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(can you circle on the map where you are now then? I'
14:49
am getting the impression we are bypassing several chambers on the way to where you're going0
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(Sorry, I was assuming that this is the map Vukan got from his survey scanner, so I was describing his intentions, so it was more obvious. Not trying to teleport here) (edited)
14:54
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(you're fine, I was starting off on the bottom left, so i was conused as to what we were looking at. I thought you were walking up to where you're saying youre up at now)
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(Ah I get you)
15:39
(I was thinking bottom left, walk into large cavern, then head southeast from cavern)
15:40
(The squiggly lines do make it a little hard to use cardinal directions sometimes)
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(we'll go with it, i have to figure out a couple things since what I described isnt where we both thought you were)
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Your adventures east bring you through several bare caverns where the rock has hardly had time to form. There are no indications of valuable ores, but you arrive at the end of your planned route, at something like a vast underground river running from north to south. The current is rapid, and the riverbed glows with fungus that has adapted to the conditions here.
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Vukan looks at the river, and begins to pull on the breathing apparatus of his vacc-suit. Then, using a combination of his intergral blade, gecko anchors and own swimming skill, begins to try to swim up river, towards his goal.
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(exert/str, since we're fighting a strong current and you're going against it)
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The current is swift, and despite your initial gains against it, you're pulled along, bashed against rocks, overhangs and other white water hazards in the water, (5 damage from all the smashing around) You finally are coughed up on the shore of the river's most southern chamber, where it flows so deep underground here that falling below the gaping maw of the river's flow is to be lost forever
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(Ah damn just realised I didn't make it clear I was following the route. Oh well) Vukan spits on the floor once, and heads back towards the surface.
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(yes, you were following it, but the current has overwhelmed you and swept you the other way)
14:49
(the DC was 10)
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(Fair enuff)
14:56
"Attention Puddlejumper. Some sort of unknown installation in the cave system, accessible only by underwater river. Returning to Bergasa for supplies."
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(You said swimming skills, i dont know how that should have been interpreted as you remaining on land, or was the confusion thinking the check was passed and it wasn't? We seem to keep having these misunderstandings so I am trying to make my communication better)
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(No, it was just that the distance I thought I was travelling was more than I thought it was. I thought it had been interpreted that I was trying to swim the entire way up, but clearly not) (edited)
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The shuttle crew is beginning to get concerned, as too much time has gone by, and they are eager to return to safety. Their beacon flashes, and you're able to find a route back to the surface after a few hours of walking
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"We need rope, atmo-filters, some climbing harnesses, maybe some telescope poles. Wouldn't hurt to grab some extra help as well."
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(I was just going to handwave you getting back to the surface because this has been a mess )
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(I mean, there's a clear route on the cavern map)
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(Okay cool, I'm still done with this)
15:26
(3xp, 5000 credits)
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(Np)
15:28
(I'm ok with Xavier coming along, 2 people can do alot more vs underwater river than one)
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(no, what I'm saying is I'm taking a break from this cave)
15:29
(beause the map is a mess, and neither one of us have been communicating the right information)
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(Oh right. Fair enough) (edited)
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Level 5->6 HP 24->30 Stab->0->1
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(How much downtime is there on the journey back? Or am I healing up?)
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(you'd be healing up for as many days as it takes, followed by downtime for the rest of the trip. I think healing is only going to be a day)
16:52
(5 damage vs max 6 health regen per day)
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(cool)
16:53
(so 2 days of DT? Since its 3 hexes, and the puddlejumpers have spike 3) (edited)
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(right, looks right to me)
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(10/90 fix)
16:58
Upon returning, Vukan will deliver the damaged flight recorder to the shipyards. "Found this on a crashed shuttle. My crew said these patches..." Vukan pulls the octagon patches out "Belong to some people called the Lamplighters? Thought we might be able to work out why they crashed, or something. Not sure who to give it to, but you guys make and fix the ships round here."
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The techs take the data, and promise if they have anything useful from the decoding and reconstruction of the flight materials, they'll make it known when the council meets. It is expected to take some time
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Vukan will find out the details about the bounties being placed upon Mishk, and the areas on Bergasa which have not been explored yet, intending to contribute to the securing the planet as best he can (edited)
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The bounty is 100 credits per returned mask. An expedition is currently moving towards the swampy region, and has departed already. No expedition efforts have been made, aside from the now settled western island.
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(Could I get attached to the Swampy expedition, or is it gone?)
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(I've got 4 people there already, if its not too crowded for you we can do 5 and just really make this a good push inland)
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(Sure!)
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Upon returning to Mount Home, Vukan heads to the Shipyards, and checks if the flight recorder has yielded any information (edited)
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Then, he puts in a personal construction request, both to build a personal gravflyer outfitted for extended operations, and to refit his bike to be limpet mounted.
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(Bike being given water operation (15k) and Limpet fittings (10% of total cost: 2,100))
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(Building Gravflyer as posted in vehicles for 129,000) (edited)
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The recorder has not, the techs haven’t had more than a couple days to work on it and are also working on other duties
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Vukan thanks them, and heads to organise his planned expedition to attack the Mishk village in the delta
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(I know there were some debates on details in the mission thread. Can you remind me what we finally settled on?)
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(Basically, I'm going to lead an attack on the village with a squad of troopers. If I don't loose a man, Hagen pays me an additional 5k credits, and if I don't destroy any buildings, same thing)
15:06
(After the attack, I'll gather my survey scanner and the data its gathered.) (edited)
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(The scanner provides constant data the way you’re using it. Like a weather station and climate observation thing. Plus a couple days of scans is hardly a representative picture of the overall climate of the area)
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(Oh right. No problem then)
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(Thatll just kinda handle itself. Npcs can do that in the background if you make the area safe )
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(Ok)
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(So you and nine guys then? Vehicles?)
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(Vukan and 5 guys. In his new gravflyer with the bike attached to it)
15:15
(Actually, let me check the capacity of the Gravflyer beyond crew)
15:18
(Yeah, sticking with 5, ain't got any cargo space on the Shrike)
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(Alright. What’s the plan here so I know what to write. Specifically. Are you just going to air strike them or what
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(Vukan plans to strafe, then hover. Then move in to secure the obelisk alone, while the grav flyer offers him air support and suppresses.)
18:24
Aware of how brutal his plan is, Vukan makes a point of using a squad who've suffered losses to the Mishk.
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Nearly all of them have suffered enormous losses under the command of Xavier or Lucas, and you have more volunteers than you need for the attack.
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Vukan draws lots to decide the 5, before preparing to head off
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(With this, Vukan has acquired a command of a military mission, so that's an objective done)
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(I suppose so, if it levels you I'd prefer we figure that out either now, or at mission end)
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(Nahit doesn't level me, just checking it off now so I don't forget) (edited)
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The group heads out across the airstrip , heading to the flyer where most of the plastic has just barely been taken off the control consoles and gauges
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Vukan is bouncing slightly, as he boards, and moves to the pilots seat. "Gentlemen, welcome to the Shrike. Choose a seat, and please enjoy your time aboard."
16:42
"We're going to be conducting a seize and control operation. The normal effective tactic against the Mishk, of targeting their anchor, will not be being used. Instead, we will rely on technological advantage, and air power. Now the Mishk are an unknown variable, since we've not really deployed air assets against them, but we should be fine. Once we have secured the target area, we move in and secure the obelisk."
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(Alright. Are you just fast roping into town and fighting the horde then?)
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(Well, conducting a serious bombardment of the Mishk first, and once the numbers have thinned, and the area around the obelisk has been cleared.)
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(Alright. We know where the camp is and it’s not going to look any different. I guess give me some kind of start here and we will be off)
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Vukan pilots the flyer over towards the Delta, speaking over comms to the squad. "Now, this thing isn't exactly subtle, so if they have some answer to her, we'll see it very soon after we start shooting. So keep your eyes peeled, and shout if you see something that isn't a bunch of shadow people with bows and swords." Once over the delta, Vukan will look to retrieve a basic environmental map from the survey scanner, before climbing to 1000m.
01:41
Once there, Vukan will pilot over the village, and then prepares to descend to 400m, to begin the strafing run.
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(If you need me to re post the settlement picture I can find it)
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(Nah, it's good, I can remember it. Obelisk in the forested area in the middle
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(What direction are you strafing in from)
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(First run will be south to north, then alternating around the compass points till the obelisk is exposed)
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As you pass over the city, firing weapons and damaging things heavily, you catch a few masked in the streets. Most have been inside the buildings making their preparations and their simulation of life. Several bolts of energy lance skyward, most of them missing the vehicle, but one strikes the wing, blowing a whistling hole through it (22/7, not ablated by armor)
15:03
The obelisk itself seems to be sending the crackling energy skyward, tracking the fighter as best it can as you pass overhead on your first run
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Vukan curses loudly "Ok, change of plans, we see how that bastard can shoot." Vukan pilots the grav flyer over and low, placing buildings between it and the obelisk, while the anti-personnel lasers continue to fire. (edited)
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(17/10) Lightning does not follow a linear path, and arcs over a nearby building to strike the flyer amidship, while also blowing burning splinters out of the roof it gets near
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Vukan grits his teeth, and begins to move the gravflyer to a kilometre away. "Okay, lets see what range this thing has." Once at maximum range, Vukan directs a short volley, before changing position, rapidly moving, and trying to break line of sight as much as possible with the village between shots
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(what is 'maximum range' in this case)
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(1 kilometre) (edited)
17:44
(So its hit and run, shooting then changing position)
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A bolt narrowly misses as you fly out to 1 kilometer, continuing to strafe the village and gradually set the wooden buildings aflame with the energy shots
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(Working on the basis that the Obelisk needs Mishk line of sight to aim)
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(the obelisk shot and missed)
18:18
(but it was able to reach 1k)
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(Yeah, ok)
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(Question, can the NPC soldiers set up execution attacks?)
00:14
(Or is it only a PC thing?)
