Creators: Strozzi on the planet Kortholt
Power: 5
Range: 8
Accuracy: 7
Description: A sniper rifle that has been designed for close combat situations. The strozzi are a proud race of warriors and hunters that need versatile weapons. The tip of the barrel has been sharpened to a spear-like point and the weapon itself has been thinned and elongated so it may be wielded like a staff.
Such modifications have come at a slight cost. The extra long barrel and unusual tip shape are not optimum for the rifle portion of this weapon. This sniper is powerful but perhaps not as accurate as others of its class.
Tailing the Suspect (Adventure) - Calen Natari Saga 16
The airlock filled with water and Calen did her best to avoid needlessly bumping into others. The airlock was crowded but she wanted to take no chances. The room filled quickly, however, and most of the workers seemed to be distracted with getting home. All creatures have habits, the elders had told her. We assume things will go a certain way. It makes life simpler. When tracking prey the best disguise is to work your way in to the creatures habits. If you are part of what they assume, they will not be looking for you.
Calen watched how the workers reacted to the change of environment. They stood there relaxed and patient. As the water made it impossible to stand, they allowed the currents to dictate their movements. Calen did the same. To accidentally bump into someone this way would be expected.
The pressure equalized and the doors swooshed open. Her target walked over to the landing pads where the employees kept their vehicles. Calen had guessed that she might be in such a position so she had parked her Oboi close by but out of view.
Flipping on the submarine's engines she peeled away in the direction of the landing pads, hoping she had missed the suspect. The zelenca could move much faster through the water than she could so there was a chance he had already reached his own vehicle and left.
Dozens of ships were leaving the landing pad area all at once. Calen cursed under her breath. Even if he was still here, it would be easy to miss him in all this chaos. No wonder the poorly organized resistance never got beyond this point.
Not knowing what else to do, she followed the swarm of ships as they all headed toward the more residential portions of the city. Calen noted with interest that the ships seemed to move together as one, not too unlike some of the schools of fish she had seen swimming around. Not connected to whatever sense they used to do this, Calen did her best to mimic their driving style.
After traveling for a few minutes a few of the vehicles began to break off in different directions, presumably to go to their respective homes. Calen slammed her fist against a control panel in frustration. She felt so helpless so... out of control... in this environment. It was not a feeling she was accustomed to when hunting prey.
Suddenly one of the ships veered off and began to head in the opposite direction.
That's strange. Why would the pilot head back to where he just came from?
It was possible that he had just changed his mind about his destination. But worth checking out nonetheless since she had nothing else to go on right now. The vehicle increased speed and Calen punched her own throttle to match, staying back just far enough to be inconspicuous.
The tiny sub wove its way through rock formations and structures for quite some time before suddenly shooting toward the surface. Calen smiled grimly. The Spirits had favored her hunt. This had to be her suspect. From what she gathered, the zelenca almost never traveled to their planet's surface. But if one were trying to hide from the planetary authorities, the islands would be the perfect place to do so....
Calen watched how the workers reacted to the change of environment. They stood there relaxed and patient. As the water made it impossible to stand, they allowed the currents to dictate their movements. Calen did the same. To accidentally bump into someone this way would be expected.
The pressure equalized and the doors swooshed open. Her target walked over to the landing pads where the employees kept their vehicles. Calen had guessed that she might be in such a position so she had parked her Oboi close by but out of view.
Flipping on the submarine's engines she peeled away in the direction of the landing pads, hoping she had missed the suspect. The zelenca could move much faster through the water than she could so there was a chance he had already reached his own vehicle and left.
Dozens of ships were leaving the landing pad area all at once. Calen cursed under her breath. Even if he was still here, it would be easy to miss him in all this chaos. No wonder the poorly organized resistance never got beyond this point.
