Session: 5a.1 – Arrival on Terra

• Real time: Monday, 30 August 2010
• Game dates: “1 June 2194 A.D./C.E. or -1/0 Galactic Era”
• Locations: Rio de Janeiro space elevator, Vimeco arcology
• Summary: Shortly after open and official First Contact between humanity and galactic societies, xenologist Syzygy arrives at the Rio “beanstalk.” Black Box Security Co. assigns Chris McKee to guard the alien.
  Tharian Tela escapes space pirates and gets a piloting gig alongside celebutante Aughest-vor, who’s hiding from paparazzi. A terrorist attack on the beanstalk forces their shuttle to land at a megacorp arcology, where it’s accosted by mysterious armed men. After defeating them, the shuttle crew takes off….
• Vehicles: suborbital shuttle craft
• Non-Player Characters: beanstalk customs agents, 2 as-yet-unidentified assailants
• Links: http://games.groups.yahoo.com/group/DnD3VanishedLands/message/9197
  http://groups.google.com/group/holysteel/msg/503017347d9ddf93

Session: 5a.2 – Searching for a haven

• Real time: Monday, 13 September 2010
• Game dates: 2 to 4 June 2194 A.D./C.E. or -1/0 Galactic Era
• Locations: Atlantis 3 (Caribbean), private island of the Verico family in the South Pacific, and New Miami
• Summary: Aughest-vor pilots the shuttle to Atlantis 3, where Syzygy holds an impromptu press conference. Lt. Kevin Reese helps Chris evacuate civilian passengers and interrogate one would-be kidnapper from xenophobic group “Terra Prime.”
  Tela repairs the shuttle, which Aughest takes to Verico Island, owned by friends of his family. However, submarines from regional powers and megacorps soon converge, forcing the group to flee to New Miami….
• Vehicles: orbital shuttle, armored transport in New Miami
• N.P.C.s: Quentin (surviving prisoner), Tracy (flight controller at Atlantis 3, befriended by Kevin), Todd Walton (xenophobe legislator), Hikara Reynolds (xenophile debater), Angelica Hughes (reporter in New Venice, known by Aughest-vor), Susan Strong (ally of Walton; known by Aughest-vor)
• Links: http://www.starwars.com/games/playnow/crawl_creator/index.jsp?cs=5rh277gzpk
  http://games.groups.yahoo.com/group/DnD3VanishedLands/message/9213
  http://groups.google.com/group/holysteel/msg/7e4784cae42061bc

Session: 5a.3, New Miami gala

• Real time: 27 September 2010
• Game dates: “5 to 12 June 2194 A.D./C.E. or -1/0 G.E.”
• Locations: Safehouse in New Miami
• Summary: Syzygy conducts research with his organic lab, meets fellow scientists, and gets pet cat “Mr. Sniffles.” Tela explores the cordoned-off neighborhood, and Agent Prometheus contacts his Black Box handlers. Lt. Reese reports to Interplanetary Patrol, and Aughest-vor helps his new companions prepare for a formal ball where his cousin Raine and Terra Prime members gather….
• Vehicles: hover limousine, Olvar cutter (in orbit?)
• N.P.C.s: Scene 1: New safehouse
• Hank Neilson-male North American human biologist
• Kulbar-male Ru’ulok (see below), author of “A Guide to Xenomorphic Cultures”
• Tch’lsk (“Chalisk”)-female Nethian (see below) sociologist
• Paul Reinhardt-identified by Chris as the head of the mysterious Black Box Security Co., which is contracted to protect aliens
  >>Some aliens described by Tch’lsk to the party
• Encegulans: slug-like slavers who took Tela from her homeworld
• Gustrall: orange-furred, antlered, velociraptor-like warriors
• Nethians: blue-shelled insectoid engineers, friendly rivals to Trinoids
• Olvar: arboreal mammal-like pranksters and mystics
• Ru’ulok: heavy-world reptilian pirates, members of Trade Guilds
• Trinoids: trilateral amphibious terraformers, co-founders of the Kharvamid Alliance
• Xenoids: synthetic beings created by aliens, similar to humanity’s robots, “Uplifted” animals, and genetically engineered creatures
  >>Scene 2: At the ball
• Hikara Reynolds-female Terran human commentator and xenophile, follows Tela around
• Raine Usk-cerhat Vercereng Ushu-male human from L-5 orbital cities, board member of Vimeco megacorp and cousin of Aughest-vor; competes for media attention
• Angelica Hughes-female Terran human reporter (with hovering camera drones), covers Raine and Aughest-vor’s announcements
• Col. Leandro Asquiel-male Latin American human U.E.A. officer, contact of Kevin
• Rallip-male Delphine (“Synth: Uplifted” dolphin) navy officer in the U.E.A. Task Force, chats with fellow pilot Aughest-vor
• Ben Chisolm-male Terran human protestor and supporter of xenophobe legislator Todd Walton; apprehended, questioned, and released by Chris and Kevin, who plan to follow up on “Terra Prime” movement
• Krilvar-male Ru’ulok, talks with Aughest-vor about the potential for change in family/Vimeco leadership and relationship with interstellar Trade Guilds
• Wan Bei Ling-female Chinese human, chaplain in the United Ecumenical Movement, dances with uniformed Kevin, telepathically scans him, and invites him to work with the U.E.M.; Aughest-vor knows her father
• Sulima-female Olvar, has romantic rendezvous with Kevin and describes the Star League, which is the Kharvamid Alliance’s loose equivalent to the U.E.A.’s Interplanetary Patrol
• Links: http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb42/GeneD5/Vortex/Vortex01.jpg
  http://games.groups.yahoo.com/group/DnD3VanishedLands/message/9217
  http://groups.google.com/group/holysteel/msg/10a9cc0d1458e52e
  http://www.enworld.org/forum/blogs/edemaitre/3004-29-september-2010-vortex-space-opera-update-5a-3-miami-gala.html
  http://community.wizards.com/vanishedlands/blog/2010/09/29/29_september_2010:vortex_update_5a.3_-_miamigala

Session: 5a.4 – The debate

• Real time: Columbus Day, 11 October 2010
• Game dates: “13 June 2194 A.D./C.E. or -1/0 G.E.”
• Locations: New Miami television studio, safehouse
• Summary: Syzygy and Tela deal with alien and human visitors and their own curiosity. Chris and Kevin try to protect them from the news media and Terra Prime, and Aughest-vor helps set up a televised debate with xenophobic legislator Todd Walton. A missile attack on the studio kills several people, and the two aliens and their three human allies are forced to flee with Walton.
• Vehicles: news chopper, two attacking aerodynes, police aircars, news van, two hovercycles
• N.P.C.s: See also Session 5a.3
• Eileen Ryan-female cyborg mech driver from Lunar Free State, agent for Transport Congolomerates
• Dr. Karl Rugar-male human private physician to Aughest-vor, killed in attack on studio during Syzygy’s debate with Todd Walton
• Two Ru’ulok on hovercycles, killed pursuing party in news van
• Links: http://games.groups.yahoo.com/group/DnD3VanishedLands/message/9233

