Merry Christmas, everyone!
Still not clear here. I'm hoping to catch up in the new year and resume posting. I'll pm you all once that happens.
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Hey folks. I've been wiped with a cold... then felt rough today. Now I'm awaiting a covid-19 test. I'll kick things off again when I'm feeling better.
I'm sorry to hear that, and I hope that your wife is recovering.
As far as Xipil can tell, while the arrangment is inelegant, it seems quite functional - even elegant in places where the remaining original bodywork has not needed repairs. The rear seems a little tight but with some squeezing, three might fit, if not necessarily comfortably. The overseer sees Pens and blinks. He waves over a titheguard sergeant with a visible vox unit, not nearly as concealable as a microbead. He urgently tells the sergeant something, and the sergeant relays it through said vox unit. Another twenty minutes pass, and a rumbling truck turns the corner and approaches, belching smoke. It sets down near the cars. The overseer gestures to Pens and then to the truck's rear, which is being summarily lowered as a ramp.
Just a note. My rate of posting has gotten more erratic lately. It may remain that way for some weeks yet.
A pair of black autocarriages emerge into view, their huge engines exposed and visible in front. The front tyres appear to be solid rubber while the rear pair appear to have been acquired from agricultural vehicles. Each has a driver in grey uniforms, of a lighter shade of grey than the overseers' robes. They pull up near the group. The lead overseer gestures to his juniors, and they both jog over to exchange quick words with the respective drivers. Successful Awareness Test at -20:
"Half in the back, half in the other, with us in the front. We are leaving for the Prime Offices - sharp!" The lead overseer gestures to the cars as tithe-guards open the passenger doors for the junior overseers, as well as the the rear doors. "If your group would enter into the rear of the autocarriages, you will all be conveyed to the Sodality Prime Offices without delay."
The speaker chokes back a biting retort, faced with the cell's request. "Very well! Autocarriages will be arriving shortly, and all of you are getting in. We are not showing you *entrepreneurs* off to the entire Harvest-Father-blessed-city! We will go to the Sodality Prime Offices and you will see the records for yourselves!"
The overseer is taken aback for a moment and then replies to Targot, clearly irate: "Light? Light!? Someone on *your* end is clearly responsible - *if* that is even the case. And keep your man civil! This is *precisely* why your boss agreed to take shipments *far* away from Recompense. The harvest-fathering-*navy* is above us and you try this stunt!? Unbelievable!" The man looks set to launch into another tirade... Successful Scrutiny +30 test:
The speaker seems entirely genuine in his outrage. 3+ DoS on same test:
The other two overseers seem both more annoyed than concerned. GM:
The overseers wait ten metres from the bottom of the ramp, with the line of titheguard another five metres behind them. The middle oversser speaks up, clearly irritated: "What exactly are you playing at!? You aren't meant to fly a shuttle into Recompense!"
Xipil notes to the cell that the group on the landing pad seem both flustered and out in the open, bereft of cover. The shuttle lands. The three overseers are in front, looking expectant.
As the shuttle nears the landing site, it is clear that a few squads of Tithe-guard and a handful of grey-robed overseers have assembled, not far from a landing pad with the number "1"...out of ten. Succcesful Awareness Test +10 (auspex not applicable - it's too far and too blocked by the shuttle to count):
There are 15 tithe-guard, armed as the others you have seen, with shock mauls, bolas, and decrepit flak armour. The three overseers, if they are armed at all, surely only have concealed hand weapons or pistols. 2 or3 DoS:
These people look flustered. They are also out in the open. 4+ DoS:
You are quite certain that there are no sniper rifles or missile launchers visible in the vicinity of the starport. A crackling vox communication comes in: "Shuttle, this is Recompense Starport. Please land at pad one. Copy?"