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(It’s generally Pc’s only, they even discourage me using it for opposition npcs unless the party has acted especially in cautiously)
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(Ok, was just working out best tactic)
00:26
(And considered Vukan running distraction while executions are set up)
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(Getting into a defensive position is still a good idea. Executions are great but it’s a full minute to take out a max of 5, before you’re just back to normal fighting anyway)
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(Yeah.)
00:29
Vukan takes the flyer up high, over 4k, and engages a scan of the village, focusing on UV, figuring that the masks at least reflect that, trying to get a count on casualties inflicted and what his actions have caused. (edited)
00:30
(The Shrike has advanced sensors, and basically a low orbit ceiling)
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The obelisk flashes as more masked join the settlement, brought in from what you presume would be another site. You see that you’ve caused light casualties but after the first pass most of them stayed inside the buildings , content to let the obelisk fend you off while keeping some cover between the plane and themselves
01:48
A very rapid count still has masked figures here ranging close to 70
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Vukan turns to the men in the flyer. "Two of you will take over piloting. You'll return to this height. Feed me the sensor data straight to my slab." Vukan then moves to land the flyer 3k from the village.
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The flyer lands as those of you getting off the plane do so. There isn’t a response you can see from the village from this distance
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Vukan brings up his dataslab, and prepares to receive the direct feed of the movements near the village "Ok, you three. Move around to the gate side, then see if you can't pop one or two. Once they're looking your way, and moving your way, retreat, lead them into the delta. That should open me a gap to try to kill the obelisk. Now, don't take any stupid risks, you are drawing attention, then withdrawing. I'll use the flyer's data to avoid their patrols, as well as you drawing some of the patrols."
02:59
"Now, some survival information. If you see any algae, do not touch it. It's got a pretty nasty paralytic. Now if you can lure the Mishk into it, I'm sure the nerds back at base would love to know if the Mishk can be poisoned." (edited)
03:00
"Haven't seen anything big and angry in the water, so crossing it should be fine, as long as there aren't angry masked people shooting at you."
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(I am following your plan, and the Minsk have behaviors they’re going to be following. You’re outnumbered at least 10:1 here , and I can’t promise the patrol or you for that matter are going to our run that many guys)
03:18
(I just want to be abundantly clear this is incredibly risky before we get going)
03:18
(If you’re trying to flex I’m with you, but if it ends badly I don’t want you to feel like I tried to get you killed)
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(Yep, thats why Vukan is going to be using the scanner on the flyer to track their movements. So he shouldn't be ambushed)
03:18
(I'm aware it's risky. But I'm confidant Vukan can be a sneaky bastard again.)
03:19
(And if things start going wrong, I've got a back up plan)
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3 kilometers from the village, everyone piles out, and there is still not a visible response that can be seen from the village
05:09
this far out from the settlement, its going to take them about half an hour to get into anything remotely resembling the position you want them to be in
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Vukan uses this time to circle around, keeping an eye on the village from the Shrikes sensor data. He mentally messages the squad. "Also fairly certain they can't hear this, we were using it as a scouting party, not a peep. If you get in trouble, let me know, and try to lure the Mishk as far from the Obelisk as possible. If it gets really bad, the Shrike can come in and support you."
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(You’re maintaining position 3km away still while they advance?)
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(No, Vukan is circling around to the opposite side of the village. Sorry, forgot to make that clear)
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(How far from its?)
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(Vukan will hang back equidistant with the 3 soldiers)
13:47
(So as they advance he'll advance)
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They get to within 100m of the gate when the masked begin to surge out of the city in a tide of spear carriers, bowmen, and a few outriders on shadowy stallions. A smaller patrol, of three horse archers emerges from a postern gate on your side, moving closer with every few seconds to engage.
18:40
(we're going to slip into initiative here just to keep track of what's happening when, though the other side of any combt is going to be more narrative, because rolling for 70 npcs is going to have me here all day)
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(Ok.)
18:49
Vukan immediately mentally orders his troopers to fall back, and to try to take down the riders. He also mentally informs the gravflyer to wait if the troopers get 2 kilometres away from the village, then move to pick them up and try to annihilate the attacking Mishk
18:49
Vukan then begins to prepare his position, finding a tree he can safely nestle in and aim from.
18:51
(Not getting a prepared position here in game terms, it's narrative.) (edited)
18:52
(8 on initiative, thanks to Alert)
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(3 for the horse archers)
19:57
(so you're up)
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Vukan aims at the rear most rider, and opens fire.
20:07
(15/17)
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(23/3, the other shots miss) One of them is struck, and its horse rears, but it continues galloping onward. A trio of arrows from composite bows sling back in your direction toward the treetop where you've hunkered down
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Vukan fires of another volley at the same target.
23:14
(18/22, max damage)
23:14
(whoop)
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One of the horse archers falls as the shear field from your rifle rips his body and that of the shadow steed to pieces. Only a silver mask remains lodged into the mud at an angle. The remaining two fire arrows back into the trees. (19/5, other one is a clear miss)
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Vukan calmly switches his target, firing off another wave of gravitic energy
15:01
(22/18)
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A second archer falls, his horse evaporating under him, as the final one tramps his steeds, and embeds an arrow firmly into the tree under you. Out on the other side of the village near the gate, your soldiers are barely keeping ahead of the pursuing minsks. One has been felled by arrows already, and the second of the three are about to be caught by horsemen. With the groups so close together, close air support from your damaged plane is going to likely hit friendlies as well.
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(I'd like to ask why, since it's anti-personnel lasers, not anti-vehicle or aoe. The Gravflyer doesn't have to strafe, it can hover. Sure, if it fires to suppress, I'd get it, but if it's just shooting normally, why would it risk hitting the soldiers?)
20:21
(Just for clarification how point to point weapons firing at targets that aren't in melee from a stationary position are at risk of missing by such a huge margin.)
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(you said it was going to strafe, so I mentioned it the way I did to confirm that is what you still wanted)
20:34
(and to give you a chance to change it if you didnt)
20:34
(I can only go by what youve told me last, not what you're intending to do but haven't communicated) (edited)
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(Yeah, I was strafing the village, but I said when describing the plan for the troops that it would move to pick up the troopers and destroy the Mishk. I assumed that would mean it would stop flying around, since it's evacuating them.)
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(Anti personnel lasers are great, its also been 3 rounds of combat, so the lasers have only killed a few masked, out of a horde, as well)
20:36
(I think I was very clear about the size of the group, and the enormous disadvantage you were going into this encounter with)
20:36
(to the reply of "I have a plan" )
20:38
(and suppression which you said you dont want to do would hit everyone with the groups this close)
20:39
(so you've sort of written me into a corner here)
20:39
(because any hard move i take on you is going to look like headhunting)
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(No, it's fine. I'm just surprised that horse riders were able to close that quickly in a swamp. Once the troopers can get into the flyer, then it's suppression time.)
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(its your turn as well with your own combat, with one enemy remaining, the masked are also essentially bound spirits, so the semi-incorporeality I thought would explain that) (edited)
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(Yeah, just the boys took up my attention.)
20:43
Back near the village, Vukan fires off a single shot at the last rider, before unsheathing his internal laser rifle, and preparing to shoot again
20:44
(Gunslinger for the free weapon change)
20:45
(27/18)
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The last of the riders falls, three masks marking the swamp where they had once tried to block your path into the village. The postern gate they were using to exit quickly has been left open
21:23
(Which is still 100m out since we were vertical)
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Vukan swaps out the cell on his shear rifle, and then begins to sprint towards the village. (edited)
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Approaching to within 50m, you see the glowing and gathering green energy ball at the top of the obelisk as the plane takes off with the recovered soldiers aboard. It seems only one from the ground was able to make it back aboard. There seems to be a hesitation as it determines who to cast the jadefire at
06:07
(15/6 at the plane)
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Vukan retracts his arm weapon, aims at the obelisk, and fires, while communing with the plane. "Get out of there."
13:10
(29/10)
13:11
(Just clarifying, it's the shear rifle thats firing, not the arm weapon)
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(Is the plane down?)
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(Nope)
14:23
(Hence why i gave it orders)
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(I would have felt bad )
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(It's got 2 hp left)
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The vehicle rises and fires it’s powerful engines leveling a spray of shots at the now somewhat thinned our horde- though 20 of them remain and are beginning to circle back to the village. You have a moment or two before they can come close enough to trouble you. The obelisk is thick and finally having been fired on takes a bit of damage. Marble like surfaces crack, glyphs are slightly rubbed away by the shear field , and the lighting gets a bit less intense at the tip- but for now it remains standing
14:26
A bolt crackles in your direction singeing the top of a nearby roof
14:26
(22/9)
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(Warrior ability)
14:28
Vukan drops into a slide, feeling his hair singe as the lightning energises it,the residual static charge leaving him gritting his teeth, but unharmed.
14:29
Coming out of his slide, Vukan fires of another wave of energy towards the obelisk.
14:30
(29/16)
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Cracks begin to spiderweb across its surface and a few smaller chunks fall away. The bolt fires again , sending up a geyser of dirt before you and vitrifying some of the dirt into a stinging debris shower. The wall is intact on this side of the obelisk and a volley fire of arrows also falls short as they cannot entirely see you, five of the black shafts of energy digging deep into the ground behind you before popping into upwards floating dust
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Vukan continues to move, firing his shear rifle again, circling and strafing as much as he can to cut off the remaining Mishk from being able to shoot at him while maintaining line of sight on the Obelisk.
14:48
(21/19)
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(Moving closer? Further away?) (edited)
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(Moving slightly further away, but trying to keep the wall between himself and the Mishk, so they have to move to hit him.)
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The obelisk is damaged further , the cracks growing wider and a few more pieces falling away, the green energies around them fading as they’re severed from the whole. (20/5) a bolt gathers and flickers for a moment before firing in your direction. The archers fire again and their black arrows miss, falling around you or in places you occupied seconds before
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Vukan winces as the lightning plays across him, aims and fires another pulse.
