Fellow role-players, here are Josh’s and my notes for Session 5a.27 of the “Vortex” space opera campaign. Team 1 met on Monday, 23 January 2012, and is using FATE 3e Starblazer Adventures/Mindjammer, Bulldogs, Diaspora, and Limitless Horizons.
In one future, humanity has begun to colonize the Sol system, but ecological degradation and internecine conflicts persist. Open and official First Contact with Galactic societies, themselves at war, threaten Terra’s very survival. Will heroes rise to the challenges?
Two aliens and their human allies encountered xenophobes and megacorporate intrigues on and around Earth. After visiting factionalized Mars and acquiring a starship, they continued their mission of diplomacy and exploration to Titan, Tyche, and Alpha Centauri. From Van Maanen’s Star, the Olvar scout ship evaded a trap at Cetus Eridani and met priestesses and miners at Beta Canum Venaticorum before resuming its journey toward Oasis Station….
>>FATE 3e “Vortex” Team 1 (5a), crew of the “Blackbird:”
-“Syzygy” [Brian W.]-Trinoid (trilateral amphibious alien) xenologist with an organic laboratory and a pet cat named “Mr. Sniffles”
-“Tela” [Sara F.]-female Tharian (winged reptilian humanoid alien) escapee from the Encegulans, engineer
-“Chris McKee/Agent Prometheus” [Josh C.]-male Terran cyborg human sniper working for eugenicists at Black Box Security Co.
-“Aughest-vor…” [Jason E.R.]-male human from the Lemuria orbital city, onetime dilettante, solar-sail racer, pilot
-“Lt. Kevin Reese” [Bruce K.]-male Terran human, burned-out officer and explorer in the Interplanetary Patrol
-“Scoop Chang” [Rich C.G.]-male Jovian “near-human,” interstellar reporter kidnapped by the Olvar; psi interested in First Contacts
-“Tariq Asrad Saladin” [Beruk A./absent]-male Terran “near-human,” seeker of enlightenment and investigator met aboard the Ma’ari ship Cyan Horizon
-“Gombo Shisel” [Rich L./absent]-male Mongolian/Martian human, former horse rancher and wilderness survival expert
-“Dr. Bucket” [Non-Player Character]-United Earth Authority astromech robot assigned to the Blackbird
>>”15 to 18 November 2194 A.D./C.E. or 0 Terran Galactic Era:” After visiting the site of the Battle of Capricornus X2, the explorers aboard the Blackbird arrived at Oasis Station, a huge collection of orbital habitats about 40 parsecs from Earth. They searched the local information network for clues on where to start looking for the missing agent of the Kharvamid Alliance and a Precursor jump gate.
Aughest-vor, Syzygy, Chris McKee, Tariq Asrad Saladin, Dr. Bucket, and Mr. Sniffles stay aboard the Morifaiwet/Blackbird to draw public attention, as well as that of the Kharvamid agent or potential foes.
Syzygy expresses interest in Sector 1, also known as “the Shining Sisters,” to see the Nebula Opera. Agent Prometheus recommends Sector 7, the “Righteous Stinger,” because of its relatively lawless reputation and the Flux Farm weapons emporium.
Lt. Kevin Reese, Tela, Scoop Chang, and Kedar take the drop ship Dragonfly to more quietly find out about the jump gate. Engineers Tela and Kedar are interested in the Shining Sisters because of its population of Ma’ari, Nethians, and Daragi. Kevin wants to go to Sector 12, “the Merging,” because of the Ruby Lantern Resort.
However, Syzygy decides to check in with overall Oasis Station command in the Merging, so the Dragonfly goes to Sector 10, “the Rusted Link,” because the Tharians are curious about a technocracy ruled by and for Xenoids (alien robots/artificial intelligences).
The Morifaiwet first visits Sector 11, “the Swift Course,” where Aughest-vor transfers funds from the Tyche mining operation into galactic credits for the entire party. The megacorporate scion reverts to his old ways, reserving a luxurious suite at the Regatta Hotel and inquiring with concierge Mr. Blix about solar sail races and the elite Lancer’s Club.
Tariq and Dr. Bucket keep watch while their Olvar scout ship is cleaned and serviced, and Syzygy and Chris checked in with the Port Authority at the Merging, where they see misshapen Metaderpods (former “Uplift” clients of the Trinoids) and talk about the Trinoid ship the Nautiloid.
Meanwhile, the squad aboard the Dragonfly meets Xenoid guide VX-7, as well as a wide variety of synthetic beings. At the “Privateer’s Perch,” they encounter fierce Gustrall Nycla of Clan Firehoof [Brian/Non-Player Character], inquisitive Nethian (insectoid alien) mechanic Kzp’trn [Jason/N.P.C.] looking for an “isoquantum fracture compensator,” and party animals — actually three Meorr and a Felinoid Terran Synth.
Lt. Reese tells Nycla — who asks if the Tharians are “bait” — about his search. Scoop traces a Terran mental signature to the Felinoid (genetically modified panther) Yoshi Tanaka. Tela and Kedar get drunk with Gworr [Jason/N.P.C.], Keferr [Josh/N.P.C.], and Mundarr. The leonine Meorr back off a bit from raptor-like Nycla, who is well-known in certain parts of Oasis Station.
In the upper level of the “Privateer’s Perch,” numerous A.I.s, Synths, and Xenoids watch a fight between “organics” Rugar, the “Claw of Might,” and Cestolar (badger-like alien) Rundel Tosk, captain of the Lodge. The crew of the Dragonfly quickly leaves.
Getting restless at the Regatta Hotel, Aughest-vor and Chris go to the Merging, where they meet Cestolar trader Ibor vos Talshun [Rich/N.P.C.], whose ship is the “Metal Vessel.” Following their instinct for trouble, Agent Prometheus and Aughest fall in with Boobulons at the Ruby Lantern.
However, they soon find themselves compromised and trapped by slug-like Encegulan slavers. Syzygy talks with the Cetaran (plesiosaur-like alien) madam and calls Lt. Reese for backup. As the back rooms of the interstellar brothel release a horde of inhuman BDSM horrors to prevent the Terrans and Trinoid from escaping, Kevin, Tela, and Scoop ride to the rescue with the Tiger Hawk Sandstorm ground-effect vehicle.
During a firefight, Kevin throws a grenade and asks Aughest-vor if this is how he planned to get attention. Scoop psionically armors up and blasts hostiles, while Tela glides up to the level where the humans are being held.
The Meorr from the “Privateer’s Perch” happily wade into battle. Still naked, Agent Prometheus catches a gun from Lt. Reese and ruthlessly shoots one of the patrons in the chaos, and the Tiger Hawk Sandstorm makes a hasty retreat…
Josh, thanks for posting these notes to the Obsidian Portal wiki for “Vortex!” Thanks also to those who have offered to help with our upcoming moves. As noted previously, tonight’s game will be the last one I’ll be hosting and running in Needham Heights, Massachusetts, and we’ll be taking a break for a few weeks.
I hope to post updates for the latest Team 2 and the telecom fantasy Pathfinder/Skype: “the Uncommon Companions” games soon. Be seeing you, -Gene
Gene's Worlds 