Category: Vortex

“Vortex” Update 5b.24 — Shipwreck and spiders

A nearby star system compared with ours
The Epsilon Eridani and Sol systems

Fellow role-players, here are my notes for Session 5b.24 of the “Vortex” space opera campaign. Team 2 met on Monday, 28 November 2011, 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

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

-“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./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

>>”1 to 7 November 2194 A.D./C.E. or 0 Terran Galactic Era:” During its first extrasolar voyage, from Saturn’s moon Titan to Epsilon Eridani, the Appomattox had caught up with the Chengdu, a slower-than-light generation ship from Earth. Among other things, the away team had helped extricate injured Delphine (“Uplifted” dolphin) Bob from the Chengdu‘s systems.

Capt. Gabriel Adams has another intimate dinner with bursar Ghia Shan before preparing the Appomattox for departure. Hector Chavez negotiates for antique tools and ordinance, and ARTHERR studies the colonists’ medical records and culture to eventually help fellow sentient robots Tanya and Galia.

Jasmine meets another “Synth” named Isabella, who asks via voder about the habitability of planets near Epsilon Eridani. The tiger-woman tells the “Uplifted” orca that while one planet may have seas, it’s unlikely to be immediately hospitable to the Terran pilgrims, who have already spent a century traveling.

Richmond Garrett finds the passengers of the “Chengdu” too pious for his tastes and recommends delivering the cargo of items from the Vatican Museums to its mysterious recipients as soon as possible. ARTHERR tries to entice the humans to explore with the possibility of diamonds or other natural resources.

The Appomattox continues on its way to Epsilon Eridani, which is about 10 light-years from the Sol system. Jasmine is again uneasy in Transit space but recovers once the yacht emerges from faster-than-light travel. Gabriel pilots the Appomattox past asteroid belts and two gas giants.

Hector notes the presence of buoys orbiting the star, which is slightly smaller than Earth’s sun. The humans and Synths ignore two rocky planets and head to Epsilon Eridani B, about 0.8 AU from the star. The planet is in the biozone and has seas, but the pH is too alkaline for Terrans.

ARTHERR exits a launch bay and orbits independently to scan. The probe droid finds no signs of civilization, but the atmosphere has just enough oxygen and warmth to support life. Jasmine suits up and arms for the landing party, but Richmond prefers to stay aboard in comfort with crewmembers Nero Bartholomew, Averki “Deep Dish” Dyashenko, Tanya, and Galia.

Gabriel finds some relatively level terrain to land the Appomattox. ARTHERR, who has built a magnetic slingshot for escaping planetary surfaces, happily wheels out and begins taking soil samples. Hector scans for communications, and Jasmine looks out for hostile life forms amid the algae-covered rocks.

As a volcano smokes in the distance, the team finds a crashed starship. Gabriel boldly leaps into a hull breach but is stabbed twice by someone inside! Jasmine cautiously advances, poking her rifle and flashlight into the open compartment.

Engineer Hector examines the wreckage and says that the vessel crashed relatively recently. ARTHERR compares the flying-wing design to databases and concludes that the ship is of Olvar (arboreal mammal-like alien) design.

His vacuum suit leaking air, Capt. Adams sees a short, stocky humanoid brandishing a blade. The courier throws a grenade and jumps back out! ARTHERR patches Gabriel’s suit before he can be harmed more by the caustic atmosphere, and Jasmine pulls the battered alien, which has a cute, furry face, from the ship.

ARTHERR identifies the badger-like alien as a Cestolar, a member of a client species of the Olvar. Yiushef of Geruno claims that the other survivors of the crash left him behind because he couldn’t keep up with their longer legs. Hector is concerned when the Cestolar says he believes that the Razorfeather was a victim of sabotage by one of its own crew.

Yiushef reluctantly gives the newcomers a tour of the Razorfeather, which was returning from space controlled by the Gustrall (orange-furred, raptor-like warriors). Capt. Adams heads to the bridge, which contains bodies of the Olvar killed by the sabotage and crash, contrary to Yiushef’s initial claim of cannibalism.

The Cestolar tells ARTHERR that he is a trade delegate and that several parties might want to hinder relations between the Olvar, who are part of the Kharvamid Alliance, and the mostly nonaligned Gustrall. Jasmine goes to the armory, where she picks up a few unidentified weapons.

Deep Dish radios that another ship has entered the Epsilon Eridani system and is a few hours away. It is transmitting a numerical code. Gabriel and ARTHERR take Yiushef and the Appomattox to pick up three Olvar, who have set up a distress beacon on a steep slope near a cave several kilometers away.

