Daniel Andrlik [GM]: Welcome to Explorers Wanted. We are a weekly Numenera actual play podcast. I'll be your humble GM, Daniel Andrlik. With me today is Samson Davis. Sampson Davis [Dili]: Hi. Daniel Andrlik [GM]: Alex Finn. Alex Finn [ChaCha]: So if you're also concerned about your dogs I'm giving you a pain guy, that's the life I'm living. Farted in my face like nine times the other night. Sampson Davis [Dili]: Just full of disrespect. Daniel Andrlik [GM]: Stace Babcock. Stace Babcock [Nix: My furry son, I'm a little bit concerned about his screen time because Onyx has taken to enjoying YouTube videos of cats which I let him watch because he needed to be quiet while my husband was on an important Zoom call and created a monster. So every day before I go to work, he asks me to turn on the TV and I put on eight hours or 10 hours of bird videos for him. Alex Finn [ChaCha]: There's this really another show that one of my ex's cats really liked. It's like a monkey like reality TV show that's in the vein of Meerkat Manor. So it's supposed to be just like following these wild monkeys but they're narrating it with like, "This is their personality, we've given them all names and here's the interpersonal relationship." And I swear to God, if they could train them, they would do the confessional bloop moments. But yeah, it's on Netflix somewhere, it's like monkey something. Stace Babcock [Nix: Well, if I run out of 10 hour YouTube video, so [inaudible 00:02:01]. Daniel Andrlik [GM]: Yeah, there you go. And we're joined again... There's no way to connect this in a logical way. And joining us again is special guest Dan Rodriguez. Daniel Rodriguez [Zacc]: I tried playing one of those 10 hour bird videos for my cat and I don't know what it is like other people's cats can just watch those and be chill. My cat just goes MURDER and tries to kill my 65 inch flat screen TV, for which I paid a lot of money. Alex Finn [ChaCha]: Just get your cat an iPad. Daniel Rodriguez [Zacc]: No, iPads doesn't curb anything. It's a big screen. The birds on the screen are about life size. She just takes one look and goes like, "Murder". Anyway, hey, I'm Dan, glad to be here again. Daniel Andrlik [GM]: Listeners as you know, Dan is among other things, he is from the Fandible Actual Play Podcast which is absolutely great. Actually a whole different series of podcasts, a network, if you will. And Dan is also a game designer. Dan tell the listeners again just if some... For some reason they came into this one first. Daniel Rodriguez [Zacc]: I question your choices in life but at the same time also, you know what, you do you. Some people just like to live for the moment and in the chaos of it and if you want to come in, this is the point of the story. Alex Finn [ChaCha]: Just listen on shuffle. Daniel Rodriguez [Zacc]: Exactly. This if this is the point of the story where you choose to come in then you know what, God's speed. And in that case, you haven't heard that I am a... I wanted to say prolific game creator but I know some of the people in the industry put out a game a week. They're amazing and I live in eternal jealousy. But I, myself, have put out a few games, again from the seminal work Three Goblins in a Trenchcoat and it's expansion themed around the revolutionary American War Three if by trench coat in which I present the expanded rules to form a goblin voltron with five or more players. Exactly. It really did make some waves in the industry. So in addition to that, I've written the game that has been described as the melancholy and an oddly deep chasm corpses in which you die and that's not your cat's problem, it still needs to get fed. So there's that. And a few other more recent games and more in the vein of exploring new worlds, getting to know your powers as a child and just generally having a good time with friends. My design ethos as I have also placed on the other thing that I do lately, in addition to the podcast, which is my site where I talk about game design and I have explained that my game beside ethos is, "You are all bad people and you deserve this." And I really think that shows through my work. Daniel Andrlik [GM]: Welcome back. Daniel Rodriguez [Zacc]: Glad to be here. Daniel Andrlik [GM]: Hey, Sampson. Sampson Davis [Dili]: Hey, how's it going? Daniel Andrlik [GM]: Pretty good. What do you have in your dice tray right now? Sampson Davis [Dili]: Some dice. What do you have in yours right now? Wait, that's right. You're the DM, you don't get to roll dice. Too bad because you could be rolling some diehard dice right now. And hey, listener, how about you as well? So just head on over to Die Hard dice and you can use our diceffiliate code ExplorersWanted at checkout and get 10% off your order and you can roll the dice that Dan probably wishes he had. Well, he has but wishes he could actually roll and tell a friend to do it, [inaudible 00:05:11], be done, be gone away. Daniel Andrlik [GM]: Okay, who remembers what happened last time? I'm going to pick on Dan. Daniel Rodriguez [Zacc]: [inaudible 00:05:19]. So let's see. Well first of all, there was a bit of a flashback in which my character Zacc learned but certain recent events they were more recent at the time of the flashback because that's how flashbacks work. He did learn about the death of a friend and he was given a small quest of his own to go find the gang. The gang being of course the trio of [inaudible 00:05:46] who have unleashed just a ridiculous amount of death chaos destruction and then just general devastation onto the land of late. And so the guards were like, "Yeah. Can we just... Maybe we can just sit down for a moment and just hash this out, figure out a few things. Can you go and just let him know. That'd be nice." And Zacc, being helpful the kind that he is, he did indeed go and he was lucky enough to find them very quickly in his quest because it turns out they were at the first place he looked, convenient how that works. Daniel Andrlik [GM]: Narratively so, I might say. Daniel Rodriguez [Zacc]: Exactly. He couldn't have written it better himself. And that's great when you don't have to embellish the stories afterwards because they just work out for you. And so he snuck in to try and see them and for his struggle was not eaten by Nix, thankfully. There was a real risk of that, so Dili thankfully called out and revealed that this was Zacc and so therefore saved his life. And Zacc paid him back by making him feel really bad about killing [inaudible 00:06:56]. So he sat down with them at the fire, a conversation was had. He told them he was not angry, he was just disappointed. And then they all had themselves... Well, not all of them had themselves a good night's sleep but there was some was had and then we went to loot the corpses. We were next to the training grounds where said corpses were and they were looted. We found a library which was also narratively conveniently not squished. Although technically no, there was a dice roll. This was left up to chance and chance to say there would be books. So we found some interesting books, they were put in a bag for Dili to read because we've established that Dili is the only person in this universe who reads and by character literally has certain ability when it comes to that stuff, so it's not going to be me. And then after some more talking in general hearts to hearts, we decided that rather than go and immediately rescue Nix's mom, which was going to take us about half a year to get there. And after Dan reminded us that I'm here as a guest player and not joining the cast for the next six months... I mean, I appreciate the attempt but I really do have other things to do as well. So it was decided that we should go to that safe house and have that chat. And as soon as we headed out, keeping in mind that at any moment we were going to be attacked by one or more assassins or monsters or [inaudible 00:08:27] the way we set down the path and we're very quickly be set upon by I believe four 15 foot tall beings of some kind. And I remembered all of that because I just did it, like a minute ago. Don't ask me any of this tomorrow. Daniel Andrlik [GM]: There was also the body that was hanging at the edge of the tree line that said, "Be Seeing You." Daniel Rodriguez [Zacc]: Yes there was that. But presumably left by the one of the four mentioned assassins. Daniel Andrlik [GM]: And yeah, so these four figures of as we're moving across towards you, directly at you, sort of in your general direction. They're about 15 foot tall, humanoid-ish like seemingly covered jet-black, synth armor and they've got this glowing light in the center of their chests. It's like a very strong contrast between their armor and this almost like pure white light. And they come to a stop and they turn and they look directly at Dili. Sampson Davis [Dili]: Okay. Cool. Do these look like robots? Is there like a visor that Dili can see meat in? Daniel Andrlik [GM]: You don't see meat. [crosstalk 00:09:39]. Sampson Davis [Dili]: These are beyond robots. Alright, Dili will whisper, "Crap. I think they could see me, okay. Be prepared to run I guess or fight? Well, Nix, how do you feel about this [inaudible 00:09:57]?" Stace Babcock [Nix: Attacking Dili? Sampson Davis [Dili]: "Are we?" Are they moving towards us or just looking. Daniel Andrlik [GM]: They're looking right now. Sampson Davis [Dili]: Just back away slowly. Stace Babcock [Nix: Yeah. Let's just... Yeah. Sampson Davis [Dili]: Yeah. Stace Babcock [Nix: Fade into the... Sampson Davis [Dili]: I'll just slowly step back deeper into the woods. Try not to draw aggro. Daniel Andrlik [GM]: They take a step towards you. Sampson Davis [Dili]: Okay, nevermind. Well, may as well try it. Dili will create an illusory self that he will have still sneak through the woods. Still trying to have the illusion be stealthy but just to see if the robots take the bait. Daniel Andrlik [GM]: They don't. Sampson Davis [Dili]: Damn it. Okay. Alex Finn [ChaCha]: Shit. They're smelling you. Sampson Davis [Dili]: No. It's working. I'm wearing a stone. Do we just go? Do we just run? Because they're not attacking us. They're just looking. Alex Finn [ChaCha] Can you outrun them? Sampson Davis [Dili]: I can keep up with you guys. Alex Finn [ChaCha]: For how long? Stace Babcock [Nix]: Are they Reapers or they're robots? Sampson Davis [Dili]: These aren't Reapers? Reapers would have attacked by now. Daniel Rodriguez [Zacc]: Maybe they want to talk. Stace Babcock [Nix: Yeah. That's what I was thinking, Zacc. Maybe we just be like, "What's up?" Daniel Rodriguez [Zacc]: They haven't attacked yet. If we don't attack and they don't attack