[phpBB Debug] PHP Warning: in file [ROOT]/ext/spaceace/ajaxchat/controller/chat.php on line 220: Trying to access array offset on value of type bool
[phpBB Debug] PHP Warning: in file [ROOT]/includes/functions.php on line 4149: Cannot modify header information - headers already sent by (output started at [ROOT]/includes/functions.php:3027)
[phpBB Debug] PHP Warning: in file [ROOT]/includes/functions.php on line 4149: Cannot modify header information - headers already sent by (output started at [ROOT]/includes/functions.php:3027)
[phpBB Debug] PHP Warning: in file [ROOT]/includes/functions.php on line 4149: Cannot modify header information - headers already sent by (output started at [ROOT]/includes/functions.php:3027)
[phpBB Debug] PHP Warning: in file [ROOT]/includes/functions.php on line 4149: Cannot modify header information - headers already sent by (output started at [ROOT]/includes/functions.php:3027)
The Unseen Servant forums • Act IV: Pandora's Planet - Page 6
Page 6 of 22

Re: Act IV: Pandora's Planet

Posted: Thu Jul 13, 2017 11:59 am
by Inferno
Yup. Thanks! :)

Re: Act IV: Pandora's Planet

Posted: Sat Jul 15, 2017 4:52 pm
by Starbeard
Coxa II: Ruins of the Slaver Outpost
Stardate 2271.3.24: 1230h
Image

(Would Dr. Ryerson like to stay at the eastern door or move to the others? If so, does he elave the eastern entry open or closed?)

The party quietly convenes at the western end of the Outpost. The Rod of Life rests majestically on the podium, and the door is in fact open on this side, revealing a corridor exactly like the one they had seen at the opposite end of the building. Very faint light trickles from unseen lights in the ceiling, but no bodies or objects can be seen.

Actions?

Image
  • Gareb Endilev — DX 13 (+1), CT 15/15 — plasma pistol (12/12)
  • Nadix Ar Eth — DX 16 (+4), CT 12/12 — phaser II (24/24)
  • Dr. Ned Ryerson — DX 13 (+1), CT 12/12 — phaser II (24/24)
  • Ensign Patel — DX 10, MN 12, LK 12, CT 13/13 — phaser rifle (32/32)
  • Ensign 2 — DX 10, LK 11, CT 12/12 — phaser rifle (32/32)
  • Ensign 3 — DX 7 (-2), LK 9, CT 15/15 — phaser II (24/24)
  • Ensign Rodney

Re: Act IV: Pandora's Planet

Posted: Sun Jul 16, 2017 2:30 pm
by Inferno
Commander Nadix Ar Eth, Science Officer:

The alien scientist calmly experiments. He carefully removes the Rod of Life from its podium to see if doing so closes the doors, locking the Romulans safely inside the Slaver ruin.

Re: Act IV: Pandora's Planet

Posted: Mon Jul 17, 2017 3:26 pm
by DadsAngry
Dr. Ryerson:

The Dr. at the opposite side of the dome as the others steps forward into the open doorway to have a look inside.

Re: Act IV: Pandora's Planet

Posted: Tue Jul 18, 2017 9:19 am
by Starbeard
Coxa II: Ruins of the Slaver Outpost
Stardate 2271.3.24: 1231h
Image

Dr. Ryerson slowly walks through the eastern doorway. The corridor is very clean, and full of stale air that has lain dormant for a thousand millennia. The floor beneath his feet is soft, covered in some sort of felt carpeting. Looking up he sees that the ceiling is nearly transparent, allowing natural light to stream down from the outside: apparently the Slaver Empire also discovered how to create a transparent version of their super-scientific alloy. Looking further down the corridor he sees it end in a T-junction, which must circle around the middle of the building.

Suddenly, the door behind him begins to move! Ryerson makes for the door and leaps back out into the open, just before a blue force field powers on across the closing doorway, shimmers brilliantly for a split second and then fading to invisibility. A fraction of a second slower and he might have been vaporized in that field!


