Group 1 Session Background
Things have been quiet for a while. In the bowls of the magic user’s guild is a
strange artefact. It was recently discovered recently in the connection into the
under-dark. No one can fathom its purpose. Now the guild of Magic Users has decided to
transport the device to Dyvers. To a lab with some unusual features.
The device is cylindrical, about 5 foot round, and 10 feet high. It clearly has three
sections. The two end sections are similar, they consist of metal work pipes and covers.
The central section seems to be some sort of control. There are buttons arranged around
the top and bottom of this section. Even though you are not really sure which end it the
top. The technology is clearly from another world. There are metals used that are stronger
and more resistant to scratching than adamantine.
As the device is so heavy you are to transport it to Dyvers by boat. There is a small
crew, and your group for safe passage. The trip is being taken under the disguise of a
normal merchant trip and has a very high level of security. So, while people of your
stature are probably not required, you are the only ones to be trusted.
About halfway through the trip, Tony (the magic user) is studying the device. He thinks
to him-self, how obvious. And without really stopping to think, walks over to the device
and press a series of buttons. The device begins to hum. The central section becomes
translucent and you can see a map of sorts. There are many points, interconnected by
straight and curved lines. Tony reaches in and touches one of the points. The only red
one. After this he returns to his senses.
The power that conveys through the device begins to rise. Everyone comes down to have a
look. There is a whirlpool of raw magic power, more power than any of you have ever seen.
It courses in a toroid through the device. The rouge on the way down notices that there
are standing waves forming in the river around the boat. The water is splashing out of the
river. Soon the power in the room is too high and you are forced to the deck of the boat.
Around you the river has been completely emptied of water. A cyclone has formed around
the boat and you are clearly in the eye. The lines of power, now visibly stretch miles
into the air. Still the crescendo continues to build. The sailors have left the boat and
run to the shore. But your group remains, unwilling to leave the device in your charge.
There is a pause, the power seems to have reached a peak.
Then you feel that you are in free fall. The sun is shining brightly and there is no
sign of a storm.
Here the session begins.
Group 2 Session Background
You have been idle for some time now and have been looking forward to the trip to Wing
Ting Mai. The four winged blip, with a crew of four, has been loaded with the spice, the
main export product of your local kingdom. Your home base as James is a member, if a
little removed, of the local ruling family.
The trip has been difficult. Very strong winds have blown you south and you decided to
land to wait out the storm.
Suddenly there is a loud bang, the gondola has been breached, and two of the crew lost.
This is followed by a soft thud from above. The Blip begins an emergency climb. You are
unable to stop it. The steering mechanism has been destroyed by the first hit. The Blip is
clearly wounded. The left wings are damaged.
You float south on the winds. Rudderless. You cannot fix the steering and regain
control of the blip. You pass south over the end of the peninsula.
After about a week of being blown south. (You have never seen such as strong or
consistent wind.) You are travelling in sunny weather. You notice a boat below. You have
now descended to about 1,000 feet. The blip is slowly loosing altitude. But you do not
want to leave it. It is too valuable.
As you close on the boat, which is sailing north and appears heavily laden, you see a
black spot in the sky directly ahead. It is also at 1000 feet. This black spot is growing
rapidly and you are clearly being blown directly at it.
You are in darkness. All you hair stands upright in the static field. The last thing
you saw was the boat also being blown back into the spot. There is an ear splitting sound
of thunder. And then the day is clear again.