12:15
(23/17)
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The gathering energy for another bolt is disrupted as your shear rifle cracks the top of the stone away, and it suspends upward in the magical retention field, floating a meter or so from its broken off position. A little more should see this down. the archers fire another volley, two of them finding their mark (20/3, 18/4)
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Vukan winces as the arrows hit him, and fires one last shot into the monolith
21:22
(18/19)
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The monolith is undamaged as they shot strikes it’s midsection, the thick stone absorbing the shear field in the right place this time. The archers are unable to hit their target as they continue volley firing over the wall. You can hear the first sounds of the horde returning and they’ll be dallying out to meet you shortly.
21:52
The monoloth fails@to make enough charge to fire
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Vukan drops his shear rifle, and his arm separates, revealing a glinting red crystal connected to a tangle of cables snaking back into his arm. He raises it, and fires at the monolith.
21:53
(Body arsenal Laser rifle)
21:55
(29/14)
21:55
(Roll20 went a bit weird for a moment)
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The monolith crumbles and begins breaking apart as it slumps over, too much rock blasted away for it to hold together and continue fighting gravity. It sends up a large cloud of dust and the masked begin to dissolve around it, the gentle pop of masks hitting the harder surfaces of the ground all you can hear for several seconds
01:03
(6xp, 10,000 credits)
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Level 6->7. HP 30->34. Gain STARFARER. Spend 1 SP +3 from STARFARER to increase Pilot from 2->3
01:29
Vukan calls the Shrike to come in, and tells the men to start collecting the masks. He heads out into the delta, to recover the bodies of the two soldiers who died.
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The bodies have not been mauled, spared the worst of the clinging mud and any kind of insult after death. There are enough mats, carry liners, and other shrouds on the vehicle to allow for them to be safely recovered. With a zip of zippers and a clank of straps, their bodies are secured into the crew hold
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"Mask bonus is yours. Split it however you want."
02:02
"I get paid plenty. Make sure you pay for a proper funeral for these two."
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(I don't really have anything else here, we kinda took care of it all)
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(NP, just wanted to rp that last bit out)
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The soldiers grab what they can and the vehicle lifts off heading for the emergency repairs it badly needs. An assault dock ship deep in the western Sea is one Option along with a run directly to Mount Home
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(Slight correction, increase my max health by 2, forgot Taros roll 1 less dice, not count their level as 1 lower)
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(no problem. Everything looks accounted for on my end)
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(is there anything going on with a group mission, or is it better for me to swing solo?)
15:17
(Like anything planned?)
15:20
(Vukan will need 3 days rest before doing anything, since he's probably going to be piloting on any journey.)
15:22
(So can't get the healing while travelling as he did last time)
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(I didnt have anything planned, and everyone is either mid mission or teeing up some personal stuff right now)
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(Cool was just checking)
15:29
(Does safa have refuelling?)
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(No)
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(Actually, never mind. Vukan is going to take a Puddlejumper and a crew and go exploring. With Starfarer, I can go to Ariklai One, Mageor, Ioleuth, then back to Bergasa in a single trip, due to the 2 fuel bunkers)
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(nothing other than Bergasa and Actaya have refueling)
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(Which is 3/5 unscouted planets of the new cunning endeavour) (edited)
15:34
(Spike 3, 2 fuel bunkers and Starfarer)
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(Alright ill get a report up when i can)
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No Biosphere, Molten Thick Atmosphere TL 0 No Inhabitants Arikal One is a super-dense planet, alone in its local system. The planet is coated in a thick atmosphere of methane, phosphoric gasses, and other corrosive agents that make a direct landing almost impossible. The surface of the planet is boiling metal, constantly in flux as congealed continents rise and fall out of the giant cauldron of Arikali One. Identifying a single dominant alloy is impossible, as metals of all sorts have swirled together in this natural melting pot. Alloys not found elsewhere could possibly exist under the corrosive gas blanket that surrounds the world but highly specialized craft would be needed to even begin an attempt.
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Vukan whistles slightly as he looks down on the planet. "Guess I found a place even my augments can't let me go. Makin' summin that can get down there. And bring stuff back up... gonna have to put Hagen onto it."
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(That's all i really had here since landing is a bad idea as is)
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Having acquired as much data as could be gathered, Vukan plots a spike to Maegor
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(Okay. Will get a report up in morning. Have it ready just away from computer and I want to stick it in the world anvils)
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(No problem, figured this would involve stuff like this)
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Stable Biosphere- Temperate Breathable Atmosphere TL 3 Hundreds of Thousands of Inhabitants The Maegor system is made of three planets. One is habitable in the temperate zone from the system sun. A gas giant, and an inhabitable toxic world also complete the system. None of the worlds have moons, though still undergo a tidal cycle based on their orbits.
14:58
(more will get filled in as we explore)
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Vukan brings up communications to the temperate world. "Greetings from the Sovereign Colonies exploration mission. I am mission leader Vukan, requesting permission to open diplomatic channels." Vukan sends this via sound only, not certain if the TL3 world knows about Taros.
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There looks to be an attempt at getting a signal back out to you, but in the vast gulf of space it scatters and is illegible by time it gets to your ship.
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Vukan attempts to clean it up, as he moves closer to the planet.
15:24
(Program/int)
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The signal is still non-sensical, and it seems like the technology to project the entire message out to you just is not a thing that can be harnessed on the ground
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Vukan moves to enter orbit, while sending another message. "Your message has not been received. I am moving into orbit to establish a clearer connection. This is not a hostile action. Repeat, this is not a hostile action."
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Even from orbit there is no improvement to the signal.
02:02
but there is no counter-ship or anti-orbital fire coming up toward you
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"C'thuli settlement, this is Mission leader Vukan, message not received, repeat message not received. We are moving to enter atmosphere above main ocean, equidistant between C'thuli and southern continent. Again, your message has not been received, this is not an act of aggression"
02:05
Vukan begins to pilot the ship down towards the thin point of the ocean, between the two landmasses.
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(Like by where the bridge is to the north?)
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(No, literally above the ocean. He's not landing, he's trying to get to be able to hear their signal, so figures getting below the Stratosphere should work)
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(Right. But you’re above something like you described. Is that where you’re high in the sky over?$
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(He;s over the thinnest point of the ocean, between C'thuli and the unlabelled settlement in the SW)
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(Okay thank you)
03:55
There is still no signal improvement even though you’re closer to the settlement now
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Frowning, Vukan moves to check the settlement to the SW before the main settlement, feeling suspicious now of the signal. There's no atmospherics blocking the signal now, and they still have failed to get through.
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It is a fortified town of hunters and tribesmen who struggle against the mighty beasts of the plains and woods from what you can tell without making a landing
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Vukan moves towards the settlement, and orders one of the crew to take over piloting. "I'll approach the settlement, see if I can't make a deal with them. Find out what's going on down here."
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(how close do you want them to bring you(
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(Dropping him down about a click (1K) from the settlement)
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(Great ) Landing this close to the settlement the hunters here are already mounting war beasts and readying weapons as your ship sets down into the sandy soil.
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(Human?)
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(Yes)
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Vukan begins jogging towards the war party, keeping all his weapons stowed.
03:04
When he gets close to 100m, he stops, and lets them approach.
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The beasts come to a stop, 20m from you. Several of them have weapons aimed squarely at you.
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"Hello. Sorry I didn't call ahead. Seems your phone line was down."
03:58
Vukan has a somewhat lopsided grin on his face as he says this.
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'We did not try to reach you from this settlement, though the main colony did send a signal up. What do you want?"
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"Mainly to find out what was going on here, and what has been going on here since the Scream. The SCAF is nearby, and is looking to offer help, and establish any trade that could be useful. Generally looking for an overview of your planet, finding out about it, what you need, what you've got, that sort of thing."
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The thicket of rifles raises, and one of the warriors dismounts his modified horse. You can see that it is thicker, and hardier here rather than taller and more muscular. You're reminded of some camel like qualities among it. "Alright, we'll need to bring you to the mayor, and we can talk more. Wrong to make deals out here without the others being involved." As he turns, you can see he has one machine hand, and one organic one, as do all the other warriors here.
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Vukan raises an eyebrow. "Fancy arms for a planet that can't send signals to orbit." He slowly unsheathes his arsenal blade, making it clear it's not an aggressive move. "I have an appreciation for such things."
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"I can see that. You're almost one of us as it is. Do you hunt, master SCAF?"
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"I've hunted things that speak like men but are shadows of such things. And slain inhuman monsters both mechanical and living. When you say hunt, does this count?"
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"Well, we were going to invite you on one assuming the mayor agrees, but with a record that imprssive it sounds like you would just be bored"
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"Anything I haven't hunted before would be interesting to hunt. Each one is a new experience."
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"So you say, nothing as impressive as your claimed record, though" The beasts make good time down the road, at a moderate but ground eating pace, bringing you into the small fishing village and assembling in the square outside what serves as the administration center here, little more than just a very big house
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Vukan nods, and jerks his head towards the house. "Guess that's where the Mayor is?"
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"He is inside, yes. We'll leave you here for privacy"
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Vukan nods, sheathes his arm blade, and walks inside.
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The interior of the building is a rough space made from fallen trees and smoothed out only by the passage of feet. There are heavy bootfalls above as a human male and two bodyguards make their way down the narrow staircase leading up. He likewise has a mechanical hand.
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"Greetings. Guess you're the mayor then? Vukan Korda, SCAF representative."
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The bodyguards have sealed helmets on, and their hands are gloved, remaining at the stairs as you and the representative make your way to a nearby table. "Mr. Korda, welcome to our settlement, and our planet"
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"Good to be here. How has your planet been surviving since the Scream? Sorry for being blunt, but better to get these out in the open."
21:10
"And honestly, it's the number one thing that gives an idea about a planet."
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"We have clung on, as other humans and sentients have. Your being here is evidence of that. We aren't living in luxury, or anything even close to it. I'm not sure what to tell you other than we just decided not to die"
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"And the beasts you hunt? Were they always here?"
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"They are native to this planet. I don't know about always here, but always here since humans have been
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"And those amrs, little high tech given everything. Where do you get those?"