Hector restarts a microfusion generator to take a look at the crashed ship’s logs. The former spy salvages parts of the Razorfeather‘s engines and communications systems but is disappointed that he doesn’t have time to take more. The FTL drives in the Olvar ship’s broken wings are inoperable.

Onetime wrestler Jasmine impresses the lithe Olvar castaways and asks for their weapons. The tiger-woman leads Maj. Mohing Lankel, Lt. Doina Claren, and Mr. Kares Mussur to guest cabins, along with Yiushef.

Capt. Adams takes the “Appomattox” back into orbit, and Hector hails the incoming vessel. ARTHERR identifies it as belonging to the Nolath, an arachnoid telepathic species. Gabriel makes mental contact with Capt. Stroja of the trade ship Kazador.

The spider-like Nolath transmits a cargo manifest that matches the Vatican relics. Gabriel and ARTHERR are initially more reluctant than Richmond to complete their delivery, which doesn’t seem to benefit humanity, but the courier sees his fears as a challenge, and the robot is curious about the deal that fixer “Ramon Sanchez” [Josh H./N.P.C.] had brokered.

Hector detects an attempt to hack into the Appomatox‘s systems, so he and Jasmine hasten to the guest quarters to confiscate the radio from Mr. Mussur and threaten the mischievous Olvar and Cestolar with “spacing” if they violate hospitality and security again. Hector makes sure systems are locked down or on analog backup and activates surveillance for the possible saboteur.

Stroja and several Nolath and other space-armored spiders of various sizes come aboard the Terran vessel. They ask to inspect the cargo, and Gabriel stalls, asking for time to double-check the manifest and consider the trade. Stroja agrees and returns to the Kazador while the command crew of the Appomattox searches for other ships in the area and discusses its next moves….

Thanks again to Beruk and all those who got me The Batman Files as an early Christmas gift! I hope that all your holidays are happy! The next “Vortex” game will be for Team 1, the crew of the Blackbird, on 12 December 2011.

The Pathfinder/Skype: “the Vanished Lands” telecom group will meet on Dec. 4, and Team 2 will play again on Dec. 19. Let me know your availability for January. Take it easy, -Gene

“Vortex” Update 5a.24 — Panic at the disco

"Vortex" Player Characters
"Felana" and the crew of the P.T.S. "Venture"

Fellow role-players, here are my notes for Session 5a.24 of the “Vortex” space opera campaign. Team 1 met on Monday, 14 November 2011, 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.]-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

>>”25 to 31 October 2194 A.D./C.E. or 0 Terran Galactic Era:” At BD+04-123, or 96 Piscium, the Blackbird had found a planet with ancient canals and dinosaur-like creatures. The explorers also encountered a Talari — a huge ark ship of the mysterious Ma’ari.

After some debate in reaction to the brusque invitation from the Ma’ari, the crew agrees to visit the Cyan Horizon. Aughest-vor… pilots the drop ship Dragonfly into a landing bay, where he is greeted by trade envoy Rilga and Asdann Fre’vel, an impatient Gustrall (orange-furred, antlered, avian/raptor-like alien) guard. The Ma’ari themselves turn out to be pale humanoids with large, dark eyes and are only about 1 meter tall.

Rilga, who is more relaxed in attitude than many of her fellow wanderers, takes the Terrans, Trinoid, and Tharian on a tour. She intensifies the ambient light locally since the Ma’ari see in the ultraviolet.

Tela asks to see engineering, and Rilga takes the group to a compartment that uses zero-point energy for both inertialess maneuvering and faster-than-light (FTL) travel. Syzygy notes that the Ma’ari have been starfarers for about 10,000 Earth years, so some of their technology is more advanced than the Blackbird‘s or even that of the Trinoids.

Asdann warns Chris McKee that because the Ma’ari have been traveling for so long, several areas of the Talari don’t respect central authority and may thus be dangerous for visitors. Aughest-vor notices that his party is being quietly watched by the curious Ma’ari as they walk around their vessel.

Lt. Kevin Reese shares superficial details about the Sol system and asks for a holographic display of the various species aboard the Cyan Horizon. He sees the positions of a few other humans, Olvar (arboreal, mammal-like mystics), and even Tharians! Tela manages to tear herself away from the power generators and is excited to meet others of her kind for the first time as an adult.

Scoop Chang instructs EVE, his hovering robotic camera, to record everything. He and Kevin warn robot Dr. Bucket back on the Blackbird to move confidential data to protect it from unauthorized Ma’ari scans. Syzygy and Aughest believe the effort is futile because of the difference in tech levels.

