I would appreciate it if you read the world origin, I think I did really good. :)I'll be reading all of the character sheets, don't worry. I enjoyed reading your world origin.
Looks like we have exactly five here, so anyone further sheets are going in the waitlist. We'll start tomorrow.I would appreciate it if you read the world origin, I think I did really good. :)I'll be reading all of the character sheets, don't worry. I enjoyed reading your world origin.
By the by, as things stand, your character will be extremely good at psionic gene-editing, but merely ok at using their abilities for larger tasks like lifting heavy objects. I think, for the purposes of this RTD, moving big things with one's mind and editing genes are two different skills.
If you'd like to specialise in both of them, we can change it to that, but you'll just be excellent rather than astonishingly good.
"Well well, it would seem that we're off. How do you feel, leaving your homes?"
"Well well, it would seem that we're off. How do you feel, leaving your homes?"
Edit: (Also Devastators character unironically scares the shite outta me)
Edit: (Also Devastators character unironically scares the shite outta me)
(Won't argue with you there. Also probably a not-uncommon NPC response, even among ones who don't know how it works. Feel free to be scared or wary IC as well, if you'd like.)
"Would you care to expand on that? Most people I've met have had great opportunity for choice, even if they don't always use it to the greatest extent."
"I know that even I have choices. I realized that long ago. I've seen what beings such as you can do once they realize the same thing."
"Well well, it would seem that we're off. How do you feel, leaving your homes?"The distractible darisen pokes his head around the corner.
"Well well, it would seem that we're off. How do you feel, leaving your homes?"The distractible darisen pokes his head around the corner.
What's it like having one?
"Haha! That's without taking weapons into account. Remember, they're just as smart as you, so any kind of advantage you might find they could find something like it, too. And a bigger creature can carry more firepower, such as me.
Well, it's probably not worth picking a fight anyways."
"I wouldn't mind going for a stroll outside."
"It's like a stride but more casual."
Check what's in my box. It's never not a good time for that!5
4
Steve starts searching the ship for secrets.
Lucca decides to inspect the Xelqu heart.The Xelqu heart is brimming with power, strong and healthy despite the countless millenia since its owner passed from this world. The giant blue organ floats in the centre of the engine room, pipes of blackened iron providing it with a steady drip of nutrient gruel from the vats in the hold. It glows a little brighter as you enter, the tiny mind recognising a member of its own species. It's enough to make one feel a little less alone.
After conversation, Suzy is also going to tour the ship. If the sword wishes, Suzy will carry it.You make a rough circuit of the ship, holding the greatsword a little awkwardly even in two hands until you rest the flat of the blade on your shoulder. The weapon is cold, but not unpleasantly so. You can feel the vibrations in your collarbone as it talks.
“Would any of you mind giving me a blood sample? I promise no voodoo, I’m more of a psionic type.”
“Would any of you mind giving me a blood sample? I promise no voodoo, I’m more of a psionic type.”
"Eh? Oh yeah sure just make it quick I got things I need to check up on."
"Sure.. I think I saw some hard stuff in the workshop."You take a bowful of nutritious gruel from the tanks at the back of the ship, and attempt to transform it into something with a different structure.
Timo speaks up. "Don't forget your powers too, Suzy. Maybe you can jazz up breakfast a bit, turn it into something tasty."
Lets try out my powers. Gather a bowl of nutritious gruel and see if I can turn it into real Nutriwheat! gruel. Maybe I can even make the protein flavoring a bit more jazzed up, like a bit of real mustard!
Then, after eating, lets head over to the workshop and find a nice target to try out the sword on. Stab!
Same with her own powers. Lets try all three. Lasers, heat rays, and electricity, one at a time.
"Hmm well isn't that interesting..."5
Steve attempts to figure out how to activate the thing that detaches the front of the ship... just in case
You focus your psionic intuition on Steve's blood sample, and consider his genetic code. It all looks like a pretty standard boring humanoid, the kind of uninteresting mess you get in societies that have advanced technologically past natural selection but haven't introduced heavy genetic modification yet. So... a lot to improve on.
