Raia will attempt to divert energy to the port shields.
Engineering DC = 10+(1.5*2) = 13
She has a hard time isolating the correct transfer cable, and the attempt goes for naught.
Spacey and Noble both land direct hits, smashing the defense ship out of commission. Without the mainframe to guide it, the drone simply drifts along.
The scans of the ship show it to be of a build the likes of which you've never seen. Who knows how bad this could have gotten, or what answers are to be had inside it's construction...
Who knows how bad this could have gotten...
Raia nonchalantly reports what her scans have found on the mothership. It appears fascinating, Captain.
Noble gets to work and quickly discovers something unique. With a little bit of work Noble is able to retrieve part of its tracking system. While old, it contains some unique algorithms that current starship designers might find interesting....
As you begin descent, the scanners (and windows) of The Drake pick up a trove of information.
Elytrio looks like a post-apocalyptic wasteland. Scans reveal that the planet has a breathable atmosphere, standard gravity, and higher than normal (though still harmless) levels of radiation. While most of Elytrio shows little sign of life, the ship’s computer picks up a large energy output from what appears to be a fully functional city in the southern hemisphere. These readings indicate the city has a level of technology that is comparable to that of the Pact Worlds (albeit slightly outdated), and that the city contains life forms of some kind.
However, as you enter Elytrio’s atmosphere, the computer warns you that the city and a half-mile radius around it is encased in a powerful force field. The starship can’t land in or next to the city, but there is a safe landing zone fairly close to the edge of the force field. You can set down there.
There's something under the sand, and it's BIG and it's MOVING!
A strange beast, like a lion with tentacles and a reflective hide, bursts forth from the sand! The sand brute hustles forward and rears it's ugly head!
Surprise Round:
Sand Brute: Close distance
Spacey: Go
Round 1:
Raia: Go
Sand Brute: TBD
Gideon: TBD
Spacey: TBD
Noble-44: TBD
Bud-33: TBD
Raia takes a five-foot step behind Spacey and lets fly with a trio of missiles as a full action!
A sand brute! It's reflective hide is REALLY reflective, and can cause lasers to ricochet! Be careful
Spacey can't tell just by looking.
Hoping that this is merely a beast and not a botched first contact, Spacey and Raia open with violence. When Spacey reaches out, he feels a very basic mind, but there's enough to scramble:
The two attacks are enough to seriously hurt the creature. Normally a beast like this would probably flee, but it acts.... as if ravenously hungry.
The beast gives an atonal chord of a roar, shaking you to your bones.
Round 1:
Raia: MM
Sand Brute: Rawr
Gideon: Go
Spacey: Go
Noble-44: Go
Bud-33: Go
Sand beast: 22
Unfortunately, BUD-33's experiment fails because he straight out misses the monster.
Round 1:
Raia: MM
Sand Brute: Rawr
Gideon: Go
Spacey: Go
Noble-44: Go
Bud-33: Miss
Sand beast: 22
Despite soiling his pants a bit, Spacey thrusts again into the creature's animal brain . It fights back instinctively, but the damage is done.
Round 1:
Raia: MM
Sand Brute: Rawr
Gideon: Go
Spacey: Bork!
Noble-44: Go
Bud-33: Miss
Sand beast: 31
Noble-44, hoping that it won't bounce, aims for the beasts center mass and hits it!
The stunned beast simply stands there as the party comes down on it with thunder and fury.
From the sand a platoon of strange looking creatures approach.
They are clearly armed, though with strange arquebus-style weapons that incorporate slightly dated energy weapon magazines, but they are not pointing at you.
They seem impressed by your combat prowess and are awaiting your next move.
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Gideon takes a deep breath. "Alright. First contact. Here we go. Weapons lowered, no sudden moves, and get that translator out." The Knight begins walking slowly toward the other creatures, and keeps his hands by his sides.
He stops at a respectful distance and, in a tone that he hopes does not appear aggressive, calls out a greeting. He motions with his hand to mimick a talking motion, or perhaps a clicking of mandibles, in an effort to get the aliens to speak so the machine can work its magic.
The creature holds up one of her hands and lowers her head to show the flat of her twin mandibles. She straps her rifle to her back and begins to slowly approach the PCs, continuing to try her greeting. However, she doesn’t get closer than 20 feet to you.
Gideon's gesturing, and words are matched in kind. Within a few moments, the gibberish becomes intelligible! Noble-44 makes a mental note to thank Twitch.
"Grewwadasdf.... fedoewdqwds... wsdwewfmy.... nameiwqed.... my name... eqef.... my name is Dystane. We are the ghibrani. You are different than us. You slay sand beast, then do not turn your weapons on us. Come. Come let us introduce you to our conclave. There you will meet our leaders."
The language that these creatures speak is very similar to, but distinct from, the language the orbiter used.
In the 30 minute walk to the "Enclave" the ghibrani explain that the Sand beast is a common creature who will eat anything that wanders into its territory. The one you killed was underfed by the looks of it, but still fierce.
Dozens of beetle-like aliens crawl in and out of the many caves that dot the face of this otherwise drab cliff. Most of them are dressed in simple leather frocks, while the few with crude weapons are covered with sturdier armor. A small garden filled with sickly plants is visible off to one side, next to what looks like the opening to a well. A handful of children sits in front of a pair of older aliens, who are both wearing brightly colored necklaces. They appear to be either telling the young ones a story or teaching them a lesson.
As Dystane and her hunters approach, the enclave lets out a friendly cheer, which dies off as the other ghibranis notice you lot. Dystane quickly strides up to a and begins an animated conversation involving various clacking mandibles. After the short conversation, they invite you over. The couple, known as Brother Koseemo and Sister Alomir, are introduced to you as the leaders the colony. These ghibranis consider themselves the chosen children of the deity, Mother Touloo.
From the general environment and the condition of their garden,
you think that food and water are most likely precious resources on this planet.
Alomir and Koseemo respond, alternating between who speaks,"We are of this world, and you are not. We offer you the blessings of Mother Touloo."
Dystane explains that because of that fact, before we can talk in depth, the tribe must perform a special rite known as the Welcoming to officially receive her returning hunting party,and that they would be overjoyed if you would join in.
You've NEVER heard of any Mother Touloo.
The interior of the husk’s cave is spacious, with plenty of natural handholds leading up to other tunnels into the cliff. A large bonfire burns in the center of a cleared-out space, providing light but making the cave quite stuffy. As you step inside, it seems as though the entire tribe is converging here. You see that many of the ghibranis are carrying drums and assorted instruments made from stone. A few moments later, they begin playing a stately tune and the remaining ghibranis face each other in a couple of straight lines. The husks proceed to start a formalized processional dance.
|
.
Does not recognize the name, but onders to himself if there are any references to his own deity here. As the leader of the church (and sole member), he’s always hoping to find other stories/evidence.
Noble listen and watches for a moment and then smoothly, almost if practiced, joins the dance. He look to see, like some culture if there’s any meaning or story behind the dance.
With Noble-44 breaking the ice, one by one a ghibrani motions invitingly to each of you...
Noble-44: TBD
Spacey: TBD
Gideon: TBD
Raia: TBD
Bud-33: TBD