Session 15 - 7/29/2020

General Summary

Huren (the 9th month) 21, 1610 - Chasing the Vodmans

The PCs are surprised by an apparent ambush while pursuing the Vodmans SE of the tent city - Glimfeather has been flying in circles in front of the party. Glimfeathers passive perception is not enough to overcome the Vodmans Stealth checks (if that's who they really are) who are under some trees and hiding on a ridge.
Glimfather is struck by a magical spell of some kind and he dissipates.
Tolly Vodman in full "farmer apparel" appears on the ridge with a nice heavy crossbow and takes an assassination shot at Teddy (Note: Owen bowed-out of the game so it was a convenient way to spare the PCs a vicious hit and easily explain Teddy's "fade to black"). It is assumed Teddy will be stabilized by one of the NPCs with the party.
Tolley says, "Zat is far enough Tremonite Verminz (spits on the ground). Zis is vunderful zat you made it so far from ze zettlement. Ve stompf ze ground extra hard to leave you tracks! I suppose you realize you are not dealing wis a zimple farmer now!" His appearance fades - replaced by someone who looks and sounds to be of Surland origin.
Combat ensues. Sigmund casts Flaming Sphere up on the ridge and transforms into a bear.
Thedra (if that's who she really is) appears and casts a spell at Egon (who resists)... her disguise drops as well. They are decked out in good looking combat gear with an unfamiliar insignia. "Ze vermin resisted!" she says.
Tolly shoots at Sigmund, "Zat is fantastic turning into a bear, zat will not save you Dr Zigmund."
Egon hits Thedra (if that's who she really is) with Magic Missile and moves behind Sigmund/bear for cover.
Shadow shoots at Tolley and misses, then shouts "What problems do you have with the people of the settlement? You've hurt a lot of my friends!"
Vodman replies, "Vhat problems?! There are zo many problems... you Tremon Verminz you take over the zystem like rats and leave us no choice! You plunder and you carry away treasures and peoples lives wizout any recourse... Zis you must pay for! By vat permission did you ask to come here to zis Alpha planet. Has Tremon asked for any permission or did they just come here wizout conzulting and conzidering ze indigenous species here? No! Zey did not!"
Vodman hits Shadow with a poisoned heavy crossbow bolt (shadow saves vs poison). Vodman chuckles. "I zee the frustration in your anger Tabaxi. Perhaps if you consider vat is going on here you'd understand what is proper here. Zis plays well into my hand with you guys zo far away from ze settlement. Is this not zo compatriot?"
Thedra nods and says "Za, zis is most fortunate!"
Shadow says "I understand your frustration friend but is hurting and harming innocent people really the answer?"
Vodman replies "Yes! Let us have zat discussion! How many people have the Treminite Verminz crushed? Lets take a look at Tycho I - are zere any Ta-urach left zere? Is zere? Lets have ze answer to that?"
Vodman makes a gesture ans says "I vould love to shtay and chit-chat wiz you vunderful folks, but duty calls. Keptin Karza, zee to it zere are no survivors... I vill zend you rondevous coordinates ven complete. Fair ze well, Auf Wiedersehen!"
Egon hits Thedra (if that's her real name) with another Magic Missile - she is not bloodied. She muters a Sunderland curse and glowers at Egon who goes prone behind Sigmund.
Sigmund/Bear advances on the Vodmans and the flaming sphere advances as well.
To the east, the PCs hear multiple chemical "whooshes" and men with tanks strapped to their back, arc through the air to where the combat zone.
Thedra says "Auf Wiedersehen!" and moves east after Tolley.
6 "jet-pack troopers" land on each hill while the captain and another trooper land in the low ground.
The PCs and the jet-packers engage in heated combat. Keptin Karza goes up in a fireball when hit by the flaming sphere. Off to the east, a prop vehicle is heard taking off and moving away from the area.
Egon bamf's next to shadow who went down and administers a healing potion. One of the troopers tries to make off with the shackled Shadow but lands badly sending them both sprawling 100 feet away. That trooper drops his jump pack and flees from the combat, but the rest are killed.
Shadow picks his way out of the manacles.
The PCs gather up the assets the can salvage and go back to the Tent City.

• 3 Jump Packs (each with 1 jump) gauntlet/ankle guide fins (50lbs each).
• Sending stone
• 4 good Pistols & (5) 6-shot packs of ammo
• 5 long-swords

Back at the tent city:
Townsfolk have recovered somewhat (about half the camp). Some have even re-started making bricks.
Sigmund recounts the tale to Lord Bellweather and shares his theory that they engaged a militia.
Bellweather shares what he knows about the Surlands and that they historically have been saboteurs.
Sigmund express his concerns that they can't deal with any of the threats and that the tent city may need to relocate / flee. Bellweather tries to bolster their spirits and suggests Surland lacks numbers for an all-out war, but Sigmund has lost all hope and sees it differently.
Bellweather relays that he's warned the Tremon government about the atmosphere issues for small ships and requested aid. There is talk of the colonial marines posting a garrison. Sigmund pushes back on the role of being the defender (he will help where he can) but he needs resources (reinforcements, money, weapons, things).
At this point, a DM to player discussion ensues and we end the night.

Brett, John, Terence
Own canceled, Jay had family in town, Wil is working his tail off.

Report Date

08 Jun 2020