Rilga and Asdann escort Syzygy and company through garden levels and a waste processing plant. The xenologist is happy to obtain samples from scientist Murilo for later study and learns that Ma’ari biochemistry is different from that of humans. They then go to residential areas, including an Escher-like maze of passages with localized gravity and a space for artistic performances.

A group of Ma’ari sit with their legs folded as one named Kasfel telekinetically shapes and colors a living mass. Syzygy, who normally objects to the creation of artificial sentience, has no problem with this strange sculpture. Tela looks for other Tharians.

Aughest-vor, normally friend to all, finds the small, staring extraterrestrials disconcerting. Observant Lt. Reese spots a human in the audience, while Scoop briefly joins the circle telepathically. The retro hipster journalist finds that the Ma’ari do not have a hive mind.

Kasfel invites wary Chris to join him in Heliconian Twisting, a “biomechanical self-defense form of expression.” Agent Prometheus steps into the circle, thinking that he’ll be sparring with just Kasfel, but four groups of three Ma’ari each emerge!

One martial artist leaps toward Chris, who knocks him down and puts his knee on his chest. However, the diminutive foe is double-jointed and easily slips out of a joint lock. Syzygy, who has brought along his cat Mr. Sniffles in a carrier, senses nothing untoward.

Stealthy Tela sidles up to the Terran in the audience. Tariq Asrad Saladin places bets on the newcomers and describes himself as a “seeker of enlightenment.” Aughest grabs a bo stick, and Scoop uses Genurgy to grow wings and pick him up. Kevin goes to sweep the leg of yet another Ma’ari, and the lights go out!

Scoop activates EVE’s spotlight, and Syzygy asks Rilga about the rules of the sparring match. A second Ma’ari is hurled at Chris, but he blocks the blow. When all sound in the chamber is dampened, Tela uses an EMP gun to against the counterwave emitters, knocking out artificial gravity in the process!

The acrobatic Ma’ari have little difficulty maneuvering in weightlessness, but Mr. Sniffles isn’t happy. Scoop and solar-sail racer Aughest slam into a wall before pushing off back into the fray with bo sticks and mental bolts. Chris and Kevin hold their own until Kasfel agrees to call the match a draw, disappointing Tariq.

Rilga brings the away team to the main bridge of the Cyan Horizon, a spherical room whose crew stands on hovering platforms amid multicolored displays of ship functions and interstellar space. Capt. Lurandi directs drones that resemble hummingbirds and coolly greets the humans, still sweating from their recent exertions.

Syzygy asks the Ma’ari for help removing Chris’ cranial implants, and Lurandi orders physician “Felana” [Jenna R.P./Non-Player Character] to prepare the patient for surgery. While Tela and Aughest hope to learn more from archivist Hublo, Agent Prometheus’ self-preservation subroutine activates, and the sniper bolts for the door!

Lt. Reese tackles his onetime brother in arms (back on Mars), drawing a stun grenade — and the ire of Scoop and Lurandi. Kevin explains that Black Box Security Co. has compromised Chris’ health and free will, but Scoop and Tariq worry about offending the Ma’ari and that his faculties would be diminished if his cyberware is removed.

Felana reassures Syzygy that the microprocessors could be reimplanted if so desired by Chris and company. Asdann confiscates the interlopers’ weapons (and promises to return them later). Syzygy and Kevin stay with Agent Prometheus as Felana and her drones operate.

Rilga leads the others through twisting tunnels until they come to a nest of conduits near a sensor array. Tela sees a male Tharian, whose glider wings and low frill resemble her own, rather than that of another caste. Kedar seems just as awkwardly excited as Tela, unexpectedly bringing out Aughest, Scoop, and Tariq’s paternal instincts. They reluctantly give the gargoyle-like pair some privacy as they compare technical notes.

While Chris recuperates and Tela canoodles, the rest of the Blackbird‘s crew and Tariq go to meet Kligba Onagan, an Olvar who had contacted Syzygy on behalf of the Kharvamid Alliance. They enter a darkened apartment and talk with a hooded figure seated behind a curved desk.

Syzygy and Aughest respond that they are no assassins, and Scoop detects no mental activity. Tariq hangs back as the person is revealed to be a xenoid (alien android). The real Kligba arrives and warns that the Sol system is in the path of the dreaded Zarkonian Armada! Laransu and other worlds have already fallen [see earlier update for a list of alien species].

The agent of the Olvar Star League tells Syzygy, off the record, that the crustaceans will reach human space in about a Terran year. The Ma’ari are neutral, he says, but they encountered the Zarkonians millennia ago, and their arks could be helpful. Syzygy agrees that while they are often divided, humans have potential and are worth trying to save.