Session: 5a.5 – To Lemuria Station

• Real time: Monday, 18 October 2010
• Game dates: “13 to 17 June 2194 A.D./C.E. or -1/0 G.E.”
• Locations: New Miami, Tampa spaceport, L-5 orbital city’s “Violet Sector,” “Randy Pelican” nightclub
• Summary: After another attack by Terra Prime terrorists, the party drops off Todd Walton at his mansion and gets a lead on an interstellar ship from the Olvar Star League lend-lease program. Aughest-vor pilots a rickety scow to his home at the Lemuria orbital city, where the group disguises itself as musicians and meets Kerbic Chevka.
• Vehicles: news van, mecha, scow, shuttles
• N.P.C.s: xenophobic legislator Todd Walton, mecha driver/Transport Conglomerates’ Eileen Ryan, Ru’ulok Krilvar, Black Box Security Co., Interplanetary Patrol’s Mr. Gray
• Vamshee Singh-male Findian (Finnish/Indian) human, former chauffeur to the Ushu family, contacted by Aughest-vor for scow from Tampa to Lemuria
• “Antero Vipunen”-fake classical rock music band used as a party alias; named after a giant from Finnish mythology
• Chipwe-female delphine (genetically engineered/“Uplifted” dolphin) U.E.A. military attaché
• “Oban” [Dave R-B./N.P.C.]-male Meorr (blue-furred leonine alien), met Tela with Chipwe
• “Kerbic Chevka” [David I.S.]-male Olvar (mammal-like alien) special agent from the Kharvamid Alliance, sheltered party at Lemuria
• Links: http://games.groups.yahoo.com/group/DnD3VanishedLands/message/9239
  http://groups.google.com/group/holysteel/msg/b8f6f21beb56ae47
  http://www.enworld.org/forum/blogs/edemaitre/3046-20-october-2010-fate-3e-vortex-space-opera-update-5a-5-miami-lemuria.html
  http://community.wizards.com/vanishedlands/blog/2010/10/20/20_october_2010:fate_3e_vortex_space_opera,update_5a.5_-_miamitolemuria

Session: 5a.6 – Disco, funeral, and mall madness

• Real time: 1 November 2010
• Game dates: “18 to 21 June 2194 A.D./C.E. or -1/0 G.E.”
• Locations: L-5 Lemuria Station, “Lazarus Long’s” discotheque, Kraken Plaza shopping mall, hospital
• Summary: Still in hiding at Kerbic Chevka’s quarters, Syzygy continues his xenobiological research. Kevin and Tela get restless and party at “Lazarus Long’s,” while Aughest-vor and Chris investigate Terra Prime and crash a funeral. At Kraken Plaza, the group confronts mercenaries of businessmen Raine and Osric Nagachaudhri, but Aughest is incapacitated in the skirmish….
• Vehicles: shuttle from L-5 to Lunar Free State
• N.P.C.s: “Kerbic Chevka” [David I.S.], Todd Walton, Susan Strong (deceased), Eileen Ryan, Raine Ushu
• Greta Nagachaudhri-female Svendian-Lemurian human auditor, befriended Kevin
• “Ozgur Booyan” [Brian W.]-male Svendian-Lemurian human, philosophical playboy, met Tela at “Lazarus Long’s”
• “Bob the Seeker” [Josh C.]-male Lemurian near-human party boy with hookah, doesn’t like Chim (“Synth/Uplifted” chimpanzee George; freaked out upon realizing that Tela is an alien
• “Barnabas St. Barnabas” [Jason E.R.]-male Lemurian human skier, knows Aughest-vor, met Tela, helped rescue Chris
• “Scott Wegman X” [Bruce K.]-male Lemurian human, laid-back dude who recommends Rudy, a dealer of “Red Menace” on Mars
• “Lee Huang Lowensgard” [Brian]-female Lemurian human reporter, accosted Chris outside Susan Strong’s funeral
• “Fr. O’Neill” [Bruce]-male Lemurian human priest, ignorant of Strong’s political affiliations (with xenophobes Todd Walton and Terra Prime)
• “Harald” [Jason]-male Lemurian human, gave eulogy at Strong’s funeral
• Osric Nagachaudhri-male Svendian-Lemurian human, cruel entrepreneur, husband of Greta, and ally of Raine against the team
• Two male Ru’ulok, wearing disguises, associates of Raine and Osric (one killed in firefight at Kraken Plaza)
• Links: http://groups.google.com/group/holysteel/msg/be11abe8b8a15289
  http://www.enworld.org/forum/blogs/edemaitre/3094-3-nov-2010-vortex-update-5a-6-disco-funeral-mall-madness.html
  http://community.wizards.com/vanishedlands/blog/2010/11/03/3_november_2010:vortex_update_5a.6_-disco,funeral,andmallmadness
  http://games.groups.yahoo.com/group/DnD3VanishedLands/message/9254

Session: 5a.7 – The Moon and beyond

• Real time: 15 November 2010
• Game dates: “22 to 30 June 2194 A.D./C.E. or -1/0 G.E.”
• Locations: Lemuria orbital city; Armstrong City, Lunar Free State
• Summary: Kevin and Chris get Aughest-vor out of the hospital where he is being held by loyalists to Raine and Osric. Kerbic helps them, Syzygy, and Tela get to the “Tortuga’s Hoard” to leave Lemuria Station for the Lunar Free State, where they see the “Patrocles,” part of the “Achilles” battle group.
  In Armstrong City, Tela flies with “Synths,” Chris and Kevin report to superiors, and Syzygy deals with megacorp overtures for alien technology. Interplanetary Patrol helps the travelers get berths aboard the “Achilles,” which is headed to Mars for a refit.
• Vehicles: military shuttles, flotilla, and
• “Tortuga’s Hoard”-orbital shuttle bringing solar sailboats from Lemuria Station to Armstrong City, piloted by Kevin and Aughest-vor
• United Earth Vessel “Patrocles”-destroyer, directs the “Tortuga’s Hoard” to flight path approaching the Lunar Free State
• U.E.V. “Achilles”-flagship of battle group heading to Mars for a refit with Kharvamid Alliance faster-than-light drives
• Ultra-tech tools: Antimatter Dynafile, Chronometric Saw, Cryptoawl, Cybernetic Lathe, Isodrill, Magnetic Mallet, Morphic Lever, Singularity File, Transcrowbar, Vibrospatial Chisel
• N.P.C.s: cousin Raine, Mr. Gray, Todd Walton, Eileen Ryan, Kerbic Chevka, Osric Nagachaudhri
• Dawn Cohen-female Lunar human actress, hired by Kevin to play a nurse to give laxatives to Vimeco guards holding Aughest-vor in his hospital room for Raine and Osric
• “Cornelius J. Sinclair” [David A.H./unnamed]-male Terran human martial artist working for Walker Industries, posed as room service and warned about Transport Conglomerates
• Anaria Leapril-female avian “Synth” (genetically engineered humanoid) talked with Tela at Armstrong City’s aerodrome
• Taka Shimuza-male near-human with cybernetic wings, told Tela of low-gravity jai alai
• Dr. Humberto Echevarria-male Terran human sent by Transport Conglomerates to examine Syzygy’s organic lab and ask for samples
• LFS-based corporations: Kirby Broadcasting System, American Containers, Cyrogenic Logistics, Indemnified Pharmaceuticals, Vargas Brokers, Humphrey Horticulture, Nippon Climate Control, Recording Equity, Berlin Biotech
• Col. Brent Marks-male Terran human, United Earth Authority (U.E.A.) space marine, greets party as it boards the “Achilles”
• Capt. Omar Sajjad-male Terran human, commander of U.E.A. battle group
• Cmdr. Beatriz Vera-female Terran human, first officer of the “Achilles”
• Links: http://games.groups.yahoo.com/group/DnD3VanishedLands/message/9257
  http://www.enworld.org/forum/blogs/edemaitre/3132-18-november-2010-fate-3e-vortex-team-1-update-5a-7-moon-beyond.html
  http://community.wizards.com/vanishedlands/blog/2010/11/19/19_nov.2010:vortex_team_1,update_5a.7_-_themoonandbeyond
  http://groups.google.com/group/holysteel/msg/826fe82b36017887