but they're not barely leaving us alone. So we may as well say hi. Stace Babcock [Nix: That's what I'm thinking. Yeah. Daniel Rodriguez [Zacc]: Be ready to run duck, whatever but Hi. Sampson Davis [Dili]: Yeah, okay. Maybe you guys stay back just for the moment and Dili will come out leaving the shadowy illusion hiding the others behind. Stace Babcock [Nix: Nix doesn't listen to Dili. Sampson Davis [Dili]: Okay. Dan Rodriguez [Zacc]: Zacc does however. Sampson Davis [Dili]: Alright. But Dili will slowly approach these guys. Daniel Andrlik [GM]: Mm-hmm (affirmative). Sampson Davis [Dili]: And then when- Daniel Andrlik [GM]: As Nix steps out, they look at Nix. Stace Babcock [Nix: What's up? Daniel Andrlik [GM]: And they seem to be splitting their attention between you two. One of them is staring at the illusion. Sampson Davis [Dili]: Hey, you guys. What are you looking at? Daniel Andrlik [GM]: Okay, Dili. I don't know why Dili is leaving this attempt but give me a social roll of 21. Sampson Davis [Dili]: That is a 15 with the free levels of efforts. I'm not going to add more because it's Dili. Three, that's about right. Daniel Andrlik [GM]: Yeah. The one that is looking at the illusion points at it and then looks at you and points at you instead. Stace Babcock [Nix: Hey guys. Have you met our friend Zacc? Daniel Rodriguez [Zacc]: Meanwhile in the side I was like, "Damn it. There you all are. Well, hello. Sorry about that I was just in the woods, there are deeds. I can't help but notice you noticing." And yeah, he's like trying to get their attention then see what happens. Daniel Andrlik [GM]: Okay. So because Dili flubbed the first roll, it goes up a level. So it's 24. But you've got Nix introducing you, so that'll bring it back down to 21. And then your... Whatever you've got for social interaction? Daniel Rodriguez [Zacc]: Yeah. I've got a specialized in all tasks involving positive or pleasant social interaction, or if not, then persuasion or deception should cover me. But either way, I'm going to say I'm probably specialized in this kind of escalation down thing. And I am going to as I'm walking out, I believe, intense interaction is a three intellect points action. So I do have to take this as an action to activate this. I don't know if just my process of walking out is basically activating this as I speak? Daniel Andrlik [GM]: Yeah, you can speak and activate this. Daniel Rodriguez [Zacc]: All right. So yeah, so that gives me an asset on intimidating, persuading or influencing for 10 minutes. So I'll take that as well. So that brings it down 21, 18, 15. Daniel Andrlik [GM]: Correct. It was that 15 Before your extra ability you just activated. Daniel Rodriguez [Zacc]: Okay, so I'm at 12 now then. Daniel Andrlik [GM]: Mm-hmm (affirmative). Daniel Rodriguez [Zacc]: Okay, great. And I'm going to spend one level of effort to bring that down to nine. This is Intellect , correct? Daniel Andrlik [GM]: Yep. Daniel Rodriguez [Zacc]: Okay. And I have one edge in Intellect] spent two points [inaudible 00:14:11]. Alright and I roll. Let's see what I get. Jesus fuck no. Yeah, that's a net one [crosstalk 00:14:19]. Alex Finn [ChaCha]: I was going to say I have five, I can give you one. Daniel Rodriguez [Zacc]: I've got two XP, I'll use my own XP for that. So, this is not one I want to get a one on. Combat might happen anyway but [crosstalk 00:14:35]. Alex Finn [ChaCha]: I mean, it may be funny though. Daniel Rodriguez [Zacc]: It's probably hilarious. But again, like we're just starting the episode off with a chance for me to just be just completely obliterated. So not spending one xp [inaudible 00:14:46] Jesus. No, I still won't make it. I got an eight. So that's a... This is the thing I am best at in the world. Nope. Daniel Andrlik [GM]: Yeah. Yeah, that's rough. Maybe you're unnerved. Daniel Rodriguez [Zacc]: I'm clearly, yeah. I got it, they were really focused on Dili. Zacc, for all that he's, quote unquote, forgiven Dili, he still knows that whatever is in Dili, it's a little bit like a wild animal, so I think that's got him off his game. Either way yeah, now there's an awkwardness to his words or his presentation or something that just does not fly. Daniel Andrlik [GM]: Mm-hmm (affirmative). Okay, yeah, so they do not move. They're not swayed by what Zacc is doing at all. And that one points back at the illusion again and then points at Dili. Daniel Rodriguez [Zacc]: Not swayed by my charms. Not swayed by my charms. Sampson Davis [Dili]: So with that illusion still in range of Dili and ChaCha hiding, Dili is going to alter the illusion slightly so that ChaCha here is just right next to her ear, "Hide behind something real." And then after a few seconds Dili will drop the illusion. Daniel Andrlik [GM]: Did ChaCha use that opportunity to hide? Alex Finn [ChaCha]: What real objects are nearby? Sampson Davis [Dili]: Trees, I guess. Alex Finn [ChaCha]: Besides Nix. Daniel Andrlik [GM]: There are some trees, there's... It's probably your best bet honestly. Unless you're going to try to hide behind a person. Alex Finn [ChaCha]: That's what I was saying. Is everyone hiding? Daniel Rodriguez [Zacc]: But they're all out beyond the illusion. Alex Finn [ChaCha]: I need to ask myself a question. Okay, we're hiding behind a tree. Daniel Andrlik [GM]: This will be a stealth roll of 21. Alex Finn [ChaCha]: Wait. It didn't even occur to me to wait for you to just like say it and I was like, "Okay." And I got an 11 so I'm like, "Okay." Daniel Andrlik [GM]: Yeah. So ChaCha is... She's picked the narrowest tree. Just like one of those incredibly... It's as thin as like a single bamboo all alone on its own and she's trying to hide behind that when the illusion drops. And at that point, all four of them turn and look directly at ChaCha and the lights and their chests begin glowing brightly. And it's going to be initiative time . Stace Babcock [Nix]: God dammit. Daniel Rodriguez [Zacc]: Alright, Fine. [crosstalk 00:17:05] Stace Babcock [Nix]: Why does it not want to talk they always want to fight? Sampson Davis [Dili]: Because we're bad at that one. Daniel Rodriguez [Zacc]: I'm good at that one and I still just don't know. Daniel Andrlik [GM]: Yeah, I mean, if the social role had succeeded, there was definitely a way out of this to avoid combat with these guys. But... Daniel Rodriguez [Zacc]: Yeah. Sometimes the dice. You know what, this is on the dice. The dice wanted to fight. Alex Finn [ChaCha]: Mm-hmm (affirmative). Daniel Andrlik [GM]: Yeah. Okay, what do we got? Stace Babcock [Nix: 12. Sampson Davis [Dili]: Dili got 12. Alex Finn [ChaCha]: ChaCha has a five. Daniel Andrlik [GM]: What about Nix. Stace Babcock [Nix: 12 for Nix as well. Daniel Rodriguez [Zacc]: That's a 12 for me as well, yeah. [crosstalk 00:17:38]. Daniel Andrlik [GM]: Okay. Okay, so these things are going to go first. Two of them are going to run up towards ChaCha. They're going to swing their mean fists at you, which sort of split off into these strange, animated tendrils kind of like a Vemon suit. And yeah, so you are going to give me two speed defense rolls of 21. Alex Finn [ChaCha]: Damn. Alex Finn [ChaCha]: Can I get an asset because I'm trained in running? Daniel Andrlik [GM]: No, sorry. Not the same thing as speed defense. Alex Finn [ChaCha]: It should be. I guess I should use the level of effort, just maybe, on both of them. That one's a 19. Daniel Andrlik [GM]: Okay, so that one's hand misses. Alex Finn [ChaCha]: There is more than one level of effort on this next one, tend to be down to a 15. So why am I not thinking about this math wise? Why am I bad at this? Daniel, why am I bad at this? Daniel Andrlik [GM]: I can answer that question for you. Alex Finn [ChaCha]: The next... Wait, can I use my minor effect to get an asset from the 19? Daniel Andrlik [GM]: Sure. Alex Finn [ChaCha]: Yes. So now I'm looking for a 15. 17. Try to gear up my ghost hand. Daniel Andrlik [GM]: Okay, cool. Okay. So the next hand tries to grab you and misses. One of them is going to attack Dili. Dili, please make it 21 speed defense roll. Sampson Davis [Dili]: Holy shit. Alright. Two levels of efforts to bring it to a 15. Nine. Daniel Andrlik [GM]: Okay. It grabs you in its big tendril paws. Stace Babcock [Nix: Nix will take that attack. Sampson Davis [Dili]: Dope. Daniel Andrlik [GM]: Okay, Nix gets caught instead. The next one is going to attack Zacc. 21 speed defense. Daniel Rodriguez [Zacc]: Alright. I'm trained in speed defense, so that brings it down to an 18. Do I get a free level of effort on speed. So brings it down to 15. I'm going to spend another effort so that's two points to bring it down to a 12. And I'm going to roll and see what happens. That is a 12 exactly. Daniel Andrlik [GM]: Okay. You managed to dodge its big tendrils. Daniel Rodriguez [Zacc]: So since it missed, I think there's a thing I can... Yes, I can just seize opportunity. Four speed points to succeed it on the speed defense, roll to assistant attack, I gave an action. So I'm going to do that. And sorry guys you know what's coming, I'm going to use vanish. Daniel Andrlik [GM]: Yeah. Daniel Rodriguez [Zacc]: You know what happens is it's like that anime thing where they swipe and it looks like they hit him and then they just [inaudible 00:20:22] like it's a... And the vision disappears and Zacc was never there. Daniel Andrlik [GM]: Yeah. Daniel Rodriguez [Zacc]: Just a [inaudible 00:20:32] so let me spend a little points on that. But yes, that was my action that Zacc is effectively invisible until the end of the next round. Daniel Andrlik [GM]: Okay, cool. So then next up could be Nix, Dili or Zacc. Stace Babcock [Nix: Nix took the attack so her turn is actually done. Daniel Andrlik [GM]: Alright. So Dili or Zacc? Daniel Rodriguez [Zacc]: Actually the thing is this is all Dili because Zacc is also invisible and cannot take any further... Because he used seize opportunities so he... All he's doing this round is hiding. Daniel Andrlik [GM]: Got you. Sampson Davis [Dili]: Okay. How roughly close are they together, these big boys? Daniel Andrlik [GM]: They're big enough that they probably are standing... Probably when they were initially walking, they were about you about almost exactly 10 feet space from each other. But now they're a little bit more spread out. I mean, they're all within... For example, if you were trying to throw a grenade and trying to get multiple ones, if that was what you were trying to do, you'd probably get two in an immediate range. Sampson Davis [Dili]: I wish I could but the grenade I have probably isn't going to work on these guys. Daniel Andrlik [GM]: Mm-hmm (affirmative). Sampson