When the humans express a desire to head home to relay the warning to the United Earth Authority, Kligba responds that a Precursor FTL gate has been set up at Oasis Station, about 40 parsecs from Sol (three weeks’ travel for the Morifaiwet). It would enable them to communicate with or travel to Earth even more rapidly than with its REM drive.

Aughest-vor recognizes the need for Terrans to find allies and not to dawdle, as Kligba reminds him that humans will soon be traveling through the space they’re exploring. Lt. Reese hopes to gain strategic information from Kharvamid contacts at the interstellar crossroads, but Scoop is more optimistic about the Ru’ulok (reptilian heavy-gravity pirates) and Zarkonians.

The crew of the Blackbird reconvenes with Lurandi. Syzygy thanks the Ma’ari for their hospitality, and Tela invites Kedar to come along to Oasis Station. He and Tariq accept, with Kedar and Tela bunking in their scout ship’s engineering and Tariq taking Tela’s cabin. (Scoop had already taken Gombo’s quarters.)

Chris seems happy to be free of his cranial implants, but he is still interested in going hunting with Asdann. Aughest-vor asks xenoid Hublo for astrogation advice for avoiding Kuvor’s Veil, a nebula between the Sol system and Ru’ulok territory.

During a private meeting, Capt. Lurandi tells Lt. Reese that she’ll send Felana and a delegation to advise the U.E.A. as soon as possible. Kevin also wants to ask for a cloaking device, but Scoop instead recommends improving long-range FTL communications. Syzygy says they should weigh their options before making any more requests and departing….

I hope that everyone had a good time, even as we had a full basement! Brian, thanks again for picking up dinner from Pronti Bistro, and thanks to everyone for replenishing our munchies. Beruk, I’m glad you were able to make a cameo. I hope that Bruce and Rich can return the favor sometime to Team 2 (the grifters aboard the Appomattox).

I hope to see some of you at the Super MegaFest or whatever game we play during Byron V.O.’s visit this coming Saturday, Nov. 19! Remember that we won’t be role-playing on Nov. 20, 21, or 27, or Dec. 5, and let me know your availability for Nov. 28 and Dec. 12. Have a Happy Thanksgiving, -Gene

“Vortex” Update 5b.23: Bob’s brain

EVA suit for Uplifted dolphin
Delphine ready for space

Fellow role-players, here are my notes for Session 5b.23 of the “Vortex” space opera campaign. Team 2 met on Monday, 7 November 2011, 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

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

-“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./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

>>”22 to 31 October 2194 A.D./C.E. or 0 Terran Galactic Era:” The adventuring party presented its findings in the investigation of the death of preacher Hugh Doyle to the United Ecumenical Movement (U.E.M.). The group transferred custody of wealthy widow Louise Reinhagen, and Archbishop Javier Fuentes alerted law-enforcement authorities around Saturn’s moon Titan to look for Adrian Valentin and Esteban Bakafret, suspected of smuggling, blackmail, and murder.

Hector Chavez asks for surplus military gear from the U.E.M., but the former spy’s companions remind him that it’s more likely to be available from provisioners Amir and Hassan Mukhtadi on Eclipse Station. Hector later acquires a laser rifle with a tripod and multispectrum scope, an old-fashioned revolver, a tactical vest, and a camouflage Ghillie suit.

ARTHERR studies astrogation records for Epsilon Eridani, where the Appomattox is supposed to deliver its cargo of items from the Vatican Museums to unknown recipients. Among other things, the robot learns that slower-than-light generation ships set out from the Sol system in that direction about a century ago and that Luyten’s Star, which may also have human-inhabitable planets, is a likely base for whoever will be getting the relics.

Jasmine decides against having Delphine (“Uplifted” dolphin) astrogator Erta Garza join the crew because of her association with Octopoid (“Uplifted” octopus) Kolidari. The charismatic co-owner of the Lucky Garden Casino was involved in Doyle’s murder and had invited the tiger-woman to work for him. Jasmine also buys a sonic shotgun from the Mukhtadi brothers.

By contrast, Capt. Gabriel Adams asks gynoids Tanya and Galia if they’ll leave Kolidari’s employment to serve on the Appomattox. The “Synths” (artificial sentiences) hesistate, but ARTHERR reassures them that they’ll have no trouble finding work on estrasolar colonies that Terrans are just beginning to establish.