Session: 5a.8 – On the way to Mars

• Real time: 29 November 2010
• Game dates: “1 to 15 July 2194 A.D./C.E. or -1/0 G.E.”
• Locations: Earth to Mars aboard the “Achilles” battle group
• Summary: The civilians attend a formal dinner with officers from the “Achilles” battle group. Syzygy studies physiology with Dr. Vijay Udayan, Tela helps chief engineer Ian MacFarlane, and Chris practices gunnery and fends off unnerving inquiries from android Mr. Claudio and Sgt. Andrei Malikov.
  Aughest-vor beats Delphine pilot Col. Wynona Smoketrail, and Lt. Reese gets a private tour of the “Ajax” from Cmdr. Nayoko Itasamin after helping Chris contact his Black Box handlers. The group begins making plans for the Olvar cutter the “Morifaiwet,” or “Blackbird.”
• Vehicles: military shuttles, flotilla, and
• “Tortuga’s Hoard”-orbital shuttle bringing solar sailboats from Lemuria Station to Armstrong City, piloted by Kevin and Aughest-vor
• United Earth Vessel “Patrocles”-destroyer, directed the “Tortuga’s Hoard” to flight path approaching the Lunar Free State
• U.E.V. “Achilles”-flagship of battle group heading to Mars for a refit with Kharvamid Alliance faster-than-light drives
  http://jager375.deviantart.com/art/Achilles-Battle-Cruiser-60888889?offset=10
  http://sgtng.wikia.com/wiki/USS_Achilles
• U.E.V. “Ajax”-Terran cruiser in the “Achilles” battle group
• U.E.V. “Thetis”-Terran supply ship in the “Achilles” battle group
• “Morifaiwet,” or “Blackbird” (the party also considers the name “Gen. Sherman”).
• N.P.C.s:
• Capt. Omar Sajjad-male Arabic Terran human, commander of the “Achilles” United Earth Authority battle group
• Cmdr. Beatriz Vera-female South American Terran human, first officer of the “Achilles,” talked with Lt. Reese
• Lt.Cmdr. Jake “Sunspot” Smith-male Martian human, commander of Europa battalion Marine expeditionary strike group, helps train Chris and Kevin
• Col. Brent Marks-male Terran human, United Earth Authority space marine, greets party as it boards the “Achilles”
• Dr. Vijay Udayan-male Indian Terran human, chief medical officer on the “Achilles,” compares scientific notes with Syzygy
• Lt. Tamara Jones-female North American Terran human, junior medical officer aboard the “Achilles”
• Lt. Deepfisher-male Saturnian Delphine astrogator of the “Achilles,” talked with Tela
• Lt.Cmdr. Ian MacFarlane-male Scottish Terran human, chief engineer of the “Achilles,” befriended Tela
• Chief Petty Officer Surya Davoori-female Indian Terran cyborg, assistant engineer on the “Achilles”
• Mr. Claudio-A.I., intelligence political officer on the “Achilles,” interrogated Chris and Kevin
• Sgt. Andrei Malikov-male Russian Lunar human, warrant officer, chief of internal security on the “Achilles”
• Cmdr. Frederica Nyambu-female African Terran human, commander of the cruiser “Patrocles”
• Major Abe Masood-male Arabic Terran near-human, commander of logistical support vessel “Thetis”
• Cmdr. Nayoko Itasamin-female Japanese Terran human, commander of the destroyer “Ajax,” pursued by Kevin
• Lt. Jaruki Montoya-female L-5 Chim, communications officer of the “Achilles”
• Lt. Annie Wong-female Chinese Martian near-human, morale officer of the “Achilles”
• Col. Wynona Smoketrail-female Venusian Delphine, commander of the 412th fighter wing aboard the “Achilles” [see also “BattleTech” notes and “Space: Above and Beyond”], raced Aughest-vor
• Lt. Spork-female robot, fighter pilot in the Royal Flush squadron aboard the “Achilles,” talked with Aughest-vor
• Links: http://games.groups.yahoo.com/group/DnD3VanishedLands/message/9272
  http://www.enworld.org/forum/blogs/edemaitre/3157-30-november-2010-fate-3e-vortex-update-5a-8-team-1-way-mars.html
  http://community.wizards.com/vanishedlands/blog/2010/11/30/vortex_team_1,update_5a.8_-_on_the_way_tomars
  http://groups.google.com/group/holysteel/msg/fab634d487be4b1f

Session: 5a.9 – Mars madness: Train terror and New Shanghai!

• Real time: Monday, 20 December 2010
• Game dates: “16 July to 15 August 2194 A.D./C.E. or -1/0 G.E.”
• Locations: the “Achilles” battle group, including the destroyer “Ajax”; Deimos-Pavonis space elevator, train from Sheffield Station near Valles Marineris to New Shanghai (near Eos Chasma), Triplanetary Hotel, Jennifer and Nick’s apartment
• Summary: After a few weeks in space, the “Achilles” battle group arrives at the Mars Confederacy. Syzygy and Tela plan to go east to the terraforming station at Hadriaca Paterna. Chris and Kevin want to go south, to Black Box’s facility at the capital of Hellas Park and Interplanetary Patrol at Port Lowell, respectively. They decide against the U.E.A.‘s Fort Olympus Mons for now.
  They take a train together to New Shanghai, but bandits interrupt their ride. Two are killed, and the passengers file statements with the People’s Liberation Army. A grateful elderly passenger hosts dinner for Syzygy, Tela, and Chris, but Kevin goes to find the sister of his late wife Heather.
  Lt. Reese is surprised to find Nick Cheney, who was involved in his wife’s murder, at Jennifer’s apartment! After confronting her at the coroner’s office where she works, Kevin gets a disguise and a plasma blaster. When his companions arrive, Tela is caught in the crossfire! Syzygy, Tela, and Aughest-vor change rooms at the Triplanetary Hotel, while Chris goes to confront Kevin….
• Vehicles: U.E.V. “Achilles” (carrier), “Ajax” (destroyer), Deimos-Pavonis “beanstalk,” train to New Shanghai, bandits’ dune buggy, People’s Liberation Army aerodynes, velocipedes (pedal-powered aircraft), hovercabs
• N.P.C.s: “Mr. Sniffles,” Syzygy’s cat, and
• On the “Achilles:” Capt. Omar Sajjad, Lt.Cmdr. Ian McFarlane (engineer, friend of Tela), Col. Wynona Smoketrail (Delphine pilot friend of Aughest-vor), Mr. Claudio (A.I. inquisitor, watching Chris); Cmdr. Nayoko Itasamin (friend of Kevin aboard the “Ajax”)
• Rudy-male Martian human, dealer in “Red Menace” at Sheffield Station, referred to “Tela” [Sara F.] by “Barnabas St. Barnabas” [Jason E.R./N.P.C.] at Lemuria Station, skipped for now
• unnamed bandit, Martian human, with riot shield – killed by Chris, Kevin, and other passengers during botched train robbery
• Kouros-male Martian Synth: Minotaur (genetically engineered humanoid), killed by Chris and Kevin, who took his comm link and plasma blaster; possibly affiliated with the Synth United Front or anti-terraforming Rust Coalition
• Lt. Ron Fu Chow-male Martian human officer in the People’s Liberation Army (local military), questioned team after robbery repelled
• Fuyun Yi-female Martian human, elderly woman rescued by Syzygy when train’s hull was breached; fed team at her family home and talked of Gongen “domesteads” and rumors of crocolisks, six-legged Martian alligators
• Jennifer-female Martian human, sister of Kevin’s late wife Heather, works at local morgue
• Nick Cheney-male Martian human, former chief of police at Namor-Asperagen colony, involved in Heather’s murder and living with Jennifer; Kevin tried to kill him in his apartment with plasma blast
• Tong-Martian human organized criminal gangs, which Kevin tried to frame for assassination attempt on Nick
• Links: http://games.groups.yahoo.com/group/DnD3VanishedLands/message/9289
  http://www.enworld.org/forum/blogs/edemaitre/3207-20-dec-2010-vortex-team-1-update-5a-9-mars-madness-train-terror.html
  http://groups.google.com/group/holysteel/msg/38ea5ee7e54a7847
  http://community.wizards.com/vanishedlands/blog/2010/12/22/vortex_team_1,update_5a.9_-_mars_madness_and_trainterror!