Image

Endilev and the ensigns keep watch over the other entrance.

Nadix experiments with the podium on that side, carefully removing the Rod of Life. The glowing lights to control the door disappear, and with an ominous electronic buzz the string of blue lights that surrounded the Rod of Life turn red. The doors ahead begin to slide shut rapidly, and for a brief moment the party observes a brilliant blue screen crackle across the entryway.

Within moments, everyone's communicators come alive with an urgent call! "Janus to away team, this is the Captain. Come in. The radiation surrounding the planet dissipated thirty minutes ago. We have tried to enter a lower orbit to stay within communicator range, but the radiation has just returned and sapped another big piece of our dilithium stores. We'll have to pull back out right away. What's happening down there?"

Actions?

Rolls:
20% chance that the Janus entered a lower orbit when the radiation dropped: [1d100] = 5

[2d10] = 17% of dilithium stores drained (now at 33%)

Ryerson difficult Dex save (13): [4d6] = 7 (Ryerson isn't trapped inside)
Image
  • Gareb Endilev — DX 13 (+1), CT 15/15 — plasma pistol (12/12)
  • Nadix Ar Eth — DX 16 (+4), CT 12/12 — phaser II (24/24)
  • Dr. Ned Ryerson — DX 13 (+1), CT 12/12 — phaser II (24/24)
  • Ensign Patel — DX 10, MN 12, LK 12, CT 13/13 — phaser rifle (32/32)
  • Ensign 2 — DX 10, LK 11, CT 12/12 — phaser rifle (32/32)
  • Ensign 3 — DX 7 (-2), LK 9, CT 15/15 — phaser II (24/24)
  • Ensign Rodney

Re: Act IV: Pandora's Planet

Posted: Tue Jul 18, 2017 12:21 pm
by Inferno
Commander Nadix Ar Eth, Science Officer:

"Captain, this is Nadix. We've suffered a casualty, sir. Ensign Rodney.

"We've just secured the Rod of Life and imprisoned the Romulans in the Slaver dome. We are preparing to search the area for the Romulan vessel and any stragglers, and to return the Rod of Life to the Coxan villagers to begin to return their culture to a pre-contact state,"
reported the alien officer on a secure channel.

Re: Act IV: Pandora's Planet

Posted: Tue Jul 18, 2017 1:58 pm
by DadsAngry
Dr. Ryerson:

The doctor scans the surround air around him to get a reading on the planets level of radiation. He then scans himself to see how much his body has absorbed and how much more it can.

Re: Act IV: Pandora's Planet

Posted: Fri Jul 21, 2017 1:13 pm
by Starbeard
Coxa II: Ruins of the Slaver Outpost
Stardate 2271.3.24: 1232h
Image

Captain Wyse expresses a curt thanks for the update. "I'll update my logs. Keep to your present objectives. If the radiation persists we will risk another orbit at 1800 hours. Wyse out."

Ryerson checks his tricorder. Now that the Slaver Outpost has been closed off by its protective force field, his tricorders seems to be capable of reading energy signals without overloading from interference. Perhaps this is yet another devious security feature imagined by the Slavers?

The tricorder picks up a very powerful beam of Slaver radiation coming straight out of the roof of the Outpost. Something must have triggered the ruin to begin emitting the radiation around the planet shortly after the pirates arrived, but what had shut it off momentarily minutes ago?

He scans himself, worried about the silent effect of such powerful radiation on his body. The protective screens generated by their forcefield belts will only last just under six hours this close to the Slaver Outpost, so long as the radiation continues to be present. (i.e., radiation effects, if any, will generate at roughly 1815 hours).

Actions?

