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14:31, 28th March 2024 (GMT+0)

Adventure #4: Temple of Toma Thule.

Posted by StarMasterFor group 0
StarMaster
GM, 88 posts
Wed 8 Jan 2020
at 18:58
  • msg #1

Adventure #3: Temple of Toma Thule

The Away Team quickly assembles in the shuttle bay and takes the shuttle down to the surface. The captain deemed it more prudent to keep the Starhawk in orbit in case the Vesk showed up, even though this temple was sitting in the middle of a plain and there was plenty of room to land the ship.

Dropping down to the planet from orbit is routine even though there are six sky tunnels that lead off the planet. Only six across the entire surface of the world meant that they were quite far apart. None of the terminuses were near the temple, though.

As with the previous temple, the entrance is at the top of the step pyramid. There's just no hill to climb to get to it.

You land the shuttle about 50 yards away... not too close, but not so far away that you can't reach it quickly if you have to.
Revonoss
player, 116 posts
Spacefarer Mechanic
Korasha Lashunta
Wed 8 Jan 2020
at 21:24
  • msg #2

Adventure #3: Temple of Toma Thule

As the shuttle lands and Revonoss does the post flight check to make sure its ready he sends the drone ahead while the rest of the team disembarks to scan the area around the temple as he turns to Phelar.

"You going to be okay lad?"
Phelar Morilla
player, 73 posts
Human Dream Prophet
Phrenic Adept/Technomancr
Sat 11 Jan 2020
at 22:23
  • msg #3

Adventure #3: Temple of Toma Thule

Phelar looked to Revonoss and nodded gently. "I'll be okay. I feel weird though, I do not know if this is my first time being on another world, second time and where you found me was the first, or if I have been on many." She said as she cocked her head to the side, looking around the landscape with curious eyes.
Revonoss
player, 117 posts
Spacefarer Mechanic
Korasha Lashunta
Sun 12 Jan 2020
at 08:39
  • msg #4

Adventure #3: Temple of Toma Thule

He smiles gives her a pat on the shoulder and as the engines hum dies out and the ship is safely parked he starts to unbuckle and ready to see what the drone found and how the others are faring.

"Well If you do not remember i say it doesn't count. So go look at your first new planet."
Solsantharis
Player, 39 posts
Solarian Spacefarer
Mon 13 Jan 2020
at 23:16
  • msg #5

Adventure #3: Temple of Toma Thule

"If you don't remember, then this qualifies as your first world. Or second, since you were on the other," Sol answers.

"What worries me is if we find another you in this temple!"
Phelar Morilla
player, 75 posts
Human Dream Prophet
Phrenic Adept/Technomancr
Tue 14 Jan 2020
at 00:41
  • msg #6

Adventure #3: Temple of Toma Thule

She smiled to Revonoss and nodded. Seeing the first world she could remember, other then where she started, sounded good.

Then she looked to Sol, considering then words said for a moment about his worries. "What worries me, is not if there is another me there, but if some or all of my memories are there. What if there is something in them, I don't like?"
Revonoss
player, 118 posts
Spacefarer Mechanic
Korasha Lashunta
Tue 14 Jan 2020
at 09:40
  • msg #7

Adventure #3: Temple of Toma Thule

"You worry to much kid. When and if your memories catch up with you its the time to deal with them. And as we like you as a blank slate you don't have to worry there is a monster in there somewhere as it would have reared its head already if its our nature. And all other stuff might just be unpleasant but nothing we cant take care of together. Come let us go."
Soneau
player, 50 posts
Damaya Icon Operative
Tue 14 Jan 2020
at 23:50
  • msg #8

Adventure #3: Temple of Toma Thule

"I think what he's trying to say," Soneau said as she joined the group, "is that whatever memories you recover, they aren't going to change your fundamental personality. That only happens when you get possessed by some other creature or entity."

"Nice creatures don't possess you, so you don't have to worry about that. If there are any memories for you to recover, you're not going to turn out to be a mass murderer or an evil warlord or an insane clown. You're still going to be you... you'll just know more than you do right now."

Phelar Morilla
player, 76 posts
Human Dream Prophet
Phrenic Adept/Technomancr
Sat 18 Jan 2020
at 06:21
  • msg #9

Adventure #3: Temple of Toma Thule

She smiles to them all. "Well, lets see whats here then."

Then she looks around. "Imagine what scientists could learn from here. The tubes going from planet to planet themselves are such an anomaly that they could spend decades on them and still have so much to learn." She said, changing the topic as a way to deal with the topic of possible memories being here.
StarMaster
GM, 89 posts
Sun 19 Jan 2020
at 21:26
  • msg #10

Adventure #3: Temple of Toma Thule

As Revonoss scans the surrounding area, he's a bit surprised that he doesn't pick up any indications of technology. There are no energy readings, no metals detected. There are faint traces of magic, and, surprise, he finds ley lines crossing the planet, both in the sky and through the ground. The temple appears to be at the convergence of two overhead ley lines as well as two ground lines.

Additionally, he picks up a network of underground tunnels.

Meanwhile, Phelar can see that there are different symbols carved into the steps and risers of the step pyramid. They are written in Terran. She doesn't know Terran, but she recognizes it as such.
Phelar Morilla
player, 77 posts
Human Dream Prophet
Phrenic Adept/Technomancr
Sun 19 Jan 2020
at 22:30
  • msg #11

Adventure #3: Temple of Toma Thule

"Hey, do any of you guys know Terran?" Phelar said as she stepped closer to the runes, examining them more closely.
Solsantharis
Player, 40 posts
Solarian Spacefarer
Sun 26 Jan 2020
at 13:58
  • msg #12

Adventure #3: Temple of Toma Thule

When no one else spoke up, Sol finally did.

"I don't speak it nor do I read it," he said, "nor does it appear that any of the rest of us."

"Makes sense, though, since the Boladon are burrowers in the earth."

"If this is a temple of or to Toma Thule, I would guess these glyphs are probably just the precepts of the faith. It'd hardly make sense to put operating instructions on the face so that everyone could read it... if they knew Terran, of course. After all, you can learn other languages that you aren't a native of."

"Revonoss... still have your link with the ship? Want to see if they can translate it?"

Revonoss
player, 119 posts
Spacefarer Mechanic
Korasha Lashunta
Sun 26 Jan 2020
at 18:20
  • msg #13

Adventure #3: Temple of Toma Thule

Revonoss nods.

"Smart thinking lad. I ws planning to record it to review later but aybe we gone someone on board."

He contactsd the ship by routing the personal com through the shuttle.

++We found some script that might be in the Terran language. We got anyone who can translate?++
StarMaster
GM, 91 posts
Mon 17 Feb 2020
at 20:09
  • msg #14

Adventure #3: Temple of Toma Thule

The ship's computer is able to translate the script on the stairs, and it comes back as Toma Thule's religious doctrine.

If there's any clues in it, they aren't immediately obvious. It is possible that there could be some sort of imbedded code.
Phelar Morilla
player, 78 posts
Human Dream Prophet
Phrenic Adept/Technomancr
Tue 18 Feb 2020
at 21:43
  • msg #15

Adventure #3: Temple of Toma Thule

"...religious doctrine." Phelar said to herself as she looked around at the building once more. Then she slowly started up the stairs.
Soneau
player, 51 posts
Damaya Icon Operative
Wed 19 Feb 2020
at 00:01
  • msg #16

Adventure #3: Temple of Toma Thule

Soneau, along with a pair of other crew mates, comes out of the shuttle carrying various pieces of equipment. An image scanner, a signal booster, some portable generators to power everything, and general begins setting up a base camp.

