“Vortex” Update 5b.26 — Back to Earth

Fellow role-players, here are my notes for Session 5b.26 of the “Vortex” space opera campaign. Team 2 met on Monday, 16 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?

A band of grifters and near-humans retrieved dangerous samples from a battlefield north of Karachi and the Ghanki undersea station. It stole starship engines from a lunar base and an orbital city and was involved in medical disasters in the Venusian colonies. After finding a dimensionally displaced derelict, the team made inquiries into its cargo amid religious turmoil on Titan….

>>FATE 3e “Vortex” Team 2 (5b), crew of the “Appomattox:”

-“Gabriel Adams” [Paul J.]-male North American Terran near-human with telepathy, courier and pilot

-“ARTHERR” [Greg D.C.]-Advanced Resonance Theoretical Heuristic Exploration and Research Robot created by megacorp Vimeco

-“Jasmine” [Sara F.] female Martian Felinoid (Synth, “Uplifted” tiger), former professional pit fighter

-“Mr. Richmond Garrett” [Dave S.C.]-male Southern American Terran human, space snake-oil salesman and social climber

-“Hector Chavez” [Beruk A./absent]-male Latin American Terran human, “burned” operative and communications expert

-“Dr. Dieter Klein” [Rich L./absent]-male European Terran human, semi-retired physician, altruist and thrill seeker

-“Nero Bartholomew” [Non-Player Character]-male Terran human, former owner of the “Fortune’s Fool,” ship’s cook

-“Averki ‘Deep Dish’ Dyashenko” [N.P.C.]-male reptilian Synth (genetically engineered humanoid), onetime Venusian miner

>>”14 to 21 November 2194 A.D./C.E. or 0 Terran Galactic Era:” After rescuing some castaways and reneging on their deal to deliver items from the Vatican to the arachnid Nolath near Epsilon Eridani, the Terrans headed back home.

Capt. Gabriel Adams wants to get paid for the hot cargo and to keep a few souvenirs. ARTHERR recommends hiding it somewhere in deep space “for the good of all mankind.” Jasmine would prefer to return the artifacts to the United Ecumenical Movement (U.E.M.).

Richmond Garrett, who accepted the relics from fixer “Ramon Sanchez” [Josh H./N.P.C.] months ago, is initially disappointed at not being able to complete his mission. The con man is reluctant, however, to return to Earth with the items. Hector Chavez recommends inquiring with the United Earth Authority, but he is outvoted.

The crew of the Appomattox ultimately agrees to leave the containers in interstellar space, where it’s very unlikely that anyone else would find them. ARTHERR makes a note of their position.

Pilot Gabriel switches the yacht’s false registry from the “Heaven’s Gate” to the “Gabriel’s Rebellion” as it reenters the Sol system. ARTHERR suggests checking at the Vatican Museums to reveal that some items are forgeries. The Vimeco robot believes that this would increase the value of the original items and flush out potential buyers.

Onetime wrestler Jasmine sends a message to her boyfriend Darsii on Mars. Missing the comforts of home, Richmond goes to the southeastern coast of North America to look at mansions for sale. Former spy Hector goes to meet his handler Max.

As his distrust of nonhumans hardens into intolerance, Capt. Adams talks with Yiushef of Geruno, the Cestolar (badger-like alien) who attacked him in the wreck of the Razorfeather near Epsilon Eridani.

Yiushef explains that the Olvar (mammal-like arboreal alien) crew had tried to carry out its trade mission to the Gustrall (antlered, orange-furred, raptor-like warriors). He still suspects one of his fellow survivors, including Maj. Mohing Lankel, Lt. Doina Claren, and Mr. Kares Mussur, of being a saboteur. ARTHERR uses tranquilizer gas to keep them from tampering again with the ship’s systems.