Not knowing what else to do, she followed the swarm of ships as they all headed toward the more residential portions of the city. Calen noted with interest that the ships seemed to move together as one, not too unlike some of the schools of fish she had seen swimming around. Not connected to whatever sense they used to do this, Calen did her best to mimic their driving style.
After traveling for a few minutes a few of the vehicles began to break off in different directions, presumably to go to their respective homes. Calen slammed her fist against a control panel in frustration. She felt so helpless so... out of control... in this environment. It was not a feeling she was accustomed to when hunting prey.
Suddenly one of the ships veered off and began to head in the opposite direction.
That's strange. Why would the pilot head back to where he just came from?
It was possible that he had just changed his mind about his destination. But worth checking out nonetheless since she had nothing else to go on right now. The vehicle increased speed and Calen punched her own throttle to match, staying back just far enough to be inconspicuous.
The tiny sub wove its way through rock formations and structures for quite some time before suddenly shooting toward the surface. Calen smiled grimly. The Spirits had favored her hunt. This had to be her suspect. From what she gathered, the zelenca almost never traveled to their planet's surface. But if one were trying to hide from the planetary authorities, the islands would be the perfect place to do so....
The Dome (Adventure) - Calen Natari Saga 15
Calen shifted her weight ever so slightly to relieve the cramping in her arms. She had broken into the Dome several hours before the workday began, wanting to have time to examine her surroundings. A falsified key given to her by the bartender had granted her access and after that it had been easy to avoid the basic security measures in place.
It was a relief for Calen to not be floating around. She felt like her prey was now on her terms now, something a hunter always desired. But the first thing she noticed was the presence of bright lights everywhere to illuminate the work place. Her cloaking device would not last long in such an environment so it was necessary to find a hiding spot in order to preserve the charge for when she needed it most.
She ended up climbing on top of a large storage tank that was almost touching a portion of ceiling. It was a tight fit but Calen had long ago become inured to staying in uncomfortable positions for long periods of time. Worthy prey and the honor of making a difficult kill always made the wait worthwhile.
The images of the two suspect officials were burned into her memory. Carrying around a data pad on such a mission was impractical. If they showed up, she would recognize them. Many hours had gone by since the large airlock doors opened up to admit the first wave of workers and bots into the Dome and there was still no sign of either suspect.
Two more shifts left and entered before the first suspect finally walked in. Finally, Calen thought. She watched the zelenca with interest as he immediately went to work overseeing a portion of the factory floor. The bartender had been correct in that if messages were being sent, it was not from the Dome. The official was constantly surrounded by employees giving him little chance for privacy.
Calen could see that the zelenca had limited power at best. He supervised but Calen counted at least eight others that he seemed to answer too. If the man valued position or wealth he would be ripe for bribery. He was also in a key location to give the Imperium valuable information. Invasion on a water planet such as this would be difficult. But it would make strategic sense to try and cripple the economy by destroying its factories. All it would take is a handful of precise attacks to completely undermine the government.
The zelenca's behavior changed subtly and he began to glance at the airlock as if expecting someone. The change in behavior would have been imperceptible to a less experienced hunter. Another wave of workers and bots entered and with it came the second suspect.
So, there is a connection between them.
The two exchanged data pads, a seemingly normal occurrence between the supervisors of each shift and the first suspect began to head toward the airlock door.
'Vert!
Calen either had to take her chances following her first suspect or stay where she was and watch the second. Making a split-second calculation she activated her cloaking device and climbed down the storage tank with impressive agility, slipping into the airlock mere seconds before the door closed.
It was a relief for Calen to not be floating around. She felt like her prey was now on her terms now, something a hunter always desired. But the first thing she noticed was the presence of bright lights everywhere to illuminate the work place. Her cloaking device would not last long in such an environment so it was necessary to find a hiding spot in order to preserve the charge for when she needed it most.
She ended up climbing on top of a large storage tank that was almost touching a portion of ceiling. It was a tight fit but Calen had long ago become inured to staying in uncomfortable positions for long periods of time. Worthy prey and the honor of making a difficult kill always made the wait worthwhile.