"Okay. We'll be right here in case you need us," she telepathically sends as she pulls out a tripod with a bright light attached to it. "Be careful. If you find a good spot for us to move forward or an interesting site, com us and we'll bring the equipment to you."

Hello! This is Gamma, I'm back to assist.
This message was last edited by the player at 04:44, Wed 19 Feb 2020.
Solsantharis
Player, 41 posts
Solarian Spacefarer
Wed 19 Feb 2020
at 04:59
  • msg #17

Adventure #3: Temple of Toma Thule

"There's no life on this planet, so I don't know that there's any reason to set up a camp outside the shuttle," Sol replies to Soneau, "but, whatever."

He then sets out to follow Phelar up the stairs.

"If there's a hidden code, we'd need an decryption program to find it. Maybe it's something like every third word or every seventh word. Or it could be letters. And it could be  some sort of progression."

"The hard part is if it's symbolic. Requires interpreting words in a different context. We'd need a really sophisticated decryption program to figure that one out."

This message was last edited by the player at 16:05, Thu 27 Feb 2020.
Phelar Morilla
player, 79 posts
Human Dream Prophet
Phrenic Adept/Technomancr
Wed 19 Feb 2020
at 05:14
  • msg #18

Adventure #3: Temple of Toma Thule

"Or just go inside, and see if something happens...that helps us." Phelar said as if, almost expectant of something.
Revonoss
player, 120 posts
Spacefarer Mechanic
Korasha Lashunta
Wed 19 Feb 2020
at 10:06
  • msg #19

Adventure #3: Temple of Toma Thule

Revonoss was looking at all the data and just sighed when al lthe numbers told him nothing in the end. He nods when Phelar suggest going inside.

"Aye lets just see whats going on inside. This place seems to be abandoned long ago much like the place we found our gal here."

And with that he takes the lead to get into the temple and to have the drone scan it for a potential new stasis cell.
Soneau
player, 51 posts
Damaya Icon Operative
Fri 21 Feb 2020
at 01:32
  • msg #20

Adventure #3: Temple of Toma Thule

In reply to Solsantharis (msg # 17):

"How cute," Soneau says in a mocking tone, "we live in a universe full of magic and alien tech and you think nothing's going to be in there?" She laughs lightly, obviously giving the man a good ribbing. "Seriously though, we'll be here to give you back up," she says as a small camera drone pops into the air and starts getting a high resolution scan of the area.
This message was lightly edited by the GM at 01:32, Fri 21 Feb 2020.
StarMaster
GM, 92 posts
Thu 27 Feb 2020
at 16:01
  • msg #21

Adventure #3: Temple of Toma Thule

These doors turn out not to be locked, just closed, so pushing them causes them to swing open easily because of the superb balance.

The inside looks nearly identical to the previous temple: a single room, with a bench in the middle, writing on the two side and back walls, a black ceiling, and a row of light-emitting crystals around the ceiling perimeter. The main difference is that the black ceiling isn't dotted with little pinpoints of light.

The writing on the walls appears to be identical to that on the stairs.

Revonoss's drone does detect a secret compartment in the back wall... the same size as in the previous temple and in the exact same spot.

After scanning the room and then searching, nothing else is found.
Solsantharis
Player, 42 posts
Solarian Spacefarer
Thu 27 Feb 2020
at 16:04
  • msg #22

Adventure #3: Temple of Toma Thule

"While you two figure out how to open that compartment, I'm going to study the ceiling," Sol tells the others.

"There was a serious clue in the previous one, but I don't see anything here at the moment. It's probably something obvious that we just have to look at in just the right way."
Phelar Morilla
player, 80 posts
Human Dream Prophet
Phrenic Adept/Technomancr
Thu 27 Feb 2020
at 19:19
  • msg #23

Adventure #3: Temple of Toma Thule

"I think I would start to feel a little more wierded about my situation if all I had to do was touch the wall and the compartment opened." Phelar moves to the back of the room where the obvious compartment is. Looking and feeling around for a way to open it. Looking for a panel, keypad, anything along the wall.

14:17, Today: Phelar Morilla rolled 12 using 1d20+6 with rolls of 6.  Perception.
Revonoss
player, 121 posts
Spacefarer Mechanic
Korasha Lashunta
Fri 28 Feb 2020
at 09:10
  • msg #24

Adventure #3: Temple of Toma Thule

Last time there where coordinates on the temples star map so Closing the door and having the drone take pictures as Revonoss tries to open the wall hoping it was as easy as the last time. They now at last had a sense of what to expect.
StarMaster
GM, 93 posts
Fri 6 Mar 2020
at 18:18
  • msg #25

Adventure #3: Temple of Toma Thule

Phelar searches the back wall for some way to open the secret compartment, and soon finds a control panel that pops out when she touches that section of wall. It's a typical magnetic catch-and-release type set up, but she can't say if it would have opened to anyone or just to her.

The control panel is simply an alphanumeric keypad though it isn't in any standard configuration she's aware of. The symbols, however, have to be translated by the computer.


Closing the door casts the room into darkness once again, but nothing is revealed on the ceiling.
Phelar Morilla
player, 81 posts
Human Dream Prophet
Phrenic Adept/Technomancr
Fri 6 Mar 2020
at 23:22
  • msg #26

Adventure #3: Temple of Toma Thule

"...want to figure it's attached to a computer? If so I could probably just touch it and have it open it the compartment....right?" Phelar asked the others as she looked at the strange marking on the keypads.
StarMaster
GM, 94 posts
Sat 7 Mar 2020
at 05:06
  • msg #27

Adventure #3: Temple of Toma Thule

After studying the symbols on the keypad, she realizes that they are the same as what was on the outside on the step risers: it's Terran.
Revonoss
player, 122 posts
Spacefarer Mechanic
Korasha Lashunta
Sat 7 Mar 2020
at 09:25
  • msg #28

Adventure #3: Temple of Toma Thule

Revonoss nods.

"Yes you do your thing. Ill watch over you and aid where needed. I think you have a bigger chance of success here."

He uses the drone to run a translation program for the symbols and further waits to see what PHelar does and how he can help her.
Phelar Morilla
player, 82 posts
Human Dream Prophet
Phrenic Adept/Technomancr
Sat 7 Mar 2020
at 10:14
  • msg #29

Adventure #3: Temple of Toma Thule

"O-okay." She said with a simple nod. Using this ability still made her nervous, as she had no idea where or how it came from. Or about the diety in question whose name invoked it either. Still she would reach out with her hand, the glove of her Mind Mail unlinking and receding into the sleeve of her mail. Then her bare hand touched the panel. "Triune." And she entered into that state once more that she enters when she links with computers.

OOC: So her goal is to first disarm any traps, unlock, and open the secret compartment.

05:09, Today: Phelar Morilla rolled 15 using 1d20+7 with rolls of 8.  Computers.

StarMaster
GM, 95 posts
Sun 22 Mar 2020
at 18:34
  • msg #30

Adventure #3: Temple of Toma Thule

Phelar somehow connects with the computer embedded somewhere within the wall. With a bit of careful probing, she finds that there is a trap--if someone had tried to force the drawer open, a powerful electric shock would have been released across the entire room!

