“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.

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”

>>”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

“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.

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

“Vanished Lands: the Broken Chains” Update 71 — “I’m not a demon!”

Some of the "Broken Chains" — Some of the "Broken Chains," November 2011

Fellow role-players, here are Josh’s and my notes for the “Vanished Lands: the Broken Chains” fantasy one-shot of Saturday, 19 November 2011, using FATE 3e Legends of Anglerre.

In one ancient world, there was a region where demihumans and magic thrived. Travelers strove to be adventurers, and adventurers strove to become heroes amid wonders and perils.

After the “Liberators,” “Dragonslayers,” and “Seekers of Lore” but before the “Faith-Based Initiative,” “Holy Steel,” and other wanderers explored the northwestern borderlands and the Sea of Nagendwa, the “Broken Chains” united in the Halmed Desert….

>>Some of the “Broken Chains” (originally using D&D3.5):

-“Kemosh-ket” [guest Byron V.O.]-male Anpur Kahin (Jackal-man Druid/Dunewalker) and member of the Order of the Golden Lion; NGl, Lvl. 6/1

-“Kunal Sampat Rajiv Ramaprased” [Beruk A.]-male Harappan human Sa’luk/Dhurtaraka (proto-Indian Rogue) with an oasis stronghold; Align. NGc, age 28, Level 10

-“Val Shriboe” [Brian W.]-male Gokuri Tiefling (devil-touched) Warlock, with Imp assistant Szaboch; former member of the “Faith-Based Initiative”; LNg, Age ~50, Lvl. 9

-“Neela” [Sara F.]-female Wemic Kahin (centauroid leonine Druid); with mate Tar and three cubs; CGn, age 22, Lvl. 9

-“Raz bar-Dini” [Josh C.]-male tattooed Suthern human Sha’ir (proto-Arabic Wizard/Sand Shaper); LGn, age 21, Lvl. 7/3

>>”1 to 6 October 1229 B.C.E., from the correspondence of Raz bar-Dini:” Dear father, it has been good to have helped people from far and wide. It has been too long since I’ve written, but my divination studies often take me away from the comforts of civilization.

As such, I’m saddened to learn that you are currently out of town — no doubt bringing vast wealth to my mother and influence to our house — as I sit in your study penning this note. The latest exploits of the “Broken Chains” have brought me back to Falit for a few days at least. Perhaps I should start at the beginning.

It has been about a year since my adventuring party traveled across the dangerous Halmed Desert together. As you know, I’ve been splitting my time between the Tower of Sight in the capital, my friends’ hidden oasis, and the lost city of Tel Silat.

Mighty Kemosh has defended the oasis, escorted me safely to the archaeological site, and helped other former slaves. Kunal, a successful vendor of chilled snacks, had been trading with the Vanaka (Dune Dwarves).

Our good friend Neela and her mate Tar were raising their cubs Iben, Nika, and Nar at our secret sanctuary. Honorable “Mumtaz” [Brian] had returned north to the cruel Garku Nasit, and eccentric preacher “Killian” [Greg D.C.] had taken up residence at Emein Island. I’ve lost track of our other associates.

Several days ago, I was visiting the den of Neela, whose love for her cubs is already the stuff of legend. I was scribbling arcane characters on an exterior wall, working on a magical formula of recent discovery, when a horned being suddenly appeared before me!

“Val August” spoke in Hifalendorin (northern human common) and offered to perform a service if I returned him from whence he came. The red-skinned man appeared to be middle aged, with fine robes and slippers and a winged Imp named Szaboch.

Val said he had been working as a tax collector in the town of Pledwilt. He was just with Halfling assistant Oswald serving baronet “Kurick” [Dave S.C.] on the distant Plains of Sathendo!

I determined that this creature couldn’t be a Djinn or Efreet, as he didn’t know the Suthern tongue. I then summoned Kemosh, whose valor is known from Falit to the corrupt tribes of Tel Silat — may the great Isis visit a pox on each of their houses. I asked the tall Anpur to make a quick patrol to ensure that nothing else had come through with our noble “daemon” guest.