At a trattoria in Rome, Gabriel meets fixer Lillian Morrissey. She confirms that a team from Systemes de Recuperation Executif Cie (SRE, or Executive Retrieval Systems Inc.) is among those looking for his crew. Central Asian despot Col. Raj, disgraced Venusian oligarch Orion Stefanov, and angry Ru’ulok (heavy-gravity reptilian alien) ship captains are among the enemies of “MarSoupAiL” (shell company Mars Soup Aid Lenders Ltd.).

Using “Dr. Garrett’s” credentials as onetime surgeon general of Venus, ARTHERR schedules an appointment with glory-seeking professor Dr. Vlad Perkovic for a private museum tour.

Capt. Adams takes Jasmine to the Martian outback. They find Darsii on the run from rival factions of the Synth Liberation Front. On the way back to Earth, Darsii asks Jasmine for help breaking out comrades from the U.E.M. chapels on Phobos.

The Appomattox picks up Richmond and goes to Rome to meet with Dr. Perkovic at the Vatican. Gabriel, Jasmine, and Richmond find the professor talking to news reporters about his recent archaeological digs. They discreetly usher him away from them to a gallery where they “just happen to notice” that certain works of art are replicas.

The grifters offer to let Dr. Perkovic take sole credit for uncovering the conspiracy in return for keeping them out of the publicity. He readily agrees and leaves to contact his agent.

To celebrate their scheme, MarSoupAiL returns to one of the estates that Richmond looked at near Atlanta. Once they verify that the owners aren’t home, the rogues invite some friends over for a house party.

Lillian tells underworld courier Gabriel that Col. Raj is looking to hire his team to retrieve family members from U.E.A. custody. Hector watches the Olvar and Cestolar prisoners before being dispatched to scan the mansion for surveillance devices.

ARTHERR helps crewmates Nero Bartholomew and Averki “Deep Dish” Dyashenko set up a toga party per Richmond’s demands. Jasmine and Darsii wander off to explore the Terran wilderness.

Capt. Adams invites Ru’ulok pirates Rabak Porset and Gorvek Beezo, who arrive with vodka fresh from their dealings with the Slavic Commonwealth. Unbeknownst to his companions, Gabriel privately trades the Olvar and Cestolar castaways in return for passcodes to the Mozarik system in Ru’ulok space. He also asks about downgrading the Appomattox‘s missiles and boosting its Transit drive to a speed of 1 parsec per Terran day.

Rabak and Gorvek order robotic henchmen to bring Yiushef, Maj. Lankel, Lt. Claren, and Mr. Mussur to their shuttle. In the meantime, some of Nero’s lady friends arrive as Richmond gets drunk and brandishes the blunderbuss he took from the Dawn’s Retreat.

Gabriel takes two of the women to his ship’s cockpit. ARTHERR scans them and confirms that they are human rather than gynoids. However, the probe droid soon identifies them as Jeanie Belveaux and Lisa Panko, members of an S.R.E. retrieval team!

Hector finds that he is being jammed from somewhere in the mansion, while Jasmine and Darsii notice the Appomattox taking off. Intoxicated Richmond jumps into a swimming pool, missing Deep Dish.

Shrugging off the effects of a gas attack, Gabriel fights off Belveaux and Panko and narrowly evades a pursuing S.R.E. craft. With help from ARTHERR, the pilot manages to land the Appomattox in the manor’s tennis courts, and he locks the two repossession agents in a cabin.

The partiers try to figure out what’s going on, and Gabriel still hopes to impress the two women for their interplanetary casino. ARTHERR finds Hector, while Deep Dish carries Richmond out of the pool. As they return from the woods, Darsii reminds Jasmine that he needs MarSoupAiL’s help on Phobos. The crew of the Appomattox gathers to plot its next moves to get paid and again avoid local authorities….

Sorry for the delayed update — I’ve been busy with work, and I just found out that I’ll have to move sooner than expected. In the meantime, I look forward to the next Pathfinder/Skype: “the Vanished Lands“ telecom fantasy game. Weather permitting, the next regular “Vortex” Team 2 session will be on Monday, Jan. 30. Be seeing you, -Gene

“Vortex” Update 5a.26 — the Battle of Capricornus X2

Fellow role-players, here are Josh’s and my notes for Session 5a.26 of the “Vortex” space opera campaign. Team 1 met on Monday, 9 January 2012, and is using FATE 3e Starblazer Adventures/Mindjammer, Bulldogs, Diaspora, and Limitless Horizons.

