Stars Without Number

Nekosmash 03-Jul-19 10:16 AM

Adamaris, eisheru, and Kelvin meet in the Acastus Greystar settlement to plan their trek and explorations of the precursor ruins - located on a scouting expedition a few days ago

Valentina Spiros 03-Jul-19 10:21 AM

"So, from the little I know, these ruins are located to the northeast, and play host to frequent storms, have either of you been able to gather any further details?"

Reza Collins (Eisheru) 03-Jul-19 10:27 AM

(Neko -- These ruins are not the same as the military base that I found out about right?)

Nekosmash 03-Jul-19 10:33 AM

(They are not, no. Actually, the Acastus map is up to date in the planets/systems, 1E, Acastus folder)

(Ive been adding things as you guys find them)

Reza Collins (Eisheru) 03-Jul-19 10:52 AM

"Unfortunately no. I have been tied up in meetings since I got here. Where are these ruins located?"

Valentina Spiros 03-Jul-19 11:03 AM

"Around 200km North East I believe, nestled in the foot of a mountain, they may also be linked with the cult of the still lady, who's followers still seem to be operating in some areas"

Valentina Spiros 03-Jul-19 11:14 AM

"Do we have a method of transportation open to us?"

Nekosmash 03-Jul-19 11:15 AM

A small recon helicopter has been assigned to you, but it is not rated for combat or a hot landing

Reza Collins (Eisheru) 03-Jul-19 11:18 AM

"How long do you estimate we will be out in the field? I want to make sure we are properly equipped for the journey"

Valentina Spiros 03-Jul-19 11:19 AM

"I'd expect not more than a day trip in the first instance, are either of you pilots? As that's a field in which I have no expertise."

DaveH 03-Jul-19 11:33 AM

“Not a pilot - more of a mechanic...”

“And yeah Eisheru, a bit of prep would be helpful, especially if there are cultists still around. Are there any better weapons available than this dinky laser pistol?”

Reza Collins (Eisheru) 03-Jul-19 11:44 AM

"I'm more of negotiator than a pilot. And I think I saw an armory around here somewhere. Still getting my bearings. "

Valentina Spiros 03-Jul-19 11:50 AM

"Hmm, fair enough, we'll have to get one of the others to give us a ride over, not that it should be a great issue, I believe there may have been, yes. When do you both feel that you will be ready to depart?"

DaveH 03-Jul-19 11:54 AM

(Sorry I haven’t caught up on everyone else’s threads - what exactly is the goal of this mission?)

Nekosmash 03-Jul-19 11:54 AM

(exploring some precursor ruins Adamaris found on his first mission, usual reasons someone would investigate something like that)

DaveH 03-Jul-19 11:55 AM

“I’d be a lot more ready with at least a better gun. Is there an armory here?”

Nekosmash 03-Jul-19 11:55 AM

(You can buy gear in town before we go)

DaveH 03-Jul-19 11:57 AM

“I’d like to at least do some shopping, otherwise I’m ready.”

Valentina Spiros 03-Jul-19 12:11 PM

"Superb, Eisheru, any delays for you?"

Reza Collins (Eisheru) 03-Jul-19 12:24 PM

"I could do with a little more firepower" (are food rations a necessity?)

Nekosmash 03-Jul-19 12:27 PM

(You'll be flown out there. I think the expectation as much as you can have one right now is 1-2 days in the field between travel and exploring)

Valentina Spiros 03-Jul-19 12:35 PM

"Ok, I'd suggest we start tommorrow morning, and see what they have in store, perhaps taking supplies for a couple of days may be worthwhile, just in case" (does in game time have a particular analogue with time in reality?)

Nekosmash 03-Jul-19 12:37 PM

(no)

2

Reza Collins (Eisheru) 03-Jul-19 12:39 PM

(I'm assuming we have some sort of personal storage? )

Nekosmash 03-Jul-19 12:40 PM

(Yes. You'd have places of your own in this settlement. Small apartments probably right now since its only been on the ground for a few days)

1

(Like a Quonset hut to yourselves individually or something like that, is probably a better visual)

Reza Collins (Eisheru) 03-Jul-19 12:41 PM

(perfect)

DaveH 03-Jul-19 12:48 PM

“Sounds like a plan.”

Reza Collins (Eisheru) 03-Jul-19 01:00 PM

(adding a Laser Rifle and 2 more type A cells what was the ruling on food rations? something we need to keep track of?) (edited)

Nekosmash 03-Jul-19 01:01 PM

(You're within easy resupply as it is right now, and for the adventure since home is close. Even on foot you'd be able to live off the land, maybe not comfortably, but for long enough to get home)

(So we dont need to)

Reza Collins (Eisheru) 03-Jul-19 01:02 PM

(Sounds good) "Let's rest up gents. See you all before first rise"

DaveH 03-Jul-19 01:07 PM

(Sorry what weapons am I limited to here?)

Nekosmash 03-Jul-19 01:09 PM

(TL 4 only)

(TL 4 and lower, i mean)

DaveH 03-Jul-19 01:12 PM

(Ok i guess also just a laser rifle. Are these silent?)

Nekosmash 03-Jul-19 01:12 PM

(no)

DaveH 03-Jul-19 01:14 PM

“Alright guys, sleep well.”

DaveH 03-Jul-19 01:26 PM

(Sorry for all the questions - I’m one over the encumbrance limit. Can I sell my old laser pistol?)

Nekosmash 03-Jul-19 04:32 PM

(Yes for book price

2

Nekosmash 03-Jul-19 04:59 PM

The following morning the three of you along with a greystar pilot and your cargo are assembled in the main square of the outpost

Valentina Spiros 03-Jul-19 05:01 PM

"How close do you think we can get to the ruins," he wonders.

DaveH 03-Jul-19 06:04 PM

“Everybody squared up?”

Reza Collins (Eisheru) 03-Jul-19 06:20 PM

"About time you all showed up!" Eisheru says with a wry smile as he walks up. He hoists his laser rifle higher on his shoulder. "Ready to move when you all are"

Nekosmash 03-Jul-19 06:23 PM

The pilot diligently loads the supplies you’re purchased for the trip, and awaits your commands

DaveH 03-Jul-19 06:40 PM

We show him the coordinates. “So we want to land close, but not too close. Might be worth flying by before we try to land?”

Reza Collins (Eisheru) 03-Jul-19 06:54 PM

"Sounds good to me... Wouldn't want to walk into a secret base full of some cultists!"

2

Valentina Spiros 04-Jul-19 12:32 AM

"That would certainly be most inconvenient, shall we?" Gesturing to the door

Nekosmash 04-Jul-19 07:31 AM

The sliding door of the aircraft opens and inside, the crew chief and the pilot take your gear (This is basically a TL4 version of a Huey. Door guns and basically just a box with a rotor blade)

Valentina Spiros 04-Jul-19 08:33 AM

With my fairly minimal selection of gear, I'll hop in, take a seat, and start playing with a telekintic knife, purely out of habit

Reza Collins (Eisheru) 04-Jul-19 08:35 AM

Eisheru nods to the pilot and steps aboard the craft. His pack with laser rifle attached sits next to him.

DaveH 04-Jul-19 09:28 AM

Kelvin follows last

He looks a little nervous. “This thing safe?”

Valentina Spiros 04-Jul-19 09:36 AM

"Well, it managed to get here and not fall out of the sky..."

Reza Collins (Eisheru) 04-Jul-19 09:37 AM

"I'm sure it is, don't worry about it."

Nekosmash 04-Jul-19 09:38 AM

The door closes as the guns on their mounts swivel in. “We’ll open the doors when we get close. See if anything barks at us” the pilot says as the engines begin cycling up

Valentina Spiros 04-Jul-19 10:05 AM

"On your mark then"

Nekosmash 04-Jul-19 01:49 PM

The vehicle rotor spoils up and begins heading out over the benighted landscape below. Mushroom cap trees pass by below, rapidly as the flyer takes to the air

“Flight should take about an hour. I’ll chime when we are 15 minutes out. We will open the doors and get the guns out then. Just in case”

Nekosmash 04-Jul-19 06:35 PM

The chopper heads out, the flight passing quietly, until the alert chime sounds, 15 minutes out as promised.

Reza Collins (Eisheru) 04-Jul-19 09:37 PM

Eisheru puts his comm pad away and secures his backpack. "Let's try to avoid heroics shall we? There was this delicious smelling hot dog cart back in Ash City that i promised myself I'd investigate." (edited)

Valentina Spiros 05-Jul-19 12:26 AM

"Oo, that sounds like a superb thing to do after our little adventure!"

Nekosmash 05-Jul-19 05:59 AM

The doors open, the crew chief standing in the cargo bay with you. “Alright. Let’s see who doesn’t want us knocking”

(Notice/wis. Any of you)

DaveH 05-Jul-19 06:17 AM

(5 - sorry guys)

Reza Collins (Eisheru) 05-Jul-19 06:23 AM

(10 - It's all good, you were too busy thinking about those hot dogs ;))

Nekosmash 05-Jul-19 06:36 AM

Eisheru, through the tree tops; sees a small open topped truck snaking it’s way through the forest toward the ruin. They’ve undoubtedly seen the helicopter

Reza Collins (Eisheru) 05-Jul-19 06:41 AM

"Looks like we're not alone" He says as he points out the truck driving through the forest. "Maybe lets approach the ruins from a different angle? I don't want to be setting down right next to wherever that truck is going..." (edited)

DaveH 05-Jul-19 06:58 AM

“Yeah, although I also don’t love the idea of whoever that is getting to the ruin ahead of us.”