Image
  • Gareb Endilev — DX 13 (+1), CT 15/15 — plasma pistol (12/12)
  • Nadix Ar Eth — DX 16 (+4), CT 12/12 — phaser II (24/24)
  • Dr. Ned Ryerson — DX 13 (+1), CT 12/12 — phaser II (24/24)
  • Ensign Patel — DX 10, MN 12, LK 12, CT 13/13 — phaser rifle (32/32)
  • Ensign 2 — DX 10, LK 11, CT 12/12 — phaser rifle (32/32)
  • Ensign 3 — DX 7 (-2), LK 9, CT 15/15 — phaser II (24/24)
  • Ensign Rodney

Re: Act IV: Pandora's Planet

Posted: Fri Jul 21, 2017 5:37 pm
by DadsAngry
Dr. Ryerson:

The doctor walks around the structure to join the others.
"The structure is the source of the radiation. I got a very strong reading from the top of it. But something happened a few minutes ago that turned off the radiation. But what ever that was it's change and it back on again."

Re: Act IV: Pandora's Planet

Posted: Fri Jul 21, 2017 8:27 pm
by Inferno
Commander Nadix Ar Eth, Science Officer:

"Moments ago, I removed the Rod of Life from its podium," Nadix explains.
"When the Rod was in the Coxan village, this must have been the state of things. When the Romulans stole it to invade the Slaver dome, they altered that state."


"Commander Endilev, if you carry the Rod of Life, it might be undetectable to any stray Romulans not locked within the dome. Can your tricorder locate their vessel?"

Re: Act IV: Pandora's Planet

Posted: Thu Jul 27, 2017 1:25 pm
by Starbeard
Coxa II: Ruins of the Slaver Outpost
Stardate 2271.3.24: 1233h
Image

Commander Endilev takes the Rod of Life and Dr. Ryerson confirms with his medical tricorder that both Endilev and the Rod are rendered undetectable thanks to the Slaver belt.

"The only ship we could find on the planet surface was the shuttle we landed near, several kilometers north of our position," says Endilev. "I expect the Romulans walked here from that landing site, or from the village."

The sounds of the surrounding jungle slowly begin to return as the crew stand still, debating their next move.

Actions?

Image
  • Gareb Endilev — DX 13 (+1), CT 15/15 — plasma pistol (12/12)
  • Nadix Ar Eth — DX 16 (+4), CT 12/12 — phaser II (24/24)
  • Dr. Ned Ryerson — DX 13 (+1), CT 12/12 — phaser II (24/24)
  • Ensign Patel — DX 10, MN 12, LK 12, CT 13/13 — phaser rifle (32/32)
  • Ensign 2 — DX 10, LK 11, CT 12/12 — phaser rifle (32/32)
  • Ensign 3 — DX 7 (-2), LK 9, CT 15/15 — phaser II (24/24)
  • Ensign Rodney

Re: Act IV: Pandora's Planet

Posted: Thu Jul 27, 2017 5:01 pm
by Inferno
Commander Nadix Ar Eth, Science Officer:

"Gentlemen, I propose we search the Romulan vessel for any stragglers, and then return the Rod of Life to the Coxan villagers," Nadix suggests with deference.

Re: Act IV: Pandora's Planet

Posted: Sat Jul 29, 2017 3:29 am
by DadsAngry
Dr. Ryerson:

The doctor nods in agreement with Commander Nadix suggestion.

Re: Act IV: Pandora's Planet

Posted: Thu Aug 03, 2017 8:49 am
by Starbeard
Coxa II: Back to the landing site
Stardate 2271.3.24: 1445h
Image

The party confiscates the Rod of Life and retraces its steps back to the landing site. Travel is quicker on the return trip, and they reach the two shuttles before 3 o'clock planetary time without incident. If all goes to plan then the Janus will return for a further report in just over three hours.

Image

The landing site is exactly as they left it in the morning; another quick sweep of the tricorder indicates no present signs of Romulan, Coxan or Human life.

