A Brief Respite

Setting the Scene

I’ve no longer got my collaboraters as I sit down to think about the next scene. I decide that Sib and I have known each other before. For some reason, however, I thought he was lost. [I turn to the Loremaster/Story Engine and draw an Event: Cosmic Vortex, witnessed by many.] I envision the scene with Sib attempting to plot a new FTL course when there is a sudden cosmic storm of sorts. This is next to a space station (the same one I’ve just left?), and people were watching across the vidscreens. Sib’s ship disappears, but they’re no trace of an FTL trail, no response to hails, and no evidence that he survived.

Even though I’m glad to see him alive, this isn’t going to be the place for a reunion. I think I’d likely have somewhere nearby where we could put down for a bit and recuperate. [My oracle roll determines yes, I do, but it’s pretty sparce. Using Loremaster/Story Engine, I draw Location cards: We’ve got a cavern, known as a breeding ground, for foxes, associated with a deity.] I decide I know of a small cavern where Fox spirits gather yearly for rituals of some sort. [Will there by any when we arrive? Oracle: no, and there doesn’t appear to be much evidence of them. Might be a thread worth developing.]

Action of the scene

Exiting the ramp, I see Sib, looking worse than I remember, along with a being that I’ve only seen in myths. Ophelia stumbles as they make their way down the ramp, and I’m moved with compassion. Calling on the mystic arts, I decide to try and help her. [My days are numbered distinction d8, scholar d8, focus d6, and Robe of Healing d6. Rolling against 2d10 + 1d8 (Stress), I succeed, but with another 2 Hitches. Healing this ancient being has drained my reserves, Stress Exhausted d8.] While I’d like to take time to catch up, I get an alert from Nandita that she’s picked up another ship. [Will I have time to move my cargo before the ship arrives? Yes, but not by much.] I hastily move the ectoplasm into the caverns and am just walking back when Ophelia’s ship arrives.

She approaches me with the warrant to board my ship. As I’m reading it, she begins drawing runes in the hallways, on the floors, and down the corridors of my ship. If I’m going to be able to work with this woman, I need to know something about her. As she’s busy with her work, I use this opportunity to do some research on her. This isn’t the first time of done this. [I’ll roll to create an asset, difficulty 2d8 + 1d8 (Stress). Using Escaped clone distinction, Engineer d16 Smarts d10, Nandita d6, we succeed at creating a d10 asset (Ophelia’s Background), but I roll a hitch. I’m fearful that Ophelia will make a connection between me and the warrant that Nakajima has on me, step up Afraid Stress d10.] What exactly have I learned? [Using Loremaster/Story Engine, I draw engine: wants to have a research breakthrough with Figure (technician, GMA: Mathazar) on paranormal research, but they need key item, Object: Scroll, which can be a portal, Figure: Elemental.] Ophelia is searching for the Scroll of Fire to travel to the pocket dimension of The Flaming Warden, an ascended elemental, in order to further her research with Mathazar.

Ophelia sets her final rune and slams down her fist, a wave of energy pulsates outward, and the runes around the ship glow in response. She only detects residue, which could be from ghosts or from something else. As I think about her research, I begin to wonder if there’s anything she might know or perhaps learn which could help me in my current struggles (after all, my days are numbered). It’s time I come clean with Ophelia and offer her assistance. Maybe my cargo might also aid her research. [Rolling against difficulty 2d8, 1d8 (Ophelia), 1d10 (Stress), I come clean, rolling Escaped Clone d4 (hinder), smarts d10, scholar d8, and my d10 Ophelia’s Background asset. Heroic success with a hitch, banking a Hero Die d6 and gaining an Anxious Stress d6 (risky telling her the truth). I decide to spend a Plot Point and create an Ophelia d8 asset to last the rest of the ‘session.’ Since I would intend to turn her into an ongoing asset after the end of the ‘session,’ I spend a second Plot Point to make her a permanent asset.]

Since Ophelia is not (at least at this time) turning me in, we settle in for a brief respite (step down all stress). [Using UNE, I take time to think through topics of discussion:]

• Sib: Friendly, Forthcoming, Support, Treasure
• Zuri: Distrustful, Guarded, Suspicious, Enemy
• Ophelia: Hostile, Helpful (roll of 98?!), Bargain, Power

Sib wants assistance in protecting Zuri. Zuri is trying to figure out if I am her enemy. Ophelia is willing to strike a deal in getting her closer to acquiring her scroll.

Sib recalls my magical ability, and I agree that I could use Illusion magic to create a false image for Zuri. [I haven’t developed the magic “rules” as far as durations go… I’II decide that it’s magic that must be frequently renewed. In game terms this would be creating an asset for Zuri. Since she’s an NPC, I won’t bother with the roll until/unless needed.] The main issue is the deal to be struck with Ophelia. [GMA Draw for inspiration:]

• Rune for underworld or dreams
• Symbols: obstacle, confusion, conflict
• Belongings: Media kit

The world to which we must travel is rumored to have been destroyed. Ophelia says that’s not the case. A great magical cataclysm turned the one-time paradise into a hellish landscape. The government did not want to cause a panic that such a catastrophe could happen again, so they blamed the destruction on a foreign power and did their best to keep people away. This is the last known location of the Scroll which she seeks. Even though we are moving towards danger, Sib is convinced he’s safe from anyone who might be looking for him or Zuri in such a place as that.

We begin to plot a course.

Threads List

1. Expose Nakajima Technologies
2. Help Sib and Zuri
3. Deal with Ophelia Help Ophelia
4. Investigate the Fox Spirits (should this be of interest)