Video episode originally posted Feb 1, 2023
Transcript of Play
Fabum and Doceep are still in the air, carrying the plant cutting and the data pad containing information about the Martians’ hypnotic plants. Doceep, a scientist, previously said he might be able to develop a way to break the hypnotic hold, though it would take time and may not be entirely safe.
With that in mind, Fabum decides to return to Smuy’s hut, where the captured Martian medic is still being held. The plan is to use the medic’s knowledge, Doceep’s scientific background, and whatever resources they can muster to develop a method to break the hypnotic control.
- Chaos die: expected scene
They descend in the chariot into Smuy’s remote, bioluminescent vine-covered hut. Smuy greets them. “I’ve been hearing fighting… What’s going on?”
“It’s bad,” Fabum says. “Some sylicates have been hypnotized. We let them loose in the village, and it’s a mess. We may have hurt some during our attack. The Martians are probably on their way. Do you still have the medic?”
“Yes,” Smuy says, still petting his fuzzy gruen. “Still got them tied up.”
Fabum attempts to charm the medic into helping them, offering freedom in return.
- Fabum charm check: success with a threat.
“I agree,” the medic says, “but you need to untie me now.”
Fabum agrees and turns to Doceep. “You said you might be able to develop something to break the hypnotic suggestion. This Martian is going to help you. You’ve got the cutting, the data pad. What can you do?”
- Doceep science check: five successes with one threat
Doceep gets to work, putting things together and operating. The medic is giving pointers. Just because I think it would be cool, they attach a module to Fabum’s Dream Ray that allows her to fire and dispel the hypnotic suggestion.
The threat means it causes temporary dizziness or confusion for the target. Doceep also modifies his own standard-issue arbitrator weapon with the same capability.
They let the medic go. At this point, it’s chaos anyway.
Chaos factor drops to six.
Feeling prepared, they mount the chariot again. They can still hear distant fighting and decide to return to the village to free as many people as possible.
- Chaos die: altered scene
Is the fighting still going on?
- Fate: no
Have the hypnotized sylicates taken control?
- Fate: yes
Fabum and Doceep fly over to find the village empty, with a group of hypnotized sylicates heading away from it, transporting other sylicates as captives back toward the Martian compound.
Fabum fires her Dream Ray.
- Fabum firing check: No success and two threats.
She misses, and now some of the civilians are confused. Not only that, the hypnotized sylicates become aware of their presence. They return fire.
- Sylicate firing check: Success with threats.
They hit the already damaged chariot, worsening its condition.
- Doceep firing check: Failure with threats.
Doceep’s shot confuses more civilians.
Fabum says, “We need to try something else,” and attempts a piloting check to land in front of the group.
- Fabum piloting check: A triumph, a success, and some threats.
She lands the chariot in front of the procession, blocking the path and giving them cover. The hypnotized silicates are stunned, and don’t know what to do.
- Fabum firing check: success with advantage
Her next shot dispels the hypnosis from one sylicate, who stumbles into another.
- Sylicates firing check: success
The remaining hypnotized sylicates fire back and deal significant damage to the chariot, grounding it permanently.
- Doceep firing check: success with advantage
Doceep manages a successful shot that disrupts another target.
- Fabum firing check: failure with advantage
Fabum misses her next shot but knocks a branch down behind the sylicates, blocking their escape.
- Doceep firing check: failure with a threat
Doceep then accidentally hits Beigh, who is still hypnotized, injuring them slightly.
- Sylicates firing check: failure
The sylicates fire again but miss.
- Fabum firing check: success with a threat
Finally, Fabum scores a hit, breaking the last hypnotic hold. However, the battlefield is a mess. Confusion, injuries, and exhaustion are widespread.
Fabum and Doceep work to calm the crowd. Doceep does his best to allay the effects of the confusion and stunning.
Fabum checks the chariot: it’s beyond repair, and they lack supplies and tools. They suspect the Martians are on their way.
Is that the case? Are the Martians on their way?
- Fate: yes
On a scale of one to six, how soon will they get here?
- d6: 4
Knowing they have a little time, they guide the group back to the village to regroup.