(Can we see the actual ruin from here?)

Nekosmash 05-Jul-19 07:05 AM

(Some if it) The ruin is an overgrown Pyramid made from a pale stone. Webs of mycelium stretch across its surfaces and a gnarled mushroom tree grows out the top. A small clearing has been maintained around in

Reza Collins (Eisheru) 05-Jul-19 08:08 AM

"I hear ya, but I'd rather not have them behind us and the unexplored ruins in front of us. Adarmaris you have any thoughts on the situation?" (Does the clearing run around the entirety of the ruin? or just the front of it?)

Nekosmash 05-Jul-19 08:13 AM

(Around all of it)

Valentina Spiros 05-Jul-19 08:23 AM

(Apologies, I'm having a remarkably busy day at work) "I'd reckon that the clearing may be a good landing point, although if they're still behind us, it may be pertinent to discourage them from bothering us, before we proceed"

Reza Collins (Eisheru) 05-Jul-19 08:33 AM

"Also a good point... I will leave the tactical decisions to you two as I haven't seen any combat action other than training programs" His voice trails off towards the end betraying a bit of embarrassment. (No worries dude, just wanted to make sure you had a chance to voice your opinion) (edited)

DaveH 05-Jul-19 09:28 AM

(Can we see any other clearings within a short-ish walking distance to the ruin?)

(Or does this vehicle have rappel equipment?)

Nekosmash 05-Jul-19 10:36 AM

(the helicopter has fast ropes, you're also armed with two heavy machine guns. You're not sure what's up with the truck, but I think its not extrapolating much to say you guys are in a position of strength)

Reza Collins (Eisheru) 05-Jul-19 11:12 AM

"Maybe we should fly this puppy right over to where the road meets the ruin and get them to either bugger off or tell us what they are doing up here?"

DaveH 05-Jul-19 11:33 AM

“I’d say we have a speed and firepower advantage, so let’s give it a shot. Pilot, can we chase that truck and cut them off before they get to the ruin?”

Valentina Spiros 05-Jul-19 11:35 AM

"This sounds like a plan! Either of you particularly inclined towards convincing people to go away?" (edited)

Nekosmash 05-Jul-19 11:36 AM

'We'll get there far in advance of them if we go right for it. Are we setting down ? or strafing them on the way?"

Reza Collins (Eisheru) 05-Jul-19 11:49 AM

(Is it possible to do a short range transmission directly to someone or something?)

(Kinda like opening a comms channel in star trek?)

Nekosmash 05-Jul-19 11:50 AM

(It is)

(You can transmit something. If they elect to accept it is their choice)

Reza Collins (Eisheru) 05-Jul-19 11:52 AM

"Pilot can you take us in to direct transmission range? Shadow the truck if you can"

Nekosmash 05-Jul-19 11:52 AM

"We're there. If you've got something to say, let's get this done"

(there meaning in range)

Reza Collins (Eisheru) 05-Jul-19 11:54 AM

Eisheru picks up his comm pad and makes a few taps to open a comms channel, "Hail unidentified ground vehicle. You are in proximity to a restricted site. State your name and your business in this area." (edited)

Nekosmash 05-Jul-19 11:56 AM

(Is this being spoken, and replied to via speaker?)

Reza Collins (Eisheru) 05-Jul-19 11:57 AM

(Yeah I would have left this open for all on the helo to hear)

Nekosmash 05-Jul-19 11:57 AM

(Mental saves everyone)

Reza Collins (Eisheru) 05-Jul-19 11:58 AM

(womp womp)

(failed with a 5) (edited)

DaveH 05-Jul-19 12:21 PM

(Success 18 vs 14)

Nekosmash 05-Jul-19 12:22 PM

(Adamaris will roll as soon as he sees im sure, then I'll move on along)

Valentina Spiros 05-Jul-19 12:36 PM

(Is it a psionic effect for the +2 from meta psi) (edited)

(12 was my roll, 14 target, so the +2 will matter!)

Nekosmash 05-Jul-19 01:57 PM

(It’s not psionic but magic is close enough. 14 is fine)

(4 damage for fail, 2 for pass) It sounds like ten thousand throats are all screaming themselves raw through the compad and the control systems in the chopper begin to fry. The compad blows itself out. The crew chief’s head lolls to the side, blood leaking from his ears. He is held to the seat just by the five point safety belt

DaveH 05-Jul-19 02:10 PM

“Uuugh what the hell,” Kelvin says, bracing against the sound and force.

(Is the crew chief the only pilot on board? Just him and us?)

Nekosmash 05-Jul-19 02:12 PM

(Pilot and crew chief. Pilot looks ok)

DaveH 05-Jul-19 02:28 PM

(What’s the truck doing? Just a barreling along?)

Nekosmash 05-Jul-19 02:29 PM

The truck is beneath the trees and unable to be clearly seen, but you can see the dust being kicked up by its tires. They are still on course

DaveH 05-Jul-19 02:31 PM

“Screw it, they got a warning.” Kelvin grabs one of the HMGs. He yells to the pilot, “Keep me in range!” He opens fire on the truck.

Nekosmash 05-Jul-19 02:32 PM

(Still have to roll since it’s beyond 20m, but all you need to hit is a 10+ since it’s a vehicle. Heavy machine gun is 3d6 damage)

DaveH 05-Jul-19 02:33 PM

(Just shoot/dex?)

Nekosmash 05-Jul-19 02:34 PM

(D20+ attack bonus if you have one+shoot level+dexterity modifier)

DaveH 05-Jul-19 02:34 PM

(Argh right sorry)

Nekosmash 05-Jul-19 02:34 PM

(Don’t be sorry just want to make sure you’ve got the right stuff)

DaveH 05-Jul-19 02:44 PM

(Well that’s a big fat miss. Rolled a natural 1)

Nekosmash 05-Jul-19 02:47 PM

The gun clicks as you see the ammunition feed was not hooked up “I’ll swing us around. Someone get on the other side!”

DaveH 05-Jul-19 02:48 PM

“Dammit!” Kelvin connects the ammo feed (edited)

Valentina Spiros 05-Jul-19 02:59 PM

"Guns aren't really my thing, but I've another approach" (Could I TK lift the back of the truck, I believe I'm up to 200kg in lifting capacity)

Nekosmash 05-Jul-19 03:00 PM

(It’s way heavier than that and your line of sight is heavily obscured)

Valentina Spiros 05-Jul-19 03:01 PM

With a particularly forceful look, a glowing purple trident forms in midair and flies towards the truck

(18/5)

Reza Collins (Eisheru) 05-Jul-19 04:22 PM

Eisheru jumps on the other gun still reeling from the hit of MES energy. He waits for the pilot to turn the helo around.

(11 to hit. 16 damage when it comes around)

Nekosmash 05-Jul-19 05:45 PM

The trident flares in a sunburst of blue and purple sparks as it reflects off the armor , causing light damage. Eisheru jumps on the other gun, feed attached, and riddles the truck and its passengers with high caliber rounds

It begins to smoke and only a few of the over a dozen individuals in the bed dismount. The rest look dead or too wounded to walk

Reza Collins (Eisheru) 05-Jul-19 05:51 PM

"Should we make another run?" Eizeru shouts over the buzz of the heavy guns.

(There's no house rule that says you don't need heal-0 to use Lift is there?

)

Nekosmash 05-Jul-19 05:54 PM

(You have to have the skill to use it without a med check)

(I try to stick to rules as written whenever possible with all the homebrew we have. The less I have to remember a ruling for the better)

Reza Collins (Eisheru) 05-Jul-19 05:55 PM

(That's fine! What would be the check then?)

(heal/wis vs some dc?)

Nekosmash 05-Jul-19 05:56 PM

(Heal/int)

Reza Collins (Eisheru) 05-Jul-19 05:56 PM

(and a -2 for not having the skill trained right?)

Nekosmash 05-Jul-19 05:57 PM

(If you click heal on your sheet it will ask you what attribute and do all the modifiers for you. Make sure you’re not in edit mode)

Reza Collins (Eisheru) 05-Jul-19 05:57 PM

(thats even better)

(thanks )

DaveH 05-Jul-19 06:44 PM

(Am I now able to take another shot?)

Nekosmash 06-Jul-19 05:13 AM

(Eisheru I need healing roll result when you’ve got a minute and kelvin if you want to take another shot you can

Valentina Spiros 06-Jul-19 05:14 AM

(Will metapsionics let me tell where that spell came from?)

Nekosmash 06-Jul-19 05:14 AM

(You opened a comm channel with them and that was their reply. Seems evident on its own. )

Valentina Spiros 06-Jul-19 05:15 AM

(It was more determining which individual it came from, to know if they are still a threat)

Nekosmash 06-Jul-19 05:31 AM

(You don't sense him anymore)

Valentina Spiros 06-Jul-19 05:42 AM

(Ok, good to know, thanks) "I think whatever did that is gone or dead, but be on your guard in case there's another cultist trying to do something unpleasant to us!" (edited)

DaveH 06-Jul-19 06:06 AM

Kelvin slams the ammo feed into place and immediately takes aim

(Another miss - 9)

Nekosmash 06-Jul-19 06:24 AM

The shots go wide, hitting the dirt and knocking chunks of mushroom cap off the closest trees. Small arms fire from the ground lashes back skywards at you from the few survivors (edited)

(Crit, 13 damage after armor on the chopper) There is a bang like you are inside a church bell as someone has struck it. Oily smoke begins to belch from one of the engines.