Mr. Richmond Garrett observes the warning of local constable Capt. Garzan Cisneros to avoid further civil disturbances and stays in his cabin. Nero Bartholmew and Averki “Deep Dish” Dyashenko attend to the snake-oil salesman. Richmond joins the vote against Gabriel’s plan to conduct a heist of the Lucky Garden Casino.

The disappointed pilot sets a course for Epsilon Eridani, about 10.5 light-years from Sol or 10 subjective days’ travel in Transit space. Engineer Hector sets up a false registry and transponder code for the luxury yacht as the “Heaven’s Gate” out of New Delhi. He also helps ARTHERR analyze and record each artifact in the cargo.

Unused to long periods of faster-than-light (FTL) travel, Jasmine is restless and practices her marksmanship by checking out the ship’s missiles and firing paintballs at crewmates! The onetime pit fighter and Gabriel disapprove when Hector and Richmond avail themselves of the gynoids’ services.

The “Heaven’s Gate” drops out of Transit as it approaches another vessel on the way to Epsilon Eridani. It is the Chengdu, one of the outbound generation ships that ARTHERR had researched. The grifters hail the would-be colonists, and after some debate, they enter the larger vehicle’s landing bay. Richmond stays behind.

Capt. Adams, Hector, ARTHERR, and Jasmine are welcomed aboard by representatives wearing yellow sashes. Executive officer Chuan Bao and bursar Ghia Shan, grandchildren of the Chengdu‘s original crew, ask for recent news from Earth. They also note that they should have caught up to or heard from earlier waves of interstellar settlers, but they haven’t yet.

The away team takes a tour of the massive space ark. Gabriel goes to the central command-and-control (C&C) deck, where he sees personnel wearing blue sashes (possibly signs of a caste system) carefully watching antique equipment. Hector helps Sigurd Anders, an engineer wearing a red sash, improve efficiency in the heavily shielded ship’s ion drive.

ARTHERR accompanies fellow old-model robot Franz to the hydroponics and medical bays. They also trade information, even though the Ru’ulok (heavy-gravity reptilian alien) FTL drive plans won’t be useful until the Chengdu can trade genetic samples or Terran art for rare elements.

Jasmine learns that only about 5% of the crew are Synths, and she finds some chims (“Uplifted” chimpanzees), as well as Delphines and genetically modified orcas in a large pool. They and the nearly 10,000 human passengers are descended from people who fled overcrowding and religious infighting on Terra. Gabriel and Richmond look for gambling opportunities.

After spending time in C&C, Gabriel has a more intimate dinner with Ghia. The courier explains that now that humanity has FTL capability, newer waves of emigrants may skip Epsilon Eridani and Luyten’s Star for more hospitable and more distant worlds, causing the bursar to question her ancestors’ wisdom.

Hector hacks into the ship’s logs and learns of a Delphine nicknamed “Bob” who was wounded during a collision. ARTHERR searches for him and finds that the unfortunate astrogator’s brain has been hardwired into the ship’s systems! The artificial intelligences interface, and Bob tells ARTHERR that he is very tired, but he can’t be disconnected to sleep without endangering the crew.

Confident that more modern medicine can restore Bob to a whole body and safely disengage him from the Chengdu, ARTHERR seeks help from Sigurd, Franz, and Dr. Rufus Han, an “Uplifted” orangutan and acting captain.

Hector and Jasmine enjoy fresh fruit from the ship’s gardens before working to improve its communications arrays and the Delphines’ walkers. ARTHERR offers to clone himself to substitute for unstable Bob, but Dr. Han denies permission, noting at the Vimeco droid is also still in beta.

Sigurd, Hector, and ARTHERR ultimately manage to begin decoupling Bob’s brain from the Chengdu‘s systems. Dr. Han assures them that he’ll use more recent data from Earth to aid the crippled crewmember.

ARTHERR and Jasmine recommend that Dr. Han contact the Olvar (mammal-like arboreal aliens) rather than the piratical Ru’ulok for FTL components. They also say they’ll look out for other colony ships. Gabriel and Hector prepare the Appomattox to resume on its course to Epsilon Eridani and Luyten’s Star….

Please note that “Vortex” Team 1 (the crew of the Blackbird) is scheduled to meet next Monday, 14 November 2011. Dave, I hope that your presentation at work went well! Paul and Beruk, let me know if either of you will be available for the Pathfinder/Skype: “the Vanished Lands” fantasy telecom game on Sunday, Nov. 13.

