After I stat out the creatures and Decepticons, I will run this short adventure sometime next month. Its really straight forward so that our new players will get to learn the system. Input and plot twist ideas are recomended. Thanks for reading!
Into the Core
Synopsis
Autobots are on a routine patrol when they happen upon what appears to be a derelict spacecraft. [DM Note: To pull off this seemingly innocuous encounter, random encounter tables and miscellaneous treasure tables must be made. This derelict ship must appear to be a product of the table...]
The large ship, of course, is far from derelict; in fact it is the giant-sized Decepticon named Oppressor, camouflaged by way of the power 'holograms'. And in its transformed mode (a battle-cruiser), carries a squad of deadly Decepticons. When the Autobots prepare to board the seemingly empty ship, Oppressor drops its hologram and in a spectacular blast from its cannon, disables the Autobots ship's engine. The other Decepticons open fire with other Mains and Secondary cannons, attempting to deal as much damage as possible. When the Autobots ship appears severely disabled, the Decepticons pour out of Oppressor to board the Autobot ship. It gets worse as Oppressor transforms into its robot mode. Autobot morale breaks and the order is issued to abandon ship. Autobots (particularly the PCs) load into escape shuttles. Only the PCs escape the attack.
Through luck and skill, the shuttle escapes the Decepticons temporarily. According to navigational maps, the Autobots best option (perhaps the shuttle is damaged and can't travel farther) is the planet Freeze – an ice cold world that crystaline creatures (called Zirconics) the size (and shape) of transformers inhabit. The Zirconics, generally friendly to Autobots, have a base and resources to re-equip the Autobots.
The shuttle must land some distance from Crystal City (I don't know why...its just a cartoon!) Along the way, the Autobots are attacked by various ice creatures native to the planet: Tundra Crawlers (think roaches the size of a two-story house), Frostys (TF sized snowmen), and even an Ice Worm.
Getting to Crystal City, the Zirconic leader offers the Autobots a ship if they can retrieve their greatest leader's spark (the soul/essence of a transformer....Zirconics apparently have them too) and return it to them. The problem is that it was lost eons ago in a great war with the subterranean Infernites (molten beings that live deep underground) when the leader fell in battle.
Access to the infernites lair is only possible via a large active volcano known as Smoke Stack. The PCs must venture back across the frozen wastelands and scale the mountain. Unless the PCs are careful or lucky, they are sure to encounter some of the dangerous arctic predators that roam the planet freely. Once inside the volcano, the PCs navigate a dangerous cavern rife with dangers such as:
Pits
Pits that are concealed (the ground underneath them fail)
narrow ledges, and slippery slopes that will test their mobility
Worse, these abilities will be tested under extreme conditions (such as lava pools – body-part flame damage) and even while being attacked by subterranean monsters such as:
Magma Hydra
Flame Salamanders
Fire Elementals
Infernite warriors
Ultimately they encounter infernites, either before or after they secure the spark they came to free. The infernites, as the PCs will find out, are the xenophobic hate mongers the Zirconics described. Only PCs with the ability to wield and manipulate flame have a chance at negotiations. Fortunately they are only really dangerous in mass and none-too-bright.
The leader’s spark is guarded by real infernite guards. Within the flaming chamber, the spark is surrounded by innately hostile infernite sparks preventing an escape. When the PCs enter the room, the hostile infernite sparks mindlessly attempt to penetrate and dominate TFs. Upon their destruction, the PCs may secure the spark and return it to the Zirconics.
Upon successful completion of the mission, the Autobots get a cool crystalline ship (named 'Shard'), and leave Freeze for greener pastures. Unless they decide to return for ship upgrades!
Other notes:
Autobot ship in the beginning is to be named by the players. They have a crew (in addition to the PCs) of 6 (to be named by the players); one of the NPCs are the commander who inevitably gives the bail out command.
Decepticon Roster:
LDR Concertus
Parabela
Swing-Wing
Turbine
Oppressor
and others as necessary...
And of course I have a lot of statting out to do.
Just a few ideas...
The reason their ship goes down so far away from that city is because the Autobot ship deliberately blew itself up to give the escape pods their best chance to escape.
However whilst the decepticon ship was damaged the pods are believed destroyed as a result of this battle in truth communication was cut as a safety measure after all the Decepticons can trace such calls.
However the ice planet's inhabitants aren't being entirely truthful for the lost spark exchanged itself for the safety of the others above in that ancient battle and was sealed inside a matrix which is guarded not only by Infernites but also fake matrices holding Infernite sparks who have been trying to con the surface dwellers to rescue the wrong spark... however the reason why this legendary spark has been held is because its literally holding the planet together and to make matters worse the Decepticons have found the same settlement and seek the same spark as their means of travel has been similarly effected ie they're cut off from their ship and the subsequent battle will reveal the true origin of this world and a way off the world for the autobots but it really depends on the standard episode from the old series where doing the right thing pays off in the end because from my experience nobody actually understands this which is why having a rival group might help things...
However the ice planet's inhabitants aren't being entirely truthful for the lost spark exchanged itself for the safety of the others above in that ancient battle and was sealed inside a matrix which is guarded not only by Infernites but also fake matrices holding Infernite sparks who have been trying to con the surface dwellers to rescue the wrong spark... however the reason why this legendary spark has been held is because its literally holding the planet together and to make matters worse the Decepticons have found the same settlement and seek the same spark as their means of travel has been similarly effected ie they're cut off from their ship and the subsequent battle will reveal the true origin of this world and a way off the world for the autobots but it really depends on the standard episode from the old series where doing the right thing pays off in the end because from my experience nobody actually understands this which is why having a rival group might help things...
Whew, say that 4 times in a row! :)
Thanks for the input. I ran the adventure (term used loosely) months ago. I figured I would frame this larger adventure around numerous "random" encounters and events, and even other interesting smaller adventures in other locales. Ultimately, I only got as far as the PCs crashing down on the ice planet, shunning (unknowingly) the real adventure for all the distractions I offered instead.
I sometimes (with certain long-time players) have problems with PC motivation and ambition. It takes a little extra work to get them exactly where I want them.