DaveH 06-Jul-19 06:53 AM

Kelvin yells to the pilot, “We need to land now! Get us down somewhere safely - the nearest clearing - we’ll hold them off if they are dumb enough to chase us.”

“We can fast-rope down if we need to.”

Reza Collins (Eisheru) 06-Jul-19 07:11 AM

Seeing the smoke pouring out after the last shot Eisheru nods in agreement, "Put her down by the ruin! We can clean this up on foot." (edited)

DaveH 06-Jul-19 07:25 AM

(Was the plan for the pilot to drop us off and come back for us later?)

Reza Collins (Eisheru) 06-Jul-19 07:27 AM

(he might have to do repairs I'm the field. Up to the pilot i guess if he wants to stick around)

Nekosmash 06-Jul-19 07:43 AM

(He was going to stick around anyway but now he has to)

The helicopter leaves a greasy smoke trail across the night sky, landing in the clearing before the ruins, one gun positioned on the pyramid door , the other pointing at the road the truck survivors will need to use to approach

Valentina Spiros 06-Jul-19 07:46 AM

Adamaris steps out of the helecopter, quite intent on being out of the reach of any fire that may come towards the helecopter, "Might I suggest that we either get into the ruins, or into the cover of the treeline?"

Reza Collins (Eisheru) 06-Jul-19 07:47 AM

(about how far away from the truck are we currently? And did we see them moving any direction on foot?)

Nekosmash 06-Jul-19 07:52 AM

(You didn't see them move away, but its about a 2km hike for them if they're coming, so they'll be here soon, but you're not in immediate danger of being fallen upon)

Reza Collins (Eisheru) 06-Jul-19 09:27 AM

Eisheru turns to the pilot, "How likely is thing to explode? I'd hate to give up the advantage of these heavy machine guns..."

Nekosmash 06-Jul-19 09:28 AM

“It won’t. The tanks are self sealing, but if they damage the engine we will have to call for help. Or walk back”

DaveH 06-Jul-19 09:39 AM

Kelvin looks the engine over, gauging whether he can do a field repair

Nekosmash 06-Jul-19 10:08 AM

(What is your fix level)

DaveH 06-Jul-19 10:15 AM

(+2 w/3d6)

Nekosmash 06-Jul-19 11:21 AM

Field repairs look possible.

DaveH 06-Jul-19 12:28 PM

“Do we want to wait to see if they come for us or go after them?”

Reza Collins (Eisheru) 06-Jul-19 01:52 PM

"That's the million credit question isn't it? I say let's not wait. Besides we need to find out who is brazen enough to open fire on the Combine."

DaveH 06-Jul-19 01:59 PM

“Ok. Hopefully this thing is still here when we need to leave, and then I think I can fix it.” (And with that I’m ready to start walking in towards them)

DaveH 06-Jul-19 02:06 PM

“Wait a minute...” (Kelvin goes to each of the HMG’s and, with his metatool, removes the firing mechanisms and puts them in his bag)

“I can pop these back in when we come back - I don’t want these being used against us.”

Nekosmash 06-Jul-19 06:34 PM

(Heading into the forest to ambush them of heading into the temple?)

DaveH 06-Jul-19 06:44 PM

(Thought we were talking about the former but the latter is probably a better idea)

Nekosmash 06-Jul-19 07:42 PM

(was trying to make sense of it. Either one works)

Reza Collins (Eisheru) 06-Jul-19 10:47 PM

"Maybe we should use the helicopter as bait and ambush them when they come to investigate?" (tough choice either way.)

Valentina Spiros 07-Jul-19 03:10 AM

"Hmm, if we think they are only shortly behind us, being the ambushers rather than ambushed makes sense to me"

DaveH 07-Jul-19 05:48 AM

“Agreed.” (Is the cover nearby, in range of the heli and ruin, that could make a good ambush spot?)

Nekosmash 07-Jul-19 06:10 AM

(The forest is pretty dense. Plenty of thick trees and fallen ones for cover)

Valentina Spiros 07-Jul-19 06:27 AM

"Ok, shall we spread out a little?"

Reza Collins (Eisheru) 07-Jul-19 06:55 AM

"I'm going to stick close to one of you. My comm pad got fried by that energy attack" Eisheru readies his laser rifle and finds a hiding spot near Kelvin (Would like to be about 10-20m away from him)

Valentina Spiros 07-Jul-19 07:03 AM

Adamaris will try and find a relatively dense patch of foliage, knowing concealment could be a challenge, even in the low light

DaveH 07-Jul-19 07:39 AM

Kelvin is trying to blend in as much as possible. Now searching around with eyes and ears, laser rifle ready.

“We may not want to strike at the first opportunity. If they approach let’s see if they get out in the open where we can attack from cover.”

Reza Collins (Eisheru) 07-Jul-19 07:53 AM

"Agreed!" Eisheru tries to find a large tree to back up against. Then he makes sure he isn't standing on an insect mound and goes in the prone position facing the road way

Nekosmash 07-Jul-19 09:57 AM

The three figures stumble into the clearings between trees after fifteen minutes of waiting. You can smell them long before you see them, the cloying scent of smoke and burned blood sticking to them. Their clothes are scorched and their chest rig lights are left on. All tactical sense seems to have been forgotten from the ferocity of the previous attack

(You guys have had setup time so execution attacks are available )

DaveH 07-Jul-19 10:13 AM

Kelvin makes eye contact with Eisheru and Adamaris, motioning that each of us takes a different enemy on his signal. (Holding here for each of you to confirm, if we can we’ll launch simultaneous execution attacks on each of the three guys) (edited)

Nekosmash 07-Jul-19 10:45 AM

(These will be actual shoot/dex checks rather than attack rolls. Dc is 8 since it’s ranged )

2

Reza Collins (Eisheru) 07-Jul-19 04:40 PM

Eisheru takes aim at his target and waits for the cue to fire.

Nekosmash 07-Jul-19 05:01 PM

(it'll be so close to simultaneous they'll only get to react if anyone survives, but even knocking out one swings the odds very nicely in your favor)

Reza Collins (Eisheru) 07-Jul-19 05:08 PM

(of course i miss. First roll was 5. Ignore last two.)

Nekosmash 07-Jul-19 05:14 PM

(Man, what a swing, it then immediately went to the best possible result)

DaveH 07-Jul-19 05:25 PM

(4. Rolls have been so bad)

Nekosmash 07-Jul-19 05:28 PM

(Lets see if Adamaris has better luck)

Reza Collins (Eisheru) 07-Jul-19 05:35 PM

(thank goodness i got the one good roll before w/ the HMG)

2

Valentina Spiros 08-Jul-19 01:19 AM

(A whole 5) Adamaris decides that the manifestation of force should be invisible, in order to maintain concealment for as long as possible

Nekosmash 08-Jul-19 03:02 AM

The three shots go wide of their targets, hitting undergrowth or blowing clods of dirt into the air. Shots coming at them from prepared firing positions, the cultists turn tail and run, unwilling to throw themselves at shooters they can hardly see

Valentina Spiros 08-Jul-19 03:20 AM

Seeing the cultists flee, he'll wait a moment or two to ensure the cultists are a good distance away, and then step out of the foliage

Valentina Spiros 08-Jul-19 03:29 AM

Also spending some time, inspecting the ruin ahead (Is this the closest they've been so far?)

Nekosmash 08-Jul-19 04:36 AM

(Closest you've been so far, but theres' not really any other detail outside than whats been described already. It's very over grown)

Valentina Spiros 08-Jul-19 04:42 AM

(Ok, superb) "Shall we ventue forth?"

DaveH 08-Jul-19 04:49 AM

“I’m wondering if I should try to fix this heli before we go in.”

“In case we need to leave here in a hurry”

“Then again, it’s it working someone could take it”

Valentina Spiros 08-Jul-19 04:54 AM

"Have we a good way of fixing it and then removing some critical component to prevent someone stealing it?"

DaveH 08-Jul-19 05:05 AM

“Yeah, like I did with the guns. I think so. Let me give it a shot.”

Nekosmash 08-Jul-19 05:22 AM

"I'll keep an eye on the bird. They won't go far with the engine the way it is right now anyway" the pilot says, "I'll give it a look over while you're inside"

DaveH 08-Jul-19 05:34 AM

“Ok. Stay safe.”

Nekosmash 08-Jul-19 05:42 AM

You enter the temple, and mapping software on your compad begins drawing the chambers it can sense through echolocation

(entering from the south, center room)

Pinned a message.

Valentina Spiros 08-Jul-19 05:45 AM

Adamaris pulls out a survey scanner, in the hope of gathering any additional information about his surroundings

Nekosmash 08-Jul-19 05:46 AM

The stone is not local, the scanner showing that almost right away. It is unable to detect much else.

Reza Collins (Eisheru) 08-Jul-19 05:52 AM

"Alright, so left, right or center?"

DaveH 08-Jul-19 06:09 AM

(Open hallways to right, left, center? No doors?)

Nekosmash 08-Jul-19 06:45 AM

(No doors in this area, but it is dark)

Reza Collins (Eisheru) 08-Jul-19 06:48 AM

Eisheru pulls out this low light goggles from his pack and places them on his head.

DaveH 08-Jul-19 07:10 AM

(I don’t have goggles, so going to use Ghost Tech to conjure them)

(If possible)

Nekosmash 08-Jul-19 07:22 AM

(It is)

Illuminated in your low light goggles you see the flagstones have been worn smooth by the passage of years and legions of feet. Some of the forest creepers have grown inside the entrance chamber as well, obscuring murals on the wall.