Image

The pirate shuttle:
Image[/quote]

It is eerily quiet, save for the lonely winds that howl through the upper canopy of the jungle. Chief Engineer Endilev quickly and ably bypasses the pirate shuttle's security and opens the main hatch.

Actions?

Image
  • Gareb Endilev — DX 13 (+1), CT 15/15 — plasma pistol (12/12)
  • Nadix Ar Eth — DX 16 (+4), CT 12/12 — phaser II (24/24)
  • Dr. Ned Ryerson — DX 13 (+1), CT 12/12 — phaser II (24/24)
  • Ensign Patel — DX 10, MN 12, LK 12, CT 13/13 — phaser rifle (32/32)
  • Ensign 2 — DX 10, LK 11, CT 12/12 — phaser rifle (32/32)
  • Ensign 3 — DX 7 (-2), LK 9, CT 15/15 — phaser II (24/24)
  • Ensign Rodney

Re: Act IV: Pandora's Planet

Posted: Thu Aug 03, 2017 12:28 pm
by Inferno
Commander Nadix Ar Eth, Science Officer:

"Let's search the vessel, gentlemen," the alien officer quietly suggests.

"The Slaver artifacts will cloak the Romulans' positions from our tricorder scans. And Carlax had a forcefield belt, so prepare to set phasers higher than stun should we encounter similar defenses.

"Ready? Let's proceed."

Re: Act IV: Pandora's Planet

Posted: Thu Aug 03, 2017 12:46 pm
by DadsAngry
Dr. Ryerson:

The doctor recalibrates his phaser to maximum stun and follows the others into the shuttle.

Re: Act IV: Pandora's Planet

Posted: Fri Aug 11, 2017 1:33 pm
by Starbeard
Coxa II: Back to the landing site
Stardate 2271.3.24: 1455h
Image

The interior of the shuttle is cramped and spartan. Several pieces of medical, scientific and archaeological equipment are strewn across the cabin floor, and the back of the cabin is taken up by six uncomfortable bunk beds stacked three to a side.

The computer is accessed without any trouble and the logs are read. They conform to the information given freely by Dr. Leigh Moore on the Janus. Eight came down on the shuttle: the two doctors, Captain Lawrance Caddigan and his team of four pirates, Centurion Carlax of the Romulan Star Empire, and a mysterious entity identified only as "Commander."

Visual records are provided for all of the crew aside from the Commander, and from these the party concludes that the dead body found within the nest of carnivorous plants must have been Captain Caddigan himself. Through simple deduction they reason that the only two unaccounted for are the Commander and Ursula Norton, Caddigan's ruthless Number One. Her record alone leaves the blood running cold.

As the party delves further into the records, a twig snaps outside. Everyone spins around to find a fuming, tempestuous young Coxan male at the entryway! Nadix and Ryerson recognize him from when they first entered the Coxan village (last bit). Behind him a cluster of four more Coxan warriors stand outside, looking ready for trouble.

The young man brandishes an ornate sickle and glowers at the party. "You have brought nothing but shame and strife to our people! Now we will take our revenge!"

Image

Actions?

Image
  • Gareb Endilev — DX 13 (+1), CT 15/15 — plasma pistol (12/12)
  • Nadix Ar Eth — DX 16 (+4), CT 12/12 — phaser II (24/24)
  • Dr. Ned Ryerson — DX 13 (+1), CT 12/12 — phaser II (24/24)
  • Ensign Patel — DX 10, MN 12, LK 12, CT 13/13 — phaser rifle (32/32)
  • Ensign 2 — DX 10, LK 11, CT 12/12 — phaser rifle (32/32)
  • Ensign 3 — DX 7 (-2), LK 9, CT 15/15 — phaser II (24/24)
  • Ensign Rodney

Re: Act IV: Pandora's Planet

Posted: Fri Aug 11, 2017 2:22 pm
by Inferno
Commander Nadix Ar Eth, Science Officer:

The alien adherent of the Prime Directive attempts to begin mending this broken culture.