The images of the two suspect officials were burned into her memory. Carrying around a data pad on such a mission was impractical. If they showed up, she would recognize them. Many hours had gone by since the large airlock doors opened up to admit the first wave of workers and bots into the Dome and there was still no sign of either suspect.
Two more shifts left and entered before the first suspect finally walked in. Finally, Calen thought. She watched the zelenca with interest as he immediately went to work overseeing a portion of the factory floor. The bartender had been correct in that if messages were being sent, it was not from the Dome. The official was constantly surrounded by employees giving him little chance for privacy.
Calen could see that the zelenca had limited power at best. He supervised but Calen counted at least eight others that he seemed to answer too. If the man valued position or wealth he would be ripe for bribery. He was also in a key location to give the Imperium valuable information. Invasion on a water planet such as this would be difficult. But it would make strategic sense to try and cripple the economy by destroying its factories. All it would take is a handful of precise attacks to completely undermine the government.
The zelenca's behavior changed subtly and he began to glance at the airlock as if expecting someone. The change in behavior would have been imperceptible to a less experienced hunter. Another wave of workers and bots entered and with it came the second suspect.
So, there is a connection between them.
The two exchanged data pads, a seemingly normal occurrence between the supervisors of each shift and the first suspect began to head toward the airlock door.
'Vert!
Calen either had to take her chances following her first suspect or stay where she was and watch the second. Making a split-second calculation she activated her cloaking device and climbed down the storage tank with impressive agility, slipping into the airlock mere seconds before the door closed.
Brainstorming (Adventure) - Calen Natari Saga 14
"No names," the bartender said firmly. "I don't want to know who you are and you don't know me."
Calen shrugged. "Fair enough. Now tell me what this resistance of yours has uncovered so far."
"Not much, I'm afraid. Most of us are civilians and not in positions of power to really do any deep digging. But we do know that the spies are zelenca traitors. As you've probably figured out, it's not easy for an outsider to get around our underwater cities. It would be impossible for a stranger to live for years here without anyone noticing. We think that the spies probably have an interest in Shawm joining the Imperium."
"A reasonable assumption. What actions have you taken?"
"We have no wish to undermine our own government. Which is why you are such a convenient discovery. We have made a point of following around those that we suspect. But they are tricky, these traitors. They are careful to hide their tracks."
"Tell me who you suspect," Calen asked as she idly toyed with her knife.
The bartender shook his head. "Nothing is positive. And we have no names. But I can give you the images that we took of them. There are two. Both of them are high level officials at the Dome."
"What's that?"
"We have found that some manufacturing is best done in an oxygen based environment. So the Dome was built to house such productions. The thing is, that building only has interplanetary communications. So if messages are being sent to the Imperium, it's not from there."
"It would be too suspicious to send messages directly from the Dome, anyone. It would compromise their position."
"We thought that too. But we have yet figure out where they could be sending the messages. Our cities have very tight security. This is partially why our government foolishly believes that invasion is impossible."
She slid her knife back in her boot. "Leave that to me. I'm going to follow up on this lead. I'll be back if it turns out to be a dead end."
"And if it doesn't?"
She laughed. "Consider your problem solved."
Calen shrugged. "Fair enough. Now tell me what this resistance of yours has uncovered so far."
"Not much, I'm afraid. Most of us are civilians and not in positions of power to really do any deep digging. But we do know that the spies are zelenca traitors. As you've probably figured out, it's not easy for an outsider to get around our underwater cities. It would be impossible for a stranger to live for years here without anyone noticing. We think that the spies probably have an interest in Shawm joining the Imperium."
"A reasonable assumption. What actions have you taken?"
"We have no wish to undermine our own government. Which is why you are such a convenient discovery. We have made a point of following around those that we suspect. But they are tricky, these traitors. They are careful to hide their tracks."
