TURNTURNTURN
Research phase 1: a new friend. (roll: [3+4+4] -2 (Normal) +1 (Social specialty) = 10, Unexpected Boon)
At the initiative of Nigel Rosenburg (+1 influence), you passively study the Pteroleons prying around your base. A few small sound recorders are installed at the light posts to study their cackling, clicking noises. You carefully follow them around with the drone to get a better idea where they go, what they eat and what they do.
The first thing you notice is that they seem to be monomorphic: there is no visible difference between sexes. If they have a sex at all. They do vary in size, with the larger ones seemingly in the lead. You do not observe them fighting to establish a pecking order, though. As for diet, the Preroleons are quite large (standing taller than a human when they land) and as such, they seem to be quite high up the food chain. Luckily, while they seemingly playfully follow the drone in the air sometimes, they do not attempt to grab it. You carefully follow a group of three to the edge of the forest and see them eat both plant material and they catch a few creatures that you see crawling through the forest in a large group. The prey looks like this:
While the brightest engineers in the crew work on algorithms to analyze recorded Pteroleon sounds, Nigel carefully approaches a group of them near the base. As before, he can't escape the impression the creatures study him as much as he studies them. A particularly large individual (standing almost two meters tall) among them looks directly at Nigel and then emits a loud series of noises. It sounds crass and yet melodious, in a way. The group flies off to the forest. After a while they return. The large Pteroleon approaches Nigel slowly and cautiously, carrying a soggy white round object with a diameter of about 30 cm. It looks vaguely like a giant turnip. The beast carefully puts it on the ground in front of Nigel and takes a few steps back, with a soft "krrrrrrr.." Nigel hesitates, but then picks it up. Oof, that's heavy. Nigel stumbles and drops it. The Preroleon cocks its head and comes closer, sniffing on Nigel and giving him a gentle poke with its head.
Nigel stands up. "Huh? Oh thanks". He nervously pats the beast.
A minute later the beast is carrying the giant turnip and walking alongside Nigel, back to the base. Phryne runs toward Nigel to defend him if necessary. The beast drops his "turnip" again and flies off, with a final nod to Nigel.
In the following days, Nigel and the large Pteroleon further bond. It does not behave as an obedient pet, but rather they develop mutual trust and respect. They can't directly communicate, but Nigel is ever more convinced that he is dealing with a highly intelligent species. Grace makes a meal out of the white "turnip". It tastes a little bitter but refreshing.
You discover that they're not at the very top of the food chain, though. One evening you notice the Pteroleons seem to be agitated by something to the north. They nervously fly around and loudly emit what sounds like a warning. After this has continued for a while, two of them fly off. You decide to follow them from a distance with the drone. It turns out they are heading to the river. You notice a few black tentacles emerge from the water and then disappearing again. The two Pteroleons directly fly toward it. As they arrive at the location, a tentacle grabs one of them and drags it under water. The Pteroleon doesn't seem to resist at all. A few moments later the other Pteroleon is grabbed and disappears as well. And then it's over. A minute later you briefly glimpse a tentacle above water, much further downstream. And that's all you find out about it. The other Pteroleons calm down.
As you're busy with all of this, the number of bugs attracted by at night by the lights increases. One night your cameras record a giant bioluminous thing flying nearby one of the lights. Unfortunately you don't get to know much else about it.
Studying the Pteroleon language, your conclusion for now is that they have highly developed speech patterns, comparable to dolphins. Indeed, like dolphins they each have a unique special pattern of clicks and caws that they might be using to identify themselves. You aren't able to fully understand it, but it is clear that some patterns correspond to "Danger". You also try out playing back some sounds to see how they respond. Replaying Pteroleon sounds leads to some excitement initially, but they soon lose interest and ignore it. You do find out that they like classical music; they respond by coming closer, seemingly calming down and imitating some of the sounds.
Following them to identify flight patterns does not reveal any nest location. All you find out on this subject is that they seem to sleep somewhere deep in the mountains and eat in the wetlands. All in all, as all good research it has answered some questions but left you with new questions. In any case, Nigel has a new friend. On the final day of the phase it even lets Nigel have a brief ride on its back - it takes just as long as Nigel can handle without losing grip.
It is now the Exploration phase. You get to propose any sort of exploration plans or new ways to explore. In addition, Nigel gets to name his new friend. You're welcome to give names to other things you discovered as well, of course.
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.
Friendly Pteroleon:Nigel Rosenburg befriended a large Pteroleon. 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): 2 influence
unexploited, exploited
AB-4: Moss, Shale, Magnetite, Salt, Fresh Water (creek), Pteroleons, brightly colored bugs
AC-5: Wood (wetland forest), Plants (wetland forest), Large Thrashing Creatures, Crawling Creatures (Pteroleon prey)
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Topic: Delta Pavonis C - Exploitation, Turn 2 (new players welcome) (Read 8482 times)