Davis [Dili]: So instead, Dili is going to take out the weaver drone, pull some of the rope out and then attach the drone part of it onto the knee of the creature that is holding Nix and then run probably to the closest one and run around that one and then back so that he's kind of looping the legs of at least two of them together and he's going to try to ATAT this thing. Daniel Andrlik [GM]: Okay, cool. Give me two 15 might rolls. Sampson Davis [Dili]: Okay. Yeah, I got so much right now. I'm going to put two levels of effort into the first one. That's [inaudible 00:22:07] there... Yeah, so 13. That'll work for the first one. And then another two levels of efforts for a second roll. Second roll is a miss. Daniel Andrlik [GM]: Okay, so you get this cable across the first two legs but as you're trying to go to get the second leg, one of the legs moves forward. And in order to avoid getting stomped on, you have to leap out of the way... Sampson Davis [Dili]: Mm-hmm (affirmative). Okay. Daniel Andrlik [GM]: ... but can't loop it. Sampson Davis [Dili]: Damn. Daniel Andrlik [GM]: ChaCha. Alex Finn [ChaCha]: Yes. Daniel Andrlik [GM]: You've got two of these things that just tried to attack you. And then two others that are attacking Dili and Zacc respectively. But they miss Dili because Nix took the attack. So Nix is in the hands of one of them. Sampson Davis [Dili]: And Zacc is nowhere to be seen. Alex Finn [ChaCha]: Well, we have to fix the fact that Nix is now in the possession of a robot. I guess we're going to shoot that robots hand. Daniel Andrlik [GM]: Mm-hmm (affirmative). Okay. So give me a 15. You have a pew-pew. That'll lower it to a 12. Alex Finn [ChaCha]: Nice. I got a 15. Yeah. Daniel Andrlik [GM]: Okay. Can you hit that [crosstalk 00:23:09]. It does not like that blast through its hand. So we go back to the top and it's these guys turns. The one that is holding Nix lifts her up and throws her 120 feet into the air. Stace Babcock [Nix: Rude. Sampson Davis [Dili]: So this is why you asked that one question earlier. Daniel Andrlik [GM]: And Nix, you will fall to the ground eventually and will take 12 points of damage. Stace Babcock [Nix: Armor help? Daniel Andrlik [GM]: Yes. Stace Babcock [Nix: Sweet. Only 11 points of damage. Daniel Andrlik [GM]: The next one is going to attack ChaCha. Alex Finn [ChaCha]: Goddammit. Daniel Andrlik [GM]: That's a 21 speed defense. Alex Finn [ChaCha]: I guess we're going to have to put a little bit more of effort solely to make it possible. Does Cirque du Soleil work for like- Daniel Andrlik [GM]: No. Alex Finn [ChaCha]: Come on. Daniel Andrlik [GM]: It'll never work for combat. Alex Finn [ChaCha]: Use a little level of effort. I got an 18. Daniel Andrlik [GM]: Okay. And you'll take a second attack for 21. Alex Finn [ChaCha]: Bless Mother Hubbard. How much damage does this attack do? Daniel Andrlik [GM]: Depends what it's trying to do. This one doesn't look like it's trying to grab you. It looks like it's trying to hit you. Alex Finn [ChaCha]: I guess I have to use another level of effort. This is really mean Daniel. It's not fair. You're picking on me. You're bullying. Sampson Davis [Dili]: Welcome to my whole campaign. Alex Finn [ChaCha]: I mean, it was [inaudible 00:24:50]... Just because I'm no longer a sickly Victorian pug and just a Victorian pug, doesn't mean you can bully me. 19. Daniel Andrlik [GM]: It swings at you and misses, what would you like for a minor effect? Alex Finn [ChaCha]: An asset. Just like an asset out there that I can be like, "Yes, please." Or in the case of emergency and other person can be like, "Yes, please." Daniel Andrlik [GM]: Zacc, your friend is going to swing at you. So I ask for 21 speed events. Daniel Rodriguez [Zacc]: Well, I guess by this round I am once again visible. Daniel Andrlik [GM]: That's right. Yeah. Daniel Rodriguez [Zacc]: Well, I mean... Daniel Andrlik [GM]: It's not your turn yet though [crosstalk 00:25:27]. Daniel Rodriguez [Zacc]: So technically, it still can't see me. Daniel Andrlik [GM]: Yeah, it can't see you. So I guess it would swing at Dili then instead. Sampson Davis [Dili]: What the fuck Zacc. Daniel Rodriguez [Zacc]: Look, I've got a plan, just right now it mostly involves other people getting hit instead of me. Actually that is my plan for the future rounds as well. But I was thinking other people, as in the robots not you guys. Daniel Andrlik [GM]: So Dili, 21 speed defense. Sampson Davis [Dili]: It's 21 Speed defense. Man. I'm just going to take it because I have enough speed to lower to an 18 but I don't like my chances. So I'm just going to use those sweet points to take the damage or whatever is about to happened. Daniel Andrlik [GM]: They slap you hard for nine damage. Sampson Davis [Dili]: Yeah, that's what I needed. Daniel Andrlik [GM]: It could be Nix, Dili or Zacc. Daniel Rodriguez [Zacc]: I mean it's about time Zacc comes out of hiding at this point so... Originally, he had... As he was trying to figure out the situation, he had originally intended to go help ChaCha. He saw two of them heading in her direction. Because he thought, "Well, all right. Nix is a power house and Dili I'm sure can [inaudible 00:26:34]... Can defend himself and if not Nix has got him, let me help out ChaCha." And as he takes that one step he sees ChaCha dodgy left and right and then the other two, just getting their assets just beat. So he takes one step, reconsiders, stays where he is. Are two of them within effectively immediate range of me? Daniel Andrlik [GM]: Yes. Daniel Rodriguez [Zacc]: Okay then my action this round will be to activate my deadly mist cypher and I'm aiming it at... It says up to maximum... Up to multiple targets in immediate range. So them, too. It would inflict four points of damage on them this round and then half damage next round. So yeah, so basically, Zacc steps out from behind one of them where he'd been all along with a ground spray can kind of thing that he just like [inaudible 00:27:24] sprays into the air and both of these creatures get basically graffitied with it like this sort of black oily sludge that immediately... So you know how that ferro fluid, the X under magnets, that you pass through a magnet gets all like weird and spiky. It immediately starts doing that. Instead of bubbling, it's doing that on their... Whatever they're made out of. And with that I will like to also spend two speed points so use my tier two ability, getaway, which let's me move a short distance or get behind or beneath cover within immediate range. So he immediately ducks behind the nearest tree for cover upon doing this. Daniel Andrlik [GM]: Okay, cool. Sampson Davis [Dili]: Still gliding on his caterpillar shoes. Daniel Rodriguez [Zacc]: Yeah. Daniel Andrlik [GM]: Either Nix or Dili. Nix, you are currently facedown on the ground. Stace Babcock [Nix: Nix lifts up her face first. And it's just smashed and bleeding and she grins just an unholy grin. Would fleet of foot allow Nix to get up and attack or not? Daniel Andrlik [GM]: Yeah, I would give that to you. Stace Babcock [Nix: Okay, that. And she is going to take her handheld cypher and activate it and if she is capable of striking this robot, it will dramatically increase in weight and take plus two damage. Once I hit it in the head so that maybe it'll topple over... Daniel Andrlik [GM]: Okay, cool. Stace Babcock [Nix: ... onto its own head. What is it to hit? Daniel Andrlik [GM]: It's a 15 to hit. Stace Babcock [Nix: Okay. Unarmed 12. I'll spend my free level of might effort to make it a nine. 10. Daniel Andrlik [GM]: Okay. So you hit it for seven damage? No, nine damage. Stace Babcock [Nix: And it's head is super heavy. Daniel Andrlik [GM]: Okay. It kind of wobbles back and forth a little bit. Dili. Sampson Davis [Dili]: Dili is going to use major illusion. And he is going to make appear in various places around this whole battle arena, I guess like six foot tall versions of these strange humanoid figures. So that there's like, I don't know, 10 of them just around and at least four of them are going to be covering ChaCha, Nix and if Dili can see Zacc, Zacc as well. So that Dili's intent is to hide the others in illusions because it didn't seem like these creatures saw the others while they were in the illusions. They just saw the illusions. So that's what Dili is operating under. He is not hiding himself. He is suspecting that they can see him for whatever reason. Daniel Andrlik [GM]: Okay, cool. I don't think you need to do anything for that. It'll affect things otherwise later. Sampson Davis [Dili]: Mm-hmm (affirmative). Daniel Andrlik [GM]: ChaCha, what would you like to do? Alex Finn [ChaCha]: You left me so little options Daniel. If I ready myself to dodge, will that give me another asset? Daniel Andrlik [GM]: Sure. Alex Finn [ChaCha]: Okay, that's what I'm doing because you're being mean. Daniel Andrlik [GM]: Okay, if these guys turn again. So these are all pretty well hidden. So I think at least two of them are going to attack at Dili. Alex Finn [ChaCha]: God no. Sorry. Daniel Andrlik [GM]: 21 speed defense. Sampson Davis [Dili]: And I can't spend eight points if it would take me to zero, right? Daniel Andrlik [GM]: You could if it takes you to zero. If it takes you beyond zero, you can't spend that. Alex Finn [ChaCha]: You can call it for free asset. I gave you permission. Daniel Andrlik [GM]: Mm-hmm (affirmative). Sampson Davis [Dili]: Okay. Alex Finn [ChaCha]: Because I've established a second asset for myself. Sampson Davis [Dili]: I will call upon that free asset that ChaCha has created. Daniel Andrlik [GM]: Okay. That breaks it down to an 18. Sampson Davis [Dili]: Okay. Yeah, I'll save the speed for the next one. Eight. Daniel Andrlik [GM]: Okay, so that one hits you for nine damage. Sampson Davis [Dili]: I'm an idiot. I guess I was just going to lose it anyway. So that's... Okay. Daniel Andrlik [GM]: The other ones swinging at you. Actually it seems like it's trying to grab you. Sampson Davis [Dili]: Right. I can't do anything. I'm debilitated. Daniel Andrlik [GM]: Okay. Yeah. So it's 21. I mean, if you could roll on that 20, maybe. Sampson Davis [Dili]: I rolled a 19. That's what I rolled. Daniel Rodriguez [Zacc]: Man. Daniel Andrlik [GM]: Man. Okay, well, it gets you but you could have a minor effect. Sampson Davis [Dili]: Minor effect. How about I don't know what I can do with it but how about minor effect, Dili is still holding on to that Weaver drone cable. Daniel Andrlik [GM]: Okay, fair enough. So you've got a hold of that. The other one is going to, Stace, even or odd. Stace Babcock [Nix: Even. Daniel Andrlik [GM]: Okay. Dan, roll for