Your relaxation on Kraatar is brief but helpful. You have successfully been fully healed and are ready for the next step of this journey.

It does not take long to find his trail. They have tracked LeGrange to a planet called Mahg Mar, just newly discovered. It is a planetary system in the vicinity of a Waller Nexus (a black hole with atypical gravitational patterns and other unaccountable phenomena). It is a recently discovered Eden, a beautiful planet with an abundance of water and oxygen and a favorable climate for life. Indeed, the rich greens of the continental masses are visible from orbit, and there was much enthusiasm and anticipation for a first-hand look at the planet. The bioscience reports suggested substantial probability of higher life forms.

Going to Mahg Mar was the backup plan of LeGrange, as discovered in his computer records and following the space contrail of his passage. It is also not too distant for travel.

Lucky for you, there is an exploration ship on Kraatar that was going to explore that planet and is tailor made for this mission. Granted, it is equipped for exploration, not tracking down a potential genocidal maniac, but who's to quibble?

The ship called the Eleanor Moreas has a crew of six, as follows:

Winston Marlboro (Captain): Always addressed as "Captain Marlboro,' the Captain is a rather distant and formal character. He is experienced and well trained, though unimaginative and conventional. He has an unblemished record of successfully completed missions. However, he seems to be near the end of his career. He is a human about 60 years old, and a Star law Ranger.

Bill Terry (First Officer): A native to Kraatar and Star Law Ranger, he is an excellent pilot chosen for this mission. He is a young human officer of about 30 and has been with Captain Marlboro for just over a year. He increasingly assumes responsibilities of command as the Captain ages. The other crew members think of him like a captain and admire his energy, passion and hard work. He had even been helping to track down LeGrange after the initial break away of LeGrange and the rise of the KLC prior to joining Captain Marlboro.

Pradi Innesti (Engineer): An undistinguished but reliable ship's engineer, Innesti is a seasoned veteran, a middle aged Yazirian. He knows everything about the Eleanor Moraes that is worth knowing. He has memorized every detail of her blueprints and specifications, and can quote from them as though they were sitting in front of him. He is shy and quiet, and seldom speaks unless spoken to. He can be relied upon to improvise repairs or jury rig equipment in emergencies.

Sporss Krekek (crewman): A typical starship crewman in character, Sporss is a well-trained, reliable technician. His Vrusk background makes him a willing and dedicated worker, although he complains that Bill Terry gets on his case unreasonably.

Mormord Massod (Crewman) and Brogod Om borg (Crewman): These two crewmen are old friends who have been together since they joined the service 30 years ago. They are inseparable companions on and off ship, probably because no one else can appreciate the stale jokes and philosophical arguments they love to share. They are not particularly hard workers, but they always seem to get enough done to get by. Their wealth of experience and persistent good spirits make them excellent crewmen on long expeditions.


The Eleanor Moreas is a 40 meter long ship with atomic engines that need frequent overhauls. But its size and construction give it a rare ability to easily land and leave a planet, helpful for exploratory missions. As an exploration ship, it does not have all the bells and whistles, but it has a survey airship. The survey airship is a small ship used for scouting around a planet with only a 100 kph speed but a large 20 person capacity interior and 1000 kg in 100 cubic meters of storage capacity, great for samples and taking in scientists, and they can go a whopping 20,000 km without refueling. It is also nearly silent and camouflaged to avoid disrupting native inhabitants.

Your job will be to land in the Eleanor Moreas and take the airship to find LeGrange. We need him alive to help with the Qantariate problem. Travel to and from Mahg Mar is 4 days each. You estimate 27 days until the Qantariate invasion. This gives you 19 days to track down LeGrange, get his cooperation, and find a solution.

Your gear is being loaded in the dock when you meet Captain Marlboro and XO Terry near the entrance of the Eleanor Moreas.

Marlboro nods. "Good to meet you all. I was looking to explore this planet, not track down a fugitive, but orders are orders. We have four days ahead of us, so make yourselves comfortable."

Terry salutes. "Bill Terry here. Did you actually meet LeGrange? What was he like? They say he is a genius. I met him a couple years ago, but we were unable to capture him."

They seem to be waiting for you to introduce yourselves.

NOTE: I thought this might be a good time to reintroduce your characters and their general race, skill sets, etc. because so much time has passed.
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:45, Thu 10 Sept 2020.

"Names Bartja", says the Yazirian, extending a hand to each man in turn after setting down the kits he carries (Medkit and Techkit).

"I study Mechanical Engineering and Pre-Med at the University of Hyyay, Hakosoar in Scree Fron." An older Maintenance Robot stops behind Bartja, carrying the remainder of his personal affects for loading onto the ship.

"This is Shemp.  He does all the dirty work."

Turning to Captain Marlboro, Bartja adds, "I too had hoped we'd have time to properly explore this new planet!  You never know who you'll meet; what they can teach you; what technology they can share; or what herbs we'll find for our medkits next!  It's a shame we're going in such a rush."

After the introductions are through, Bartja moves on into the ship to find his quarters and do a little exploration of the available medical bay and tools on-board.

S'Krllk wanders, somewhat, giving the impression he's thinking of something else. But he does respond to Bill Terry's inquiry.
"I'm S'Krllk, not really a fan of LeGrange, but I suppose he could be a genius. Isn't it common for them to go mad?"

Desiraye walks up with the other members of the team and makes introductions, respectfully to the mission commanders.  She drops her small carry-on and extends her hand to each one, "Sirs!  It's very good to meet you both.  I'm Desiraye Lipost, some of my team might say that I'm the Team Leader for us?

LeGrange is brilliant and the amount of tine we have to find him is critical!  I guess we can all get up to speed on our four day hop to the system?  I, We, look forward to working with your team Captain Marlboro."

Orvo slowly makes his way up to the impromptu meet and greet and announces himself, "Good day to you newer beings.  I am Orvo and I am the units medic and dabbling mentalist."

S'Krllk nods, "we had a doctor, but he died due to the machinations of certain madmen. You'll have to watch out for those madmen, Orvo. It would be nice to keep a medic around."
The vrusk ambles around to Bartja, deliberately walking by the assembled crew while watching for hidden disgust. "I tend to the equipment, if you need any maintenance en route to our destination, I'll be happy to lend an appendage."
When he reaches Shemp, S'Krllk mumbles "scan robot".

"I hope my tenure is longer than your last medic S'Krllk and my skills can be of use.  All in all, I still have much to learn!"

Terry nods appreciatively and eyes Orvo curiously. He scowls at S'Krllk but doesn't say anything, and you can assume he has the same prejudices against Vrusk that many on this planet still carry with them.

He says, "Well, it'll be a few minutes while the astrogation is all set up and the equipment is being secured. You each have bunks but it will be tight quarters until we get there. So it sounds like we have a military specialist, a medic, a mechanic, an equipment bug, and what about the rest?" He looks at Hammer and Porter.

Captain Marlboro nods and excuses himself to help on the bridge.

Hammer steps forward. "They call me Hammer. I am a biosocial environmentalist, with skills in environmental and psychosocial skills. I also have a little bit of medical background. Due to recent events, I am also getting handy with a gun. I am a Mechanon, which is a race on Volturnus. Although a created species of intelligent robot created by the Eorna, we have evolved into freethinking, self-aware and sentient beings. We run by logic, not emotion, and luckily, 95 percent of us have overcome our original built in need to destroy all living things." He pauses at this last, realizing that, although logical and true, it may not have been the best statement in a social setting. He quickly adds with a tilt of the head, "I am part of the 95 percent and pleased to meet you."

Porter walks in wearing a crisp, clean military skiensuit and snaps a salute at the captain.

"Sergeant Porter Min, UPF Marine Recon, on assignment to Star Law. It's my pleasure to serve under your command, Captain."

OOC: I'm still on vacation, so not able to post often, but I am checking the updates most days.

Last call to finalize equipment lists.

After your greetings, the ship is fully loaded and you head off. The ship itself is definitely tight quarters, as Terry warned. The Captain and Terry stay on the bridge most of the time, with Terry running around taking care of things while the Captain typically stares out the window and gives a few orders here and there. The crew primarily keeps to itself, but everyone is cordial, with Terry being the most vocal of anyone. He is also friendly, though he doesn't speak to S'krllk, his prejudices again being subtly on display.

Four days later, you find yourself orbiting Mahg Mar.

SIXTEEN DAYS TO QANTARIATE INVASION

Mahg Mar is a beautiful planet with an
abundance of water and oxygen and a favorable climate for life. Indeed, the rich greens of the continental masses were visible from orbit, and as Captain Marlborough explains as you enter the bridge and look at the beautiful planet from orbit, "There was much enthusiasm and anticipation for a first-hand look at the planet. We are some of the first. It is a Goldilocks planet that was hidden from view due to interference from its binary system, or we would have found it long ago."

Terry interrupts as everyone still stares at the beautiful planet. "It was actually LeGrange who found the planet. It was his genius that detected something in the data that everyone else missed. Not only that, but the data we retrieved from LeGrange's dataports indicate that he found signs that there may be a high probability of higher life forms."

Captain Marlborough says, "Thorough mapping and remote study of the planet has been made during the last couple hours we have been in orbit.  We are the first to do any sort of mapping, and the first from the known galaxy to get this close to the planet."

"Other than LeGrange," Terry says with a laugh.

"Yes," the Captain concedes, "other than LeGrange. We also placed an automatic survey satellite in orbit. It will transmit various information back to the Planetary Survey Administration in addition to helping us find anomalies to find LeGrange."

Terry is eyeing the equipment and readouts carefully. "We have tracked the contrail of LeGrange's ship to a roughly 100 square kilometer area. The Moreas has a detachable hull, and we can take the ship in its smaller form to land, leaving the freighter hull in orbit with the other long distance and heavier materials like the star drives. What we plan to do is land at the southeast corner of this quadrant. Then we will have you and some crew members fly the survey airship to scout out and try to find him."