The cell, having discussed their concerns, remain in the shuttle and take off. It is clear that each warehousethey can see, complete or no, has several titheguard protecting it. Daxio is in the position of being piloting the sole shuttle over an Imperial city, his course currently set for the direction indicated for the starport. No vox challenges or questions him. Xipil goes to work with the vox unit provided by the authority of Lieutenant Ostellian even as Pens begins to extend his unnatural perception outwards. Both rapidly find most interesting results. ************************************************************************ Xipil informs the rest of the cell that there are a handful of transmissions, likely from relatively low-powered vox units. He is able to swiftly break the weak encryption and can make out fragments of communications: "...starport..." "...Lord Talbot?.." "...Peyton is early..." "...GET THERE NOW..." Successful test on Common Lore Navy +10:
There is a pirate captain called Wyler 'Reaper' Peyton, who has been reported to operate out of the Thule and Rubicon sub-sectors. He commands a raider titled 'The Scarlet Shrike' with some skill. Peyton has proven difficult to bring to battle. Successful test on Common Lore Underworld +10:
There is a pirate captain called Wyler 'Reaper' Peyton, pillaging worlds in the Thule and Rubicon sub-sectors. He commands a raider titled 'The Scarlet Shrike' and a fierce crew. Successful test on Forbbiden Lore Criminal Cartels +30:
Wyler 'Reaper' Peyton is an independent operator and runs his vessel as undisputed captain. His main income source is piracy in the Thule and Rubicon sub-sectors but he has a sideline in smuggling and has been known to dabble in the Faceless Trade. ************************************************************************ Pens senses psychic activity in the city of Recompense. Flares here and there, and a greater concentration in one direction. ************************************************************************ GM:
I forgot to say it in my last post but could everyone note here what they've spent xp on? I'll give a bit more time for planning then move things on tomorrow.
As there have been at least five discrete scenes since the start of the campaign: 1. All fate points refreshed 2. Experience gain of 600xp
The grey-robed supervisor is momentarily taken aback when faced with Ven's command, then replies: "Of course, *Lord* Targot." The man waves his arm in a vague south-easterly direction. "You will find the spaceport that away. Now, *Lord* Targot, be on your way." The pair of tithe-guard now flank the overseer. Three more can be seen ringing the construction site. Much farther away, other titheguard are dotted around the storage facilities. Then...a light breeze shifts, so that you are all downwind from the storage areas. The smell of rotting grain may be new to some of the cell but it is foul nonetheless. Ven:
This man is a lot less deferential to nobility than you are used to, even in the Imperial Guard.
1 Degree of Success:
Faced with a noble title, this man is not being especially deferential to Ven. 3+ Degrees of Success: Faced with a noble title and what might be a voidship, this man is seemingly unphased and blase.
Daxio's steady flying brings the shuttle down safely. It lands right outside the fringe of the storage complexes, with room by a completed grain silo and a construction site for another. The newer site is covered with crude wood and metal scaffolding, packed with labourers. Who are now almost all gawking at the metal conveyance which has landed nearby. One of their supervisors on the ground level is walking purposefully towards the shuttle, wearing the robes of the Sodality. Two titheguard realise what is going on, then jog to catch up with the supervisor. Though they have not quite managed that by the time he stops ten metres from the shuttle and calls: "Whom has landed? This is a construction site!"
Congratulations once more, Daxio!
I'll be travelling this weekend and I won't be posting again until Monday at least. Well, it does give ye a bit more time to plan. So use it wisely!
As the shuttle flies overland, enormous caravans pulled by scores of brightly adorned footmen carry tonnes of foodstuffs to Recompense. More and more become visible the closer to the city the cell draws. It appears that Recompense has expanded - at least in terms of storage complexes. Fresh construction of warehoues and grain silos is clearly underway across the growing edge of the city.
The fishermen decide that it is best to back off and focus on their beached boat. The cell withdraws to the shuttle. The storm visibly eases off within the hour, as the bulk of the clouds continue moving overland. The shuttle rises and resumes its flight to Recompense, with some time remaining to discuss discoveries and fine tune an approach.
The weather is still stormy, though it appears to passing swiftly.
I may not be able to post again until Saturday. Just a heads up.