Session: 5a.10 – Across the Martian outback

• Real time: Monday, 17 January 2011
• Game dates: “16 to 20 August 2194 A.D./C.E. or -1/0 G.E.”
• Locations: Triplanetary Hotel, New Shanghai; Tenryu Party headquarters, Hellas Park
  Summary: While Kevin lays low for a while in New Shanghai, his companions continue sightseeing on Mars. Aughest-vor pilots an ornithopter to the capital of Hellas Park. Syzygy meets a friendly scientist and member of TerAK, and Chris gets debriefed and reprogrammed at Black Box Security Co.’s offices.
  An aerodyne rental escorted by two Uruk Services aircraft is attacked by flying wings from the Barsoom Defense Force but manages to reach the Hadriaca Paterna terraforming station, where the party makes new friends.
  Vehicles: ornithopter, escort aircraft, rented aerodyne, train, suborbital supply ship
• N.P.C.s:
• Jennifer-female Martian human, sister of Kevin’s late wife Heather, works at local morgue in New Shanghai
• Nick Cheney-male Martian human, former chief of police at Namor-Asperagen colony, involved in Heather’s murder and living with Jennifer; Kevin tried to kill him in his apartment with plasma blast
• Tong-Martian human organized criminal gangs, which Kevin tried to frame for assassination attempt on Nick
• flock of avian Synths (genetically engineered winged humanoids) avoided by Aughest-vor’s ’thopter aerobatics, hawk men salute his piloting
• Shocho-mascot/avatar (artificial intelligence) of the Tenryu Party, which governs the Mars Confederacy and People’s Liberation Army
• Radha Hussein-female Martian human at the Tharsis Terraforming Directorate (under the Wildlife Bureau) at Hellas Park; liaison to extrasolar scientists; member of TerAK (Terran-Allied Kharvamids), befriends Syzygy
• Kieran Larbo-male Martian human at Black Box Security Co.’s offices in Hellas Park; debriefs and reprograms Chris/“Agent Prometheus”
• Otto Veer-male Martian human at Black Box HQ; talked about eugenics with Syzygy; guarded by two clones
• Uruk Services-two Martian aircraft asked to escort party’s rented aerodyne from Hellas Park to Hadriaca Paterna, one shot down
• Barsoom Defense Force-nativist group, sent two raider craft after aerodyne and Uruk vessels; shot down by Chris
• Taka Shimuza-male Martian human, gives party tour of the Hadriaca Paterna terraforming station and explains about Green Gongen/Rust Coalition rivalry
• Slazim-male Trinoid xenobiologist, compared notes with Syzygy
• Znk’g (Zenku’ogi)-male Nethian (insectoid alien) engineer, talked with Tela
• Asdann Frevel-male Gustrall (raptor-like alien) security guard, went hunting with Chris for Martian dune striders
• Tu Han-female Martian human, courted by Aughest-vor
• Links: http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb42/GeneD5/Vortex/Vortex09.jpg
  http://games.groups.yahoo.com/group/DnD3VanishedLands/message/9317
  http://groups.google.com/group/holysteel/msg/f43d95329a9e567b
  http://www.enworld.org/forum/blogs/edemaitre/3284-20-january-2011-vortex-update-5a-10-across-martian-outback.html
  http://community.wizards.com/vanishedlands/blog/2011/01/20/20_jan.2011:vortex_update_5a.10_-_across_themartianoutback

Session: 5a.11 – Martian marshals

• Real time: 31 January 2011 [see Josh C./“Agent Prometheus’” notes]
• Game dates: “21 to 24 August to 2194 A.D./C.E. or -1/0 G.E.”
• Locations: New Shanghai and Port Lowell, Mars
  Summary: The team reunites with Kevin in New Shanghai, and Aughest-vor rents the “Tiger Hawk Sandstorm” GEV to go to Interplanetary Patrol’s base at Port Lowell. Lt. Reese reports to Mr. Gray and Mr. Ling, and in return for help getting to its starship in the Asteroid Belt, the group agrees to clear out an abandoned domestead.
  However, rather than mere Martian settlers, squatters, or drug smugglers, the travelers and I.P. officers find strange technologies (some identified by Syzygy) and several Ru’ulok, some of whom apparently recognize Tela. A few get away in a rocket, destroying the domestead.
  Vehicles: suborbital cargo shuttle from Hadriaca Paterna terraforming station to New Shanghai, “Tiger Hawk Sandstorm” ground-effect vehicle to Port Lowell, military drop ship
  N.P.C.s: Nick Cheney, Jennifer, and
• Trinoid science directorate in the Kharvamid Alliance-contacted from New Shanghai by Syzygy
• Mr. (Col.) Shan Gray-male Martian human, superior officer to Lt. Reese at Interplanetary Patrol (I.P.) facility at Port Lowell
• Walter Ling-male Martian human, member of the Kizen (Tenryu Party secret police), met party at Mr. Gray’s office
• Sgt. Ling Bao-female Martian human, I.P. drop ship pilot
• ’Squatch-male Ursoid Synth (“Uplifted” bear), part of team raiding domestead
• Cookie-male Martian human cyborg, mechanic, befriended Syzygy
• four unnamed Martian human squatters-killed when Ru’ulok rocked lifted off
• six unnamed Ru’ulok (heavy-world reptilian aliens)-members of the “Takers” faction; recognized Tela; some killed, but two got away
  Links: http://games.groups.yahoo.com/group/DnD3VanishedLands/message/9331
  http://www.enworld.org/forum/blogs/edemaitre/3306-fate-3e-vortex-update-5a-11-martian-marshals.html
  http://groups.google.com/group/holysteel/msg/e4ea925771e3bc38
  http://community.wizards.com/vanishedlands/blog/2011/02/03/vortex_session_5a.11_-_martian_marshals

Session: 5a.12 – Who wants to be a starfarer?

• Real time: 28 February 2011
• Game dates: “25 to 31 August 2194 A.D./C.E. or 0 G.E.”
• Locations: Port Lowell, Mars Confederation, to Ceres Station, Asteroid Belt
• Summary: The adventurers take an Interplanetary Patrol vessel to the Asteroid Belt, where they find a massive shipyard. They study specifications for interstellar vessels and are interviewed by United Earth Authority and Kharvamid Alliance panels before being approved to take possession of their own craft. Gombo Shisel joins the crew.
• Vehicles: the “Morifaiwet/Blackbird,” and
• I.P.V. “Babieca”-Interplanetary Patrol transport from Mars to the Asteroid Belt
• “Amberthrax”-Gustrall and Ru’ulok trade ultratanker, 4 kilometers long!
• United Earth Vessel “Musashi”-U.E.A. carrier on station at Asteroid Belt, leader of battle group
• T.C.S. “Cherasu”-Delphine (genetically engineered dolphin) ship with crew of United Ecumenical Movement chaplains
• The “New York”-one of several asteroid “Arks” built by Olvar and Ma’ari advisors
• N.I.O. “Silk Claw”-Nethian ley line “sailboat”
• U.E.V. “Stella Sagitta”-TerAK (Terran-Allied Kharvamid) training ship
• Clippers, skiffs, and tenders of “Belters” and other Sol system traders
• Fighters of the Kharvamid Fleet, planetary defense forces, U.E.A./North American Aerospace Marine Corps (and Zarkonian Drones?
• “Kendawa”-class prototype battlesuits from Clan Nakagawa
• “Raptor”-class United Earth Authority/N.A.A.M.C. interplanetary fighters (“Space: Above and Beyond’s” Hammerheads)
  Non-Player Characters:
  >>United Earth Authority review committee:
• “Capt. Wu Hanbei” [Brian W.]-female Belter “near-human” (low-G) pilot of the “Babieca” (hardass; doesn’t trust civilians)
• “Lt. Bubbles Jones” [Sara F.]-female Terran Delphine (“Uplifted” dolphin) marine from the T.C.S. “Cherasu” (wants to know all threats to the Sol system)
• “Dr. Zach Siddig” [Josh C.]-male Lunar human astrophysicist (eager to explore deep space)
• “Lt. Rajesh Williams” [Bruce K.]-male Jovian “near-human” (cyborg) mecha driver of Kendawa-class battlesuit (doesn’t trust aliens)
• “Carlos Mazantas” [Rich L.]-male Martian “near-human” (telepathic) journalist (uncomfortable with secrecy)
  >>Kharvamid Fleet/Star League panel:
• “Stk’Krst/Stack-Kurst” [Brian W.]-male Nethian (insectoid alien) engineer from the N.I.O. “Silk Claw” (wary of incompetence)
• “Sudoku” [Sara F.]-female Trinoid (trilateral amphibian) xenologist (curious about human factions)
• “Old Chi of Clan Flanker” [Josh C.]-male Gustrall (orange-furred, ostrich-like alien) swashbuckling explorer from the “Amberthrax” ultratanker (ready for any hunt)
• “Arvel Dilsir” [Bruce K.]-male Olvar (arboreal mammal-like mystic) telepath (uncertaion about hidden agendas)
• “Gurthex” [Rich L.]-female Me’orr (lion-like alien) officer (wary of Terrans)
  >>Other Non-Player Characters in the Asteriod Belt:
• Capt. Tia Horektef-female Terran human, captain of the I.P.V. “Icy Corona,” which shuttled the party from Mars to Ceres Station; wined and dined by Lt. Reese
• Adm. Raul Xinshang-male Terran human, commander of the U.E.V. “Musashi” and its battle group
• “Kyle Deraco” [James A.W./N.P.C.]-male Terran “near-human” (mutant) scientist and conspiracy theorist
• Lt. Sheila Berenson-female Terran (L-5) human, captain of the “Stella Sagitta”
• Links: http://games.groups.yahoo.com/group/DnD3VanishedLands/message/9352
  http://groups.google.com/group/holysteel/msg/2a0c293e5debb4dc
  http://www.enworld.org/forum/blogs/edemaitre/3395-vortex-update-5a-12-who-wants-starfarer.html
  http://community.wizards.com/vanishedlands/blog/2011/03/10/vortex_update_5a.12:_who_wants_to_be_a_starfarer
  http://www.genesworlds.com/2011/03/10/vortex-update-5a-12-who-wants-to-be-a-starfarer/

