GRIM*! Gaming Network’s SFS2 1-02: Mystery of the Frozen Moon

Game Master Ashbourne

"Righto," Thommo says with a nod after hearing the Pegasus 2 is approaching their destination. Returning to quarters, he begins emptying his duffels, one item at a time, and carefully arranging them with practiced precision on his his neatly made bunk.

He emerges a short time later, a slate grey suit of light arnour formed by an interwoven mesh of flexible polymer fibres visible beneathbhis winter jacket. He carries the large portable cannon in one hand, the barrel pointed skyward and resting easily on a shoulder. The blade of the tooth-edged sword peeks above the other shoulder, the weapon secured firmly to his back, along with a well-filled backpack fastened snugly to his shoulders.

'Ready to find what wonders await us?" he asks before striding from the airlock and down the gangway to the snowy ground below.

With a casual vigilence, Thommo takes up a position near - but not too close to - Leopold, allowing space for the doctor to do his thing, while keeping alert for threats.

"Nice trick," he grunts once Leopold finishes and reports his findings. "Some good intell."

"Best keep our eyes peeled," he says after Big Red returns from scouting. "Seems trouble's close by and we're losing light fast."

As the shadow's seem to lengthen right before his eyes, he suggests, "The objective's not time sensitive - might be wise to spend the night aboard ship and set out at first light? 'course, no one's accused me of being wise before..."

"We'd better suit ourselves and prepare for what is ahead of us." Leopold adds after discussing what he has learned about their environment. He adjusts his suit and picks up his briefcase.

Thanks to Zagrifax, all he needs to do is collect samples, drawing out the vials needed from his briefcase and securing them same, safely storing them inside. He even nods at Thommo's compliment.

Seeing the sun is near the horizon, he thinks it is best to stay in the ship and continue their mission the next day. He waits if anyone thinks the same too.

"Staying in the ship tonight would be preferable - any fool can be cold, it takes brains to stay warm. Stepping off at first light might be prudent, hope its not the hunting hour for the predatory species"

Étoile marcheuse looks at the environmental seal on her armor.

Étoile marcheuse looks at the environmental seal on her armor.

Étoile looks at her environmental seal on her armor and realizes, the standard thermal protections are not included anymore since the armor manufacturer changed to the new E2 label; they just don't build them like they used to.

Looking at the survey drone VC Arvin gave you, you can determine that overnight temperatures reach extreme cold. (-20 to -79 degrees F.)
That's colder than even SF1e basic environmental protections would deal with. SF2e environmental protections need upgrades to deal with dangerous temperatures.

Sounds like we're sleeping on the ship with the heaters on until dawn in order to avoid freezing to death.

"What the heck?" Big Red looks closely at the E2 label on his armour, "Talk about shrink-flation, same price, fewer features. I thought that was just a thing for confectionery and soft drinks, didn't think it would apply to critical life preservation equipment"

"Typical cost-cutting by the Society too, didn't even bother packing us some handwarmers, let alone a proper cold-weather survival kit"

That's some COLD temps!

As it gets dark and you head into your ship, the wind picks up, and you hear in the distance a loud, haunting, low-pitched moning howl coming from the hilltops. Could it be what left the claw marks you found in a nearby tree, or something else?

The other time I ran this scenario, this is where we got a bit out of character and shared some real stories about winter survival and camping (or parking your starship) in isolation. One player told of being in some place so quiet you could hear sap running out of trees, another the sound of your own hair being too loud to fall asleep. Or the time when one of them had the bright idea of bringing a book of horror stories when camping alone. Probably easier to keep it all in character in a play-by-post. Though I'd give a few examples ot set the tone.

What keeps you up at night? Or do you manage to just sleep through the night? Have you been to a planet more isolated than this?

