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Post by makofan on Mar 15, 2018 11:56:06 GMT -5
This will be the continuation thread
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Post by makofan on Mar 15, 2018 11:56:40 GMT -5
MASSIVE DATA DUMP - ALL THE POSTS I THINK MIGHT BE USEFUL AS A SUMMARY
"I did a bit of reading up on those volcanoes down there — found out they're a good source of power for Minerva's transportation sector. Also learned that Minerva is a bit of an outlier, culturally and politically; we may want to dig up some specifics on that, to flesh out the profile." Buzz scratches himself and takes a sip from a blue drink with a little umbrella in it. "And yeah — look's like the mind-reading bit might be a thing. Anything we find out about that, maybe we should keep it to ourselves for now."
Atmosphere is thin, so you'll need breather masks. Most locals have adapted to get by without them if they are at sea level. Temperature is colder than Terran, nostly plains and barrens, although there are some mighty forests in Minerva Scylla and Krokodilus
Blades are fine, guns are not. Wilderness probably has better chance with getting away with guns than cities.
Minerva is the warmest island on the continent, and even has some rain forest. Temperature should probably be about 20 Celsius, and the air is thicker - could survive without masks for quite a few minutes (think like being on Mount Everest above 7500 metres). Downport currently 15 and windy.
There is a heavy Imperial presence in Minerva due to the unrest of its population, so law enforcement there may be a bit stricter
San will set up a local account. (What would be a good safe amount of credit to put into the account?).
I will say you have filter masks and Oxygen in the ship locker
San will wear his blade with his best uniform and take a small pack with a change of clothes (more informal).
Buzz says And why bring a long-arm, unless we're expecting a fight? No need to stir up the locals. We should leave the ironmongery behind. Cold hard cash, however ..." Buzz fingers through the hundred-credit bills he's got in his wallet.
All buildings and public transit are pressurized due to the thin atmosphere
Travel by grav zeppelin to Minerva, about 5 hours, cost is 150 Cr (A long time ago, people experimented with balloons and lighter than air, but found they needed so much gas to so little lift that they had developed what terrans know as zeppelins with huge gasbags and tiny cabins underneath. Once grav technology was developed, they went back to the days of nostalgia and now the large cigar-shaped bag is actually the hull and accommodation, and the 'gondola' underneath is the engine room and gravitics)
Minerva produces about one-third of the world's food, and was only conquered in the last century. The natives don't like outsiders, but like tourist dollars. There are rumored to be special enclaves in the vast deserts where people with super powers live, and the empire is trying to find these rumors true or false and stamp them out. But the real reason he thinks the empire wanted Minerva was for its hydrogen islands which were the main source of ingredients for the fusion power Atlantia developed
He nods at a few people. "In the corner, that feline Atlantian there with the cutlass, he's rumored to be a secret service member. He goes by Lieutenant Race, which may be a courtesy title. He has his eye on the three Minervans across the aisle." You notice three human females, well heeled, stylishly dressed, and looking physically competent, discussing something. They look at you challengingly for a minute, then pass on. "The lizards are rich merchants on vacation, I think"
TRADE/CONTACT INFO FOR LATER (San offers his hand to some lizard men) One of the two lizard men steps back, looks at your out-stretched hand for about ten seconds, flares some neck flaps, and then rumbles in a bass voice "A curious custom. You offer an unprotected limb to your foe to show your trust." He reaches a scaled hand forward pokes your hand, then withdraws it, pleased to have understood your custom.
"I am Hnther, and this is my mate Ythrl. We are from Alphyxzane, about 7 parsecs coreward, and five merchant jumps away. We are enjoying a cruise of the sector, learning about the inhabitants and enjoying new sights and ideas. Does your ship run on a set schedule, or do you travel where and when you choose?"
Let us exchange data, and if you are ever on Alphyxzane we will share our den" They own the Alpha-Beta shipping line, which carries mail. passengers and goods between the two worlds. There are certain items that are frowned upon from being delivered to the planet. We could pay well to circumvent some paperwork"
The Benxyzans arrived and started settling our world. Although we have lived in peace for many years, they are encroaching more and more on our lands. But they are divided into many factions. Our technological level is much more sophisticated than the Benxyzans, and with sufficient leverage we can regain our lands. Any high-level tech or vehicles could be diverted to our cause. We would pay double the list price"
Buzz was moderately effected by the Psi-Bomb
We're Minervans. You look like spacers, so you would not be aware of the oppression being inflicted upon our populace by the Atlantians. The raping, the abductions, the executions and mass slaughters." She takes a large gulp of the drink you sent her. The other two look on stonily
What you know from the Atlantian database dump is that the two dominant races on the planet are the Minervans and the Atlantians (Minervans look human, Atlantians are the tall felines). The Minervans were the more populous race, spread out across the whole planet, but the aggressive Atlantians over the centuries dominated and subjugated the land, until the last Minervans society was the island continent of Minerva. That was conquered in the last fifty years, though. You can think of it like the Roman Empire moving in and assimilating. On the whole, most satraps have adapted to the conquests, and economy and standard of living is good, but very stratified. Minerva though has resisted strongly, and the Atlantians have a more forceful presence there
The Minervans at the table start telling their woes. They describe the invasion of the island, the subjugation of the people, the military presence, the government takeover of the hydrogen mines, the banning of weapons for Minervans, all the good jobs going to the Atlantians while Minervans live in poverrty. Then they stop.