The survey airship is a small ship used for scouting around a planet with only a 100 kph speed but a large 20 person capacity interior and 1000 kg in 100 cubic meters of storage capacity, great for samples and taking in scientists, and they can go a whopping 20,000 km without refueling. It is also nearly silent and camouflaged to avoid disrupting native inhabitants.

These semi-rigid lighter-than-air vehicles are normally used for survey and colonization. Their economical operation, high cargo capacity, extensive range, and low tech design make them useful and versatile. Two gondolas and collapsible flotation chambers are carried in hangars in each lander module. Gondolas are custom designed for specific applications. Survey robots act as tugboats for the assembly, inflation, mooring, and remote landing of these airships. To safely operate an airship, the pilot needs a level 4 technician
skill.

The Captain interrupts Terry at this point to explain, "Initial testing revealed mildly toxic compounds in the atmosphere, but I have given permission for the airship to make this run, given the importance of finding LeGrange."

You suit up, strap in, and prepare for detachment of the Moraes and landing. As you descend through the atmosphere, the planet seems even more lush and Eden-like. When the landing goes off without a hitch, Terry hoots in delight. "Everything's going according to plan," he says. "Just perfect." As the Captain prepares diagnostics, Terry punches some buttons on the communicators. Then he says to you, "Time to go find LeGrange. Are you ready for this?" He smiles at you.

The Captain explains, "I am setting up the airship mooring tower now just outside the ship. The airship is also being inflated so we can go."  The Captain pauses to make sure he has your attention. "Our mission is LeGrange. We must avoid contact with possibly intelligent inhabitants of the planet. I discussed logistics with Terry, and I will pilot the airship and be in charge of the away mission. Engineer Innesti will accompany us, and you will help with the operational logistics on the ground. Terry will stay here with the other three crew members. Local time is approximately 8:00 a.m." He pushes some more buttons. "The survey robot is now preparing to act as escort for us." He unstraps and says, "If there are not any further questions, let's head out."

The Engineer Innesti appears at the bridge door, and the Captain says, "Is the airship ready?"

Innesti says, "Yes, fully equipped. It has medical equipment, including freeze fields, staydose and the necessities, paragliders for all. Its radiophone is fully functioning and communicating with our orbital satellites. The survey robot is also in place, and we have the hand controller in the gondola. We have full fuel cartridges, plenty of fuel, food and water, extra engine fuel and lubricants, an alarm control system with video, audio and motion sensors."

"Good," says Marlboro, "just in case we need to find LeGrange or prevent a surprise attack."

Innesti continues his inventory, "We have fifteen 20 SEU power clips, extra flotation chamber fabric, emergency oxygen and helium tanks, toolkits with plenty of wire and extra parts, and control power packs. And due to the slight toxicity in the atmosphere, we have loaded up enough breathers for everyone."

The Captain says, "What happens if we don't use the breathers?"

Innesti says, "The atmosphere is breathable, but over an extended period of time, we would experience headaches, dizziness, and rapid exhaustion. We also have 3 pressurized bivouac units that can be used without the breathers."

He hands you all the full list of equipment:


14 PERSONAL SURVIVAL KITS

Each contains:
machete
everflame
allweather blanket
first aid pack
chronocom
8 survival ration packages
1 tangler grenade
1 compass
1 life jacket
10 vitasalt pills
1 pocket tool
1 flashlight
1 doze grenade
1 0-meter rope
toxyrad gauge
4 liters of water in water packs
1 pair sungoggles
1 environmental suit with breather
1 poly-vox
1 laser pistol with a 20 SEU clip

3 EMERGENCY BIVOUAC UNITS
(pressurized insulated tents) 3 x 3 meters in floor area. Air lock attached. Contains a mechanical air pump for pressure to support walls and roof. Filtration system provides safe air. Provides some temperature protection. 30 structural points (deflates after 10
points of damage. Fabric is water proof and air-tight. Sleeps 4

3 INFLATABLE RAFTS
1.5 x 3 meters in area. Carries 4 passengers or 3 passengers with gear. 20 structural points
Inflated and deflated with cannisters of compressed C02.

4 INFRA-RED GOGGLES
10 FREEZE FIELD GENERATORS
2 LASER RIFLES
5 POWER BACKPACKS
8 COLD LIGHT LANTERNS (with internal
chemical power source)
1 TECHKIT
1 ROBCOMKIT
1 MEOKIT
1 ENVIRONKIT
1 TOPOGRAPHIC MAP (Map 1)
1 PLANETARY SURVEY DATA PACKET


To this, you can also add your personal gear that you carry with you.

The Captain looks over the list and says, "This sounds about right. Any questions before we head out?"

S'Krllk says, "excuse me, Captain. Did any of the scans indicate the level of technology the local inhabitants possessed? They should, at least, have guns. If no one's shooting at us it feels like the Universe doesn't care, anymore."

The captain looks at Terry for an answer, and Terry responds, "We are not aware of any specific intelligent species or major signs of technology. You are likely just to encounter numerous types of animal-like creatures. No reason to suspect higher thought processes. But our scans do not pick up too much as far as technology or intelligence, or else we would have had a better sense of where LeGrange landed."

Hammer gets geared up and ready. He has added some non-lethal weapons to his weaponry repertoire in the hopes of catching LeGrange alive. "No time like the present," he says, waiting to see if everyone is ready to head out.

Bartja snorts as he tries to suppress laughter at the Vrusk sense of humor.  With his University studies interfering in his adventuring career, he'd forgotten the sense of camaraderie that comes with the nervous energy of stepping into the unknown.

Surveying the airship, he can't help but wonder if this dirigible is sturdy enough to survive a rough landing should it become necessary.  Glad to have the paragliders as backup, he still feels a bit safer using his own skin to bail from any problems at altitude.

"Is the air full of sulfur dioxide or is this a carbon monoxide environment?" he asks, turning to Hammer for the answers.  "Either way seems to indicate a planet with some kind volcanic activity or an overabundance of organics in decomposition.  With all this greenery, I vote for the latter.  Let's hope that it's not es oh two or our circuited friends will begin to suffer from it before too long."

Bartja takes one of the personal survival kits and then adjusts his sungoggles before loading Shemp with the extra tool kits, bivouacs, and life rafts.  Glad to have a porter along, a twinge of guilt dampens his mood as he thinks of Hammer and Shemp possibly short-circuiting during this mission.  He habitually checks his toxyrad gauge to see how bad the air is, then double-checks the seal on his breather and then the zipper on his environmental suit.
This message was last edited by the player at 01:18, Fri 14 Feb 2020.

Terry has turned to his equipment to run computations, but he turns back around and says, scratching the back of his head as though it has an itch, "The air is breathable and carbon monoxide based. It simply has some toxins which are harmful over long periods of exposure. Keep on your breathers and your environmental suits and you should be just fine. LeGrange probably did not have them. Probably."

NOTE: The character effects will start after 3 hours of unprotected exposure: -30% intuition and logic, -20 stamina and unable to travel more than 8 hours without rest.  It will slowly get worse (5% per hour), but unconsciousness (and eventual death) would occur after 13 hours without protection. You return to normal after 10 hours of being removed from the toxins.

You all get into the airship. Terry and three crew members remain on board the Moraes while you travel with Captain Marlboro and Engineer Innesti. The survey robot helps guide you. It is just after 8:00 a.m. when you leave, and the overflight scanning begins. You spend over two hours searching and scanning...and finding nothing. You get further and further away from the Moraes, and then it happens...

While cruising over the rugged ridge and valley terrain northwest of the Moraes, the survey robot suddenly turns and attacks your airship! In seconds, the fragile airship is seriously damaged and rapidly losing altitude. With an emergency override from the airship's control panel, Engineer Innesti swiftly deactivates the robot. However, the damage has already been done.

The captain and engineer valiantly struggle to maintain control of the plummeting craft, but it is in vain. "Ship down. Ship Down!" the Captain yells out to you all. Everyone runs to their parawings, which act like parachutes from the airship. You jump to safety from the falling craft, gliding with the parawings.



But the engineer is too late to get full use of the parawing, and the captain rides the crippled ship to the ground in a futile attempt to soft land it.

Both are now seriously injured. Fortunately, your landings were not widely scattered, and everyone gathers at the scene of the crashed airship in a matter of minutes to assess the situation.

The radiophone transmitter in the airship gondola was destroyed in the crash, and the transmission range of your chronocoms is too limited to reach the Moraes. However, Bill Terry establishes contact from the ship. His message is brief.

"I directed the survey robot's attack on the airship. I am very sorry if there were casualties, but LeGrange's work is too important to be stopped now. I told you I met him a couple years ago. I actually joined him. I am his rescue team. And no, he is not anywhere near the area you're searching. Sorry for the red herring. He will be joining me by nightfall, and then we will be off as soon as these star drives are repaired. I hope you enjoy your new home planet."

With that, he signs off. Three other crew members remain on the Moraes, but there is no way to discover their fate. Approximately 48 more hours of work are necessary to complete the overhaul of the star drives before Terry can take off.

48 hours remaining

SITUATION ANALYSIS

Captain Marlboro and Engineer Innesti are seriously injured. The flotation chambers of the airship are damaged beyond repair. The airship's gondola is quite damaged, but still in one piece, thanks to Captain Marlboro's heroic efforts. It may still be airtight.

You must regain control of the Moraes and find out what has happened to Terry and the other crew members. If Terry lifts off, you'll be stranded here, and LeGrange will have escaped. The Qantariate invasion will happen, and the known galaxy is likely to be forever altered and taken over by the Qantariate and Sathar.

To recover the ship, you must cross 80 kilometers of an alien planet, facing unknown flora, fauna, and other natural obstacles.