I do outback things in Australia - this place tries to kill you :p I have had some frosty frosty nights - from when the cold got into my hips (a whole new level of pain) as even the mattress in my swag froze, through to having to sleep with my water bottles so they wouldnt freeze overnight, to burning my hand as I hadnt put my gloves on and I grabbed my rifle as I got up to take a leak and the frozen metal stuck to my skin. Cold sucks.

Feeling safe and secure in his ship, Big Red turns up the heater a few more notches and seems delighted he's indoors and way from 'all that' going on outside.

having to sleep with my water bottles so they wouldn't freeze overnight

[ooc]I forgot about sleeping with your water. I used to do winter snow camping in the mountains; the trailhead started at 12000 feet. In addition to sleeping with water, we slept with our boot liners and batteries.

One time, I was camping alone and heard a low growling sound in the distance. I thought maybe it was a bear. The sound kept getting louder for 45 minutes until it finally reached its closest point to me, which I later found on a map to be train tracks. Crazy to think I could hear a train 45 minutes away. You don't realize how much background noise there is living in a city until you get away from it.

Its usually heat for us - summer in the red centre of Australia gets a tad warm in Mad Max country. Bears are bad, but snakes are silent killers. If you get up for a leak at 3am or leaving your sleeping bag, fold it back on itself and put your pack on it, or chance a date with a highly venomous Brown snake when help is only days away :p

14 years ago, I went from winter camping to moving to Phoenix, quite the shock in temperature change. We got a lot of everything in a desert that wants to kill you, too. The strangest are acid-filled beetles, but our biggest problem is scorpions. Didn't see a single scorpion in 13 years, then I bought a black light and went outside my house at night, and they're everywhere.

I got stung on the wrist by a scorpion in January 2013, I paid it off for hours as I didnt realise it had hit good and proper and it was about 10 hours later that I removed my gloves and long sleeve shirt because 'My wrist was starting to lock up'. The resultant reaction was quite spectacular - several days in hospital was the easy part. I still have stiffness in one of my fingers that never quite recovered - because the wound was infected with cellulitis - a great souvenir!

Blake will remain on the bridge overnight, sitting at the comm consoles and listening to the sounds of the exterior environment by way of exterior scanning equipment.

With the soft humming of the ship's power core creating a comfortable white noise, he puts on the exterior sounds into his headphones.

He listens to the distant howling, increasing the sound volume in the headphones. He leans into the console, listening intently to the sounds until they stop. He dozes off in the process and is suddenly jolted awake in the middle of the night. He falls off the chair when some of the local fauna start growling right next to the ship. With the volume on full blast, he pulls out the cord of the headphones in the process, causing the sounds of growling to echo through the ship's intercom system on full blast.

Besides the low growling moans, Blake occosonally hears a loud bone shattering crack, sometimes in the distance, but one was really close, when Blake fall out of his chair. Perhaps the large creature that left claw marks you found on a near by tree eats things whole shattering their bones or maybe there is something out there even bigger eating it...

Étoile marcheuse imagines looking at the stars in a less colder environment. She turns around as she thinks about dreams or nightmare of events happening or that didn't happen.

Étoile marcheuse may or may not awaken by the noise.

If CTU is bothered by sleeping here, CTU isn’t showing signs.

In the morning CTU begins re-prepping for snow travel.

Once you are all ready and open the airlock you immediately notices there are fresh tracks all around your ship.

How many tracks are there?

What was it?

As you are looking at the tracks a breeze comes up and you hear the haunting moaning sound comming from a near hill top.

Perception 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 5 = 20
"Looks like several dozen creatures"

Perception 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 17
"And definitely quadrupeds"

Big Red gets ready for the day ahead "Let's get moving as soon as possible - noting we might also have to do a return trip"

Thanks for the stories. Very neat! Unfortunately, I don't have any cool wilderness survival stories to share - been camping but nothing exactly remote.

After a fitful night, Thommo is already awake when the sky begins to lighten. Preparing some hot food and a fresh pot of synthetic caffeinated beverage, he makes his way toward the bridge, offering a plate and straming mug to Blake (and anyone else who is up a d about).