Session: 5a.13 – Leaving space dock

• Real time: Monday, 14 March 2011
• Game dates: “30 August to 4 September 2194 A.D./C.E. or 0 Galactic Era”
• Locations: Ceres Station, Asteroid Belt
• Summary: After Aughest-vor and his companions are approved, they review the specifications of the Olvar scout cutter “Morifaiwet” before taking command and rechristening it the “Blackbird.” Among other things, they find biomechanical drones and a U.E.A. robot that they nickname “Mr. Bucket” and shakedown cruise orders.
• Vehicles: see previous notes; I.P.V. “Babieca,” shuttles, Aughest’s solar-sail racer, the “Tiger Hawk Sandstorm” G.E.V., the U.E.V. “Musashi” battle group, “Morifaiwet/Blackbird”
• N.P.C.s: see prior updates; Capt. Wu Hanbei, Adm. Raul Xinshang
• Links: http://games.groups.yahoo.com/group/DnD3VanishedLands/message/9369
  http://www.genesworlds.com/2011/03/22/vortex-update-5a-13-leaving-space-dock/
  http://groups.google.com/group/holysteel/msg/02fd4b4432e2df82

Session: 5a.14 – Tyche trading

• Real time: Monday, 28 March 2011
• Game dates: “5 to 7 September 2194 A.D./C.E. or 0 G.E.”
• Locations: Tyche extrasolar body, orbital colony near Saturn’s moon Titan
• Summary: The “Blackbird” investigates Tyche, which turns out to be a rogue brown dwarf just outside the Sol system. The crew negotiates a plasma-sharing arrangement between alien Cestolar and Jovian human miners. The explorers then go to Titan to look for a used military drop ship to complement the “Tiger Hawk Sandstorm.”
• Vehicles: U.E.V. “Blackbird,” “Tiger Hawk Sandstorm” ground-effect vehicle, the Jovian ship “Shameless Strumpet,” Cestolar mining vessel, “Cheyenne” and “Tau Orca”-class used military drop ships
• N.P.C.s:
• Cestolar (badger-like former Olvar clients) – Capt. Dvar, Uduk, Khoz-suspicious of Terrans, recognize Tela as Tharian
• Jovian human crew of the “Shameless Strumpet” – Capt. Shane Borkai, Tetzuki Scarlotti, and Malia Karveh-wearing ornately armored space suits, have an Oromax megacorp contract, know of Aughest-vor and Vimeco
• Links: http://games.groups.yahoo.com/group/DnD3VanishedLands/message/9393
  http://www.genesworlds.com/2011/03/30/vortex-update-5a-14-tyche-trading/

Session: 5a.15 – Titan and drop ship

• Real time: Monday, 25 April 2011
• Game dates: “8 to 14 September 2194 A.D./C.E. or 0 Galactic Era”
• Locations: Titan colony (0.5 G, -180 C), Saturn:
• Eclipse Station-orbital habitat, includes Lucky Garden Casino, Ringtown Diner
• New Syria-surface colony, includes Arhus University (mostly virtual)
• New Quebec-surface colony, seat of local government, Interplanetary Patrol office
• Summary: The “Blackbird” docks at Eclipse Station, and Tela nearly provokes a food fight at the Ringtown Diner. Aughest-vor… and Lt. Kevin Reese go to the Lucky Garden Casino before meeting with Dimitri Parvis, who eventually sells the team a drop ship that it test drives on Titan. Syzygy meets a colleague in New Syria, while Chris is surgically reprogrammed. The crew gets missions to Alpha Centauri and Oasis Station but turns down one from pirate Capt. Stone.
• Vehicles: The “Blackbird” and “Tiger Hawk Sandstorm,” shuttles between Eclipse Station and Titan, “Cheyenne”-class drop ship (renamed the “Dragonfly”), “Tau Orca”-class drop ship
• N.P.C.s:
• Robotic waitress, jukebox/cook-at Ringtown Diner, talked with Tela
• Ralek-male armored Ru’ulok of the “Bloody Drover” (at Bay 19), target of a slice of Chris’ multicolored pizza thrown by Tela
• Faisal Batar-male Chim ’mechanic, hit by slice of pizza
• Tanya Montana and Galia-female “Synths” (synthetic humanoid/android/Artificial Intelligence), showgirls at the casino who befriend Aughest-vor and Kevin
• Rev. Winston Jones-male Saturnian human preacher and gambler
• Erta Garza-female Delphine astrogator for hire, between gigs at the Lucky Garden Casino
• Dimitri Parvis-male Russian/Saturnian cyborg mecha pilot and Vimeco client, sells “Cheyenne”-class drop ship
• Amir Mukhtadi-male Arabic/Saturnian human, Oromax contractor and rival to Parvis; offers a “Tau Orca”-class drop ship for sale at New Quebec
• Hassan Mukhtadi-male Arabic/Saturnian human provisioner and brother of Amir, sells goldfish to Tela and weapons to Chris
• Solipsy-Trinoid “Sharer” at Arhus University, met with Syzygy and allowed Kevin to use her scanning equipment in return for taking an intelligence mission to Oasis Station, 40 parsecs from Sol, for the Kharvamid Alliance
• Jamila Sahdai-female Terran “near-human” botanist, medic, and Black Box agent; operated on Agent Prometheus with the aid of two naked people released from hibernation chambers at university
• Lt. Yasmin Al-Ghuj-female human, partner of Capt. Cisneros
• Capt. Garzan Cisneros-male human Interplanetary Patrol officer, commander of the U.E.V. “Kindjal”; asks Lt. Reese to help resupply Tiger Squadron near Alpha Centauri
• Capt. Robert Stone-male cyborg gas miner, captain of the “Spring-Heeled Jack” with an “octoparrot”; offers to help remove Chris’ implant in return for extrasolar distribution of the Terran videogame “Defeat the Fleet” (party declined)
• Links: http://games.groups.yahoo.com/group/DnD3VanishedLands/message/9424
  http://www.genesworlds.com/2011/04/26/vortex-update-5a-15-titan-and-drop-ship/

