GM Jhaeman's "Dawn of Flame, Chapter 3: Sun Divers" (Inactive)

Game Master Jhaeman

Do we know what our suits are rated for? We all have Thermal Regulators and Environmentally protective clothing (+2 to saves vs heat), but I don't know the limits of that.

Oh, also... are there windows? I think the point was to look over the city, right?

Speaker, what are the temperature limits of your functionality?

With the mental push of a non-existant button, Xylian's helmet thwips into place followed quickly by a shunt as the breaths in the helmet snap closed and the heavy armor's closed-loop life support system activates. With the same non-motion, Xylian switches his reconfigurable clothing from radiation protection to heat protection. A narrow tube extends from the heavy armor and connects to the heat exchanger on Xylian's armor mounted ice carbine, circulating additional coolant through small tubes in the reconfigured clothing.

Jin has his armor protections up, but they won't help against that much heat.

"This will not work, we are not equipped to explore the tower in this temperature." Jin starts climbing down.

Jin has nothing to protect against that much heat, unless someone can cast Climate Adaptation. Not sure what possessed me to not take enhanced resistance fire at level 5 - nothing a mnemonic editor won't fix when we go back

Tulgram carefully examines the equipment of his comrades. Xylian, it's useless. Not all of us have the necessary equipment. I suggest we retreat. We could split up... But I'm not sure that's a good idea, remembering those reclaimers. Of course, we can send your drone to investigate, and if everything is safe, some of us will get up and look around. But I think it will melt on the way.

@Everyone: I agree the rules are confusing, with the interaction between the armor environmental protection passages and the environmental hazards (extreme temperatures) section not obvious. I also wonder if there was an errata at some point, as I've seen slightly different wording in different places online for exactly what the rules say. In any event, I think the interpretation that makes the most sense is that standard environmental protections keep you comfortable up to 140 degrees F. Over that, you would need something like a thermal regulator. I'll leave it up to you folks to decide how/whether to proceed (in whole or in part).

@Zharis: The description isn't 100% clear, but the best I can tell, you would sort-of be able to see through the "walls". Because only certain wavelengths of light are getting through, vision would be altered in particular ways. (And here I am without a degree in optics!) If there's something in particular you're looking for, let me know and I'll check. (If you get to the top of the tower, then you could look out with normal vision.)

Okay everyone, because we've been here for a few days now, just to keep us moving I'm going to assume the group decides it's too dangerous to keep climbing just to get a better view from the top. Where would you like to go instead?

Okay, not sure how that happened because we specifically all got thermal regulators at some point, but it is what it is. I guess the middle point between going on to the core and Xylian's wish to go back is to explore some other hex we haven't been to yet. Let's try gray sun to the "south."

Apologies if I've been over-hasty in pushing the group on! (I just saw it had been five days or so in RL since your arrival at the tower, and I didn't want you to lose momentum.) The last two posts in this thread were leaning against going up, but if there is a consensus to ascend, that's of course fine with me as well! I'll wait another 24 hours or so to see what you'd all like to do. Group decisions can be hard and "voting" probably isn't the right term, but if you'd all RP your inclination here, I'll try to move us along with whatever view has a plurality.

Zharis looks at Xylian and says

Okay, let's just go up and you can take a look while whoever else stays here. Quickly though, and we retreat if there is anything threatening.

Hani will dutifully follow everyone up, perhaps even leading.

Hani does have energy resistance (fire) 5.

The brave members of the expedition team press on, environmental protections sealed tight and heat dampeners at full power. Walking through the reddish level is still a nerve-wracking experience, even if the veritable oven is only a trillionth the power of the sun surrounding Noma.

Nearing the top of the structure, however, the group is forced to halt--at least temporarily--once again. Zharis' radiation badge is beeping furiously!

From what I can tell, radiation badges don't indicate the level of radiation nearby, just that there is some. (You might have other equipment that can be more specific though; I'm not sure).