Once you arrive at the Moraes, Terry may use the offensive resources of the ship against you. He has at his disposal at least two other survey robots, the remaining weapons, the security programs of the ship, and anything else he can improvise in the meantime. You don't know if the crew members are working with him or are potential hostages.

With the survey robots, Terry can monitor and attack you as you approach. You have only your personal weapons, skills, and wits.
This message was last edited by the GM at 06:17, Fri 14 Feb 2020.

Desiraye stands with her hands on her hips, taking in the scenery, and trying to assess their situation.  Letting out a sigh,she turns and addresses the survivors.  "OK people!  We need to get a quick but, accurate assessment of our casualties and equipment.  Who and what can travel.

Eighty klicks and forty-eight hours to make it back to the Moraes before we become indigenous peoples of this planet.

We need to break out the maps and surveys to see what route is going to be the quickest by land or if there's a way by water, we need to look at it.

Orvo, see after our wounded.  If there's anyone else that's got some medical background, I'm sure he can use a hand!

Sarge, Hammer. Weapons & ammo check.  I'll be with you on and off.  Let me know if you come up with anything critical and what we may need to break into a ship or, shoot it down!

Bartja,S'Krllk, see what works and what doesn't.  Any thing that can get us back to the ship quickly, we'll take it.

I'll be bouncing around from group to group and trying to pull security."

OOC: Did I miss anything/anyone?

After a quick nod to Batja, S'Krllk reacts by interfacing with the Master-Comp in his new setup.

He alters the current commands in the Master-Comp to be
• scan all nearby equipment, electrical and mechanical, indicate necessary repairs and possible salvage, and possible uses any salvage
• scan anything resembling a map or survey of the area and determine the fastest route to Moraes
• attempt to locate a method of communicating with the downed survey robot in view of subverting it to our use

Once the list is set and the Master-Comp running, S'Krllk begins to pace around the area to insure he has scanned everything available.

10:00 a.m.

Orvo begins checking the wounded:

DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT OF CAPTAIN MARLBORO AND ENGINEER INNESTI

Captain Marlboro is seriously injured (-35 stamina points), but not beyond treatment. You realize that a successfully applied freeze field will preserve him until he can receive major surgery in the proper facilities on the ship. (But you have to get him there.)

Innesti is injured but less so (-15 stamina points). A successful med assessment shows you two options: (1) you can give him a shot of staydose followed by two shots of biocort in
the next 24 hours, or (2) you can also use a freeze field on him.

You can carry Captain Marlboro and lnnesti with you, but doing so will slow you down and make you more vulnerable to animals.

The airship gondola is still airtight and offers strong bulkheads and effective locks and security systems. Marlboro and Innesti offer to stay in the airship gondola so that you can quickly and freely go take control of the Moraes.

"Just don't forget to come back for us," Captain Marlboro says weakly.

Innesti says he can come with the party if you want, but he is injured and he might slow you down, especially his injured leg.

You will need to decide how to handle them.

S'krllk begins doing the equipment scans for communication, robot, mapping and the like.

DISTRESS SIGNALS

The only subspace radios in the expedition are aboard the Moraes and the satellites orbiting above the planet. The airship's radiophone is damaged beyond repair, so it can't be used to relay a message to the satellites' subspace radios. Terry controls the only other radiophones powerful enough to reach the satellites (the radios in the other airship, the lander module, the aircar, the explorer, and the Moraes itself).

THE SURVEY ROBOT

After the attack, Innesti deactivated the survey robot remotely, but his equipment to do so was destroyed in the crash. No undestroyed or improvised equipment that can deactivate a robot by remote control is available to you.

HOWEVER, you can control the survey robot with the hand controller stored in the gondola.

Hand Controller:


S'krllk successfully detects that the robot will respond to the hand controller so long as you do not sever its link with the Moraes.

The robot's radio transmitter (computer link) is too weak to reach the satellites to relay a mayday. S'krllk checks to see if any connection can be made to affect the Moraes because the computer-robot link is still active, but the robot is not a remote terminal. It can only transmit sensor data or radio signals, and cannot access the computer without the password.

S'krllk also determines that the robot has limited power and range. It has enough power left to fly 950 km or hover for 950 minutes, or any combination of both adding up to 950. An alarm on the hand controller warns when there are only 2 km (or minutes) worth of power left in the battery.

S'krllk also uses his mechanical skills to determine that the robot's battery may be partially recharged from the power backpacks, providing an additional kilometer or minute of
night per SEU transferred to the robot's battery. (Power backpacks store 100 SEU.)

The robot is not designed as a shuttlecraft, and Bartja and S'krllk agree that such use is risky for both robot and cargo that will become more and more risky up to 50 kg. Improvising a sling or frame to transport more than 50 kg will causes a forced landing and damage within seconds of takeoff and require time for repairs (at least an hour). Weight less than that will be gradually more dangerous of a crash landing (rolls will be made).

S'krllk also sets you all about scavenging to see what can be salvaged:


SALVAGING EQUIPMENT FROM THE AIRSHIP

Salvaging equipment will take a skill from the type of item being salvaged and the appropriate tech kit, as well as a roll for success.

You scavenge around and find the items in green in the inventory above. From these, you could theoretically make the following jerry rigged items:



Adapting the items takes the time listed and requires the role listed.


It takes about an hour of activity to get your bearings, talk to the injured, look around for salvage items, and get your gear together.

11:00 a.m.

You are generally northwest of the Moraes, so you need to travel somewhat southeast.

The map is divided by hexes, so overland travel will be N, NE, SE, S, SW, and NW. Each travel point will equal 2 kilometers.

You will have various challenging terrain to cross, so sometimes going SE will not be the best (or even possible) choice.



Before taking off, you should decide:

1) What to do with Innesti (bring or leave).
2) Whether to make salvage adaptations for the trip.
3) Whether to experiment with and learn the hand controller if you want to take the survey robot.
4) What direction you want to travel, and any other party coordination.
5) Anything else you want to do.

This part of the adventure requires meticulous attention to time. We will also introduce rules to fatigue and so forth for pushing yourselves through the wilderness.

You scavenge the map for the area as well. The following shows your crash site in the northwest. The Moraes is somewhere in the southeast beyond the two crossing rivers.



(You also have floorplans for the Moraes, but we will--if you survive--get to them in the future.)

You are currently in a forested area.
This message was last edited by the GM at 05:02, Mon 17 Feb 2020.

In reply to GM Heath (msg # 19):
Let's try to take this in some kind of order.

I know it's kind of messed up about leaving people behind in some circles but,
I believe that if we minimally try to take Innesti with us, he's going to slow us down, no matter what our travel route is.

Innesti & the Captain have already agreed, I think the better course of action is to leave them secured in the airship gondola.  It would give the rest of us a better chance to get to the ship before it can leave us here.  Once, and IF, we can get to the ship, we should have whatever assets it has left to retrieve the two injured here.

Worst case scenario, it's going to be a three [3] day walk(ish) back to our new planet and the wounded.

"Captain, you have our word that we'll be back for you one way or the other.  You and Innesti will be good until we get back, yes?"

"I can offer to put one or both of you in a freeze field?"

Barja nods in agreement at the suggestion to place the Captain and Innesti in stasis.

"If we succeed in regaining the Moraes, we'll come back to get you.  If we don't get there before they take off, we'll come back and establish our base and new lives here.  If we fail in taking the Moraes, then your chances here for survival are better than ours - at least until the powerpacks run out."

Looking over the items that can be salvaged and repurposed, Bartja considers the possibility of setting up the alarms (video, motion, or infra-red).  "Best bet for the injured is securing them in the Gondola until we can return.  I could take time to rig up some security features, but I think it would be a waste of time.  We might make good use of the flotation chamber fabric and helium to rig up a cargo balloon to take with us.  Of course if it breaks loose, any gear on it is lost unless we over-weight it and one of us carries it.  Might anchor it to Shemp here and use the Helium to lift some of the weight carried.

Let's collect all the gear we want to take with us and see how much weight we need to distribute.  If it's too much, I'll rig up a couple helium balloons to take off some weight so we can carry the gear."

Barjta then looks over the Survey Robot. "This thing could sure be handy if we can take it and use it as a scout or weapon once we reach the ship.  However, I'm not convinced we can reactivate it without having it transmit our exact location and movements to Terry." He opens a tool kit and after removing a few tools, approaches the deactivated robot.

After tinkering with the Survey Robot for a bit, he throws up his hands and starts removing equipment from the Gondola wreckage that he wants to take with him.  He also checks over Shemp to see if the Maintenance Bot is functioning and able to carry any of the heavier equipment.

From the Gondola, he lays out;
Robcomkit (10 kg)
Techkit (10 kg)
Medkits (2 @ 10 kg each)

Worn or carried on his person is:
Albedo Screen
50 SEU Power Beltpack
Military Skeinsuit
Brass Knuckls
Heavy Gyrojet Rifle
20 Gyrojet clips
environmental suit with breather
Chronocom
Toxy-Rad Guage
Sungoggles
ID Card
Pocket Tool
Machete
Everflame
Allweather Blanket
8 survival ration packages
1 tangler grenade
compass
life jacket
10 vitasalt pills
flashlight
doze grenade
10-meter rope
4 liters of water in water packs
poly-vox
laser pistol with a 20 SEU clip

He tests the weight of his pack and frowns.
This message was last edited by the player at 21:14, Mon 17 Feb 2020.

S'Krllk approaches Bartja, and speaking with his back to the survey robot, quietly explains. "Controlling the robot won't be difficult, and it can carry some things while it accompanies us as a beast of burden. We must assume Terry will monitor the survey robot, and as it will slowly lag behind us, it will be another piece of disinformation to allow us some sort of element of surprise."