“Thanks.” Lucca takes some of Steve’s blood and Analyze’s it and checks if he can make some “Modifications”.
(I was mainly waiting to see if anybody else intended to make requests regarding the drones. Evidently, no.)You release the drones from one of the airlocks, watching as the machines scatter. A handful turn and push ahead of the ship, scanning the areas immediately above it. The rest fan out across the exploded core of the planet, controlling their course with short, economical bursts of fuel. It will be a while before those are back within range.
Varisdel sends a few drones immediately ahead, while having the rest scan - but not harvest - the planet as a whole.
(..are you poking the elder god?)
""Hey, Steve, do you have any opinions on uniforms? I see you're wearing a fancy suit.."Oh I apologize for my hesitation was a bit distracted looking at that... thing. Anyway I for one think uniforms are a necessity in situations where showing professionalism and class are required which back home was almost all the time. As for if I got to wear a suit or not well I'll let my current attire speak for that. "
..anyway, I'm going to try and make uniforms for us all, and would like any advice you have on designs and what not. You could come help me too, maybe? At the least, could you tell me what colour you want, and what kinda logo would represent you.""I'm afraid I have no skill when it comes to manufacturing clothing that's the laborer's job after all. As for design though I always had a soft spot for atlantis blue used to have a suit that color I would wear to festivities. As for logos ill let you decide but don't make it any larger than a pin unless you plan on paying me to wear it or I might as well be off to Clown College™. "
(We don't even know if it's physical, atm. Please don't lean on plot to prevent characters from dying... NJW has killed characters in the past.)
"Hey, Varisdel, would you like a uniform? I'm just going to make some new clothing to replace these rags I've got, and wondering if you're interested too. If you do want, let me know what colour and what kind of logo you want on it."Varisdel looks at Suzy a bit blankly when asked about uniforms, before apparently processing the query and snapping back into focus.
"How'd the prospecting go?"
Ah, cool! If similar stuff is easier, I suggest trying to turn it into adamantine. This stuff is considered a "lesser cousin"; it might be easier, and a good stepping point to other high-quality metals.
Ah, cool! If similar stuff is easier, I suggest trying to turn it into adamantine. This stuff is considered a "lesser cousin"; it might be easier, and a good stepping point to other high-quality metals.
“Thanks.” Lucca takes some of Steve’s blood and Analyze’s it and checks if he can make some “Modifications”."Oh right before I check to see if there is a database, Lucca right? Sorry for not doing this sooner but I was a bit.. distracted at the time, anyway I need you to sign this document I quickly whipped up relating to use of my genetic material nothing serious just standard procedure from where I come from. Here is a pen and the document feel free to give it a look over."
"Wait, who was piloting it in the first place?"Steve looks away from Lucca for a second "I remember seeing Lucca mess with the controls near the start of our journey I assume they put it on some type of autopilot...
"Wait, who was piloting it in the first place?"Steve looks away from Lucca for a second "I remember seeing Lucca mess with the controls near the start of our journey I assume they put it on some type of autopilot...
Steve looks back at Lucca Right Lucca?"
(Do note Knightwing, I have an offer for Lucca if you're interested. I think it's in the post just after your orders post.)
Steve looks over the modified contract chuckles then rips it up quickly writing up a new one similar yet slightly modified to the original.
"I know the concept of a contract is probably foreign to you and I do deeply apologize for not making this clear beforehand but you do not simply modify a contract without first clearing it with the person that wrote the contract in the first place. Secondly while I do appreciate the offer I have no interest at all in cheating my way to victory by "enhancing my physical abilities" and am perfectly content with my body as it currently is. Now then I am willing to compromise so I am going to offer up the contract once again this time with some modifications based off what seems to be your desires."Spoiler (click to show/hide)
“Hmm, This is acceptable.” Lucca smirks and signs."Thank you for your cooperation now im going to go look for a Database to hopefully store records of this contract in plus make some copies just in case. If you need me just look around a bit im sure I wont be that hard to find.
(You might wish to have had penalties for breach of contract written out.)(...But who would enforce them?)
(...But who would enforce them?)(Who else? 8))
(Justiiiice Punch!!!)
