CHAPTER 11a: The Vault of Ozkin

[Norjax]

Palakan Mountains; 329D/81 (Late Afternoon)

Silvestri spends 30 minutes analyzing and experimenting with the odd, metal object.



OOC: Please roll a 1d8 usage die.

He successfully activates the item and tests its operation. (Artifact Check 25-5 Complexity Modifier = 20) By grasping and squeezing the handle while the oval pad is pressed against a surface, a 2” thick chunk of edible gelatin is extracted from converted surface material. The quantity per use is enough for a single meal. The color and always bland taste of the gelatinous substance depends on the source material. (No difference in sustenance value, merely a curio for role playing)

A cylindrical pellet appears to be the source of power for this item. There are no markings for symbols anywhere on the ancient device.


Action Details:

Characters:

Monsters:

Actions?

Hit Points [Luck Points-334D]:

Denslow – 25/42 [14/16]
Silvestri – 40/60 [12/14]
Kurot – 46/50 [7/15]
Bruce – 24/50 [4/12]

[shaidar]

Goo food maker power check: [1d8] = 3

The power pellet isn't similar to the blaster or googles that has the same kind of power roll? Are there any other pellets around in the room?

[greyarea]

Denslow is confused by the device, which isn’t unusual for the plantient. Can it make soil? He wonders, because if it can’t make soil it isn’t good for food...

[Zhym]

Kurot tilts his head precisely 2.3 degrees to the left. "So, let me get this straight. This device converts energy and matter to food, which is ingested to produce energy and waste matter? That seems terribly inefficient."

"Did biological life forms go through any beta testing at all?"

[Norjax]

Palakan Mountains; 329D/81 (Late Afternoon)

Silvestri compares the power pellet in the new device with a comparable energy source from the blaster and goggles. There isn’t any similarity between the units.

Denslow is not impressed by the device but samples the gelatin and finds it palatable.

Kurot continues to process data attempting to understand biologics.

Action Details:

Characters:

Monsters:

Actions?

Hit Points [Luck Points-334D]:

Denslow – 25/42 [14/16]
Silvestri – 40/60 [12/14]
Kurot – 46/50 [7/15]
Bruce – 24/50 [4/12]

[greyarea]

Denslow says, At the least we may be able to sell it back in town.

He then gestures towards the vault.

Does this container connect to other containers? Or is it one of a kind?

[Norjax]

Palakan Mountains; 329D/81 (Late Afternoon)

A thorough search of the chamber finds no other doors or portals. Syrus concurs and explains that the Morivite air ships didn’t carry any containers larger than this discovery.

Syrus inventories his claim:

(5) 2x2x2 ft. sealed metal cases marked with a jagged line inside a square
(10) 1 ft. long artificial flying insects (look like giant bees)
(1) 2x2x6 ft. cabinet constructed from artificial bone (plastic)

The extra items are:

The “Goo food maker” device
(1) 2x2x6 ft. cabinet constructed from artificial bone (plastic, extra)

The cabinet is identical to Syrus’ claim. It stores four pair of black 5ft-long poles with a red line running down one side. The Lantican explains how the poles may be staked up to 10ft apart and energized to form a rectangular plane of ghostly energy between them. This energy fence will stun most life forms that try to cross the barrier.

OOC: 1d8 usage die. All stakes must be set before the grid is energized. It forms a 40ft x 40ft enclosure. The grid remains energized for 8 hours before it automatically shuts down. It may be stopped sooner.

“I’ve concluded my business here,” Syrus tells you. “I determine that we should head back to Hagalton.”

Action Details:

Characters:

Monsters:

Actions?

Hit Points [Luck Points-334D]:

Denslow – 25/42 [14/16]
Silvestri – 40/60 [12/14]
Kurot – 46/50 [7/15]
Bruce – 24/50 [4/12]

[greyarea]

Agreed, agrees Denslow. Let us not take root here. To Hagalton.

[Norjax]

North of Hagalton; 330D-337D/81

After one last look in the Vault of Ozkin for items of value, you load up the pack animals and head southeast for Hagalton on the morning of Day 330. The Palakan Mountains fade in the distance and the scrub brush ends as the landscape returns to a flat, desolate, and arid waste that defines the Wretched Regions.

Small groups of travelers, able to make a faster pace than your camelid train, are encountered. They too are heading to Hagalton before seeking fortune in the buried ruins of Sott’ Urwa at the edge of the Gam’A Zone. You have passed on exploring Sott’ Urwa, deeming it too crowded with ruffians, thieves and amateurs competing for treasure with the Thorax Scavengers. Its trinkets are minimal compared to the riches hinted at from the Zone proper which you have just scratched. The timid stay close to the Long Route and the easy pickings of Sott’ Urwa.

One group of three appears to be more experienced and serious. They are following a lead that an expedition is seeking to enter the Gam’A Zone by following the Crack in the Earth to the point it penetrates the tenuous barrier of the Zone to the south of Hagalton. This is the territory of the mysterious Motter. Kurot recalls the Thorax Scavengers were afraid of him and repeated the word ‘MOTTER’ several times. Den Lo (Specialty Merchant) spoke of Motter and her metal machines. Perhaps Kurot and Bruce might find answers to their origins and existence in Motter Territory?

The rail tunnels with travel pods are not fully explored. What remains unseen beyond the dangers there?

Your beasts of burden seem to anticipate a return to the comfort the town’s camel yards. By the end of Day 337, Haglton is in sight and you enter town just as the sun begins to set.

... to the next chapter.