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.]-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

>>”From Chris McKee’s journal, 8 to 14 November 2194 A.D./C.E. or 0 Terran Galactic Era:” After encountering Cetaran miners near GL 884/”Cold Miser,” we continued our journey to Oasis Station, about 40 parsecs from Earth. We came out of faster-than-light Transit near Hip 103039 and found ourselves in the middle of a pitched battle!

I ran to my turret to ready our particle beam, but I reluctantly held my fire at my crewmates’ request. Syzygy went to his lab to prepare for casualties, and Tela and Kedar tried to get some extra power out of our engines. Aughest-vor… piloted the Blackbird clear of fire and debris.

As per our recent discussion, Lt. Kevin Reese took tactical command and activated our cloaking device. Scoop Chang began comparing the ships to the Star League database, while Tariq Asrad Saladin armed himself against potential boarders. Dr. Bucket and the spider drones readied for damage control.

Fortunately, none of the combatants seemed to notice us. We soon learned that a Ru’ulok (heavy-gravity reptilian extraterrestrial) force was occupying the system, also known as GL X2, LP 916-60, or Capricornus X2. The Ru’ulok, with whom we’ve had several skirmishes back in the Sol system, were trying to repel an attack by the Olvar (arboreal, mammal-like aliens).

I acquired targets and painted them. Aughest-vor reported that there was at least one contested rockball planet in the system, and Lt. Reese ordered Tela to ready the Yoyodyne Overthruster in case we needed to make a quick getaway.

Scoop recognized some of the craft as Ranseur-class Olvar fighters and Spanner-class Ru’ulok troop carriers. While some of us wanted to help the Olvar against the Ru’ulok, others recommended caution. We hailed the Icy Lance and talked with Adm. Fendril Angmor. The Olvar flagship was under heavy attack, and we closed in to offer assistance and take aboard escape pods.

However, Syzygy suspected that something was amiss, so our scientist asked Aughest for more scans. Tariq tried to spot behavioral patterns in the ship movements. Scoop intercepted Ru’ulok communications and heard Marshall Kladvur, commander of the Yachatil, berating Baranik Bosart, a Cestolar (badger-like alien) captain.

The Morifaiwet/Blackbird‘s Olvar database indicated that this battle had happened about 1,000 Terran years ago! The literal-minded Cestolar, once an “Uplift” client species of the Olvar, were then allied with the Ru’ulok empire. However, they had apparently again switched sides, just as things looked grim for the Olvar.

Aughest kept maneuvering and noted energy anomalies, while Syzygy searched for life signs. Tela confirmed that the Spanners were from the correct time period. Tariq noted that we could be seeing battlefield ghosts, while Kevin and Scoop suggested that we — or they — were displaced in time!

Dr. Bucket checked relative stellar positions at Aughest’s astrogation request. We were still in the year 2194. Tariq observed that the Olvar had replied to our hails, but Scoop didn’t detect any telepathic activity. I made sure that our training simulations were up to date and didn’t contain any bugs.

Even as Adm. Angmor ordered all hands to abandon the Icy Lance, Baranik Bosart slammed his ship into the Yachatil. I couldn’t refrain any longer, so I shot at a passing Ru’ulok ship, severely damaging it. That’s when curators hailed us and asked us not to interfere with the re-enactment.

We headed to the museum headquarters, and I believe I heard Syzygy respond to a hail from a Gustrall (antlered, orange-furred, raptor-like alien). Most of the landing pads were empty, and we met Biros Gramlic, the friendly captain of the Betardonil. He and wary engineer Dacla Nistor had brought Cestolar tourists Gurda, Nimun, and Fashnir to the site of their species’ key role in changing the tide of battle.