GM:
The fishermen continue to mull over these questions. "Only heard of Kathrinkas in Recompense. Maybe some joined the Sworn Protectors?"
Xipil is able to coak the machine spirits into smoother functionality. The trawler will operate more smoothly once back on the lake waters. Ven, and perhaps others, would be aware that krak missiles and similar weapons can and do feature in planetary defense force munitions. It is however unclear whether the Novabella Sworn Protectors would even have a stockpile at this stage.
"The Kathrinkas keep the Harvest-Father's rule. Word spreads of how they do that, even to humble villages such as ours. They never hunger, or are short of fine clothes. But you clearly have authority of your own." "It has been a generation since the last tithe, sirrah, maybe more. You should speak with a Seed-Scribe or even a Harvest-Scribe for details like that." "Terrible things do happen, sirrah. They happen more often if a farm is too productive or a fleet brings too large a haul." The fishermen seem extremly reluctant to speak in much more detail about these 'terrible things' or the Kathrinkas. Xipil is able to quickly determine that the Lake Maiden is powered by an internal combustion engine, albeit an aged and poorly-maintained one. There is no vox unit of any sort. It appears that the crews communicate using a flag system, judging by such items placed in strategic locations throughout the vessel.
The fishermen look at each other uncomfortably, mutter, then come to some consensus. Lancel speaks up: "Well, sirrahs, you must be from above then." Another pipes up: "Are you here for the tithe? After all these years?" Lancel turns and glares at the man, then resumes: "You will be able to say that one way or another, I imagine, sirrahs.
"Our fleet does a circuit of the whole lake. The fish are plentiful so we keep fishing. The Kathrinkas are neither. They rule from Recompense. The Harvest-Father knows his own." Successful Scrutiny Test +10: Any time Kathrinkas is brought up, the fishermen get nervous and move the topic quickly.
He turns to the fishermen and speaks. "I seek further information. You, your vessel and your masters, additional data is required on these and particularly any enemies you and your masters have. Is there a trade war under way for example?" The gaggle of fishermen appear a little confused at Xipil's questions. "War? No, sirrah! The Harvest-Father and his Saints protect us from war! Our fleet has done well these last three seasons, our crew and the Lake Maiden here in particular. The Kathrinkas are lords in Recompense, the Faithful tell the Sodality what to plant, and the Sodality tells us - and collects." "Perhaps, in exchange for our help you could tells us about yourselves and what kind of cargo you were carrying" "Well, we fish. Drawing nets behind us. They fill up quickly with each pass. We report to the Sodality centre at the other side of the lake, long-wise. I'm Lancel, captain of the Maiden, if you need it." ”Kinda seems like a hard thing to miss, getting krak’d.” Valdear observed. ”And too expensive to do it to strangers.” Their confusion resumes with Valdear's comments. "Cracked? Yes, we heard the crack of thunder, then the Maiden began to lurch to one side and sink!" "Damn, dat's gotta be a tredfedder, y'know? Tear a blas' like dat, ain't nottin' bu' twigs an' glue lef' - Emperor's ligh' kep' dem afloa'. P'rhaps dey go' too close teh sometin', yeh know? Like a secre' base, or anodder vessel?" And increases at Daxio's entire dialect. "Wha-what're you saying? Vessel...the others were on their way, we were doing a few minor repairs before catching up with them then got pressed back by the storm." GM:
Enoch enters the Lake Maiden undetected. The vessel is a metal hull with wooden fixtures over it, replaced as needed over the fishing boat's long lifetime of use. There are rudimentary facilities for pre-processing fish hauls. Tables and blades for gutting and filleting, and many crates of ice packed with healthy-looking fish.
Daxio and Xipil both realise that this hole was caused by a krak explosive - most likely a standard pattern man-portable rocket.
A fisherman scratches his head while replying to Enoch: "I assume so. There was thunder and a flash, but I did not see the lightning." Now that Pens has drawn attention to the matter, it is plain that there is a hole in the vessel, below the waterline.