Zharis backs up until her badge stops chirping, and looks at Xylian.

Okay, Xylian... might just be minor radiation, but this is where I stop. If you want to continue, I will wait here.

All of us have the radiation badges, so you'll still know if it is around. I guess the only way to know if it is stronger is if you have to roll a save, which would indicate that you are feeling some physical effects I suppose... if that happens, we brought Ruthig Milk Tea and Rad-out serum for everyone, and the environmentally protective clothing we bought for this trip has a +1 to saves vs radiation. Totally your call. Not sure if there is a worthwhile reward ahead, but my character isn't risking it for a better view of the city.

Xylian shrugs and turns to descend the tower.

Huh. This is another one of those seemingly unsurmountable challenges. If the radiation goes up to severe (assuming it's the same as the heat) we have no way to deal with it. What's the point of having a place the PC's literally cannot go? Anyways, I'm content to head either towards where we think the core is or explore more hexesses.

Deciding the risk of contracting radiation sickness outweighs the uncertain benefit of reaching the top of the tower, the group make their way back down to the bottom.

Ok, where to?

Err... northeast?

Leaving the multicolored conical tower behind, the expedition team continues their exploration of Noma. Soon, they find themselves in a sector comprised of bizarrely-shaped buildings and streets that almost look like some kind of abstract art!

Imagine cubist architecture.

Jin tries to detect artistic threats in the new hexagon:

Perception: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (3) + 10 = 13

Zharis thinks the robots are just trying random things, but she isn't sure why.

Speaker, can you tell me anything about how these experiments are chosen or why?

If it just comes up with the same crap I don't know answer, then she tries again.

Why is the information that you have important? Why do you have to get to the core?

Northeast again, then north, then northwest three times? Might as well find out what is up at the core, though of course we can wander more, or stop if anything significant is happening in the interim. Just seems like a series of bizarre experiments, some more dangerous than others.

Hani keeps a weather eye out for danger.

perception: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (19) + 10 = 29

I think his information is no more important than anything else here. But getting to the Core would really be interesting from a cognitive and scientific point of view.

As he says this, Tulgram looks around keenly, looking for danger... or something that could be taken away for study.

Perception: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (18) + 14 = 32

As the others keep an eye out for danger, Zharis tries to get some additional information from the little robot that has been following the group around. Her first question about the purpose of the experiments is met with the reply "Here we learn the best way by trying all ways."
But her second question gets a different answer: "I have data for the Core! The Core is Noma’s mind. The source and the destination of knowledge. No incomplete data must go there. What I have is complete. Noma says relics were taken from the Core. I have data on the invaders who took the relics from the Core."

Sorry, late night! I'll post the next sector's description in the morning.

Zharis is pleased. Two answers, when she expected zero.

The best way by trying all ways... so you guys are into continuous improvement. That's admirable. Have you tried watching holovids?

She gives the little robot a copy of the entire run of As the Black Hole Turns, along with all of the special episodes. They must need some additional cultural experimentation, clearly.

At the second answer she grows a touch more concerned.

Invaders? Can you describe them, or describe the relics? Perhaps we can help, or provide more information if we know them. Did they have weird explosive collars?

"Burning creatures came from the fire outside. They left their vessel to assail us. Noma says they found the Core. There, they took relics. Then they flew back into the fire.”

As Speaker Sol-653 recites these facts, the expedition teams arrives at a new sector. Here, bizarre angular spires jut from smooth pools of viscous liquid, like raindrops frozen on impact. A large circular pit, several hundred feet wide, is filled with enormous grinding plates similar to those you saw the "reclaimers" use in the manufactory and plaza. Dozens of empty polyfluid canals extend from the pit’s fringes.

As you look on, an enormous mobile construct the size of a building is being slowly broken down by the grinding plates in the pit.

"Can you describe these creatures more precisely? Or display their images?"