We left Dr. Bucket to watch the Blackbird and went to the museum shops, which were staffed by Xenoids (alien robots) designed to look like Olvar and Ru’ulok soldiers in antique uniforms. One Olvar-style droid named Hignor sold us tchotchkes and directed us to the canteen.

Ever cautious, Lt. Reese directed Dr. Bucket to run a scan from our ship, and he detected other tourist groups and the shielded headquarters of Thurmin Caz, the manager. None of the life signs were Ru’ulok, so we didn’t worry too much.

Since none of us Terrans had galactic credits yet, Syzygy paid for his water and our souvenirs from his Science Directorate account. I bought a bunch of Ru’ulok dolls for target practice, while high-minded Tariq found a board game similar to chess. Tharians Tela and Kedar got more plushies and a remote-controlled ship model.

Budding politician Aughest-vor downloaded some textbooks on military history. Soldier Kevin exercised more restraint than reporter Scoop, who grabbed an armload of toys, a replica space suit, and some Olvar antiques. The Cestolar were similarly excited.

Our visit to the canteen was less successful, and I can only imagine what my handlers back at Black Box Security Co. will think upon reading this report. I will say that Vamec sauce, or Cestolar moonshine, is pretty strong! I remember Aughest and Kevin trying to choke down some weird food, and Scoop keeping up with my imbibing. I also did some low-gravity handstands.

I don’t remember meeting the Gustrall after dinner [Out-of-character note: There weren’t any on the station.] or much else until the next morning. For some reason, Scoop keeps snickering at me. Note to self: Try to acquire EVE, his hovering camera robot.

We then continued on our way to Oasis Station. While in Transit, Aughest-vor looked at specifications for the collection of orbital habitats daisy-chained around a star. Syzygy reminded us that we would have to try to find the agent who had dropped out of contact with the Kharvamid Alliance.

Tela and Kedar also hoped to find more of their people, but they were wary of Encegulan (slug-like alien) and Ru’ulok bounty hunters. Scoop was excited to find an interstellar crossroads, and he and Tariq found that we’d have to covertly find a way to get access to the jump gate recently discovered nearby. Apparently, the Precursor technology was contested and being guarded.

I did some historical research, focusing on the Olvar abandonment of their colony on “Cold Miser” almost 2,000 Earth years ago and the current state of affairs surrounding the cosmopolitan spaceport. The Olvar and Ru’ulok empires had ceased expanding toward the Sol system after the battle and truce. After some discussion, we decided to explore Oasis Station in two groups.

Aughest-vor, Syzygy, Tariq, Dr. Bucket, and I will take the Blackbird and publicly arrive in uniform as a team from the Sol system to flush out the Kharvamid agent or foes. Meanwhile, Lt. Reese, Tela, Scoop, and Kedar will take the Dragonfly, our slower-than-light drop ship, and quietly get the lay of the land and find a way to the jump gate….

I hope that each of you enjoyed our first regular “Vortex” session of 2012! I look forward to seeing the fleshed-out quasi-Non-Player Characters when we break into troupe-style play when Team 1 meets next on Jan. 23 (weather permitting).

In the meantime, I look forward to seeing Team 2, the crew of the Appomattox, tonight — Jan. 16. I’ll also try to post an update for the latest Pathfinder: “the Vanished Lands” telecom game sometime this week. Be seeing you, -Gene

Revisiting RPGs and Lego licenses

One game to rule them all? — Lego Lord of the Rings

Continuing this week’s look at tabletop role-playing games, especially the announcement of Dungeons & Dragons Fifth Edition and subsequent reactions, here’s an overview of my current groups. I caught up on videos and some reading around the holidays, but I had to take a short break from my campaigns because it was too difficult to get quorum for my groups. We seem to be getting back on track.

In the meantime, I’ve enjoyed several recent sourcebooks — in both hardcopy and PDF — including the Asian-flavored Pathfinder Bestiary 3, Mongoose’s printing of science fiction sandbox Stars Without Number, and the horror/SF Ashen Stars, which uses the Gumshoe investigative/troubleshooter rules. All of them will be helpful in my current campaigns.