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“We were taught how to make them by some helpful friends of ours. They work fine, and everyone gets one after the undergo the offering ceremony”
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Vukan tilts his head. "Helpful friends?"
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"Of course." there is a hiss as the masked figures disengage their helms, revealing something like a mollusked headed humanoid. "these are our friends, the C'thuli. They've taken a name we've given them, and have shown us how to make these hands, which comes in helpful as the offering ceremony when our young come of age takes one, always"
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"Ok. Good to know." Vukan flicks the tips of his ears. "Not exactly a human either." He then leans forward. "What is this offering ceremony then? And why does it involve taking a hand?"
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"We offer a hand to the great beasts of this world. We offer a sacrifice to them as a show of respect for all they provide us- as their meat, bones, hides, and other bodily properties sustain us. It is simply what we've always done since the days of our founding. Why do you offer the tips of your ears? Are they cut from you at birth?
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"No, no. I'm not human. Just showing that. Taros, look a lot like humans, but more geared for cybernetics, and pointy ears."
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"We've never seen somethng like you friend, I'm sorry if I have offended you"
16:11
"My point remains, there are certain customs that are followed because they mean sometihng to the people here, even if they look silly to the outside"
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"Not at all. After you've had people shoot at you for a living, very hard to take offense at stuff."
16:12
"And we've seen planets that settle all disputes by single combat, a place looking to "perfect the human genome", that sort of thing. SCAF is used to it at this point."
16:12
"I will ask though, you have communications with the main settlement? How?"
16:13
"Curious, because they weren't able to communicate with us."
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"messenger, and short band radio from the ground. The atmosphere is difficult to get through even when you're pointed at the right place, and have enough power"
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"Fair enough. I'll make sure to stop at C'thuli and talk with them, and also make sure they have a way to communicate with people who arrive in orbit. However, I heard talk of a hunt. And I must say, with all the talk of these great beasts, getting to look at one up close is fascinating to me."
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"You'll probably be invited on one back in the main settlement, but they're going to want to talk to you first. You're already a mechanical handed one like the rest of us, yo'll have a place in the hunt if you want one"
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Vukan nods in thanks. "Guessing there'll be more senior C'thuli there as well?"
23:09
"Know some people who'd be very interested in speaking to a new race. Especially one that seems gifted with working with technology."
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"More senior, more numerous. Wer'e an outpost branch of the main settlement as is, the sea providing resources we need and all"
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"Ok. So, any questions for me? Figure I've asked enough of you."
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"We are naturally curious, but you're going to need to repeat yourself at the settlement and we'll get it anyway, so at the risk of not annoying you further, we can escort you"
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Vukan chuckles. "I told you, you haven't annoyed me."
15:49
"But thank you for the escort, be delighted to accept."
15:50
Vukan sends a message with his dataslab to the Puddlejumper, advising them to move back to orbit, that the planet is friendly, and he is going to the capital to meet elders and ranking officials of the planet.
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The herd of warriors brings you to a walled settlement where a few hundred more warriors and villagers, all missing a hand and replaced with metal, work, live, and play. A handful of the C'thuli are also among the group, and seem to be treated like any other number of the group.
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Vukan tries to speak to some of the C'thuli, showing his internal ranged weapon as an ice breaker.
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(connect/cha)
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You're given some respect due to the augment, though since your hand was not given to a beast here in ceremony, it only goes some way in garnering you their respect. The elder is expected to attend you in moments.
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Vukan wasn't looking for much from it, mainly trying to assess the level of cybernetics they are used to
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THe chief elder emerges from his town hall, his arm likewise replaced with metal, and he begins making his way to you. "SCAF representative, we had a bit of forewarning from our satellite settlement that you were coming, and are interested in a hunt"
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"Indeed. I'm eager to try my hand against these great beasts, and to see how you have developed to handle them."
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“Indeed. Perhaps before we do you could tell me the interest SCAF has in this place”
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"Eh, mainly trying to make everything a bit more stable, rebuild something close to what was before the Scream. But better. Learning and using how people have survived to be better."
13:36
"Silvano Mazzio is the leader of the SCAF. He's probably the most powerful psychic ever to exist. He made the planet which the SCAF have their capital on, and is currently running an entire planet with his mind alone. He used to be a part, a large part of the current largest government in this area, the UNW. However, they became inefficient, slow, had more than few mistakes that could have been avoided. So Silvano decided he could do better alone, took his personal fleet, and went off to do just that." (edited)
13:39
"There's been big threats that might not have hit you, but have nearly wiped out sentient life, if not for good fortune. Bio-tech monsters nearly destroyed the NMC, the former largest power in the sector, and we've seen signs of raiders, stolen defence platforms, mass graves, on worlds that used to be inhabited until recently. Not trying to scare you here, just explaining why Silvano feels it's important to reach out."
13:41
"We're trying to use how each world survived, not obliterate and conquer, or force new laws and customs. We've got good connections with a place called Safa, where everything is settled by single combat, a world called Unn where psychics of every different type have made drastically different societies. Silvano wants people to be safe, secure, and prosperous. But still you. And that's what we can give you." (edited)
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"I can understand that to the outside our ceremony of adulthood- where we sacrifice a hand- is strange and may look barbaric. It is part of our culture, and it needs to remain"
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"We just sent a psychic monk to go sword fight the champions of an entire planet for ownership of it. Because they asked us to do it. Trust me, you are not the weirdest thing out there." (edited)
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"Then the only thing we have left to do is hunt. We will depart in an hour"
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Vukan grins, and nods. "Looking forward to it."
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You're given one of the camel like horses to use, and you're led into the grey wilderness on the first of the hunts the group plans to undertake
17:30
(survive/wis)
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A large set of footprints of some quadrapedded monster heads eastward, and the groip seems not to have seen it
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Vukan points. "Quadruped, heading east."
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The group turns. 'big one too. Going to be a real tough break to bring down....we're going to need everyone for it. We're looking at a male, a large one. Probably the alpha"
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Vukan extends his internal energy projector. "A good sign then."
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200m from your position, as you crest a series of low foothills following the trail over the course of the morning, you catch sight of it for the first time
19:11
😬 3
😀 4
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Vukan points towards the creature, and turns to the hunting party.
19:24
"So, anything specific in how this hunt is conducted? I don't want to act dishonourably."
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"You are a guest, you'll have the first shot at it, and, be prepared to scatter. They get quite angry"
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Vukan dismounts, and rolls his shoulders a few times, before raising his arm, and checks for cover or cliffs nearby, before firing off a burst of shots from his arm.
20:00
(34) (Nat 20)
20:06
(Doubling damage dice, for 20 damage)
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The shot strikes true, hitting the creature near its first primary wing on the right and severing it.
21:32
It ungainly takes flight, leaning right, and bumbling forward toward the group (Evasion save)
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(Failiure, 5v7)
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(7 damage) the creature barrels forward, firing goppets of acidic like balls from its mandibles. It closes to within 150m, still chittering and lumbering with its massive wings
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Vukan grins as the acid burns away his skin, revealing the synthetic plates layered between his skin and ribcage, and moves forward, firing off another volley of shots. (edited)
22:44
(19/9)
22:45
(Moving to 140m away)
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The creature shrugs through the hits, though it seems you've caused some additional damage. Two of the hunters are down, though most of the pack is keeping strong, and holding fast
22:49
It moves to 90m, and fires another spray of acid, hoping to thin your pack even more before the inevitable confrontation of mandible and metal
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(Success 14v7)
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(Assuming that does no damage) Vukan swings his shear rifle off his back, and fires off a wave, his energy projector folding in as he does so. (edited)
22:57
(Using gunslinger)
22:58
(18/22)
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(would do half when i get around to roll20
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(Ok)
02:00
(Eh, doesn't change how Vukan would behave)
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)12 damage)
02:00
(i rolled like dogshit when you failed)
02:01
Three more members of the pack are unlucky this close to its corrosive stream and it flies up to land into combat with you as your shear round takes off another of its wings on that side
02:01
It's giant bone crushing mandibles bite down but not with enough force to even shock your armor
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(Jesus it accelerated)
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(those wings ain't just for attractin mates)
🦀 2
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(increasing from 50-100m movement is scary) (edited)
02:07
Vukan's arm lobsters open, the internal blade leaping out, and stabbing forward, as he swings his shear rifle away.
02:07
(12/6/4 Shock)
02:08
(Only against AC 13 though. So probly not)
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The lower mandible knocks your blade away from the creature's face, and in doing so you foul its follow up bite, and it is still unable to do any lasting harm
02:12
(15, no shock)
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Vukan moves back, again swapping back to his shear rifle
02:13
(Not doing a combat retreat, gunslinger and body arsenal are great)
02:14
(So waiting on it to try to eat me)
02:18
(Nope, not taking that. Warrior Ability Procs)
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(26/14) This time the mandibles close , grinding around your torso. The pack of hunters with you are starting to rally, forming up and preparing their long spears
02:18
(wait for me to at least post what im even doing lmao) (edited)
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(I saw the 14! That was enough!)
🩹 1
02:19
Vukan slides back, letting the mandibles slam shut above him, before rolling back into a crouch and firing off another wave.
02:19
(25/11)
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The lower part of its jaw breaks away, as the hunters rally and begin hurling spears into the side of the beast. A few of them have weapon attachments like you, trying to fire near the back of the creature so they're not in danger of hurting you. Your shot finishes it handily, and it rolls away from you, dragging itself a few extra steps from the group before collapsing
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Vukan grins, and spins his rifle around his hand a few times, before slotting it back onto its holster.
02:23
"Fun."
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Karre Mondragon(Timothy) 26-Sep-20 04:04 AM
****FUNDS TRANSFER**** TO: VUKAN KORDA FROM: EINER STJERNE AMOUNT: 500,000cr MEMO: For supporting the cause. Thank you for your contribution. -Stjerne
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"Hah, a fine kill. This is enough to appease the village and the spirits for some time"
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"Glad to hear it."
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(3xp, 5000 credits)
04:52
As much of the beast as possible is cut away for carrying now, with plans to get others, and return for the rest.