(I was bored and had too much freetime so I decided to make this MS Paint portrait of our characters. I plan on posting a updated version every update or two as a visual representation of what's going down kinda this will include MS Paint versions of ourselves, our general current ship location, certain items we collect, memorial for when someone dies and other lore/object of interest stuff I can fit into the background hope you enjoy!)
Edit: (Also took some creative liberties with some of the more vaguely defined players and the chair behind Steve is currently facing the controls weird perspective though in hindsight so may alter it in the next part to make it look like Steve is sitting in it rather than it facing the controls. If you want me to alter the appearance of your character to be more in line with your vision let me know and be sure to include details!)Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Lucca fanboys at the creature then very visibly forces himself to get back to Steve’s dna. He adds a few modifications, Increased strength and toughness, Speed and etc. After doing this, Lucca sends out a psionic signal to the creature, Trying to communicate.
After all the talking is over with see if there is any type of database on the ship that includes documentation on things like that massive creature.
"I have a power that I can use to change things.. usually basic things like cloth to other cloth. If I don't screw up and set something on fire. I've never had anything so grand to try and work on, so I think I'll just play around with it a bit. Maybe a staff, or adding armour plating to my uniform."5
"I might even try to change what it is, make it into an even better metal. But that's hard. Much harder than just reshaping it. Might set something on fire if I try that. But.. if it works, I might have a bar of something really special."
Upgrade the Obdurite into Adamantite, as Varisdel suggests.
Lets try to make those uniforms for everyone (including the squid, although squid gets a generic 'tentacle beast in circle' icon, and a jet black colour. Use my powers to reshape (and recolour) cloth items, looking for raw materials in storage. Try to make them tough and fireproof, while still allowing for easy movement. Varisdel gets black and red, with gears, Steve gets no logo and the blue text colour, and the sword gets a scabbard-wrap that's sunny yellow and has an icon of a spear, as sword is stabby.
Suzy's will be pink, and will have an icon of a magic wand, shooting sparks.. Timo will wear an imitation of the uniform, in gray, with the same icon.
Sure.5
Varisdel focuses on the bar, watching to try and see if he can tell anything about what Suzy does to it.
Unseen, his soul seems to reach out to the piece of metal.
(I thought he was just editing the dna of the blood sample I gave em? I dont really see Steve willingly letting Lunna modify his on person dna especially after the contract @NJW2000)((Oops, misread that. I'll change the post quickly))
((There. Sorry, don't mean to make a character do something the player didn't choose to do. ))(Its fine thank you for fixing it!)
Lucca looks at the town in fascination. “So many different species, If I had all of that DNA, I could build something truly magnificent! ”. Lucca turns to the crew. “Should we go to town? Also, Steve... I’m very sorry about editing your genes. I forgot about me modifying them until after the contract. I apologize.” Lucca burbles in apologies, Truly a great honor for Steve.
"I wouldn't say so. We've got our skills. Lucca could make these people a much better farm. Varisdel can make and fix all kinds of machines. You can pierce through anything. Steve's very charming. And I can make lasers, heat beams, and electricity.. even if I'm a bit tired, I could still charge up some pretty big batteries.
I'm sure we can find some way to make things square."
Steve heads out to the settlement to scout out how things are going at the place and see what they got.You take a dusty track into the settlement, past dozens of small buildings and into the shade of one of the huge sandstone buildings at the centre of town. They look like temples, but there's no sign of any religious practices: people wander in and out, sometimes carrying bundles of goods or leading animals, as if the buildings are used for storage or accommodation.
I'm up for hitting the town. Lets see what they've got here, and if anyone in particular catches my eye. We could use a couple more crew, even if it's just to help monitor the food production vats.The town is equal parts shacks cobbled together from scrap and imposing buildings carved from sheer rock. They have several voidcraft, but none as sturdy as yours: everything looks like it was made to navigate the exploded planet you're on, rather than set out across the universe. You walk in with the stride blade across your back.
Ask around about the giant sky beast, too. What's its name and what kinda things does it do?