me and tell me if you get an even or odd. Daniel Rodriguez [Zacc]: Alright. That's an 11 so that's odd. Daniel Andrlik [GM]: Okay, so one of these things is going to swing at the little miniature them that just happens to be the one that's covering up Nix. So Nix make a 21 speed defense. Stace Babcock [Nix: All right. So 15. Then Nix will spend a level of speed effort, 13. Daniel Andrlik [GM]: Yeah. So you dodge it as it tries to grab you in his hand. The other one, I don't know when they're going to attack. They're going to get somebody, is it going to be ChaCha out or is it going to be Dan? Dan evens or odds. Daniel Rodriguez [Zacc]: I'll take odds. Daniel Andrlik [GM]: Okay. Stace roll a die and tell me if you get even or odd. Stace Babcock [Nix: 11. Odd. Daniel Andrlik [GM]: Okay. So ChaCha, it happens this [inaudible 00:32:30] only use just a 21 speed defense. Alex Finn [ChaCha]: I have that other free asset. Daniel Andrlik [GM]: Yeah, that's 18. Daniel Rodriguez [Zacc]: But you guys remember that episode where only the guest player survived the fight? That was a good episode. Sampson Davis [Dili]: We'd like to do things differently here at Explorers Wanted. Alex Finn [ChaCha]: We like to TPK except the guest. Wait, did I say I was doing another level of effort? Because I did. I took it off my sheet and then I just like [inaudible 00:32:56]. Daniel Andrlik [GM]: I don't remember. I think... I don't think so. But anyway, so that'll make it a... Alex Finn [ChaCha]: 15? Daniel Andrlik [GM]: 15, yeah. Alex Finn [ChaCha]: I got a 16. I was just like, "Wait a minute. I told you, right?" I told you, right? Daniel Andrlik [GM]: Yeah, so it misses. Next up, Zacc. Daniel Rodriguez [Zacc]: Yes. Alright. So first of all, the two that I hit before taking the additional two points of damage from the bubbling, deadly, mist liquid thing. And I am behind cover and I suppose I will have to come out of cover to try and do something to these people. I'm not good at attacking, I'm good at not getting attacked or making other things happen when I get attacked. And I'm a trap character, not a fight character. So I'm going to... You know what, Dili is looking not great. I never wrote down all my equipments. I just put standard jack equipment. This is [inaudible 00:33:50] good for me. So I'm going to assume I have the standard or a jack, dart thrower or something. Your basic weapon that I can use to do an attack. So I'm going to do that on the one that's got Dili in it's clutches. So that's against the 21 speed attack by default. Daniel Andrlik [GM]: Yeah. But if you're using a dart thrower, it will be eased. So that makes it an 18. No, actually, they're big so they have less speed defense. So to 15, dart throw make it 12. Daniel Rodriguez [Zacc]: Well, in that case good because I have nothing else to really help me with this other than... This is a speed roll, right? For a dart throw. So I do have my free level of effort so that makes it a nine. So here we go. That is a 10. Daniel Andrlik [GM]: Okay. Daniel Rodriguez [Zacc]: Actually, because that's so close. I'm going to use one of my abilities Uncanny Luck. Roll task to speed roll again. It'll cost me four speed points, so just one here. And if the second roll is higher, I get a minor effect. If it's the same number again, I get a major effect. Daniel Andrlik [GM]: Okay. Daniel Rodriguez [Zacc]: If it's lower then it doesn't matter, it just goes through but I might as well try it. So rolling again because it was so low, I just want anything above a 10. Come on. Nat 20. Not a real nat 20 but it is definitely higher. Stace Babcock [Nix: Yes. Daniel Andrlik [GM]: Yep. Okay. Daniel Rodriguez [Zacc]: So it's a shame that net 20 only got me a minor effect technically under the rule. But I'll take it as to my understanding is that we are an extra damage family here so I will, go with the house rules and put that minor effect to a little bit extra damage [crosstalk 00:35:25]. Daniel Andrlik [GM]: So you feel like it was a very good thing that you did that because while your dart throw was perfect, you noticed that that armor is thick. It doesn't go quite as far as you would expect it to. But definitely that extra oomph is what managed to do some damage to it and you do see some almost purple fluid starting to leak out the side where the dart is jutting at. Daniel Rodriguez [Zacc]: Nice. Daniel Andrlik [GM]: Okay. Nix. Stace Babcock [Nix: Nix we'll go for that same one that seems to be killing Dili actively so. Daniel Andrlik [GM]: Okay, so it's a 15 before your stuff. Stace Babcock [Nix: Okay. And since you didn't have to move for this finally, activate moving like water. So that's an additional asset. Unarmed, so nine. And if it hits, I would like to use hemorrhage. Yeah, 16. Daniel Andrlik [GM]: Okay, so you hit it. Stace Babcock [Nix: And then on my next turn, it will take three additional damage ignoring armor. Daniel Andrlik [GM]: Okay. And how much this turn? Seven? Stace Babcock [Nix: Seven, yeah. Daniel Andrlik [GM]: Okay. Dili. Sampson Davis [Dili]: Dili is going to... And if he has the movement to do so within its grasp, try to unbutton his shirt. That's all Dili can really do. Daniel Andrlik [GM]: You unbutton your shirt, okay. ChaCha. Alex Finn [ChaCha]: Loses the top, my new shirt, for your turn [crosstalk 00:36:48]. So I'll just... Refresh my memory. Have we tried running? Just quirky cute? Daniel Andrlik [GM]: No, of course not. Alex Finn [ChaCha]: Why aren't we running? Sampson Davis [Dili]: Dili suggested that in the beginning. Alex Finn [ChaCha]: After we established they hit so hard so good. Daniel Rodriguez [Zacc]: Can we revisit running or talking again. Can we try that again? Sampson Davis [Dili]: This is pretty normal combat for Dili. So waiting for Nix cleanup at this point. Alex Finn [ChaCha]: I mean, are we even making dents in the robots? Daniel Rodriguez [Zacc]: Only on of them is bleeding. Alex Finn [ChaCha]: Do robot's bleed? Daniel Rodriguez [Zacc]: Who's going to do that three more times? Alex Finn [ChaCha]: I just... I've tried- Daniel Andrlik [GM]: So I will say one of them is pretty fucked up. The one that Nix has been wailing on while Dili has been being [crosstalk 00:37:41] well done by it. Stace Babcock [Nix: Is that the same one with a very heavy head? Daniel Andrlik [GM]: Yes. Stace Babcock [Nix: Does that do anything for us? Daniel Andrlik [GM]: Not yet. Alex Finn [ChaCha]: What does the very heavy head mean? Daniel Andrlik [GM]: There are two others that are somewhat damaged and then one that hasn't been damaged at all. Alex Finn [ChaCha]: I'm debating if ChaCha would be one of those people who would be like, "Come on, let's go. I'll initiate the going." I feel like... I know that she wouldn't actually. She would shoot the weak. In a combat situation only [inaudible 00:38:12]. Sampson Davis [Dili]: She's great with kids. Alex Finn [ChaCha]: Boy Howdy. Okay, so that's a 12 to hit the weak one, right? Daniel Andrlik [GM]: Mm-hmm (affirmative). Alex Finn [ChaCha]: But I got a 17. Daniel Andrlik [GM]: Okay. Alex Finn [ChaCha]: And a 14 for depletion. Daniel Andrlik [GM]: It's looking very bad. Alex Finn [ChaCha]: That's good. Daniel Andrlik [GM]: Next step is their turn. It is going to throw you 120 feet up in the air. Sampson Davis [Dili]: Now, Daniel, I'm holding on to the cable. Is perhaps that... Is this the one that the cable is attached to? Or by perhaps... Daniel Andrlik [GM]: Yes. Sampson Davis [Dili]: It is, okay. Then, if Dili can hold on, I think Dili only goes up like 50 feet max of the cable. Daniel Andrlik [GM]: Mm-hmm (affirmative). Yep. Sampson Davis [Dili]: Does that perhaps throw the robot off balance? Daniel Andrlik [GM]: Let's see if you could hold it strongly enough to do that. Sampson Davis [Dili]: [inaudible 00:39:04]. Daniel Andrlik [GM]: So these things throw at level eight. So it will be a 24 might defense or might roll of some sort. Sampson Davis [Dili]: I got zero might so that thing just flies out of Dili's hands and Dili just continues to spiral up. Daniel Andrlik [GM]: Okay. Sampson Davis [Dili]: But floats down. Daniel Andrlik [GM]: Yeah, you... So Zacc. What does Zacc see as Dili... Sampson Davis [Dili]: So Zacc see is still I get tossed up and then lose his grip on the cable, continue to spiral up and then at the height of it come back down and then just... I think he would see the silhouette balloon out slightly and then start to float down a little bit like a leaf. I don't know... I don't think Dili has much control over it so... Daniel Andrlik [GM]: I mean, you could try to get the hang of it. But it's like one of those wing suits. If you can instinctively aim. Sampson Davis [Dili]: He's got zero might and zero speed. So at this point, I don't think he could control it. Daniel Andrlik [GM]: Okay. Sampson Davis [Dili]: But yeah, you see just like Dili coming down like a weird flying squirrel. And then I think you'd also see that Dili has lost a lot of fat, although there's a lot of skin so he's kind of... He's getting a lot of his weight to cut but the skin is distracting. Daniel Andrlik [GM]: Yeah. Yeah, so Dili is coming down, buoyed on his flaps. One of these is going to attack Zacc. So that's 21. Daniel Rodriguez [Zacc]: Alright. So that's speed defense. Question, is there... Is this one near another one? Daniel Andrlik [GM]: Yes. Daniel Rodriguez [Zacc]: Okay, cool. That's okay. Just wanted to make sure. All right. So let me see here. So I am trained in speed defense that's from 21 to 18, I get a free level of effort that brings it down to 15. I'm going to [inaudible 00:41:05] effort to bring it down to 12. Let's see what I get. There we go as a 12 exactly. So they miss this which means I want to use misdirection which I believe lets me... Buckle up. Here we go. [inaudible 00:41:28] so I spent three speed points and I can redirect their attack to another creature within immediate range. So I'm going to try and redirect their attack that dismissed to the other thing. Which means I make an unmodified attack role against the new targets. There are no modifiers but I can apply effort for accuracy so I'm going to apply effort to make that role possible because otherwise I would have to be in that 20 to hit. Daniel Andrlik [GM]: Well, so the good thing is that their speed defense is only 15 to start with because they are big. Daniel Rodriguez [Zacc]: Okay. So in that case, I'm not going to spend the extra effort because I want some points left over, so I'm just going to roll and see if I get a 15 over. That is a 17. So it misses me and ends up slamming into its nearest compatriot instead. Stace Babcock [Nix]: