The Ninth World Turns Recap #002  - Embrace the Glow

Campaign Day 001

Turn 1 Recap:

Narrative 1: Slowly rising out of the general commotion of business as usual, you all begin to hear a buzz and feel a static energy in the air. Around you, you notice the air appear to thicken, the daylight loses its edge, everything begins to dim & takes on a slightly blue tinge. The faces of many of the commoners that had appeared to unload the caravan come into focus, across their faces you suddenly see what appears to be a blue neon glow, as the day darkens the glow intensifies. For each man and woman, the glow has a different form, appearing like war paint. A horizontal bar across the eyes here, a vertical stripe there, a hand-print across the face, and myriad more designs, a unique mark for each fighter. There must be a score or more marked combatants, each suddenly armed. One man cries out “Death to the Robber-Barons!” a woman nearby screams “For Milave!” They move with extreme speed, hacking apart the guards nearby just as the day is beginning to dim. Their speed only seems to increase as the neon glow brightens and the buzzing intensifies. They are targeting Sidney Mintz and any that come between them and their target, guard or common bystander.

Character Actions 1: What are your characters first impressions of the chaos? How do you respond immediately to the dimming and the violence?

Azzuretta did a nice slow glide over the people and their strange devices just coming into the human nest. She could tell that something was up but had no idea what... She needed to get to her pet human before things went and happened. As she turned she saw the walking rock... and was amazed to sense that it was alive. She focused her attention on it and knew her human would too... but she detected no malice or anger... just sadness at not being allowed to fly free. She knew her human would think of it as an enemy. She would just have to put a stop to that. She pumped her wings harder to get to Jay Zin before he did something stupid.

Mechanus - Look for something unusual... What the hell does that mean? unusual like that walking statue or unusual like the strange bird-reptile gliding above.

Nonetheless, Mechanus nodded, "Yes, sir." For all his faults, Muur had treated him well and deserved his loyalty but Mechanus promised to break away from him should Muur start treating him like he did some of the others.

The lights started dimming and Mechanus had no problem identifying the cause and those that were benefited. "Muur, those with blue paint on their faces are using some strange device to gain an advantage..."

Then. Chaos.

His own device started whirring and Mechanus got a sense that he could avoid the sluggish effect. His surface circuits started to adjust but he had to interrupt this task. Moving out of the way of a spear thrust seemed more important. He felt sluggish, the heat was oppressive…

Basai felt the electrical shift in the air in the minerals of hir body, similar to how a human might experience a shift in atmospheric pressure, and hummed thoughtfully, pausing to look up as the quality of light shifted. There was a commotion over by the caravan and the diruk rumbled defensively, dropping the crate as shi hunched over, hands flexed and ready for combat as shi assessed the situation. Slowly, shi picked up the two devices at hir feet – shi knew better than to leave things laying around. One seemed to be a grenade... the other some sort of spherical ingestible.

A man pulled something out of his pocket and the light dimmed as people with glowing faces stepped forward announcing their intent to rob Mintz. There was a buzzing in the warehouse but Basai had no idea if the two were related. The Diruk puffed out steam in a bubble of laughter as the guards were slain where they stood and the rebels moved out into the courtyard, clustering around those blasted slavers. Rolling hir shoulders, the Diruk noted the button-pusher's location and appearance but did not move towards the figure... instead shi turned, backhanding Gover as shi turned.

Basai connected solidly, knocking the hated guard into the wall hard to crack bones - a shoulder or ribs, it was hard to tell from the way he slumped to the ground in a heap. The motion caught the rebels' attention and shi waved them over, puffing in what shi hoped they would interpret as a positive way – light and airy, excited bursts with crystals flickering from green through red as a chorus of emotion ran through hir. Hopefully backhanding Gover demonstrated hir intents enough...

Basai perceived the rebel running at hir through the dim, from the rebel’s perspective she was approaching cautiously. The rebel had just seen what looked to be the slowest punch of her life, and the slow reaction of the scarred guard. The crack that rang through the air as the Diruk connected sounded fierce, the stone fist packed quite the punch - the guard looked dead, slumped on the ground and bleeding out. The rebel whispered “I sure hope you are on our side” as she applied the paint to Basai. The world suddenly slows down for Basai.

<Free GM Intrusion>Not understanding the numenera, Basai believes that the paint itself causes the speed adjustment. Crunchy: Shi will suffer penalties to any actions regarding identifying, turning off or altering the numenera in the warehouse or the device held by the button-pusher. Fluffy: Shi will not readily understand any conversation about “the dimming” unless it specifically talks about the paint or the speed.