Varisdel is going to go into town or whatever it is and purchase A. some defense systems (even if used or outright broken) and B. a bunch of spare parts and raw materials. If there's any 3D printers or CNC machines or whatever, get those instead of spare parts, they're more generally useful.Sadly, there are no 3D printers, nothing like that. There aren't very many viable ship weapons on sale at the handful of dirty shacks and near-junkyards you visit. You patiently inspect countless scrap heaps as people try to fleece you into buying rusty tangles of wood and iron, until you finally find a squat crocodile-woman willing to trade for a handful of worthwhile things. Three possibilities present themselves.
The defense systems don't need to be that great, they just need to be able to be worked off of. Tinkering can fix all problems forever. Yes, that's definitely the case.
Proceed into town, carried by whoever wants to.You proceed on Suzy's back. This place has seen better days, but it isn't falling apart. No visible defences to speak of, which is odd for a settlement exposed to the void. You know countless Chasm beasts capable of tearing through this place in minutes have reached the surface, so that's pretty strange. If the people here aren't even worried about being attacked, fighting Ral head-on probably isn't a good plan.
I send a psionic call out to Ral
“Hello? Can you tell me more about yourself, Also, Did you know my race? You seem like something they would make.”
A spot of chasm-navigation could bypass this, right?
"Hmm"
Head out to talk with these "laughing stocks" and see howdesperateuseful they are formethe mission. (Preferably before Suzy gets to them)
Check out the temple next, if anyone is in there. Did Ral say anything about the royal bloodline? Is it a real thing, or maybe some kind of myth?
After that, check out the bar. I'm not sure if we'll be recruiting any of those hopefuls, but we really could use a few more people, even if they're less than perfect.
"Having analyzed this document, I would recommend you not sign it. This man is not the sole captain of our ship, and based on his observed behavior, I believe that owing him complete loyalty would be unwise. I'm sure that a more reasonable agreement could be made with the crew as a whole."
Can I keep the other two?Yeah, no problem.
"You just told a lie which will quickly fall apart if these people perform even the slightest investigation. At which point they likely won't wish to keep working for you simply because you convinced them to sign away all of their rights on a piece of paper. There isn't a interstellar state, the only one enforcing that contract is you. Meaning that the only reason your 'employees' would have not to breach this contract which you made under false pretenses would be threats of violence from you, personally. Did you plan to trick them into getting on the ship and then coerce them to work through force? Did you even think that far ahead?"
"Mainly, I'm concerned that you're unable to consider the consequences of your actions."There is no business without risk.
"Steve.. we're all going to be living on the same spaceship for quite some time. You want to get this sorted out with the sword so there's no surprises.
Same with me. I mean, why not list the rest of us as officers?"
"Kill him? For.. writing a bad contract?"
(Btw, Knight, still need to talk to turn over Varisdel's sample, and to negotiate getting a sample from Suzy.)
"Work your way up.." Suzy responds, in confusion.
Timo chirps in. "Means he wants subordinates, to manage people, to be in charge."
"Oh! Well, that makes sense! I mean.. yeah? We need crew, and it only makes sense for you to be in charge.
..it's just that the contract doesn't let us work together. Nobody but you can give orders. The contract lasts forever.."
..she reads further..
"Does this say you can just take anything I give them?"
"Yeah, looks that way." Timo says. "And, I think it also says we can't ask them to do any fighting. I think we might want some of them to man weapons or to do bodyguarding."
"Yeah, Steve. We're going to be working together. You should list all of us as being able to issue orders. And there should be a time limit on it. This stuff about not making arrangements or acting on our behalf.. what if I want to send someone out to buy something while I'm busy? Or if we want someone to fight with us? This contract needs some work."
"You are going to be someone, though. You're picking who we hire, how many people we hire, and what they'll be doing most of the time. It's just that we're working together on this, so there's no sense in making that so difficult."
Lucca frowns. “The audacity! I may have been friendly because we would be working together, But you are a lesser lifeform! Why, I ought to kill you where you stand!”I'm sorry but when did you show up? If you wish to "kill me" your going to have to wait until we get back to the ship now is NOT the time.