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Vukan helps with the butchering of the kill, and takes this chance to talk some more with the hunters.
14:16
"You said "appease the village and the spirits"? Could you explain this more to me? Why do these spirits need appeasing? It seems like a strange phrase when applied to a hunt."
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“An offering of our hunts at the mouth of the caves near the village. Not a lot, but some. It reminds the ancestors that we are still looking out for them and thinking of them, and that even though they’re gone they’re still members of the village”
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"Ah, I understand."
14:40
Vukan will make himself useful on the journey back to the settlement,, before asking to see the elders again.
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The elders are on their way to offer the choosiest of the meat and entrails from the beast at the Cave of the Departed Souls as they've come to call it. You're welcomed to join them on the journey, and are reminded it is meant to be a somber trip of a half day
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Vukan will join them, and adopt a suitable attitude. He will however, before they leave offer them his dataslab, in order to be able to properly communicate with anything that enters their orbit.
23:44
"It is all I can offer to improve your communications at the moment, however, I believe I can bring more to be of aid in the future." (edited)
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They take the pad, but say nothing on the trip. The only constant is the steady plod of the beasts carrying you, and the gentle rolling of the wooden wagon wheels as the food is carried on, under a waxy tarp meant to keep the insects away. After a half days ride, the cave is a few hundred meters away at the top of a short but winding path
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Vukan dismounts, and remains towards the back of the group, reminded of the small ceremonies he used to attend back on the station of his birth, where the few Taros there would conduct the rituals.
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They gesture for you to join them in pushing the cart forward , this last handful of meters something the beasts are scared to trot for some reason. There is a low groan as the elders begin trying to tip the dump cart of meat into the cave mouth
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Vukan blinks once, switching his eyes into low light mode, and tries to look inside the cave.
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The cave is preternaturally dark, and winding, you're only able to see a few meters into it, though there is a scraping sound on the rough floor as the elders back away. THe first of the zombified children round the corner, mollusk like growths on their necks, arms, and most importantly wrapped around their brain pan
02:39
There are six here that you can easily see, though it sounds like there are many, many more inside
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They begin tearing into the meat, shoving one another aside in something like a feeding frenzy - though there is more than enough here for everyone and then some under normal conditions
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Vukan quickly cycles away from low-light, and begins to help the cart move back down the hill.
02:51
(Assuming that the eating was audible no?)
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(disturbingly so)
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"So. What's in the cave? That sounded more like what we killed than ancestors, or a shrine."
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"A deal had to be made to ensure the survival of the human race on this world. The first season since the disaster they demanded many, now just two a year, a price we can afford"
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"Who is they?" (edited)
02:54
"The spirits? Ancestors?"
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"You've seen them." is the only thing the elders feel comfortable saying
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"The C'thuli?"
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he nods once, before re-mounting his travel beast
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“Children” he says, looking at you on foot, and the children at the cave mouth 20m from you. “You may feast” The warriors begin moving their mounts away as the horde of infected spill out of the cave
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Vukan follows them, but remains quiet for the ride back.
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(Initiative)
21:37
(He's telling the children to eat you0
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(Oh)
21:38
(8)
21:38
(I have alert)
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(1 for children horde)
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Vukan growls, and begins moving backwards, flipping out his shear rifle and firing.
22:54
(26/22)
22:54
"Is this the honour of Mageor? To kill those you hunt with?"
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They say nothing , the beasts alreasy beginning to carry them away
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The horde of children suffers a few of them downed from the shear field but the rest of them surge into you , momentum carting them the 20m to close but giving them time for little else
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Vukan circles around, intending to run up the cliff the cave is in to find a place where he can safely hole up, but still firing.
23:05
(17/15)
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(If you’re not using the main action to disengage they’re getting an opportunity attack
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(Oh, I misread)
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(And is that with the -4 for firing into melee?)
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(Thought I had 10m of distance? I was 20m from the cave, moved 10, they moved 20?
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(If you’re not including the numbers I’m assuming it’s flavor)
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(Fair enough)
23:06
(Scrap that last turn then)
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(I have no way of knowing what your mechanical turn is and what is you doing the appropriate dressing up of the combat for rp purposes)
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(sure)
23:07
Vukan surges forward, intending to move through the horde, and move the 20m to the cliff face
23:08
(Moving without disengaging, moving 20m to cliff face where the cave is.)
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(23/8 for the children horde assault and before we actually do the move we need a str/exert as they’re climbing all over you trying to bring you down)
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(10)
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(11) the children surge over you, beating you down onto your back under nearly a dozen of them.
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(makes Vukan prone under the horde of kids. I'm using them as a single stat block rather than forcing you to kill them individually, if that helps contextualize the fight a bit)
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(I get it, I was just recovering from a 7 hour mordheim game that overran horribly)
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Vukan attempts to slip through their grip, in order to again, close with the cliff face.
19:24
(Looking to exert/dex to get out, and then move to the cliff face.)
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(alright, so we're doing a skill check as our main action in the hopes we can use our move got it)
19:25
(You'd have to use your move to stand otherwise)
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(Yup.)
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(10 for the kids)
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(12)
19:26
(TAKE THAT ZOMBIE CHILDREN!)
19:26
(Whoops capslock was on)
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Vukan is able to stand, pulling himself back to vertical amid the tide of children's hands trying to pull him back down
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(and then with the main action used for the skill check, we CAN move, but they're going to get an opporunity attack)
20:12
(unless you've got foci that might change something, just going by stock rules as is )
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(Give me a moment, considering stuff)
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(all good, i just forgot to finish my post)
20:12
(i had it typed but didnt hit enter)
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Vukan takes his chance, and bursts into movement for the cliff face, moving 10m towards it
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(24/2 for the kids, but otherwise you're 10m away)
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(Ok)
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The children surge forward again 18/12, leaving a few of their number behind, too mauled from the former shear shots and general struggle of the ground melee to continue fighting, or living
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(Using warrior ability to negate the hit)
21:34
As the children claw at him, Vukan leaps backwards, disengaging, and sprinting the final 10m for the cliff face. As he does so, he swings the shear rifle back onto its slot.
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The children turn, the back of the pack formerly now the closest to you, and although one of them gets a particular ferocious bite into your leg leaving several teeth behind, you make it to the rock face ahead of them (crit/4)
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Vukan swears loudly, kicks the child in the face, and sprints up the rock wall, his gecko anchors latching on and unlatching at a rapid rate.
21:45
(Disengage, 10m straight up)
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From up here, they cannot get to you, though they gather at the cave mouth, reaching up to grasp at you with doughy undead hands
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Vukan's face becomes a grim scowl, and he begins to gun them down.
21:52
(Do you want me to roll this out?)
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(nah, no reason you'd fail or become endangered here)
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(I've got the ammo for it, so I'll drain it.)
21:54
Once the last child is dead, Vukan will carefully descend, extending out his arm blade, and 1 mag pistol.
21:54
Turning his eyes to lowlight vision, he enters the cave, checking it for any sign of movement.
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There is no further movement , everything seems quiet inside the winding tunnel for the moment
02:22
It hangs right and you can feel a gentle wind on your face from deeper within
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Vukan exits the cave, and begins to climb up the cliff again, looking for a secure ledge where he can set up his solar recharger.
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There are a few shallow ledges that would normally be inaccessible but your cyberware allows you to find purchase there and set up the small stand
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(Right, apologies in advance, this is going to get a bit grim) Once the solar recharger is in place, Vukan plugs in one of his A-Cells, and descends. He then proceeds to drag about half the bodies back into the cave, and uses them to make a barricade at the passage.
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(leaving you outside the cave?)
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(No, he's blocking of the exit at the rear of the cave)
14:22
(Leaving the area before the right turn open)
14:23
(Basically, he doesn't want no snail creeping up on him)
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(okay, thats what i wanted to know. you're inside, and its to keep people out)
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(Well, keep things that are inside from coming to the front of the cave) (edited)
14:27
(But yes. He's blocking himself in the front section of the cave)
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You're able to finish your barricade. It will in time collapse with the passage of time as rot begins to set in, but for now, it will suffice
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Vukan then cuts off a tiny sliver of one of the parasites, and very carefully tastes it, hoping his Bio-augments will handle any adverse reaction, and allow him to process it.
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(Physical effect save)
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(I do have Bioadaption augments which means I "can also eat a wide range of native life forms for sustenance; no normal planet’s native biology is ever considered immiscible for consumption." just to make it clear why he's doing this.)
15:31
(And Success 11v8)
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(correct, but alien parasites are not considered native planetary biology) (edited)
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(oooo they aren't native.)
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You feel something wriggling and alive inside the meat. Alien worms microthread beneath the flesh of the infected, and you see them gently moving in place as the bodies finally settle and your adrenaline settles
20:47
Your augments fire, trying to save you from the unknown contagion. They are unable to filter this, but it seems luck has saved you today
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Vukan spits out the sliver of flesh, and grunts with irritation.
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It seems there is no lasting harm, though trying again would be rolling fate's dice
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Vukan sees if any of the meat that was hunted remains
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There is only one piece near the bottom of the remains of the pile that did not suffer being bit by any of the locals
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Vukan will separate it, and chew it as best he can, swallowing it.
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Once he has done this, Vukan will prepare a position looking out of the cave, but still sheltered, then try to sleep as best he can.
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You’re not bothered during the night by anything physical but as you open your eyes in the predawn you hear the faint laughter of children , insubstantial as mist. There is nothing there but the bodies now a day into decomposing
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Grunting, Vukan stands, and checks the barricade at the rear, looking for any sign of it being disturbed
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Aside from some natural settling there is no disturbance
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Vukan breathes shallowly, and climbs over the barricade, heading deeper into the cave with caution, weapons drawn, down the right turn (edited)
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The sound of dripping water grows steadily more intense as you round the corner and enter the cave network. A shifting and reflecting pool of water makes what little light gets in here dance on the cavern walls. Small fish swim in the pond, eyeless and pale looking. A few of them have washed up or been pulled out, and show evidence of being nibbled on. A winding passage ahead seems to incline downward at a gentle angle and the stones show the passing of many, many, sets of footsteps
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Moving very slowly, and trying to be quiet, Vukan continues downwards, but notes the fish as a potential uninfected food source.