Fabum: “We need to get everyone back to the village, back to safety.”
Doceep: “Yes, I agree.”
They pack up, help the injured ones, and head back to the village.
Before leaving, Fabum unhooks the pterosaur and says, “You’re free. If you can get help, go. If not, I wish you the best. Thank you for your service. You are released from duty.”
Chaos increases to seven.
Back at the village, the sylicates begin to settle and set up defenses.
They are anticipating a retaliation from the Martians.
Chaos die: expected scene.
On a scale of one to six, what kind of a force do the Martians have?
- d6: 4
Noticeable but not overwhelming.
Are the Martians also under hypnotic control? Can Fabum and Doceep disrupt them, or are they loyal to their cause?
- Fate: no
The disruption weapons won’t work.
Fabum and Doceep change their weapons to be able to hit the Martians.
Fabum takes an early shot.
- Fabum firing check: failure with advantage
She misses, but her attack disrupts the Martians’ patrol and scare them a little.
- Martians firing check: failure with advantage
Their return barrage fails to breach the sylicate barrier but causes debris to fall, making terrain more difficult.
Can the sylicates weapons stand up against the Martians?
- Fate: yes
The sylicates’ weapons prove effective enough to stand against the Martians. They have things made out of rock and rocks that can explode.
- Sylicate firing check: failure
They launch an attack but miss. Still at a standstill.
- Fabum firing check: success with five threats
Fabum scores a big hit but tumbles over the barrier and lands exposed on the other side.
Do the Martians target Fabum or the barrier?
- Fate: Fabum
The Martians target Fabum.
- Martians firing check: success
Rolling determines that she takes some damage.
- Sylicate firing check: Triumph
The sylicates retaliate, causing a large explosion that knocks out Martian equipment. Fabum seizes the moment and says: “Is this worth it? Whatever experiment you’ve got going on, whatever you’ve promised your elders, do you really want to risk it on a village of sylicates? Look what they’ve been able to do with that massive explosion! You have a choice. You can turn around right now, or you can face your doom.”
Fabum coercion check: failure
The Martians are unmoved. Are they going to keep attacking Fabum or turn their focus to the barrier?
- Fate: barrier
- Martians firing check: success
They continue their assault, damaging the barrier with their laser guns. The barrier starts to shake and crumble a little bit.
- Sylicate firing check: failure
Does the pterosaur come back with reinforcements?
- Fate: yes
The pterosaur arrives, bringing jungle creatures who join the fight, because they’ve also been impacted by the Martian facility. The Martians are stunned they are surrounded on every side.
- Animal attack: success
Now things are totally out of control. Now there are creatures and beasts of every shape and size imaginable totally disrupting the Martians. This is way more than they bargained for.
Do the Martains give up?
- Fate: yes
Between the sylicate’s explosive rock weapons and the pterosaur flying around and all these creatures coming of the jungle, the Martian commander says: “We’re out of here! Retreat! Retreat!” The Martians retreat to their facility.
Fabum returns inside the barrier. The sylicates cheer. They have freed their people from the hypnotic suggestions and repelled the Martians. We don’t know what might happen in the future, but for now they’ve pushed back the aggressors
That night, they celebrate. Beigh plays his flute. They’re all gathered around the fire.
Afterward, Fabum speaks with him privately.
“I know you said things couldn’t work between us,” she says. “Was that the hypnosis talking? Can we maybe still work this out and be together?”
- Fate: yes
“Yes,” Beigh replies. “I didn’t mean any of it. I do really like you, Fabum, and I’ve enjoyed the time we’ve got to spend together while you’ve been working in our village. I’m sorry I’ve been mind controlled for most of it. But yes, I’m interested in exploring where this can go.”
They embrace.
Later, Fabum speaks with Doceep. “I know you couldn’t share what you were working one. But it seems like I figured it out anyway.”
Doceep says, “I’ve contacted the Saurian Arbitrators’ Guild Level Nine. Reinforcements are on the way. They’re going to help secure the situation. They might be a little interested in the work that you’ve done. I’ll put in a good word for you.”
Fabum thanks him. The campaign ends with peace, for now.