(You are talking to a guy who’s entire culture revolves around them being gods and you offered him a contract that very clearly states he would be lesser in status to what he views as a hairless monkey. :-\)
(Here you go, Knightwing64)
"So.. Lucca, here's what I was thinking."
Once again, Timo's doing the talking.
"Can you create an animal? Say a fish in a fish tank? And then we'll just examine it magically and make sure magic's compatable with your psionics."
Then, if it is, we'll give you a sample of Suzy's blood. If it's kept cool, it shouldn't catch fire. We'll then make some kinda deal where you get to use it for a couple projects in exchange for you making a couple proposals for changing Suzy. You'd get to play with the sample, and, if we like your proposals, at some point you make those changes. If we don't like them, you don't have to do anything.
As for me, I'm not actually an animal, so I don't think you can tweak me."
Suzy then adds something.
"I still think you just want a fish because you're a cat, Timo."
At that, Timo's tail begins wagging significantly harder.
"What makes you say that?"
"Oh, I thought you had animal samples in storage. A fungus or something might work, but a live animal.. any kind of lie animal, and I'd be certain. As for why not.. well, magic is weird. I'm pretty sure it'd work, but I just want to be sure. Suzy's important to me, and there's no such thing as being too careful."
"As for why.. well.. I think genetically speaking, Suzy is a normal human. But Suzy can do things no normal human can do, and I know magic is related to life, to living creatures. Your skills are related to genetics, life, and living creatures. And, well, there's only one Suzy, so lets be sure."
"I do have something for you right now, actually."
Hand over Varisdel's sample, the sliver of green skin.
"Please everyone there is no need to buy me drinks, your enthusiasm has already won me over! I never seen people filled with such passion in wanting to work for me before! So... out of the kindness of my heart, give me some time to write up some paperwork for you to sign and soon all of you shall be considered official employees of Voidship Enterprises™!!"
Three minutes later "Alrighty everyone here are your contracts as you can see it comes with some great benefits and our health care is top of the class able to fix/prevent even the most grievous of injuries and ailments, possibly even paralyses!" Steve hands out the contracts "Once signed you can consider yourself a official Employee and given a one way ticket off this rock! Steve chuckles "Again I really appreciate your enthusiasm and shall start assigning jobs for you as soon as possible but for now lets all cheer for Voidship Enterprises and success where doubters thought you would fail huzzah!
Wait for them to sign the contracts then spend some time giving handshakes and celebrating head back to the ship and show them around once that is all over assuming nothing goes wrong.
Varisdel:6
Sure. I can change one bar at a time.. I've got the hang of it, but it's very exhausting. Can I keep the other two?
In the bar, Suzy speaks up.
"Yeah, Steve, the Stride Blade's right. You should list the rest of us officers as being able to give orders. And there should be a time limit on the contract.. like a year, maybe?"
Catch some unintelligent animal to be made over by Lucca. If I have time, upgrade the next bar of Obdurite.
"Okay, I got this floppy-ears thing for you. Can you do your thing to it, Lucca?" Says Suzy, squirming rabbit in arms.(They wiggled out of your grip and are currently lost around the ship somewhere probably have to do a action to find them first)
(That was my last action. I suspect the issue isn't insufficient quantity of rabbits. Particularly since it was noted that two were found.)(Right but this message "The ship now has two new residents, both some kind of desert hare: a swift, long-eared rodent with long legs and a tendency to squirm out of one's grip. Fine, Lucca can probably locate them psionically." leads me to believe since you rolled a 6 you found 2 rabbits but they managed to squirm out of your hands and are now loose on the ship @NJW2000 will probably clear this up when he looks at the thread)
"Okay, I got this floppy-ears thing for you. Can you do your thing to it, Lucca?" Says Suzy, squirming rabbit in arms.
Assigns the jobs then work on converting the extra storage room into a proper living quarters the new hires are free to help if they wish.The new crew members seem happy with their new jobs, and rush off to take a closer look at the parts of the ship they'll be working on. The Foss watches impassively, arms folded, then follows you to the storage room. The two of you spend the day setting up rudimentary rooms, a communal area with seating, bathroom facilities and so forth. The Foss has a fair amount of local currency, and buys enough rugs, chairs and sleeping pallets to make the large space look quite homely. By the end, there are some quite pleasant living quarters.