The two teams of about six people each in my “Vortex” space opera game (using FATE 3e Starblazer Adventures/Mindjammer plus Bulldogs) were on hiatus over the past few weeks. I’ve kept busy, however, with planning for our alternating Monday night sessions, which are still going strong. Fellow Game Masters Jim J.D’B. and Byron V.O. have helped me prepare for the continuing misadventures of the explorers and diplomats aboard the Blackbird and the grifters on the Appomattox.

My Pathfinder: “the Vanished Lands” telecom fantasy team has had persistent scheduling problems on Sunday nights, but I hope to rebuild from our core group of three low-to-midlevel Player Characters. They’ve been heading north into the Wisalef Forest to investigate rumors of Unseelie Fey…. Paizo’s recent Pathfinder Boxed Set is a good introduction to that system (for up to four or five players to Level 5) and to role-playing in general.

Most of the people in my groups are also playing in other games. Various local Game Masters have expressed interest in running one-shots, although they’ll have to promote their ideas and find time and space for them. Here are some of their ongoing campaigns and potential one-shots:

–Paul J. and Greg D.C.: FATE 3e Dresden Files (modern supernatural)

-James B.: D20 Call of Cthulhu (period horror) or Gumshoe: Mutant City Blues (investigative metahumans)

-Josh C.: conversion of AD&D2 Spelljammer to FATE 3e Legends of Anglerre (fantasy) or Arkham Horror (board game)

-Jason E.R.: Fvlminata (alternate Roman history/espionage)

-Bruce K.: Pathfinder/D&D4e or D20 Conan (sword and sorcery)

-Rich C.G.: Cthulhu Invictus (alternate Roman history/horror)

A few of the local role-players have also asked to return to my “Societe de Justice Internationale: Drake’s Port 7″ superhero scenarios using D20 Mutants & Masterminds 3rd Ed., whose excellent Game Master’s Guide just arrived. So many games, so little time….

In unrelated but exciting news, Lego recently announced that, in addition to its licenses for Harry Potter, DC and Marvel Comics, and Star Wars, it won the rights to The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings movies! We briefly used Lego for the D&D3.0 “Vanished Lands: the Liberators” and “Dragonslayers,” and even though I have dozens of other miniatures, I’d love to use Lego minifigs for my campaigns in any genre, from steampunk and superheroes to science fiction!

“Vortex” Update 5b.25 — Deal or no deal

Shadow vessel from "Babylon 5" — Spidery starship

Fellow role-players, here are my notes for Session 5b.25 of the “Vortex” space opera campaign. Team 2 met on Monday, 19 December 2011, and is using FATE 3e Starblazer Adventures/Mindjammer, Bulldogs, Diaspora, and Limitless Horizons.

>>FATE 3e “Vortex” Team 2 (5b), crew of the “Appomattox:”

-“Gabriel Adams” [Paul J.]-male North American Terran near-human with telepathy, courier and pilot

-“Hector Chavez” [Beruk A.]-male Latin American Terran human, “burned” operative and communications expert

-“Jasmine” [Sara F.] female Martian Felinoid (Synth, “Uplifted” tiger), former professional pit fighter

-“ARTHERR” [Greg D.C./absent]-Advanced Resonance Theoretical Heuristic Exploration and Research Robot created by megacorp Vimeco

-“Mr. Richmond Garrett” [Dave S.C./absent]-male Southern American Terran human, space snake-oil salesman and social climber

-“Dr. Dieter Klein” [Rich L./absent]-male European Terran human, semi-retired physician, altruist and thrill seeker

-“Nero Bartholomew” [Non-Player Character]-male Terran human, former owner of the “Fortune’s Fool,” ship’s cook

-“Averki ‘Deep Dish’ Dyashenko” [N.P.C.]-male reptilian Synth (genetically engineered humanoid), onetime Venusian miner

>>”8 to 14 November 2194 A.D./C.E. or 0 Terran Galactic Era:” After side trips to colonies on Venus and Saturn, the Appomattox delivered items from the Vatican museums to Epsilon Eridani, about 10.5 light-years (ly) from the Sol system. There, it met the Kazador, a trade vessel of the spider-like Nolath.