In reply to Bartja Nemuco (msg # 22):
"I shall make sure they have evrything they should need while we're away and make them as comfortable as possible', Orvo I says as he makes preparations for their wounded going to be secured in the airship.

While Orvo gets the wounded bedded down for their stay, Desiraye will sit next to Captain Marlboro.  "Captain, a few moments of your time sir?  Is there anything you can tell us about Bill Terry and why he may have done this?  Anything at all about him at all could help us that we can try to reason or understand why he's doing this?  Would an others of the crew could have haloed him?
This message was last edited by the player at 03:59, Tue 18 Feb 2020.

Hammer helps with the salavaging. He says, "I do not have technical skills for making adaptations, but I do have environmental skills. While the others continue, he begins environmental analysis:

Analyze Samples: 70%.
--He will analyze the air content
--He will analyze some of the nearby flora for toxicity or edibility
--He will analyze rock samples to see what minerals are present

Analyze Ecosystems: 50%
--He will begin studying this, but it takes time
--As he discovers new information during the trip, he will share it with the party.

Survival: 60%
--He will use this throughout the journey to help find water and food
--He will use this to save time in setting up camp and shelter
--If needed, he will make traps around camp at night during his watch

Tracking: 50%
--Where needed, he will cover the tracks of the party
--He will look for signs of creatures and life, especially dangerous or edible ones

Stealth: 40%
--He will take up the post for scouting and will be stealthy if anything is encountered

Concealment: 30%
--He will conceal the camp when they rest with natural cover to avoid predators finding them and allow for rest.

He says, "As a xenobiologist by trade, I am curious about any life we should discover. I think my skills will come in handy as we travel. Please let me investigate first by scouting during the trip, and let's not kill the wildlife unnecessarily. Given my tracking and survival skills, I will take the post up front scouting. Since Desi is team leader, she can join me if she wants to help decide which way we go, or we can stay within hearing distance to make the decisions together."

In looking at the map, Hammer tries to examine the benefits of going southwest until the stream bed. He will try to calculate the approximate time to get there (whether encumbered or not), as well as any dangers or benefits of taking that direct route.

That would be 5 hexes southeast to the stream.

Movement: This is found on page 19 of the Expanded Rules.

The movement over land is as follows:

Dralasite: 3 km (but note that, due to high stamina, they can keep up at 4 km if necessary)
Human: 5 km
Vrusk: 6 km
Yazirian: 4 km

Mechanon: 4 km (from Zebulon's guide)

Orvo is a dralasite, so this brings your party's movement to 4 km/hr max before modifiers (assuming you don't split up).

EACH HEX IS 2 KILOMETERS. (Sorry, accidentally cut that out of the picture.)


GM NOTE: My reading of this adventure is that they have simplified movement rules to the chart I posted. So the "hexes per hour" are the number you can travel unencumbered. In other words, it takes 2 hours to travel through one hex of forest unencumbered, and 4 hours if encumbered. The stream valley would be 1 hex per hour unencumbered and .5 if unencumbered.

If you take all that equipment, you will be encumbered...so you need to figure it out.

Due to Hammer's environment skills, you do not have any chance of delays from the chart except for crossing bodies of water.

ENCUMBRANCE:
How much you can carry is limited to your Strength score in kilograms. Carrying between half your Strength score and your full strength score means you are encumbered.

Example: If your strength score is 50, you can carry up to 50 kg (110 lbs), but carrying between 25-50 kg means you are encumbered and have half movement speed.

This message was last edited by the GM at 01:10, Tue 25 Feb 2020.

In reply to Hammer (msg # 26):
"Thank you Hammer.  You're our expert so I'll defer to you and give you my opinion if you want it.  I'll be about 10 meters behind you.  We have our comms so let's utilize them instead of yelling if it can be helped.  We don't know what the hell is out there and we can't afford to be sloppy.  Is everyone good with that?

Take only what you need!  Bare essentials, weapons, ammo, food, water, basic tool kits.  We'll leave all of our excess gear secured here with the captain and the engineer.  Can we rig any of the bots to carry equipment?"

Bartja looks over the pile of gear he would like to take and realizes that he's just not strong enough to carry it all on the journey ahead.  He leaves the collection while he ponders his dileman, spending his time fabricating two helium balloons to help carry some of the more critical gear.  After spending a half-hour building the balloons from the fabric and spare helium tanks, he returns to the gear to weed out the surplus.

Taking one of his improvised balloons, Bartja ties a pack to it and begins stuffing it with the gear he just cannot live without.  From the personal survival kits they were issued, he throws aside the machete, laser pistol, and a few other miscellaneous tools.  More importantly, he chooses to take the everflame, allweather blanket, first aid pack, survival ration packages, life jacket, flashlight, rope, toxyrad gauge, water, and the polyvox.

The remaining gear he straps to his belt on the environmental suit:  tangler grenade, doze grenade, pocket tool, compass, gyrojet clips, albedo screen, power beltpack, and of course his brass knuckles.

Heaving the pack onto his back, he's obvously encumbered by it.  Once the helium balloon is attached, however, he feels lighter than if he hadn't been carrying anything (50 kg lift from the balloon).

"Anyone else need a lift?" he asks, offering the second makeshift balloon to the party.

In reply to Bartja Nemuco (msg # 30):
"I like the ingenuity of the balloon Bartja.  Concept is we pull it along with us?

Different thought only!  Could we rig a cart to pull the gear with one of our robots?  I ask only in case the balloon gets away from us and our gear with it.  I know our time is limited, so we should use what we can get ready quickly."

Bartja grins at Desi as he again tests the weight of his pack once the balloon is securely attached.

"I've got more weight here than the balloon or I can carry alone.  The idea is that it helps me carry this much weight, but the pack is still too heavy for the balloon to float away if I drop the pack for any reason.

I've got another lift assist ready here if anyone wants it!"

Orvo is tending to the wounded. Captain Marlboro responds to Desi's questions with, "I had no idea he would do this. I blame myself. I have not been closely following his movements. Everything seemed well on the outside, and he has a spotless military record. I simply trusted him. I should have questioned him more. I shall live to regret my lack of diligence. I remember only one thing. It must have been a year ago, maybe more, back when he was a new member of the crew. He went off for a time and then came back with what I thought was a head injury. He said he had an operation to help with a biomechanical install to help his migraines. The other crew members...I don't see how they could be involved, but I can't trust my own judgment on this now, not after Terry betrayed us like this."

Bartja first tries to analyze the survey robot's communication issues and remove any security locks (alter functions, list functions, remove security locks) (30 minutes). He determines that the survey robot still sends communications back to the Moraes, but there is no indication if Terry is receiving the communications or sending any back. You assume that at least he must not be sending any back because he has not issued any new commands to the robot. Upon further inspection (roll success) (15 minutes), Bartja determines that the back and forth of normal data transfer indicates that the data sent to the Moraes has not been detected or read at the far end based on lack of permutations of the data codes. This means that, although the data is being sent to the Moraes, no one on the Moraes has viewed it.

Upon trying to remove locks, Bartja at first thinks he fails miserably, but then a green light comes on, the data flows, and it looks like he has been able to discontinue the data transfer to the Moraes from the survey robot.

12:00 p.m.

Bartja next sets to making the floating balloons. The floating balloons take 30 minutes each to set up, but one of them is not working properly (failed roll). The remaining balloon holds 50 kg are working

While Bartja is setting up the encumbrance issues with the balloon, Desi and Hammer are examining the land and paths, as well as the foliage, and taking measurements regarding toxicity and edibility. So far, it looks like Hammer's chosen path will be the one to take, and you will be able to live off the land as needed. In other situations, it really would seem like a Garden of Eden.

It is now 3 hours post-crash. (I'm taking off 30 minutes for the balloons by assuming everyone was helping with the salvage operations.) Anything the other characters want to do during that time period likely can be done during the time Bartja was doing the adaptations.

1:00 p.m.


NOTES:
(1) Hammer suggested a path that has not been commented on yet. I will assume you take that path if no one objects.
(2) I am waiting for final gear to see if the party is encumbered. If I don't receive it, I will assume you are encumbered until I hear otherwise. (You can always ditch some of your gear later.)
(3) Bartja's maintenance robot Shemp can hold up to 75 kg.
(4) The helium balloon works, but one thing you notice is that it is a bit fragile for going through the forest and rough terrain. You will need to keep it protected. (This will only affect you if you are unencumbered, not if you are already encumbered.
(5) You can take another 30 minutes to try to set up the second helium balloon again if you want. (It is simply a 30 minute delay per trial, but you can keep trying.) Each helium balloon holds 50 kg of equipment.
(6) Assuming no further comments/updates, I will begin the party moving southeast tomorrow...

This message was last edited by the GM at 01:34, Tue 25 Feb 2020.

NOTE: I was looking through both the rules and the module, and they are horrendously bad at indicating encumbrance. As such, I went through and matched up the ones in the equipment list with the ones in the rules. The ones that were not listed, I used a common sense approach to weight.

That said, if you look at the post in the equipment and rules reference thread, I included the various weights for the items that were in the main equipment.

If you have personal equipment, I did not include it. Let me know if I missed anything or if you have any questions.


This message was last edited by the GM at 05:05, Wed 26 Feb 2020.

Hammer updated his equipment. He is not encumbered but needs some items to be carried by the balloons or robots, including drinking water, his advanced envirokit (7 kg), his albedo screen (2 kg).

Additional points:

The rafts carry 3 passengers with gear, so we will need 2 for all of us and the robot, if my count is right.

We will need the bivouac unit, at least one for 4 people.

We may want freeze field generators, just in case. Maybe just one?

If we can lug the laser rifles, they may help for longer range. Hammer just uses a pistol.

We might need a machete. Hammer uses his vibroknife for now.

OOC:  I too updated my encumbrance in the Equipment thread.  With ST this low, it's hard to not be encumbered!