Saying the name Triune doesn't do anything but she's otherwise able to release the mechanism that keeps the drawer closed... without triggering the trap.

It slides open. It's not nearly deep enough to contain a body... and it doesn't.

What is in there is a small box 9 inches square and 4 inches high.

There does not appear to be any traps in, on or around the box. The one thing she can't detect, though, is a strictly spring-release mechanical trap under the box. Gas or explosion are the only two possibilities as anything else would require computer or power control.
Phelar Morilla
player, 83 posts
Human Dream Prophet
Phrenic Adept/Technomancr
Mon 30 Mar 2020
at 20:30
  • msg #31

Adventure #3: Temple of Toma Thule

"...hmm, I don't need to say her name anymore to activate the ability." She says as she takes her hand off of the panel and moves to examine the area around the box. "Trapped." She quickly begins to work on it.

OOC:
16:29, Today: Phelar Morilla rolled 22 using 1d20+7 with rolls of 15.  Engineering.

StarMaster
GM, 97 posts
Tue 31 Mar 2020
at 18:20
  • msg #32

Adventure #3: Temple of Toma Thule

Phelar can't be sure of the actual mechanism under the box, so one of two possibilities comes to mind: sliding a thin plate under the box and hope it suppresses the spring or use some sort of cryo-freeze to hold it in place. She can always just pick up the box and run!

Unless there's a significant amount of lead in the box, it probably doesn't weight that much. That, in turn, indicates that the spring trap doesn't require a lot of weight to keep it from going off. Also, the nature of the trap indicates that the box has to be completely removed to trigger it.

Therefore, any type of thin stiff material will work to disable it. If Phelar doesn't have anything like that in her Rogue's tools, Revonoss comes up with something.

Sliding it under the box works just fine. Putting a bit of extra weight on--just in case--lets her remove the box.

With the box out of the way, Phelar can now see the problem more clearly. She is now able to disable the trap by disconnecting the spring from the release switch.

Now that she can examine the box, she realizes it's a puzzle box. Pieces of it have to be slid aside in the proper sequence to open the box.
Solsantharis
Player, 43 posts
Solarian Spacefarer
Tue 31 Mar 2020
at 18:34
  • msg #33

Adventure #3: Temple of Toma Thule

With the doors closed, Sol looks at the ceiling more carefully, trying to discern anything of significance. There's nothing that he can see.

"Could there be some sort of hidden... writing... or whatever on the ceiling?" he speculates idly. "And you scanned the ceiling for secret compartments, right, Revonoss?"

At Revonoss's assurance that he had, Sol looks at it again... and again... and again... each time from a different angle and a different spot in the temple.

"If you take pictures of it, will they show us something we can't see with our eyes?" he again asks Revonoss.

"Could there be something like a QR code up there? I was thinking a filter might help, but it won't be useful on a picture, right? Oh. Oh! Here's a thought! What if there's something there that can only be viewed in an ultraviolet light?"

"Don't suppose you have one of those, do you?"

Phelar Morilla
player, 84 posts
Human Dream Prophet
Phrenic Adept/Technomancr
Tue 31 Mar 2020
at 22:05
  • msg #34

Adventure #3: Temple of Toma Thule

"Thank's Rev!" She said with a smile as he helped her beat the trap.

After word she would sit there, in place, examining the puzzle box with a perplexed look on her face. "It's a puzzle box."

Finally when Sol spoke, she came back from her daze. "I think the only hidden compartment was the one I found, but I can access the computer again to see if you want." Phelar mentioned to Sol, holding onto the puzzle box tightly.
Solsantharis
Player, 44 posts
Solarian Spacefarer
Wed 1 Apr 2020
at 16:49
  • msg #35

Adventure #3: Temple of Toma Thule

"Just be careful with the box," Sol suggests. "Sometimes they are trapped, but most of them are set to destroy the contents if they aren't opened properly. That generally includes breaking it open or cutting it open."

"It appears to be made of wood, but it could  have an underlying metal skin to which the wood has been bonded. Since it's probably hollow, it could be hard to tell its composition by weight. But... does it feel like it's made of wood?"

Phelar Morilla
player, 85 posts
Human Dream Prophet
Phrenic Adept/Technomancr
Wed 1 Apr 2020
at 19:02
  • msg #36

Adventure #3: Temple of Toma Thule

"I will be...  I wonder whats in it." She said in though, before looking back up to Sol. "Anyway, you didn't answer my question. Do you want me to look in the temple's computer for any other special compartments other then the one's we found?"
Solsantharis
Player, 45 posts
Solarian Spacefarer
Wed 1 Apr 2020
at 19:32
  • msg #37

Adventure #3: Temple of Toma Thule

"Oh, sorry. I sort of thought your question was rhetorical," Sol answers. "If you haven't already and you think the computer will reveal it, then go ahead."
StarMaster
GM, 99 posts
Thu 23 Apr 2020
at 00:44
  • msg #38

Adventure #3: Temple of Toma Thule

After checking the computer in the temple, Phelar can find no signs of any other secret compartments in the temple. It only shows the one.

Turning her attention back to the box, she is able to figure out the puzzle to opening it. It takes moving seven different sections in a certain sequence to unlock the box.

Once unlocked, she opens it. Rather than finding something in the box, she discovers that the box IS the treasure--it's a Starfinder--an interstellar Pathfinder. It has a compass in the middle, and there are four indentations in the corners.
Phelar Morilla
player, 86 posts
Human Dream Prophet
Phrenic Adept/Technomancr
Thu 23 Apr 2020
at 08:16
  • msg #39

Adventure #3: Temple of Toma Thule

"...oh, wow. I think I found the clue, and the treasure." Phelar said as she examined the Starfinder more closely.
Ciani Keiss
player, 1 post
Xenoseeker Envoy
Mon 27 Apr 2020
at 05:21
  • msg #40

Adventure #3: Temple of Toma Thule

The embrace was long, hard, and comforting. Ciani wanted to stay in the warmth of that embrace for an eternity, but knew deep down it was not to last. The two of them separated and let out small, embarrassed laughs as they both realized they were wiping tears from their eyes.

“Be safe and may Desna guide you my dearest one.”

Ciani smiled a heartfelt smile in response. “I will Medoni, I most certainly will. I have had the most relaxing time here, and I thank you. Every time I come back; I am renewed with your spirit.”

“Well, come back with joyful news of discovery and wonder next time.” The Medoni smiled a knowing smile which Ciani interpreted with astute acknowledgement.

“I will Medoni.” Ciani held her head just a bit lower revealing the truth of what she had been through and the baggage she had brought back with her to the door of her mentor. The three “Vault” experiences had worn her psyche down and she had found herself falling into the arms of her mentor for support and guidance. The past six months had been a time of deep, inner, personal reflection that had brought her back from the precipice of abandonment to the very ideals and philosophies that she had always grown up with, that she had been taught, that she had sworn to be a disciple of. She owed her upbringing and now rebirth to the dearest one in all creation; her mentor. “Thank you for everything.”

“My pleasure dear, now go. They await you at the gate.”

