"It worked. I can sense Gaia inside me!"
"Can you talk, or will you just be riding me along?" he tries to speak to it with his thoughts.
Powers down the tool, "Fine, I won't use it. I'll even give it up, if you can show and explain a better way. This is how I know how to help people, if you know a better way-then how?"EDIT: Well unexpected roll.
Rena looks you over carefully and then says, "Put it away. Follow my protocols today. Gaia provides."
She leaves without saying goodbye to the patient, leaving her assistant to do that. As she walks to the next shelter she thinks of something else, turns to Zelgato, and says, "Also, I think you should meditate tonight. It will help you understand our way of doing things."
"No, I think not. I'll just be leaving. I want no part in your cult of Human supremacists."
"I can assure you," says the Gaian, "We do not believe in the supremacy of humans. If you want to leave, leave. The highway is that way."
"It worked. I can sense Gaia inside me!"
"Can you talk, or will you just be riding me along?" he tries to speak to it with his thoughts.
Von Junzt feels a warmth inside him, a happiness bubbling up, and sees flashes of jungle and light. He does not get an answer other than joy and images of life.
Von Junzt can still feel his thoughts being rifled through.
"Ah... I could get used to this feeling, this happiness. It's been decades since I felt anything like this. What's next, brother Zak?"
"Keep me buzzed like this and we'll have a great time together, Gaia seedling!
Rena looks you over carefully and then says, "Put it away. Follow my protocols today. Gaia provides."She leaves without saying goodbye to the patient, leaving her assistant to do that. As she walks to the next shelter she thinks of something else, turns to Zelgato, and says, "Also, I think you should meditate tonight. It will help you understand our way of doing things."
"I'm yours for the day then." Upon her addition, "Like.. thinking over things quietly?
Zellgato will file away, information. Still unsure if she's comprimised or if she's deep cover-just gave him a pass and information. Either way, he's going to continue observing today. Feeling like he's working on cruchest without his beloved tech.
"Ah... I could get used to this feeling, this happiness. It's been decades since I felt anything like this. What's next, brother Zak?"
"Keep me buzzed like this and we'll have a great time together, Gaia seedling!
[dice=Bluff]1d20+11
[dice=Will]1d20+1
Von Junzt feels nothing like language coming from the entity, but he manages to pull more images from its mind. He can't tell whether the entity is aware of him. He sees wizard-kings with the heads of tigers, reptoid servants kneeling before them. He sees naked humans carrying a palanquin in which sits a very large humanoid with the head of an elephant. He sees pyramid-shaped temples formed out of single blocks of stone ringed by statues of animal-headed emperors. He sees humans thrown to the lions, but the lions are fully dressed and ready to play with their food. Mostly he sees flashes of blue water, green leaves, and rainbow flickers of light.
Sweetly, and with apparently sincere concern for Von Junzt's welfare, Zak replies, "Perhaps, you would like to rest and contemplate the wisdom and joy of surrendering to Gaia? Many people find that, after meditation, they feel different ... less alone. Like Gaia is with them. It can be disconcerting at first. We have beds here, if you'd like, but you could also go back to your shelter."
Rena looks you over carefully and then says, "Put it away. Follow my protocols today. Gaia provides."She leaves without saying goodbye to the patient, leaving her assistant to do that. As she walks to the next shelter she thinks of something else, turns to Zelgato, and says, "Also, I think you should meditate tonight. It will help you understand our way of doing things."
"I'm yours for the day then." Upon her addition, "Like.. thinking over things quietly?
Zellgato will file away, information. Still unsure if she's comprimised or if she's deep cover-just gave him a pass and information. Either way, he's going to continue observing today. Feeling like he's working on cruchest without his beloved tech.
"Meditation is a way of preparing yourself for the wisdom of Gaia. I'll show you how," Rena smiles with her mouth, but not her eyes as she says this. This is the first time she's looked less than serious and it doesn't suit her.
