Fwurg

[Storyteller (Brend)]

((OOC: This is a continuation of [14 -8] Investigating the Tunuaranan moonquakes for the Ground Team consisting of Darones Rei and Fecta Trigiel.

Equipment Darones Rei

• Short blade lightsabers with curved handles, worn
• A wireless communicator headset, worn
• His backpack (First Aid Kit, survival equipment and rations for 3 days, basic climbing gear) supplemented with a scanner and other handheld equipment to detect and study (the source of) radiation
• supplies for 8 days
• simple digging tools like a shovel and pickaxe

Equipment Fecta Trigiel

• Build in
  • sensitive optics (infra red, ultra violet, night sight zoom function)
  • comm link (So no direct speech is needed)
• Carrying
  • Two tonfa handled lightsabers (in arm pockets)
  • A small blaster (in right hidden leg compartment)
  • A grappling hook 40 ft/ 14 m (as seen in episode 1, during the battle of Naboo) (Left leg compartment)
  • Basic repair kit
  • A radiation suit. (If the environment on Kons is to bad for his body, an all terrain suit to match the circumstances)
  • A radiation scanner
  • A spare body battery
  • A spare food supplement

Additional Equipment and Personnel

• 2 Scouts each with personal gear
• 5 Tauntauns in total, 2 carrying the scouts, 2 carrying the Jedi, and 1 with supplies

))

The trek to Orilon

With the ship flying away into the tumultous sky, the two Jedi were left to their own devices. The mountains ahead seem to stretch forever, and the storm overhead rages on without pause. Finding their way to the village would be difficult indeed.

The Jedi set off into the mountains, relying on the knowledge of the scouts to lead them. The first day of travel was rough, but not problematic. The Jedi had ample opportunity to confirm their suspicions with regards to communications devices and measurement equipment: the storm clearly inteferes with both.

After breaking up camp on the morning­ of the second day — although the exact moment of morning is not exactly a clear whent he skies are darkened by storms at every time of the day — the Jedi set out again. Three hours into the day the scouts reported, with some trepidation, that the storm makes their work much more difficult than expected, and that they were currently unsure of the best route.

The scouts explaint that there are two options as far as they are aware: the group could keep going into the valley to have protection from the worst and a sever climb at the end; or they could seek higher ground to traverse the ridge and end up on the Orilon plateau, all the while being buffeted by strong winds, but skipping the climb at the end.

The Scouts were clearling looking at the Jedi for guidance — which given the reputation of the Jedi as mystical saviours, is not that weird.

((OOC: Time for checks!))

[Darones Rei]

"Given our options," Darones said, "I recon that the climb at the end might be difficult especially with the Tauntauns, traversing the Plateau seems easier, though we would have to deal with the winds. We could use a fan formation in order to limit our exposure and prevent overexerting ourselfs and the animals whilst we seek to cross to plateau.

Down in the valley we are likely to travel faster, since the winds would cause less problems for us. Yet the climb might prove difficult."

"What do you think?" Darones asked Trigiel.

[Fecta Trigiel]

"I would think that the valley would be the better option. Have a more sheltered trip, with a single exertion at the end seems a better idea than a continuous strain over a prolonged period of time. We can use the force to help the others get up. The big question is whether we could calm the Taun Tauns enough for the climb."

Trigiel thought for a moment, "the fan-formation is a good idea nonetheless...

We take the valley. I am already heavy enough as it is. If the Taun Tauns also need to fight against the storm, they are surely to faint. Depending on the climb, we could levitate the animals while they are asleep. This would spare the animals the most."

Trigiel then turned to the scouts: "What kind of climb are we speaking of? We could use the force to levitate the animals over some distances, but not over a long area. With other words, straight up is doable to some extend, but a long road is more troublesome."

[Storyteller (Brend)]

((OOC: Since both of you take no check, I assume you have no clue what you are actually doing out here :P))

The scouts, being Rodians of action, immediately set their tauntauns on the path onto the valley the moment Trigiel stated "We take the valley".

As they started riding again, they answered Trigiel's question: "It will always be a long road, master Jedi.", the scout replied, "The climb is a steep and zig-zag route up onto the plateau, about a hundred meters up; not a vertical climb..."

It wasn't too late to turn around to ascend to the plateau here if this new piece of information significantly changed the Jedi's minds. If not, they'd continue on in the fan-formation until the tauntaun's tire or they reach the end of the valley.