Ciani picked up her things and headed towards the gate. Three floating platforms followed her laden with her extra essentials and extra supplies for the ship. The Gate Controller, Raiyiri, held up a hand indicating for Ciani to stay where she was. Raiyiri fiddled with the controls and the stones embedded in the archway that created the “elf gate” began to glow.

The Aiudara is a wonderful device of magic and technology, and what Ciani loved most about this one particular aiudara gate here in the Qabarat Gateway District was hearing the splendor of singing that actually activated this gate. Ciani closed her eyes and felt the beautiful melody engulf the area as the doors to the archway shimmered and began to open. She opened her eyes and nodded to Raiyiri and slowly walked towards the beckoning gateway. Starhawk, here I come.

The Medoni smiled but held her concerns to herself as she watched her star pupil vanish through the portal along with three palates of supplies. She is still so young and naïve, she thought to herself. May Desna guide her towards maturity.

In the blink of an eye, Ciani stepped away from the aiudara gate and found herself in what had to be a cargo bay of the Kevolari vessel, Starhawk.  After introductions, and the explanation of where her essentials might be going, she was led to the bridge. She still had no idea where her stuff would be or whom she might be bunking, which worried her as she entered through the hatch and into the area known as the bridge. She made her introductions with protocol and grace, her training ever apparent as she greeted them all.

Ciani inquired as to where most of the crew was and was informed they were on the surface of the planet. Well I might as well introduce myself. She was handed a comm for her personal use, although she could have talked through any of the devices on the ship. Ciani took a big breath, swallowed hard and began to speak to the away team below. You can do this, she encouraged herself. You have guided those around you in tactical starship battles, you have survived the games on Eox, and have come face to face with your own fears deep in the shafts of the Vault. You can do this. You are a Wayfinder.

“Away team. This is Ciani Keiss, newly arrived and newly appointed Ambassador to the crew of the Starhawk.” Her voice cracked just a bit, but she continued on. “I greet you with open palms. Tell me of your findings, and advise me on how can I help with your mission.”

Zenith
NPC, 20 posts
Damaya Ace Pilot Operativ
Captain
Mon 27 Apr 2020
at 15:36
  • msg #41

Adventure #3: Temple of Toma Thule

"Welcome aboard, Ciana Keiss," the captain said to her when she reached the bridge. "I am Captain Zenith."

"As you may have been informed already, we do not know how long the aiudara will be able to reach the ship, so we try to resupply with every stop we make, as much as to test the gate as to get supplies and rotate out the crew as needed."

"As the rest of the crew already have assigned ship positions, you'll be on the Away Team, however many teams there might be and however many may be needed on a given team. Sometimes, that'll include remaining on the ship to coordinate the Away Team activities."

"Right now, they've been exploring a temple to Toma Thule on this very strange planet. If you feel ready to join them, they have requested a blacklight projector. So, would you mind taking it to them?"

Solsantharis
Player, 46 posts
Solarian Spacefarer
Mon 27 Apr 2020
at 15:42
  • msg #42

Adventure #3: Temple of Toma Thule

At Ciana's communication, which Sol found odd that it penetrated the temple walls, he activated his own comm unit and replied.

"This is Solsantharis on the Away Team. We're inside the temple and found a Starfinder device. However, since we found a secret message on the ceiling of the last temple, we suspect there might be one here as well. I suggested it might be revealed only under blacklight, so we need a projector. Would you mind bringing it to us?"
Ciani Keiss
player, 4 posts
Xenoseeker Envoy
Mon 27 Apr 2020
at 20:56
  • msg #43

Adventure #3: Temple of Toma Thule

"I will bring it down right away. Thank you, Solsantharis." Ciani turned back to the Captain. "Thank you so very much for the warm welcome, Captain Zenith. I hope to be an asset. Now if you could direct me to the black light projector I would appreciate it."

Ciani paused for a brief second. She looked down at her ambassador whites she had on and realized she needed to change into her lashunta armor. "Oh, and if I might intrude, I probably need to change. Could you tell me where my quarters are and whom I might be bunking with?

(OOC - This is mostly for roleplay to see who she might be bunking with. There might be some fun conversations that come out of this.)
StarMaster
GM, 102 posts
Tue 28 Apr 2020
at 21:17
  • msg #44

Adventure #3: Temple of Toma Thule

Ciani has been assigned to the same room as Ashina… one crew with one Away Team. The thinking there is that they won't often be in the room at the same time.

The shuttle has already been brought up to the ship, and the blacklight projector is in the cargo bay.

After Ciani changes clothes, picks up the projector, and boards the shuttle, it drops back to the surface near the temple.

Those in the temple have to open the door to let Ciani in.
Phelar Morilla
player, 89 posts
Human Dream Prophet
Phrenic Adept/Technomancr
Tue 28 Apr 2020
at 22:32
  • msg #45

Adventure #3: Temple of Toma Thule

As the other continue to talk on the radio Phelar continues to fiddle with the Starfinder. Trying to figure out how it works, as well as what it was hidden and trapped where it was. It has to be a clue in of itself.
Ciani Keiss
player, 5 posts
Xenoseeker Envoy
Thu 30 Apr 2020
at 18:39
  • msg #46

Adventure #3: Temple of Toma Thule

Ciani stepped out of the shuttle and squinted her eyes against the sun. She cradled the blacklight projector in the nook of her arm and peered at what looked like a pyramid. Another monument to a past unknown, she thought.

Movement caught her attention and she realized there seemed to be a base camp. Ciani approached the camp and the Lashunta whom she assumed was in charge. "Hello, I'm Ciani. New to the Starhawk." Ciani pointed to the temple. "I'm supposed to be bringing this projector to the away team. Can I find them in there?"

OOC - I'm hoping this text is for Soneau. I believe she was still left at the base camp. If not, I will be more than happy to edit.
Soneau
player, 52 posts
Damaya Icon Operative
Sat 2 May 2020
at 21:59
  • msg #47

Adventure #3: Temple of Toma Thule

"Hello. I'm Soneau," the woman responds to Ciani. "Yes, I've been monitoring the communications, although I didn't expect to see someone new."

"Go on up… they're expecting you."

StarMaster
GM, 103 posts
Sat 2 May 2020
at 22:10
  • msg #48

Adventure #3: Temple of Toma Thule

Phelar doesn't know about Wayfinders or their advanced cousins, the Starfinders, but she does know about a compass, which is what the center of this Starfinder is.

She can 'delve' into the interior workings of it, however, because it's a computer-like mechanism. It's both sophisticated and primitive, and she soon realizes that this is a very old device.

She also realizes that there is a small cover in the center over another indentation. Like the other four, it can hold an ioun stone. But it can also be used to hold some other substance, such as a pinch of gold dust, and the compass will then point to the nearest gold. Unfortunately, it doesn't tell you how far away the gold might be, or how much.
Ciani Keiss
player, 7 posts
Xenoseeker Envoy
Mon 4 May 2020
at 17:26
  • msg #49

Adventure #3: Temple of Toma Thule

"Yes, it was rather sudden for me as well." It had been rather sudden. A knock on the door, a respectful meeting, and a sudden goodbye to her mentor. These sudden "requests" were becoming more and more the norm; well ever since she took up the mantle of a Wayfinder.

"Thank you for your help, Soneau." Ciani nodded for she could not cup her hands in response due to the projector she was carrying.

It was a rather massive monument and the climb up the steps was a bit more than she had expected. Yet, once on top, she took a moment to look around at the landscape around her. She breathed it in, the wonder and the majesty of seeing a new place. She smiled and thanked Desna for allowing her this exquisite moment.

