TURNTURNTURN
Exploration phase 2: from a drip into the rain. (roll: [1+2+2] -2 (Normal) = 3,
There Is A Problem)
At the initiative of Nigel (influence +1), the crew decides to prospect the wetlands. They start out by searching the edge of the badlands for the best place to fashion the slope into a ramp.
As before, reconnaissance missions with the quad are mainly used by Phryne, since she can defend herself if necessary, while the other defense specialists remain at the base for safety. Her inspection reveals three suitable spots, each having different pros and cons.
The first spot she finds is next to the small waterfall, where the creek descends the slope. It naturally carved itself a way into the slope, greatly reducing the amount of work needed to create a traversable slope. Unfortunately, it leads to a particularly soggy part of the wetlands with ponds, quiet streams and very wet mud.
If the aim is to set feet on a relatively dry part of the wetlands, a much better place would be the point where the badlands meet the mountains, to the south. The drawback there is that the shale seems harder and you'd need to cut away more of it. Then again, this would make the ramp more durable in the long run, too.
Finally, Phryne scouts the slope further to the northeast. She discovers the third spot, which is the easiest one of all, because it turns out the steep slope gradually tapers off into a much more gradual slope! The only drawback is that it is further away and closer to the river, which you have a healthy respect for now. The ground to the northeast is not composed of the same shale as your base location, but more of a sandy clay. Here is an expanded Local Map, showing the new discovery. Note: the clearing on the other side of the river is shown as "shale badlands" for now, but the actual composition of this terrain isn't certain yet.
In the meantime, the drone is used to explore the wetlands themselves. The wetlands stretch out into a vast distance. Far to the east, the trees seem even to grow even taller. The drone catches glimpses of numerous weird unknown flora and fauna, too many to list them all in a forum post. So let's just have a look at a few notable species.
These animals seemed to be moving slowly and didn't make a single sound. The stand about 4-5 meter tall.
It hid itself between the trees as soon as it spotted the drone.
And yes, the drone spots more herds of the crawling things that you've witnessed the Pteroleons eating before.
Grace points out one striking difference with terrestrial forest: there are no flowers to be seen anywhere.
Now the crew sets out to gather more plant material in person. Phryne and Nigel cram themselves together on the quad with cutting tools and a bag, entering the wetlands from the north in order to gather plant samples and maybe even, as Nigel is hoping, a lump of bog iron. As the two of you arrive at the first tree growth, you're forced to stop. The terrain is really hard to navigate; the growth quickly gets very dense and the ground too soggy to drive or even walk through. Bugs of all kinds are assault you here. You wonder if you should have worn thicker protective clothing, although it would be uncomfortable in the warm, moisturous weather. Nonetheless you gather a few of the flora.
The most common type of tree turns out to have a trunk made out of spongy material, too soft for solid construction. You saw off a part for further analysis.
A less common and smaller type of tree does turn out to be made out of sturdy, dark woodlike material. This one is more work to saw, but you manage.
The most common type of plant is this prickly weed. You pull a small one from the ground and take it with you.
Another fairly common one you gather is something looking more like an oddly shaped mushroom.
You want to keep searching, hoping to find at least one giant turnip, ignoring a soft drip of rain. But you stop in alarm as a thunder sounds above you. Dark clouds have gathered above you as you were busy and it starts to pour down. You decide to return. The badlands are not good at absorbing water and quickly become drenched. Your quad gets stuck in a muddy pool on the way back. You get off and start to pull. You're both tired, but Phryne uses the strength of her exoskeleton to get it unstuck. As you're finally done, looking at the situation and soaking wet, you wonder if it is wise to have the quad carry two persons in these conditions.
And then Nigel hears a familiar call. Daedalus descends from the grey skies, looking at the two of you with its peculiar large eyes. Nigel, in a hunch, walks over to the dangerously large beast and pats it. Daedalus bends into a low position, allowing Nigel to get onto its back.
"Are you really sure about this?" asks Phryne suspiciously.
"Relax Phryne, I'll be fine." says Nigel.