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The cave gently angles down until you enter another chamber. This one is smoother carved like a dome and you’re close to 50m underground now. The room is covered in grottos, and other stone shelves cut from the cave. Bodies rested here once and some in the most serious states of decay still do. Most are human but there are a few C’thuli among them
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Vukan searches the room, making sure that none of the grottos are in fact, exits, and checking the bodies in turn, mainly for remains of the cybernetic hands that every inhabitant seemed to have.
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The hands on these creatures are missing , the metal likely repurposed for new people or other devices.
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After making sure there is no way to leave or enter the cave at the rear, Vukan moves back to the pool, and tries to catch some of the fish.
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They're not hard to catch since they cannot see your shadow leaning over the water, and you manage to get a handful of them
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Vukan carefully checks them for worms, before removing the bones and eating the fish if the flesh is clear of worms. Once that is done, he moves back, and dismantles his barricade, dragging the bodies outside and dumping them downwind of the cave in the forest.
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There are none, and you’re able to have the small meal you can from the fish The bodies are moved by mid morning and you’re now without a task
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Vukan then begins to attempt to work out a path back to the main settlement, staying near the road, but not on it, keeping an eye out for any groups travelling along it.
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A sacrifice has just been made and the elders have returned to their settlement, with no need to travel again soon. You see a six strong hunting party heading east, far away from and lands you have need to travel- likewise out of your way for now. Heading south toward the satellite settlement-and also away from you- a three wagon supply convoy is bringing the people there needed supplies
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Vukan makes note of this, and returns to the cave, before searching the nearby woods for nuts, berries and other plants to supplement his meagre meal of fish.
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There are a few random roots and berries around that you're able to find in the woods, to round out the meal you had. The countryside and settlements dont change much as you're looking on
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Vukan is well aware he's still in a bad way after the attack by the c'thuli hosts, and so heads back to the cave to sleep, intending to sleep the rest of the day and some of the night, so he can recover his dataslab as soon as possible.
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(Alright, your level of HP for healing, and then we can kick off) night is cool, and a soft breeze tinged with salt comes in from the ocean. It is almost pleasant.
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Vukan's eyes switch over, and he recovers the 1 charged A-Cell from the Solar Recharger, slotting it into his arm.
19:39
He then begins to move towards the main settlement, both weapons ready, staying off the road, and looking for a place where he can observe the walls. (edited)
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(sneak/dex)
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(12)
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(6 for their notice, you're not seen)
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Vukan carefully watches the walls for guards, using thermal mode, and waits till he would be unobserved and climb over the wall, moving in between some of the houses, heading for the central building where he met the elders.
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The central building is under guard, six hunters outside standing watch. One on each corner of the home, and two by the front doors.
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Vukan moves to a point equidistant along the rear wall, and prepares to run up the wall, onto the roof.
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(the rear wall of the house?)
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(yup)
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(okay, there are two guards on the corners who will certainly see you naruto running up the side of the building, if youre ok with that we'll play on, but I wanted to be clear)
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(Well, Vukan isn't running yet, he's moving into position.)
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(correct, but you are doing it in preparation for running up the house to its roof, where there are guards stationed at the rear corners of said house)
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(Understood)
22:52
(Just running a game atm, so not fully focused)
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(all good, we'll pick it up when you've got time later, just wanted to explain the scene)
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Vukan works out how long it would take him to move up the side, before beginning to move carefully and stealthily around to a point where he can shoot both guards. He then removes the A-cell from his arm weapon, and loads it into his shear rifle, and begins to set up an execution attack on the left hand guard.
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You’ve got a bead on him, from whatever distance you are away. You’ll be able to take him but not his companion with this Aimed shot
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Vukan has set himself up as close as he can get without alerting the guards.
03:00
(Making the roll now)
03:01
(15)
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One of them collapses due to the shear field, torso crumpled. (initiative)
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(Also 8. Have a 17 dex on this one.
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(18 baby)
04:11
(Also, Shear Rifles are silent, so the guards shouldn't know where Vukan is)
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(Yes but he saw his friend die and is on alert and you’re going to be closing in on him to get to the building. If I had gone first I could have held an action or taken defensive moves )
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(100%, I get the combat, just reminding about the silent gun)
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(Im aware but if I’m looking at my buddy and suddenly he falls over with a baseball sized hole in his chest I don’t need to hear the gunshot
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(Cause hopefully..... he doesn't get a turn.)
04:14
Vukan moves into the alley, raising his rifle at the other guard, his phosphor tattoos glowing up on his face presenting a skull like appearance.
04:15
He raises his rifle, and fires a burst, remaining silent the entire time.
04:16
(19/18)
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The shot connects with the armored figure and it takes a step back, planting a foot firmly into the ground as smoke rises from its scalded armor plating. He shouts a cry of alarm , and raises his rifle (21/6) The harsh crack of the plasma arm sends a searing jet down the alley, briefly illuminating you as it hits and getting the rest of the settlement to begin shaking off the first stages of sleepiness
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Vukan fires off another shot, before moving to close to melee, his arm blade snapping out at the same time as he swings his shear rifle onto his back.
04:21
(16/17. If it doesn't hit, I'll use Warrior to make it hit)
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)you’d have to use it.
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(Ok, doing it)
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The heavy armor this time@is breached rather than burned. Blood begins to trickle down the plates as he fired his combo arm again (18/3) , another of the guards alerted by the gunfight at the back of the house rounds the corner and likewise lets off a hurried shot (Took a -4 for snap firing since even though it was the house guards turn running around the corner and hipping it isn’t an aimed shot like most combat is. , got a crit for 16)
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(Eh, dead)
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(No stabilizing cyberware or anything? Idk what you’re fitted with)
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(There's only revenant wiring which does that)
04:28
(And I can't think of a justification for a plot point)
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(No, there’s another one as well. A couple people have it I just forgot the name)
04:28
(Haha you can’t burn it to say they missed?)
04:29
(I’m fine if you use it for that)
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(Ok, fine. The crit misses)
04:33
Vukan turns and sprints off through the streets, trying to use the dark unlit houses as cover, and to break up the line of sight as much as possible, moving towards the wall, but not going in a straight line.
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They’ve lost sight of you now that you’ve disengaged and are focused primarily on protecting the elders home, and thus have no reason to pursue
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(Wonderful)
04:35
Vukan slips over the wall, and retreats back into the forest, moving back towards the cave.
04:41
Once back at the cave, Vukan will set up another A-Cell to charge, ready for the next day, and head out to scavenge for food for the rest of the night. (edited)
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Vukan would be able to find a source of food in the woods handily, before taking shelter. THe pursuit from the village never comes, as they're more concerned with protecting their leadership than hunting you
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Vukan rests through the afternoon, deeper in the cave, near the pool of fish. Once night comes, he exits, and heads into the woods, beginning to gather fallen wood and firewood, willing to spend most of the night doing this, though he does remain alert for any of the great beasts, or other threats.
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None of the beasts instinctually come this close to the cave, sensing what used to be inside. It is still a place they shun. The activities of the C'thuli seem confined to the immediate area's around their settlements, and with your attempted raid only happening the night before they seem to have adopted the strategy of a full defense rather than sending anyone to come root you out
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Vukan spends the night assembling the wood into giant letters, at least 2 metres tall, and storing them in the cave, 16 in total. He then begins gathering dry kindling, lots of dry kindling.
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(we won't have any passive healing aside from what you did the previous night since you aren't resting, but there wouldn't be any disturbance to you collecting the kindling or making the letters)
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(He rested through the afternoon. He's going for a semi-nocturnal cycle.)
Vukan rests through the afternoon, deeper in the cave, near the pool of fish.
@Atticus
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(Rested for 8 hours?)
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(yeah, waiting till it's dark again)
22:00
(1pm to 9pm, or similar)
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(Alright)
00:26
You’re not disturbed findinf kindling in the dark. Your eyes make the forest bright and the scouts once again stay close to the village
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Vukan spends the early morning storing the letters in the forest near the walls, before returning to the cave and preparing a very large bonfire.
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(The letters are going near the walls of the settlement ? If yes how close? A range would help me determine the likelihood of your work being observed
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Vukan will set them up on trees visible from the walls, but not on the very edge.
19:17
(About 50-100m, but visible from the wall)
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(They don’t notice. Rolled terribly )
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Having done this, Vukan will return to the cave, and make his bonfire even bigger for the rest of the morning.
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You see a glint in the sky as the bonfire gets even bigger, resolving into the shape of your ship. It’s on an approach course to investigate the source of the smoke which is now quite thick. No doubt the city will be sending outriders to investigate soon if they’re not already in the wind
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Vukan climbs up and recovers his solar recharger and A-cell, loading it into his arm, before heading into the cave and catching a fish, impaling it on his arm-blade, and cooking it on the fire, looking towards the road and oncoming shuttle.
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(You wouldnt have any time after recovering the power cell before the shuttle gets here, it will loiter for a bit but unless the fish is vitally important for some reason it would move on after that )
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(It was style mainly)
01:59
Vukan will angrily wave down the shuttle.
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The maneuvering jets fire as the sharp eyed co-pilot finds you on the ground and the ramp lowers , making it a short hop for you to get aboard
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Vukan moves aboard, and takes the pilot seat. Once there, he broadcasts a message to his dataslab.
12:25
You have yet to realise the consequences of your actions.
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(6xp, 10,000 credits)
13:14
There is no reply from@the ground which is not surprising given the circumstances. The ship makes for space with all speed
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Vukan hands over piloting to one of the crew as he catches up on what has been happening in the SCAF, before directing two jumps back to Bergasa.