Neela herded her unruly cubs indoors, placed them under Tar’s care, and came to see the newcomer. Meanwhile, Kemosh called on Kunal, whose frozen treats are becoming known to all who need them, interrupting his negotiations with some Vanaka. The Kahin told the Sa’luk that he had found a dead camel at the edge of the oasis, opposite of where Val had appeared to me.

Kemosh and Kunal had begun following tracks back toward us when we all heard an unearthly voice ask, “Where is he? Where are they?” I ran toward them and beheld a large naked humanoid whose swollen pink skin was dotted with irregular tufts of hair. From its fingers dangled torturer’s blades, already stained with the blood of another visitor to our oasis.

Clawed Kemosh then leaped from a rock face to the monster and raked it. The horror split open like an oozing sausage and expressed masochistic pleasure. Nimble Kunal slashed with his adamantine saber, and Warlock Val drew a wand and threw fire at the beast, whose infernal nature protected it.

Wise Neela cast Entangle, blocking the Outsider’s progress with oasis vegetation, and I cast Desiccate on its wounds, seemingly stopping them from unnaturally swift healing. My gorge rose, but I managed to rejoin the fight. Kemosh blocked a heavy blow with his four claws.

Kunal stepped back, switched to a sling, and pulled out his sack of enchanted stones. I began Calling Sand from the desert’s edge, while Szaboch gave Val a scroll of Comprehend Languages. The knowledgeable Imp identified our foe as a Amaimon, an interrogator from the Nine Hells.

Even as Kemosh continued clawing, Rogue Kunal hurled a sling stone, which turned into a boulder as it flew! It went straight through the torso of the devil, revealing innards of pink flesh without bones or organs. Neela called to her fellow Druid Kemosh to play tug of war with the Amaimon, who taunted Val. The horned gentleman tried to Bewilder the hunter, to no avail.

After much dodging and tugging, the one tough mother and Anpur — with help from Kunal and me — rended the devil (not Val) limb from limb. Kemosh and I ground the still-regenerating remains into a paste, embedded them in rocks, and separated the rocks.

Although I guessed that Val had tried to escape former diabolical overlords — and who hasn’t? — he claimed to be from the Prime Material plane of existence, like whoever summoned the Amaimon and him. At least fierce Neela and the so-called Tiefling don’t hold me responsible for this awkward meeting.

Since we were all restless and wanted to get Val home, we bade farewell to Tar and the cubs, the Vanaka sand ship, and the oasis (we blindfolded Val as a precaution). A few days’ ride later, we arrived here, the capital of the Ebir Sheikdom. Falit‘s bustling soukhs have changed little in the past months, but we have seen things in cities and out in the sands that few have imagined.

My counter-scrying had found that whatever had called the Amaimon was lurking beneath a wadi (dry stream bed) and long-abandoned oasis. We went to consult with my colleagues at the Tower of Wind, but Kunal made himself scarce rather than face another ordeal at the Mumlak krak (castle of slave/soldiers to the caliph). The Sa’luk said he had to see some guild or another, probably about smuggling.

After months of “roughing it,” I was glad to behold the three towers of sorcery, especially the wide windows of the Tower of Wind. Flying carpets, winged mounts, Wizards in flight, and avian familiars filled the bright sky. I asked around and found my old friend Tarzu, a mist-shrouded Djinni with an opal gem in his turban.

Tarzu confirmed that Val was not a demon and that I may have just intercepted the summoning that brought him and the Amaimon to our oasis. Val seemed relieved to have been spared a worse fate and hoped to return home (Pledwilt, not the kingdom of Gokuri).

