Gregor does as instructed, setting his helmet cam to record, he keeps his rifle at the ready and he seems ever paranoid. He makes a point of stopping for a few seconds to document the important details such as symbols, control stations, environmental systems etc.

He takes a few minutes looking at the symbols. "I also took a few classes in Sather."

He ponders the symbols for a few minutes. "Yep, looks like Sathar to me."

Bartja, it's Desi.  Gregor and I are sending video andpics of some of the weapons and tech we found on these little robots other than what Vadim & Orvo are sending.  If the others can assist you for input, that might speed things up with getting this ship off of the bottom!"

You begin exploring the room, the strange runes, and getting prepared.

Vadim, Bartja, Gregor and Orvo begin studying the runes and sharing their thoughts.

Meanwhile, Desi is sending over what specs she can of the robots and weapons and documenting on video everything in the room. On the north side of the airlock (this would be facing south toward #2), Desi finds a touchpad that has the Sathar words "Enter Personal Code" written on it. From appearances, it appears to be a small safe (about 0.5 meters x 0.5 meters) that is locked. The code appears to require 3 numbers.

You discover the following:

Orvo: Using his communication skills, which are the most superior of the group, Orvo reasons the following: The runes are the left are the Sathar's version of codes to prevent unauthorized meddling with onboard systems by hackers or other intrusions. Each appears to correspond to some sort of system, representing one word or phrase per line. The numbers to the right can be manipulated to normal numbers like a combination lock. Different numbers will have different results. The runes themselves are like kanji or cuneiform, in that each symbol represents an idea or concept, and when put together will create a word or phrase.

Desi: Desi notes that the top combination of runes matches a marking over the northern door. The middle combination matches a marking over the southern door. She does not see anything offhand that matches the bottom markings.

Deciphering: Between everyone's rolls pooled together, you somewhat decipher the meaning of the following:

FIRST ROW (7 characters): successful on 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7
1-Main
2-Control
3-Crew
4-Bridge
6-Entry
7-Portal/Gate

SECOND ROW (6 characters): success on 1, 4, 5, 6
1-Secondary
4-Quarters
5-Storage
6-Ingress/Egress

THIRD ROW (7 characters): success on 1, 3
1- Klaxon
3- Amber


Let me know if I missed anything in the posts.
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:39, Tue 15 June 2021.

Orvo does two things: he looks closely at the new touchpad to see if he can decipher anything using his communication skill; and he also makes an attempt at deciphering the symbols. (1/2 INT = 23)

Orvo, rolled 950 using 20d100 ((15,50,8,96,55,12,13,49,22,45,86,50,57,6,64,81,47,74,68,52)

Orvo inspects the numbers, coming up with the additional clues to the runes (which I've added in as red to give you a complete picture).

SECOND ROW (6 characters): success on 1, 4, 5, 6
1-Secondary
2-Computers
4-Quarters
5-Storage
6-Ingress/Egress

All the other successes were duplicates.

Orvo touches the touchpad as he investigates. It lights up, clearly locked, and he determines it can be accessed by any one of three ways: fingerprint (or Sathar equivalent), optical scan, or 4 digit code.

OOC: Again, I will reiterate that these little puzzles are optional, as I simply added them for fun to the published adventure. So don't feel like they should block you from normal investigation routines. Nor should you feel like all the answers will be in this room alone. Not to metagame, but the result of success will be: some new small weapons/equipment and assistance in opening the locks and/or reducing danger--as your characters probably surmised from analyzing the Sathar codes on the first runes.
This message was last edited by the GM at 00:14, Thu 17 June 2021.

Orvo notes, "None of the numbers at the place with the characters has four digits. Maybe if we find a Sathar, or even a corpse of one, we can open this. Or maybe the four digit code is hidden somewhere in one of the rooms."  Orvo elects to move on for now, either north or south, it doesn't matter.