Bartja ponders only for a few moments after his determination that the Survey Robot is not being monitored.  "Let's take this robot with us.  It can carry some of our gear and we can use it to scout and keep guard while we rest.  Once we reach the ship, having this as a scout might be invaluable."

Bartja further inspects the survey robot.

You also take a close look at the controls for the survey robot.

NOTE: I am putting the survey robot details and the robot control details on the easy reference rules page for future use.

For encumbrance purposes, the survey robot adds 50 kg of weight you can haul, but it must be strapped to the robot. (Strapping/unstrapping equipment causes delays, typically 15 minutes, but I will assume any strapping was done while Bartja was taking care of the other time-consuming duties so that it does not cost additional time here.)
This message was last edited by the GM at 06:06, Thu 27 Feb 2020.

Hammer makes the following suggestion for the survey robot to carry:

SURVEY ROBOT

2 Bivouac units (20 kg)
3 rafts (in case one breaks) (15 kg)
1 freeze field (4 kg)
2 laser rifles (6 kg)
1 SEU Backpack (10 kg)

That's 50 kg. Any additional extra items can be stored on the balloons or Shemp.

SHEMP

Shemp can hold 75 kg. Bartja has him holding 41 kg. Suggestions for the rest:

1 SEU Backpack (10 kg)
2 machetes (4 kg)
1 extra survival kit (10 kg)
1 extra laser pistol with SEU (1 kg)
2 extra freeze field generators (8 kg)
1 cold light lanterns (1 kg)

That totals 75.

BALLOON
It looks like Bartja is attaching the balloon to his body. Not sure that's practical in a forest, but if he detaches, we can add 50 kg of supplies to it.

7 cold light lanterns (7 kg)
16 liters water (4 each) (16 kg)

That leaves 27 kg for the balloon still.

If you want 50 kg more, then by all means, we should spend the extra 30 minutes to try again for the second balloon.
This message was last edited by the player at 07:54, Thu 27 Feb 2020.

OOC:  We should strap at least 50 kg to the balloon or tether it to someone. If we keep it just under 50 kg, we could tether it to the Survey Robot which flies.  This will keep our gear above the forest floor and out of most harms way.  The risk is that the robot and/or tethers get separated from us.

I've unloaded Bartja so he's not encumbered and doesn't need the balloon strapped to him to help carry any weight.  The extra gear should go on the balloons and robots.

It looks like you have generally resolved the encumbrance issue. If something else pops up or was forgotten, we will address it. But let's push this forward. I am moving the party forward as unencumbered right now.

Geared up and ready, you start to push southeast at 1:00 p.m. Desi and Hammer act as scouts, while the rest of the party follows behind and the survey robot (buoyed by the balloon) hovers and follows behind you.

Bartja has the hand controller, although the survey robot can function on basic commands without it.

If Bartja wants to practice using the hand controller (benefits listed below) while the group travels, rather than putting the survey robot on autopilot, please let me know so his practice can count toward future encounter rolls. If practicing with the hand controller, please indicate the altitude of the survey robot.

I note that the robot is strangely tied to the balloons. Not sure how that will affect things exactly. Obviously, having it at higher altitudes will be more visible and attract more attention.

If someone else wants to use the robot instead, that's fine too. I used Bartja as the robotics expert.

Bartja's study of the hand controller revealed the following:

HAND CONTROLLER
FURTHER DETAILS

Direct control of the robot confers advantages in combat and maneuver. However, hand controller operation requires practice or there is a chance of wrecking the robot.

When guiding the robot with the hand controller, the operator must make a successful  reaction speed check every hour or lose control of the robot.

In combat, the operator must make a reaction check every turn.

If control is lost, the robot immediately loses 1d100 meters of altitude. In each following
round, the robot loses another 1d100 meters of altitude unless the operator makes a successful reaction speed check or returns the robot to automatic control. Two hours of work are needed to repair the damage from a crash.

For each hour of practice with the hand controller, the operator receives a +10% modifier to his chance to avoid a loss of control (up to a maximum of 95% - a roll of 96-00 always results in a loss of control).

Practicing with the hand controller at low altitudes is likely to result in crashing the
robot. When on joystick control, the robot receives a positive modifier of half the operator's reaction speed to its chance to hit per turn. When the operator is dodging instead of firing, subtract 20% from the basic chance to hit of hostile ranged weapons


You travel one hex every two hours in the forest area. During the first two hours, nothing significant happens.

3:00 p.m. (43 hours remaining)

You continue forward for another hour (4:00 p.m. (3 hours travel with no rest)), and then Bartja (in the rear) hears creatures following from behind. You can't tell how many there are. They are hidden in the deep undergrowth.

They are not attacking but stay a distance away. As you continue to move forward and listen carefully, you catch occasional occasional glimpses of hairless, wolf-sized animals. They are not acting hostile yet but are starting to spread to the left and right as well as behind you.

Here is a map tracking your progress. The red line indicates your path of travel and latest location.

This message was last edited by the GM at 05:43, Sun 01 Mar 2020.

S'Krllk tasks his master-comp with determining the probable dangers of the area they're traveling through. Then checks his needler, insuring he has loaded 'sleep needles'.
"Well, the universe isn't actually shooting, right now, but it looks like it may be snapping at us sometime soon," says the Vrusk.

In reply to GM Heath (msg # 40):
Desi shoulders her gear that she has to carry and leaves the rest secured here.  "Captain, if something happens, blast it!  We're operating on channel (xxxxx) if you need to contact us.  We'll try and keep you updated on our progress every 12 hours or so.  We'll talk to you soon.  Good luck to you both here.  We'll be back one way or another.  Try to rest up and get some strength back!"

Desiraye will then gather with the rest of the team after she makes sure the shelter is secured. "OK, not to harp but, so everyone's got it.  Less than 48 hours to to the Moraes, take it over before it takes off and leaves us all here and then, try to still get LeGrange.

Time and sped is of the essence!  Hammer is going to set the pace and I'll cover his Six.  No more than a 5-Meter spread between us.  Single file march.  Sound off over comms if you see something or if you get separated.  Let's not try and draw attention but, let's not get killed.  If something attacks us, put it down anyway you have to.  Tranq darts, lees-than-lethal or, deadly force is authorized.  We all do our best to make sure each of us walk away from this situation.  I told the Captain we would try to make contact every 12 hours or so for SITREPS on both ends.
In case I lose track of time, can someone set a timer on their chronograph for that reminder please.  Let's try to keep as much of our gear on silent or vibrate.
Questions or concerns?"
This message was last edited by the player at 05:38, Sat 29 Feb 2020.

Hammer agrees with Shae as they move forward. When the wolf things are spotted he pulls a little more tightly to the group so that they are all within view of each other at all times. HIs gun is drawn and ready. "Packs of wolf like creatures. They may be surrounding us to find the weakest of the group and pick us off or try to separate us. We need to stay in a closely knit group, even if that means we don't do scouting for awhile."

He will pull the group tighter and scout as much as safe, but if he can't, he will simply lead them forward in the same direction until the wolf threat is over.

You continue hiking through the forest. The wolf-like creatures are keeping their distance. You can't tell how many there are, but it has been over a half hour and they seem to come in close to take a look and then scurry away into the foliage.

Then, without warning, they lunge from both the left and the right through the forest, having surrounded you. They land right in the middle of the group without warning.



There are 10 of the beasts lunging at you, 5 from each side.

Note: For reference, let's refer to them as W1 through W10. W1-W5 are on the left, and W6-W10 are on the right.
This message was last edited by the GM at 03:00, Mon 02 Mar 2020.

Hammer fires his laser pistol (SEU 5) at a wolf creature. (W1)

S'Krllk attempts to shoot a wolf with his needler (anesthetic needle).

Bartja accepts the responsibility for the Survey Robot and practices the hand-controller as they move.  He keeps the robot at 100 meters altitude as they move.  This keeps it visible overhead but above the trees where he could get into some real trouble with it.

Bartja begins to reach for his Gyrojet rifle, but then remembers the remote control in his hand and the Survey Robot hovering overhead.  Instead of swinging his own rifle around, he focus' on the hand controller and turns the Survey Robot turrets, aiming them at the wolflings most threatening to him.  Like a video game console control, he grins as he realizes that the robot aiming program (coupled with his input) makes it very unlikely that he'll miss these shots.  He focuses the Heavy Laser on his nearest opponent and the Automatic Rifle on a group further out from the party.  Not knowing how tough these buggers are going to be, he sets the Heavy Laser to 5 SEU and the Auto Rifle to a 10-round burst.
This message was last edited by the player at 14:17, Wed 04 Mar 2020.

I think we are waiting on Desi and Orvo.

Desiraye will fire her gyrojet rifle at W2, trying to hit it with (2) rounds.

Or or will fire a shot (4) SEU from his laser rifle at a creature W6 side.

The wolf creatures, which appear like large, hairless wolves, attack with surprise and speed, gaining the first initiative as they leap from the foliage. They are clearly intelligent and have studied you during the last hour that they have been tailing you.

Six of the beasts score hits (W1, 2, 4, 5, 8, 9). One of them (W7)(critical fail) attacks Shemp the robot and screeches like a surprised parrot when its teeth clamp on hard metal. It immediately panics and runs back into the woods. Three of the wolves mistime their attack and miss, but the others scratch and bite as follows:

W2 and 5 get Desi, biting and thrashing. (11 total STA damage)

W1, 8, and 9 get Orvo, biting into his Dralasite flesh like a delicacy. (18 total STA damage.)

W4 bites into Bartja, and the teeth clamping onto him make it difficult to control the robot. (3 damage, -30% to controller.)

Hammer hits W1 with his laser pistol (34 dmg.) The injured wolf creature screeches like a parrot and dashes into the woods.