"I'm here at the door, I believe." Ciani looked around and couldn't see another way in. "I have the projector, but I think someone is going to have to let me in."
Phelar Morilla
player, 91 posts
Human Dream Prophet
Phrenic Adept/Technomancr
Mon 4 May 2020
at 20:06
  • msg #50

Adventure #3: Temple of Toma Thule

"Someone is outside the door. A new team member." She says, without having ever heard the communicator or looked towards the door. She seems to be examining the Starfinder very closely, having delved into it like she can a computer.

"It's computer tells me it can hold an Ioun stone, in these spots. But in this center spot, it can hold an ioun stone, or something else and it will help us find that something else by pointing to the nearest thing of the type of item I put in it." She said in thought, then she cocked her head to one side. She then considered for a moment, if that was true putting a drop of her blood in should point it right to her. In theory. So she pricks her finger, and placed a drop of her blood in the compartment.
Solsantharis
Player, 47 posts
Solarian Spacefarer
Mon 4 May 2020
at 23:03
  • msg #51

Adventure #3: Temple of Toma Thule

Sol walks over to the door and disengaged the latch that kept it secure. He then pulls the door open.

"Greetings," he says to Ciani. "I am Solsantharis."

After she enters, he closes and latches the door again, explaining as he does.

"In the last temple, there was a clue on the ceiling that we could only see in the dark. We tried that here, too, but could not see anything."

"It occurred to me that a clue thus concealed might be revealed with blacklight. So, thank you for bringing the projector."

StarMaster
GM, 104 posts
Tue 5 May 2020
at 17:01
  • msg #52

Adventure #3: Temple of Toma Thule

When Phelar puts a drop of her blood into the center compartment and closes the lid of it, there's a flash of light and the compass spins wildly for a few seconds before slowing down and finally coming to a stop... pointing directly at Phelar.
Phelar Morilla
player, 92 posts
Human Dream Prophet
Phrenic Adept/Technomancr
Tue 5 May 2020
at 19:04
  • msg #53

Adventure #3: Temple of Toma Thule

"It works." Phelar said with a simple nod. "That means if we had some piece of Golarion, it would at least give us a relative direction."
Ciani Keiss
player, 8 posts
Xenoseeker Envoy
Wed 6 May 2020
at 18:45
  • msg #54

Adventure #3: Temple of Toma Thule

Ciani entered into the temple listening attentively to Solsantharis' greeting and explanation of what was being attempted. She handed the projector to Solsantharis and then gave her Ambassadorial greeting. She grasped her hands together, (very similar to the "tea with jam and bread hand gesture in The Sound of Music,) and then let her right hand wrap around and underneath her left hand so her left lay comfortably in the palm of her right. Her left palm was up in greeting, showing deference, showing she had nothing in her hands and the gesture also signified a welcoming, that she was ready to receive anything from the person she was speaking with, such as one would when receiving communion. The palm of her left hand began to glow ever so slightly, as that was the place where the Wayfinder/Starfinder symbol was placed as when she accepted the gift of initiation into the Starfinders.

"Greetings and a pleasure," she recited back to him, as she did the gesture. Her head then snapped over to another creature in the room, a human by the look of her, as Ciani realized the human was peering down at what seemed to be an artifact.

A slight breath escaped her lips. "By Desna's guidance!" Ciani's eyes went wide. She had only heard of the item that now rested in the hands of the human. An artifact that Starfinders and Wayfinders the galaxy over could only dream about. It was a compass. A compass that could lead you to...

"Did you find that here? A piece of Golarion!" She turned around to look at all the others. "I was told just a fragment of your mission, but I had no idea you were really looking for Golarion!" She then spun around looking closely at the temple. "Is this a Golarian Temple?"
Solsantharis
Player, 48 posts
Solarian Spacefarer
Thu 7 May 2020
at 22:40
  • msg #55

Adventure #3: Temple of Toma Thule

"It appears to be a temple to Toma Thule," Sol replies to Ciani, "based on the litany carved into the outside stair risers in Terran."

"I'm not really sure how to confirm that. I suppose, if someone on the ship was a worshipper of Toma Thule, they could attempt to commune with the deity. Off hand, though, I don't know of anyone that does."

"On the other hand, I'm not sure that's even relevant. Clearly, some sort of trail was left so that Golarion could be found again. We don't know what the intent of that was. It's also possible that the expectation was that we would have found it sooner. Unfortunately, the document that was found had been lost for centuries."



He takes the projector from Ciani, looks around for the best place to place it to aim at the ceiling, and then places it on the floor, directs it upward.
StarMaster
GM, 105 posts
Sat 16 May 2020
at 17:37
  • msg #56

Adventure #3: Temple of Toma Thule

Once the temple interior is darkened and the projector set up and turned on, symbols do appear on the ceiling. At first, it just looks like nonsense... possibly graffiti, but realizing that it wasn't going to be something as simple as Common instructions like 'go here', it starts to take on some meaning. There are two circles of symbols written around the perimeter of the dome. There are two types of symbols that seem to be intermixed. One is mathematical symbols and the other is a language.

Somewhat oddly, Phelar can find no trace of any of these in the temple's computer.
Ciani Keiss
player, 10 posts
Xenoseeker Envoy
Sun 17 May 2020
at 20:31
  • msg #57

Adventure #3: Temple of Toma Thule

"Well by Desna! I didn't know you were on such a mission!" Ciani looked dumbfounded and amazed as she peered down at the compass. "We studied the texts on such a device but never in a million years would I have ever dreamed to come across one in my lifetime." She smiled politely at the human holding the compass. "My name is Ciani. It is a pleasure to meet you."

Then the temple interior went dark and the projector was turned on. Symbols appeared on the ceiling. The mathematical symbols made no sense to her, but she tried desperately to understand the language. She did not know the language, but languages were her forte. Slowly she began to piece the symbols together to form a clause, a structure of some form. Symbols for subjects and objects and anything that remotely held them together in a sentence.


Ciani knows 7 languages at the present time and is gifted at languages. So for fun, even though you have already said we cannot find anything in the computer, I am rolling for anything I can glean from the language. Make the DC as high as you want! Page 139 starts with a DC of 30 to know intricate, exotic, or very old writing. Gonna try it! Just fun to roll!

29!! Ah, so close!!  Ciani Keiss rolled 23,6 using 1d20+10,d6.  To glean info from language. d6 is for expertise in Culture.
This message was last edited by the player at 20:36, Sun 17 May 2020.
Phelar Morilla
player, 93 posts
Human Dream Prophet
Phrenic Adept/Technomancr
Sun 17 May 2020
at 21:18
  • msg #58

Adventure #3: Temple of Toma Thule

"I am Phelar Morilla. At least that is what the computer in the temple where they found me said my name was." Said....her name was? Who is she? "I found the Starfinder, at least thats what it told me it was, in the compartment in the wall over there."

"The temples computer, nor the compasses, says anything about the symbols on the ceiling." Phelar is not touching the computer anymore, nor is she near it, yet she gleaned the information.

Phelar eventually stands and looks at the ceiling. Trying to see if she can decern anything from what she saw up there.

[OOC: Rolling some sckills here.