Reza Collins (Eisheru) 08-Jul-19 08:12 AM

Eisheru looks on the ground for any more recent evidence of travel. (Any footprints or anything dropped indicating that someone has been through here recently?)

Nekosmash 08-Jul-19 08:13 AM

(Nothing recent, this place looks undisturbed for years)

Reza Collins (Eisheru) 08-Jul-19 08:14 AM

(and to confirm it wasnt on any maps of the area until Adamaris discovered its whereabouts?)

Nekosmash 08-Jul-19 08:29 AM

(Right, lost to time, ect. Acastus has had lots of stability problems until very recently, so exploring beyond the city wasn't something easily done)

Reza Collins (Eisheru) 08-Jul-19 08:34 AM

"There are no signs of anything recent coming through here except for those creeper vines near the entrance. I say lets go right. I usually go left to start, but something is telling me to go right. Do you guys ever get those 'feelings' like something is pulling you in a direction? Cause I am having one of those feelings right now... Am I talking a lot? I talk a lot when I am nervous... I'm gonna shut up now..." Eisheru walks over towards the right hallway and peeks his head around the corner and looks down the passageway

Nekosmash 08-Jul-19 08:54 AM

You can see the end lf the hallway, dimly lit by a hole in the ceiling with light from outside

it ends in a T junction, with passages running left and right from there

DaveH 08-Jul-19 09:18 AM

Kelvin is following

Valentina Spiros 08-Jul-19 09:19 AM

I will also be following along (I'm just about to get on a plane IRL so will be unable to use discord for around the next 5 hours)

Nekosmash 08-Jul-19 09:41 AM

The murals are not as obscured as you move further into the temple, and you begin to make out some of them. Slyth workers, soldiers, and priests, accompanied by blocky looking robot like figures seem to be engaged in some type of battle, against eerily elongated alien figures that look very much like the awakened fleshshapers to the north. The carvings are very intricate, the details chiseled out to an incredible level of detail, even facial expressions on each warrior are different.

DaveH 08-Jul-19 09:51 AM

(Does Kelvin know what this might represent?)

Nekosmash 08-Jul-19 09:59 AM

(yes)

Nekosmash 08-Jul-19 11:28 AM

The end of the hall has fallen stones from the widest part of the pyramid, the base, but they do not block the path entirely, allowing you to travel right or left, still (so down into the big room, or the other way, up the hallway)

DaveH 08-Jul-19 12:39 PM

“This room to the right looks like a dead-end. We should probably clear that first.”

(I think we can just assume that when we are moving we are trying to be as quiet as possible here)

Nekosmash 08-Jul-19 12:57 PM

There might have been a door here once but if there was, it has likewise been reduced to rubble. Broken pieces of rock are brushed aside as you enter. Notches have been carved into the walls, and their vault covers broken, in a few places, where bones have been pulled out and burial shrouds were shredded by something.

(so its like a funeral chamber set up almost like a mausoleum)

DaveH 08-Jul-19 02:32 PM

(I’d like to take a closer look at the burial shrouds and bones - did this happen recently? What would be shredding burial shrouds with just bones inside?)

Nekosmash 08-Jul-19 02:33 PM

It looks to have been recent as within the last few years. You couldn’t be sure what would be an appropriate answer for the second question

DaveH 08-Jul-19 03:02 PM

(Nothing else in this room?) (edited)

Nekosmash 08-Jul-19 03:05 PM

(That’s what you see by poking your head in. Without doing anything but looking that’s what’s here)

DaveH 08-Jul-19 03:18 PM

(Holding for others then)

Valentina Spiros 08-Jul-19 03:26 PM

Adamaris would progress as methodically as possible, using the survey scanner and possibly bioscanner to attempt to identify any features he sees as interesting, particularly the bones, determining the age and health of the individual when alive if possible, as well as cause of death

Nekosmash 08-Jul-19 04:37 PM

The bones aren’t coming back as human, and indeed, register as slyth

They are much bigger than a humans though there are fewer bones in total than a human skeleton would have. Those here emphasize length rather than thickness

Reza Collins (Eisheru) 08-Jul-19 05:48 PM

While they are checking out the corpses Eisheru keeps his laser rifle pointed down the hall the other direction keeping an eye out. (edited)

Nekosmash 08-Jul-19 05:49 PM

Something is breathing wetly from the north end of the hallway, though obscured by a corner or in the darkness of distant rooms

DaveH 08-Jul-19 05:55 PM

Kelvin slowly makes his way into the (south) room, very slowly and quietly. Scanning the room...

Nekosmash 08-Jul-19 05:56 PM

Two fungal hounds fight over a bone in the room immediately to your right (middle room on the extreme right of the map), clicking and hissing at one another in a display of dominance

DaveH 08-Jul-19 05:59 PM

(I was checking out bottom right room - is that one cleared?)

Nekosmash 08-Jul-19 06:01 PM

(thats where you went first, thats the burial room)

DaveH 08-Jul-19 06:01 PM

(Got it - I thought we had only peeked in but see we got a better look)

Nekosmash 08-Jul-19 06:02 PM

(You had only peeked in when you asked, but Adamaris went in to check out the bones, and nothing happened as far as traps or combat)

1

DaveH 08-Jul-19 06:03 PM

Kelvin tries to sneak into the room directly across from the room with the hounds, peeking first to see if it’s empty

Nekosmash 08-Jul-19 06:04 PM

The room itself is empty but you can see a pack of them has nested here. Judging by the number of ruts and bone piles, some of the pack is out hunting right now, leaving these two behind

DaveH 08-Jul-19 06:16 PM

(So hounds in both rooms?)

(One with the red X and one across)

Nekosmash 08-Jul-19 06:18 PM

(Hounds in the room with the red X, who are too busy scrapping to notice you right now. Their nesting site is in the room across from red x room, but no hounds in it. You have, however, seen evidence that more live here. THey're just not here right now)

DaveH 08-Jul-19 06:21 PM

Kelvin goes back to the group and whispers, “I say we leave these hounds alone for now and keep moving. Any of our guns and their barks are going to light this whole place up with sound.”

Nekosmash 09-Jul-19 07:55 AM

(Whatever the group thinks : ) . If we move ahead, ill update the map)

( i think its probably helpful to make it less of an abstraction for you guys)

Reza Collins (Eisheru) 09-Jul-19 08:21 AM

Eisheru whisper's back, "We might want to try and take care of these two know while we have them out numbered. Would hate to have to deal with a whole pack of them, ya know?"

Valentina Spiros 09-Jul-19 08:24 AM

(Are these the same species as the one I met a few days ago?)

DaveH 09-Jul-19 08:29 AM

Kelvin looks at Eisheru and shrugs. “I’ll back you up if you want to take them out. I just pray we don’t shake out a bunch more.”

Nekosmash 09-Jul-19 08:30 AM

(They are, Adamaris.)

Valentina Spiros 09-Jul-19 08:37 AM

"I saw one of these the other day, it came over fairly tame eventually" Adamaris reaches out telepathically, to see what the demeanour of one of the hounds is

Reza Collins (Eisheru) 09-Jul-19 08:41 AM

"Interesting... the report I read stated that these animals can be quite vicious in packs... I will leave it to your judgement then." Eisheru reaches for his comm pad to make some notes about the Fungal Hounds when he realizes that it is completely inoperable... still (edited)

Nekosmash 09-Jul-19 10:47 AM

The hounds are aggressive, fighting one another right now, over the scraps of meat and bone. Their fixation on food has them ignoring your presence, for now

Valentina Spiros 09-Jul-19 01:58 PM

"Either of you got any food on you?" (edited)

DaveH 09-Jul-19 02:17 PM

Kelvin shakes his head

Valentina Spiros 09-Jul-19 02:19 PM

(The rations that we're all carrying, what would they be made up of?)

Nekosmash 09-Jul-19 04:36 PM

(A bit of dried meat, ration quality biscuits and probably the rest of it chosen by you, but you've got the staples)

Reza Collins (Eisheru) 09-Jul-19 04:44 PM

(I always imagined cyber punk MREs)

Nekosmash 09-Jul-19 04:45 PM

(Maybe eventually, you've been living out of a constantly moving star hab for 3+ years with no real chance to properly resupply)

Reza Collins (Eisheru) 09-Jul-19 05:06 PM

(true.) "I don't think we have time to gain their trust... Either shoot or move"

Nekosmash 09-Jul-19 05:24 PM

(The scarcity and just critical mass of needing raw materials to resume operations was one of the motivating factors for setting down)

DaveH 09-Jul-19 05:58 PM

(There’s nothing keeping the dogs in this room right? They are free to wander?)

Nekosmash 09-Jul-19 06:07 PM

(Right. Nothing is physically restraining them, This is just where they happened to be when you found them)

Valentina Spiros 09-Jul-19 08:14 PM

"Ok, go for either then"

Nekosmash 10-Jul-19 02:56 AM

The hounds continue to bark and growl at one another, continuing to scatter bones and meat scraps in the room they’re fighting one another in.

Reza Collins (Eisheru) 10-Jul-19 05:03 AM

"Ok Adamaris you take the left one, Kelvin and I will take the right one. Ready? 3, 2, 1..." Eisheru exhales slowly and fires at the right most dog

Nekosmash 10-Jul-19 05:04 AM

(We can get a shot from each of you, this is technically a surprise round. They've been consistently failing notice checks)

(Regular attack, not an execution)

DaveH 10-Jul-19 05:47 AM

(10/8. I shot the wrong weapon first by accident - the pistol I sold and forgot to remove. Of course that shot was an 18...)