Awesome. Daniel Rodriguez [Zacc]: Mm-hmm (affirmative). Daniel Andrlik [GM]: Okay, cool. So it hits them pretty hard. Daniel Rodriguez [Zacc]: I am good at not getting hit and causing chaos around battlefield, not so much direct combat. Daniel Andrlik [GM]: Yes. So one of them is going to swing at ChaCha. Well actually try to grab ChaCha. So that's 21 speed defense. Alex Finn [ChaCha]: How much damage does the grabbing do? Oh God. Daniel Andrlik [GM]: Depends on if they throw you or not. Alex Finn [ChaCha]: But just like the grabbing part. Daniel Andrlik [GM]: The grabbing part doesn't do any damage. Alex Finn [ChaCha]: I feel like ChaCha is going to accept the grab. Daniel Rodriguez [Zacc]: Join me in the sky ChaCha. Alex Finn [ChaCha]: Yes. Can Dili swoop in and ChaCha grab his legs like an eagle? Daniel Andrlik [GM]: Yeah. Alex Finn [ChaCha]: We're going to try it. Daniel Andrlik [GM]: Okay. So if you're accepting the grab to see if that scenario happens. Alex Finn [ChaCha]: Big dreams. Daniel Andrlik [GM]: So one of these hands grabs you. Next up is Zacc. Daniel Rodriguez [Zacc]: All right. So we still have four of them up then. None of them has gone down. Daniel Andrlik [GM]: Yes. Yeah. One of them looks really bad. One looks pretty bad and then one is hurt and the other one is untouched. Yeah. Got you. Daniel Rodriguez [Zacc]: The one that's really bad is the one that Nix hit with hemorrhage, right? Stace Babcock [Nix: Yeah. Daniel Andrlik [GM]: Mm-hmm (affirmative). Daniel Rodriguez [Zacc]: Okay. So I'm not going to bother with that one. No, one's probably going down this round. So I'm going to turn around with my little dart thrower to the next, most hurt in line. And with a nod in Nix direction because dope move. I like it. It's mine now. Memory becomes action, spend four intellect points and I want to copy Nix's hemorrhage as I throw a dart at this and try and hopefully leave him bleeding. And I believe we established it. It was base 15, 12. So basically, that is a 19 to it. Daniel Andrlik [GM]: Okay. Extra damage or minor effect? Daniel Rodriguez [Zacc]: Extra damage all the time. Stace Babcock [Nix: Damn straight. Daniel Rodriguez [Zacc]: And because of hemorrhage, which I have to spend two might points to activate, I believe. Daniel Andrlik [GM]: [inaudible 00:44:33]. Daniel Rodriguez [Zacc]: It does that. And it'll take another three next round. Daniel Andrlik [GM]: Okay, cool. Nix, the one that you hit with hemorrhage suddenly freezes up and the light dims and it falls to the ground face first. Stace Babcock [Nix: Hell yeah. Daniel Andrlik [GM]: And it is your turn. There is one that is untouched, another one that's in bad shape and one that is hurt but not nearly as bad shape as the others. Stace Babcock [Nix: Nix is going to go for the next worst one. Sampson Davis [Dili]: Hey guys, three more times. Daniel Andrlik [GM]: Okay. So that will be a 15. Stace Babcock [Nix: A 12 after Nix unarmed training. I'll spend my free level of my effort on to make it a nine. And then I will spend a level of my effort for damage. Nine! Daniel Andrlik [GM]: Okay. What does it look like when you destroy this one? Stace Babcock [Nix: Yeah. I want to think that Nix was like I'm going to toss this guy and just takes a very like low double-handed swing. And unfortunately it being a heavy metal robot doesn't work out quite. They don't go 120 feet in the air. Maybe three inches in the air but nevertheless, it does enough to knock it over. Daniel Rodriguez [Zacc]: Much like Rock 'Em Sock 'Em Robots. The head just goes [inaudible 00:45:51]- Stace Babcock [Nix: Yeah. Daniel Andrlik [GM]: Yeah. There's a gush of this purple blood-like fluid that just showers on Nix as its body falls back. Stace Babcock [Nix: I would love to use successive attack. Attack second foe as part of the action upon killing an enemy. Daniel Andrlik [GM]: Okay. So there is one that's untouched and another one that's injured. Stace Babcock [Nix: Injured. Same shit different robot. Daniel Andrlik [GM]: Okay. So that's 15. Stace Babcock [Nix: So includes the level of effort for hit and the level of effort for damage. Two levels of effort for damage. Stace Babcock [Nix]: Why not? Stace Babcock [Nix: 12. Daniel Andrlik [GM]: Okay. That's how much damage in total? Stace Babcock [Nix: 13. Alex Finn [ChaCha]: Dang. Daniel Andrlik [GM]: It's looking very bad shape as bad as the other ones look. Okay. Dili. You reached the ground safely. Sampson Davis [Dili]: Okay. Daniel Andrlik [GM]: No, actually, if you wanted to, you could aim towards ChaCha if you wanted to try to do your- Alex Finn [ChaCha]: Rocky and [crosstalk 00:46:47]. Sampson Davis [Dili]: Well, actually, if Dili was still in the air, how fast is slow fall in Numenera? Daniel Andrlik [GM]: It's a glider type thing. So if you wanted to try, you could probably slow your descent, otherwise you could be to the ground, this turn. Sampson Davis [Dili]: Well, since Dili can't really do shit at the moment like move to the slowest descent and actually take a shot at the one that's holding ChaCha as he is descending. Daniel Andrlik [GM]: Okay. So I'm going to hinder you on that because you can't move your arms too much. Otherwise you won't glide. Sampson Davis [Dili]: All right. Daniel Andrlik [GM]: So that just makes the 15. Yeah. Sampson Davis [Dili]: Yeah. Okay. Yeah. Because [inaudible 00:47:28] 13. Daniel Andrlik [GM]: Okay. Sampson Davis [Dili]: And 11 on the depletion roll. Daniel Andrlik [GM]: Okay. This is ChaCha. Alex Finn [ChaCha]: Yes. Daniel Andrlik [GM]: You were in this thing's hand. Alex Finn [ChaCha]: But which one is majorly hurt? Daniel Andrlik [GM]: The one that is holding you. Alex Finn [ChaCha]: Can ChaCha just like dirty harry pull up or [inaudible 00:47:44] and be like, feeling lucky, punk and shoot in the face. Would that be fun? Daniel Andrlik [GM]: Yeah. [crosstalk 00:47:53]. Yeah 12. Alex Finn [ChaCha]: 20, bitches. Daniel Rodriguez [Zacc]: Nice. Daniel Andrlik [GM]: Okay. Extra damage or major effect? Alex Finn [ChaCha]: Extra damage because I just want his head to explode. Daniel Andrlik [GM]: That is exactly what it does. Alex Finn [ChaCha]: Fuck yeah. Like sparkle farts. Boom. Daniel Andrlik [GM]: Okay. There's only one of these things left and it turns and looks at you guys, looks at its companions and seems to be weighing up its odds. It's going to try to take one more swing at ChaCha to try to grab her. Alex Finn [ChaCha]: Grab? Daniel Andrlik [GM]: So this is 21 speed defense Alex Finn [ChaCha]: Grab. ChaCha accepts grabs because it gets her in closer distances to shooting head. Daniel Andrlik [GM]: Okay. So it grabs you. Alex Finn [ChaCha]: Yay. Daniel Andrlik [GM]: And as soon as it grabs you it's says in this resonant voice, you haven't heard any of them talk up to this point. And it says, "The key is called." And it turns as if it's going to start trying to run away from the combat. Alex Finn [ChaCha]: It's going to snatch and grab Daniel Rodriguez [Zacc]: Yoink! Daniel Andrlik [GM]: So next up would be Zacc. Daniel Rodriguez [Zacc]: Yeah. That's fun. All right. Zacc is going to... Doesn't have a lot he can do here. So he is going to take a shot at it from behind. As it turns to run, he launches another dart in its general direction. Not going to use a memory... Actually no. Combat's hopefully almost over. Heck it. I am going to spend the points and his memory becomes action again to once again, imitate Nix's bleeding thing, hemorrhage, assuming I hit so let me [inaudible 00:49:40]. Work my roll button, there we go. So I got a 17 to hit with the dart. Daniel Andrlik [GM]: Okay. And were you doing any extra effort or anything for damage or anything like that? Daniel Rodriguez [Zacc]: No. No extra effort for damage, it was just straight up roll. But I did activate memory becomes action and again, mimicking hemorrhage so it will take an extra three points next round. Assuming Nix has not just demolished it by then. Daniel Andrlik [GM]: Okay. So the armor seems like bang up but you think you hit it somewhere sensitive, which is going to cause the bleeding. Okay. Nix, this creature is starting to run away with... It grabbed ChaCha and said, "The key is called." And then turned and ran. Stace Babcock [Nix: Yeah. Nix will use fleet of foot to catch up and attack. Daniel Andrlik [GM]: Okay. So that's a 15. Stace Babcock [Nix: Okay. And just so I know how much speed I have to spend. Was it a short distance away or a long distance away at this point? Daniel Andrlik [GM]: I would say short. Stace Babcock [Nix: So you said 15 and I haven't been applying, moving like water as always. So always very careful to activate it. 12, Nix is trained in unarmed. So nine. Let's see. One additional level of effort to hit and three for damage. Daniel Andrlik [GM]: Okay. So it's a six to hit? Stace Babcock [Nix: 14. Daniel Andrlik [GM]: Okay. So you hit it for? Stace Babcock [Nix: 16. Daniel Andrlik [GM]: Wow. Daniel Rodriguez [Zacc]: Damn. Alex Finn [ChaCha]: It goes, boom. Daniel Andrlik [GM]: Yeah. You've hit it hard. Dili. You are now on the ground. Sampson Davis [Dili]: Okay. I can't in my last few moments, try to pancake on top of this guy's head. Daniel Andrlik [GM]: Give me a might roll or a speed roll. 15. Sampson Davis [Dili]: That is a nine. Daniel Andrlik [GM]: Mm-hmm (affirmative). Yeah. Sampson Davis [Dili]: Dili just pancakes right behind it. Daniel Andrlik [GM]: Like there's this moment where ChaCha, you're in this thing's hand and Nix you're chasing after this thing and hitting it. And you see this moment where you see Dili stretched out wide like gliding in some hawk or eagle coming in for the kill. And then just completely miss the creatures head and start flying past heading face first towards the ground. Alex Finn [ChaCha]: Poor baby. Daniel Andrlik [GM]: I guess that's what Dili's doing. ChaCha this thing is running away with you. Sampson Davis [Dili]: How's that stack up against your manhuas? Alex Finn [ChaCha]: It's actually pretty common there. I'm just like, so he's an overbearing CEO who just doesn't accept No as an answer and just wants to take me back to his mansion. Okay. That's normal. Sampson Davis [Dili]: Bluebeard the robot Alex Finn [ChaCha]: According to manhuas, that means I should kick him in the nuts. Daniel Andrlik [GM]: Mm-hmm (affirmative). Alex Finn [ChaCha]: But I don't think that'll work on a robot. So I think I'm going to try and shoot this one in the head as well. I got another nat 20. Daniel Rodriguez [Zacc]: Nice. Alex Finn [ChaCha]: This grabbing thing really works. Daniel Andrlik [GM]: Extra damage? Alex Finn [ChaCha]: Yes. Daniel Andrlik [GM]: Extra