Session: 5a.16 – Camp Alpha and xenomorphs

• Real time: Monday, 9 May 2011
• Game dates: “15 to 19 September 2194 A.D./C.E. or 0 G.E.”
• Locations: From Eclipse Station, Titan, Saturn to Alpha Centauri (trinary system with defense buoys):
• Alpha Centauri A-main sequence yellow G2 star, 1.1 Sol mass
• Chiron-rockball
• Toliman-methane/carbon dioxide atmosphere, violet jungles, site of Camp Alpha and “mantiles”
• Cassida-outer world of Alpha Centauri A
• Alpha Centauri B-smaller KO-class star, orbited by Newton and Alphane
• Proxima Centauri-red dwarf M5, 20% Sol mass with flares, 3 gas giants: Eldritch, Shedar, Furon
• Summary: The crew of the “Blackbird” experiences altered perceptions during its shakedown cruise using the experimental REM faster-than-light drive. Upon arriving at the Alpha Centauri trinary star system, the explorers check in with Tiger Squadron at Camp Alpha on Toliman. The space marines’ commander is missing, and some blame local “mantiles.” After a hunting expedition into Toliman’s jungle, the explorers prepare to search near space….
• Vehicles: the “Blackbird,” “Dragonfly,” and “Tiger Hawk Sandstorm” and Raptor-class fighters (see Space: Above and Beyond Hammerheads)
• “Zheng He”-slower-than-light generation colony ship; after First Contact, passengers hope for FTL refit en route to Alpha Centauri
• U.E.V. “Bellerphon”-Terran military ship, intercepted “Zheng He” and brought Tiger Squadron to establish Camp Alpha
• N.P.C.s: Dr. Bucket and
  >>U.E.A., North American Aerospace Marine Corps, Tiger Squadron:
• Spaceman Peter Jones-male U.K./L-5 robot, pilot, mechanic
• Sgt. Kurt Schriever-male Terran Chim, gunner; drinks with Chris
• “Lt. Misawa Onizuka” [Sara F./N.P.C.]-female Delphine, astrogator; chats with Aughest-vor
• “Capt. Robin Buckley” [Jason E.R./N.P.C.]-female Terran human, burser, communications; embittered former paramour of Kevin
• Maj. Walt Vanderbilt-male Terran human, acting commander; talked with Lt. Reese and company
• Lt.Col. Hollis Shelman-male Terran human, squadron commander, missing in action
• Tolimanian “mantiles”-xenomorphs (hostile aliens), vaguely reptilian/insectoid pack predators that communicate via subsonics; examined by Syzygy and Gombo
• Links: http://games.groups.yahoo.com/group/DnD3VanishedLands/message/9425
  http://www.genesworlds.com/2011/05/17/vortex-update-5a-16-camp-alpha-and-xenomorphs/

Session: 5a.17 – First Contact at Proxima

• Real time: Monday, 23 May 2011
• Game dates: “20 to 22 September 2194 A.D./C.E. or 0 Terran Galactic Era”
• Locations: Alpha Centauri system (see above)
• Summary: The adventuring party scans for the missing Lt.Col. Hollis Shelman and makes First Contact with the “Dwellers of the Clouds” at Shedar. After tense maneuvering, they return the “broken one,” whose craft had been damaged when their ships came out of Transit (FTL) space and overloaded his systems with a scan. Back at Camp Alpha, Gombo decides to stay to help the marines and approaching colonists learn how to coexist with Toliman’s ecosystem, and Aughest-vor has a tryst with Capt. Robin Buckley. Lt. Kevin Reese agrees to overlook a missile that Lt.Col. Shelman fired in a panic.
• Vehicles: The “Blackbird” and “Raptor”-class fighters
• N.P.C.s: Tiger Squadron of the North American Aerospace Marine Corps (see above)
• Dwellers of the Clouds-gas-giant inhabitants and miners
• Links: http://games.groups.yahoo.com/group/DnD3VanishedLands/message/9433
  http://www.genesworlds.com/2011/05/26/vortex-update-5a-17-first-contact-at-proxima/

Session: 5a.18 – Van Maanen’s Star – mining mystery and undersea intrigue

• Real time: Monday, 6 June 2011
• Game dates: “23 to 30 September 2194 A.D./C.E. or 0 Terran Galactic Era”
• Locations: From Alpha Centauri to Oasis Station, Van Maanen’s Star (white dwarf) with two gas-giant planets – Absolom and Methuselah
• Ruhema-innermost satellite of Absolom, site of slag piles, abandoned mining equipment, and subsurface energy-draining machinery; claimed by Aughest-vor for holding company “OPM-Pharsmor”
• Elric-pale, cold moon of Absolom, with ruined spires and thin, windy atmosphere (apologies to Michael Moorcock)
• Ezekiel-barren rock moon of Absolom
• Whistler’s Mother-iceball outer moon of Methuselah
• “Dorian Gray”-inner moon of Methuselah, home to descendants of stranded Aquarian miners divided between the crystalline city-state of Albahaven and the supposedly superstitious Corvell Unity
• Summary: On the way to Oasis Station (40 parsecs from Earth), the crew of the “Blackbird” experiences fatigue and pauses to send messages home. The starship goes to Van Maanen’s Star and finds mysterious mining equipment and an icy moon with a divided undersea civilization….
• Vehicles: The “Blackbird,” “Dragonfly,” and Aquarian mining craft and submarines
• N.P.C.s: Dr. Bucket and
• Solipsy-Trinoid “sharer” at Saturn’s moon Titan, contacted by Syzygy
• Raine-hated cousin of Aughest-vor, board member at megacorp Vimeco, obtained contracts with the United Earth Authority
• Tu Han-female Martian human, courted by Aughest
• Mr. Gray-male Terran human, superior of Lt. Kevin Reese at Interplanetary Patrol; concerned about his health
• Gen. Qualish-male Aquarian, authority in Albahaven
• Queen Shulis-female Aquarian, ruler of the Corvell Unity
• Links: http://games.groups.yahoo.com/group/DnD3VanishedLands/message/9442
  http://www.genesworlds.com/2011/06/20/vortex-update-5a-18-mining-mystery-and-undersea-intrigue/
  http://www.onewest.net/~dollan/ARCvanmaanen.html

Session: 5a.19 – the Aquarian summit

• Real time: Monday, 20 June 2011
• Game dates: “1 to 3 October 2194 A.D./C.E. or 0 G.E.”
• Locations: “Dorian Gray,” the inner moon of “Methuselah,” a gas giant orbiting Van Maanen’s Star; rival crystalline city-states of Albahaven and the Corvell Unity
• Summary: The explorers travel from technocratic Albahaven to the religious Corvell Unity, where they are again greeted with suspicion. Syzygy is mistaken for a “demon” from the deeps," but Lt. Reese is able to persuade Queen Shulis and her advisors to come aboard. Aughest-vor stays behind and talks about his relationships.
  After picking up Gen. Qualish, the “Blackbird” hosts a summit in orbit. Tela finds a clockwork crab and scolds Col. Bijar, while Lt. Reese talks with Selora. Syzygy trades information about (and for) the Aquarians for polymer membrane technology from the Salvorain. The leaders announce to their people that they’re going to work together….
• Vehicles: The “Blackbird”
• N.P.C.s: Dr. Bucket, Gen. Qualish, Queen Shulis, and
• Valkon-male Salvorain (descendant of Aquarian miners on Dorian Gray), priest in the Corvell Unity, distrusts Albahaven
• Selora-female Salvorain, adviser to Queen Shulis, befriends Lt. Reese
• Col. Bijar-male Salvorain from Albahaven’s Ministry of Observation, sent clockwork crab to spy on the “Blackbird” in the Corvell Unity and tried to tamper with ship’s systems but caught by Tela
• Links: http://games.groups.yahoo.com/group/DnD3VanishedLands/message/9448
  http://www.genesworlds.com/2011/06/22/vortex-update-5a-19-aquarian-summit/

Session: 5a.20 – It’s a trap!