17:12, Today: Phelar Morilla rolled 21 using 1d20+7.  Culture.
Rolled: 21

17:13, Today: Phelar Morilla rolled 16 using 1d20+10.  Mysticism.
Rolled: 16

Also have a -5 to DC's to recall knowledge about Arcane Symbols and Magic Traditions.

17:16, Today: Phelar Morilla rolled 18 using 1d20+6.  Physical Science.

Not sure what other skills might be helpful but I have a lot of them. Plus, her visions if you want to go there.]

This message was last edited by the player at 21:19, Sun 17 May 2020.
StarMaster
GM, 106 posts
Mon 18 May 2020
at 01:37
  • msg #59

Adventure #3: Temple of Toma Thule

It doesn't take much for Ciani and Phelar to both figure out that the language displayed is Terran, since they both saw it on the stairs outside.

It wasn't in the temple computer, but it was on the ship's computer.

Unfortunately, even after the computer translates it, it is still in code.

For some reason, each line was broken up into sections--about 25 characters then 25 mathematical symbols, repeating all the way around. On the second line, the characters were above the mathematical symbols and the math above the lettering.
Phelar Morilla
player, 94 posts
Human Dream Prophet
Phrenic Adept/Technomancr
Mon 18 May 2020
at 03:32
  • msg #60

Adventure #3: Temple of Toma Thule

"It's a code. 25 characters and numbers. All repeat. Round and round. On the second line, the symbols and math above the letters." Phelar said as she twirled about pointing it all out. "None of it is in the temples computer though. Coordinates. Maybe coordinates for the next temple."
Solsantharis
Player, 49 posts
Solarian Spacefarer
Mon 18 May 2020
at 04:04
  • msg #61

Adventure #3: Temple of Toma Thule

"It's not a scavenger hunt we're on, but a treasure hunt," Sol suggests. "Each clue we find leads us to the next clue."

"We've been wondering what the point is. The normal idea would be a test... to see if we're worthy. I'm beginning to think that it's more about whether we're ready for it. Not us personally, but all of Known Space."

"The general consensus isn't that the gods took Golarion, but they might know who or what did. Whenever one of their clerics communed with them, the cleric was told 'Don't ask'. Well, that's the gist of the story still going around after several hundred years."

"Anyway, those symbols and letters are the next clue. My guess is that they'll lead to one of the stones that needs to go into the starfinder."

StarMaster
GM, 107 posts
Thu 4 Jun 2020
at 16:39
  • msg #62

Adventure #3: Temple of Toma Thule

After another half hour of searching, nothing else is found in the temple. With the Vesk ship possibly in pursuit, staying here any longer isn't advisable.

So, time to pack up and head back to the shuttle, and then back to the ship.
Zenith
NPC, 21 posts
Damaya Ace Pilot Operativ
Captain
Sun 7 Jun 2020
at 16:15
  • msg #63

Adventure #3: Temple of Toma Thule

Once back aboard the Starhawk, the Captain wants to know where the ship is going next.

"So, does this starfinder somehow tell us where to go next?" he asks the Away Team. "Or do we have to decipher the code you found on the ceiling?"
Phelar Morilla
player, 95 posts
Human Dream Prophet
Phrenic Adept/Technomancr
Sun 7 Jun 2020
at 20:26
  • msg #64

Adventure #3: Temple of Toma Thule

"We need to decipher the code...  Which we think will take us to the item to place in the Starfinder that will take us to the clue. Well, the clue after the next clue." She said softly with a sigh.
Soneau
player, 53 posts
Damaya Icon Operative
Sat 13 Jun 2020
at 23:12
  • msg #65

Adventure #3: Temple of Toma Thule

"So, who's going to decipher this... code?" Soneau asked.

"We can't really stay here, but we need a direction to go. Are you sure you don't at least have a direction for us, Phelar?"
Revonoss
player, 126 posts
Spacefarer Mechanic
Korasha Lashunta
Sun 14 Jun 2020
at 06:48
  • msg #66

Adventure #3: Temple of Toma Thule

Revonoss who had been drifting off at the temple for some reason. Most likely to inspect the impossible architecture and to ponder life like old people sometimes like to do. When the group was ready in the temple he had flown them back up but he seemed lost in thought and was not really approachable. Back on the ship he retreats too his quarters and after taking a shower and a meal in his room he comes out looking a lot more alive just when Soneau mentions cracking the code.

"My guess is the computer. I assume we can use the old program we used to decipher this location as a basis and then figure it out from there."
Solsantharis
Player, 50 posts
Solarian Spacefarer
Sun 14 Jun 2020
at 17:28
  • msg #67

Adventure #3: Temple of Toma Thule

"It's possible, but this doesn't look like a code the computer can break," Sol replies. "It almost looks like a book code, which the computer might be able to identify, but still wouldn't be able to decode."

"A book code requires that the sender and the receiver both have the exact same edition and printing of the same book. But there's no obvious sequence to the symbols. Although... this symbol here... it's actually a formula... the square root of 25 = 2 cubed. The square root of 25 is 5 and the cube of 2 is 8... so they aren't equal. Which means it's not a true formula. So that gives us two numbers. What if the equal sign is mean as a dash? That gives us 5-8. That could be a book code designation. Page 5, line 8. But then we'd be missing the number for the word."

"And we'd still need to know what book they'd used... from a thousand years ago!"

"Wait! What if it's just line number and letter number?! Here--list the letters in a stack. So, now the 5th line, 8th letter gives us 'S'."


He stares at the result, looks at the list of numbers and symbols, then back at the result.

"Maybe that's a stretch. I don't see anything that indicates a beginning. Maybe when all the letters are determined, it would make sense."

"So, what do you think? Can the computer decipher it now? It looks like the formulas get more complicated as they go. So maybe the simple one is the start."

Phelar Morilla
player, 96 posts
Human Dream Prophet
Phrenic Adept/Technomancr
Sun 14 Jun 2020
at 19:27
  • msg #68

Adventure #3: Temple of Toma Thule

"Let me try." Phelar goes to the computer and interfaces with it, touching one hand onto the console. Using the information Sol came up with she would see if she can decipher the rest of the code.

15:26, Today: Phelar Morilla rolled 26 using 1d20+7.  Computers.
StarMaster
GM, 108 posts
Mon 15 Jun 2020
at 04:24
  • msg #69

Adventure #3: Temple of Toma Thule

It's clear that the computer can solve the code once it is correctly programmed to do so, which mostly includes getting it to identify the letter sets and to determine the separator between 'formulas'. It would almost have been easier solving the code manually, but that way, there was a possibility of making a mistake.

Phelar understands the computer better than most, though, and quickly 'teaches' it to solve this particular code.

It is coordinates, just not in number form, but spell out.

Phelar relays them to the captain, the appropriate calculations are made, and the ship is ready to enter the Drift once more.
Phelar Morilla
player, 98 posts
Human Dream Prophet
Phrenic Adept/Technomancr
Tue 16 Jun 2020
at 04:11
  • msg #70

Adventure #3: Temple of Toma Thule

"Coordinates. Coordinates as words. Destination." Phelar said as she quickly worked through everything and achieved success.
Revonoss
player, 127 posts
Spacefarer Mechanic
Korasha Lashunta
Tue 16 Jun 2020
at 07:38
  • msg #71

Adventure #3: Temple of Toma Thule

"You my dear put an old engineer like me to shame. Then again i am not one with my computer. Good work lass."