Sweetly, and with apparently sincere concern for Von Junzt's welfare, Zak replies, "Perhaps, you would like to rest and contemplate the wisdom and joy of surrendering to Gaia? Many people find that, after meditation, they feel different ... less alone. Like Gaia is with them. It can be disconcerting at first. We have beds here, if you'd like, but you could also go back to your shelter."
"I believe I will take a stroll through the camp. I want to see this world with my new eyes, to contemplate what was before, and what will be now. Thank you, brother Zak. You have changed my life!"
Sweetly, and with apparently sincere concern for Von Junzt's welfare, Zak replies, "Perhaps, you would like to rest and contemplate the wisdom and joy of surrendering to Gaia? Many people find that, after meditation, they feel different ... less alone. Like Gaia is with them. It can be disconcerting at first. We have beds here, if you'd like, but you could also go back to your shelter.""I believe I will take a stroll through the camp. I want to see this world with my new eyes, to contemplate what was before, and what will be now. Thank you, brother Zak. You have changed my life!"
[dce=Bluff]
They stay where they are and watch Archeron leave.
"Meditation is a way of preparing yourself for the wisdom of Gaia. I'll show you how," Rena smiles with her mouth, but not her eyes as she says this. This is the first time she's looked less than serious and it doesn't suit her.
Scratching his head-somewhat sheepishly- "I mean no disrespect, but you're more charasmatic as the commanding medical officerrather than smiling preacher. If you're willing to teach ways to help follks, I'm interested. Thanks."
Gristlethorn is just wandering around talking to people and trying to ingrate himself with the various gossip groups.
[dice=Sense Motive for awkward emotion]1d20+7
Zellgato senses Rena's awkwardness and discomfort.
Gristlethorn is just wandering around talking to people and trying to ingrate himself with the various gossip groups.
[Dice=Diplomacy--Gather Information]1d20+10
[dice=Expertise]1d6
Gristlethorn learns about the rival, but small religious faction, the X-tians, which seems to be some kind of non-denominational monotheism that emerged in the camps. He even hears a rumour they have some weapons hidden from when they were in charge before the Brigade took over and then the Gaians took over from them.
He also hears about how when people join the Gaian religion they often give up on the things that mattered to them before and often revoke their families and friendships. Some people say this bitterly, having lost friends to the group.
A flicker in the dampener's allows Archeron's text to Gristlethorn and Zellgato to come through.
Zellgato isn't in a real position to check his phonecurrently as he follows Rena around for the day, still moving around trying to figure her out. Unable to decide if she's Turned, or if she's playing a fine line right now.
Von Junzt's walk around the camp is uneventful other than the fact every time something even slightly stressful happens, he gets a warm joyful feeling inside calming him down.
After spending the day observing like a new intern for the day. Zellgato will excuse himself and head back to the spot, setting up his camp again and hoping for his friend Gristlethorn to return, finally noticing the message on his phone-once safely hidden from view. Beginning to worry as that plan never came to fruition-but with little method to check up on his digital cohort.
Unless someone tries to provoke trouble, the day passes fairly calmly. The Gaians do a very good job of running the camp. The medicine is unfamiliar, but effective. Gristlethorn hears from a refugee named Oliver that a woman named Mouna doesn't even seem to recognize him now after spending three days in the compound with the Gaians. He suspects powerful drugs. Archeron has a long walk in the desert and stays there. Szreem starts a small fight between the Gaians and the tiny faction of refugees that oppose them.
Gaians walk around and make sure everyone has food for dinner before going into the compound for their own dinner.
IX maintains a certain level of irritating but doesn't start anything. He merely observes the activity of all people.
IX maintains a certain level of irritating but doesn't start anything. He merely observes the activity of all people.
With no more commotion during the day or early evening, the PCs, other than Archeron, have a chance to meet up and make plans or discuss.
Von Junzt will try to gather up with his colleagues, as long as no one can see them. “Could any of you make sure we are not being spied on? I have wonderful news!”
Gristlethorn enters the tent Zellgato put up. "I hope you've had better luck today than I have."
