There's no plane like home

Excitement mixed with nervousness fills the command center of Salyut Station.  For the first time, the new friends have decided a course of action that will take the fight to Xenomorphs!  
Some view this as a "fact-finding mission" and others a full frontal assault on their queen.  

Captain Rodgers encourages the party to stock up on supplies (potions, scrolls, wands, magic items) before you start the mission.  
remember Salyut Station is a magic shop\forge and can make anything you want, choose wisely

Zang relays some of the history (myths) he learned while living on Ssyssyx .  Like all legends, some of it may have been misunderstood by those that told it to him.  (GM added notes for clarity, questions to explore and story continuity).

Robyo wrote:
Ssyssyx is an alien planet seemingly in it's Jurassic era. A jungle world of dinosaurs and sentient reptilian folk. There are also prehistoric mammals, like big cats and mastodons to be found. Lizardfolk, also known as Galopogans, are quite prevalent, but it is the alliance of Yuan-ti (native snake-people) and Naga (snake-Xenos) which forms the dominant empire of the planet. Known as the Ssyk Empire, they consider themselves the masters of Ssyssyx.

Long ago, there was a technologically advanced culture known as the Aenara. The early Ssyk were at war them, but for many years it was a stale mate. Then the Ssyk received far more advanced technology from a mysterious alien race known as the Dark Ones (alien-Xenos?). Using the "darktek" (Xeno-tech), the Ssyk put a quick and brutal end to the greatness of the Aenaran people and enslaved them for eons. However the Dark Ones never returned (was there a ship?) and the knowledge of recharging and repairing the darktek was lost in time. The Ssyk remained in control of the planet, but their advanced technology was no longer functional. Some of it was lost, but some still remains in vaults hidden away and guarded by the Ssyk.  (a clue to the origins of the Xenos?)

the Yuan-ti capital city Zysssyziz looked like:

Am I correct that a "maxed out" cure light wounds potion will cost 250 GP?
The price of a potion is equal to the level of the spell × the creator's caster level × 50 gp:
1st lvl spell maxed out at 5th lvl caster, = 5 x 50 = 250GP

---

Argul's suit has been cleaned and neatly pressed. He is prepared to proceed!

Zang reminds them his tales are not fully verified. "The lizard folk may be energetic story tellers, but peer review is not in their nature.

"The humans of Ssyssyx have even lower intelligence. Think of how they're depicted in Charleton Heston-era Planet of the Apes movies." He waits for the obscure cultural reference to sink in.

"For the most part, the humans, known as Drul, live in bondage to the Ssyk. I have heard on occasion, that an enclave of 'enlightened' men exists in the Land of Two Rivers. Perhaps they might help us. The lizard folk could help us if it behooves their interests."

Robyo wrote:
Ssyssyx is an alien planet seemingly in it's Jurassic era... There is a sub race of men on Ssyssyx as well, nearly all enslaved by the Ssyk. They are of quite low intelligence, mostly non-linguistic, and incapable of communicating abstract ideas. They are known as the Drul. However, there are rumors of a break-away sect hiding in the wild known as the E'nor...

Long ago, there was high technology on Ssyssyx. The Drul are descended from an artistically and technologically advanced culture known as the Aenara. The early Ssyk were at war them, but for many years it was a stale mate...

How I envisioned the war between the Ssyk(Yuan-ti) and Aenara:


I am intrigued by the dynamic of the xenomorphs (replacing the Naga) as part of the Ssyk Axis.

MAS wrote:Am I correct that a "maxed out" cure light wounds potion will cost 250 GP?
The price of a potion is equal to the level of the spell × the creator's caster level × 50 gp:
1st lvl spell maxed out at 5th lvl caster, = 5 x 50 = 250GP

---

Argul's suit has been cleaned and neatly pressed. He is prepared to proceed!

It will cost you 300 for 2d8+3. Cure moderate...