You are special. I ask you to come to our country and see the conditions for yourself. Then seek me out. I have a datachip that you can insert into your comm device and it will reach me. We may be able to help each other"
Buzz accepts the Minervans' datachip and slips it into the farraday pocket of his TAS-brand tropical shirt. "I'll need to confer with my cohort, but I'm liking this idea — Buzz is always up for adventure, and it would just be a darn shame to miss a personalized tour. We'll be in touch, ladies!"
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Post by makofan on Mar 15, 2018 12:00:02 GMT -5
GROUP HEADING TO MINERVA
San Halo and Buzz plus the Minervan Trio plus whatever other NPCs fill out the passenger manifest - boarding the grav zeppelin and taking off for Minerva. Halo can look around suspiciously for Bad Guys and we go from there.
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Post by makofan on Mar 16, 2018 11:31:24 GMT -5
Buzz and San fork out Cr150 each, and board the zeppelin. A detachable escalator ferries the passengers up to the main egress point in the gigantic machine. The huge, cigar-shaped interior spans three decks, and there are large port-hole windows along both sides of each of the decks. The interior is set like a well-trimmed jungle. Seating is non-assigned, but you see the roughly 50-50 mix of Atlantian/Minervan passengers seem to naturally segregate by race. You estimate there are maybe three to four hundred passengers on the craft.
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Post by raikenclw on Mar 18, 2018 1:13:16 GMT -5
San glances around at the tame rain forest and with evident relief says, "Real glad they don't set the temp to match the foliage."
He checks to see if those Lizard Dudes from the bar are in sight - Never did ask if they were going on this excursion, but it seems a touristy kind of thing to do - and if they are San makes note of their location, but doesn't approach them again.
San lets Buzz choose their seats, then once they're settled, leans over and comments, "I haven't had a chance to ask you yet: what was going on with those three cuties at the bar? That conversation looked pretty intense."
[Assuming Buzz fills him in appropriately . . .]
San begins to subtly* check their surroundings, on the alert for anyone that looks to display too much interest in them or the Minervan Trio (if the Trio is in view).
*San may believe that he is being subtle, but the GM may (of course) decide otherwise . . .
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Post by makofan on Mar 18, 2018 16:20:32 GMT -5
OOC: Getting a potential third player, PC is rolling up right now. Will introduce him somehow into this milieu
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Post by flightcommander on Mar 19, 2018 0:28:57 GMT -5
Buzz grabs a couple of orange-purple drinks, replete with umbrella and spiky fruit slice, from the zeppelin bar, before finding a comfortable pair of seats for San and himself. They toast their new adventure and then, quietly and to themselves, discuss the parameters of the situation. Due the the fading effect of the powerful Psi Bomb, Buzz occasionally speaks backwards, or uses a color where a verb should go, but San manages to follow the discourse in any case. It is agreed upon that the three cuties are indeed each disarmingly cute, and furthermore that the overall situation demands the utmost tact and discretion. "I was on Gaajpadje when things went pear-shaped; we'd best keep our heads on straight," Buzz says, slurping his drink.
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Post by raikenclw on Mar 19, 2018 20:03:28 GMT -5
Eyeing said slurping, San comments: "Not sure how straight your head's going to be, you keep going like that."
Wishing he had eyes in the back of his head - Hmmmm. I wonder if there's cyberware for that? - San mutters: "darn. I sure wish we had guns."
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Post by makofan on Mar 27, 2018 12:15:42 GMT -5
He sees them looking out of a porthole on the second deck
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Post by makofan on Mar 27, 2018 12:24:24 GMT -5
As you glance through the portholes, you estimate you are about 3000 metres above a pale blue ocean with not much else to see. You are about 30 minutes into the journey. Ezra walks up to San and Buzz, puffing a little from exertion. "Glad I caught up with you. I got on board just before they shipped the gangplank. Decided staying at the starport with the doxies was losing its charms" (DM: You retro-remember him as one of your adventuring party!)
