Archeotech 2 – Treasure Hunt (RPG IC)

[Petragor]

Helene

 

Despite her origins, Helene did not in fact posess much in the way of money, prompting her to think quite conservatively while picking out potential clothes. In her mind this wasn't an issue, but rather a way for her to remain humble, and not forget herself in luxury like so much of the nobility did.

She eventually found two items of interest. The first was mass-produced poor-weather cloak, big enough for her to wrap around her entire body, which should provide adequate protection against the weather they had been experiencing of late. The second was a long, narrow oilskin bag, just the right size and shape to hold her chainsword and shield it against the elements. She also looked at some more sturdy boots, but with her limited funds Helene believed it wise to prioritize the bag and cloak first.

Putting the items on the desk and waiting for the clerk to name his prices, Helene turns to the elder in the chair.

"Could thee tell me more of this Lady Hu? I would very much like to speak with one who is familiar with the destination of our pilgrimage."

Edited January 5, 2023 by Petragor

[Machine God]

Varn:

 

Varn listened to the Furrier and looked over his wares, his eyes noting the Ursarchus fur with reverence.

 

At the words of the Old One he was enrapt.

 

Momentarily confused he spoke to her in his native tongue, but suddenly stopped...

 

 

 

Edited January 6, 2023 by Machine God
Typo

[A.T.]

Aria

 

Aria added her selection next to Helenes, stepping back and bowing her head. Distance and the image of subservience to another tended to be the best form of negotiation when intimidation and violence were unsuited.

[TechCaptain]

Kazimir:

 

Getting up he holstered his pistol and looked back at Kastn that spoke of mistrust, but the direction of the Ave Mechanicus Representative seems clear to him. "Aye, Ma'am. Maybe I can get some more parts for my pistol to keep it in good repair. I will be down here until then unless you need me." He went on to start a routine of stretches and exercises meant to keep him in shape. He was planning on recharging in a bit for normal rest was unneeded other than having down time. He knew where to get his meal for the night. 

[Machine God]

Varn:

 

Varn spun around three times and apologised in Low Gothic.

 

"Excoos me Wise One. Von Hurts speek better than I!"

 

Varn scampered away to touch the Ursarchus fur-lined clothing and look at the maps.

 

 

Varn berated himself in his head.

 

Stupid, stupid, you nearly got ensnared by the Others. The Shivon is an Others Elder.

 

They trisky and sly. Stay strong and guard your head.

 

Member the Lej, of the Bak 'n Bak of the Sestas!

[Trokair]

Aria, Helene and Varn

 

Colm carefully went through each item presented on the counter, doing a last check, complementing on good selections, and trying to persuade Helene to go for a better cloak than what she had selected, or to add a gilet for warmth. However he did not persist for long, and subtle since of discomfort where creeping into his demeanour that Aria would easily recognise as the effects that some people experienced in her prolonged presence.

 

“That will be 40 Thrones (25 for Aria and 15 for Helene) in total so far.” Turning to address Varn, seeing him inspect a rack of coats “Anything for you, that Ursarchus fur lined long coat will keep you dry and warm no matter what the wildness throws at you.”

 

Meanwhile Siobhán looked thoughtfully at Varn.

 

“You are far from home aren’t you young one, haven’t heard anybody speak like that since…” She mumbles to herself for a moment, as if counting, “well since that great hunt back in 13*”

 

“Lady Hu, you remember her Colm, don’t you, was an officer ofworld I think, came here to retire and went exploring the wilderness. Bought a whole load supplies about a year ago, I am sure she mentioned going up river and into the northern wilderness, something about seeking adventure as I recall.”  

 

*That’s 413.M41 – about 35 years ago.          

[Machine God]

Varn:

 

Varn listened to Colm speak about his wares.

 

"Yass, sounds great to me Colm. How much dis super lovely Ursurchus fur-lined Long Coat?"  asked Varn eagerly.

 

"Do you have any rope too?"

[Trokair]

“A very fine choice, 23 Thrones.” Colm replies.

 

“We do have rope, 1 throne per 2 meters, or if you are looking for elasticized rope its 1 throne per meter, how much did you need?”

 

 

 

Just so you are aware, there is some rope in David’s supplies. So this would be spare/for Varn own use if baught.

Edited January 9, 2023 by Trokair

[A.T.]

Aria

 

Stepping forward to place her thrones on the table while Colm was occupied with his sales pitch, Aria collected her furs and looked to Helene to see if she wished assistance in donning the new cloak. The cold weather had clearly begun to take a toll on her ward.

[Machine God]

Varn:

 

"Done!" said Varn, placing his Thrones down on the counter next to Aria's pile. He then dumped another pile of Thrones down.

 

"Twenny Three for the Coat, and Twenny more for Forty Yards of rope, please Colm."

[Trokair]

Varn, Aria, Helene

Colm picks up the Coins and files them in the till, efficiently quick but if you watch carefully he counted and inspected every single coin before it disappeared into the draw. Coming round from the counter he headed to one side, pulling a pair of shears from his belt as he does. Pulling on the rope so that the drum dispenser’s regular clicks counted out the unwound distance Colm counted under his breath.