"Tell me who you suspect," Calen asked as she idly toyed with her knife.
The bartender shook his head. "Nothing is positive. And we have no names. But I can give you the images that we took of them. There are two. Both of them are high level officials at the Dome."
"What's that?"
"We have found that some manufacturing is best done in an oxygen based environment. So the Dome was built to house such productions. The thing is, that building only has interplanetary communications. So if messages are being sent to the Imperium, it's not from there."
"It would be too suspicious to send messages directly from the Dome, anyone. It would compromise their position."
"We thought that too. But we have yet figure out where they could be sending the messages. Our cities have very tight security. This is partially why our government foolishly believes that invasion is impossible."
She slid her knife back in her boot. "Leave that to me. I'm going to follow up on this lead. I'll be back if it turns out to be a dead end."
"And if it doesn't?"
She laughed. "Consider your problem solved."
Strozzi (Race)
Home Planet: Kortholt
Affiliation: Rebellion
Description: A proud race of humanoid warriors that are strongly dominated by the females. As a protective evolutionary feature, hard, sharp bones protrude from their bodies to protect the more sensitive areas such as the spine and shoulders. They tower above the average human by about two feet.
Because of their dangerous exoskeletons, only males of this species have been able to successfully mate with the females and live to tell the tale, their bodies specifically designed to fit the contours of the female. Because males do not carry the young of such a great race they are considered to be the inferior gender. The males live freely, not as slaves, but hold large ceremonial battles where they must fight to earn the right to mate.
This species is divided up by tribes but each family seems to live a considerable distance away from each other. As far as scholars can tell, an extremely advanced trading route seems to exist to allow the strozzi to live in such a fashion. Though how, exactly, the trade route works remains a mystery.
Strozzi are in favor of the Rebellion but are not thus far actively involved in any of the conflicts that take place outside of their homeworld. As far as they are concerned, theirs is the superior race. If the Imperium wishes to convince them differently, they are welcome to try.
Affiliation: Rebellion
Description: A proud race of humanoid warriors that are strongly dominated by the females. As a protective evolutionary feature, hard, sharp bones protrude from their bodies to protect the more sensitive areas such as the spine and shoulders. They tower above the average human by about two feet.
Because of their dangerous exoskeletons, only males of this species have been able to successfully mate with the females and live to tell the tale, their bodies specifically designed to fit the contours of the female. Because males do not carry the young of such a great race they are considered to be the inferior gender. The males live freely, not as slaves, but hold large ceremonial battles where they must fight to earn the right to mate.
This species is divided up by tribes but each family seems to live a considerable distance away from each other. As far as scholars can tell, an extremely advanced trading route seems to exist to allow the strozzi to live in such a fashion. Though how, exactly, the trade route works remains a mystery.
Strozzi are in favor of the Rebellion but are not thus far actively involved in any of the conflicts that take place outside of their homeworld. As far as they are concerned, theirs is the superior race. If the Imperium wishes to convince them differently, they are welcome to try.
Focused Body, Focused Mind (Adventure) - Uxel Herum Saga 9
"Stop looking around! I told you: watch one spot, nothing more."
Uxel readjusted herself on her perch, a special piece of furniture her master had put together for her use alone. He had been extremely meticulous while assembling, careful not to have his orders seem suspicious but at the same time wanting to know exactly what Uxel preferred. Uxel had been unsure of what to make of such a grandiose gesture. She barely remembered her parents and since their deaths no one had given a 'vert as to whether she was alive or dead.
"The burdon of learning should never fall solely on the student's shoulders," Master Achushnet had explained. "Teaching is a skill in and of itself. I teach you things and you teach me things in return. A student cannot learn in an environment that feels uncomfortable. Consider the perch my welcome gift to you."