S'krllk misses.

Bartja fires his first 10 round burst at W3, hitting it. (45 STA damage.) This wolf creature also yelps in pain and scurries off into the shrubbery.

Bartja's second shot from the robot does not go so well. The heavy laser almost hits W4 (as well as almost hitting Bartja himself) (nearly a critical miss), but instead lights the bushes next to Bartja's head on fire.

Desi hits W2 with both shots of the gyrojet rifle. (42 STA damage.) W2 shrieks in pain and also shoots off into the trees to run away.

Orvo fires but misses.

The remaining 6 wolf creatures see their pack fly into the woods and lose morale. They fly off in different directions, leaving you alone to tend to your wounds as they scramble and disappear into the foliage.

You continue traveling southeast for another two hours. About an hour into it, you again see shapes in the distant trees. It appears the wolf creatures are again scouting you out. You try to observe them but cannot really see much. Even the feedback from the scouting robot cannot tell much more than vague shapes in the underbrush.

You begin discussing what to do before the hairless wolf things can attack again when the next problem hits.

A warning buzzer on the hand controller goes off and the power indicator suddenly drops to zero! Just a minute ago, the battery was fine! There are only two minutes of flight left to land the robot before it crashes.

Bartja has plenty of time to bring the robot down safely. However, there is an unfortunate lack of convenient clearings to set the craft down in due to the heavy brush and trees. Bartja has three choices, and he must choose one quickly:

1. Let the robot select its own landing spot.
2. Scout for acceptable landing spots on joystick control.
3. Land in a marginally acceptable clearing visible 200 meters away.

Hammer had taken up the scouting post again but now hangs back to let Bartja land the robot. he also moves in closer to the group in case the wolves make another surprise attack. "I have a feeling we need to dispatch these wolves once and for all or they will keep trying to pick us off in short skirmishes. I'm just not sure how to do that.

After the group stops after two hours, "OK, fan out!  360 degree security.  Let's take a couple of minutes and assess injuries and equipment.  Orvo, you got personal injuries.  Bartja, robots.  Hammer, keep checking our route please.
 Everyone else, Security.  I'm going to try and get some eyes on these creatures.
 Maybe get a pop at one of them, cut their numbers down or finish off one of the wounded ones.  They're stalking us it looks like.  Seems like another attack on us is imminent."

Desi will try and find a spot where she can get herself in a position so she can use the 3X magnification on her gyrojet rifle to get better eyes on the stalking creatures.

While the party stops and Bartja decides what to do with the malfunctioning robot, Desi steps from her scouting position to see what she can do away from the party.  There are no hills in the area, and the foliage is thick, making it very difficult for her to see using magnification. She would have to climb a tree and try from there, or she could go to the clearing mentioned above.
This message was last edited by the GM at 05:49, Fri 06 Mar 2020.

Bartja decides to land the robot in the marginal clearing and focus' on controlling its descent to prevent major damage to it. 

"Let's gather in that clearing and prepare to defend ourselves there.  We can work on the robot and setup our perimeter where they can't use the trees so well.  Maybe fire will discourage them."

"Great idea!  Let's make it happen!"

As they rush for the clearing, Bartja tries to collect any dead-fall or dry branches he sees as they move along.  He directs Shemp to do the same.

"We should see if we can get a fire going before they decide to attack again.  Maybe fires all around our perimeter.

I'd like to capture one with a Tangler grenade if we can.  Maybe they're sentient and we can program a Polyvox to communicate with them.  It's going to be a long trip back if we have to dodge these guys the entire way.  If we can communicate with them, we might be able to avoid these confrontations."

Once the group gets to their new resting location, Orvo will inspect Desiraye's wound and then his own (no others were injured, correct?).

After his assessment has been completed, he begins to gather what he can to assist in making the fire on their perimeter.   "Probably a bit out of my league Bartja but, do you think we have the time to 'experiment' for lack of a better term, on a local wild creature?"

Hammer says, "The only concerns I have are that it will cause a delay to set up here and try to wait them out. it could be hours. And also that if we get to the river, I doubt they will be able to keep up once we are on the water. That can be our way to outrun them if we can just get to the river."

For now, Hammer will follow the others into the clearing but his suggestion is to move quickly to the river and lose them from there, or kill them if they attack again.

Bartja is able to land the robot in the field 200 meters away without incident. The party moves to the clearing and Bartja begins an inspection. (15 minutes.)

As the party settles in and finds some firewood, Bartja inspects the problem. (Success)

NOTE: the large field is too big to completely surround with firewood, especially in a short amount of time. You have enough for a bonfire or to surround a 20 foot diameter area with small amounts of wood.

I'm not clear how long the party intends to spend here doing the fire and waiting out the creatures. It would result in a random encounter roll every hour to see if they attack again. You could wait them out, figure out a different solution such as hunting them down, or make a break for the river as Hammer suggests.

Bartja's inspection determines that the robot's emergency power override system mistakenly determined that the main power was almost gone, and sw1tched automatically to emergency power. The problem is very minor, and Bartja begins the repair process (15 minutes for each attempt).

NOTE: I am also not sure what Desi is doing. Is she in the clearing with the party, hiding in the brush trying to pick off the wolves, or attempting to climb a tree to get a better vantage point?

The clearing itself is 30 meters in diameter. The trees are thinner here, and Desi could hide in the brush and bushes to try to spot the creatures, or she could go another 30 meters to the tree line to attempt to climb a tree.

6:30 p.m. (39.5 hours remaining) (5.5 hours travel with no rest)


This message was last edited by the GM at 07:14, Mon 09 Mar 2020.

"I think a bonfire might keep the critters back while I attempt this repair.  Shouldn't take me but a few minutes here. The robot's emergency power override has come on.  Might be a corrosion issue, but I think I can't get it running again."

Bartja opens up his toolkit and instructs Shemp to guard his back in case the wolves attack as he works on the Survey Robot.

"Once I get this running again, I agree on heading towards the river.  Maybe with the rafts, we can move fast enough to lose this pack of giant forest rats."

Hammer will guard Bartja while he fixes the robot, ready to shoot at any wolf creature that jumps out. (SEU 10)

OOC: Sorry for the delay again...

...Desiraye will try to get into a tree and spot the creatures.  She will inspect the tree before climbing.  She believes, that she can cover the group once she gets up there?

Desi finds a tree and starts climbing. She scopes out the outskirts of the camp. To her dismay, she only sees two of the wolves in the distance, walking among the grasses and hiding. She could take some potshots (-50% to hit), but it's a tough shot give the distance and coverage.

She doesn't see the other 8 wolf creatures.

The others make a bonfire while Bartja inspects and makes repairs. Either the bonfire is working or they are simply not attacking yet because there are no incidents.

NOTE: Next move will be to finish up repairs and start you heading southeast again. Not sure if Desi will try to shoot at the beasts or climb down and rejoin the group. Will you put out the fire or risk a forest fire? 15 minutes to put out a large bonfire properly.

In reply to GM Heath (msg # 65):
Desi only decides to try and spot the creatures and keep them where they are and not closer to the group.

Put out the fire before we leave.  Set a perimeter while that happens.  Eat and prepare to move back out.

Once the robot is repaired, Hammar will put out the fire and help lead the party to the southeast once more.

Bartja repairs the robot, and you prepare to eat and put out the fire.

7:00 p.m. (39 hours remaining) (6 hours travel with no rest)

You decide to eat and put out the fire before leaving.

Desi climbs down off the tree to go rejoin the group. That's when she realizes where the other 8 wolf creatures have been. They are skulking in the grass and bushes behind the tree, waiting for her descent.

She hears a rustling, just in time to turn and see 8 figures rushing to leap at her...

Grabbing the joystick, Bartja activates the robot and hastily sends it aloft to 50 meters.  Using the robot controller and his acute dexterity, he commands the machine to fire it's weaponry in defense of Desi.  The heavy laser is aimed at the pack leader, the auto-rifle spraying a group of the buggers to try and injure as many as possible.

Hammer also runs toward Desi, firing 2 shots at the nearest creature when he is at 25 meters distance. (SEU 10)

Desiraye spins around with her rifle to the direction she hears and sees the wolf-creatures.  Her stomach pitches when she realizes how bad of a situation she just got herself in and wondering were they went to.  "Frak my life," is all she says before she switches her gyrojet rifle to 'BURST' setting and tries to rip into as many as she can before being torn apart.

Burst Fire setting at the biggest cluster of wolf creatures

In reply to GM Heath (msg # 68):
After getting himself ready to move out with the others, Orvo moves as fast as he's able to go off and help Desiraye.  Once he gets a clear shot at one of the creatures, he will take one with his laser rifle.

The ambush on Desi gives little time to react...

Of the 8 rushing her, three manage to get a bite or claws on Desi.  (15 STA damage)

Desi fires a spray on burst, hitting...

But given the sudden pounce, only one of the creatures is hit. However, she hits it solidly and it falls over dead. (W8)

Bartja gets the robot aloft and has it fire twice. The first shot (critical miss) misses the dogs but hits Desi in the leg, crippling her. (10 STA dmg).

The second shot hits W6. (50 STA dmg).

Hammer is also running toward the dogs, trying to aim (-10% while running). (Critical miss: 100% roll! Second hit, almost critical miss: 93%). Hammer's laser pistol explodes in his hand. (9 hp dmg.) The pistol is no longer usable (scrap) and his hand needs bandaging before he can use it again.

S'krllk fires with careful aim and hits W2. (-36 STA)

Orvo moves into range, takes aim...and misses.

Status of wolf creatures:
W1=66 STA
W2=22
W3=55 (on Desi)
W4=100 (on Desi)
W5=100 (on Desi)
W6=50
W7=100
W8=Dead
Out of view
W9=100
W10=100

NOTE: The average range of S'Krllk, Orvo, Hammer and Bartja is medium range (-20%) from Desi for range purposes. You can take careful aim +15% if you decide to only fire at one half rate during the combat round.