The giant ship rocks twice with two huge bangs, and you see some gaping holes in the structure. The oxygen starts whistling out the holes. People nearest the damaged areas are getting sucked overboard!
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Post by raikenclw on Mar 27, 2018 20:41:48 GMT -5
3000 metres above a pale blue ocean . . . 30 minutes into the journey . . . Check. "Glad you could make it, Ez. Pull up a chair!"San leaps to his feet and begins to make his way toward the nearest hole, intent on trying to save anyone he can. As he nears the hole, he makes sure to breath deeply (while the air is still thick and relatively warm), watch his step (in case the hull surface around the hole is weak) and maintain firm handholds. Wish I was in my vacc suit! Although these holes are a BIT large for my sticky patches to help.OOC: As we don't seem to have had to wear masks or survival suits while outside here, I assume it's not a near-vacuum outside and that a large part of the suction comes from the fast-moving craft's slipstream. 3000 meters (~10,000 feet) is not very high, at least not on Earth.]
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Post by makofan on Mar 27, 2018 21:02:31 GMT -5
OOC: Very thin atmosphere on this planet, so it i equivalent to being about 30,000 feet up
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Post by Hexenritter Verlag on Mar 28, 2018 0:39:47 GMT -5
After Ezra gets his bearings he joins San in assisting with helping the injured - trying to measure his breathing & not push himself too much but doing what he can.
San let me help. Let's get these people to cover away from the holes - darn I wish I had my breather with me. {Ezra: mumbles -I guess getting a drink & eats is shot.}<grunting with exertion>. Buzz are you okay?
Ezra takes a quick glance to see id Buzz is okay as he is assisting any injured or disoriented & frightened souls.
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Post by makofan on Mar 28, 2018 10:49:42 GMT -5
Everybody carries a personal breather mask on Atlantia, so those who are able should probably dig them out of their back pack before trying to help others (help yourself first!) Of course, that may cause more people to die. Let me know if you stop to don your mask or not
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Post by Hexenritter Verlag on Mar 28, 2018 14:44:02 GMT -5
Ezra will don his breather before heading to help San.
OCC: I misread your notation in your info dump about up thread, I assumed our oxygen were stored in a locker on the ship we are on for ease of storage & that the artificial atmosphere in the ship made needing our personal gear unneeded at the moment.
Now I know whats up; does that mean I can assume my auto pistols are are in our actual ship not the one we are riding on or am I to assume we are hide our weaponry in our packs? Just seeking clarification, as I don't want to make further assumptions that are incorrect.
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Post by makofan on Apr 3, 2018 12:06:48 GMT -5
San, Ezra and Buzz don their masks, then rush to help passengers anchor themselves. You realize that the damage to the ship is on the side where all the Atlantians sit, as it is all cat people you are trying to help. You do manage to save some, and others around you help. Maybe ten passengers were lost overboard.
Then, the ship starts to list to the damaged side, and you can feel it losing altitude. People all around are screaming, and people start scramblking and crawling to the lifeboats
DM: I will mock up an interior floor plan in the next day or so
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Post by makofan on Apr 5, 2018 13:15:47 GMT -5
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Post by makofan on Apr 9, 2018 20:18:03 GMT -5
floor plan updated with a few more details
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Post by Hexenritter Verlag on Apr 10, 2018 0:27:04 GMT -5
San, Buzz what should we do now? Getting sucked out of these holes or potentially crashing are not big in my book of things to do. Should we try to get onto a left raft & get out of here?
[OOC: Ezra looks around worried - clearly agitated but not panicked. His gaze continues to shift around him as if he is waiting for more trouble and so he'll not lose sight of both San & Buzz as he continues to help the other passengers.]
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Post by raikenclw on Apr 11, 2018 20:56:01 GMT -5
[OOC: As I see it, San was headed toward the edge of the hole nearest to YOU ARE HERE, but stopped at the point where he best could aid the more precariously-balanced victims without himself being sucked out . . . ]
San notices Ezra's mouth moving, but given the rush of the nearby slipstream and the screams of surrounding terrified passengers, he can only guess at what his companion is actually saying.
So as San hauls on the other arm of the teenage cat-girl the two of them are currently hauling back from the edge, he shouts back: "Yeah, I agree: this SUCKS!"
Grinning unashamedly at his unforgivable pun, San adds in his loudest voice: "When we've got all we can to safer turf, let's go to the gondola! Maybe we can fix what's causing this thing to list and fall!"
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Post by Hexenritter Verlag on Apr 11, 2018 21:20:32 GMT -5
[OOC: Ezra follows suit, doing his best to assist. Trying to keep from being sucked out of the hole while he pulls people to safety. Ezra grins at Sans quip.]