Peering through the viewport at the vista beyond, he asks,"What the hell happened out there last night?" Sipping from the steaming mug, he adds, "Like nothing I've ever heard before. Thought the ship was next in the buffet line."

***

When the crew are ready to depart, Thomo leads the way down the ramp, cannon in hand. The soldier pauses at the bottom to survey the scene up close.

How many tracks? (Perception): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 16
What was it? (Perception): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14

"Looks like at least a half dozen of them were out here. And must have ten legs, I'd reckon from all them tracks."

Despite living in a cold place in the winter, camping were not my favorite activity. I do remember building a fort as a child when snow were more abundant.

Étoile marcheuse looks at the tracks, after wearing all her clothing and armor, weapons, and gears.

How's many tracks (Survival): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (12) + 6 = 18
What's was it (Survival): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11

Perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 3 = 19
Perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 3 = 19

Blake dons his suit again, exits the ship with the rest of the crew and looks about pensively. He suddenly perks his ears and shifts his gaze to a nearby hill. "Anyone hear that? That eerie moan?"

He points in the direction. "That better be just the wind. Almost makes my skin crawl."

As you get ready for your journey, the ship's computer sends you all a weather report and cold-weather advice for breakfast.

"Today's weather, clear skies and severe cold, 12 to -21 degrees F. Recommended calorie intake for the day is 6,000 or more, based on a medium-sized person; adjust for size as needed."

"Anyone hear that? That eerie moan?"

He points in the direction. "That better be just the wind. Almost makes my skin crawl."

Thommo nods. "Sure do. Sounds like some baleful banshee." He turns in the direction of the hill. "Agreed," he says, rubbing an arm.

Is the hill top in the same direction as the artificial structure?

"Let's go see what this structure is. Get there and back while it's light. Got no interest in experiencing the local night life." He glances toward the tracks and back toward the hill. "Keep our eyes peeled, huh. Seems to be more going on here than first meets the eye."

Once you are all ready, you head out following a stream that leads ot the site you want to investigate. Traveling is slow but steady. Despite all the tracks around your ship and the sounds you heard last night, there is no sign of wildlife.

About an hour later, you come to a clearing in the forest, exposing a tall, steep, exposed slope. There are odd-looking wheels of rolled snow 4 to 6 inches wide and a foot to 18 inches tall at the bottom of the slope. From the snow wheels are straight lines that go up the slope. Looks like this.

Étoile marcheuse observes the wheels of rolled snow.

"This is an avalanche warning. This formation of snow blowed by the wind on warmer surface." shares telepathically Étoile.

Survival: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 6 = 15

As Étoile is letting everyone else know about the avalanche, everyone else in the party notices something else.

"Etoile, you have a new pet" Zagrifax is half waiting for the thing to turn feral, but so far so good, "The paws and teeth don't exactly scream apex predator"

"Anyone have some spare snacks? Or want to tell us what that thing is?"

”I am sorry; I was not trained in wilderness survival, this is all new to me. Wish I could help more.”

Up until now, Blake's crossbolter was impotently hanging from his shoulder. At the sight of an unknown creature, he reaches for it and taps the side. The air shimmers and a bolt appears on the thing, now aimed just off Étoile's thigh, just in case. Blake seems otherwise calm, as if to not agitate the critter.

"How do you not feel that?"

The Doctor follows along silently as the group investigates the tracks. He has been silent since the night before, spending time alone in his bunk on the ship, but joins them when they are gathered and others tell stories. This is his way of knowing them with asking.

Upon seeing what is crawling on Etoile's leg, he quickly draws his zero knife and hides it behind him, as if ready to examine what's inside the creature by opening it carefully with his blade later.

Recall Knowledge about the creature, Nature +7

The Doctor determines this species has not been documented before; this is a first contact with this species. You also notice it has a pouch like a marsupial, suggesting it might be responsible for taking care of its species' young. Trying to describe it, you find yourself trying to find a more scientific term for adorable.