To all if you have the glow then the non-glowing people appear slowed, if you are non-glowing - the glowing people are moving at super speed. Either way, people in your similar condition appear to move normally.

Jay Zin - As Jay walked up to the caravan he felt Giddy.

I'm sneaking in just like John Olivers, or Bretta Swiftwinds.... I'm a real hero, just like the stories.

A sudden gust of adrenaline shot through him as he saw the stranger pull the device out of his pouch and activate the button. Jay Zin looks at the two guards in front of him and draws their attention to the man with the device.

“That man has a device... he's going to ... do something... to someone…”

Real suave... hero...real suave...

The two guards saw the man with the device but were too slow to stop him... As the strange dimming started to actually take effect Jay looked around trying to figure out who was fighting who and why.

It's a rebellion against the local merchants... Regular people trying to free themselves against Tyranny. But which side am I supposed to be on. Do I side with the Government and put down the insurrectionists who are so willfully throwing away the lives of the innocent with their own.... or do I oppose the evil overlords imposing their will on the innocent masses. This part is never in the stories.

The guards turn to see the button-pusher, they shout “Numenera!” and “Stop!” They also begin to run towards the man when suddenly the world begins to dim. A nearby commoner steps in front of the guard carrying a crate, looking around confusedly as his vision shifts. The guard sees that some commoners faces are beginning to glow and, angered, he strikes out with his spear, felling the bystander. The guards continue forwards.

Breona taps her foot restlessly, having returned from the tent entrance back to the desk. Seated on a chair, she is kneading the fingers of her left hand with her right, cracking knuckles. Her back is to the entrance, her mind elsewhere. Gerrit continues to blabber about all the things he wants to do once the transaction is complete.

The light in the tent takes an odd quality, turning dimmer, and even in here the blue tinge of the light is visible. Breona is not the fastest to react to changing situations, but slowly turns her head in wonder, her skin prickling from the burst of static energy. Suddenly their attendant screams, and the guards draw their weapons, albeit more sluggishly than one would expect.

Someone's using a numenera device. A powerful one! Hm, possible effect on reaction time? Fascinating! It's both a thrilling thought as well as scary, as Breona rises from her chair. She tugs on Gerrit's arm. He shrugs her off, all of his bluster forgotten as he dives behind the desk in a panic. He gestures wildly to her to hide as well, but Breona refuses to cower in fear. She needs to know what's going on.

Daks watched intently as the Diruk worked, trying his best to stay out of sight, but to be honest he wasn’t even sure shi could see. I wonder if they sees thing like us. Maybe it’s some sort of heat vision, or by sound. Surely not smell… But his train of thought was interrupted. A sudden feeling of grogginess spread over him. He scanned the area, his head moving slowly. He heard the scream behind him but by the time he had turned around the guards were lying dead on the ground. Two rebels with faces painted stood over the dead guards. Another two ran to shut the entrance gate. The paint on their faces radiated, and they moved quickly, seemingly unaffected by the strange device causing Daks to feel so encumbered. He locked eyes with one of the rebels, looking again at the paint. Numenera! So that’s their trick huh? I’ve got to get some of that paint...Again his thought process was interrupted by a scream as battle broke out amongst the courtyard. ”Death to the Robber-Barons!” The courtyard erupted in battle.

Narrative 2: Mintz breaks for his compound, running in what looks like slow motion. Gerritt cowers behind table and gestures emphatically for Breona to follow suit. Muur shouts “Guards to the wagons! Keep the rabble at bay!” The caravan guards slowly move to obey, keeping out of the way of the skirmishing guards and rebels. The guards around the tent begin running towards Mintz, looking to defend him. They ignore Breona and Gerritt (as long as you aren’t attacking them.) There is some open combat here and there. The rebels have three main fronts: attacking Mintz, securing the entrance, and entering the warehouse. The “button-pusher” is shouting commands, he appears to be the leader. As he approaches the warehouse, the remaining guard falls back and attempts to close the warehouse door. The leader makes two appeals to all those around: “Help us overthrow the tyrants, help yourselves to the wealth inside that is rightly yours!” The guards near the barracks have backed up to the door and are calling for reinforcements.

Character Actions 2: As the drama unfolds and each faction starts to have a clearer goal, how do each of you begin to respond? You can each assume certain actions - if you are near a rebel he will tell you to join him or get out the way, a guard will attack you unless you are cowering or running screaming for cover, if you are near one of the main NPC’s he will offer you a reward to help him. If you tell a rebel that you will join them, they will offer to quickly apply paint to your face. If you try to search a wagon, the caravan guards will try to stop you.