Combat modifiers are on page 22 of the guidebook in case you want to use any of them. The wolf creatures are currently considered "walking/moving" (no modifier).

Hammer looks at his injured hand. Luckily, he is ambidextrous. He runs to Shemp to pull out the spare laser pistol, set it quickly to 10 SEU and fire quickly on whatever wolf is farthest from Desi.

Cursing his luck under his breath when he sees the aberrant shot hit Desi, Bartja increases his focus to try again.  He grinds his teeth briefly in a grimace of satisfaction as the robot releases another volley of hellfire upon the pack of wolflings.


"Might be time to toss some dose or tanglers in there to help Desi!" he shouts as he tries to remember where on his person he put those handy little devils.
This message was last edited by the player at 14:30, Tue 24 Mar 2020.

In reply to GM Heath (msg # 73):
Desiraye tries to take the hits the best she can and her defenses definitely help her out.  With her Gyrojet rifle still set to full-auto, she applies another burst on them hoping to at least keep them at bay, send them fleeing or, kill them all.

PUNCHING DAMAGE: 7
CURRENT STA: 47/62

SKILLS:
Beam Weapons: 6 [DEX:30 + 60 = 90%]
Martial Arts: 3 [DEX:30 + 30 = 60%]
Melee Weapons: 2 [STR:32 + 20 = 52%]
Demolitions: 2
Gyrojet Weapons: 4  [DEX:30 + 40 = 70%]
Projectile Weapons: 3  [DEX:30 + 30 = 60%]
Thrown Weapons: 2  [DEX:30 + 20 = 50%]
Technician: 2

[1] Civilian Skeinsuit [37/50]
[1] Albedo Screen [95/100]

[1] Power Backpack  [50/50]
[1] Power Beltpack  [95/100]

[1] War-Tech GAR-10
- [11] 20 round GAR-10 mags  [13/20]
- [1] Bandoleer Sling (holds x10 mags)
- [1] Muzzle Extender
- [1] x3 Magnification scope w. Infrared optics
- [1] Rifle Holster
- [1] Power light  [1.5 kg]

WarTech GAR-10 Gyrojet Assault Rifle (#12 p.49)
Wgt: 5.5kg, Damage: 3d10/8d10,
Ammo: 20 rounds, Rate: 3(1), Defense: Inertia,
Range: -/5/75/150/300
This message was lightly edited by the player at 11:26, Sat 28 Mar 2020.

In reply to GM Heath (msg # 73):
Seeing his first shot miss, he tries to steady himself and take more accurate shot with his rifle at a wounded creature (if that's possible).

CURRENT STAMINA: 60/60
PS/IM: +3/+5
Ranged: 25%
Melee: 30%

Lie Detection 10%
Elasticity

SKILLS:
Skills: PSA: Bio-Social
Psychosocial Lvl 2
Medic: 2
Beam Weapons: 1
- 1/2 Dex (25%) + Lvl= 35
Thrown Weapons: 1
- 1/2 DEX (25%) + Lvl= 35
Martial Arts: 2
- 1/2 STR (30%) + Lvl= 50

DEFENSES:
Albedo Screen: power beltpack 50/50 seu
Military Skeinsuit: 50/50

WEAPONS:
Martial Arts: DMG: 3| ROF: 2|
Laser Pistol x1: DMG: 5d10/seu| RoF: 2| (1 @ crash sight)
Laser Rifle: DMG: 4d10/seu| RoF: 2| power backpack 100/100 seu

As he walks towards the wolves, aiming carefully and firing his needler, S'Krllk can be heard to mumble, "teeth and claws. Might have preferred it when the universe was just shooting at us."

ROUND 2
Shots rain down from all over:

Bartja fires the robot assisted laser shot. He makes a solid hit (critical hit). One wolf creature goes down. (W1 dead.)

Bartja also puts his autorifle on burst and fires into the creatures. His bursts also kill one of the creatures. (W6 dead.)

Desi fires another burst, but the wolves on top of her make her gun fire low into her own leg. (Critical miss.) (12 STA damage.)

Orvo fires but misses.

S'krllk fires his needler and hits the wounded wolf creature. (W2: 40 dmg.) It falls dead to the ground.

Porter also begins firing, taking careful aim at the wolf on Desi, but his shot goes wide.

Hammer is running to get the laser pistol. He grabs it and adjusts it but must wait to attack until next round.

The remaining wolf creatures see the damage going on around them and fly off into the brush, leaving you to once more alone.

You realize that they are smarter and more sly than you first realized. But now there are four of them dead at your feet and another one out there that is injured.


Status of wolf creatures (all out of view):
W1= Dead
W2= Dead
W3=55 (on Desi)
W4=100 (on Desi)
W5=100 (on Desi)
W6= Dead
W7=100
W8=Dead
W9=100
W10=100

Setting the survey robot at 100 meters, Bartja sets it to keep watch and warn them if the creatures are spotted within 50 meters of the clearing.

"They're smart and I wouldn't put it past them to hold a grudge against us for killing some of their pack.  Should we hunt them or risk having them continue to hunt and harass us the entire way back to the ship?" he asks, hoping one of the environmental specialist will have a good idea of what this type of creature will do.

Taking a medkit from Shemp, he makes his way over to Desi to see if he can help with her wounds.  He also wants to get a closer look at one of the creatures - perhaps do a quick dissection to make sure it's purely organic and not being controlled by a higher intelligence.

Hammer says, "I suggest we gather things and get to the river before the wolves get their wits about them and attack again. once we are down the river, they should be out of range and not dangerous."

S'Krllk chimes in, "I have to agree with that. I'm sure it holds charm for some, but I think I prefer the universe shooting at us rather than attempting to gnaw our faces off."
After a beat, he turns to Desi and asks, "too soon?"

NOTE: Keep in mind that Desi's leg is badly injured, which will slow you down unless you find a way to heal it quickly or transport her.

Desiraye limps over to a tree or something she can lean her back up against and slides down to the ground with the assistance of her rifle.  Once settled, she takes the time to load a fresh magazine into his gyro-rifle and puts the partial back in the sling.

"Well, this is a great frakkin' start huh? I shoot myself and got tagged by a robot on top of getting bit.  Please tell me there's some good news!"

Hammer says, "I suggest Orvo should do some minor surgery on Desi and give her biocort or whatever she needs. That should get her on her feet. We're almost to the river, and then we can rest and hop on rafts, where the leg issue won't be as much of a problem."

Hammer is willing for a slight delay to get Desi on her feet, though everyone should be vigilant and stay in the field area in case the wolves come back around.

The rules do not seem to be clear, so I added a house rule that the time for surgery is one hour for each 20 STA healed (rounded up). So a minor surgery would take one hour.

See Here in the Game Wiki for the added rule: http://wiki.rpol.net/?id=6687/HOUSE%20RULES

Orvo will sling the laser rifle and move over to Desi to check her wounds.  He looks them over and gives his prognosis.  "Well, I think that even minor surgery right now might be a little premature if we want to keep on our schedule.  I think cleaning and covering the wounds and, some biocort should suffice for the time being.  I'd like to avoid it on any of you in the field unless it is absolutely emergent.

What is your pleasure?"

OOC: Judging from Desiraye's current STA, she's only down less than [20] STA points.   A shot of Biocort will heal half of that amount and in [20] hours, she could be back up to full STA.

Did I miss something or is that about right?

The problem is that the state of the injury in her leg will slow her down. That will require surgery to fix. So you need to weigh slowing down to 1/2 speed versus taking an hour for a minor surgery.

OK, that's why I wanted to make sure  before we went ahead further.

S'Krllk signals a negative with his smaller frontal appendages. "Attempting to continue while Desi is compromised is a bad idea. The only way we wouldn't lose more time with her inability to move would be to leave her behind. That is the way of the hive, but you are not of the hive. Why else would I be here?"
"If it would help, I can sync the robot to my bodycomp so it can circle the perimeter and communicate any issues directly to us."

Bartja has been listening and feeling bad for having accidentally shot Desi via the robot.  S'Krllk advice spurs him to speak.

"I could sync the robot to my implants also, but that will take time.  What if I assist in surgery, Orvo?  I'm trained in medicine also.  We could work together to fix Desi's leg and get her back to fully functional!"

[OOC:  I recall a rule somewhere that allowed assisting with similar skills.  I thought it was a +20% bonus for an assistant present.  Zebulon's Guide perhaps?]

[OOC: That rule is new to me, but it seems to make sense here, since Orvo only missed his surgery roll by 1%!]

Orvo starts in with the surgery with Bartja's help. After an hour, Desi is feeling much better and back up to speed. (Desi gains 20 STA back, 2 doses biocort used, 1 anesthesia used. Desi has full use of her leg and can go at regular speed, though it still hurts a little once the anesthesia wears off!)

The wolf creatures don't attack again during the surgery, though occasionally you hear a rustling in the bushes that makes you suspect they may be near.

The sun is now setting, and darkness is upon you.

8:00 p.m. (38 hours remaining) (7 hours travel with no rest)

OOC: I think you are heading southeast now to get to the river?

Thankful for his nightvision and two robots to help keep an eye on the critters in the forest surrounds, Bartja removes his sungoggles as they finish up the surgery and darkness closes in.

"Nice work Doc!" he says to Orvo as he sanitizes his hands for the final time.

"I think we're getting close to the river - or at least close to exhaustion soon.  If we can get out on the water and get some rest, we'll be ahead tomorrow.  If we have to fight this pack all night, we'll be too tired to make the best use of time."

You gather your things and start moving southeast once more. The wolf creatures seem to be keeping their distance.



You are getting close to the stream area now. It's probably not even an hour's travel to the east.