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(5 days of downtime by my count)
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(Putting it into fix)
14:31
(15/90 days now) (edited)
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Upon returning, Vukan will ask to be sent info on the Lamplighter black box, before requesting to be fitted with a Ghost talker implant and Adrenal Suppression Pumps
14:39
(Thats 45k in total, 2 permanent strain)
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(We didn't actually finish it in Oscul;s thread yet, i dont think)
14:57
(Unless you're referring to something I've forgotten about)
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(The stuff Vukan found on the moon of Andere. The Lamplighter flight recorder?)
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(got it)
14:58
(6 for the research this month, researchers didn't hit the DC) (edited)
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(Fair enuff)
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The two cyberware implants are completed without trouble, and you're laid up for a few days recovering with no lingering side effects
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(What would the situational awareness and readiness drills involve?)
15:15
(From the new force endeavour?)
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(Einer had flavored the idea as leading a training mission of SCAF soldiers)
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(Hmm, considered it then realised Vukan is trash at leading people.)
15:17
(Or any sort of teaching)
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(Right, well, that was what the endeavor was needing to complete it in that case)
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(I get it, was curious what it invovled then realised just how bad an idea it was for Vukan to attempt it.)
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Vukan settles on returning to Andere, and investigating the ruin he was unable to get to. To prepare, he obtains a double set of instapannels, rope, and 2 A-cells, as well as a telescoping pole.
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(you talking about the cave?)
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(Yeah, though he's also looking at checking in on the Geon, given the slaver raid probably came from that direction.)
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(alright, 3 days of downtime)
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(18/90 fix)
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(and a program/int on entering the system)
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Andere is serene, and quiet. The planets look as they always do, and turn gently in the heat of their weak sun.
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Vukan directs the shuttle carefully towards the 1st moon, slowly keying up his adrenal pumps.
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Everything seems as it was left, the surface is quiet, and undisturbed by anything since your last visit.
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Vukan directs the shuttle downwards, moving in to land on the moon. He begins to search for any of the strange rock formations that turned out Geons last time
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Luminite is almost in the exact place you left him, looking out over the lake though now with the flashing beacon firmly in hand- though its glow is dim now above water. He turns as far as he is able to as the ship comes down
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Vukan raises his hand
22:42
"Hey. Sorry I dashed off last time. Things to do. Things been ok since then?"
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"Things are the same. The night-day, is the same, and it is quiet here. "
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"No-one else in ships has been down? Nothing in the sky either?"
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"Nothing has been down. I cannot see that far into the sky." He says, very matter of factly. "I do not have your eyes"
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Vukan nods. "Good. My people were attacked by creatures who may have passed through here. I am glad you were not attacked."
07:49
"Has anything changed at all? Now that the beacon is up? You seem in a similar place, yet it's been quite a stretch of time for me."
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"I do not need to move much. There is no reason to, and nothing has changed. You bought me the light from the bottom of the pool, and It is appreciated. A mystery has been solved"
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Vukan nods.
17:27
"Good. Be careful. Some SCAF people may come here in the future, to see about setting this system up as an outpost. I'll make sure they ask you first. Anything I can get for you? Anything you need?"
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"There are plenty of rocks to eat, I have my light, and the sky is peaceful. I am doing fine, friend Vukan." You can see a small crystalized piece of rock on his back where the wound is starting to regrow, the scar tissue forming something of a gem like crystal.
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Vukan nods to Luminite. "If you'd like, I can bring you something to allow you to sense if ships are over head? So you have some warning if the same people who attacked the SCAF decide to poke around. Up to you."
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"We will not know how to use it, but if you think it belongs here, you may bring it here"
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Vukan shrugs. "Only was going to bring it if you thought you and yours needed it. Enjoy stargazing Luminite."
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The geon nods sagely , a motion that takes him several seconds to complete
20:24
but has nothing more to say for now
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Vukan returns to the shuttle, and slowly takes it up, carefully scanning again to see if any visitors are lurking in orbit
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(The program/int check we did earlier in the scene is the system data we have from scanning. Nothing has been detected)
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(Sure, this is just Vukan being paranoid, not expecting to roll again)
21:00
Vukan directs the shuttle to the moon with the ruin on it, and lands nearby the cave entrance.
21:01
"I'll contact you if I'm in trouble. Check in with me if anything happens."
21:01
Vukan sends a short pulse with his ghost talker implant to make sure the connection is stable.
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From the surface the connection seems fine. There is no telling what might happen once you are underground and there are meters of solid rock between you and the sky
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Vukan takes out his solar recharger and leaves it and the B-Cells on the shuttle, before re-entering the cave system, sending constant test signals with his ghost talker implant, checking for when he looses contact.
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(Alright, I need to pretty up the map with where we went last time because you and i had some confusion about where you went and where we thought you were going
17:54
(It got messy, and I almost didn't want to do this again, but I shouldnt say no just because we werent organized)
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(Not a problem, i can wait) (edited)
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(This is what we did last time, and we got through the planned route to the river, which washed us south and out of the cave network)
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(Yup)
19:06
(Different route this time, I'll draw it out in full, and then explain what Vukan is going to do.)
19:07
(entering in the SW corner yes?)
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(Yes, and there was nothing notable in the tunnel network leading up to here you have your X for your location from last time)
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(Cool)
19:11
(Here is the route Vukan plans on taking. Once he gets to the X, he's going to do something to hopefully make his plan easier.)
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Original message was deleted or could not be loaded.
Pinned a message.
20:23
(okay so starting from the X last time we'll move on to the north part of that room since we didnt look up there before) Glittering rock is at the north end of the chanber from last time, as you pass through it to a narrow cave neck leading north. The light refraction here shows evidence of geodes and possibly even gemstones, but mining equipment and a trained lapidary would be needed to extract anything of value here without damaging it
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Vukan records some footage of it with his G-T implant, setting it to send to the shuttle when it can get signal. He does however tap the rock briefly to make sure it's not another stationary Geon.
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This one is not a geon, just a very rich vein of gemstones that could be used someday by someone with the right tools
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(Vukan's just checking. He doesn't want to cut another persons back off like last time.) (edited)
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(for sure)
20:31
(but thats what you find when you check)
👍 1
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The rock is not a stationary Geon, and from this chamber there is an accessway heading further north
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Vukan continues onwards north, carefully looking around for any sign of other life down here, not wanting to end up with his only exit being blocked by something hungry.
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(notice/wis)
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You feel a slightly warm draft coming from the tunnel ahead of you , with the scent of rot carried on it, but nothing strictly indicating life
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Vukan slows as he approaches, and carefully moves along, his arm blade and laser projector out and ready, looking to check into the next room before he enters.
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(so by my count right now we are in the top left chamber that your projected route has you passing through? )
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(Yup)
18:51
(Well, the entrance, looking in)
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You see nothing alive in the chamber, but hundreds of skeletons ranging from small mammal like creatures, to larger ones, all piled up with no regard for placement, or ease of transversion the ground
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Vukan carefully records what he sees, taking particular care to show the different creatures, before moving towards what the scans had shown to be a long thin tunnel leading towards the north of the ruined complex.
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Pools of stagnant water splash underfoot and there are more bones here, though these are scattered as thee was not enough room to pile them up here. There is clearly some underground biome at play here for these bones to be here, but you haven't seen evidence of any living creatures yet aside from the Geon on the surface
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Vukan remains on full alert, as he exits the long thin tunnel, and begins to make his way down towards the cavern he identified as near an entrance to the ruins. He does pause at the exit of the tunnel to put his Butterfly Harness on.
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(okay so now we are by the wateR?)
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(Unless there was something between Vukan and it)
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(Just making sure we are agreed on where we are. Trying not to habe a repeat of last time ) The harness clips into place and the small grav field begins to Hum, lifting your feet a few centimeters off the ground
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Vukan activates both Instapanels, and begins to fold and shape them into two half boat shapes, before allowing them to bond to each other. He then attaches the rope to one end, by pinching up one end to make a capstan, and locates a place near the wall to fix the other end on.
23:01
He then ticks up his adrenal pumps, and prepares to push the makeshift boat into the river, using the rope to control the movement downstream, letting it out a metre at a time.
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(Moving down the river, 20m, hoping to get close enough to use the Butterfly Harness to jump into the ruins, or the other side of the small area it's accessed by) (edited)
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(okay, so you'd end up at that first ruin square to the left of the river?)
02:36
(I tihnk that would work without any checks since you have equipment that makes all this feasible and not just us swimming against a current
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(Good, that was what I intended. I wanted to be certain I'd get in.)
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Your technological solution works and you make your way to what was once a geon settlement here. The cave must have flooded after the place was settled judging by the lived in look the place has
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Vukan begins to carefully move through the ruin, still with his weapons out, carefully inspecting each room before entering.
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(Which one are you heading into next then, maybe another route would be helpful here)
01:34
(because its getting vague again )
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(Not sure what route I follow after the second room, cause it doesn't seem connected, so we'll see!)
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Moving into the second room you can see this was the remainder of a geon temple. The idol has been smashed but some of the gem worked pillars are intact as much as they can be after such a long age. A few other statues are brittle and time eaten , resembling lesser geon faith icons
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The river outside if traveled a bit further down can lead to the other more connected parts of the temple, and the other part of the temple on the eastern side of the flowing waters
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Vukan has a look to see how far it would take to reach the next set of shore, and if the butterfly harness can jump.
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The harness seems up to the job, using most of its horizontal leap to do the job, but it should keep you safely out of the water
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Vukan commits to the jump, and begins to move west into the settlement.
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The lower settlement on the western side of the river is connected in an L shape, and there is more evidence of the Geon temple here. A passage to the north section you just occupied has been filled by a cave in. It's hard to tell if the mineral deposits here are natural, or are old geon corpses, but there are six, all of them studded with rich gems
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Vukan moves very carefully to avoid disturbing the potential corpses, and stores a few more images of them, in order to show them to Luminite, to check. He then begins to move north.
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passing through both westernr unning rooms you're greeted with the piles that might be corpses and decaying rock furniture the Geon had carved for themselves. Moving north, the cave become far darker, and your eyes have trouble opening far enough and projecting enough artificial light to fill them to see to the end of the tunnel run
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Vukan fixes this by flipping his panspectrals to UV, and turning on his phosphor tattoos.