_______

Try to befriend them. 2 successes needed.

"Well, what have we here?" Thommo asks, grinning broadly. "Cute fella." While not aimed directly at the creature, his cannon remains at the ready.

Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 16
Survival (Untrained): 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 1 = 21

"Creature's likely native to this moon - the thick fur and compact body's ideally adapted for this cold place."

"Is it wearing a headband?" he asks, rubbing at his eyes in disbelief.

"Hey there, little guy," he clicks his tongue, crouching to get its attention.

Diplomacy (Untrained): 1d20 ⇒ 8

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (15) + 7 = 22

"So it seems." Blake lowers the crossbolter slightly, just to make sure it doesn't fire and impale a bolt into someone's leg. He pulls out a piece of dried jerky, breaks a small piece off and throws it under Étoile's legs in hopes that the creature will climb down to eat it.

Étoile marcheuse looks at the creature she was even aware were on her legs.

"Look at you. You are really a nice person."

At some point, Étoile stumbles to keep her balance to talk to the creature.

Arcana: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (10) + 7 = 17
Diplomacy: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

The creature responds positively to Thommo, crouching down to its level, but the clicking sounds must sound like a native predator and spooks the creature.

The creature jumps off as Étoile stumbles and eagerly goes after Blake's food offering.

1 success, luckily no crit fails

”Is anyone trained in exobiology? Someone who knows what they are talking about should take notes.”

Diplomacy 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 = 13

Whilst putting in a fair effort, it is hard for a giant draconic figure with sharp teeth to not give off slightly 'eat you alive' vibes...

The Doctor's cold demeanor will surely not work with this unknown creatures, but perhaps his understanding of their nature and the environment they are at, these might give them clues on how to deal with them properly.

The Doctor approaches after stowing his knife back into its proper place and picks up a wooden branch to poke the creature.
Nature: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 19

"Looks adorable, but something that has pouch for their tiny ones, they can still be protective."

When The Doctor pokes at the creature with the stick, it rears up defensively, but also gives you a better view. You can tell this species has 3 sexes, like shirren, this one seems to be a host. You also notice it has a band in its pouch similar to the one it's wearing.

Your understanding of natural things also lets you recall that giving it food might be the best form of diplomacy.

Anyone with survival or nature can do a DC 15 survival or nature check instead of diplomacy.

Big Red can aid if they do something about their giant draconic figure.

Étoile marcheuse uses her sense to track and make it look she is relying at her twitching antennas to make it realistically that she senses something.

Survival: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (11) + 6 = 17

Big Red tries taking a quieter approach, stooping low, and avoiding staring directly at the creature (to avoid looking like a giant apex predator) as he breaks off some more various foodstuffs - he keeps his voice a lower and gentle rumbling, like the purr of an enormous cat..

Diplomacy 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 = 21

With 2 more successes, the creature becomes friendly with the party.
After eating some of the food Big Red gave it, the creature seems fascinated with Étoile and climbs up on Big Red to get a better view of Étoile. Then the creature's hands Étoile the band from its pouch. You can now see that it exactly matches the one the creature is wearing.

Blake looks at Big Red, concerned. "I have to say. When a cat does that, it's cute-ish. When a 7 feet tall dragon man does it, it almost triggers my fight or flight response."

"Ha!" Zagrifax grins at the jest "Back in the day thats what local vollagers thought about my forebears too - leaving out the odd few cattle lest we burn the village"

The Doctor picks some berries nearby, perhaps the creature will eat what he will be offering. He then slowly approaches the creature, extending his hand holding the berries.
Nature: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (16) + 7 = 23

”Is no one going to write down some notes on this little guy? I have no training no training in such things”

The creatures happily eat the barriers the dictator gives them. The creature seems a bit confused and holds out the band to the Doctore and then back to Étoile, and then back and forth.

"Put the band on?" Big Red suggests "It is trying to communicate back by the looks of things"