StalkerofShadows/GatesDiary
Session synopsis for Gates Across Worlds
Session 1
The citizens of Yugash waited in nervous anticipation for their leaders to open the Great Seal. A conference was called among the Tripartite and the Favored of Autochthon. An exploratory team was formed from a group of Alchemicals of varying motivations.
The engineers connected the last of the conduits to the gate, and the great machine was activated. Unexpectedly, it drew such power that the entire city blacked out. The citizens panicked, but Solace calmed their minds. Hours later, the gate finished its task and opened a portal to Creation.
The Alchemicals hesitantly sent a few non-sentient drones through the gate. They returned unharmed, reporting the environmental could support life. Next the heroes sent through their own familiars. Finally, they entered the gate along with a few human "volunteers." They appeared in Creation during the night-time. Almost all of the experiences were new to them: plants, animals, soil, stars. Even the spiritual world of Creation was strange. They prepared the far side of the gate by creating the Maker's Forge and building a wooden stockade.
The next day, their familiars reported a small human settlement to the west. A member of the party captured one of the inhabitants, and the Alchemicals proceeded to interrogate the old woman. Although they couldn't understand her language, a direct connection to her mind showed many things. Of particular interest was the fact that the village had a god of some sort. Thinking quickly, Many Faces took the appearance of the god and went into town, accompanied by Harbringer of Fifty Banes in human form. After drawing out the inhabitants for worship, Harbringer used his knockout gas to incapacitate the natives and they were carried to Yugash for observation.
Session 2
Having found little of use in the primitive village, the party requested a device capable of finding Magical Materials from the Tripartite. They received a prototype, which of yet had bugs to be worked out. Many Faces and Liquidator set off to investigate another town reported to be at the edge of some mountains. Using their various abilities, they found the village contained approximately 100 people. Of note, there was a temple with statues of five gods, a general store, and a mansion. Liquidator acquired some bits of jade from the general store and Many Faces appropriated a map and a book from the temple.
The map showed little of interest in the area. One city lay far to the west, and another far to the southwest. What was interesting was a large area was marked as a "sea." The book was unreadable, but the Alchemicals stated a translation attempt. The party started off towards the sea, but after many days (and realizing the distance), they decided to raid the nearby town instead. Voice of Wisdom continued to make progress on his Magical Material locator, indicating a sizable amount south of the town.
Session 3
Much planning (and bickering) went into the raid of the town. In the end, it was decided that the insectoid soulsteel (with his invisiblility ability) should go into the town and kidnap anyone important looking. Arriving at night, he did not find much of interest in the town in general. Entering the mansion, he found a man on the second floor writing some letters. Although he tripped and almost ruined the surprise, the soulsteel managed to subdue the man without undue attention. Returning to the party's camp, he unfortunately found he had done a little bit too much damage to the man, who would be unconcious for quite awhile.
However, he also noticed two large, immaterial spirits had followed him from the town. While attempting to point this out, the spirits materialized and attacked. Both Voice of Wisdom and the soulsteel were somewhat badly wounded due to the spirits surprising the party. The spirits were quite odd, swirling clouds with dozens of arms ending in swords and axes. The offending spirits were squashed to bits, and their remains sent to Yugash for analysis.
Despite this setback, the party attacked the town. Harbringer entered the town and used his knockout gas to subdue the population. Other members of the party apprehended fleeing citizens. The unconcious humans were locked in the temple for the moment. Thoroughly examining the town, they found a suit of jade armor in the mansion and a cart of jade ore in the town. Not understanding the local geology, Solace and Voice of Wisdom interrogated a few miners on as how and where to obtain the jade. Although they were unsuccessful, Many Faces managed to coax some information from the captives. Later, the man they had kidnapped from the mansion had awakened. The insectoid soulsteel spent the night speaking to the man, completing his knowledge of the local language.
The next day, drones were sent to Yugash to report the find. The new slaves of Yugash were sent to the jade mine in shifts. Although language barriers remained, the concept of "work or die" was impressed upon the humans. They quickly gathered the loose ore awaiting shipment and started to mine for more. After the miners indicated their hunger, the Alchemicals released the women of the town to prepare food for the workers.
After asking their captive where the ore was smelted, the party set off to cross the mountains. During this time, Voice of Wisdom deciphered how to set the scanner for soulsteel, but found none in the area. While the party was distracted, a sudden whirlwind appeared and swept away their captive. Thinking quickly, Solace threw her soulsteel gyroscopic chakram, eviscerating the fugitive.
Recent courier drones from Yugash indicated more Alchemicals are to enter Creation to assist in the invasion. A as of yet unnamed jade Alchemical will take over as chief of mining operations. Overly Righteous Blossom is to take over defense of the trans-dimensional gate.