Once Gristlethorn comes in. Motioning for Gristlethorn to pause, Zellgato will try scanning him-as per quarantine methods for dealing with an unknown infection or parasite. As well as scanning himself to show Gristlethorn-not knowing if the Uplifted cohort could read such information but still.
Zellgato pulls out his private phone out, turning it on, and types a message, before turning the screen towards the others to read quietly.
"Well. Found Rena, I could not scan her however. She kind of saw my microlab.. Though she didn't report me. She is acting very strangely. Awkward.. stifled? Not really how I would imagine an emotion pusher anyway. I'm not sure if that means she's deep cover or if she's comprimised." pausing briefly before pulling his public phone out and showing the text he recieved earlier. "I got this from our 'friend' a while back, not sure when. Recieption is spotty. but... that never hapened-so i'm not sure if thats bad."
If any of our other allies manages to find our tent Zellgato wil also scan them; shortly there after if nothing is odd he will type out the information concerning the organism/parasite/infection, as well as Rena's odd behavior.
Ix enters the tent and merely crosses his arms while standing in a corner.
"Oh lovely. We have almost everyone.. .except the one I'm nervious about of course... Soo. Please stand in that corner for a moment? I'll explain why later. Gristlethorn stay over here though."
Having said as much. Zellgato begins scanning individuals then letting them on the other side, mainly checking for whatever he found traces of in the passerby before.
As there are many of us at this point, it isn't terribly feesible to do the Text-To-Read, and thus Zellgato explains about his day, and findings in a low quiet voice while checking over folks.
Once Archeron broke from the patrol's sight, he found a spot to hide for the remainder of the daylight. Once night began falling, she changed into his armor and prepared to set back out towards the relay station.
Having directed others to his side, Zellgato pauses. "Hmm. Gristlethorn, mind keeping an eye near the entry? I think.. we need to have a chat with Von Junzt. So. Have you eaten anything weird lately? Or do you have any strange medical history? I hadn't scanned you before-but well. Lets just say I'm paranoid. You mentioned having wonderful news?"
“Yes! I am pretty sure I solved the mystery in this camp! Earlier on I was recruited, amongst other charming and good-looking people, to join in a ceremony in their inner quarters. There I believe I was inserted with probably the ghost or the spirit of an alien or interdimensional being from a planet of anthropomorphized humanoids.”
Von Junzt is all smiles. “He’s been humping the pleasure center of my brain like an inmate that broke out of prison after 20 years and was gifted a free pass at the city’s main brothel. I haven’t experienced such happiness since, well, very powerful drugs in a very private party, many years ago.”
“I think this is an invasion. Animal-headed monsters - no offense, IX - are entering the bodies of gorgeous people in an effort to take their places. I tried to poke my passenger a couple of times, but all I get are visions from his home, I think, and a never ending supply of joy. If we could harvest and control these guys properly, we could make billions!”
"No worries Zellgado, I'll keep watch. You absolutely hear it if I intercept someone."
"...and you''re still you fine? If so.. does that mean most people are? They're jut choosing to support it instead of fight it? Drug addiction style?" Zellgato continues muttering to himself for a brief moment. "Well. I didn't talk to you much before this but you certainly talk far more like the rest of them.. How would you feel about me trying to study it...and you?"
"Considering some witness accounts so far, I'd say they first become addicted to it - but the possibility of the... Guide... taking over seems very likely, considering how different the personalities of the Children of Gaia have turned out, compared to before. It's probably a matter of time."
Von Junzt starts pondering. "Well, if my Guide is connected to the rest of them, it's very likely you will not get out of this camp alive, or be forced to join us. I mean, them. Join them."
He sits back, relaxed and seeming completely happy. "Probe away, doctor. But I must warn you - I was Touched by the Guide in a flash of a second. Who knows if it is contagious... happiness, that is."
He's all smiles. "Everything will be fine. Soon." He closes his eyes.
Zellgato sighs, pondering how this was not what he thought this job would be. Hitting a toggle upon his suit to activate Enviromental Protection and Filters, just as a precaution. He'll try to do his best to figure out what is going on in Von Junzt's body.