Also, remember that we won’t be gaming on Nov. 20 or 21 because Byron V.O. will be visiting from St. Louis the weekend before that! Vote in the poll at the Yahoo/eGroups site, and I hope to see some of you at Super MegaFest or the one-shot on Saturday, Nov. 19. Be seeing you, -Gene

>>P.S.: Here are several types of “Synths” in the “Vortex” universe:

–Artificial intelligences (AIs)/robots: sometimes disembodied; android/gynoid/nonhumanoid, cargo/construction, engineering/mechanic, general purpose, maintenance, military/police, mining, science/exploration (see “ARTHERR”), social/recreational (see Tanya and Galia)

-“Uplifted” (genetically modified) animals (see the works of David Brin):

–Avidians: birds, usually parrots

–Canids: dogs/wolves

–Chims: chimpanzee

–Crocoloids: alligators and crocodiles (see “Deep Dish”)

–Delphines: dolphins and orcas

–Felinoids: great cats (see “Jasmine”)

–Gorths: gorillas, orangutans, and other great apes

–Minotaurs: bovines

—Octopoids: octopi and squids

–Ursoids: bears

-Xenoids: extraterrestrial equivalents

Snow on the scarecrow

 

This just doesn't seem right
Happy Halloween 2011!

After an optometrist appointment on Saturday, 29 October 2011, I drove to the spacious apartment of Josh C. & Sara F. in Abington, Massachusetts, for Josh’s one-shot of Fortune’s Fool. I enjoyed the alternate history/fantasy game, in which I role-played “Giuseppe de Cellini,” an Italian Halfling gentleman rogue and swashbuckler.

I was joined by Bruce K. and Rich C.G., who are in one of my FATE 3e “Vortex” space opera teams, as well as Josh & Sara’s friends Rob & Ginger and Robyn, whom I had met at a cookout. The scenario involved our Player Characters looking for demon summoners around fourteenth century Paris. Despite a slow start, we enjoyed the Fortune’s Fool session, Josh’s punch spiked with mist-making dry ice, and the Chinese food that we ordered. Janice had also baked brownies for the potluck.

We did find Fortune’s Fool‘s rules, which use Tarot cards rather than polyhedral dice for conflict resolution, to be overly specific for combat (reminiscent of D20). They were also a bit “swingy,” granting only about a 50% chance of success for anything, given our average skill levels.

History buffs like Jason E.R. and I also had some questions about why a Renaissance would even be necessary in a world whose demihumans had long lifespans and memories of classical culture and technology, but such details would be more of a concern in a long-term campaign. I’ve tried to blend fantasy and alternate history in my own GURPS Steampunk/D20 Etherscope: “Gaslight Grimoire” adventures.

Bruce, Rich, and I left around dinnertime, before Josh & Sara’s Halloween party, to avoid the worst of an early Nor’easter. Boston’s inner suburbs got only a few inches of wet, heavy snow, but areas north and west of us got as much as a foot. Most of our autumn leaves haven’t even fallen yet, but raking will have to wait until after the snow melts.

Janice and I lost power briefly on Sunday night, but our Verizon FIOS (telephone, Internet, and cable television) was disrupted. Fortunately, we have more than enough to read and watch on DVD in the meantime. For instance, we watched some more 1940s Superman serials, Batman: Year One, and a few episodes of the anime Case Closed.

I thought that Year One was very faithful to the influential Frank Miller/David Mazzucchelli graphic novel, which depicts Bruce Wayne, Jim Gordon, and Selina Kyle at the start of their crime-fighting careers. I also look forward to the all-star voice cast (similar to that of the videogame Batman: Arkham City) for the upcoming direct-to-video release of Justice League: Doom.

Without connectivity or quorum, my Pathfinder/Skype: “the Vanished Lands” telecom fantasy game again didn’t meet last night, and the “Vortex” group is skipping a week because of the holiday. I look forward to greeting trick-or-treaters tonight. Have a Happy Halloween!

P.S.: Verizon will be sending a technician out this coming Thursday, so I won’t have land-line phone, Web, or TV until then. Still, my situation is better than those of the many people still without power. Stay warm!

“Vortex” Update 5a.23 — the Menace on Venice

Land whale
"Venetian land whale"

Fellow role-players, here are my notes for Session 5a.23 of the “Vortex” space opera campaign. Team 1 met on Monday, 24 October 2011, 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

-“Scoop Chang” [Rich C.G.]-male Jovian “near-human,” interstellar reporter kidnapped by the Olvar; psi interested in First Contacts

-“Lt. Kevin Reese” [Bruce K./absent]-male Terran human, burned-out officer and explorer in the Interplanetary Patrol

-“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

>>”22 to 25 October 2194 A.D./C.E. or 0 Terran Galactic Era:” While on the way to Oasis Station, about 40 parsecs from Earth, the crew of the Blackbird had more hallucinations in Transit space, thanks to the REM faster-than-light drive. In their shared dream, the explorers met representations of the experimental Olvar ship and newcomer Scoop Chang, another Terran far from home.