Jay Zin then saw The big blue Rock Man for the first time... and it absolutely murdered that guard... Holy Metallic Toe Tweezers... Creature from elsewhere.... Yep charter says I gotta kill it…

Jay pulls out his crossbow and takes aim on Basai... He could feel that this was going to be the perfect shot. He smiles reaches for the trigger... and has a Xi-Drake land in front of him in the last second ruining the perfect shot...

By the Pope's Glowing Underwares Azzure... You just Ruined my shot!!

Azzuretta just shook her head and hissed.

What do you mean I can't kill him... He's a CREATURE FROM ELSEWHERE!!!

Again Azzuretta shook her head and hissed in a way that would look identical to the first time to an outsider,

Look we're in the middle of a fight and don't have time for this... Just get out of the way

Of course a third hiss and headshake.

so what? Are we supposed to join the blue man group?

this time the Xi-drake makes no discernable response. Jay Zin throws his arms up in the air in exasperation, stops, looks around, sees the rebels behind him, and stomps over to them.

In a sullen tone... reeking of annoyance...

“I've just been informed that I'm on your side... I guess... Let me have some blue paint…” At that moment Azzuretta pokes her head up between Jay's arm and body... “Oh and she wants some too.”

The rebels near you have broken forces, some are pursuing the guards that you previously called out to. Another makes for the gated entrance. As one nears you, you make your appeal. He quickly applies paint to you both, saying “Today we take back what is rightly ours!” and continues after the guards.

Basai - Just to emphasize hir alignment, the Diruk tossed the grenade at the guards north of hir, hoping the grenade did something helpful – it looked like a weapon, it ought to do something dangerous.

“I want out,” Basai rumbled as clearly as shi could, “You killed the guards, I'll help.” A decisive exhalation of steam punctuated hir comment.

Your grenade lands in the perfect position <minor effect +1 rd.>, the throw felt normal but the device appeared to slow as soon as it left your hand. Careening through the air in slow motion, the two guards saw it coming but were equally slow in reacting. The numenera struck the wall behind them and erupted into a cloud of mustard colored gas. As the gas dissipated from its original intensity into a lingering could, you could see the two guards and a nearby commoner all buckled over on the ground, retching.

The rebel that applied the paint smiles warily, she puts her hand on you and says “Thank you, I’m glad I put my trust in you… Can you help us further? We need something from in there…” She points at the warehouse.

Daks - Pulling off his leather gloves and focusing his mind as Sek Tuk had taught him he sent rippling bolts of electricity down his arms. This could get interesting Daks thought as he pulled his shield from his side and drew his verred, electricity crackling between the two blades. A rebel turned to him and seeing his sword drawn, shouted to his partner, closing in on him. Thinking quickly Daks yelled out. “Death to the Robber- Baron!” Raising sword in the air, and trying his best to keep the fear from his voice. He grimaced as the rebel raised his hand, but his hand was glowing blue, and Daks felt a relief wash over him as the paint touched his face, invigorating him. “Alright I’m going to go… Uh… Kill some guards!” He shouted, as he tried to make his way towards the Diruk. Maybe I can aid her… Um… Him? Aid in the Diruks escape! But the crowd in front of him was too thick. It was utter chaos. Guards and rebels were locked in combat. Citizens were running for their lives. There was even a man fighting a Xin Drake! Or was he arguing with a Xin Drake? It was too much to take in. With no other options Draks grabbed at his belt and flipped a hidden switch. Here goes nothing! He felt the muscles in his legs tighten like springs. It hurt at first, but as he jumped he felt the pressure release, throwing him forward, launching himself across the courtyard towards the Diruk. “Woooohoo!” As he came crashing down behind the Diruk he slid, rolled, and picked himself back up quick as he could. The Diruk turned to him. Daks smiled, ready for his adventure to finally beginning. “I’m Daks! I'm here to help!”