Brick is ready and stirring up an Entourage among the stations inhabitants.

navyik wrote:

MAS wrote:Am I correct that a "maxed out" cure light wounds potion will cost 250 GP?
The price of a potion is equal to the level of the spell × the creator's caster level × 50 gp:
1st lvl spell maxed out at 5th lvl caster, = 5 x 50 = 250GP

---

Argul's suit has been cleaned and neatly pressed. He is prepared to proceed!

It will cost you 300 for 2d8+3. Cure moderate...


Brick is ready and stirring up an Entourage among the stations inhabitants.

I believe you are correct, Matt. A maxed (5th) level CLW potion would cost 250 gp (karma) and heal 1d8+5 (only the +X raises, not the dice)

Alan makes a valid economic point

Robyo wrote:Zang reminds them his tales are not fully verified. "The lizard folk may be energetic story tellers, but peer review is not in their nature.

Indeed....

navyik wrote:
Brick is ready and stirring up an Entourage among the stations inhabitants.

In addition to the lovely Elizabeth, Sparx is a big fan. A couple of the techies also take an interest in tales of Brick's classic matches.

Korvaq is dressed as per normal though carrying his disrupter in hand for now.

I need to discuss doing some kind of conversion with you Chris. If memory serves, disrupters and phasers can be made into 'rifles' by just adding the rest of the weapon. We don't need to do this now of course, I just want to put it on your radar

Korvaq isn't quite finished with gear yet. I'll finish today.

In case no one noticed... adding "fire" damage to your repertoire might be a good idea.

whit10 wrote:
In case no one noticed... adding "fire" damage to your repertoire might be a good idea.

Somehow I expect the vulnerability to change based on host biology...

I actually don't, not that much anyway.

Korvaq also bought two potions of Resist Energy (Acid) and a 10 charge wand of fireballs

Now he's done

Edit made to "cure moderate" potions instead. BARGAIN!

You know, I always read it as "xDy +1 per level" as opposed to "xDy, +1 per level". You learn something new every day!

It looks like we are all ready to go planes-hopping!

Ion, Cap, Sparx and the fish are ready to show you how to open a portal and help you.

Nota Bene: intention and specificity are important


Since it's Zang's homeworld, he should choose the destination. He is the only one that's been there.

Zang - where do you want the portal to open on your world?

How about portal us to right behind the Queen in her lair... Korvaq can get some sneak attack damage. We can all bum rush her!

"When I say we should investigate, I mean it. There is no need to attack without provocation. We do not know the whole story here and it would behoove us to understand the situation before blasting away at things. Not to mention, we can learn things from the living that we cannot learn from the dead. I advise that we infiltrate the Queen's court in secret to see what we can observe."

Aside to Zang, "I wouldn't argue with him, he made that other fella disappear!"

Publicly, "I've got it!  Brick Rockman will challenge the Queen's Champion to a friendly exhibition Space Wrestling match!" (10points).

Zang chuckles with his usual hollow-sounding vox synthesizer. "You do realize we're talking about the Xenomorph Queen, right? Her 'court' is likely to be a collection cocooned captives and a hive of eggs. Facehuggers are not as pleasant as the name might suggest."

"If an infiltration is not possible, so be it, but I insist that we attempt a peaceful effort before resorting to violence."

It sounds like you are agreed to try and portal deep into the Ssyk Empire and specifically to where Zang encountered the Queen?

Robyo wrote:
He underwent a quest to find Thaak's Headband. A powerful device for granting it's wearer great wisdom, Zang attained it from the queen of the Yuan-ti, Ssaraharass. She was intrigued by Zang's nature and gave him a history teaching of sorts.

Zang managed to escape, despite Queen Ssaraharass's best efforts. Returning to the Scavs, he relayed much of his news to Cheif Krotus.

Remember Zang, the history you know of this world was told to you by the Xeno Queen (not the Scavs). You relayed the Xeno's version of the story to your own people.

Are you ready to go or do you want further discussion of your plans when you arrive?

"I like this one!" (to Zang)... "he knows our enemy... we should investigate, but then... burn them out!"

Ion explains the process for opening portals, "It's like the opposite of BLENDING into the plane; you want to blend OUT of it.  But it's also a connection to another plane, so you have to be very specific about where you want the tunnel to lead."

mechanically, there is a very high DC# for opening a portal.  the DC# is raised or lowered depending on familiarity with the target plane and relative similarity to the current plane of origin.  