damage or major effect? Alex Finn [ChaCha]: Extra damage. I got a three for depletion. Daniel Andrlik [GM]: Okay. This thing's head explodes. Can you make me another might or speed defense of 15 to avoid this thing landing on top of you as it falls? Alex Finn [ChaCha]: Okay. Sorry, I'm going to use a level of effort just in case that I used all of my rolling luck. Daniel Andrlik [GM]: Okay. Alex Finn [ChaCha]: Apparently I did master the dice throw because I got a third net 20. Daniel Rodriguez [Zacc]: Jesus. Sampson Davis [Dili]: Holy shit. Daniel Andrlik [GM]: Okay. So you dodge out of the way of this thing so that it doesn't fall on top of you, what would you like for a major effect? It is definitely dead. They're all dead now. Alex Finn [ChaCha]: I guess can we get some clues, a little, a hint-poo about what happened here? Daniel Andrlik [GM]: Yeah. So one of them whose head didn't explode, lifts up its head and reaches its hand for you ChaCha but it can't quite reach you. And it says, "The key was promised. The key is called." And then it collapses. Alex Finn [ChaCha]: Epic. I think ChaCha is going to look through her pockets to see if she has any keys. Daniel Andrlik [GM]: Nope. You just find Hubert the first, who is very hungry. Alex Finn [ChaCha]: I have to feed Hubert the First the first some protein bars. Daniel Andrlik [GM]: He actually looks pretty weak. It's almost like Hubert the First aged six years too. Daniel Rodriguez [Zacc]: He's close to death now. It's a miracle he is still alive. Alex Finn [ChaCha]: Yeah. But now he gets a protein bar and gets super jacked- Daniel Rodriguez [Zacc]: [crosstalk 00:54:17]. Never too late. Daniel Andrlik [GM]: You guys are out of combat. Sampson Davis[Dili]: Dili would like to make a recovery role. Daniel Rodriguez [Zacc]: Yeah. Daniel Andrlik [GM]: Two if he can. Stace Babcock [Nix: Yeah. Yeah. Daniel Rodriguez [Zacc]: I was going to say [crosstalk 00:54:27] probably check in on Dili like, "Hey, are we done?" I think [inaudible 00:54:32] they're all dead. That was [inaudible 00:54:36] okay. Not really. Kind of hit me hard. Yes I saw that. Doesn't suppose any of you is any good with that sort of thing. That's not my department. I tried to avoid that sort of thing in general. Sampson Davis[Dili]: Nix is our tank and DPS. The rest of us are just support. Stace Babcock [Nix: Nix came out of this pretty single digits in a couple categories. But Nix came out of this pretty okay. Despite being dropped to 120 feet on her face. Sampson Davis [Dili]: Yeah. Nix, did you do all that with those 35 pound plates in your backpack? Stace Babcock [Nix: That explains it. Daniel Rodriguez [Zacc]: She should have just dropped them [inaudible 00:55:13] true power. I was holding back all this time. Alex Finn[ChaCha]: That episode in Naruto. I like the meme better where he drops his pants instead of the weight. Daniel Andrlik [GM]: Stace. Stace Babcock [Nix: Yeah. Daniel Andrlik [GM]? I would like to offer you next an XP, who will you give the other one too. Stace Babcock [Nix: Sampson, because Dili might need some re-rolls. Alex Finn [ChaCha]: Mm-hmm (affirmative). Daniel Andrlik [GM]: Roll me 1d6. Stace Babcock [Nix: One. Daniel Andrlik [GM]: One of the plates in your backpack shatters when you fall. Stace Babcock [Nix: No. Flips. Another one on my on my tally, Zacc. What am I supposed to do? Daniel Rodriguez [Zacc]: That I can't even say that one was your fault. I [inaudible 00:56:00] jumping down. Okay. So that one was hard. I was worried about the ones coming after you and possibly we just set off. There's still two days of travel. Sampson Davis [Dili]: Why even wear those things? Stace Babcock [Nix: Let's take one apart Dili. Let's find out. Sampson Davis [Dili]: Yeah, just give me a few more minutes and Dili will slowly pull himself up. And then there's just kind of a flicker that ChaCha and Nix would kind of realize as Britton's regeneration thing. And I am once again, going to expend four XP and advance and get one edge in Might. Alex Finn[ChaCha]: Nice. Sampson Davis [Dili]: Dili though will sit up and then stop and then just breathe for like five minutes though. Daniel Andrlik [GM]: Okay. So are you guys going to try to take one of these things apart? Sampson Davis [Dili]: Yes. Daniel Andrlik [GM]: Okay. Sampson Davis [Dili]: The least destroyed one. Daniel Andrlik [GM]: So this armor is a piece of numenera. The thing that's underneath, it's like all muscle but you don't see clear facial structures or anything like that. It's like a living thing of just muscle and bone and no other organs. And it seems the bone that's in it is very slender, the armor seem to be holding this together. But the armor itself is interesting. Roll me 1d6, Sampson. Sampson Davis [Dili]: Five. Daniel Andrlik [GM]: Okay. You guys find five cyphers. Sampson Davis [Dili]: Holy shit. Also Dili will try to disconnect the cable from the drone so that we have 50 feet of rope. Daniel Andrlik [GM]: Yes, you can disconnect the cable. Sampson Davis [Dili]: Cool. Daniel Andrlik [GM]: The first cypher is a fetch, which is a small sentient automaton, which emerges from a copper sphere. It can carry up to 50 pounds and follows the user at all times. It lasts for 28 hours. Sampson Davis [Dili]: Okay. Daniel Andrlik [GM]: A sleep inducer. When you inject somebody with this, it puts the victim to sleep for 10 minutes or until awoken by a violent action or loud noise. Alex Finn [ChaCha]: This really seems like it was going to be kidnapping. Sampson Davis [Dili]: Mm-hmm (affirmative). Daniel Rodriguez [Zacc]: Mm-hmm (affirmative). Daniel Andrlik [GM]: A invisible armor nodule. For the next 28 hours, The armor the cypher is attached to is invisible Making the wearer appear to be unarmored. Alex Finn [ChaCha]: Yeah. This is a kidnapping. Where's the duct tape and rope? Daniel Andrlik [GM]: There is an instant shelter that with the addition of water and air, the small device expands into a one room structure with a door and a transparent window. It's 10 by 10 by 20. And then it becomes a permanent installation. Sampson Davis [Dili]: Okay. Daniel Andrlik [GM]: And then there's an adhesion cypher, which if you activate, it allows for automatic climbing of any surface, even horizontal for 20 minutes. Sampson Davis [Dili]: Okay. Daniel Andrlik [GM]: There's one other thing that you get and that happens to be an artifact. It's a weird little probability engine. Looks like a cube and it looks like it's made out of small white cubes And then also blue spheres. When you activate the item, the GM secretly rolls a D-20 and notes the result. Anytime the user chooses, they can replace the result of one roll with that number in the GM roll. And then every time you activate it, the GM rolls a new secret number to save. And it depletes in 1d100. Sampson Davis [Dili]: Mm-hmm (affirmative). Stace Babcock [Nix: Make Daniel roll dice artifact. Sampson Davis [Dili]: Now it can use those hot new diehard dice. They can get a diehard dice work. Dice [inaudible 00:59:14] code, explorerswanted 10% off your order. [inaudible 00:59:17]. How much armor for the invisible armor nodule? Daniel Andrlik [GM]: It doesn't add armor. If you have other armor that you're wearing, it makes that armor invisible. It makes it look like you're unarmored to somebody else. Sampson Davis [Dili]: Okay. Stace Babcock [Nix: None of us wear. Sampson Davis [Dili]: Yeah. All right. So I got a robot, I got a sleep inducer, I got a armor nodule, instant shelter and adhesion cypher and this fun tchotchke and Dili will take the probability engine. Any strong opinions? Stace Babcock [Nix: I'll take that sleep inducer Dili. Sampson Davis [Dili]: All right. Sleep inducer for Nix. Stace Babcock [Nix: And I can carry the instant shelter that helps. Sampson Davis [Dili]: You have a slot for it? Stace Babcock [Nix: Yeah. Sampson Davis [Dili]: Okay. ChaCha, Zacc. Stace Babcock [Nix: Hey. Daniel Rodriguez [Zacc]: I can help carry something if you need it. But frankly, from everything I've seen, you all need these things more than I do. Alex Finn [ChaCha]: We just use them as paper weights mostly actually. Sampson Davis [Dili]: Okay. I'll take the little robot because he's fun. Daniel Rodriguez [Zacc]: Yeah. I've got one empty slot so I can help carry stuff if needed. Sampson Davis [Dili]: Okay. ChaCha, you want the adhesion cipher. Alex Finn [ChaCha]: Okay. Sampson Davis [Dili]: All right. Okay. Adhesion cipher for ChaCha and the super useful invisible armor nodule for Zacc. I don't know. Maybe you can sell it. Daniel Andrlik [GM]: True. True. So what do you guys do no? You have taken apart one of these armors. Daniel Rodriguez [Zacc]: Maybe I'll wear armor one day and you'll never know Sampson Davis [Dili]: Yeah. Was there a time limit on that? Daniel Rodriguez [Zacc]: I think it was like 28 hours. Probably. It was like- Daniel Andrlik [GM]: It's 28 hours once it's activated. Daniel Rodriguez [Zacc]: Yeah. Standard day. Yeah. Sampson Davis [Dili]: Okay. Daniel Rodriguez [Zacc]: Just catch your breath and keep moving but you've still got. That's not the only thing hunting us. Sampson Davis [Dili]: Yeah. Let's walk and talk. But does anyone know what the hell they were talking about a key? Stace Babcock [Nix: I don't know. I guess I kind of just assumed since they were trying to take ChaCha, they meant that ChaCha as the key because she can open the door. Sampson Davis [Dili]: Fuck. Daniel Rodriguez [Zacc]: Right. That whole door situation, which we took a third path on. Looks like some people are not fans of that decision. Sampson Davis [Dili]: So then who do these guys represent? The horrors or the Imps or another group of people who want to kill us? Stace Babcock [Nix: Nix looks at Zacc like- Daniel Rodriguez [Zacc]: Hey, these are not mine. I have nothing to do with these ones. I [inaudible 01:01:33] but it adds the list. Stace Babcock [Nix: You may have been right Zacc about entirely new groups. Yeah. No, I see what you mean. Daniel Rodriguez [Zacc]: Right? Well, it's only going to get worse unless we kind of at least take stock and hopefully find a little bit of backup because right now it's you against increasingly more of the world with every passing day, as far as I can tell. Stace Babcock [Nix: Yeah. And I've been trying to set them up to fight each other but they only really kind of like seem interested in fighting us. Anyway, we should move. Daniel Rodriguez [Zacc]: Yeah. Everybody good to keep walking? All right. Good. Good. Yes. Sampson Davis [Dili]: Yeah. Walk and talk.. Daniel Andrlik [GM]: Okay. So you guys go for a day. You're going to have another day's worth of travel. You