He smiles and gives Phelar a pat on the back and just tries to reverse engineer what she had done to broaden his own knowledge.
Phelar Morilla
player, 99 posts
Human Dream Prophet
Phrenic Adept/Technomancr
Thu 18 Jun 2020
at 00:50
  • msg #72

Adventure #3: Temple of Toma Thule

"You know, I might be older then you." Phelar reminded him, as she smiled at his obvious complement.
Oraeus Phetumn
player, 10 posts
Scholar soldier
Korasha lashunta
Thu 18 Jun 2020
at 16:03
  • msg #73

Adventure #3: Temple of Toma Thule

Oraeus had been making himself useful in the science lab during the mission. Still working on earning the captains trust to be an away team member he also still hasn't taken off the ballistic mask he wears.

"Sounds like you lot had fun." he says absently as he looks over the data and finds a spot to sit.
Solsantharis
Player, 51 posts
Solarian Spacefarer
Thu 18 Jun 2020
at 20:21
  • msg #74

Adventure #3: Temple of Toma Thule

"Some of the rest of us might have been able to do that," Sol says to Phelar, "but it would have taken us a week!"

"I must say I was a bit surprised at the result, though. I was expecting something more cryptic... like, 'seven brights to the left of the eye of the dragon'. Spelled-out coordinates is still somewhat clever."

"I guess we're off into the unknown again!"

Revonoss
player, 128 posts
Spacefarer Mechanic
Korasha Lashunta
Fri 19 Jun 2020
at 05:39
  • msg #75

Adventure #3: Temple of Toma Thule

Revonoss chuckles at Phelars comment.

"Lets not count the years in the freezer.

So where do you think the new coordinates take us? A shame we could not spend more time i this system. Think we should ask the captin to drop a drift beacon for other explorers to find this marvel?"

Soneau
player, 54 posts
Damaya Icon Operative
Fri 19 Jun 2020
at 23:11
  • msg #76

Adventure #3: Temple of Toma Thule

"Perhaps on a delayed setting... say, a month?" Soneau responds. "Remember, there's a Vesk ship in pursuit. While it is our theory that they are using a starfinder of their own to track us, I don't think we need to help them any by setting a beacon that tells them we were here."
Phelar Morilla
player, 100 posts
Human Dream Prophet
Phrenic Adept/Technomancr
Sat 20 Jun 2020
at 02:07
  • msg #77

Adventure #3: Temple of Toma Thule

She smiled a bit at what Sol said. "I am still not sure how I even do it. To be honest, I expected it to even take me longer." She said with a small shrug. "And lately I have been doing it without saying Triune's name. By the way I finally learned who Triune was by looking through your ships database. Why didn't no one tell me she was a diety made from three other artificial dieties? Course that makes me wonder what tie I have to her..."

She looks to Revenoss. "Oh no, I'm counting those years since I was in fact alive. Just because I was in stasis does not mean I was dead." She did have a point.

"A delay would be wise." She said to Soneau. "Now that I have found this Starfinder, and through it know how they work, how do we know they are using one to track us? I ask because if they are tracking us with a Starfinder, what do they have inside of it to track us? It has to be something specific to us, or this ship. If we can find what, we can possibly permanently lose them."
Solsantharis
Player, 52 posts
Solarian Spacefarer
Sat 20 Jun 2020
at 04:41
  • msg #78

Adventure #3: Temple of Toma Thule

"That's a good point, Phelar," Sol says. "I hadn't really thought of that."

"If I understand it correctly, some small piece of the ship would do the trick. Or else a small item that belonged to someone on the ship."

"I don't see anyway we could determine which it is, or, even if we did, how we could... well, block it."

"I'm pretty sure they can't track us while we're in The Drift, but they would certainly be able to determine the direction we went. Possibly they could track us in The Drift if they were in it, too."

"For now, I think we just have to stay ahead of them until such a time as a solution presents itself."

Zenith
NPC, 22 posts
Damaya Ace Pilot Operativ
Captain
Sat 20 Jun 2020
at 21:41
  • msg #79

Adventure #3: Temple of Toma Thule

"I'm not so sure this is some place anyone wants to go to, but I'll abide by your decision," the Captain says.

"I'll drop the beacon on the outer orbit of the system opposite where this planet is. I doubt that'll fool the Veskar but it might cause a delay. Or they might just leave it alone."

"I've entered those coordinates into the computer. It should take about 20 days. Dropping the beacon will take about 3 days to get to the location."

"Any further ideas, questions, suggestions?"

Phelar Morilla
player, 101 posts
Human Dream Prophet
Phrenic Adept/Technomancr
Sat 20 Jun 2020
at 23:39
  • msg #80

Adventure #3: Temple of Toma Thule

"During this journey, did you meet the Vesk at all before you found me?" She asked, curiously.

"And I am still trying to figure out why the Vesk would want to stop us from finding Golarion." She continued.
Revonoss
player, 129 posts
Spacefarer Mechanic
Korasha Lashunta
Sun 21 Jun 2020
at 08:15
  • msg #81

Adventure #3: Temple of Toma Thule

"Why would anyone be interested in exploring these worlds that are a wonder of engineering? Captain you must be joking. Whole generations will be learning from this on a scale that might push our knowledge of engineering forward in ways unimaginable!"

He says at the captains dismissal of the planets potential interest.

"As for loosing them. Could we enter the drift in a wrong direction for say a day and then take a turn in the right direction? As the options of how they are following us are so based on guesses i doubt we can counteract em."

He falls silent for a moment.

"We might want to make some booby trap. Something that destroys the next hint we find. Potentially taking out a team of their scientists and slowing them down more. Or i don't know leave a mine field for them at the next location?"
Solsantharis
Player, 53 posts
Solarian Spacefarer
Sun 21 Jun 2020
at 21:35
  • msg #82

Adventure #3: Temple of Toma Thule

"We haven't actually encountered the Vesk since we left Castrovel," Sol replies, "though we detected them just before we found you."

"As to why they would want to prevent us from finding Golarion... well, there are several reasons that come to mind."

"The first and most logical is that they want to prevent us from getting the glory. That they want to reserve for themselves."

"The second reason is that they want to maintain the status quo. Should we find it, Castrovel and the Lashuntas will rise in power and prestige. Maybe. But that could be what they believe."

"The third is the worst case--religious fanatics. They may firmly believe that the secret of Golarion should never be discovered."

"Sadly, I can see all three reasons motivating them to pursue us."

Culhayn
player, 49 posts
Damaya Scholar
Sun 21 Jun 2020
at 21:47
  • msg #83

Adventure #3: Temple of Toma Thule

"So, almost three weeks in The Drift," Culhayn said then.

"Anyone have an idea how to pass the time? Being a scholar, I am perfectly content to study. I always bring along material to do so. However, I realize that does not promote very good crew unity."
Zenith
NPC, 23 posts
Damaya Ace Pilot Operativ
Captain
Sat 4 Jul 2020
at 01:36
  • msg #84

Adventure #3: Temple of Toma Thule

Just as the ship was about to enter The Drift, the ship's sensors picked up the appearance of another ship entering the system. Those same sensors quickly identified it as a Vesk ship!

And then the Starhawk was in The Drift.

