Ref: EvilTables
Players: Jay_zer0 (Soteranni), roguewithwhimsy (Jorcal), idraluna-archives (Porphyriana, daughter of Heloise, granddaughter of Violette, great-granddaughter of Faustine)
Region: N. Strata
Description
Prof Challenger – we talked about the dangerous sword
Roald hasn’t been seen much
We follow our “own devices”
Students have gone missing at a clinic to the north
A mathematical conference was held at the Tower, and many visited
The subject is retroactive smoothing
We debate what to – the Sword, the Caves of Intensity, internecine war, we decide to go to the Clinic
Soterrani checks out the Conference
I’ve found out at check-in, I bluff my way in
Thorne, a distinguished keynote speaker, speaking on “Exploding Southern Shanty Tower, Exploding the Southern Shantytown: A Retrospective, a newly developed mathematical formula to explode a town
I interrupt and exclaim my theories, and interrupt and argue with Thorne, convincing some to my side during the argument
We pick up clues regarding the missing students regarding the location of the clinic
Jorcal finds the Clinic lies 24 miles north in a forest glade
Built on the ruins of an ancient wall
An analyst in residence, Dr. Leon, refused to leave and stayed behind with the patients after a loss of funding
I hear from a visiting math student, “Beware the words of the psychoanalysts. Listening to them gives strange visions.”
Prophyriana hears the psychoanalysts say the soul is in 3 parts – the “Id, the Frog, and Superfrog”
We attempt to convince some students to come with us – we purchase a town crier to spread the word
Students are Gump (LVL 1 MU) has a dog (Toto), another student (botanist in training) – Bjorna (LVL 1 MU) – stock up on supplies (4x day of fire wood)
We head out and an insect creature attacks the dog (taking 5 dmg) the tick drains Toto
We miss, the hirelings kill it – we see 10 hanging on the pine trees
Jorcal harvests parts of it. We push forward from the forest, avoiding the ticks. We reach a clearing and camp along the tree line. We give Toto a funeral.
We awake the next day and continue onwards
Creatures follow us on the southwest, grey bodies and big black eyes. Jorcal recalls that they look similar to the bodies found at the UFO
Prophyriana warns the party not to stare
We turn to face them, we get closer, 12 of them emerge from the forest (8 wear “pistols”, 4 carry “wands”)
One lifts their hand, Prophyriana lifts their hand in a similar gesture. The alien points southward, then to themselves. They appear rough.
Prophyriana points to herself, then southward. The alien waves dismissively. Points to a smaller companion, then points to Prophyriana, and subsequently points south, finally to its eyes.
Soterrani uses a stick to draw the tower, and the aliens draw 18 stick figures hauling a small figure with alien eyes to the south.
Prophyriana draws a crow figure (halflings), the aliens act angry, the alien fires at the crow, and the tower.
Soterrani gives a ration, they eat.
They block Gump from leaving. The aliens show interest.
Jorcal says that Gump had nothing to do with it, and the alien draws a Wizard hat. Jorcal tells them that they go to the tower, and an opportunity awaits for the Aliens to get their member.
We head southward with the aliens to try to parlay with the Tower for the release of the small alien.
We make it back to the Tower w/o incident.
Math students passed out from the partying.
The aliens hang back –
Professor Bateson is responsible for alien – 5th Floor
Office hours – 2morrow in the afternoon
We speak to a sleeping secretary – we attempt to get in contact Bateson – the secretary seems nonplussed.
Jorcal and the secretary go back and forth. The secretary relents and we head up the fourth floor. Anthropology department.
Shrunken humanoid body parts on display. 3 doors.
Prof Leech of Sorcery, Prof Vernant of Myth, Prof Batesin, Cybernetics.
Jorcal bangs on the door, Prof Leech answers and tells that Bateson is tied up with being it on Wednesday (and it is the Ecology Reading Group)
Prof Leech says that the alien is held up on the 6th floor with Prof Michelle. We think of kicking down the door
Level 6th is History, decorated in red w/ many abstract shapes and depictions of strange weapons.
Prof Michelle (ancient aliens) and Prof. Mazaheri (weapons)
Prophyriana speaks to Michelle regarding Bateson about the alien hostage situation
Prof Michelet ushers us into his office. Large shelves of published book. A 19-volume set “A History of the Strata”.
We convince Prof Michelet to assist in translation for us w/ communication with the “Greys”. We encounter a small contingent en route. Prof and the Greys parlay. The Greys want the return of the companion or dispatch Prof Bateson
Gold & XP: 500 gp for giant tick research specimen
Special or Magic Items: none
Written by: jayzero