There are several moments when the tug of the water and the wind threaten to drag the fishing vessel under - and the lander with it. But the Aquila proves the stronger and the vessel reaches shore. It is not a pretty sight, but these fisherfolk break into whoops and cheers at their incredible stroke of fortune. Those near Pens exclaim gushing thanks: "My lady! You and your metal chariot have spared us from the wrath of the storm! We heard thunder then felt our boat rock, then begin to sink!" Successful Awareness +0 test for any examining the boat: There is clearly a hole below the waterline.
With Daxio holding the Arvus lighter in a steady position, Pens directing the puzzled but inspired fishermen, and Enoch ready on the lighter, the ropes are swiftly attached from vessel to shuttle. The fishing vessel is steadily but surely drawn over towards the shore, if not without risk through a storm above increasingly rough waters...
The decision is made quickly and Pens descends to the stricken vessel. The fishermen are visibly shocked to see a metal *thing* emerge from the dark sky. They are outright gobsmacked when they see the vision of a woman that emerges from it. GM:
The disguised mutant immediately spots the sturdy pair of ropes that the nets were attached to - those would do admirably to tow the boat.
Xipil is able to note that this is a fishing trawler, 20m in length, with the torn remnant of a net behind it indicates its purpose. The Aquila could potentially draw it to safety on the shore but it would require at least one strong cable to be affixed to the trawler - and soon.
I'll fill in details of the boat this evening.
After a brief discussion on board, the Arvus lighter descends towards what is now revealed to be a fishing vessel, with about a dozen fishermen fighting a losing battle to keep the vessel afloat.
As the cell departs via shuttle and begins their flight towards Recompense, they first notice a village a few kilometres up the road that was pointed out to them. The caravan has departed at this point, though stopping for impromptu prayer services every hour. As does every citizen that can be spotted from the air via auspexes. Within ten minutes of flight time, the onboard auspexes are showing a stormfront rolling in. Ten kilometres off, a violent storm wracks a wide lake, and what appears to a be a floating vessel can be seen starting to sink beneath the waves.
Recompense is the capital where the foodstuffs are going. Seed Scribes are in every settlement. You did not get clear information where the Saints or the Harvester-Prelate was.
The cell reunites at their shuttle. It has not been disturbed in the relatively short span of time since the group left it. It smoothly takes off into the air, into the direction of Recompense.
Ye can be on your way to Recompense in the shuttle unless anyone wants to object. I'll update tomorrow.
GM:
The figure squints at Ven. Then seemingly satisfied, he smiles crookedly. "That is understandable. Though he really has neglected to instruct you in the details of our collective duty to the Harvest-Father. This produce is destined for holding areas in Recompense before it is shipped off-world. More specifically, we shall be looping by the nearby village of Grainstone then turning east once again. Is that sufficient detail for your nervous Seed-Scribe?"
Daxio manages to separate himself from the labourers and they are swiftlytoo busy with hauling crops to seek him out. ************* Ven approaches the caravan and is hailed by a balding figure seated in a balcony attached to the conveyance, some metres above the toiling mass who are hauling the caravan along. Seven more titheguard flank the caravan and eye Ven with caution. The balding figure states: "Who are you, stranger, and what is your business?"
************ Pens begins to walk in the direction given for the nearest village and Seed-Scribe.
I'll move us along tomorrow.
Understood. Take care!
Xipil realises that this tithe-caravan is being dragged along solely by human toil. A score of workers haul on thick ropes. There are no comforting engine sounds to be heard. ********************
Aldric's brow furrows somewhat at the confusion before him. "Right. You should speak to the overseers in the caravan, or find the local Seed-Scribe in the village yonder." He curtly waves his shock maul to a side road not far from the working group, then turns to the workers arguing before Daxio. "The Tithe-Caravan approaches! Focus your efforts!" He then turns back to Ven and Enoch. "You had best be on your way, either way." GM:
Apologies for the delay. I'll post tomorrow.
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