Hector Chavez briefs Jasmine on internal and external security precautions. Gunner Jasmine also checks on the yacht‘s missiles. Capt. Gabriel Adams, who distrusts the Nolath, scans for other ships in the area but finds none.

ARTHERR bids farewell to Titanian gynoids Tanya and Galia, who stay behind at Epsilon Eridani B to prepare for the Chengdu, a slower-than-light Terran generation ship. Richmond Garrett stalls for time, asking Capt. Stroja if he is interested in “Talosian wonder ointment.”

Engineer Hector customizes a missile to be remotely controlled and to carry a warhead to deliver an electromagnetic pulse (EMP). Burly Jasmine watches for potential drone boarders. Gabriel scans the Kazador and finds particle-beam weaponry. The pilot also sets a retreat course back to Earth.

Robot ARTHERR notes that the arachnid aliens may merely be intermediaries for someone else, who might be waiting at Luyten’s Star, a relatively close and potentially inhabitable system. Con artist Richmond instructs crewmembers Nero Bartholomew and Averki “Deep Dish” Dyashenko to rearrange the cargo bay.

Hector asks Jasmine to pose as captain to continue negotiations with the Nolath, but the tiger Synth declines. The former spy recommends backing out of the deal, and Gabriel agrees. Richmond, who accepted the mission from fixer “Ramon Sanchez” [Josh H./Greg/N.P.C.], sees no reason not to take payment of the remaining 20,000 credits (or NeoYen, kilocalories, or U.E.A. dollars).

ARTHERR argues that turning over cultural artifacts to the Nolath may not be in humanity’s best interests. Capt. Adams tells Capt. Stroja that his manifest does not match the cargo, so there must be a mistaken identity. The Appomattox goes to faster-than-light (FTL) Transit before the Kazador can scan it again.

During the week’s journey back to Earth, Hector considers diverting power from ship systems to improve the Appomattox‘s Ru’ulok (heavy-gravity reptilian alien) Transit drive beyond 1 ly per Terran day. Jasmine is disappointed at having to return to human space, and Gabriel wonders if his underworld contacts can help him find a proper recipient for the Vatican relics.

ARTHERR suggests the United Earth Authority or the United Ecumenical Movement, while Richmond entertains the castaways from the Razorfeather shipwreck — Olvar (mammal-like arboreal extraterrestrials) Maj. Mohing Lankel, Lt. Doina Claren, and Mr. Kares Mussur, as well as Cestolar (badger-like) envoy Yiushef of Geruno.

Hector and Jasmine warily watch the guests, since Yiushef warned that one is likely a saboteur. Gabriel asks his companions where in the Sol system they should go next….

Greg and Dave, we missed you at the last regular game of 2011! Weather permitting, Team 1 (the crew of the Blackbird) is scheduled for Monday, 9 January 2012. “Vortex” Team 2 will meet again on Jan. 16.

A makeup session for the Pathfinder/Skype: “the Vanished Lands” fantasy telecom team is planned for Friday, Dec. 30, 2011, and various one-shots have been proposed for next week and beyond. I hope that all your holidays are safe and happy, and I look forward to our adventures in the coming year! -Gene

“Vortex” Update 5a.25 — “The light-year without a Santa Claus”

From 'The Year Without a Santa Claus' — Cold Miser and Heat Miser

Fellow role-players, here are Josh’s and my notes for Session 5a.25 of the “Vortex” space opera campaign. Team 1 met on Monday, 12 December 2011, and is using FATE 3e Starblazer Adventures/Mindjammer, Bulldogs, Diaspora, and Limitless Horizons.