((OOC: As short "we continue" or "we go back to go up" is enough in the reply. Note that this is effectively a choice between making difficulty climbing checks at the end, or a pathfind/keeping your animals well check on the plateau!))

[Darones Rei]

"That seems easier then seeking our way across the Plateau, besides the valley should offer us some amount of protection for this storm. Let's keep going."

[Storyteller (Brend)]

With Darones confirming the valley route, the group made quick work of the travel through the valley. The scouts' insights into the lay of the land helped them to make good time, and in a few hours they found themselves at the bottom of a narrow path that was marked with carved stones.

One of the scouts pointed up and spoke to the Jedi, "This is the start of the climb. Gods willing, we will be safely in Orilon tonight."

In a moment of lessened storm, the Jedi saw that the narrow path wound up to the plateau by clinging to the valley's cliff-like walls and zig-zagging around, all in all going up about a hundred meters. Small, leafless scrubs grew next to the path here and there, and some parts of the path are marked with brighly colored rope. Unfortunately, the storm's buffeting winds quickly resumed.

The Jedi now faced the climb. With the strong winds, steep narrow path and nervous tauntaun, this would be a tricky business.

((OOC: You'll have to make checks to get up to the plateau.))

[Darones Rei]

"Well," Darones quietly said to himself as he gazed upon the climb they would have to beat, "This certainly is a challenge, especially for the Tauntauns.

I think it is best that one you, " Darones addressed the scout's, "stay with the animals down here, while the other receives them up there once we've helped them up the slope. It will take some time, but I recon it safer than taking them all up as a group."

((Check: 12 = 7 Force Level + 3 Strength + 2 Athletics -- helping up the Tauntaun's, one at the time))

[Storyteller (Brend)]

((OOC: I'll wait until thursday for a check by Trigiel, otherwise I'm going to move this along without him.))

[Fecta Trigiel]

"I will guide the beasts and use the force to help them might they getting in danger of falling."

Trigiel uses the force to push a Taun Taun (or somebody else) back on the path if they are in danger of falling or when they need some extra help to pass a difficult part.

((Check: 12 = 7 Force Level + 3 Energy + 2 Telekinesis -- Helping the tauntauns by keeping their footing))

[Storyteller (Brend)]

((OOC: @Trigiel: Note that the extent to which you can use Telekinesis to directly affect living creatures is very limited — the power is meant to affect unattended objects, and only at Rank 3 can you affect attended objects. In this case I'm ruling that you can use it to assist others, but you do so mainly through the environment.

Both checks Approved.))

Working together, the two jedi and the scouts slowly ascend the cliffs. Darones' physical guidance combines well with Trigiel's creative use of telekinesis to move boulders towards the path when a taun taun missteps. Each taun taun costs about half an hour to get up the cliffs, and the effort takes it's toll on both Jedi, scouts and taun tauns.

After several hours, and some tense "taun taun balancing on one foot" moments, everyone is safely on the plateau. From here, the scouts indicate that is only a quarter of an hour to ride towards Orilon. A little riding later, the group arrives at the village of Orilon.


Though their sight is limited by the storm, the Jedi can make out that the village consists of mostly stone houses with metal dome-shaped roofs. Low walls connect many of the smaller buildings into small clusters, and higher walls give some of the houses somewhat of a courtyard. The village is built around a obelisk standing tall in the village square, with several larger buildings around it. Several houses have large masts with several flags attached. The Jedi recognize some of the flags from their earlier trips here, it seems these flags have religious significance.

As they are riding into the village, they notice that all houses have boarded up their windows with metals plates and wooden boards. The group arrives on the town square, where one of the scouts points one of the larger houses and dismounts to guide his taun taun to the stables attached to that house "Come Jedi, we should not remain outside when we can warm ourselves with the fire of the Cantina!", he shouts over the storm. After the Jedi dismount, the scouts quickly stable the taun tauns and make sure that they are warm enough here.

Inside the Cantina, a large fire is roaring in a fire pit in the middle of the building. Several men and women sit around the fire. The scouts quickly fetch the owner of the cantina and the local priest, and explain to them that they are scouts for the Jedi, who are on mission to discover why the gods are angry. The cantina owner nods towards the Jedi and goes back to the business of preparing food and drink for the villagers.

The Priest comes over to the Jedi. "Greetings noble Jedi. I offer you sleeping places in the temple, so that tomorrow you can be on your mission blessed and rested. I would offer more help, but I am too busy tending to the sick in their homes. This storm has brought nothing but isolation and sickness. I have no idea what we have done to deserve the gods' anger."

