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Narrative write-up of the events from a role-playing game
When they rush aboard Saffron, Narud immediately demands of Lilly that they take off. “Can’t. Imogen’s not back yet,” Lilly says, taking in the empty control room. “Why? Who’s Imogen? What, is she the pilot?” “I’m the pilot,” Lilly tells the scientist. “If you can fly, then let’s go! The zerg are coming!” Lilly’s voice … Read more
With all the other pieces in place, Imogen monitors Saffron’s sensors for the arrival of Neiman’s dropship. As she waits, she nervously replaits her braid. Finally, the cloaked vessel appears, fully visible to the science vessel’s advanced sensors, if not its optics. Imogen pays close attention to the readings when Neiman opens his ship and … Read more
Lilly has no problem navigating the underwater tunnels with the SCV suit, thanks to all the detail from Saffron’s sensor readings. The water is pretty murky, so she is quite glad to have advanced knowledge of where she is going. Once she reaches the cavern below the key room, she lets the air-filled SCV suit’s … Read more
Neiman sets his dropship down on the small island on Stryko II, guided by Narud’s expert advice on Xel’naga artifacts. When they disembark, he leaves it cloaked, as always; there is no reason to take unnecessary risks. For a similar reason, he has goggles on and his C-10 canister rifle ready, just in case any … Read more
Heppa exits the Parting Glass through a backdoor she had not known existed and then re-enters from the front. She picks a location at the bar counter, and Heledd pulls a cord that rings bells on each floor of the building to signal that there is a customer. Heppa hears the distant tinkling followed by … Read more
Since there is the possibility of a violent altercation with Sleidr, Heppa asks her companions, “How should we equip ourselves?” Tric is borrowing Yrogin’s bow so that he is not carrying a distinctly elvish model. “Your sword is probably fine,” Tric suggests, since he doubts Sleidr will be examining the filigree on the handle. “Not … Read more
With their costumes complete, Tric and Heppa return to the Parting Glass so that Heledd can help conceal Heppa’s fair skin. Of all the people they have met so far, Heledd seems the most likely to know such techniques, given what she has done with her hair. When the elves pass through the common room … Read more
Gwaffalyn seems the perfect person to consult for the fashion makeover that the elves need to convince Sleidr that Heppa is a wealthy human mage from Alduin. And Tric figures Gwaffalyn owes him a favor. After all, the morning of the duel he did point her out to a rich-looking human as someone to keep … Read more
“Narud’s gonna die in there,” Lilly says with a shake of her head as Imogen treats her injuries back on Saffron. If she, healthy as she is, could not safely make the dash through the laser room, no way is some old guy starved from years in a crappy prison. Imogen shrugs. “All we can … Read more
Lilly sees Imogen pick up a key from the middle of the stone altar. She must have a plan, Lilly thinks. She slings the detector and brings her own gun back up to bear, ready to point it at whatever door Imogen wants open. To her surprise, Imogen tells her to pick up the first … Read more
With a strategy outlined, Tric turns to Alric with one more question. “Let me ask you this… Would it be really bad if Sleidr died in the fighting? Would the Rats launch an investigation of their own to figure out what happened and that would be bad for you? Mind you, I’m not saying that … Read more
“There is a message for Hepalonia,” Damal announces. He regards the elf for a moment. “Can you read?” “Yes, of course,” Heppa replies. The scribe hands her a small crinkled piece of parchment that must have been crammed into Aderyn’s carrying tube. It is not a long thin sheet with fine, tiny writing like the … Read more
Alric’s uncle looks up from the cuttlefish antivenom when he and the two elves enter the kitchen. As much as he did not want Heledd to hear what he has to say, he wants Damal to even less. Fortunately, he has a convenient way to get rid of the man, and it does not even … Read more
After a short hallway, the temple opens into a small room, also oval in shape. The long wall opposite the entrance contains seven doors, and in the center of the chamber, a raised stone platform—an altar, maybe—holds seven keys. Lilly walks right up to it and picks up the first key, intending to try it … Read more
Lilly and Imogen trek through the thicker vegetation on the leeward side of the island, looking for the Xel’naga ruins. They pass the occasional giant, but collapsed, column. While she operates the detector now mounted in her stun rifle’s body, Imogen reviews with Lilly their goals here. They need to get past traps and possibly … Read more