Kemosh and Neela, however, were determined to go to the dead oasis to root out the evil there, especially after we had knocked out the magical barrier [intended to block “Holy Steel”]. Kemosh and the Order of the Golden Lion were more worried about feral Anpur to the west and Hobgoblin legions from the north, and Neela wanted nobody to be able to track back to her cubs. I met with them and Val at a coffee shop to talk about our next misadventure….

Byron, it was great to see you this past weekend, and I hope that everyone enjoyed our latest foray in the “Vanished Lands!” I thought that our quick-and-dirty conversions from D&D3.5 to FATE 3e Legends of Anglerre worked well enough, even though a longer-term campaign would require a closer look at aspects, powers, and items.

In the meantime, please note that the next FATE 3e “Vortex” space opera will be Team 2 (the crew of the Appomattox) on Monday, 28 November 2011. The Pathfinder/Skype: “the Vanished Lands” telecom group is scheduled to meet again on Sunday, Dec. 4, and “Vortex” Team 1 (the crew of the Blackbird) on Monday, Dec. 12. Have a Happy Thanksgiving! -Gene

Byron’s visit and Super MegaFest 2011

This past week, I attended another going-away party for a co-worker, this time for Pat O., with whom I share a birthday. We went to Watch City Brewery on Waltham’s Moody Street. It’s a bit more spacious and easier to park near than Union Station in Newton, Massachusetts. However, it’s also farther from the “T,” which causes difficulties for those without cars. I’ve been busy with editing assignments in advance of Thanksgiving.

Byron V.O., an alumnus of the local role-playing groups who now lives in St. Louis, was in the Boston area this past week for work. On Friday, 18 November 2011, Byron met Thomas K.Y. & Kai-Yin H. at Janice’s and my place. We had dinner at Bertucci’s and hung out for a few hours afterward, talking about food, history, and movies.

The next day, Byron and I drove out to the Sheraton Framingham for the annual Super MegaFest, where we met Ken G. The genre entertainment convention was especially crowded this year because of headliner Patrick Stewart. Janice and I had seen the British actor years ago, but Ken got a pricey VIP pass despite some reservations.

Byron and I got autographs from Tia Carrere (of Relic Hunter and Kull the Conqueror) and Sean Astin (Goonies and the Lord of the Rings trilogy). We also met Antony Michael Hall, who starred in popular 1980s films and more recent TV dramas, and Deal or No Deal model Patricia Kara.

We also saw other celebrities, classic vehicles, several fans in costume, and various vendor tables. There were more apparel suppliers than in past years, but fewer comic book or RPG sellers. Videos and toys held steady. Byron and I ducked out to Acapulco’s for lunch while Ken attended Stewart’s panel discussion. Fortunately, the weather was nice. Byron later won a gift basket of Star Wars memorabilia in a charity raffle.

Byron and I got back to my place in Needham, Mass., in time to meet Beruk A. Janice cooked Sloppy Joes for dinner, and we converted Player Characters from D&D3.5 to FATE 3e Legends of Anglerre for the “Vanished Lands: the Broken Chains” fantasy one-shot scenario. Brian W., Sara F., and Josh C. arrived after dinner.

I’ll post separately about the session, in which an adventuring party reunited in the Halmed Desert to deal with devils and return the city of Falit. The quick-and-dirty conversion worked fairly well — we’d have to review magic more carefully for an ongoing campaign — and I hope everybody had fun getting back into character.

I think Legends of Anglerre would be good for a new group and for simplifying higher-level characters. Most of my midlevel D&D and Pathfinder gamers would likely resist, however, because they have a lot of money and attachment invested in the current system and numerous powers/items. A few people have suggested using the modern supernatural Dresden Files, but I’d rather stick with Legends of Anglerre for traditional fantasy.

After another late night talking about politics, religion, and family, Byron and I drove back out to Framingham to pick up his gift basket. We saw a few more costumes and had an easier time walking around the show, which was quieter on a Sunday morning. Janice had made breakfast, and we grabbed lunch at Wild Willy’s before Byron headed to the airport. Soon, millions of Americans will also be traveling!

“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.

>>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