 

Once satisfied he cut the required length and bundled it up for Varn.

 

“A quarter shy of 44 yards as requested.”  

Edited January 9, 2023 by Trokair

[Machine God]

Varn:

 

"Thank you Colm, this will come in handy." said Varn taking the rope, he coiled the rope and tied it off.

 

With a nod to the Boss Lady and Aria, Varn headed for the exit.

 

"Thank you too Elder Shivon!"

 

[Trokair]

Having concluded your business at Scherinfield Furrier you head out into the wet street once more, which despite the onset of dusk where now lighter than before. Above you the sky was almost clear of clouds, and in the rising dark you could see the flickering lights of stars, or perhaps ships and the orbital stations.

 

The streets where packed as the populous use the break in the storm to rush to where they need to be in time for the evening bell. While none of you had been to the Norrgate Inn yet the directions Aria had transmitted over the squad comms earlier let you true, with the aid of a few street signs and one helpful local. As you round the last corner you can see the city gates ahead of you, the inn on the corner of the gate square. As you draw near you hear first one Bell ring out, soon joined by others from throughout the city. As they fall quiet a shout goes up from the gate guards, in answer the mighty city gates begun their ponderous swing to close. The last few vehicles and travellers rushed forward to make it inside before the gate are fully closed.

 

Once inside the Inn you spot Kazimir and Aria at a table, they had saved space for the rest of the team as the Inn’s other guests filled in for the evening meal. Some had just arrived, coats still wet from their travels. As the afternoon had worn on Kazimir while guarding David will have seen several other all terrain vehicles park up in the courtyard. Others had willed away the day, some in this common room playing cards, others in the city, all waiting out the storm.  

 

As you partake in the simple yet filling meal that the Inn serves you overhear some of the other guests, snatches of conversation. Some are farm workers on the outlying farms, in town for supplies; other just arrived to sell their wares at the souk the day after tomorrow, having travelled early so as to not get stuck on the road.

 

 

End of Day 3, I'll try and get Day 4 going tomorrow. 

Edited January 13, 2023 by Trokair

[Trokair]

Day 4 – “Clear Skies in the East”

 

The morning finds you up an early gathered around David. The Inn’s kitchen is not yet open, and after last night’s meal you may want to seek food elsewhere. It wasn’t that it was bad, and it had been filling, but it tasted a touch to much like old rations, and you all know that you were likely to be eating those for a fair while.

 

“Morning, there’s a lot of you I see, I am sure we can put you all to good use.”

Kastn arrives soon after you, caring several tool kits and replacement parts. He lays out his tools and begins work, from time to time directing those of you who are helping.

 

After a while Kastan leans over and turns on a public vox. All you catch is the tail end of a regional weather forecast before the hourly bells begin to ring out over the city. The storm front has moved westwards and is now lashing at Keringrat, but out here in the east the weather should be fair with clear skies. A further weather front is moving in from the south east and is expected to make landfall tomorrow afternoon.

 

In addition to Ravia assisting Kastn with a Tech-Use Test the rest of you can assist with general labour by rolling a Difficult (-10) Agility Test or Hard (-20) Intelligence Test. Positive results will help, while small failures (up to 2 DoF) are neither here nor there, but critical failure (4+ DoF) will delay the repairs and may incur further expense.  Make your choice wisely. I will Roll Kastn repair and cost roll once I have your choices. 

 

[Lord_Ikka]

Ravia

 

Ravia nods to Kastn and plugs her mechandrite into the Goliath to begin her benedictions. She cants softly in the Lingua Mechanica, pouring beseechments and blessings into the vehicle.

 

 

Spoiler

Test: Tech-Use

Target: 48 (38 + 10 for Electro-Graft, being plugged into the truck)

Roll: 44

Result= Pass, no DoS

 

Edited January 16, 2023 by Lord_Ikka

[Petragor]

Helene, not feeling all too well, simply stands by as the healthier and more mechanically able work on the truck. She looks at the blue sky and a smile passes her lips.

"Ah, the weather has finally made a... ah... ah... ACHOO!... turn for the better... sniff Truly the saints smile upon us."

[A.T.]

Aria

 

Knowing her attempts to assist with such a task would likely make things worse Aria refrained from interfering with the repairs. The weather reports suggested haste would be beneficial to stay ahead of the weather but for now the ideal approach was to leave the tech-adept to their work and ward off any distractions.

[Machine God]

Varn:

 

David it's was getting fixed, something...

 

Others stuff.

 

Varn made Kaff for everyone.

[Trokair]

“Bless you.” Kastn responds without looking round from where he is working on David’s innards.  

 

Kastn Tech Use

Int:32 + 20 (Skill) + 10 Assist = 62

D100: 18, Pass, 4 DoS  = Repair successful. Time taken is a smidgen over 2 hours.