do need to camp for the night. How are you guys handling watches? Daniel Rodriguez [Zacc]: Zacc will take a watch. Alex Finn [ChaCha]: Evenly distributed. Sampson Davis [Dili]: Yeah. Dili will take the second one and activate the probability engine during it. See what it does. Daniel Andrlik [GM]: Okay. So you kind of evenly dividing at the watches among the four of you? Okay. Nix, in the morning you wake up, you feel like shit. You are six might points down. Sampson Davis [Dili]: Is any of this visible to the rest of us? Daniel Andrlik [GM]: She probably looks like really rough and hungover in the morning. Sampson Davis [Dili]: Nix do you eat something bad? Stace Babcock [Nix: Nix looks left, looks right. Has Zacc witnessed Nix eating habits? Daniel Rodriguez [Zacc]: I don't think he's ever seen it in personal. He was about to become a subject of earlier previous session. But no, I don't think he's ever. Yeah. No, he's never seen it in action. Stace Babcock [Nix: That would've just been Nix poisoning habits or venomizing habits. Daniel Rodriguez [Zacc]: I assume she was [inaudible 01:03:14]. Stace Babcock [Nix: She can, that's why it's possible. Daniel Rodriguez [Zacc]: Yeah, exactly. Stace Babcock [Nix: Just the usual Dili. He grabbed a couple snacks on watch. They were live when I ate them. So super fresh. Sampson Davis [Dili]: All right. You look a little haggard. Stace Babcock [Nix: I know. And I keep thinking I need to hydrate more and then I hydrate more and then I just have to pee a whole bunch and I still wake up feeling like shit. So I guess I need to hydrate even more. Sampson Davis [Dili]: Yeah. Maybe a juice cleanse would be my first thought but I don't know what a juice cleanse would be for you. Stace Babcock [Nix: What do you think? Only free range rodents or? I mean, that's what I'm doing though. Sampson Davis [Dili]: Maybe actual fruits, actual juice. Stace Babcock [Nix: Fruits? Sampson Davis [Dili]: No, I know it's going to clear you all out in unimaginable ways but I don't know. Just a thought, I don't know. Stace Babcock [Nix: Maybe I'll start cleaning them off before I eat them. Maybe wipe a rodent down. Sampson Davis [Dili]: At least rinse some. Yeah. Stace Babcock [Nix: Okay. And it's the human. Daniel Andrlik [GM]: Over the course of this conversation, Zacc, you have packed up everything that you had. Daniel Rodriguez [Zacc]: Yeah, he's ready to rejoin this conversation at this point. Once we arrive where we're going, we can always have a snake handler take a look at you. I don't know like what kind of physician you would use anymore but we can certainly ask for them. However, I have no idea how any of you work. So I can't really help with that but I can however tell you that the safe house is in that direction. All right. Yeah Stace Babcock [Nix: All right. Yeah. Sampson Davis [Dili]: Yeah. Let's see what they know. Stace Babcock [Nix: Probably won't tell us but we can ask. Daniel Rodriguez [Zacc]: Okay. Daniel Andrlik [GM]: This part of the trip is relatively quiet. You do see other signs of destroyed trees and things like that. Not as big as what you saw with Buddy Cop before but you definitely see other things sort of torn apart. And you approach and Zacc, you see up ahead, safe house Malit. They say safe house but it's more like a very small town which is a couple houses and things like that. It's a very small settlement that at least in your previous experience has been mostly Guardians that are there, or really trusted contractors like yourself. Daniel Rodriguez [Zacc]: So yeah, as we approach, Zacc would definitely step up and sort of take the lead and sort of making it clear as we approach that, we are approaching as friends. Nobody's being held at gunpoint, et cetera. Yeah. Making casual conversation while keeping an eye on the village, like, "Hey, everything's fine. We're all happy here friends." Daniel Andrlik [GM]: Yeah. Yeah. And you're greeted by this young woman really short red hair that you have known in the past, Pariel is her name. Daniel Rodriguez [Zacc]: Mm-hmm (affirmative). Daniel Andrlik [GM]: And so she recognizes you and kind of leads you in, "So is this them?" Daniel Rodriguez [Zacc]: It is indeed. I spoke with them. They were happy to come and join and try and set the record straight. By the way, I cannot absolutely guarantee that we were not followed. The forces out there in the world trying to grab a piece of these particular individuals are many and varied. So if there's anybody else sort of keeping guard besides you, you might want to give them a heads up to be on extra alert. Daniel Andrlik [GM]: Okay. Thank you. We'll do that. She kind of motions to three. You say, "You guys are welcome. The proctors won't be here until tomorrow but we've got room set aside for you guys. And of course Zacc, there's room for you as well. And I can take care of your payment Zacc." Daniel Rodriguez [Zacc]: That would be excellent. Actually, it's been an adventure. Again, I want to make it very clear. They came willingly. They want to help fix things. I hope this is where that fixing begins, where the healing can finally start. Daniel Andrlik [GM]: It's noted Zacc. We appreciate it. And they arrange for your payment with hazard pay. Daniel Rodriguez [Zacc]: Yes. He's very insistent on that. Daniel Andrlik [GM]: Yeah. And I would say also, like you've been with the guardians a while. Those terms like hazard pay and various rates and things like that. That's pretty well established between you and them. Daniel Rodriguez [Zacc]: Yeah. Yeah. They know that what I ask for hazard pay is because it is well deserved or well earned rather. Daniel Andrlik [GM]: Exactly. It's never anything where you have to haggle. These are the conditions. The assignment, does it qualify? You've got it. And they have food there. Well, I mean, it's been a couple days where you guys have been away from a place where people are preparing food in the traditional sense. But they are making some good foods here, some fried bugs and things like that. And they mentioned to Zacc saying, "Okay, well I know that you heard about Vlad, right?" Daniel Rodriguez [Zacc]: Right. I did. A loss that will be felt keenly by many of us. Daniel Andrlik [GM]: Yeah. I think he would've wanted you to have this. And they reach into a bag and they hand it to you and it is a small chapbook by Lyria R. Summermane. And it is a book just titled: Two Rogues, A-Singing. Daniel Rodriguez [Zacc]: Zacc just looks at it and sort of lifts it up, just kind of gives a little flutter of the pages. That's very... It's very kind of... Yes. Well, it's stuffy in here. I just go to grab some fresh... What's the thing again, with the breathing in the nose air. I'll be right back. He's not going to let anyone see him cry. But yes, he steps outside and has himself a little moment over his lost friend. Daniel Andrlik [GM]: Mm-hmm (affirmative). Okay. So I assume everybody rests the night? Stace Babcock [Nix: Yeppers. Sampson Davis [Dili]: Yes. Daniel Andrlik [GM]: Okay. So any watches or anything like that? Stace Babcock [Nix: Does it seem like there needs to be with the- Daniel Andrlik [GM]: Unlikely. Alex Finn [ChaCha]: We are hostages. Sampson Davis [Dili]: Would we have seen Zacc being given that book? Daniel Andrlik [GM]: Mm-mm (negative). Sampson Davis [Dili]: Nope. All right. Nevermind. Daniel Andrlik [GM]: So then the next morning you guys wake up, Nix you feel like shit. You're 10 Might points down. Sampson Davis [Dili]: Damn. Stace Babcock [Nix: What the fuck. I might be dying. Sampson Davis [Dili]: [inaudible 01:09:49] have you asked them if they have anything, medicine? Stace Babcock [Nix: I'll ask later today, Dili. Sampson Davis [Dili]: Probably don't want to put this off. Just saying. Stace Babcock [Nix: It's just like maybe it's the plates or whatever. Maybe it's thimble blood. Maybe it's Hubert the second. Sampson Davis [Dili]: What? No. Not Hubert the second. That's the one thing it could possibly never be. No. He's too cute. Stace Babcock [Nix: It happened before when he got hurt. Sampson Davis [Dili]: Did he get hurt when you fell down? Stace Babcock [Nix: Nix would've checked on Hubert the second. Did Hubert the second? Daniel Andrlik [GM]: He didn't seem hurt. Stace Babcock [Nix: No. Daniel Andrlik [GM]: Frightened but not hurt. Stace Babcock [Nix: Not much of a flyer though. Sampson Davis [Dili]: Well, maybe they have a nano that can give you a scan. Stace Babcock [Nix: Yeah. Scan. So useful. Daniel Andrlik [GM]: So it's the next morning. At this point, as Nix has been waking up, Zacc has sort of been suggested to you in no uncertain terms that you're supposed to sort of be out of here before the Proctor show up. Daniel Rodriguez [Zacc]: Yeah. Yeah. At end of the day, Zacc is still just a contractor. But he does take a moment and he approaches the group. He's just usual cheerful self but I think we've shared enough nights around a campfire and all that and traveling together. You know what he looks like when he is properly rested and he does not look like he's. He's not Nix at the moment. But he's definitely looks like maybe he didn't sleep much last night but he's still smiling ear to ear as usual. It's like, well, I'm really glad we made it here. I'm afraid this is where my part of the journey ends. The guardians have made it clear that my job is done and I am not part of the club. Which comes with a certain level of freedom but also a certain level of I need to get the fuck out because I am not part of this anymore, is I believe not exact words they said. Point is Nix really should, as soon as you get somebody in charge around here, just have them take a [inaudible 01:11:46.] Not great. Not great. Considering that you are, as far as I can tell, the main reason why these two are alive any given day. If only for their sake and yours, please hydrate more, I guess, or whatever. I don't know how people work. Just speaking of which ChaCha, I don't know how much we'll be left of you by the time we speak again. But I wish I could give you some Sage advice on how to deal with it. But frankly, this is entirely outside of my experience. Look, I've tried to teach you all what I can but this is weird even by my standards. So I wish you the best of luck and if ever you should need assistance and can somehow get a hold of, I will give you the friends discount and Dili... And then he gets a little bit more serious. Dili, you've got enough on your plate without me reminding you. All I can say is, I think you can make it right one way or another. I think you can, at the very least dispense with your duty or obligation or whatever you want