• Real time: Monday, 22 August 2011?
• Game dates: “4 to 7 October 2194 A.D./C.E. or 0 T.G.E.”
• Locations: from Van Maanen’s Star (3 parsecs from Sol) to LP 771-095 (trinary, 7 pc from Sol) and Beta Canum Venaticorum (binary-Chara/Asterion, 8 pc from Sol, with two gas giants, at least one rockball, and one “Goldilocks” world – “Henson” – with two moons), Oasis Station (40 pc from Sol)
• Summary: On the way from Van Maanen’s Star to Oasis Station, the “Blackbird” receives a distress call near Cetus Eridani. While approaching the “Dezorici,” however, the scout ship passes through a force field that disables its FTL capabilities, and six “squltures” attack!
  Aughest-vor… makes evasive maneuvers, Tela works to repair the REM drive, and Lt. Reese scans the enemy. Chris lays down covering fire, Syzygy scans the area, and Dr. Bucket works on damage control. With its afterburner, the “Blackbird” evades its pursuers and posts warnings. After more strange behavior in Transit space, the “Blackbird” goes to Beta Canum Venaticorum. On planet “Henson,” the crew encounters lush alien life, including green-skinned humanoids…
• Vehicles: the “Blackbird,” “Dragonfly,” and “Tiger Hawk Sandstorm”
• the “Dezorici”-vessel of unknown origin allegedly disabled by a solar flare near Cetus Eridani, contains 20+ falsified life signs
• “Squltures”-Kutalrin raiders, named by Aughest-vor and Kevin because of their squid-like tentacles, vulture-like necks and metallic beaks
• N.P.C.s: Dr. Bucket, and
• Kutalrin-robotic scavengers/raiders with hive-mind communications, possibly working with someone else in the Cetus Eridani system
• “Boobulons”-three-breasted, green-skinned humanoids on planet “Henson,” some riding pterodactyl-like flying steeds
• Links: http://games.groups.yahoo.com/group/DnD3VanishedLands/message/9484
  http://www.genesworlds.com/2011/08/26/vortex-update-5a-20-its-a-trap/

Session: 5a.21 – Escape from Boobulon!

• Real time: Monday, 12 September 2011
• Game dates: “8 to 14 October 2194 A.D./C.E. or 0 T.G.E.”
• Locations: Beta Canum Venaticorum (binary-Chara/Asterion, ~8 pc from Sol, with two gas giants, at least one rockball, and one “Goldilocks” world – “Henson/Hefner” – with two moons), then toward BD-04-123 and Oasis Station (about 40 pc from Sol)
• Summary: The away team is greeted by inhabitants of planet “Henson/Hefner” and brought into a cliffside temple. Chris and Aughest-vor… accept the priestesses’ offer of “enlightenment,” and Syzygy and Lt. Kevin Reese send information to Dr. Bucket to analyze. The natives, who appear to have no high technology, are aware of interstellar travel, thanks to pilgrims and traders.
  Tela wanders deeper into the caves and finds a concealed Ru’ulok mining operation. She and the other visitors hastily withdraw and report their findings to the United Earth Authority and the Kharvamid Alliance. Syzygy deduces that the locals are descended from genetic samples taken from Terra about 1,000 (Earth) years ago. The “Blackbird” resumes its course.
• Vehicles: the “Blackbird,” “Dragonfly,” “Tiger Hawk Sandstorm,” and Ru’ulok and other mining stations
• N.P.C.s: Dr. Bucket and
• Magabelka-female “Boobulon” (green-skinned, three-breasted humanoid) priestess to the earth mother; seduced Aughest-vor to “share enlightenment”
• Lirmapia-female acolyte, shared bliss with Chris
• Laknpor-female temple guard, talked with Kevin
• two unnamed Ru’ulok-in silver space/containment suits, seen by Tela in concealed area beneath the temple
• Reveek-male Ru’ulok; talked remotely with Aughest about mining operations on Hefner
• Links: http://games.groups.yahoo.com/group/DnD3VanishedLands/message/9494
  http://www.genesworlds.com/2011/09/19/vortex-update-5a-21-escape-from-boobulon/
  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beta_Canum_Venaticorum
  http://ourstellarneighborhood.blogspot.com/search?q=beta+canum+venaticorum

Session: 5a.22 – Transit-space dungeon

• Real time: Monday, 10 October 2011
• Game dates: “15 to 21 October 2194 A.D./C.E. or 0 T.G.E.”
• Locations: From Beta Canum Venaticorum (including planet “Henson/Hefner/Boobulon”) toward BD-04-123 and Oasis Station (about 40 pc from Sol)
• Summary: While in faster-than-light travel, the adventuring party has a shared dream of being in a fantasy dungeon. They encounter rats, traps, Undead Goblins, and Orc guards, as well as Jovian journalist and psi Scoop Chang and Cog Gnome Gomer (actually robot Dr. Bucket). The group fights its way through a tower, where an Ogre shaman holds Lady Lyta Oiseau (actually the “Blackbird”). After meeting a dragon, the crew awakens back aboard its starship, with Scoop in Gombo’s cabin!
• Vehicles: The “Blackbird”
• Team 1:
• “Syzygy” [Brian W.]-Trinoid xenologist/mystic with potions
• “Tela” [Sara F.]-female Tharian engineer/burglar
• “Chris McKee/Agent Prometheus” [Josh C.]-male Terran cyborg/crossbow sniper
• “Aughest-vor…” [Jason E.R.]-male L-5 human pilot/swashbuckler
• “Lt. Kevin Reese” [Bruce K.]-male Terran human patrolman/knight
• “Scoop Chang” [Rich C.G.]-male Jovian “near-human” (psi) journalist/bard
• N.P.C.s:
• 12 large rats in submerged portion of tunnel; attacked Syzygy, Tela, and Chris before killed or driven off (Syzygy sampled water)
• Mr. Sniffles-male tomcat companion of Syzygy; transformed to a larger form and fought rats
• 4 Undead Goblins (fungal?)-attacked party in crypt beyond secret rotating door and Zarkonian-caused explosion (party got rags)
• Gomer (actually astromech robot Dr. Bucket) – “Metalheadrumblestripquickseekerflyselfonesunfollowshelpspiderwrench…”-male Cog Gnome, told group about Lady Lyta; left behind at teleporting sigil (Riddle: “Follow your heart’s desire, but achieve nothing else, or pursue the group’s wishes, and lose but one.”)
• 4 Orc guards, defeated at tower overlooking a valley village (party claimed crossbow quarrels, knives)
• unnamed male Ogre shaman-tried to Dominate and smash intruders, ultimately slain by Chris (treasure included eye amulet, shillelagh)
• Lady Lyta Oiseau, female Quelanthi (Seelie Fey/High Elf/Eladrin) princess (actually the experimental Olvar scout ship “Blackbird”), rescued by the team
• unnamed Dragon-rose out of the forest, greeted by Lady Lyta before party awoke aboard its vessel, with Scoop in Gombo’s cabin!
• Links: http://games.groups.yahoo.com/group/DnD3VanishedLands/message/9546
  http://www.genesworlds.com/2011/10/17/vortex-update-5a-22-transit-space-dungeon/