Ezra yells over the noise: "Sure! Let's do that. GrRRAH <come on, come on> [Grunting & speaking to those who he is helping so they'll hurry.]
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Post by makofan on Apr 22, 2018 18:15:24 GMT -5
After saving two cat people, the three of you decide to try to save the ship, and run for the escalators
DM: The ship is lurching, life boats are coming loose, people are panicking in a milling mob, and there is a strong wind. You need 8+, DM +1 if Str 8+, DM +2 if Dex 7+, to fight your way to the gondola
BUZZ +3, rolls 5+3=8, success SAN HALO +1, rolls 7+1=8, success EZRA +0, rolls 10, success
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Post by makofan on Apr 22, 2018 18:19:14 GMT -5
Beyond all odds, you fight down two decks to the gondola, which is half ripped open. Four Atlantans lay dead, strewn about in incomplete parts. There look to be major gaps in some mechanical equipment. A strong wind howls, and you can see the ocean below through the rents
What do you do?
(Although Buzz has not posted, he is with you, and his skills are Electronic-1 Shotgun-1 Mechanical-1 Medical-1 Pilot-1 Vacc Suit-1 Ground Car-1 if you want to use him)
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Post by raikenclw on Apr 22, 2018 20:23:04 GMT -5
San quickly scans the compartment, then heads for the control station which seems to be the most intact. He's hoping for a pilot's station with mechanical back-ups. Even if the hydraulics are blown, there should be back-up cables to whatever airfoils the craft may retain. He's hoping to turn what looks like it's shaping up into an uncontrolled dive into a controlled glide.
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Post by raikenclw on Apr 22, 2018 20:25:38 GMT -5
(Although Buzz has not posted, he is with you, and his skills are Electronic-1 Shotgun-1 Mechanical-1 Medical-1 Pilot-1 Vacc Suit-1 Ground Car-1 if you want to use him) Buzz is definitely with us. Hopefully, he and Ezra can bring some controls on-line. Returning the lift module to functionality would be ideal, but I'm fearful that is a lost cause.
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Post by Hexenritter Verlag on Apr 22, 2018 20:58:03 GMT -5
[ooc: Ezra will follow any directions in order to assist in putting the ship under control.]
San & Buzz tell me what I need to do, mechanical repair if far from my specialty. My hands are far more used to breaking noses & holding my pistols. But I will do what I can do assist you - frankly keeping my mind off us crashing into the ground will do my mental health wonders.
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Post by makofan on Apr 23, 2018 10:09:43 GMT -5
Ezra is not learned, but his brain is whip-smart. San leaves Ezra and Buzz to figure something out, while he slides into one of the two slightly-outsized pilot seats.
Buzz (Electronic-1, rolls 2D=5+1=6 fail) sees right away he can not salvage anything that required electronics or system knowledge, so he looks for something mechanical. Ezra (DM+2 for Int, rolls 2D=9+2=11 success) spots what looks like some emergency backup gear and points it out. Ezra's mechanical aptitude understands it - there are some folded wings that should maybe allow the beast to glide. The two of them grab handles and try to winch them into position. As they have never been used, and the ship is falling from the sky, they might not be able to do it! (DM+1 for Buzz Str, DM+2 for two people, 2D=5+3=8 success) Slowly, giant-sized, extremely light wings start to extrude from the device.
San feels the change in the ship, and looks to see if he can do anything with the controls. (Pilot-1, rolls 2D=6+1=7 fail) Everything is so different, and half the controls are blown away - all he can do is wrench the craft into a more-or-less stable, but high-speed glide. They probably have four minutes to impact with the ocean below. Many life boats are being poorly flown away from the ship, but who knows how many more people are still trapped on board?
You could decide to abandon ship, or hold your position here - the chances of people in the ship surviving have increased substantially since you deployed the wings and grabbed the controls. You estimate casualties changing from maybe being 99% to maybe 25%
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Post by Hexenritter Verlag on Apr 23, 2018 16:51:54 GMT -5
"darn, this is rough. Looks like some of the passengers are getting away. I am good with keeping this fally death trap aloft to give as many as can a chance to escape but I am not too keen on crashing either. What about you guys?
[ooc: Worry creases Ezra's young face as he gazes out the windows at the fast approaching water. But a resilience underlies it as he stands firm waiting for a reply.]
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Post by makofan on Apr 23, 2018 18:35:25 GMT -5
There are some personal gliders in the place if you have to abandon ship
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Post by raikenclw on Apr 24, 2018 19:54:28 GMT -5
[OOC: Since what controls are left appear to be brute-force manual and the emergency wings have now been fully deployed, maybe having the other two characters help San pull back on the stick can help lessen the dive even further?]
"Hey! Come help me pull back on this BLOODY DAMNED stick!"
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