Arrival At Enzars Part 1

Setting the Scene

I haven’t thought about ‘how’ FTL works in this universe, so I’ll plot a course, make the check, and handwave the ‘method.’ Plotting the course will be a difficulty 2d6+1d8 (debris) test. I’ve probably has some experience since being on the run so: Escaped Clone distinction d8, scout d6, focus d6 (since this requires patience and concentration), Nandita d6. Failed with a hitch. That anxious stress is getting stepped back up Anxious Stress d6. As I’m brainstorming possible story developments, I draw off the GMA…catalyst is (kid you not): Vehicle breaks down. So we’re going to arrive at our destination, but our vehicle is going to be in bad shape (based on the failed check).

I’ll use the deck of worlds to create the opening location on Enzars (random planet name generator):

Canyon; Glades; Crooked (will place above Canyon); Was Once Considered a Paradise; Vile Monsters Have Invaded a Once Sacred Space; Powerful Storms

We arrive in a crooked canyon which looks as if there were once beautiful trees that grew on outcroppings here. It looks as if there were waterfalls that once flowed down the sides of the canyon, watering the glades as they went. There is a run-down temple-looking structure (I’m thinking Druid-esque) on one of the outcroppings. The trees here have been warped and darkened (corrupted treants are going to be the vile monsters). I’m also thinking that the powerful storms attribute will not be tied to this location, alone. The planet is home to constant storms: and this is how the ship is going to end up being damaged as we arrive.

Since we’re looking for a scroll, then this temple would be a good place to start.

Scene Distinctions:

• Roots and Thorns d6
• Storms Overhead d6
• Crooked canyon outcroppings d8

Action of the Scene

Janus nervously sets the course for Enzars, double checking his data with Nandita. The idea of willingly flying to such a place isn’t something he would have imagined himself doing a year ago. He avoided places like this, moments like this. A thought came to him…something he heard long ago, “The closer we are to danger, the further we are from harm.” Perhaps there was some wisdom is knowing what was in store for him instead of running blindly from one place to another.

It seems he was nervous for nothing, as they arrived safely out of FTL in orbit over Enzars. A quick scan showed storms dotting the surface, and they couldn’t penetrate beneath the storm systems.

I can imagine the conversation between Janus and Nandita: trying to convince her to take the ship down into the storms. Nandita objecting (the ship is akin to a body for her, after all).

I envision the ship, entering smoothly at first, then getting jostled before a larger-than-expected bolt of lightning slams into it, followed by several others. The shields are overwhelmed, and some systems begin to fry.

[Has Nandita been affected by the damage? A strong no, with a high rating on the third die. I think this means that there’s been an affect on Nandita, perhaps she’s been briefly supercharged or something. I also rolled another twist. I got NPC action on the random event focus. Rolled Sib. Action/Theme: Command Weapon. Sib is a Wayfinder who wants to protect Zuri. I haven’t really developed anything else about him. He was kidnapped and has nightmares…perhaps something was implanted in him or the nightmares are manifestations of something laying dormant in him. In this case, Sib is the weapon and he is being commanded by something else. Perhaps something in the storm or some effect from the storm triggers this. Was Sib here before? Yes, he doesn’t remember it, though, and I’ve got a high result on third die, which I’ll use the weirdness flavor for this. Now my mind is thinking: this Sib with us isn’t Sib at all but some clone? robot? alien in disguise? He is one of the magically-corrupted creatures from this world, given a portion of Sib’s memories and ideas, and then sent back to the space station when we found him. How does Zuri fit into all of this? GMA Draw: Virtue: Compassion. Zuri was in a capsule on the ship which the-creature-posing-as-Sib flew off Enzars. Like our ship, it was struck with lightning which shorted out the pod, and Zuri awakened. Perhaps the further away he got from Enzars, the more independence he had. The memories of ideas of Sib affected this creature, and he began to act like Sib would have acted… which moved it to have compassion on Zuri. Returning to this place, however, has repressed those ideas, memories, and motives. I think this will happen once we’ve disembarked from the ship.]

Nandita, supercharged, is able to divert extra power to various other systems, she detects a canyon, thinking it might be safer than higher ground in this weather, and quickly moves the ship out of the storm. We set down and receive a damage report.

[I think fixing the ship will be a challenge. I’ll set the challenge pool to 3d8, even though I won’t be starting it yet].

Nandita informs us that she’s detected what appears to have been a druidic temple.

[At this point, I’m sure Sib and Ophelia would disembark with me. I’m not sure about Zuri, so I’ll ask the oracle. Yes, but I’m not sure she’s going to be much help (rolled a 4 on the favorability die)].

The four of us disembark from the ship.

[I’ll use a creature draw from the Loremaster/Story Engine: Crocodile; Trait: Pincers or Barns; Attribute: Chitin. I’m getting this bizarre bipedal lobster-looking creature with a crocodile’s head and lower body and the lobster as its midsection. Not terribly creative, I know.]

As we move across the canyon floor towards the outcropping of the temple, a guttural growl puts us on alert. We’re in shock as we watch Sib pops and cracks and transforms into this monstrous creature. Not wanting a fight and thinking of Zuri and Ophelia, I decide to try and communicate with this beast and prevent it from attacking us.

[Building my dice pool: I’ll use magic to try and find a way to communicate, using my Initiate distinction d8, talking it down vs smooth talking isn’t my strong suit, so Noble d4 profession, we need to make this happen fast before it attacks, so Haste d6 for approach, this is Ophelia’s domain as a paranormal investigator, so I’ll ask her for help, too, adding Ophelia d8 asset to the pool. I don’t imagine this being easy to accomplish, so the difficulty will be 2d10 + the Storms Overhead d6 distinction (since that’s affected this creature on our return). Barely a success, with a hitch. I’ll end up with Injured Stress d6].

I cast a spell enabling me to communicate in various languages. Ophelia is calling out warnings and a string of theories as to what this beast is or was and how it came to look like Sib. She’s the one who realizes that it must have had some of Sib’s ideas or memories in order to imitate him. She suggests that I use that. I put my hands in a non-threating posture and begin talking to the beast, emphasizing its compassion on Zuri, its desire to protect, not harm. I also know what it’s like to be used by others and not be free to make my own choices. The creature is visibly struggling. I take a few steps towards it, bad idea, as it lashes out with its pincer. The powerful blow hits me in the gut and throws me to the ground. In that moment, something passes over the creature’s eyes. Somehow, it’s now in control of itself. As I climb to my feet, we lock eyes with each other…

Threads List

1. Expose Nakajima Technologies
2. Help Zuri
3. Deal with Ophelia Help Ophelia
4. Investigate the Fox Spirits (should this be of interest)
5. What about Janus’s smuggled ectoplasm cargo?
6. I have no idea about this Sib-impersonating-creature.

Character List

1. Sib Sib-impersonating-creature
2. Zuri
3. Ophelia
4. Nakajima Technologies
5. Bounty Hunters
6. Janus’s affliction

Notes

I forgot to add my stress to the difficulty pools