Daedalus slowly takes off, careful not to let this strange creature fall from its back. All it has to hold onto his skin is a weak pair of claws. It flies at low altitude to the shiny thing with the other creatures in it.
Back at the base, Nigel can't wait to carry out an idea he had, in spite of his limbs feeling like lead. Full of excitement he runs back outside, where Daedalus still lingers. He uses a datapad to show the beast a few pictures of his own house back on Mars. Nigel feels a pang of homesickness himself, but Daedalus doesn't really seem to understand the function of the tablet. He gives it a wet sniff and is distracted.
Nigel tries pictures of his family. This briefly catches the attention of the beast. But when Nigel shows a scene of Earthly nature, Daedalus emits a few screeches and flies off to a group of other Pteroleons. With a sigh, Nigel resigns and finds himself a warm dry bed.
While this is all going on, Lucy uses her artificial intelligence to sharpen the closest available camera images of the Lorelei into this enhanced picture.
It is now the Expansion phase. You get to propose any sort of ways to expand, build structures, reorganise yourself, conquer new terrain, etc.
As always, please don't hesitate to name things.
spaceship: Currently on the ground. Serves as a small base for your colony. It has many small basic tools on board.
miniaturized nuclear power plant: It will last for twenty years, but has a limited energy output.
food reserves: Dry, the tastes are never quite satisfying. Enough to keep the crew alive for roughly a year.
Mushroom plot: The colony now has a small experimental mushroom plot. For now this doesn't substantially increase your food supply yet, but it adds some welcome variation.
Reconnaissance drone: A small drone that will be able to explore terrain. Vulnerable to bad weather.
Quad: A small vehicle with large all-terrain wheels. Runs on an electric engine.
Gene bank: Genetic diversity must be preserved in the long run. That is why you have a cooled unit full of human sperm and egg cells on board. Once you are ready to increase population, you have the means to prevent inbreeding.
It also contains the seeds of many different Earthly species, in case you want to farm or raise pets later.
Solar Panels: You have a 50 m2 flexible, lightweight and foldable solar panel that can be taken apart into smaller modules. It is somewhat vulnerable to harsh weather without additional protection layer (that you'd have to produce locally). A smaller, more sturdy one is attached to the quad, to restore battery power in case of need.
Recyclotron: a small facility to filter water and make it drinkable (within limits, there are contaminants it can't filter).
Creek Canal: a canal branches off the creek and leads up to the colony base. From there, it's easy to pump it up with a hose and turn it into safe drinking water.
Medical Supplies: a luxurious kit for first aid and treat a variety of diseases
Training Ropes: elastic ropes for various physical exercises
Laser guns (4): light, but reliable weapons that do not run out of ammo
3D printer: what it says on the box. Printing material is limited.
Rare Minerals: you have a small supply of a few rare, useful chemical compounds. They can be used for making explosives and many other purposes.
Perimeter: You installed light posts at various points around the camp. Within a radius of about 500 meter you can now turn them on to light the area at night when desired. Attracts strange bugs.
Daedalus:Nigel Rosenburg befriended a large Pteroleon, named Daedalus. It allowed him a ride on its back. It's not a pet that can be commanded, though. It's a bond of mutual respect.
Phryne de Lys (Xvareon): 2 influence
Grace Rayland (a1s): 2 influence
Turo Celsa (mightymushroom): 1 influence
Nigel Rosenburg (Nirur Torir): 3 influence
unexploited, exploited
AB-4: Moss, Shale, Magnetite, Salt, Fresh Water (creek), Pteroleons, brightly colored bugs
AC-5: Wood (soft spongy type), Wood (harder type), prickly weed, oddly shaped mushroom, Large Thrashing Creatures, Crawling Creatures (Pteroleon prey)
AA-6: Sandy Clay, Wood (soft spongy type), Wood (harder type), prickly weed, oddly shaped mushroom, Crawling Creatures (Pteroleon prey)
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Topic: Delta Pavonis C - Exploitation, Turn 2 (new players welcome) (Read 8564 times)