Nekosmash 10-Jul-19 05:47 AM

(10 is good!)

DaveH 10-Jul-19 05:48 AM

(Phew)

Nekosmash 10-Jul-19 05:48 AM

The shot rings out, striking one of the wolves right in its forehead fungal crest. Its legs spread out from under it, and it falls.

Reza Collins (Eisheru) 10-Jul-19 05:57 AM

(8 for 3 damage)

Nekosmash 10-Jul-19 04:39 PM

The first hound flails and dies under the shot , the second one spanking off the ground with a metallic whine and it deflects. The hound surviving runs past you and out the temple doors, yipping and chittering

DaveH 10-Jul-19 04:49 PM

(Wait what happened to Adamaris attacking simultaneously?)

Nekosmash 10-Jul-19 04:51 PM

(It’s been about a day irl

(Just gonna move on. We have been trying to deal with these hounds for a few days now)

DaveH 10-Jul-19 04:57 PM

Now that the hounds are gone, Kelvin does a quick search of the room

(If nothing here, we press north to the next fork)

Nekosmash 10-Jul-19 05:00 PM

Something glimmers amid the discarded burial wrappings and broken bones. It cases a silvery glint in the light of your glowbugs and moonlight coming in.

DaveH 10-Jul-19 05:01 PM

Kelvin walks over to take a closer look

Reza Collins (Eisheru) 10-Jul-19 05:39 PM

Eisheru keeps an eye down there hall to make sure more dogs aren't coming

Nekosmash 10-Jul-19 06:15 PM

An ornate looking weapon has been buried in the skeletal, clutched hands of the sleeping slyth. To a much larger creature like the slyth, it would be held in one of its four hands, like a longsword, but to a human, this is easily the scale of a zweihander

Even after all this time, the metal is clean, and still seems keen

Nekosmash 11-Jul-19 06:11 AM

Alien runes have been scratched into the few inches of blade you can see, in very tight script

Reza Collins (Eisheru) 11-Jul-19 06:36 AM

"You guys ready to move on? This place gives me the creeps"

Nekosmash 11-Jul-19 06:38 AM

(Keep in mind, although this is a 'magic friendly' game, stuff like weapon curses, ect, aren't really a thing, not to say its perfectly safe to pick up anything you touch, but this isnt a trick)

Reza Collins (Eisheru) 11-Jul-19 06:59 AM

(slightly hoping for a cyber punk version of black razor lmao)

Nekosmash 11-Jul-19 07:05 AM

(You can make a know/int if you want to try to guess at it, anyone can)

Reza Collins (Eisheru) 11-Jul-19 07:07 AM

(8)

Valentina Spiros 11-Jul-19 07:11 AM

(Apologies, turns out, I am in the land of little internet, so no roll 20, and only discord occasionally) Adamaris would be curious to pick it up and examine it more closely

DaveH 11-Jul-19 07:58 AM

“Holy shit, that thing is badass.”

Nekosmash 11-Jul-19 07:59 AM

The blade is pulled from its sheathe, and it cuts the air with the purity of the metallic blend making it up. The runes glow a faint violet as a sparking energy field plays across its length,

There is a small socket, at the base of the pommel where it looks like a power cell was once inserted

Reza Collins (Eisheru) 11-Jul-19 08:02 AM

"Alright its cool I get it! Let's strap it to your bag and keep moving." Eisheru walks across the hall and quickly inspects the room.

Nekosmash 11-Jul-19 08:03 AM

The fungal hounds were nesting in this room. If there is anything of value, it is buried under discarded bone, scraps of their hunts, and piles of excrement. There are more murals on the walls, depicting Slyth fighting fleshshapers in combat, but without getting uncomfortably close to the refuse, its hard to make out more detail

Reza Collins (Eisheru) 11-Jul-19 08:08 AM

Eisheru tries not to lose his lunch all over the floor and quickly backs out of the room. "Safe to say that I don't want anything that is covered in fungal dog excrement"

Valentina Spiros 11-Jul-19 08:11 AM

"Ok, are we just going to leave with all haste?"

Reza Collins (Eisheru) 11-Jul-19 08:15 AM

"I mean we can keep exploring the ruins... I just don't want to dawdle too much. Our pilot is out there alone and we might possibly have a herd of fungal dogs returning at some point." With that Eisheru turns and walks towards the T-Intersection and hugs one wall peeking down both directions

Valentina Spiros 11-Jul-19 08:17 AM

"Sounds a good plan" Adamaris will follow along the wall, keeping eyes open for threats coming from other angles and ensuring his plans are as detailed as possible

Nekosmash 11-Jul-19 08:42 AM

(let me just update the map right quick before we get too far, one sec)

Reza Collins (Eisheru) 11-Jul-19 08:42 AM

(sounds good)

Nekosmash 11-Jul-19 08:43 AM

To the right, you hear the sound of tripping liquid of somekind, to the left, there is a ruddy, orange light, trying its best to illuminate the darkness. You can sense based on its dimness that its source is further away.

Valentina Spiros 11-Jul-19 08:47 AM

"Would it be worthwhile to come back another day for the other chambers, possibly with some more suitable food to tempt the hounds out peacefully?"

Reza Collins (Eisheru) 11-Jul-19 08:50 AM

"I am reasonably confident that they will want to explore this ruin in its entirety for study. There are so many Slyth carvings and paintings on the walls, would be a huge boon to any society." Eisheru whispers back. He points towards the direction with the light "Possibly someone else is already here, we need to gather as much information as we can." Eisheru walks to the right towards the sound of the liquid. He will look around the corner just barely peeking his head out

Valentina Spiros 11-Jul-19 08:58 AM

"Ok, if we work our way through then?"

Reza Collins (Eisheru) 11-Jul-19 09:02 AM

"Yeah once we finish our scouting we can come back with food if you feel like having a pet" (edited)

(sorry reading comprehension is hard for me lol)

Valentina Spiros 11-Jul-19 09:04 AM

(Not a problem, I was anything but clear) "Do we also wish to scout the remaining rooms to mark ones of scientific interest?"

Reza Collins (Eisheru) 11-Jul-19 09:23 AM

"Yeah, keep an eye down towards that orange light while I check out this strange liquid sound" (edited)

Valentina Spiros 11-Jul-19 09:30 AM

"Will do"

Nekosmash 11-Jul-19 10:37 AM

Heading around the corner, to the right and the sound of dripping liquid, there is a shimmering reflective pool of murky water in the center of the room, fed by a slow leak from above. The reflecting pool laps gently at the base of a statue, showing a tall and heavily armored slyth warrior, two of them, in fact, bodies entwined around one another, separating at the torso, each cobra faced entity posed to strike. Each is four armed, as all slyth are. One has a scythe , descending in a reaping blow, while the other has something like a shepherds crook, raised to block its downward arc

smooth and brightly colored stones (not gems, just painted) sit at the bottom of the reflecting pool, like coins in a fountain

DaveH 11-Jul-19 11:18 AM

(Would it be reasonable that our compads have cameras? If so Kelvin is snapping photos the whole time)

Reza Collins (Eisheru) 11-Jul-19 11:19 AM

(i believe it specifically says it can do video and audio recording)

1

DaveH 11-Jul-19 11:20 AM

(Sorry for lack of posting today - busy day at work and tonight have a live table game so may not be able to get much out today - following along though)

Nekosmash 11-Jul-19 11:21 AM

(yeah i always pictured it like pretty much what a modern day smartphone can do)

(as far as functionality, improvements in the future would probably be more a boost to functionality rather than capabilities)

(Like more reliable signal, faster processing, ect)

DaveH 11-Jul-19 02:32 PM

Kelvin picks up one of the stones and inspects it (how many of them are there? Just a few or hundreds?)

Nekosmash 11-Jul-19 02:48 PM

(Low hundreds for sure)

The stone is light, but heavy enough to sink. It is a pale yellow, though a few patches are much brighter. A small slyth rune has been carved into it but you’re not sure what it means

Reza Collins (Eisheru) 11-Jul-19 05:12 PM

Eisheru will walk over and look for a red stone.

Nekosmash 11-Jul-19 05:13 PM

The stone is An arterial crimson , and carved with a different rune. In your time on Acastus you’ve had some time to observe it’s three moons and you notice the glyph on it matches the third moon

Reza Collins (Eisheru) 11-Jul-19 05:14 PM

Eisheru continues to look for two other stones that match the other two moons

Nekosmash 11-Jul-19 05:20 PM

You find a pale green stone matching the first moon and a purple one with the second. There are others mixed in that do not look to correlate to anything

Reza Collins (Eisheru) 11-Jul-19 05:21 PM

He puts the three stones in his pack

Nekosmash 11-Jul-19 06:48 PM

There is nothing else in this room aside from the reflecting pool and the stones

Nekosmash 12-Jul-19 04:41 AM

The pulsing orange light continues

DaveH 12-Jul-19 05:13 AM

Kelvin walks back to where Adamaris is, looking down the hall towards the orange light. (What do we see down there?)

