STQK: EP.3 (Traveling east, always east)
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We continue with the next episode in the Gamma World 1e system.
Scene 1
Nathal(ββ²β) and Onfi(β«β’β¬) had gathered some rations to sustain them from a local vender outside the Village of Gah Grah; haggling with village merchants was not wise and set the duo back 511 gold.
The Wild as some call the territory outside of town, will be a tough journey for Nathal(ββ²β) and Onfi(β«β’β¬). Keeping a keen eye open for "Unmarked" mutants would not go unwanted because this area is where they thrive. Underground burrows like what the fish mutant dug, were everywhere. Wandering cryptic alliances also claimed parts of the land for themselves. Not everyone wants blood and gore, many are willing to trade.
As they traveled east, they hoped this aquatic plant mutant will talk. The first day across the sand plains, was not eventful2 and the two fellow mutants camped for the night.
Scene 2
As sun rose on the dunes, Nathal(ββ²β) and Onfi(β«β’β¬) continued there walk. Not long they were greeted by someone from a nearby cryptic alliance3. This Iron Society member was patrolling around the area, clearly from the mountain encampment west of Gah Grah Village.
The Iron Society retain the belief that the new order began after chaos. The chaos of course refers to the destruction of the world. They are pro-mutant and despise any pure humans that were well off to survive the blast and radioactive environment.
Wild customs dictate, to always greet travelers from afar and never shoot first. Every village had a series of hand gestors to symbolize themselves. Signally to travelers where you were coming from, gave some etiquette in this honor-less world. As greetings were exchanged between both parties, it had been determined by Nathal(ββ²β) and Onfi(β«β’β¬), that this member was friendly and helpful4.
Trade was usually the subject of conversation in the wild and amongst unknown mutants. This gave way to the radioactive economy and encouraged adventurers to seek out new locales.
Nathal(ββ²β) and Onfi(β«β’β¬) had found out that this Iron Society member was just a local desert farmer. Like all land, something can always grow even in the desert. These fields produced desert onions a commodity around the area. Cryptic alliances like the Iron Society used farmers to mitigate their own beliefs and philosophies.
"My name is "Fahei(ΙΈββ°)5 people say Im complicated because of my layers. Nay I say, for I am The Onion Protector." Fahei(ΙΈββ°) burst out into song moving like a robot and just singing the words Onion Protector over and over..
Nathal(ββ²β) and Onfi(β«β’β¬) questioned in unison, "how long have you been alone out here?" "To long", stated Fahei(ΙΈββ°).
This particular individual was unfortunately a very naive shopkeeper6 before the society bestowed upon him the title of farmer. As the group conversed, Fahei(ΙΈββ°) spoke about his experiences with the society and the propaganda he knew. Joining the Iron Society Fahei(ΙΈββ°) felt taken advantage of, and abused7 for his working7 knowledge of the desert sand.
He continued by explaining that these onions can actually suppress7 the purity7 from non-mutants. Iron Society wanted their enemy7 gone. If he can grow enough onions and secretly poison the non-mutant population, hopefully they can create peace7 through the radioactive waste land.
The conversation lasted till sunset. As the last ray of sunlight hit the travelers, Fahei(ΙΈββ°) finally gained the trust of the two from Gah Grah and offered to trade this artifact he found in an abandoned city towards the south for 478 gold pieces.
Nathal(ββ²β) unaware of what he was accepting due to the lack of light, happily gave up the gold.
Scene 3
The next morning the Onion farmer was gone. Getty with delight, Nathal(ββ²β) decided to spend the early hours analyzing the artifact before they left.
Within the Gamma World 1e System, charts are used to determine what an artifact is. PCs would roll on a mini game like this, hoping to get to "F".
Even with the high intellect Nathal(ββ²β) possessed, he could not9 crack what the artifact was. With much dismay the artifact was placed away in their belongings and they continued east. In the distance, the horizon had caused a reflection on the Sa Bah Roads. This gave the inclination they were close to their desired target.
Check out the Next episode in the STQK blog series.
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(51) | D100 Roll↩
(5) | (Gamma World 1e) Movement Phase- Random Encounter↩
(35) | (Gamma World 1e) Movement Phase- Cryptic Alliance↩
(9) | (Gamma World 1e) Reaction Table↩
(30,23) | (Mythic 2e) Name Table↩
(57,72) | (Une) NPC Modifier, NPC Noun↩
(22,61,82,68,23,52) | (Une) NPC Motivation Verb x3, NPC Motivation Noun x3↩
(47) | D100 Roll↩
(5,1,10,7,8) | (Gamma World 1e) Artifact Chart A↩