"Well I'd expect the computer room to be more aft (south) rather than in the cockpit." Vadim comments.  He looks back at the board, "Though I'm not sure how to suss this out without some experimentation.  Though the numbers lit up next to each row each go one past he actual number of symbols on each row (8 for the first row which has 7 symbols, 7 for row 2 which has 6, and 8 again for the third which has 7 again).  Not sure if that is significant of anything.  But with the symbols next to the doors it could be some sort of status/control board?"

For clarity, there are only 3 numbers next to the first two rows of symbols and 5 for the bottom row. What I meant by 8 numbers is that the Sathar use a base 8 system instead of a decimal system. (That's not meant for anything except to make it seem more alien. So the numbers they use would equate to our numbers 0 through 7.)

http://www.felderbooks.com/papers/bases.html

Sorry if that was confusing. That was my fault for being ambiguous.

In reply to GM Heath (msg # 76):
Maybe we can check 'Quarters' for personal PIN Number codes?  Desi can at least try and assist with that?

Gregor stands by at the ready and offers to help in anyway he can.

"I could use a hand looking through the personnel quarters Gregor!"

Gregor moves to follow Desi. "Lets do this."

Vadim glances from the symbols to Desi and Gregor.  "Well, we can always experiment latter.  The team back at the Moraes might come up with an idea in the meantime.  And there could be more security bots about."  The scout moves in support of the others.

Desiraye sighs, "I guess you're right Vadim.  I'm a low-tech girl looking for a low-tech solution.  Gregor and I will see if there are any more of those robots left.  C'mon Gregor, let's make secure the craft first and send everything back toour guys that we can!"

She checks her charge pack and her screen and then looks to Vadim, "I've got no problem giving you the lead here.  What do you need us to do?" 

OOC: What needs to be checked out or videos taken of?

By personnel rooms, I think you mean you are going to try to unlock the security door going south to start, right?

Correct sir

"Okay Desi," Vadim nods.

Looking at the symbols above the doors he thinks aloud, "Actually, we might want to try experimenting with the board before using brute force to bypass the aft door.  The middle line corresponds with the symbols above this door, and the top one to the forward door.  The bottom line with the symbols for 'Klaxon' and 'Amber' seem to be more like a security response rather than a 'place' like the symbols on the first two lines."

Vadim returns to the switchboard and presses the first and third number symbols next to the third line to observe if the amber lights turn off.

Gregor is always at the ready to blast any sudden threats. His eyes move back and forth between the doors. "Whats it going to be boss? Just say the word."

Desi attempts the lock at the aft/south door while you talk. She somehow figures it out very quickly (success!). The aft door is now unlocked and closed.

OOC: I figured we would at least get that far and then if you want to go south, you can. Or you can do something else.

When Desi successfully unlocks the door to the aft, you notice that the center line of the strange runes/code light up the Sathar numbers "425" light up and that line of code turns blue (the Sathar color that best equate to green for humans).

Gregor levels his blaster over Desi's right flank.

Gregor prepares for anything to happen as you get ready to open the south door. Going south?

With the door open, Vadim moves south with the others.

OOC
Not to be fixated on the symbol\number board, but nothing happened when Vadim tapped the touch sensitive number buttons?  (1 & 3 next to the third line)

South it is...

OOC: Vadim, sorry, somehow I missed that.

The switchboard (with the three lines of runes) can be touched where the numbers at, and doing so will cycle through the numbers. Touching the runes themselves is like pressing "enter" to enter a number. So the numbers began to cycle when Vadim touched them, but with no additional discernible effects.

Similar to the switchboard, the numbers for the doors north and south can be touched to cycle through a security code (and now read 425 on the south/aft door as well as line 2 of the rune code). When Desi correctly opened the aft door security, the numbers popped up on both.

NOTE: The south doors are not opened. They are just unlocked. That's what the key code did. So I will assume you open the doors and go south. The north doors (to bridge) are still both locked and closed. The touchscreen next to the small locker has not been figured out yet.

In reply to GM Heath (msg # 95):

After making sure the team back at the Moraes got the feed of things, Vadim heads south with the others.