Nekosmash 12-Jul-19 05:31 AM

The light is pulsing, fading and rising with steady regularity, but it is obscured by some sort of door. The door itself looks to be made of crystal, with notches but into it, rounded, and shallow. More of the alien runes cover it, and four rings of concentric circles stretch out from a dim blue gemstone, the same color as the weak pulsar of Acastus

(Hopefully thats not too vague)

Reza Collins (Eisheru) 12-Jul-19 06:57 AM

Eisheru walks up next to Kelvin and looks at the crystal door (Is there a door handle or any obvious method of opening the door? just looking don't want to open it yet. And do the notches look about the size of the stones that we picked up?) (edited)

Valentina Spiros 12-Jul-19 07:56 AM

(Also, do we know how the orbit of the planets and moons in this system are organised?)

Nekosmash 12-Jul-19 08:10 AM

(The notches look very close. there is no visible mechanism to open it

Reza Collins (Eisheru) 12-Jul-19 08:15 AM

"Intriguing..." He says as he pulls out the stones and holds them up to the notches to gauge their relative size. "Anyone have any objections to me placing here?" (How many notches are there?) (edited)

Valentina Spiros 12-Jul-19 08:21 AM

"Feel free, although I you can place them in realation to their astronomical position, that may be pertinent" (edited)

Nekosmash 12-Jul-19 08:24 AM

(Three, the one that's the color of the sun is already in place, and there is just a carving of where Acastus would be rather than something to be inserted)

Reza Collins (Eisheru) 12-Jul-19 08:32 AM

Eisheru takes the the three stones in his hand takes a deep breath and then places them in the corresponding notches

Nekosmash 12-Jul-19 10:00 AM

The door begins to shimmer, the same color as the mysterious light source within, before it starts to hiss, and melt like a rapid exposure video of ice under the sun. The stones, strangely enough, seem to absorb with it. The room ahead is wide, and circular, the middle of it dominated by a very large, meters tall and slowly revolving model of the Acastus system, showing the planet, its three moons, and its sun at the center, all in a celestial ballet, that actually mirrors exactly their current positions in space. The air is electrically charged, and those of you with metaspace senses also feel them being prickled.

Valentina Spiros 12-Jul-19 10:18 AM

Awestruck by the scene ahead of him, and curious as to its purpose, Adamaris would take a few steps forward, seeing whether he can identify anything further psionically

Reza Collins (Eisheru) 12-Jul-19 10:23 AM

Eisheru watches from the doorway, eyes wide. He walks over to the base of the model. (Is there any sort of plaque or console or any way to interact with the model?)

DaveH 12-Jul-19 10:40 AM

Kelvin steps into the room, too stunned to speak. He looks around, looking for any other details

Nekosmash 12-Jul-19 11:07 AM

(There is a console, right now the screen is just a blank white, and the model seems to just be spinning accurately on its own)

the screen, sensing people approach lights up, ᛈᛚᛖᚨᛋᛖ ᛁᚾᛋᛖᚱᛏ ᚨᛚᛁᚷᚾᛗᛖᚾᛏ ᚲᛟᚱᛖ

Valentina Spiros 12-Jul-19 11:17 AM

(That last line of characters is only showing as boxes, is that intentional?)

Nekosmash 12-Jul-19 11:17 AM

(Is it just boxes or is it runes)

(If its weird looking shapes, its intentional, if its those like, "hey im a phone that can't do emojis" boxes, its a technical error) (edited)

Reza Collins (Eisheru) 12-Jul-19 11:29 AM

(i can see funny ruins)

Valentina Spiros 12-Jul-19 11:33 AM

(Yep, it's "my phone doesn't do those emoji's")

DaveH 12-Jul-19 12:21 PM

(I see runes also)

(Can we see some kind of input device attached to the console? A keyboard equivalent?)

Nekosmash 12-Jul-19 12:51 PM

(there is a small keypad, yes)

Reza Collins (Eisheru) 12-Jul-19 01:07 PM

(Has anyone been able to translate the Slyth language? or is it generally unknown?)

Nekosmash 12-Jul-19 01:09 PM

(No one in Greystar has been able to manage it, but Greystar has worked with the UNW long enough to know they actually have a living Slyth. There is a handout about it in year 1 of their history folder if anyones curious about the events themselves)

(But with some cooperation, you can definitely get some help)

Reza Collins (Eisheru) 12-Jul-19 03:15 PM

"Unless either of you speak slith or whatever language that is, i don't think we should touch this .. "

Valentina Spiros 12-Jul-19 03:36 PM

"I certainly think so, perhaps some of our linguists may stand a chance of making progress" (edited)

Reza Collins (Eisheru) 12-Jul-19 03:47 PM

(which room are we in on the map?)

(also do the moons on the model have the same ruins inscribed in them?)

Nekosmash 12-Jul-19 04:01 PM

(Yes and the real moons have kilometer long runes of the same carved in them too. It all matches)

Nekosmash 12-Jul-19 06:16 PM

the runes continue to scroll by, repeating in the same pattern. The planets continue to slowly spin, the whirr of the fine machinery inside barely heard

“Everything Alright in there?” The pilot calls

Reza Collins (Eisheru) 12-Jul-19 06:56 PM

"Fascinating..." Eisheru says as he walks slowly around the model. "Better let him know we are doing alright..." Eisheru looks around the room for another door (What room on the map are we in currently?)

Nekosmash 12-Jul-19 06:59 PM

(Coloring now)

DaveH 12-Jul-19 06:59 PM

Kelvin responds to the pilot. “We’re OK in here. Still exploring and collecting information. All good out there? Any signs of activity?”

Nekosmash 12-Jul-19 07:00 PM

(Yellow circle room)

"It's quiet out here. Saw a hound run out but he blew right past me into the woods. Didn't even stop to growl"

Reza Collins (Eisheru) 12-Jul-19 07:01 PM

Eisheru goes to the Northern most door and tries to open it.

Nekosmash 12-Jul-19 07:06 PM

The simple wooden door, made from local materials and once probably much more sturdy, opens easily, to reveal another passage with rooms branching off it to the left and right.

To the left a metal barred door blocks passage into something that looks like a room full of canopic jars. To the right, your low light goggles pick out more statuary, and something clinking in the darkness, keeping to the shadows

Reza Collins (Eisheru) 12-Jul-19 07:57 PM

Eisheru will hug the wall immediately upon seeing the something that was hiding in the darkness. "Hey i think we might have company" he will peek his head around the corner to try and keep on the look out

Nekosmash 13-Jul-19 05:47 AM

You see a flash of metallic claws scrape against stone, leaving three jagged claw marks on the statue base it is lurking behind

It is an angular and aggressive looking shape but it is unclear what it is

Valentina Spiros 13-Jul-19 05:57 AM

"Together and catch it by suprise?" Adamaris whispers

DaveH 13-Jul-19 06:12 AM

Kelvin nods, and raises his laser rifle

Nekosmash 13-Jul-19 06:57 AM

(Normally this would be Initiative but since you guys are ready for it you can fire first)

(Just regular attacks. We didn’t get the full minute of setup time so we can’t do an execution)

Reza Collins (Eisheru) 13-Jul-19 07:02 AM

Eisheru nods and raises his rifle and charges it up to fire a burst of energy at the creature. (Hit ac 18 for 10 dmg)

Valentina Spiros 13-Jul-19 07:19 AM

Leveling a bolt of teleinetic force, not having had time to manifest it into anything particular (13/7)

Nekosmash 13-Jul-19 08:23 AM

The bot comes into view as the trident and gunshot knock it into the spotlight of moonlight from above.

It’s cannon spools and chews air angrily as it’s knocked back, ammunition feed not yet connected

(Kelvin still gets a turn)

DaveH 13-Jul-19 08:24 AM

Kelvin fires a burst of three laser shots (16 / 6)

Nekosmash 13-Jul-19 08:25 AM

The creature is pinched in the chest, and the other two burn a thigh plate

Reza Collins (Eisheru) 13-Jul-19 08:28 AM

(is it still standing?)

Nekosmash 13-Jul-19 08:36 AM

(It is. We are going to go into Initiative)

Valentina Spiros 13-Jul-19 08:47 AM

(8)

Reza Collins (Eisheru) 13-Jul-19 09:07 AM

(4) "Shit shit shit" Eisheru says to no one in particular

DaveH 13-Jul-19 09:35 AM

(5)

Nekosmash 13-Jul-19 10:04 AM

(Adamaris kelvin bot eieheru

Valentina Spiros 13-Jul-19 10:19 AM

Seeing that the bot has yet to fall, Adamaris wonder's if there is an easier method to take it down than brute force, however he cannot see any alternative in the matter of moments available, and attempts to get into melee range and swing at it with a summoned hammer (12/11, 3 shock AC 15)

DaveH 13-Jul-19 10:29 AM

Kelvin takes a single shot with his laser rifle (4/11 ugh)

Nekosmash 13-Jul-19 11:15 AM

The hammer sparks off reinforced plate and the laser rifles aim is fouled as the melee combat begins. The bot seeks go use its cannon as a bludgeon, robbed of the chance to fire it (16/4 if that hits you adamaris. Eisheru is next)

Reza Collins (Eisheru) 13-Jul-19 12:00 PM

Eisheru is visibly nervous that the initial onslaught didn't down the robot. He leans around the corner and fires a burst of three laser bolts. (18 to hit for 9 damage)

Nekosmash 13-Jul-19 12:02 PM

The bot’s mirrored head section explodes, peppering the walls and floor with bits of shrapnel as it falls to its knees, neck stump smoking

Reza Collins (Eisheru) 13-Jul-19 12:06 PM

"Is.... Is it dead?" Eisheru says panting. "definitely was not expecting a robot here..."