((OOC: To keep things fast, I am going to limit the conversations to a maximum of two OOC weeks before moving on to the actual destination. You may assume that you can speak with the villagers to gather information and such.))

[Fecta Trigiel]

As Trigiel had not been here before, he does not recognise the flags as significant.

In the tavern, the cyborg sympathises with the priest: "I believe you, that you of the village have no idea why the gods are angry, and we of the group thank you for your hospitality. We are going to the temple of Si'Aalin as we believe something there happened in correlation with the resent devastating times."

Not wanting to occupy the priest of his important duty, Trigiel does not push for a longer talk. He is interested in the obelisk though, but he gladly asks a friendly villager about it:

"What can you tell me about the obelisk in this village? It looks important."

Before the end of the night, Trigiel arranges a piece of burnt wood from the fire pit.

[Darones Rei]

When Trigiel asked around after the Obelisk after leaving the Priest to his work, Darones followed the Priest while he was doing his work in the village. Even though he wasn't trained Medic like Ariana and his first aid kit had only limited supplies, his training would allow him to at least assist the priest with his work. And in doing so, Darones could get a feel of the people living here, assess their need and offer a recompense for the hospitality shown to them by the Priest and the community.

Before the end of the night, Darones arranges a piece of burnt wood from the fire pit.

((Check: 14 = 7 Force Level + 5 Reason + 2 First Aid -- Helping out the Priest tending the wounded and the sick, while hoping to gather more clues about the events leading up to the storm.))

[Storyteller (Brend)]

While Darones is helping the priest, who seems genuinly surprised at Darones' high level of expertise, Trigiel asks around about the Obelisk.

With some questions Trigiel learns that the obelisk has great religious value. The villages say that the obelisk has always been here, and that it grants them powerful blessings against sickness and bad luck. They say that the obelisk is the reason their village still exists, as it has protected them all these years, and is protecting them even now as the storm rages on. Now that Trigiel pays attention, it does seem that the storm is a little less turbulent in the village — of course, this could also be because the wind is broken by the buildings and walls...

Darones learns that most of the elderly villagers have fallen ill now, and that this started a few days after the storm hit their village. Many parents worried that their children might fall ill as well, but so far no child has fallen ill. The Priest seems capable of easing the pains of the village elders, but does not know what afflicition plagues them. Darones spots several symptoms of low-intensity radiation poisoning, but a radiation burst would hit everyone equally. The fact that only the elderly are affected is puzzling.

Both Trigiel and Darones are able to get a few pieces of charcoal from the fire pit before the end of the night.

((OOC: There's still a week left on the OOC countdown :)))

[Darones Rei]

"I was fortunate enough to have a good teacher," Darones explained as the priest looked surprised at his skill, "though I am afraid there is little more I can do without the proper supplies. Might I have a word?"

And with that Darones withdrew from the group of villagers to speak a bit more privately with the Priest as he explained his suspicions.

"Your village elders show symptoms of low-intensity radiation poisoning, though I have yet to find the source. It seems unlike that this is caused by the Storm, since then everyone would be effected equally. For now though, the children seem fine. It there anything you can think of the children might have done differently then your elders that might explain this, or perhaps something they eat or don't eat?"

Darones tried to get more information from the Priest to see if their was a logical explanation for the difference in exposure.

"As far as treatment goes, our options are severely limited because of the intensity of the Storm. Keep your people indoors for now and limited the time they spend outside to a bare minimum. I'll run some tests to see if I can determine the source."

After having heard from the Priest, Darones went to speak with Trigiel.
"Some of the village elders suffer from low-intensity radiation poisoning, most likely from prolonged exposure or something they ate. We should see if we can pinpoint to source, starting with the water and food supplies."

((Check: 12 = 7 Force Level + 5 Reason -- using Geigercounter to see if he can find the source of the radiation.))((OOC: not sure if a skill is applicable, so feel free to add if possible.))

[Fecta Trigiel]

"A natural cause would be that the elder have lived the longest time and therefore have received the highest dose of radiation, till the point it becomes a sickness," Trigiel repleid after hearing Darones, "but that wouldn't explain why the people suddenly got sick. It also requires the radiation in this area to be in the sweet spot between dangerous and safe after prolonged exposure.