>>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.]-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”

>>”From the journal of Chris McKee/Agent Prometheus, 1 to 7 November 2194 A.D./C.E. or 0 Terran Galactic Era:” I and the rest of the crew of the Blackbird prepared to leave the the Cyan Horizon, a “Talari” (ark ship) of the Ma’ari, pale, diminutive alien wanderers.

Syzygy had asked Kligba Onagan, a secretive Olvar (arboreal, mammal-like alien) colleague in the Kharvamid Alliance, about what to expect at Oasis Station. A Precursor faster-than-light (FTL) jump gate had recently been discovered near our destination. Lt. Reese said farewell to Ma’ari Capt. Lurandi.

Tela got help from Dr. Bucket and Kedar for installing and activating the Blackbird‘s cloaking capability. She was giddy to share engineering with another Tharian, and this stealth should help us in our exploratory missions.

My day began with a request from Syzygy to come to the med bay. He was waiting with Lt. Kevin Reese and Scoop Chang, who proceeded to perform an impromptu psych exam on me. They were apparently concerned that the Ma’ari might have implanted something when physician “Felana” [Jenna R.P./Non-Player Character] removed Black Box Security Co.’s cyberware.

The interrogation went poorly until I took Kevin aside, and he reminded me of our service together back on Mars. He seemed surprised that I was “strangely amiable,” but I was declared fit for active duty.

Aughest-vor… set a course from 96 Piscium and “Venice” toward GL 884 and Oasis Station, which is about 40 parsecs from Sol. Our pilot planned to avoid the nebula Kuvor’s Veil and Mozarik system in Ru’ulok (heavy-gravity reptilian pirate) space. Lt. Reese was wary of newcomers Tariq and Kedar.

In FTL Transit, the Blackbird‘s REM drive caused Tela, Tariq, and Kedar to hallucinate. The winged Tharians later said they imagined their homeworld, while the Terran martial artist saw himself in a past life on a sailing ship.

Scoop was worried, but the rest of us said to leave the dreamers undisturbed until they were needed. The journalist had sent an encrypted warning about the Encegulans (slug-like slavers) and approaching Zarkonian Armada to a military contact near Jupiter, and Lt. Reese forwarded it to Mr. Gray, his superior at Interplanetary Patrol.

While still in Transit, we approached an ion storm, whose radiation and gravitic effects forced us to drop back into normal space for a time. Syzygy secured his unhappy cat Mr. Sniffles in gel. Tela and the spider drones were busy with damage control. We noticed other FTL vessels that had managed to avoid the storm, and we soon resumed our journey.

The Blackbird next dropped out of Transit near GL 884 for a planetary survey and a course correction. The small, red star had two barely inhabitable worlds, which Kevin nicknamed “Heat Miser” and “Cold Miser” after an archaic holiday video.

Xenologist Syzygy scanned and found no signs of advanced life. Aughest smoothly moved our experimental scout vessel into orbit for a closer look. Scoop researched from the Star League database that the Olvar once had a colony, which was evacuated for unknown reasons.

Using the Blackbird‘s sensors, Kevin detected a large base nearly the size of a city on “Cold Miser.” That’s when the FUBAR happened. Lt. Reese and I initially wanted to check out the frozen ruins for abandoned tech.

Civilians Aughest-vor and Scoop thought we should not delay our primary mission of getting to Oasis Station and finding a way to report on the Zarkonian threat to the United Earth Authority (U.E.A.). As the entire group discussed how to proceed, two-dozen unidentified ships arrived in the star system!

Tela and Kedar identified their FTL as unusual “warp bubble” technology. We then debated over the best course of action. Kevin and I wanted to use our cloaking device, while Aughest and Scoop preferred to parley. Syzygy and Tariq were content to cautiously observe, and our exchanges continued and became heated. Then Tela got bored, so she hailed the alien fleet herself, locking the rest of us out!

The alien ships stacked themselves in geostationary orbits and began beaming strange force fields at “Heat Miser.” Syzygy verified that they weren’t harming local microorganisms too much, and the aliens were apparently extracting exotic minerals and somehow refining them as they relayed them to the outermost craft in each stack.