But then...

...in the darkness of night...

9:00 p.m. (37 hours remaining) (8 hours travel with no rest)

...among the chirping of bugs and birds...

...and the wind blowing gently through the thick bushes...

...it happens! (See spoiler)

---

Spoiler text: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)

Your toxyrad indicator starts flashing a yellow warning light!

A quick scan of your surroundings does not reveal any obvious poisonous substance, but the yellow warning light means poison.

You stop in your tracks to assess the situation.

---

This message was last edited by the GM at 06:38, Mon 06 Apr 2020.

Hammer says, "that indicator means there's something poisonous. We could choose to push straight through and hope we can deal with the poison, or try to skirt around it and cost us some time. I can use the toxyrad gauge to help us navigate the poison like a minefield. What do you want? Any other ideas?"

"Won't our environmental suits and breathers block the poison?  If not, should we send out the robots with toxyrad gauges to see if there's a safe way through?"

Curious to know if the air above is safer, Bartja brings the survey robot in for re-equipping with a toxyrad gauge.

"It's not like we can fly if this toxin is ground based, but it would be good to know.  Then we can plan on a way to avoid it.  If it's in the air, then no point in scouting a way through, we'll just have to push."

Orvo seems very pleased that he was able to help out Desiraye, with some help!  "Your assistance is most appreciated Bartja.  That was actually I've been tasked to do that in the 'field' as some people refer to it?  Is Doc my new name now?  I'mnot really a docotor in the sense in the medical field but, I guess I could have a worse AKA.

Let me disinfect my gear and clean up and then, I'll be ready to move."
This message was last edited by the player at 20:54, Tue 07 Apr 2020.

Desiraye begins to come out from the anesthesia and srill feels the paininher leg but, judging by the attidude and looks of relief, she thinks that the procedure went well.  "Bartja, Orvo, thank you!  Hopefully I'll get a chance to repay the favor forward one day!"

She gets the current status of what's going on and prepares to move out.

"Ground, air, natural, or something else guys?  We may have to push through it.  Can one of the drones give us any insight?"

NOTES: This is an unidentified poison. Your breathing masks may provide some protection.

Essentially, this is what will happen (to avoid delays):

1) You push straight through. The breathers will only have slight help. You will take damage each turn you are in the poison area. (1d10 STA per turn in the poison.)

2) You go around. You will have to measure slowly as you go with the toxyrad gauge to ensure you do not stumble into the poison.

3) Do some sort of analysis to see how to quickly avoid the poison (Such as analyze ecosystems skill roll). Takes 15 minutes. If successful, this will speed up the route around the poison but requires some time to analyze the area around the poison.

How extensive is the poison? This is the real question. I will determine this by rolling.

100 meter square patch of poison. Roll percentile. 25% chance of another patch of poison. Roll 3 poison free rolls in a row and you have cleared the poison area. If running through, no delays but take damage. If going around, 20 minute delay for each roll, down to 10 minutes for each roll if analysis was successful.

Hammer will take the 15 minutes to do an analyze ecosystems check. "I think it's worth the wait to avoid injury. We can try to make up time later. Also, I noticed that we are heading to a stream, not a river. We can rest at the streambed and follow it in the morning to the river south.

If no one objects, Hammer will lead the group around the poisonous area and straight east to the streambed area (no more forest travel) to speed up movement.

While Hammer does an analyze ecosystems check, Bartja sends the survey robot up with a toxyrad gauge.

Hammer has a difficult time figuring out what it is. (Analyze ecosystems check failed.) Bartja does not find any poison up high, so it's likely something in the plants or ground.

The drones really don't give any insight.

(If anyone else has an environmental skill, they can try an analyze ecosystems check for 30% + 10xskill level.)

15 minutes lost

"Nothing up high so it's something down here.

If we were taking a vote, I'd vote for pushing to the stream and getting out of this forest.  We'll move faster following the water course and we'll know for certain that eventually we'll find open water enough to use the rafts.  We might also shake this pack of giant forest rats!"

"I think it's worth the time to do this right.  Lead the way as long as no one else objects?  We can try to make up time later.  I don't think we can afford to be wrong this early!"

With the votes in, you let Hammer carefully navigate you through the poison. It takes an hour, but you know it could have taken so much more. (3 successful rolls in a row.)

10:15 p.m. (35.75 hours remaining) (9.25 hours travel with no rest)

It is now late and dark, and you are all tired, but you break through the forest to the stream. You are now in a stream valley. the stream is a small watercourse too small to be navigable by raft, but pushing down along the stream and over the rocks will be twice as fast as going through the forest (1 hex per hour). The path will be rugged, but the routes are obvious, less overgrown, and you may need occasional stream crossings as you go.

It looks like the wolves have lost interest or bravery and are long gone, or perhaps they did not want to navigate the poisonous plants.

At any rate, it is now late at night, and Desi warns you that 10 or more hours of travel with no rest will cause exhaustion that will slow you down further.

NOTE: Assuming you set up camp here, as that was discussed previously, and to avoid slowing things down...

This is not an ideal campsite. You are at the base of a hill with rocks, and the noise of the stream will not allow you to hear noises very well, but it is better than nothing. You begin setting up...

OOC: I will let you decide camp details from here. I assume you will have a 10 hour rest with watches set up (including set up and take down time of camp), but Desi as team leader will likely make the final call here.

I also suggest a quick review of equipment to see if you want to make any changes, how you want camp to look, how to secure your camp, etc.

Note that a watch is based on Intuition checks, minus 30% modifier for the location and sound of the stream plus any other applicable modifiers.

CAMPSITES AND WATCHES

Encourage the players to describe the features they are looking for when they select a
campsite. Depending on the terrain and the features requested, judge a reasonable percentage
chance that such a campsite exists.

Roll against this percentage to find such a campsite, with a positive modifier of 10% x the PCs' highest environmental skill level. Such a roll may be made every 15 minutes.

The degree of success of the roll should suggest how perfectly the campsite fits the PCs'
requirements. If the roll is just barely successful, the camp-site is marginally acceptable,
having most but not all the features requested. If the success is very great (for example, 50 points less than the needed roll), the camp is nearly perfect, with unanticipated bonuses, like a fresh spring or a rock overhang. If the roll is a 96-00, all campsites are completely unsatisfactory.

No one will discover a cave or similar ideally defensible campsite, but in the upland regions or water gap, a site with rock walls on three sides might be found.

Each character on watch must make a successful intuition check to avoid being surprised by an intruder. Add a +20% modifier to the check for each man on watch.
<b>

Remember that exhaustion, campsites, and various particular rules for this adventure are posted in the special rules thread: link to a message in this game

With 5 people, I think we take two hour watches each, giving us 8 hours rest. Any plans for camping, Desi?

Bartja brings the survey robot in for the night and sets it and Shemp near the perimeter of the camp chosen by Desi and Hammer.

"They're not perfect, but they don't need sleep either" he suggests of the robots.  "Intuition isn't their strong suite, but they have sensors and we can set them to alert of us any approaching intruders.  Maybe it will help with the watch so we can all get a little rest at some point."

"Hopefully, we can use the poison zone as one of our 'guards' on the theory that things around here know what the zone is and avoids it.  As good as it may sound, I don't want to plan watches on hope though.  Put Shemp on the river and let the other robots cover our trail to here. Spread them out as much as you can so we cn try to get full 360 degree coverage."

You set up camp with two of the bivouac units (each sleeps 4). The six of you swap turns on watch and set up the robots. (I will assign watch in alphabetical order since none was provided.) Watches are approximately 1.5-2 hours each. I will assume that watch includes walking around the camp and inspecting with a flashlight, and checking on the robots periodically.

Remember that if you wake others during their sleep, they may not get enough rest to go at full speed. (I will make a current STA check for each interruption. More than 1 hour awake is definitely loss of capability.)

Bartja (PM):


When you wake the next person for their watch, put a private line in your post to each person you will wake up and what you will say. Those sleeping do not hear.

After Bartja, the next watch will be Desi.

Bartja wakes Desi when his turn at watch is over.

Bartja goes to sleep and Desi takes over the second watch.

The order of watches from here are:
Desi
Hammer
Orvo
S'krllk
Porter

To help this go quickly, I will assume what your character does if you don't post within the day using checks like Intelligence, logic, and perception.

1:00 a.m. (33 hours remaining) (12 hours with no rest)

NOTE: "No rest" counter resets after proper sleep.
This message was last edited by the GM at 03:17, Wed 15 Apr 2020.

Desi keeps her voice low when talking to Bartja.
This message was last edited by the player at 21:52, Wed 15 Apr 2020.

Desi finishes her watch and can now wake up Hammer.

2:30 a.m.

Desiraye will approach and wake Hammer up.

Hammer begins his watch...

Hammer finishes his watch and wakes up Orvo.

"Desi has had a hard day.  I'll keep my eyes open for the little critters."

Orvo will start his watch with a walk around the perimeter and then around the problem spots that were pointed out by Hammer.

Orvo takes watch...


Orvo finishes his watch and wakes up S'krllk for the next watch.

Orvo waves S'Krllk over to him.

After addressing S'Krllk, Orvo turns in for some rest.

S'Krllk acknowledges Orvo's advice, and begins his watch. In addition to keeping an eye on the perimeter of the camp, he makes it a point to watch for movement within the camp as well. "I guess the universe is giving us a break by using smaller teeth," he mumbles.

S'krllk finishes his watch...


...and goes to wake up Sgt. Porter Min for the last watch of the night.

S'Krllk approaches Sgt. Min to wake his replacement.

Porter takes the last watch. He sees nothing out of the ordinary during his watch and wakes everyone up.

OOC: Everyone gets the benefit of a full night's rest.

[MOVING TO NEW THREAD]
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:32, Mon 20 Apr 2020.