Lucca focuses for a few seconds, psionically scanning the ship. One of the rabbits suddenly finds itself hauled out from behind one of the escape pods, gently floated down several dozen feet of corridor, and deposited beside a large crate of clean water."Okay, I got this floppy-ears thing for you. Can you do your thing to it, Lucca?" Says Suzy, squirming rabbit in arms.
“Hmmmmmmm....” Lucca locates the rabbits, And modifies it’s genes, Turning it into a fish and infusing it with Suzy’s dna. ”
But I don't have thumbs!You dont!
(If successful)
"Fish!" Suzy says, juggling the fish. "I need to put it in water!"
Try to find a fish tank for the new fish. Other than that, over the next few days convert the rest of the Obdurite, and finish the team's uniforms. If I have time, extend the uniform thing to the new hires, making their uniforms a plain light gray.
As for the colony..
Split off an exploration group of microorganisms to enter the fish, while Suzy's still holding it. They are to explore the physiology of the fish, and try to evaluate if Lucca's powers are compatable with magic.. ie, to discover potential problems from mixing the two. There's been a lot of work on Suzy and I want to make sure we can work together, if necessary. Note that the group isn't trying to colonize the fish, they're simply going to explore it and look for hazards.
For the rest of the time, review my options for better long-range combat. Suzy is capable, yes, but there were some deficiencies found in accuracy -- it isn't something we'd have practiced inside the space colony. Have the night crew check on any possible optimizations while the host sleeps.. motor neuron rewiring, say, and balancing out muscle fibres for more stability. We'll do some training when we're not expending so much energy upgrading Obdurite.
(Whoops, I didn't notice this had updated. Sorry about that.)4
Varisdel will open his empty box again! It's always good to check what it might have.
By the way, what's the status of the other drones he sent out?
Steve gives a genuine smile a rarity for a man like him and while he abhorred every second that he spent working on the living quarters seeing such work humiliating and entirely beneath him he smiles anyway. For Steve once again has gotten something he has been looking for ever since his planet got eaten nay ever since he was a child! To actually have control. Steve looks over at the Stride Blade and gives a slight frown. Well he is getting there at least.
"Not bad if I do say so myself also thanks for the help Foss really appreciate it. Now then quickly follow me need to have a chat with one of my associates real quick."
Steve calmly walks over to Lucca's current location "Hey Lucca what was that earlier about killing me?"
“You... gave me a contract where I would be lesser in status and have to follow the orders of a HAIRLESS MONKEY WHO Doesn’t KNOW HIS PLACE.Steve gives a look of genuine confusion "...What? Im sorry Lucca but im afraid I have no clue what your talking about the product ownership contract had no statement relating to following my orders on anything other then use of my DNA and the contractor contract I simply put your name as a CLIENT so you can give orders to our new workers although if this troubles you for some reason I will be more and happy to remove your name from the contract."
“You... gave me a contract where I would be lesser in status and have to follow the orders of a HAIRLESS MONKEY WHO Doesn’t KNOW HIS PLACE.Steve gives a look of genuine confusion "...What? Im sorry Lucca but im afraid I have no clue what your talking about the product ownership contract had no statement relating to following my orders on anything other then use of my DNA and the contractor contract I simply put your name as a CLIENT so you can give orders to our new workers although if this troubles you for some reason I will be more and happy to remove your name from the contract."
“Yes, Thank you. ”Steve gives a amused chuckle "Alrighty consider it done I shall update the other workers contracts as well in due time now if you excuse me I'm going to head to the bridge and relax for awhile." Steve updates the contracts to remove Lucca from the client list then relaxes on the bridge for a while staring outside the window at the stars and generally pondering things.
(So we doing anything to go to space yet? There's no actual hurry.)(I mean I done all I wanted to do at this planet so im ready to leave literally whenever)
PIERCE THE HEAVENS
(Already posted a couple of ideas I had to how to deal with it earlier worst case we can always just gun it and hope for the best)