Nekosmash 13-Jul-19 12:08 PM

It looks very dead, random sparks pop from the neck wound but it is not making any effort to rise

Valentina Spiros 13-Jul-19 12:21 PM

"To me, the more pertainant question would seem to be, why was it here...?"

DaveH 13-Jul-19 01:16 PM

Kelvin inspects the bot, looking for anything that might be of use back at HQ (some kind of “brain,” or other tech that might give clues to trained scientists?)

Nekosmash 13-Jul-19 01:44 PM

(The body itself maybe. The head is gone)

DaveH 13-Jul-19 03:07 PM

(Ok looking for any parts I can grab that look important)

Nekosmash 13-Jul-19 03:17 PM

You gather up as much of the head as you can reasonably find. The door to the east, that the robot was guarding likewise is a simple door like the one you passed through

There are images carved into it of slyth priestly looking figures, carrying crooked sticks, long in length, with warriors following them

Valentina Spiros 13-Jul-19 03:21 PM

(Does this door have a handle?)

Nekosmash 13-Jul-19 03:32 PM

(Saloon like, push to enter and it swings both directions)

Valentina Spiros 14-Jul-19 02:35 AM

Assuming nothing can be heard behind it, Adamaris would push forward, somewhat eager to leave this place, before anything else unfortunate befalls the group

Nekosmash 14-Jul-19 07:15 AM

THe door opens, and you enter some kind of combination of tomb, and information center. Three monitors sit before standing sarcophagi, each richly carved and intricately detailed, showing the likeness of a slyth priest, in each. Someone, years departed, from the looks of the yellowed paper, as a rough translation of some of the alien characters into english, and it looks like the keyboards here allow some kind of input into these terminals.

Reza Collins (Eisheru) 14-Jul-19 08:08 AM

Eisheru walks up to the yellowed paper and looks at the English. (What does it say?)

Nekosmash 14-Jul-19 12:25 PM

(It’s Just a partial decoding of their alphabet but you get the sense you can get some information here)

Valentina Spiros 14-Jul-19 12:26 PM

"Ok, either of you particularly linguistically inclined?"

DaveH 14-Jul-19 04:18 PM

“Not really my strength...” (Kelvin takes a look though, just in case)

Nekosmash 14-Jul-19 04:20 PM

You see most of it is easy to follow. The machine seems to be asking if you have a question.

Reza Collins (Eisheru) 14-Jul-19 04:24 PM

Eisheru places his hands on the keyboard and types "What is this place?"

Nekosmash 14-Jul-19 04:28 PM

“This is the House of The Movement of the Spheres”

Reza Collins (Eisheru) 14-Jul-19 04:29 PM

"What was it's purpose?"

Nekosmash 14-Jul-19 04:30 PM

“It’s purpose was to monitor the planet and it’s moons for the next conjunction”

Reza Collins (Eisheru) 14-Jul-19 04:38 PM

"What would happen at a conjunction?"

Nekosmash 14-Jul-19 04:51 PM

The text begins filling out the screen and you begin to see that Acastus, is a nexus, a place where MES, 'Magic' , and dozens of other suspected but ill studied cosmic forces combine, this perfect union where everything is in balance, is only achieved at conjunction. The Slyth studying this phenomena died off or abandoned the project during the war, but the priests buried here seemed to believe that incredible cosmic energy could be harnessed during this process, capable of shaping massive stellar changes.

Reza Collins (Eisheru) 14-Jul-19 05:34 PM

"How long until the next conjunction?"

Nekosmash 14-Jul-19 05:49 PM

“One year and four months from today”

DaveH 14-Jul-19 06:00 PM

“Before just now, when was this machine last used?”

Nekosmash 14-Jul-19 06:50 PM

“Six hundred and twenty seven standard years from today.”

(Would have put it before the slyth civil war)

Nekosmash 15-Jul-19 05:01 AM

The last conjunction coincides with the emergence of magic on Acastus, is also noted

DaveH 15-Jul-19 05:10 AM

“We need to get this to Greystar immediately But perhaps we exit through the western side we haven’t explored yet.”

Reza Collins (Eisheru) 15-Jul-19 06:14 AM

"Agreed. Let's get back to the pilot." Eisheru makes a mental note of 1 year and 4 months from today and pushes the door open. He walks towards the room with the spinning model of Acastus and its moons and goes over to the door to the west end of the room (assuming North is up on the map).

Nekosmash 15-Jul-19 06:15 AM

(yeah no reason to make it more difficult than it is, haha)

There is a simple stairwell down, with a large burial chamber to the north, and some sort of secured room to the south, though the metal door looks to have rusted and fallen away in this long period of rust and neglect. There are more of the swords in alcoves on the walls, and it looks like some kind of armory

Reza Collins (Eisheru) 15-Jul-19 06:17 AM

Eisheru will look at the swords closely (Do any appear to be as finely made as the one we found earlier?)

Nekosmash 15-Jul-19 06:32 AM

The swords look to be about the same quality in build and forging, each of them etched with different slyth runes. With the partial language key you've found, the runes look to be the names of the weapons, rather than some kind of part of the buildings construction

Reza Collins (Eisheru) 15-Jul-19 06:35 AM

"Truly fascinating... Do you think they named all of their weapons? Or is this some kind of burial ritual?" He says to no one and everyone. He then peaks his head into the burial chamber scanning the room for any movement

Nekosmash 15-Jul-19 06:39 AM

There is no movement in this room, but you see the wrapped bodies neatly tucked into alcoves, this room a drastic change from the heavily ruined and scavenged eastern burial room. The hounds seem to be avoiding this side of the complex for some reason

Reza Collins (Eisheru) 15-Jul-19 06:43 AM

(I'll wait for the other two at this point, don't want to have all the fun! :P)

Valentina Spiros 15-Jul-19 07:20 AM

(Do all of the cells seem to be type A powercell based? Has Eisheru stepped into the next chamber?)

Nekosmash 15-Jul-19 07:24 AM

(He went into the middle room on the far left side, it has the greyish texture to it. Paint keeps crashing when I try to update, and yes, size wise, type A sized)

Valentina Spiros 15-Jul-19 07:25 AM

(A different fitting to a type A though? Have we been into the room in the north west?)

Nekosmash 15-Jul-19 07:26 AM

(nobody has tried)

(and yes, its the undisturbed burial chamber) (edited)

Valentina Spiros 15-Jul-19 07:28 AM

Adamaris tries to fit a type A cell, to test one of the swords

Nekosmash 15-Jul-19 07:42 AM

There is a click as the cell slips into the pommel, and the sword flares to life, with a razor thin, shimmering purple energy field running the length of the blade. It flows like very low burning fire, starting near the tip and running in lazy currents down to the pommel. after a moment, the energy field coughs, and dies, the power cell drained. (So same size, but whatever the slyth were using for power, was more advanced/long lasting than current cells. UNW had similar trouble getting some of the slyth rifles to work,

Valentina Spiros 15-Jul-19 07:48 AM

"Hmm, how curious" Adamaris would look around for anything resembling a slyth type A cell, and in doing so, begin to move into the unexplored chamber

DaveH 15-Jul-19 07:52 AM

Kelvin is following along. “Anyone have room to carry one of these swords?”

Valentina Spiros 15-Jul-19 07:53 AM

"I'll hold onto the one I picked up earlier, but it may be useful to have a few others to allow us to investigate them further" (edited)

Reza Collins (Eisheru) 15-Jul-19 07:55 AM

(let me check how much carrying capacity i got lmao)

"These arms were made for hauling!" Eisheru whispers in a mocking tone. Adamaris and Kelvin can clearly see Eisheru's rather lithe arms. Eisheru picks up another sword, quickly reads the name, and then lashes it to his backpack.

(I have 2 encumbrance left, hopefully it isn't more than that)

DaveH 15-Jul-19 08:02 AM

(If only one encumbrance I’ll drop something to pick one up lol)

Reza Collins (Eisheru) 15-Jul-19 08:05 AM

(if only one encumbrance i can take a thing you are dropping. I have 5/7 left before picking up the sword)

Nekosmash 15-Jul-19 08:15 AM

(Its a medium advanced melee weapon, for encumberance purposes)

Reza Collins (Eisheru) 15-Jul-19 08:20 AM

(1 encumbrance cool)

Valentina Spiros 15-Jul-19 09:12 AM

Having swept up a number of these swords for later research, Adamaris would move cautiously towards the chamber, again, particularly curious as to whether any slyth power cells can be found

Nekosmash 15-Jul-19 09:28 AM

There are dead cells in the weapons Adamaris has collected, they'll need some engineering work to be capable of recharging safely

DaveH 15-Jul-19 09:38 AM

“Hey Eisheru if you wouldn’t mind holding onto this for me until we get back that would be awesome” (I pick up one of the swords and hand it to him)

Reza Collins (Eisheru) 15-Jul-19 09:41 AM

Eisheru flexes "Of course! Have to work out these huge muscles..."

Valentina Spiros 15-Jul-19 09:41 AM

"Ok, the cells could prove useful later, for now, shall we move forward"

Steps towards the unexplored chamber

Nekosmash 15-Jul-19 09:51 AM

(So we went north, and now we're west side middle, we have westside south, and then back out)

Reza Collins (Eisheru) 15-Jul-19 09:51 AM

(sounds right) (edited)

DaveH 15-Jul-19 09:58 AM

(

) (edited)

Nekosmash 15-Jul-19 10:11 AM

The southern chamber is a room full of statues where slyth warriors, blade hands empty, look to be forming a defensive ring (warriors facing outward) around a central priest like figure. Glow globes colored blue set into its hands glow softly

Reza Collins (Eisheru) 15-Jul-19 10:13 AM

(How many statues?)