Perception to analyze the pit for dangers: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (4) + 10 = 14

Is the grinding of the giant construct producing polyfluid that we can harvest?

How do you talk to Noma? Zharis asks the speaker.

Could we talk to Noma?

The little robot answers Jin's questions first. "I have no further information on that," it says, before replying to Zharis. "Noma is our city. Noma is our creator. For Noma we are reclaimed. Noma is all. Citizen speakers submit to reclamation. Reclaimers mistake me for one such, because the invaders damaged my transponder. I am an observer. I have life data to contribute to the Core. I must be assimilated there."

As you speak, thin streams of polyfluid begin slowly trickling down the canals--clear evidence of what happens to those "reclaimed."

@Zharis: Yes, depending on how much time, effort, and ingenuity you want to put in, you can definitely collect some polyfluid here.

@Everyone: I have to go to a conference for the next couple of days. Will post again on Sunday. Until then, here's an in-character prompt for some inter-group RP. Imagine you're sitting around eating a lunch of your pre-packaged rations, and somehow the topic comes up: "What would you be doing right now if you hadn't been selected for this expedition?"

We don't have much in our null-space chamber, having recently cleared it out... if we take everything else out of it, can that hold polyfluid? We could use the 1 bulk tanks from the reclaimers to gather it, and then dump them in there until it is full... if there is that much (25 bulk) to gather.

Will you report to Noma about us as well? Is there a way for us to report to Noma without being reclaimed?

[ooc]Will definitely collect polyfluid here if we can, but moving on to our conversation.

As they stop to rest and eat, Zharis considers where she would be if she hadn't been selected for the expedition.

If I hadn't been selected, I guess... hmm. I would likely be in a new film or series, rehearsing and performing, in the limelight. And while that sounds pretty good actually--might want to go back to that at some point--I wouldn't have met so many people that have never heard of me, and been able to act like a normal person without all of the press attention and constant invasion of my privacy... I definitely don't miss that part.

I'd probably have better food than this too. Ugh. But sacrifices must be made in order to learn and grow. I'm positive that Noma agrees with that, although I'm sad that someone stole from her. These bots are almost childlike... learning how to grow and improve and make better decisions.

Xylian flies the drone out to survey the construct that is being demolished. They had not seen any other robots besides the reclaimers and speakers, so why was this one here? "Shame I do not have a bike here. I would like to find where the polyfluid is channeled to and stored in bulk." Xylian has been working on plans for a more advanced and protective suit of armor for himself to keep his important scientist brain safe from the apparently innumerable number of beings who wish to slow his pursuit of knowledge. A large store of the polyfluid would assist in said armors creation. He would have to take the motorcycle out once they returned to the ship to see if he could discover the central storage facility for the polyfluid, assuming they do not find it on their journey to the core. He brings the drone in for a close pass of the colossus. For now, the partially deconstructed robot would occupy his interest.

"Speaker, how much polyfluid is Noma comprised of? The builders of this place must have brought it from elsewhere, it is not made of raw starstuff."

==========

"My varied and exceptional skills made me the most qualified who applied. I would not have applied if I did not know I would be chosen, nor would I have applied if I thought there another more qualified than myself." Xylian says in monotone.

Sorry, I like the prompt but Xylian isn't the "world that might have been" type >.<
Engineering (Bigbot): 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (15) + 15 = 30

Zharis starts collecting and dumping polyfluid into the null-space chamber if that works.

__________

Zharis can see Xylian's logic if he actually was the very best, but it was unlikely that everyone who felt that way really was the best.

Okay then Xylian, what were you doing with your life before you came out here then? Researching? Working in a lab? What do you do when you aren't out on survey missions?

Tulgram joins Zaris and helps her collect polyfluid.

_____

Tulgram listens attentively to the conversation. He seems to open his mouth a couple of times to start talking, but then closes it back, muttering something under his breath.

Sense Motive DC 10 will tell you that he wants to join the conversation but ... shies? Well, or something like this.