Nadix stands a little more erect as he says: "Please wait. You are right. Our evil brethren have caused you much harm. We apologize and seek to repair the wrongs they have inflicted upon you, and see to it that they never trouble you again.

"We can start now, by restoring the Rod of Life. Here. We return it to your safe keeping with our eternal gratitude."


The Edosian scientist slowly produces the mysterious Slaver artifact and gives it to them. Its scientific worth is without measure, but Nadix values the Prime Directive even more.

Re: Act IV: Pandora's Planet

Posted: Fri Aug 11, 2017 2:36 pm
by DadsAngry
Dr. Ryerson:

The doctor slowly backs up towards the front interior of the ship; behind the red shirted security men. His movement is very slow and his eye are kept on the Coxans. In his mind all he can think about is what damage those ornate sickle will do to his crew mates and himself.

Re: Act IV: Pandora's Planet

Posted: Wed Aug 16, 2017 4:06 pm
by Starbeard
Coxa II: The landing site
Stardate 2271.3.24: 1515h
Image

The youth hesitates, looking the party up and down. “I know you—your the people who came to the village yesterday!” His anger slackens a little, and soon the Rod is exchanged, a shaky peace is declared, and both parties reconvene in the clearing.

The young man is Byros, and his comrades are out to lynch the pirates. He begins to explain the situation more fully, and as he does so you get the impression that he has little love for your party as well, even if your association with pirates is merely circumstantial. “Your pretenders came to us one moon ago, and demanded that our priests take them to the Forbidden Temple, which was built by the gods long ago over the entrance to the Underworld. Of course they were refused. Its location has been a secret to all but our priests for centuries, and anyone who tells of it to another soul will suffer eternal damnation. They left in anger, and we did not hear from them again until days ago. It was then that I overheard them whispering to each other that they would need the Rod of Life to open the Temple. Their scientists said that taking the sacred Rod away would slowly destroy all life on our world, but the others did not care. So I told our elder, Watrius, but that old fool would not believe me. ‘The gods have their ways,’ he said!”

Byros glares about angrily as he continues his story, puffing his chest out with youthful pride. “And so our village was divided. We rebelled, and I am their leader. I was going to steal the Rod and hide it until they were exposed, but Hemda—she is the daughter of Watrius—she ran off with it first! But she only did so out of…” He seems heartbroken as he tells his story. “…The penalty for taking the Rod is at best, banishment, and at worst… death.”

He finishes by explaining that today, in the very early hours of the morning, Ursula Norton, or “the false Yormahan, Goddess of Death” as he calls her, once again stole the Rod and disappeared into the wilderness, after torturing and murdering every priest who was at the temple. “We are hunters,” he says, “and have followed her tracks to this place. But if you are here, where is she?”

“—You needn’t hunt longer, boy,” says a voice from the trees. All turn to see Ursula standing at the edge of the clearing, holding a very frightened Hemda in her grasp. “Now be a dear and hand over the Rod,” she says, casually waving her disruptor as though it were a cigarette in her slender fingers.

Watrius, looking very troubled, is also standing next to her, next to a gruff and shifty-looking village priest, and six stoic warriors.

Image

Actions?

Image
  • Gareb Endilev — DX 13 (+1), CT 15/15 — plasma pistol (12/12)
  • Nadix Ar Eth — DX 16 (+4), CT 12/12 — phaser II (24/24)
  • Dr. Ned Ryerson — DX 13 (+1), CT 12/12 — phaser II (24/24)
  • Ensign Patel — DX 10, MN 12, LK 12, CT 13/13 — phaser rifle (32/32)
  • Ensign 2 — DX 10, LK 11, CT 12/12 — phaser rifle (32/32)
  • Ensign 3 — DX 7 (-2), LK 9, CT 15/15 — phaser II (24/24)
  • Ensign Rodney