More importantly: don't forget we are here to find the source of the moonquakes and stop them. Once those stop, the people can rebuild and recover.

That being said: I discovered that the villagers see the obelisk in the centre as a great religious icon, which protects the village. I will look there, I have a feeling it is related."

Trigiel first asks around if there are any rituals involving the obelisk, then goes to the obelisk for a closer inspection. There he scans the device for radiation and he looks for any sign of mechanics or workings or other way the obelisk could actually do something. He makes sure not to do anything drastic, like prying something open or breaking anything.

((Check: 19 = 7 Force Level + 6 Vision + 4 Mechanical Engineer + 2 Force Vision -- inspecting the obelisk))

[Storyteller (Brend)]

((OOC: Given that Darones' equipment lists a scanner to detect and study the source of radiation, and Trigiel has sensitive optics (Force Vision really helps out here with it's power of ignoring bad visibility conditions; though Mechanical Engineer does not apply, but you do not have to use the Untrained Force Level since no skill applies at the moment), the two Jedi working together have a checks of 12 and 15. Working together that's just high enough: Checks Approved.))

The Priest tried his best to explain the daily lives of the villagers to Darones, so he could maybe spot something that the children ate or did differently. But the daily lives of most villagers is the same: they eat the same food, they drink from the same water, they work what little land there is, and they pray to the gods. Not finding anything of significance here, it was time for the science approach.


Darones starts walking through the village with his geiger counter to find the source of the radiation. Upon standing next to the Obelisk, Trigiel notices that the Obelisk is inlaid with a non-symmetric intricate pattern of iron lines. It doesn't seem to be a mechanism, but rather a decorative addition. With his enhanced sight he sees that the iron lines are inlaid in neatly carved pathways. The outside of the Obelisk has seen significant wear by the elements, but overall the Obelisk seems to be in good condition.

Darones, using the geiger counter to locate the source of the radiation, quickly notices that he has to switch to a different radiation spectrum to actually notice anything — this isn't the normal run-of-the-mill radiation from nuclear reactions. Once he does, however, the geiger counter is quickly sounding out several ticks per second. Strangely enough though, the concentrations are strongest near the edges of the village, and go down as he moves towards the center, with almost zero radiation around Obelisk.

As Darones works his way inwards with his geiger counter, Trigiel was already working in inspecting the Obelisk. He uses his radiation scanner to carefully inspect the Obelisk directly. As Darones enters the village square, Trigiel completes his first scan of the Obelisk. His scanner informs him that the Obelisk contains a large amount of radiation, as if it is being contained in the stone somehow.

Darones joins Trigiel at the Obelisk, and based on their combined readings, it appears as if the Obelisk somehow captures radiation from the surrounding area and stores it inside it's stone. The covered area is about as large as the village.

Working together, the two Jedi discover something else about the Obelisk. At first it seems that Darones' scanner is giving misreadings evere once in a while as he scans the Obelisk. But when looking at Trigiel's scanner it seems that both scanners agree. Based on these readings and some calculations the Jedi can conclude that the Obelisk's stone and the iron inlay are both at least 4000 years old.


Unfortunately their scanners are not capable of detecting any kind of mechanism inside the Obelisk. With their current equipment, the only way to get a look inside the Obelisk would be smashing it to pieces — and given the apparent protective nature of the Obelisk, and the religious significance, this would be a very stupid plan.

None of these discoveries explain why the elders got sick and none of the others did, though.

((OOC: I'll give each of you one more post in the village, after which we should move on to stay roughly in sync with the other threads progress.))

[Fecta Trigiel]

"Well, it is clear that this obelisk is indeed an important artefact for this village, however, I am stumped how the elder got sick while the rest is apparently spared.

It might be where they sleep: If the elder sleep near the edge of the village, the radiation can be a lot higher there, so their intake increases as well. Since the radiation is lowest here, we should let the older people stay as close to the obelisk as possible."

Trigiel asks around where the older people in the village normally sleep.

If Darones is not doing so, Trigiel then goes looking for the priest to advice him letting the sick people stay close to the obelisk to minimize any radiation intake.

[Darones Rei]

"Sounds like a good idea for now," Darones replied, " but it might be best to come back later and study this more carefully. As for the villagers, having them sleep and spend their time as close to the obelisk as possible is probably best.

To be honest though, it might be a good idea to inform the scouts of this as well, as we get closer to the Temple the radiation might spike higher and could cause serious problems. In fact, it might be best if they stayed here, or went back to here once we reach the temple."