Remember, Ion and Cap said that they have to travel in groups to open portals, but it appeared that Rasso was able to open a (different) one on his own.

Let's say the DC# for opening a portal from a high tech space station to a primitive dinosaur planet would be 150, but since it's Zang's homeworld (been there, knows it well) the DC# drops to 80

Everyone should roll d20 + lvl + prime and COMBINE your totals (like old d6).  Normally, I won't tell you the DC# ahead of time.  Any bonuses like Heroism, prayer, etc help with this roll!

The fish gurgles and groans, but appears to be singing = +3 competence bonus

Captain Rodgers radiates some kind of aura from his shield = +3 circumstance bonus

Sparx says a prayer to his God = +1 Divine bonus

Ion is standing by in case you need help

you really can't fail here, so let's just skip ahead to the action

With Zang concentrating on the Queen's chamber......  faintly at first, but finally a full rainbow portal opens in the command room of Salyut Station.  The party steps through...



The party find themselves in a dark chamber.  The smell of rot and dust fill your noses.  It takes your eyes a moment to adjust to the dim light.  

nobody is dazed, nauseous or knocked out since you all wisely took your medicine

You are standing in what appears to be a ruined and dilapidated structure.  There are thousands of egg husks here.





The party can see steps, leading to a ruined archway on the far side of the room

just to do it.. Perception check for any kind of Trap in the immediate area... let me know if you need multiple rolls.

Roll(1d20)+17:
14,+17
Total:31

whit10 wrote:just to do it.. Perception check for any kind of Trap in the immediate area... let me know if you need multiple rolls.

Roll(1d20)+17:
14,+17
Total:31

Korvaq doesn't find any conventional traps in here, but his Trap Sense tells him that he might not want to disturb the eggs

Zang points towards the arch way.

We should get out of the hatchery pronto. And be stealthy.

Robyo wrote:Zang points towards the arch way.

We should get out of the hatchery pronto. And be stealthy.

please describe in detail how you travel through the queen's chamber, including any precautions you take

"Do not touch the eggs.... I will go first, stalking is a specialty"

Stealth:

Roll(1d20)+13:
20,+13
Total:33

Damn! I hope this continues

Disrupter in one hand, hypo-spray set to Invisibility in the other hand (with the Glove of Storing)

whit10 wrote:"Do not touch the eggs.... I will go first, stalking is a specialty"

Stealth:

Roll(1d20)+13:
20,+13
Total:33

Damn!  I hope this continues

Disrupter in one hand, hypo-spray set to Invisibility in the other hand (with the Glove of Storing)

Korvaq creeps through the chamber treading as carefully as if walking in a mine field.  He notices no sign of movement or alarm.



Korvaq reaches the archway at the edge of the room.  He is paused there to let the others catch up

It appears there is plenty of clearance/overhead space, i.e. a high ceiling? And we seem to be unobserved? This being the case, Argul will grasp his walking cane (broom of flight) and stroll briskly through the air, staying a safe distance above the eggs, landing near Korvaq.

"Well done, Mr. Korvaq, you really are quite the stalker!" he whispers encouragingly, with a broad and sincere smile on his face.

Arugl and Korvaq makes it safely across the egg field.

Rather quietly to Argul - "my people are loud and brash warriors, but we know when to be quiet and stalk our prey like true hunters"

Just kidding...  Brick takes flight with the librarian.

Zang can fly, but he hates to leave his buddy behind, besides he picked up Stealth skill on his recent level bump and is itching to try it out:
18 + 9 = 27

Skree Stealth (behind Zang):
13 + 11 = 24


*Zang also acquired some arrows of slaying at Salyut Station. I take it the xenos are aberrations? Do you need a xenobiology check for Zang to know their type?

Current karma: 629

Zang and Skree make it through the egg field without disturbing them.

navyik wrote:

Just kidding...  Brick takes flight with the librarian.