Session: 5a.23 – the Menace on Venice

• Real time: Monday, 24 October 2011
• Game dates: “22 to 25 October 2194 A.D./C.E. or 0 T.G.E.”
• Locations: BD+04-123 (a.k.a. HR 222, GL 333, Hip. 3765, 96 Piscium, or Wolf 25), an orange-red star in the Andromedae constellation, orbited by two Neptune-size gas giants, one iceball world, two rockballs (one hot, the other “Florence”), and one “Goldilocks” – Venice – on the way to Oasis Station
• Summary: Newcomer Scoop Chang interviews the crew of the “Blackbird” about extraterrestrials. At 96 Piscium B, or “Venice,” the away team finds indigo vegetation and creatures resembling birds, fish, and dinosaurs, as well as an ancient network of canals.
  The landing party narrowly escapes a stampede of land whales and carnosaurs, and Aughest-vor scrambles to evade lampreys. Upon returning to the drop ship and orbiting scout vessel, they are contacted by a huge Ma’ari ark ship and warily agree to meet….
• Vehicles: the “Blackbird,” “Dragonfly,” and “Cyan Horizon,” a Talari (ark ship) of the Ma’ari (see below)
• N.P.C.s: Dr. Bucket and
• EVE-hovering newsbot styled to look like an early 20th century flash camera; Tela added thrusters and manipulator arms
• Venetian “land whales,” carnosaurs, and lampreys-see below
• Lurandi-female Ma’ari (see below), captain of the “Cyan Horizon,” asked to board “Blackbird” but later met Tela, Aughest-vor, and Scoop on Florence and invited them to her vessel
• Rilga-female Ma’ari trade envoy – diplomat and bursar
• Asdann Fre’vel-female Gustrall, impatient hired guard
• Kligba Onagan-male Olvar, pilgrim and passenger; contacted Syzygy and asked to meet
  >>Species met thus far:
• Aquarians/Polarians [created with Carlo R.]: Amphibious humanoids with colonies in a few systems; threatened by Zarkonian Armada
• Boobulons: Green-skinned, three-breasted humanoids on planet “Henson/Hefner” near Beta Canum Venaticorum; Syzygy believes they’re derived from Terran stock by the Encegulans
• Cestolar: Literal-minded, badger-like former Olvar clients; prospectors encountered at Tyche
• Dwellers of the Clouds: Gas-giant dwellers met near Alpha Centauri
• Encegulans: Slug-like slavers from whom Tela escaped
• Gustrall: Orange-furred, antlered, velociraptor-like warriors
• Kutalrin: Robotic scavengers/raiders with hive mind, used “Squltures” and T-inhibitors to trap unwary vessels near Cetus Eridani
• Ma’ari [created by Jenna R.P.]: Diminutive, pale humanoid wanderers; see this update
• Meorr [created by Dave F.R-B.]: Lion-like berserkers
• Nethians: Blue insectoid engineers, members of the Kharvamid Alliance
• Olvar: Arboreal mammal-like pranksters and mystics; co-founders with the Trinoids of the Kharvamid Alliance
• Precursors: Ancient starfaring species capable of massive engineering projects such as those near Van Maanen’s Star; current whereabouts unknown
• Ru’ulok: Heavy-gravity reptilian traders
• Salvorain: Descendants of Aquarian miners near Van Maanen’s Star
• Tharians [created by Sara F.]: Gargoyle-like, pre-FTL aliens; see Tela
• Tolimanian mantiles: Reptilian/insectoid xenomorphs (hostile life forms), pack hunters that communicate via subsonics, encountered near Alpha Centauri
• Trinoids [developed by David I.S., Brian W.]: Three-armed, barrel-trunked xenobiologists; see Syzygy
• Venetian land whales, carnosaurs, and lampreys: See this update
• Xenoids: Synthetic beings created by aliens, similar to humanity’s “Synths” (robots/A.I.s, “Uplifted” animals, genetically engineered humanoids)
• Zarkonians [created by Gene D., Carlo R., Bill B., Jon B., and Ray C.]: Tentacled crustaceans with an interstellar armada; homeworld unknown
• Links: http://games.groups.yahoo.com/group/DnD3VanishedLands/message/9571
  http://www.genesworlds.com/2011/10/27/vortex-update-5a-23-the-menace-on-venice/

Session: 5a.24 – Panic at the disco

• Real time: Monday, 14 November 2011
• Game dates: “26 to 31 October 2194 A.D./C.E. or 0 T.G.E.”
• Locations: BD+04-123 (a.k.a. 96 Piscium), on the way to Oasis Station
• Summary: The away team takes a tour of the Ma’ari Talari “Cyan Horizon.” Syzygy gets more samples and meets with Olvar agent Kligba Onagan, who warns of the approaching Zarkonian Armada and mentions a Precursor FTL gate at Oasis Station. Tela meets Kedar, the first Tharian she has seen since leaving home. Chris engages in a “Twisting” match with some Ma’ari martial artists and reluctantly has his cranial implants removed.
  Aughest-vor is wary of the diminuitive, pale aliens and trades astrogation notes with xenoid Hublo. Lt. Reese asks Capt. Lurandi for help, both for his ship and for all Terrans. Scoop interacts with psionic artists and records the proceedings with EVE. Tariq wagers on the Twisting match and joins the humans far from home as they consider enhancements to their ship….
• Vehicles: the “Blackbird,” “Dragonfly,” and “Cyan Horizon”
• N.P.C.s: Dr. Bucket, EVE, and
• Lurandi-female Ma’ari (see below), captain of the “Cyan Horizon,” reluctantly agreed to help humans
• Rilga-female Ma’ari trade envoy – diplomat, bursar, and guide
• Asdann Fre’vel-female Gustrall, impatient hired guard, befriends Chris
• Kligba Onagan-male Olvar, secretive pilgrim and passenger; informally met with Syzygy on behalf of the Kharvamid Alliance
• “Felana” [Jenna R.P./N.P.C.]-female Ma’ari physician, curious about humans; removed Agent Prometheus’ cranial implants
• Murilo-male Ma’ari, chief xenobiologist of the “Cyan Horizon”
• Kasfel-male Ma’ari, proud holographic artist and self-defense expert
• Hublo-Xenoid (alien artificial intelligence; Ma’ari design), archivist of the “Cyan Horizon”
• “Tariq Asrad Saladin” [Beruk A.?]-male Terran “near-human” seeker of enlightenment and investigator
• Links: http://games.groups.yahoo.com/group/DnD3VanishedLands/message/9623
  http://www.genesworlds.com/2011/11/16/vortex-update-5a24panicatthedisco/

Session: 6a.25 – “The light-year without a Santa Claus”

• Real time: Monday, 12 December 2011
• Game dates: “1 to 7 November 2194 A.D./C.E. or 0 T.G.E.”
• Locations: 96 Piscium/“Venice” to GL 884 (red star with two barely habitable planets – “Heat Miser” and “Cold Miser”) and Hip 103039 (near Altair and BD+15-4733), on the way to Oasis Station
• Summary: The “Blackbird” departs from 96 Piscium and the Ma’ari on the “Cyan Horizon” after installing a cloaking system and taking on two passengers, Tariq and Kedar. Chris is questioned after his cyberware removal, and the Tharians dream of their homeworld while in faster-than-light travel. The Terrans want to warn the Sol system of the threat posed by the Zarkonian Armada.
  The scout ship drops out of Transit because of an ion storm and eventually arrives at GL 884, where the Olvar once had a large colony. A “pod” of 24 Cetaran prospecting ships arrives, provoking a heated debate within the crew on protocols for First Contact. Syzygy and Tela observe, while Aughest-vor and Scoop recommend parleying and Lt. Reese and Agent Prometheus argue for tactical readiness.
  Aughest and Tariq counsel for a balance, and Capt. Geyvvig proves not to be hostile. Dr. Bucket notes that the Cetarans’ mining technology could be useful at Tyche. The group leaves and eventually attempts to establish some standard operating procedures….
• Vehicles: the “Blackbird,” “Dragonfly,” “Cyan Horizon,” and
• “Pod” of 24 Cetaran mining vessels, which take up stacked positions in geostationary orbits above “Heat Miser” for extraction and refinement of rare minerals used for Transit technology
• N.P.C.s: Dr. Bucket, EVE, Lurandi, Kedar, Tariq, Capt. Lurandi, “Felana,” and
• Capt. Geyvvig-male Cetaran (amphibious, plesiosaur-like alien; created by Byron V.O.), leader of “pod” who proposes that Terrans join a non-aligned movement of less-populous interstellar species rather than the Kharvamid Alliance or galactic trade guilds
• Links: http://games.groups.yahoo.com/group/DnD4VanishedLands/message/9661
  http://www.genesworlds.com/2011/12/15/vortex-update-5a-25-the-light-year-without-a-santa-claus/