After what was probably our strangest First Contact so far, Lt. Reese took the comm. The Cetarans [created by Byron V.O.] resembled extinct Terran plesiosaurs, with prehensile front flippers like those of some seals. According to the Olvar database, the Cetarans were rivals of the arachnid Nolath [see Team 2 notes]. Aughest prepared the Yoyodyne Overthruster in case we needed a quick getaway.

After exchanging pleasantries, Capt. Geyvvig made an interesting offer. He said that his people were neutral toward the Kharvamid Alliance and the galactic trade guilds, and he expressed interest in having humanity join a group of less-populous interstellar species in a non-aligned movement.

We told Capt. Geyvvig that we’d consider his offer and pass it back to our homeworld. Dr. Bucket noted that the Cetaran mining technology could be helpful in getting resources for Terrans from Tyche, which we partly owned. Tela, Aughest-vor, and Scoop were most interested in making new friends.

I surprised Kevin, who again wanted to retreat, by suggesting that we meet the Cetarans face to face. Although the Sol system needs allies as we begin expanding into the Milky Way, Lt. Reese said, we were outnumbered and potentially outgunned. Tariq was equally cautious, and three-armed Syzygy wanted to see how we Terrans resolved our differences.

We left the Cetarans to pop out from GL 884. Aughest-vor set a course for Hip 103039, another potentially inhabitable system near Altair and BD+15-4733 and on the way to Oasis Station. On the way, we resumed our debate over standard operating procedures.

Extraterrestrials Syzygy, Tela, and Kedar (and U.E.A. robot Dr. Bucket) kept busy running the Blackbird and watching us. Aughest and Scoop said that with an enlarged crew, we needed a protocol for First Contact between Terrans and aliens. Lt. Reese and I preferred a military-style chain of command for quick decisions in dangerous situations. Tariq saw the value of both diplomacy and tactical readiness.

Scoop argued in favor of talking first rather than initiating scans or threatening strangers by arming ourselves. He observed that Tela may have been out of line in hailing the Cetarans, but she did the right thing while we bickered. Kevin and I asked why we should trust him and Tariq, whom we met among the Olvar/REM and Ma’ari, respectively.

Aughest tried to mediate, noting that despite our differences, we’ve usually had one another’s backs in combat and made several successful First Contacts. Ultimately, we agreed upon the following steps for observation, assessment, and contact:

–Scans: Scientist Syzygy plans to check for life signs, I will look for direct threats as gunner/sniper, and Lt. Reese will monitor the surrounding space. Survival expert Tariq can observe the behavior of aliens and scout the area during planetfalls. Dr. Bucket may be helpful for coordinating scans. Reporter Scoop and his robotic camera EVE will record all encounters.

–Defensive posture: Engineers Tela and Kedar will ready the REM drive and power for sublight maneuvering. Pilot Aughest-vor will plot a course of escape using our afterburners, and Kevin can activate the stealth system. Tariq and I must also stand ready to repel boarders.

–Contact: If we are hailed, Kevin can initially speak on behalf of the Blackbird, with advice from Syzygy, Aughest, Scoop, and then the rest of us, depending on the situation. If the other party is hostile, Lt. Reese can take tactical command. Aughest recommended working out strategy in advance if possible.

I hope we’ll be able to develop our mix of diplomacy, canny force, and maneuvering as needed to protect the Trinoids’ interest in Earth’s future… <End journal entry.>

Thanks again, Jason, for this session’s title and your generous gifts! I’ll have mine for “Vortex” Team 1 whenever we meet next. See my other posts for our January 2012 schedule. Team 2, the crew of the Appomattox, will role-play on Dec. 19. We may have some one-shots around Christmas and New Year’s, and Team 1 is currently down for Jan. 9.

In the meantime, the Pathfinder/Skype: “the Vanished Lands” telecom fantasy team will virtually convene again on Dec. 30. May all of you and your families have a safe and happy holiday season! -Gene