A good idea, however

Broom of Flying

This broom is able to fly through the air as if affected by an overland flight spell (+4 on Fly skill checks) for up to 9 hours per day (split up as its owner desires). The broom can carry 200 pounds and fly at a speed of 40 feet, or up to 400 pounds at a speed at 30 feet. In addition, the broom can travel alone to any destination named by the owner as long as she has a good idea of the location and layout of that destination. It flies to its owner from as far away as 300 yards when she speaks the command word. The broom of flying has a speed of 40 feet when it has no rider.

navyik wrote:Brick Rockman Intergalactic Space Wrestler
Brawler 4 / magus (Eldritch Scion) 5
Kladrmedan Zornelbluster
Size: Large. 8’ tall, 500 lbs.
Alignment: Neutral/Ego

The walking stick (flying broom) groans under Brick's mass and refuses to lift off.  Brick will need to find another way....

I didn't mean on the broom.  Brick has winged boots...

navyik wrote:I didn't mean on the broom.  Brick has winged boots...

Doh!



Brick appears to be a little light in his loafers as he prances through the air.

Ok, the party makes it safely through the egg field to the ruined archway.

Just as an FYI for Zang - this is NOT the way he remembers the chamber looking.  Like the pic you posted, it was a lush, green forest and the pyramids were in good repair.

This is a ruined temple, the room is covered in dust and smells of rot.

The party ascends the archway and sees.....



The entire capital city of the Sssyk empire is in ruins. The sky is full of dark red clouds. There are no trees or vegetation anywhere. The world looks dead.

"If I didn't know better, I'd say the Empire had decided this world needed to be 'cleansed.' Is this your homeworld?" (to Zang)

"Well, this isn't how it was when I was here before. Any chance we went thru a time vortex?"


*GM, still need a question answered. Are the xenos aberrations?

Robyo wrote:"Well, this isn't how it was when I was here before. Any chance we went thru a time vortex?"


*GM, still need a question answered. Are the xenos aberrations?

oops, so sorry! YES they are aberrations. Zang would know from his Xeno bio knowledge, no problem.

whit10 wrote:"If I didn't know better, I'd say the Empire had decided this world needed to be 'cleansed.' Is this your homeworld?" (to Zang)

Actually, it doesn't, unless they used only chemical or biological weapons. Note the descriptive words: ruined, rot, dust, decay

It does not look like it was bombed or destroyed. The buildings are simply old and crumbling

Robyo wrote:"Well, this isn't how it was when I was here before. Any chance we went thru a time vortex?"

That is a more fitting observation. The buildings and area look similar, so Zang doesn't think they went to the wrong plane.


hmmm.... now what?

Other than the eggs and ourselves, does there appear to be any other life forms around? Does it appear that we are being watched?

"So, do we chance someone flying up over head, scouting out the lay of the land?"

Negative life forms or feeling of being watched. Something feels "wrong" like you aren't supposed to be here....

"Gentlemen, it seems Mr Zang can comfortably confirm we are in the right place...but it now occurs to me that we did not specify any particular time to arrive when we traveled through the portal."

"That is possible... or we ended up in some alternate, parallel dimension. Let me scout it out from above."

Zang lifts off, fusion jets igniting underneath his metalic feet. He ascends in a zig-zag fashion, attempting to be a more difficult target. Searches the landscape for clues.
Perception: 18 + 13 = 31

Scree hangs his head and whines a little. He hates it when his master flies off and leaves him.

Zang flies up high into the air... ducking, diving, dodging....  he can see for many miles in all directions.  He recognizes certain landmarks - a mountain range, a valley, a turn in the land.  But the details are different from his memory.



There are egg fields in all directions and conical monoliths that look vaguely like hives.

We're in the Upside down!

Zang flies back to the companions and lands. Shakes head. "Doesn't look good. We may need to go nuclear."

"well, no bad guys to fight here...  Guess we go back.  Should we take a couple eggs?"

"Nah, the eggs are too dangerous. Don't get too close! We should go back and get a nuke. And tell our allies what we've found. Salyut Station may need to reconfigure their jump coordinates."