Zellgato, makes extensive use of his supplies in the moment to help in his testing, and self preservations. Supplimenting himself ensuring a steady hand, and clear mind. While also testing reactions to various medications. Seeing what, if any effect Antimetics, Antitoxin, and Analgesics have on his business partner.
Medicine to check VJ's vitals : 1d20 + 12 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 12 + 2 = 24
Von Junzt is healthy, although he does seem a little giddy. So far his reaction time and focus don't seem affected. Mentally and physically, he seems to be okay.
Physical Science, taking samples from VJ's system to break down components to test against non biologicals or nonliving matter : 1d20 + 11 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 11 + 1 = 28
You detect protein in the urine that suggests some muscle tissue is breaking down. There's also some proteins that aren't normally found in humans.
Life Science, checking how exactly VJ's stimulation of happy is occuring. If its an addictive system : 1d20 + 11 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 11 + 2 = 24
A physical inspection shows a small dark lump underneath Von Junzt's rib cage. Thin nerve like veins spread out from the lump to different parts of his body. Poking Von Junzt seems to cause some movement in the lump. The direct mechanism isn't clear.
While Von Junzt's muscles could be breaking down, the other foreign proteins in his suggest this creature is hijacking Von Junzt's bladder.
Profession Medic. This is for if I need to test how well I do triage/infection prevention : 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (5) + 7 = 12[/ooc]
Removing the lump could be dangerous as you don't know how this creature is interacting with his organs without a more thorough examination. You have no way of knowing yet if Von Junzt is exhaling spores or something that would cause the spread of this creature. Considering the timeframe, you'd possibly know in a few hours if he was already infectious. It might be a good idea to quarantine him in case he becomes infectious, but that might not be possible given the circumstances.
"Hum.... Well.. Frankly I'd ssuggest you use your sealed air filter if you can Von Junzt... or the rest of us should. You absolutely have a new friend in you..."
Taking a few step backs to ponder some more. "It actually might be a parasite, it makes you happy, addicted, while it probably eats you. Or at least its breaking parts of you down. Hijacking your body maybe. You mentioned it seemed almost intellegent?"
Speaking towards the rest. [b]" I really wasn't prepared for this kind of thing... While I have some supplies.. I don't think this is something I can work with. And frankly.. I don't know how infectious it is. If it was airborne in the camp we'd all be exposed already-and there wouldn't be much need for the ceremony area he mentioned. Either its infectious from that stuff, or it is in the air but requires activation of some sort..
Either way. I don't like it here. And this might be enough to fulfil our requirements. And, it might be a good idea to find a Surgeon Theator if possible... and a better surgion."
Zellgato will remain using his suit's enviromental protection/air filter system as long as he can at least.
“Well, doctor, let’s not jump to conclusions about my “pregnancy”. If this is being used to control the children of Gaia, they have been around for quite a while and seem to still be doing fine.”
“And, this answers the “how” - we need to know the “why”. I need some alone time with Andrew Parsons to work my magic and make him talk. We need to create a diversion and isolate him from his goons, while we either kidnap or corner him somewhere.”
“The alternative, or secondary objective, would be to sneak in the Garden of Eden and capture the creature inside the pool - that’s probably the main source of contagion.”
“I’ll let the fighty types decide on a course of action, but better hurry up - I might be changing sides any time now.” Von Junzt seems absolutely peaceful.
IX walks casually from his corner next to the examined Friedrich. Without any pretext he sends a fist into Friedrich's abdomen.
Von Junzt steps away from IX, protecting his stomach with his hands.
“You’ll regret this, ungeheuer !”
Then he casts Fear on IX. “Furcht!”
You flee from the source of your fear as best you can. If you are unable to flee, you can instead fight. You take a –2 penalty to ability checks, attack rolls, saving throws, and skill checks. You can use special abilities, including spells, to flee; indeed, you must use such means if they are the only way you have to escape while you are frightened.
You take a –2 penalty to attack rolls, saving throws, skill checks, and ability checks while you have the shaken condition.