As Trigiel went to inform the Priest of their findings, Darones told the scout what they had found, after which he started to make preparations to continue the last leg of the journey towards the Temple.

[Storyteller (Brend)]

Asking around, Trigiel learns that the elders usually live in the homes of their children, where they are cared for in their old day, and get to spend time with their grand-children. So that does not provide any insights as to why the elders get sick either.

The priest takes Trigiel's advice to heart, and quickly organizes several sturdy villagers to start work on a temporary shelter to be built around the Obelisk.

Darones, in the meantime, informs the scouts of the findings. They are interested, but it is clear that they do not consider the woes of this village their main concern. The preparations for the last leg of the journey is more important to them.


With their work in the village done for now, the Jedi continue their journey towards the temple. The scouts estimate that they will be there in about four hours, given that the weather doesn't get worse. The tauntaun's seem to be in good spirits, and make quick work of running over the plateau despite the raging storm.

After three and a half hours, which given the tauntaun's gait meant about 70 kilometers out of the village, the Jedi notice what seems like a pillar of green fire raging in the distance. When asked, the scouts could tell that the temple lay in that direction, and that the distance is about right. As the scouts stop for a moment to determine the best route from here on, the sound of the wind is less loud, and Darones notices that his radiation scanner is ticking madly.

Clearly, they had located the area of the source of the radiation. While the current exposure is not dangerous for about an hour or so, more exposure is ill-advised without a radiation suit or body that can withstand such levels of radiation.

((OOC: It is up to you on how to proceed from here. if you send the scouts away, you'll need to make a Wildernes Survival check to find your own way; if you keep the scouts, they might be exposed to dangerous levels of radiation but you'll arrive at the temple site without problems.))

[Fecta Trigiel]

((OOC: Normally, I would say Trigiel's body can handle radiation. But since this isn't the normal run-of-the-mill radiation from nuclear reactions. I am not sure if this is still the case, since I don't know what Brend has in mind.))

"I did not expect these levels of radiation. Before we continue, I think it is best to make sure our suits are safe." To the scouts he said: "If the force is with us, one of you, the scouts can borrow my suit."

With help of the scanners, Trigiel tests if his suit is capable to block this kind of radiation. He scans the amount of radiation inside the suit, and compares that to outside the suit. He does the same with parts of his body to ensure his organs are safe.

"Darones, is your suit safe?"


((Check: 11 = 7 Force Level + 4 Reason -- testing if his body and his suit are safe for this radiative environment))((OOC: I am not sure what, if any, skills are applicable. I do have mechanical engineer, weapons engineer and cyberneticist which might be relevant, but this is more an indirect link than a 'rock science skill'.))

[Storyteller (Brend)]

((OOC: I think all three noted skills are applicable. Pick whichever you want to use.))

[Storyteller (Brend)]

((OOC: I see I forgot to state a relevant thing: I assumed you spent the night in the village — given that you had travelled for two days and at least seven hours already then. So, for the record: You are now on day 4 of the 7 days agreed upon for the pickup location. This means you have this day to get to the site, do the work, and need to start the trek back tomorrow morning!))

[Fecta Trigiel]

((OOC: Okay, than I use cyberneticist, since that one is most related to the safety and interaction of living tissue and the rest of the world. My score then will be:
((Check: 14 = 7 Force Level + 4 Reason + 3 Cyberneticist -- For determining if Trigiels body and suit are safe to use in this radiation))

Also: we have to hurry then :)))

[Storyteller (Brend)]

Trigiel determines that his body is capable of withstanding this kind of radiation for a few days before being affected in a significant way. He also determines that the scouts should really wear a radation suit or turn back — the amount of radiation is likely to increase as they go get closer to the source of the radiation.

The scouts, seeing how Trigiel was busy with the radiation scanner, became a little nervous.

Darones, seemingly deep in thought, had not yet acted. Trigiel reasoned that if the scouts needed a radiation suit, Darones would need one as well, since he has no exoskeleton to protect him.

[Darones Rei]

"My suit.. ? " Darones asked Trigiel after realizing he was stuck in thought, ".. I'm afraid I didn't bring one, since I did not expect the radiation to be this severe.

Hm... we could have one of the scouts show you the way to Temple and then come back, then we could both go together. That would mean we keep them safe and yet also make sure we can actually reach the site without problems.

Or do you recon we should just take the risk and continue by ourselves?"