That had been weeks ago and the excitement had long since been worn off by the acute sense of frustration building up inside of Uxel. These drills seemed to be going nowhere. Master Achushnet refused to move her on to other material until she had learned to control her body. Her very survival had depended on her being in constant awareness of her surroundings. How was she supposed to override a lifetime of habits with his stupid drill?
"You let your emotions get the better of you, Uxel. You are only frustrated because you allow yourself to be so. Patience does not mean an absence of frustration. It means that you are completely in the moment. Enjoying and fully aware of everything going on in this instant and not all the things you could or would rather be doing. Only with patience will you heighten your awareness of your surroundings. Try it again."
Uxel glared at her master skeptically. But it did strike a chord with his last speech. She had never considered that this exercise might make her more aware of the details around her. At least that, if nothing else, was something she could take away from these lessons. Readjusting herself on the perch she calmed her mind and went through the steps of meditation.
Her mind instantly recoiled when it realized what she was trying to do. But instead of fighting the need to wrestle with the frustration she let it wash over her. There was no where else she needed to be. No one she had to talk to. Nothing.
The frustration became less insistent and Uxel began to focus on her breathing. In and out... slowly... deep breaths. She made no effort to control the stray thoughts, she let them come and pass through her mind at their own accord. All that mattered was the breathing.
A sense of calmness started to creep in, not as fleeting as a stray through. This emotion was much deeper than that. She felt the need to scratch but ignored it as she continued to breath. In and out until she suddenly realized that she was thinking about... nothing.
Uxel readjusted herself on her perch, a special piece of furniture her master had put together for her use alone. He had been extremely meticulous while assembling, careful not to have his orders seem suspicious but at the same time wanting to know exactly what Uxel preferred. Uxel had been unsure of what to make of such a grandiose gesture. She barely remembered her parents and since their deaths no one had given a 'vert as to whether she was alive or dead.
"The burdon of learning should never fall solely on the student's shoulders," Master Achushnet had explained. "Teaching is a skill in and of itself. I teach you things and you teach me things in return. A student cannot learn in an environment that feels uncomfortable. Consider the perch my welcome gift to you."
That had been weeks ago and the excitement had long since been worn off by the acute sense of frustration building up inside of Uxel. These drills seemed to be going nowhere. Master Achushnet refused to move her on to other material until she had learned to control her body. Her very survival had depended on her being in constant awareness of her surroundings. How was she supposed to override a lifetime of habits with his stupid drill?
"You let your emotions get the better of you, Uxel. You are only frustrated because you allow yourself to be so. Patience does not mean an absence of frustration. It means that you are completely in the moment. Enjoying and fully aware of everything going on in this instant and not all the things you could or would rather be doing. Only with patience will you heighten your awareness of your surroundings. Try it again."
Uxel glared at her master skeptically. But it did strike a chord with his last speech. She had never considered that this exercise might make her more aware of the details around her. At least that, if nothing else, was something she could take away from these lessons. Readjusting herself on the perch she calmed her mind and went through the steps of meditation.
Her mind instantly recoiled when it realized what she was trying to do. But instead of fighting the need to wrestle with the frustration she let it wash over her. There was no where else she needed to be. No one she had to talk to. Nothing.
The frustration became less insistent and Uxel began to focus on her breathing. In and out... slowly... deep breaths. She made no effort to control the stray thoughts, she let them come and pass through her mind at their own accord. All that mattered was the breathing.
A sense of calmness started to creep in, not as fleeting as a stray through. This emotion was much deeper than that. She felt the need to scratch but ignored it as she continued to breath. In and out until she suddenly realized that she was thinking about... nothing.
A Brief History (Adventure) - Uxel Herum Saga 8
The master's dwelling was surprisingly cozy and no so very different from the nests on Uxel's homeworld. Uxel was slightly comforted by this. Perhaps it would make her stay feel like less of a chore. Achushnet poured two glasses of amber colored liquid and handed one of them to her. Uxel took a sip. It had an earthy tasted and burned going down but creating a pleasing warming sensation inside her stomach. Interesting.