The button-pusher had long been planning this moment, carefully guarding the device on the caravan ride down from Orilla. Persuading Mintz to purchase the object. Connecting with the rebel cell nearby, and persuading them to gather their forces for the attack. Today is the day! Finally! He signaled his compatriots and on the count of three, pushed the button. Together they approached the warehouse, he had seen the Diruk earlier, and was fingering a Cypher incase she would turn out to be a foe. He smiled when he saw the visitant smash a nearby guard, and was nearly beside himself when he saw the creature throw the grenade at the nearby guards. The men ahead of him had swiftly dealt with the first warehouse guard, but the second one had backed up into one of the warehouse entrances. The button-pusher mused It will be harder to use speed to our advantage if we can’t surround the guard. This thought was interrupted the sound of a screaming, followed by a sudden whooshing sound. A young man hit the ground next to the button-pusher, hard. He then skidded along the ground for ten feet or so, before stopping himself on hands and knees. The button-pusher noticed that the man was glowing blue. On his knees, the boy made eyes with the Diruk and mouthed, out of breath - “I’m Daks! I’m here to help!” The button-pusher helped the boy to his feet, “Catch your breath, boy. Then help us take this warehouse! I bet that guard can’t move fast enough to dodge one or two of your arrows.” <Long Range is up to 100 feet. You jumped something like 180 feet here, which I am allowing - just so long as you let me have fun with your landing :) >

Breona - The guards have dashed outside, and the sound of fighting is clearly audible. Breona is closely watching the near vicinity of the tent, standing to the side of the entrance. She makes no sign of choosing any side, and remains quiet. There are shouts, and they don't bode well. "Help us overthrow the tyrants, help yourselves to the wealth inside that is rightly yours!" is clearly audible though Breona cannot locate the source of the battle cry. Not the best time to be a visiting merchant trying to do business.

She reaches for one of the two precious cyphers she owns, ready to throw the Lutin spores if either guards or rebels make an aggressive move towards those in the tent.

The two guards to your right start moving, one runs just ahead of you, looking to intercept anyone that might be chasing Mintz, the other runs through the tent behind you, making to secure the compound entrance. You hear clearly that the guards near the barracks are yelling for reinforcements.

Mechanus - Overthrow the tyrant? I'm not part of this... 

With hands up but glowing with energy in case he had to use it, Mechanus stayed out of the way.

Muur rallied his own guards but also protected his own caravan. he also had nothing to do with the tyrant or his adversaries.

The nano asked Muur, "What do we do boss? Should I turn the platform around?"

Muur scrambled up onto the platform with you, seeing a number of the glowing rebels approaching unnerved you all, but you realized that their eyes were set on a different target. Muur mused “Hold tight, my man. We just need to see what game these men are playing at. We might have a hand to offer either side just yet. There is profit in this, if we can find the angle.” The caravan guards grouped up to protect their boss. You heard an explosion from behind you, you and Muur both threw yourselves deeper into you cover, cringing momentarily before realizing that you were just out of range of the blast cloud. The sounds of men vomiting reached your ears. Muur, hesitatingly restated “Just hold on…”

Turn 2 Description:

Narrative 1: The rebels have managed to close & bar the entrance gate. Muffled sounds and thuds reveal that the guards from the street are trying to make their way in through the door, but it is heavily secured. A lone guard defends the open warehouse door, there are many other warehouse doors along the wall that are all closed. The rebels are slowly approaching that guard, looking to the button-pusher for leadership. A group of rebels have started off towards the Guard Barracks, and a few are running towards Mintz. Mintz has been making his way towards his compound, most of the remaining guards are running interference for him.

Actions 1:

Narrative 2: Mintz makes it to his compound door, most of the guards are gathered around the door, all trying to get to safety before the glowing men make it across the courtyard. More guards appear at the barracks door as the four rebels are each about 20 feet from the door. The guards approach button-pusher from the side, they arrive in melee range just as the rebels behind them are catching up, leaving the guards flanked by rebels.

Actions 2:

<Recap Format> - Much of the narrative in these ongoing turns takes place in my blue comments during the recap. Each player has their own momentum with the story now, so the Turn 2 Narrative section is lighter and the actions are open ended. How are each of you dealing with whatever is going on around you. The action in this turn might be lighter for some and heavier for others, depending on where you are on the map. If you aren’t in the middle of the action yourself. Feel free to use the space for internal dialogue as you see the events happening around you. (I really want to hear what everyone thinks about seeing Daks go flying through the air across the courtyard) Or create action around you. If something isn’t on the map, that doesn’t mean it can’t be. You want a bystander to be cowering nearby but they aren’t on the map? Is there a crate nearby that has busted open and has something cool in it? Describe it well enough and I’ll accommodate. I am not in the habit of saying “No...” I like to say “Yes, and...”

Really great roleplaying everybody! I am really enjoying this game so far! I love what you are all doing.

Don’t hesitate to ask any questions about expectations or format in discussion tab with [ooc]

Cyphers: (all pages #’s refer to Technology Compendium - let me know if you don’t have book and I will add more detail)

For those of you new to Numenera - don’t be scared to use your cyphers! You will always find more cyphers than you can (safely) carry.  

Grid - 5ft squares

Map link