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The UV light is similarly baffled, and it seems to have the same effect. The tattoos shine their own light out into the dark cave, the reflected neon like tints shining back at you, suspended by the air- heavy particles move like an inky black mist moved by the breeze
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Vukan moves towards the very end of the northwards direction, staying inside the settlement, but fully exploring it.
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(mental save, as you enter the dark mist)
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(Fail 2v9)
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Vukan feels his thoughts starting to become cloudy as he enters the mist. Thoughts of laying down to rest, or at least to sleep for a few minutes dance across his neural pathways. A shining golden idol is at the most northern side of the chamber, about 50m from where he stands now, shrouded in mist.
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Vukan immediately backs away from the idol and the mist, slapping himself on the cheek with the flat of his arm blade, making sure his adrenal pumps are still ramped up to the max.
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THe pumps fire, and you feel the cloudiness in your mind beginning to dissolve, aided by the fact that you're also leaving the mist
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Vukan returns to where he entered the second part of the temple, and goes east instead, looking to fully explore the complex before reporting back
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(Same thing here, you've got the actual supply for it so i dont think we need to worry about a check)
14:57
crossing the river, you enter a series of interconnected dwellings where it look like the Geon clergy might have lived once in better days. There is even evidence here that this settlement might have once been above ground as the ruins have window spots carved into the areas of them still standing
14:58
A few molding books scattered across the floor dress the scene, along with a trunk where just the metal clasps and stoppers have remained untouched by time- the planks look ready to crumble into their rock proto-material at the slightest touch
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Vukan carefully approaches the trunk, and gently tries to lift the lid with the tip of his blade.
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You're able to get enough leverage to open the lid, and a canvas bag lies inside, it must be filled with a number of heavy but small objects based on how it bulges
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Vukan very carefully removes the bag, doing everything he can to avoid it collapsing.
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(exert/dex)
23:51
(Vukindiana Jones right now)
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(Damn right)
11:28
(14. Natural roll of a 12)
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If there is some sort of mechanism that is supposed to keep you from taking the bag, it never goes off, your quick reaction has the materials safely stowed away without disturbing the pressure plate at all
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Vukan begins to make his way back to the surface, pausing only once he has completed the trip back to the boat to examine the bag and its contents.
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dozens of large gems that glow gently on their own in neon hues are inside the bag. The bag seems to be as threadbare as its possible to be. (6xp, 10,000 credits)
14:47
The gems emit a cold light to them, and the bag internals feel cold to the touch as well
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Lvl 7->8. HP increases 36->37. AB 7->8. Skills. Stab 1->2 (edited)
15:00
Vukan makes his way back towards the surface, going back along the same route.
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There are no problems along the route, you have passed through these areas and are aware of the dangers and have concocted solutions to circumvent the challenges the terrain poses
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Vukan contacts the shuttle, and enquires if anything has happened on the surface while he was below.
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The surface has remained quiet. Luminite has not even moved from his spot near the lake
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(err, wrong moon)
20:29
(Luminite is on moon number 1. We're on moon 2. However, I do plan to move back to him now)
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Luminite has not even moved from his spot near the lake since you have been here last
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Vukan approaches
20:53
"Hello."
20:54
"Found something interesting you might be able to help me with. On the other moon..." Vukan points at the second moon, which should be visible. "I found what looked like an abandoned temple? A Geon one. Found these." (edited)
20:54
Vukan takes out the sack, and shows the gems.
20:54
"Any idea what they are?"
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"Guidestones" Luminite says, quietly. He is looking into the bag with rapt attention.
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“They were important to Geon mystics. It helped them see the way to the best future for us. Others used them to aid with healing or knowing of things unknown”
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"Ok. Do your people need them? There was also a gold statue, and some mist that tried to make me feel sleepy." Vukan describes the gold statue. "Any idea on that as well?"
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"Mist of sleep? Tell me everything you remember about the cave" he says with more animation than you've ever seen him deliver
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"Lots of square rooms. Images of geons looking special, big statue, but smashed. Black mist that I could barely see through, even with my eyes. Shining, not shiny gold idol, in the middle of the mist." (edited)
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"Found these in a chest made of rock and metal." Vukan gestures to the sack
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“The aspect of eons. She manifested there in some way. She brings the suffering of unwilling eternal sleep. You were wise to leave the area when you did”
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“Not all geon believe in her. Most don’t. It’s her influence. Her energy. It’s what makes the geon go through the rise and fall. And rise and fall. The oldest have seen it happen many times. I have seen it happen many times before. I would stay away from that place. It will bring you trouble and great harm”
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Vukan nods. "Probly have to tell my god about it. He's probably interested in stuff like that. Do you want the Guidestones? Do you have mystics who can use them? Or can I take a few back with me for my people to have a peer and poke at?"
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"There are none here besides me, and I have no use for them. Use them in good health, and remember them for what they are'
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Vukan nods to Luminite in thanks. "Me and my god might be back. He might find the idea of a place a god manifested as interesting. Not sure."
16:18
With that, Vukan will return to the Puddlejumper, and prepare to return to Bergasa.
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(3 days of downtime back)
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(3 days into fix)
16:38
Once back, Vukan will look to find Einer.
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(Is Einer at Bergasa still?)
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(he is, when he is off work/awake irl he's going to reply to you) (edited)
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(NP, so I don't need to drop a message in Einer's thread?)
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(nope, i messaged him and let him know you were waiting for a reply when he had a sec)
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Karre Mondragon(Timothy) 19-Oct-20 11:20 PM
(Sorry for delay. Work kicked my butt but I’m up and around now)
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(NP. Vukan is looking for Einer)
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Karre Mondragon(Timothy) 19-Oct-20 11:48 PM
(He’ll be at Mount Home or to the southwest overseeing the construction of his sanctum. Up to you)
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(Vukan'll find him around Mount Home)
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Karre Mondragon(Timothy) 19-Oct-20 11:59 PM
Einer is in the docks, speaking with the crews before they head out to finish construction of the sanctum. He seems more rested since the last time you saw him, and his posture is straighter than it’s been in weeks.
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"Hey Einer! You do voodoo shit right? Like psychic but not psychic? Magic?"
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Karre Mondragon(Timothy) 20-Oct-20 12:15 AM
Einer turns, “I suppose that’s one way to put it. I’m far from a mage, though.”
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Karre Mondragon(Timothy) 20-Oct-20 04:16 AM
“Why do you ask?”
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Vukan pulls a shiny gem out of his belt and tosses it to Einer. "Here, work out what it's good for. Geon call them "guidestones". Apparently help with magic. Got big bag full of them, going to show them to Silvano, see if he knows anything bout them. Also found out the Geon god appeared there. Not sure if it's their god, or devil. Sounded unhappy, to be honest."
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Karre Mondragon(Timothy) 20-Oct-20 03:40 PM
Einer catches the stone and peers at it. “I have work to do that will take up the majority of my time. If I find myself with an abundance of free time, I’ll see what I can find out about this. Lord Mazzio is back from Actaia, you may have better luck with him.”
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Vukan shrugs. "I honestly don't care, unless it turns out they blow up when you use them. Cause I might get blamed. So don't die."
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Karre Mondragon(Timothy) 20-Oct-20 04:17 PM
“Right. Thanks for the stone, glad you survived.”
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(I think we're in a good spot to kick off that minsk final attack)
16:55
(since almost everyone is home)
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(No problem tagging along to that. Vukan's always up to shoot spooks)
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(and then we can move back into here for whatever comes next for Vukan
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(If anything at all)
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(Sorry, been feeling a bit of a block. I'm still enjoying playing Vukan, but in order to do anything more with what I've got planned, I need a decent ship, which is a huge credit sink. What parts of Bergasa haven't been scouted properly, as in an on the ground in depth analysis?)
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Spending 2 sp. Talk -1->0. Trade -1->0 (edited)
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(And the ship is done even though it’s not on the registry yet , so we can take that out wherever )
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(Give me a moment, Vukan has something I had planned for a while with the ship.)
22:18
(Need to work out jump patterns)
22:24
(Ok, I need a bit of capital before I start doing the smuggling stuff, so Vukan wants to go and scout the three planets near Andere, trying to zero in on the direction the Raiders came from)
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(they're up in UNW space now, just hit Shalini)
23:34
(but we can still explore one of those planets)
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(Oh, not where the raiders are. Where they CAME from)
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(okay, we can explore one of those planets, just let me know what one)
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(We'll start with Savarna, no delay scooping since I have Starfarer 1.)
23:37
(So two Spike 3 jumps)
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Savarna is a water world, with almost no visible land mass on the surface. An abandoned research post or listening post is the only structure down below, reinforced to withstand the constant powerful storms the world endures. The world is wracked by hurricanes, earthquakes, and their resulting tsunamis.
00:59
There is no sign of other space traffic
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Vukan scoops his fuel bunkers full again, before sending a general hail towards the abandoned post, just to see if anyone responds.
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Over the four days of refueling, the outpost remains silent to hails from your ship. It is empty, or whatever is there cannot or will not respond. The site remains cold to scanning attempts for more information
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(I have realised I made an oopsie. Oh well, I can fix this later.)
08:20
Once refilled, Vukan jumps north to Zerbino
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(One day of downtime on the way there, and we'll add the i think 6 from the previous trips to whatever you were working on)
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(Vukan is solo, so isn't he piloting?)
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(you cant even fly a ship solo
17:05
(someone has to be at the controls 24/7 to make the corrections needed for spike flight)
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(It says Crew minimum 1. I thought that meant it only needs 1 crew)
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(most ships have a minimum of 3 between two pilots and a navigator)
17:06
(however you want to do it, i was trying to allow some downtime and whatnot and just be fair, but you can doctor it up however you want)
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(If youre operarting alone its a pilot/int with a base 13 as a DC, otherwise theres a spike mishap table. I know you dont have those skills so i figured you'd be avoiding that and just added some crew)
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(I've got 3 in pilot, but if it's DC 13, then even then it's rough) (edited)
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