Jin keeps observing the polyfluid abyss. "Plenty of resources, but the local artificial sentient life seems uncooperative. Hopefully their core will be more amenable."

Hani sits down and breaks out an R2E. "This preserved fish isn't bad. It's...not really good either...but it could be worse." After another bite, he continues. "It's better right out of the surf back on Pygos. There is nothing like fresh Pygosian Shuttlefish, butchered right on shore, then cooked with fresh herbs and diced fruit right over a charcoal fire on the beach. If I were back home, that's where I would be right now. On the beach. Probably surfing. There would also be that fresh fish."

Hani falls silent, and seems troubled. "Of course I'd probably be drinking intoxicants. Probably drinking far too much. It's probably better that I'm a little out of my comfort zone here in the Pact Worlds."

Good to know our own weaknesses so that we can do better. ... I've always had a rough relationship with my father. When we get back to the DCI, I'm going to contact him. Maybe, you know, running off without telling him where wasn't the kindest thing to do. Even though he acts like his reputation is more important than his family, I understand what it feels like to have to protect a whole group now, and I can see where he is coming from.

As the polyfluid collection is underway, Speaker replies to Zharis' questions about reporting: "My data is complete. I have no information about that." To Xylian's queries about the nature of polyfluid, the now-familiar refrain of "I have no information about that" is the only reply.

Good RP! It's great to see you flesh our your characters.

You're able to accumulate 5 bulk of polyfluid; the machine that is being devoured surely generates much more, but there are so many canals leading away from the massive pit that you're just not able to get to them all.

Okay, I say north, then northwest three times. That's the quickest path to the core from here, but I don't know if there is more stuff out here to find, so if someone else wants to explore more, feel free to suggest a different path.

After collecting the polyfluid, the expedition continues. Soon, the explorers find themselves in a new section of the city--a metropolis made entirely of stone. Curiously, a single building made of metal sits in the exact center of the area. From the building's doorway, it looks like each room of the metal building contains a single crystal globe.

Got any information about this area, Speaker?

"This place is the possibilities place."

Hani pauses as they overlook this part of city. "Should we spot check a few of these stone buildings, then take a look at the weird one over there?"

Zharis nods to Hani to go ahead and then asks the speaker

What happens in the possibilities place?

"In the possibilities place, many possibilities are revealed."

Hani takes a quick look into some stone buildings and finds them empty, but when he enters the metallic building and gets closer to a crystal globe in the first chamber, there's a sudden flash of light!

Thinking it unlikely that she will get any more from the Speaker, Zharis follows Hani into the metallic building.

Tulgram does the same, heading for another crystal. In the end, it could always turn out to be a new crystalline life form... :)

Zharis and Tulgram follow Hani in, with Tulgram heading for another room and another crystal globe. As the duergar peers in, it emits a sudden flash of light!

Jin waits outside, wondering if the mechanism won't affect his colleagues' minds.

"It would be prudent to analyze these artifacts before utilizing them."

"Indeed." Xylian grunts. "Please do not elicit more flashes from the crystals, it could be disorienting." From the safety of outside, Xylian pilots the drone into the building, flying it over to one of the crystals for remote examination.

I'll go back in time and answer Zharis' questions over lunch...uh... When I have a little more time lol

Wait, Jin. I think I got the idea that this is the place. Maybe there are potential experiments planned here or something. With these words, Tulgram moves to the next crystal.

Xylian flies the spy-drone into the metallic building; it's clear the place has many rooms, and in the center of each is one of the curious crystal globes. However, the globes don't seem to react at all when the drone approaches them.

For Tulgram, it's a different story. He moves to another crystal globe and there's another sudden bright flash of light.

How big are the crystals?

Zharis goes to an unoccupied crystal and evaluates it to see if it is removable.

Engineering: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (9) + 14 = 23

Or not... Tulgram blinks several times. Oh, s*!#. And goes to the next crystal.