The scout vessel returns to normal space near BD+04-123, a star in in the Andromedae constellation. Syzygy assesses Chris McKee’s cybernetic implants (for eventual removal) and the biomechanical Blackbird, assisted by droid Dr. Bucket.

Tela optimizes Scoop’s hovering newsbot, which he has nicknamed “EVE” and styled to look like an early 20th century flash camera. She adds thrusters and manipulator arms so that it can help the interstellar journalist when he’s outside the ship.

Chris reviews the Olvar Star League database for records on the Zarkonians, a species he glimpsed during the shared hallucination. Agent Prometheus finds that the crab-legged aliens’ armada threatens the Aquarian and Polarian homeworlds. He is wary of Scoop, whose arrival on the Blackbird even engineer Tela can’t explain.

Pilot Aughest-vor… scans the BD+04-123 system — a.k.a. HR 222, GL 333, Hip. 3765, 96 Piscium, or Wolf 25. The orange-red dwarf is orbited by two Neptune-size gas giants, one iceball world, and two rockballs (one hot). There is also a planet in the “Goldilocks” zone, about half an AU (Astronomical Unit, the distance from Earth to Sol) from the star.

Lt. Kevin Reese takes a turn at the helm while Scoop asks Chris and Aughest-vor about their dealings with aliens. They explain their distrust of the Ru’ulok, who have been involved with intrigues on Earth and Mars. Chris and Aughest describe the following extraterrestrial species that they’ve met so far:

-Aquarians/Polarians [created with Carlo R.]: Amphibious humanoids with colonies in a few systems; threatened by Zarkonian Armada

–Boobulons: Green-skinned, three-breasted humanoids on planet “Henson/Hefner” near Beta Canum Venaticorum; Syzygy believes they’re derived from Terran stock by the Encegulans

–Cestolar: Literal-minded, badger-like former Olvar clients; prospectors encountered at Tyche

–Dwellers of the Clouds: Gas-giant dwellers met near Alpha Centauri

–Encegulans: Slug-like slavers from whom Tela escaped

–Gustrall: Orange-furred, antlered, velociraptor-like warriors

–Kutalrin: Robotic scavengers/raiders with hive mind, used “Squltures” and T-inhibitors to trap unwary vessels near Cetus Eridani

–Ma’ari [created by Jenna R.P.]: Diminutive humanoid wanderers; see below

–Meorr [created by Dave F.R-B.]: Lion-like berserkers 

–Nethians: Blue insectoid engineers, members of the Kharvamid Alliance 

–Olvar: Arboreal mammal-like pranksters and mystics; co-founders with the Trinoids of the Kharvamid Alliance 

–Precursors: Ancient starfaring species capable of massive engineering projects such as those near Van Maanen’s Star; current whereabouts unknown 

–Ru’ulok: Heavy-gravity reptilian traders

–Salvorain: Descendants of Aquarian miners near Van Maanen’s Star

-Tharians [created by Sara F.]: Gargoyle-like, pre-FTL aliens; see Tela

–Tolimanian mantiles: Reptilian/insectoid xenomorphs (hostile life forms), pack hunters that communicate via subsonics, encountered near Alpha Centauri

-Trinoids [developed by David I.S., Brian W.]: Three-armed, barrel-trunked xenobiologists; see Syzygy 

–Venetian land whales, carnosaurs, and lampreys: See below

–Xenoids: Synthetic beings created by aliens, similar to humanity’s “Synths” (robots/A.I.s, “Uplifted” animals, genetically engineered humanoids)

-Zarkonians [created by Gene D., Carlo R., Bill B., Jon B., and Ray C.]: Tentacled crustaceans with an interstellar armada; homeworld unknown

Their diplomatic missions have been mostly successful so far. Scoop then interviews Syzygy and Tela about their interest in Terrans, but he is interrupted as the Blackbird enters orbit around a life-bearing planet (96 Piscium B). Tela names it “Venice” after a sunken human city because of a network of canals visible from space.

Lt. Reese and Dr. Bucket stay behind as Aughest, Syzygy, Tela, Chris, and Scoop take the drop ship Dragonfly to the surface. Aughest lands it near a large waterway amid indigo vegetation and bird-like aliens. Syzygy says that the air is breathable, gravity is 80% of Earth’s, and microbes pose a minimal threat. The humans adjust their goggles to shift the visible spectrum to be less stressful on their eyes.