Achushnet pointed to a chair and sat down on the piece of furniture opposite. "You are not used to alcoholic drinks I take it. How old are you, Uxel? You seem young."
"By my people's standards I have been an adult for several years. According to the Standard Timeline I am seventeen." She looked at the indicated chair. "Do you mind if I perch? Sitting like a human is... uncomfortable."
"Make yourself at home. So tell me, what do you know of the tuning system?"
"Just rumors and legends mostly. I'm sure none of it is accurate."
"Rumors and legends can usually trace their source to fact. Tell me anyway."
"Well, just that tuners are masters of an ancient power. They have learned to control themselves to tap into this power. They usually wield weapons called resonators. They have their own code and are usually admired but also sometimes feared. Certainly a force to be reckoned with."
"On a very basic level, everything you have said is so far correct."
Uxel was intrigued. "So you can control an ancient power?"
"Not exactly control. We learn to work with the power behind the universe."
"What do you mean?"
"We long ago discovered that everything in the universe has its own natural vibrations, no matter how faint. You, me, a rock, this planet... we all vibrate with energy. These vibrations are part of what makes us what we are. For example, every species vibrates at a different frequency. So in that sense, a species is the same. But every individual will have slight variations."
"Frequency?"
"How fast or slow the vibrations are. Fire has a very high frequency, it's particles move quickly which is why we feel its warmth. Ice has a lower frequency, it's particles have slowed down in the freezing process."
"How can tuners control this, though?"
"I said already, we don't. But we can work with our surroundings. First a tuner must master themselves. You will have to discover your body's natural frequency. Once you know that, you can learn to temporarily increase or decrease that frequency level which will allow you to interact with objects in different ways."
Uxel puzzled over this. "How would it be different?"
"Well, if ice has a lower natural frequency and you apply a high frequency force to it, what would happen?"
"I could melt it!"
"Or shatter it. Or make it change to steam. It depends on how precise you are."
"When do we start?"
Achushnet pointed to a chair and sat down on the piece of furniture opposite. "You are not used to alcoholic drinks I take it. How old are you, Uxel? You seem young."
"By my people's standards I have been an adult for several years. According to the Standard Timeline I am seventeen." She looked at the indicated chair. "Do you mind if I perch? Sitting like a human is... uncomfortable."
"Make yourself at home. So tell me, what do you know of the tuning system?"
"Just rumors and legends mostly. I'm sure none of it is accurate."
"Rumors and legends can usually trace their source to fact. Tell me anyway."
"Well, just that tuners are masters of an ancient power. They have learned to control themselves to tap into this power. They usually wield weapons called resonators. They have their own code and are usually admired but also sometimes feared. Certainly a force to be reckoned with."
"On a very basic level, everything you have said is so far correct."
Uxel was intrigued. "So you can control an ancient power?"
"Not exactly control. We learn to work with the power behind the universe."
"What do you mean?"
"We long ago discovered that everything in the universe has its own natural vibrations, no matter how faint. You, me, a rock, this planet... we all vibrate with energy. These vibrations are part of what makes us what we are. For example, every species vibrates at a different frequency. So in that sense, a species is the same. But every individual will have slight variations."
"Frequency?"
"How fast or slow the vibrations are. Fire has a very high frequency, it's particles move quickly which is why we feel its warmth. Ice has a lower frequency, it's particles have slowed down in the freezing process."
"How can tuners control this, though?"
"I said already, we don't. But we can work with our surroundings. First a tuner must master themselves. You will have to discover your body's natural frequency. Once you know that, you can learn to temporarily increase or decrease that frequency level which will allow you to interact with objects in different ways."
Uxel puzzled over this. "How would it be different?"
"Well, if ice has a lower natural frequency and you apply a high frequency force to it, what would happen?"
"I could melt it!"
"Or shatter it. Or make it change to steam. It depends on how precise you are."
"When do we start?"
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