to call it, whatever weight it is, that's on you ever since what happened? I think you're strong enough to lay it down when the time comes. Sampson Davis [Dili]: Thank you. And thank you for giving, not just me but all of us. Thank you for giving all of us a second chance or another chance at proving ourselves. Daniel Rodriguez [Zacc]: I hope this is that chance. I'm again, don't fancy my chances if they decide to kick me out. So this point, all I can say is good luck. And I want to say that I hope we meet again but it's just one terrifying experience after another. I may finally be getting too old for this shit. So I'm just going to take my very generous payment and just take a little break for a bit. If you ever make it to actual civilization again, we'll be in touch. Sampson Davis [Dili]: Yeah. I hope we do meet under circumstances where you didn't have to be paid to hang out with us. Daniel Rodriguez [Zacc]: That'd be great. Would be nice to get paid anyway. I got to tell you money doesn't solve all your problems but it goes a hell of a long way. But that said, I appreciate the sentiment and yeah, would be nice. You all take care of yourselves, right? Stace Babcock [Nix: You too. Sampson Davis [Dili]: You too. Daniel Rodriguez [Zacc]: And yeah, with that, these caterpillar shoes spin in place and he just glides off into the sunset or sunrise at this point. It's still early but there he goes. Daniel Andrlik [GM]: Yeah. So Zacc goes scuttling off and you guys have a little bit longer to wait and it's a couple hours pass and you guys have seen in the distance, there's a group of travelers approaching this village. Not "traveler" travelers but just people on their way. You can't really see them clearly because they're wearing traveling cloaks and hoods and things like that. They are riding some of those weird two legged spiky ostrich things that Dili was riding before, as they approach the safe house. Nix, I need you to make an 18 Might defense roll. Stace Babcock [Nix: Nix is free level of my effort. 15, 18. Daniel Andrlik [GM]: Okay. You feel this strange tug, this uncomfortable feeling but you manage to shake it off and you bear the second, just sort of nuzzles a little closer to your deck, splits in half showing off those rows of teeth in a wide yawn and then shuts its mouth again and nuzzles closer to you. And that's where we'll end this episode. Alex Finn [ChaCha]: Boy. Daniel Andrlik [GM]: Amazing. Alex Finn [ChaCha]: Oh boy. Daniel Andrlik [GM]: [inaudible 01:15:37] something about this episode. Dan Rodriguez [Zacc]: The whole thing, a fight first impressions were one thing. And then the party started to actually act and just [inaudible 01:15:45] these four cultists. That was a good time. I know I really enjoyed that this whole episode seemed to be in any other in the previous session sort of acted as a bit of a wake up call for the group, at least for Nix and Dili. I don't think ChaCha learned anything from this. But then again, that's ChaCha's entire character, nothing was learned. Alex Finn [ChaCha]: Head empty. Only fire Dan Rodriguez [Zacc]: But yeah, I really like that they're starting to come to grips a little with the fact that their actions have had more increasingly wide reaching of the effects beyond just where are we specifically. The three of us are in big trouble. So that was good. It was interesting capture development to see happen. Daniel Andrlik [GM]: Very cool. Well, we have a segment that we do each week called player intrusions. That's where we offer you the listener and XP to check out something that we think you'd really dig. This week it is Stace's turn. Stace what would you offer our listeners and XP to check out? Stace Babcock [Nix: I would offer our listeners and XP to check out Star Trek: Lower Decks. It is an animated Star Trek comedy. The series was created by Mike McMahan, who was a writer on Rick and Morty. And it has some Rick and Morty vibes but much toned down. I would say the first couple episodes have some body horror and stuff that you would expect from much more Rick and Morty vibes but then kind of seems to come into its own identity. And it is so funny, especially if you're a big Star Trek fan or at least I've seen enough of it to get some of the Star Trek specific jokes. But even without that, I watched it with my husband and then my brother visited a few weeks later and he was super into Rick and Morty. We watched the most recent two episodes, Rick and Morty. I was like, "You know what you should watch?" And then we watched the whole thing again and he's not much of a Star Trek fan and he still loved it. So you don't have to be Star Trek fan to enjoy it but it has that little something extra for you. But it's just totally about what does Star Trek seem like to the people who don't work on the bridge and who work in the bowels of the ship and who really just don't know what's going on any given time? There's like a little bit, obviously Rick and wordy absurdity, especially if you're in the later seasons, it's just outrageous. So it's not like that level of absurd but has these absurd little touches or situations that just spin off and kind of get out of control just at a much smaller scale they have to deal with and it's just really funny. And the main character is a strong and powerful woman, so that's cool, named Mariner. And there are some interpersonal shit and her relationships with her crew mates and then her crew mates have arcs. So the main four are, Mariner is like an action hero lead type of... But yeah, a fuck up because she's still on the lower decks. Boimler who's this overachieving up and comer officer who just wants to do everything right and by the book. A Super amoral. Just total lack of moral of a medical ensign. It was just like not afraid of experiments. And then surrounded out like a half cyborg engineer. Can you be a half cyborg? You think you're either cyborg or you're not? Sampson Davis [Dili]: Cyborg on my mother's side. Stace Babcock [Nix: It's just like a really good ensemble cast. And of course there are many supporting characters and the first officer is clearly mocking Riker to a degree. And then Riker appears. Who else appears? Whoever. Tom Paris appears. So characters from previous series appear and they're poked fun at. So those things where you watched Star Trek and you're like, "Really. People just accept that?" But on the Lower Decks, they're just like, "Yeah. So and so is back from the dead." And they're like, "Well, how did they come back from the death?" They're like, "Bridge officers come back from the death. Don't ask too many questions about it." And it's just very, very funny. So if you're a Star Trek fan, if you like animated comedies and a little bit of absurdity, definitely check it out. It is on Paramount Plus. So worth the free trial or if you already have it because you're a big Star Trek nerd like me and you haven't checked it out for some reason, do that and then talk to me about it. Daniel Andrlik [GM]: Very cool. Well, if people wanted to talk to us about what they think about Star Trek: The Lower Decks or the podcast, how would they do that Sampson? Sampson Davis [Dili]: I've said it before. So I'll say it again. Go to our website, explorerswanted.fm. From there, you can see our socials are as follows: Twitter, we are at explorerswanted. Instagram and Facebook we are at explorerswantedpodcast. You want to talk to us directly, best way to do it is come to our discord. We have a nice little community there and you can find us there at explorerswanted.fm/discord. That'll bring you to our discord. Also, if you'd like to support us financially and is within your means, you can do that at parton.com/explorerswanted or use our die hard dice dicefilliate code explorerswanted and get 10% off at checkout. Daniel Andrlik [GM]: And if people can't financially support us, we totally get it. The best thing you could do is tell a friend, tell them why they should listen to the show. The second best thing you could do is to leave as a five star written review on a podcast directory. That helps us a lot with finding new listeners. There's so many actual plays out there and whenever you review your favorite actual plays or any podcast, it really helps them. If you didn't like the podcast, or if you just thought it was meh, well, you should know, they told me all about you. They said you were special. They said that you have beautiful eyes and that they can't wait to see them from the inside. If you want to reach out to us individually on social media, you can. You can find me on Twitter @andrlik, A-N-D-R-L-I-K. Stace Babcock [Nix: You can find me on Twitter as StaceWindu. Sampson Davis [Dili]: Throw eyes at me SlamPotato. Alex Finn [ChaCha]: My mommy said I was special too. You can find me at teawithaunicorn on Twitch and realteaunicorn on Twitter. Daniel Andrlik [GM]: And Dan, where can people find you? Daniel Rodriguez [Zacc]: You can find me everywhere that I can be found at uncivilizedDan. That's primarily Twitter but pretty much same thing on any other random thing. Or you can also find me and the rest of my crew at fandible.com or fandible, F-A-N-D-I-B-L-E, on Twitter. Daniel Andrlik [GM]: Mm-hmm (affirmative). And go check out uncivilized games for Dan's thoughts on game design. Daniel Rodriguez [Zacc]: Yes, they are incoherent mostly just excuses for me to write 750 word rants before I go to bed most nights. It's pretty dope. Daniel Andrlik [GM]: Well, thank you again so much for coming. It was great to have you back. Stace Babcock [Nix: Yes. Daniel Rodriguez [Zacc]: It was great being here. I sincerely hope this is not in fact the last we see of Zacc, maybe someday, Stace Babcock [Nix: When you were saying that, I was like, "Are you telling us something Dan?" Alex Finn [ChaCha]: What's happening? Daniel Rodriguez [Zacc]: No. Like Zacc himself came out of this going like, "Yeah, I'm getting too old for this." That just means we have to set up for the one last job at some point. Stace Babcock [Nix: It's like Rocky 17. Alex Finn [ChaCha]: I thought this was going to geriatric arc Sampson Davis [Dili]: You can be our Avengers: Endgame summit- Daniel Rodriguez [Zacc]: Hell yeah. There we go. Sampson Davis [Dili]: ... [crosstalk 01:22:34]. Stace Babcock [Nix: Yeah. Daniel Andrlik [GM]: Yeah. Well that's it for us. Hope you enjoyed the show. We will be back next week as we will for every week in the foreseeable future, because we cannot be stopped no matter how much you beg us. Stace Babcock [Nix]: Stop asking. Daniel Andrlik [GM]: Have a good night, day, weekend or whenever you're listening to this and... All [in unison]: Bye!