Xenologist Syzygy happily wades into the old canal, and grease monkey Tela glides to a ruined pump station. Curious Scoop asks Chris if the party typically scatters without a First Contact protocol, and the paranoid Black Box agent says that the aliens are often in charge in such situations. Aughest reminds everyone to keep comm channels open.

Although he is unable to identify the canal builders, Syzygy enjoys swimming with fish-like creatures and takes samples until he senses tremors. Tela climbs up the side of the stone building until she finds a round opening into an upper chamber. She climbs in, stepping on squishy, reactive moss. Scoop sends EVE up to provide light and record her findings.

Aughest-vor soon also notices the ground shaking, and he spots a stampeding herd of animals approaching! Scoop surprises everybody by using Genurgy to grow wings, and he carries Aughest to the top of the tower. (Such mutations are very rare among humans.)

Chris calls to Syzygy to get out of the water and hasten to the pump house, where Tela is disappointed to find the strange hydraulics equipment inoperable. The beasts hove into view, and each herbivore has six legs, a wide stalk with sensory organs above a low-slung maw, and a body the size of the Tiger Hawk Sandstorm ground-effect vehicle (which Aughest wishes he had taken)!

From the top of the pumping station, Scoop and Aughest see a dozen large carnosaurs loping at the edges of the panicked herd, which has started crossing the canal. Tela throws a rope to Chris, while Syzygy seeks shelter behind the tower. Fortunately, none of the lumbering Venetian “land whales” collides into him.

While looking for passageways, Aughest falls through a hole to a level below Tela. EVE illuminates numerous crawling creatures, a few of which resemble millipedes with lamprey-like jaws! The onetime playboy calls for some help, and Tela throws down a glow rope but forgets to tether it to something. Aughest tries to fend off the swarm with the rope and asks for another.

Chris and Syzygy eventually pull up Aughest, who has only a few bites that need medical attention. Scoop observes that most of the land-whale herd has passed, so he could fly toward the “Dragonfly” with Aughest. Tela volunteers to follow, and sniper Chris says he’ll cover them.

Scoop uses psionics to thicken his skin and takes off, carrying Aughest, who has a pheromone grenade from Syzygy. Three of the clawed carnivores run after them. Tela follows, gradually descending, but Agent Prometheus’ first shots go wide.

Barely outpacing the predators, Scoop and Aughest-vor get to their drop ship. Scoop establishes communications with the Blackbird, and Aughest frags one of his pursuers with the rail gun, making Chris proud. The Dragonfly picks up the rest of the away team and returns to orbit, just as Lt. Reese warns that a huge vessel has entered the system.

Lurandi, captain of the Talari (ark ship) “Cyan Horizon,” hails the fellow explorers and tells the Blackbird to prepare to be boarded. The Terrans are alarmed, but Syzygy asks the Ma’ari captain to rendezvous in neutral space to trade information on the world they call “Stark.” She agrees to go to “Florence” (96 Piscium C), an airless rocky planet.

Aughest-vor, Tela, and Scoop take the Dragonfly, while Syzygy, Chris, Kevin, and Dr. Bucket stay on the Blackbird. The vacc-suited Terrans and Tharian step onto Florence, where they meet representatives of the Ma’ari, who appear humanoid but less than half the size of humans! Lurandi and trade envoy Rilga coolly invite the delegates to their moon-size ship, but they hesitate.

Syzygy checks the Olvar database and learns that the inquisitive Ma’ari don’t have a homeworld and have been starfarers for about 10,000 Earth years. Chris sits in his gun turret, wary of the massive Talari. Lt. Reese tries to assess whether the nonaligned species is a threat, and Dr. Bucket’s scans indicate as many as 1 million life forms on the space ark!

Scoop is more optimistic about aliens, however, so he and Aughest try to engage the Ma’ari in conversation, despite Tela’s worries. They ask for time to discuss the invitation among their crew, and Lurandi agrees. Meanwhile, Kligba Onagan, a hooded Olvar aboard the Cyan Horizon, privately radios Syzygy and asks to meet on behalf of the Kharvamid Alliance….

Bruce, we missed you at this week’s game! Brian, thanks again for the cheese, and Jason, thanks for bringing The One Ring for us to look at. Josh, I look forward to participating in your Fortune’s Fool one-shot this coming weekend.

Note that the Pathfinder/Skype: “the Vanished Lands” fantasy telecom team won’t be meeting again until Sunday, 6 November 2011, and “Vortex” Team 2 (the crew of the Appomattox) will play on Nov. 7. Have a Happy Halloween, -Gene