Nekosmash 15-Jul-19 10:30 AM

(Same number as there are blades)

Carved into the base of each, as symbols of Slyth glyphs that on a simple inspection, match what is on the swords (edited)

Reza Collins (Eisheru) 15-Jul-19 10:33 AM

"Hey.... I think the names on these blades match these statues... Any thoughts about what would happen if we place the blades in the hands?"

DaveH 15-Jul-19 10:48 AM

“Uh, they come alive and murder us?”

“Only one way to find out I guess. But maybe we try to make sure there’s a clear exit if we need to run.”

(I’d like to inspect the central priest guy - notice anything else?)

Nekosmash 15-Jul-19 10:50 AM

(Nothing other than the hands being different)

Reza Collins (Eisheru) 15-Jul-19 10:51 AM

"Agreed. Lets clear the last room and then we can come back to this riddle"

Reza Collins (Eisheru) 15-Jul-19 11:01 AM

Eisheru will walk to the door to the south and look inside

DaveH 15-Jul-19 11:07 AM

Kelvin follows

Nekosmash 15-Jul-19 12:21 PM

The hallway is empty, and leads back out to the main temple doors, You do not locate any creatures or anything resembling a trap

Reza Collins (Eisheru) 15-Jul-19 12:38 PM

Eisheru walks back to the statues and starts placing swords into the hands, "Get ready to run if something goes bad yeah?" he says before placing the last one in the hands

Valentina Spiros 15-Jul-19 01:17 PM

"Yep, let's hope that it doesn't!" Handing over the sword from his belt

Reza Collins (Eisheru) 15-Jul-19 01:19 PM

Eisheru takes the last sword and places it into it's matching statue and then steps back and gets ready for any possibility

Nekosmash 15-Jul-19 01:25 PM

The statues all at once bring their weapons around in a brutal sweep, stopping when the blades are all point raised in the air. The energy on the blades flares, without power cells, and a central reliquary stand rises from the middle of the room. Some kind of richly ornamented in jet black, and burned hold reliquary case is held fast beneath the priests stand

1

Reza Collins (Eisheru) 15-Jul-19 01:27 PM

Eisheru takes out his telescoping pole and extends it out. He reaches one end towards the reliquary to see if anything happens (I want to poke it

)

Nekosmash 15-Jul-19 04:39 PM

Nothing explodes, the box shifts a bit as you prod it, since you are moving it, but nothing else happens

Reza Collins (Eisheru) 15-Jul-19 08:37 PM

Eisheru walks over and closes his pole. He tries to get a closer look without touching it.

Nekosmash 16-Jul-19 03:10 AM

There is a simple brass clasp on the left side of the box. You do not see any mechanisms or anything keeping it in the alcove

Valentina Spiros 16-Jul-19 03:16 AM

Adamaris would like to look for wires, pressure plates and the like

Nekosmash 16-Jul-19 03:17 AM

You do not find anything that would signal a trap

Valentina Spiros 16-Jul-19 03:21 AM

Very well then, Adamaris would carefully pick it up, and assuming nothing untoward occurred, then open it

Reza Collins (Eisheru) 16-Jul-19 04:54 AM

Eisheru eagerly watches over his shoulder

DaveH 16-Jul-19 05:10 AM

Kelvin stands back a bit and braces for... something

Nekosmash 16-Jul-19 05:11 AM

Inside, a golden ball with a button on it sits on a cushion, along with a description of its use ETERNAL SUN The very boundaries of night and day were once playthings to the elite of the Second Wave, and an eternal sun is one such token of their power. These devices appear to be a golden ball slightly larger than a man’s fist, usually adorned with intricate etchings in a solar motif. When the activation stud is depressed and the sphere is released, it will hang suspended in the air until reclaimed and deactivated. While active, the planetary surface within one kilometer of the device is flooded by daylight. To all observers within the area, it appears that the system’s primary star is directly overhead, just as it would be during local noon. Those who step outside the zone are plunged into whatever conditions might normally exist. The daylight has exactly the same qualities as the planet’s normal daylight would have, however weak or strong. Distant planets or those with a small primary might receive hardly any light, while activating this device on the dark side of a planet near a star can have catastrophic effects on the surroundings for the few moments that pass before the device is destroyed.

Valentina Spiros 16-Jul-19 05:14 AM

"Well, that certainly could sort the lack of daylight problem here, and likely is what it was here for I suppose"

Reza Collins (Eisheru) 16-Jul-19 06:12 AM

"That it definitely would... I think its time we get back to base. I'm sure our pilot is eager to leave. Best to leave that in the box and bring the whole box with us." Eisheru begins walking south to the entrance of the ruins (Is there even a star in the Acastus system? Or are we just so far away from the star that it provides little to no light?)

Nekosmash 16-Jul-19 06:15 AM

(Its a very weak pulsar, so there is very very dim light, since the planet and its moons are far from an already dim light)

Valentina Spiros 16-Jul-19 06:27 AM

"Shall we also try to recover a couple of the swords?"

Reza Collins (Eisheru) 16-Jul-19 06:34 AM

"Couldn't hurt..." he calls over his shoulder "Either way this place is gonna get a thorough scanning once the Combine can spare the manpower to study it."

Nekosmash 16-Jul-19 06:41 AM

(How many are you taking? )

DaveH 16-Jul-19 06:41 AM

“I agree. Let’s take three swords and get back to the heli quickly. I still have to make some repairs.”

Reza Collins (Eisheru) 16-Jul-19 06:42 AM

(I hold one for Kelvin since my muscles are so big and his so puny

)

Nekosmash 16-Jul-19 06:44 AM

Grabbing the blades, you make your way outside. The pilot looks like he;'s done what he can with the engine in your absence, most of the cowling has been stripped off, and you see some of the parts from the on-board repair kit have already been put into place. He has a bit more work ahead of him, but he looks happy to see you as he wipes his forehead with a greasy shop rag.

Reza Collins (Eisheru) 16-Jul-19 06:47 AM

"Been quiet out here besides that fungal dog we sent out to help?" Eisheru asks with a devious little smile

Nekosmash 16-Jul-19 06:49 AM

"I've been half expecting to get plinked by one of those cultists sneaking back, but its been quiet. That said, I'm ready to go"

Valentina Spiros 16-Jul-19 06:53 AM

"I think we've all also had quite enough of this place"

Reza Collins (Eisheru) 16-Jul-19 07:00 AM

"This bucket ready to fly us home?"

DaveH 16-Jul-19 07:36 AM

“Happy to help finish it up. I know my way around an engine.”

And in the meantime Kelvin replaces the firing mechanisms in the HMGs.

Nekosmash 16-Jul-19 07:46 AM

(Fix/int Kelvin)

DaveH 16-Jul-19 09:34 AM

(11)

Nekosmash 16-Jul-19 09:51 AM

The repairs go smoothly, only a few components remaining. The refuse is bagged up as much as possible for recycling. There is a suptter, and a cough before the engine turns over, and begins running smoothly again

(3xp, 5000 credits all, As far as the swords, donating them can start a research project into what they do, and will provide some general research points towards unlocking different things)

(Or of course, you can keep them)

DaveH 16-Jul-19 09:53 AM

(Woo hoo! I’ll donate mine)

(Does that mean we may be able to get them later, once they’ve been researched?)

Nekosmash 16-Jul-19 10:00 AM

(Yes)

Reza Collins (Eisheru) 16-Jul-19 10:12 AM

(I will definitely donate mine)

Valentina Spiros 16-Jul-19 10:30 AM

(I'd also donate mine, but would rather like it back after)

Nekosmash 16-Jul-19 10:44 AM

(the samples are used up as part of the research process, so if you want to keep yours, don't donate it. It prevents people from farming research points by continually donating the same items or samples)

Valentina Spiros 16-Jul-19 11:02 AM

(Ok, I'd like to keep mine then please, I'm having an idea or two for it) (edited)

Nekosmash 16-Jul-19 11:02 AM

(Sure thing. I have to get a handout for greystar labs up tonight, but it'll have some tihngs on it)

Nekosmash 16-Jul-19 11:52 AM

The engine fires up, and youre flown from the temple, back to the Greystar settlement on planet, and back to safety. The chosen relics taken from the temple are handed over to research teams (so the swords, thus far. Adamarus has the actual eternal sun thing iirc) , and you're given a few days off from duties as part of the reward for your efforts

2

(Good work guys)

Nekosmash 16-Jul-19 12:48 PM

(And we can go back to personal threads, as you get back to town, when youre ready to continue)

Valentina Spiros 16-Jul-19 12:51 PM

(Thanks for running that, it was a lot of fun! What do we want to do with the eternal sun?)

Nekosmash 16-Jul-19 12:52 PM

(Every game month theres a meeting between each polity's members, so like, all the greystar guys will get together, and Kensh should be back by then. Might be a good discussion for it)

(We havent had one yet as greystar since its brand new, but we'll have a month flip soon)

Valentina Spiros 16-Jul-19 12:56 PM

(Ok, sounds good)

DaveH 16-Jul-19 04:05 PM

(Awesome, Thanks Neko!)

Nekosmash 16-Jul-19 04:21 PM

(Glad you guys had fun!)

Reza Collins (Eisheru) 17-Jul-19 10:03 AM

(i am assuming that we reported our findings to superiors in the Combine)

Nekosmash 17-Jul-19 10:08 AM

(Yeah, one of those things done in the background)

1