"Attention all crew!" Captain Zenith announces over the ship's comm. "We detected the Vesk ship entering the system just as we went into The Drift"

"I don't think we should assume the Vesk can't decipher the code just as we did. It may take them longer... or they may just follow us."

"I propose that we change course in The Drift. We headed out in a different direction and we were expecting to make a second Drift at the end. That'll make us a bit predictable, and make it easier for them to follow us."

"Changing course in The Drift is dangerous, only because it's hard. I think this is our best option, but if anyone has any objections, I'll listen to them before I make my final decision. However, we should make the course change within a few hours, just to be on the safe side."

Revonoss
player, 130 posts
Spacefarer Mechanic
Korasha Lashunta
Sat 4 Jul 2020
at 08:50
  • msg #85

Adventure #3: Temple of Toma Thule

He groans as the enemy is upon them again.

"Could we prepare some booby trap in case they come after us It might be short notice for now but maybe next time we run leave something nasty behind that might slow em down more? Hell even destroy them?"
Solsantharis
Player, 54 posts
Solarian Spacefarer
Sat 4 Jul 2020
at 18:53
  • msg #86

Adventure #3: Temple of Toma Thule

"While that sounds like a good idea on the surface," Sol responds to Revonoss, "that would make us as bad as them. If it just slows them down, or eliminates their ability to follow, I suppose that'd be okay."

"I can't think of anything that would do that. Send them off in a completely different direction maybe? If our assumption is correct, they are using a wayfinder... well, a starfinder, really, to follow us."

"I can't think of anyway to find out what they are using to power their starfinder, so, the only option I can think of is to somehow shield the ship from it."

"Anyone else have an idea?"

Phelar Morilla
player, 102 posts
Human Dream Prophet
Phrenic Adept/Technomancr
Sat 4 Jul 2020
at 19:03
  • msg #87

Adventure #3: Temple of Toma Thule

"The question of what they might be using to power their Starfinder brings me back to my earlier question...  Have you encountered them at all during your journey before you picked me up?" She asked, quietly.

"And I agree with Sol. Finding a way to block a Starfinder might be our best course." She said with a nod.
Solsantharis
Player, 55 posts
Solarian Spacefarer
Sat 25 Jul 2020
at 21:34
  • msg #88

Adventure #3: Temple of Toma Thule

"We hadn't actually encountered the Vesk before we found you, Phelar, but we'd heard that a Vesk ship had launched just after we did," Sol says.

"I think we detected it just before we left the system where we found you."

"I'm still getting over the strangeness of that. You could have been in stasis for a week or a millennium. There's clearly something going on with you, but I still haven't been able to come up with a reasonable explanation. The best of come up with so far is a Guide... with a surprise in every box."

Phelar Morilla
player, 103 posts
Human Dream Prophet
Phrenic Adept/Technomancr
Sun 26 Jul 2020
at 03:05
  • msg #89

Adventure #3: Temple of Toma Thule

After Sol says that, that's when she poses her next question. "What if they have something, related to me? Remember, I was the one that sensed them coming in the system you found me at."

"Like you said, I could have been there a week, or a millennium. What if I was there longer, and they have something of mine, or me?" She asked, looking at those around her.
Revonoss
player, 131 posts
Spacefarer Mechanic
Korasha Lashunta
Sun 26 Jul 2020
at 19:29
  • msg #90

Adventure #3: Temple of Toma Thule

Revonoss frowns thoughtfully at that line of thought.

"That sounds like we might need to find out what that is in a more hands on way. Are we even capable of hunting the hunter?"
Soneau
player, 55 posts
Damaya Icon Operative
Sun 26 Jul 2020
at 22:54
  • msg #91

Adventure #3: Temple of Toma Thule

"I'm not sure that is logical," Soneau offers. "They are clearly following this ship, and this ship was launched before we found you, before we even knew you existed, Phelar."

"If the Vesk are following you, how did they get something of yours to put into the starfinder? They would have had to know about this system ahead of time, wouldn't they?"

"I just don't see it. We're only on this scavenger hunt, or whatever it is, because an ancient document was uncovered."

Phelar Morilla
player, 104 posts
Human Dream Prophet
Phrenic Adept/Technomancr
Sun 26 Jul 2020
at 22:58
  • msg #92

Adventure #3: Temple of Toma Thule

"Who uncovered the document? Who wrote it? Who even placed it where it was found?" She asked. "Who placed me where I was? How long was I there? Where is everything else I ever owned?"
Solsantharis
Player, 56 posts
Solarian Spacefarer
Sun 2 Aug 2020
at 16:40
  • msg #93

Adventure #3: Temple of Toma Thule

"For the time being, we merely need to keep one step ahead of the Vesk," Sol offers. "The only way that the Vesk become an immediate threat is if they anticipate where we are going. I don't see that happening as we don't even know where we're going next."

"Your possessions, Phelar? Are you starting to remember something that you had?"

Phelar Morilla
player, 105 posts
Human Dream Prophet
Phrenic Adept/Technomancr
Tue 4 Aug 2020
at 21:19
  • msg #94

Adventure #3: Temple of Toma Thule

"No, but I assume I had a life before I was put in that temple. So I had to of owned things. Right?" She asked, looking around. "Just...to many question and no answers to any of them. But the direction seems to point almost always at me..."
Revonoss
player, 132 posts
Spacefarer Mechanic
Korasha Lashunta
Wed 5 Aug 2020
at 07:48
  • msg #95

Adventure #3: Temple of Toma Thule

"Or for the same you where some temple oracle and more a possession of the church and that is why they locked you away. I fear some of those things we will never know and fretting about them will only make you unhappy my dear."

He gets up and wants to head to the engineering terminal to make a plan for something that might deter the Vresk from following them if they do not manage to shed them this time.
Zenith
NPC, 24 posts
Damaya Ace Pilot Operativ
Captain
Sun 9 Aug 2020
at 14:21
  • msg #96

Adventure #3: Temple of Toma Thule

"PREPARE FOR COURSE CHANGE," the captain announces. "IN 5... 4... 3... 2... 1!"

There's a sudden change in the sounds the ship normally makes while in flight... in The Drift... and it's like gravity suddenly cut out and everyone is thrown aside... like being tossed off of a spinning merry-go-round!

At the same time, there's a loud ratta-tat-tat against the hull of the ship that can be heard throughout the ship. It goes on for several minutes as the centrifugal force continues to push everyone against the starboard side of the ship.

After a solid two minutes, both the sound and the force slowly fade away.

"DAMAGE CONTROL--REPORT! Hope everyone is okay. That was a bit rougher than I expected. Then again, the direction change was more radical than I've ever done before. We're always having to make minor course alterations while navigating The Drift because of the pieces of all the material that's accumulating in here."

"Once we leave The Drift, we'll re-enter on a different course... not to where we want to go, but some random direction. Then we'll make another change to where we really want to go."

"It won't stop the Vesk completely, if they are doing what we think they are doing, but it should give us considerably more breathing room."

"Captain out."

Soneau
player, 56 posts
Damaya Icon Operative
Sun 9 Aug 2020
at 15:57
  • msg #97

Adventure #3: Temple of Toma Thule

Although she thought she was braced for the sudden course change, the quickness and violence of it still threw her against the starboard bulkhead. She managed to catch herself at the last moment, still landing with a *thud* but only lightly spraining her right wrist.

"Ouch! Well, now we know for future reference... to strap in!" she said ruefully.
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