Cost: 4D10(8,2,3,8) + 5 = 26   Thrones

Labour at 12 X2.5 Hours = 30 Thrones

 

“You have a good machine here, rugged and reliable.” Kastn comments as he closes up the last assess panel. “That went better than expected, thank you for the assist Disciple Phi-Ro.”

 

“So that’s two and a bit hours today plus time yesterday examine David here, round that down to two and half hours makes 30 Thrones.”

 

He scribbles a few things on a data slate then looks back at you all. “I will write you up a full parts list but based on this I recon it be 26 Thrones. You know what I’ll knock one of for the Kaff, cheers lad. So who’s paying?”

 

Narrate as you all see fit, by the time you have paid the 55 Thrones and head out it will be 10.30am.
From Varn’s wondering through the market yesterday you will all now know where any shop or stall you might need is. Just narrate accordingly for what you are looking for and as long as it is reasonable it will be found and I will then work out any price.

 

Edited January 16, 2023 by Trokair

[Lord_Ikka]

Ravia

 

"Thank you Kastn." Ravia hands over the payment. Turning to the team, she speaks "We have two options, I believe. One, use today to finish up any supply shopping we may need and gather any last information, spend the night in here, and then set out in the morning. Or, set out now. Any thoughts?"

Edited January 19, 2023 by Lord_Ikka

[A.T.]

Aria

 

"The weather here is unpredictable, it would perhaps be best to leave while the path remains clear. I will assist in restocking the transport if the mistress wishes to attend to the rites of good passage."

[Lord_Ikka]

Ravia

 

"Agreed. We can stop on the way to acquire any last items we need before heading out."

[Trokair]

Day 4 – Noon

 

The midday bells clamoured around streets of Port Havamn, echoing of the city walls and drowning out the usual city chatter. David is parked just outside the Norrgate gate, and most of you are seated inside, patiently awaiting the return of the last few colleagues. Even as the bells dies down their volume jumped up as the Goliath door was pulled open. Now all were aboard Raiva performed a quick rite to check full function while Kazimir edged the Goliath out into traffic and swiftly into the short queue leading up to checkpoint to leave the city.  

 

As you enter the shadow of the Gate itself two city guards come over to inspect your authorisation, much like you had been counted into the city when you arrived you where now counted out. Unlike yesterday however it was obvious that when departing it was just a formality carried out by rote and not a proper inspection. Just as you are cleared to depart a shout goes up behind you.

 

“Hold that Goliath.”

 

Curiously one guard leans to peer around the vehicle back into the city to see who had shouted. Straightening up again signals you to wait while he strode past David towards a figure harrying towards you. The Other guards hand moved towards his holstered weapon, a pistol of some degree but from inside David none of you could see clearly.

 

Kazimir would have instantly known that the approaching figure was an Officer, just from the bearing and posture. The guard and the figure spoke for a little while then the guard turned and escorted the other straight towards you.

 

“Team Northeast?” While there was a little time to answer the stranger swiftly continued before any of you had spoken, they had seen the stencil on the side of the Golaith that answered the question.

 

“ Ariel Hu, may I come aboard, I hear from Colm that I might be able to assist your venture.” Again Ariel did not truly await an answer as she climbed into the back and took a seat, stowing a pack under the bench.

 

The city guard banged on the side of Goliath twice to let you know you could proceed, and his colleague, relived that there was no trouble stepped aside.  

 

You all hesitate a moment but Ariel motions for you to go, a requested emphasised by the sounding of a horn from the vehicle behind them.

 

As David cleared the gate and Kazimir brought him up to road speed Ariel turned to all of you.

 

“Am I glad I found you, the Archmagos was getting concerned when three teams fell out of communication during the storm yesterday and the evening before. You really should report in.”

 

“One might have been just a random chance, but three was concerning, as such I have been asked to go with you if I found you. So which cite of interest are we heeding to first?”

 

The weather will hold all afternoon and you will make good progress, the further you get the less other traffic you will see, and the road will dwindle to just one lane in each direction, the tarmac much worn and eroded. After the first two hours the farm land north of the city peters out and the woodland returned, creeping right up to the edge of the road. All the while you are slowly gaining altitude; gentle hills sloping up to become the feet of the still distant mountains.

 

I’ll do the next post in a few days, in the mean time you can converse amongst yourself, have flashbacks to whatever else you did in the city between the repairs and departure and such. 

[Machine God]

Varn:

 

From the back of David he has watched. They had a passenger, not Tribe yet. 

 

Peeking through the cupola he saw new person. Decided to say hello. 

 

He threw a headless snake into the newcomers lap. 

 

"Here snake, good eating! I is Varn, is the Tracker." 

[A.T.]

Aria:

 

An uninvited guest, Arias hand strayed towards her blade as she adjusted her position to intercept any move towards the mistress. Until the vox confirmed her posting she would remain suspect.

 

From appearances the newcomer did not appear to be any form of tech adept sent to fix a malfunctioning vox but a soldier, albeit one perhaps retired from frontline service given their age and slight built. Garrison duty perhaps.