PWM: Sanguine Dust, Chapter 3
A Derelict Settlement
Sanguine Dust: Table of Contents
Thanks to anyone who subscribed or shared or is reading along with this adventure. Let me know if these chapters are a good length or too long. I could definitely break them up into smaller chunks for an easier read if that is preferable. Also, if you have any questions about the mechanics of the game, or why I made a certain choice, please ask!
Now, onto chapter 3
Breaking the atmosphere of Lotan, the Nomad Drifter emerged from the clouds, coasting over the endless sweep of the oceans that dominated the planet.
Coming into Lotan, I decided to roll some more attributes for the planet.
Lotan, Ocean World: A planet completely or almost entirely covered by a boundless ocean.
Atmosphere: Marginal
Features: Undersea air pockets, Global hurricanes
Life: Bountiful
In the far distance, the Drifter located an enormous hurricane.
“They pop up now and then.” Crash said. “Hopefully it shouldn’t cause us any trouble.” He directed Shen towards the lone outpost on the planet, the landing pads floating on top of the water, while the rest of the structure lay beneath the surface.
(Source)
Shen pinged the outpost but got no response.
As the Nomad Drifter dropped closer to the surface, he could see schools of fish swimming in the depths. He landed the Drifter on one of the pads.
A dome arose and closed over them automatically, sealing it up.
They left the ship and took the elevator down into the station, Shen limping due to his injured leg.
The doors opened into a lobby of sorts, a receptionist desk, waiting chairs, and hallways leading to different parts of the outpost. Research was through an airlock off to the side, while the other paths led to general lodgings and a cafeteria.
“Where is everybody?” Shen asked, going behind the desk.
“Evacuated. Everyone was brought up to Tranquility, scanned and put into quarantine. They called me in from a hunt. Didn’t leave anyone behind. We’re the only ones here now.”
Shen led the way through the airlock to the research wing. The offices and laboratories were a mess, paperwork left behind, computers still on, furniture knocked over. “Looks like they left in a hurry.”
“They were forced out,” Crash said, looking over some papers.
“Let’s see what we can find out.”
Gather Information
When you search for clues, ask questions, analyze evidence or do research, roll wits.
1d6 + 2(wits) = 5 vs (4,6)
Weak Hit - The information is useful but complicates the quest. Take +1 momentum
Note: Current momentum = +4.
Shen looked through one of the computers logs while Crash looked over the scattered papers.
“Look at this,” Shen said, bringing up recent findings. “They were researching a Precursor settlement at the bottom of the ocean.”
Crash checked the date and looked back at some medical papers. “Weeks after the initial discovery, medical records show an increase in illness among the scientists. An unknown disease. Because the symptoms took so long, it had already spread to the settlement.”
Shen brought up a recent email. “They requested another dive but it was deemed too dangerous. They were reporting to…Overseer Tern.” Shen shook his head, then looked at Crash. “We have to go down there.”
Crash looked back at him. “You’re serious?”
“The scientists wanted to go back.” Shen shrugged. “We don’t have much else to go on but the infection clearly came from there.”
Shen found the location of the submersible the scientists used.
“Before we go,” Crash said. “Let’s hit up the med bay and take a look at that leg of yours.”
Heal
When you receive medical care or provide treatment, envision the situation. If you obtain treatment from someone, roll iron
1d6 + 1(iron) = 3 vs (4,10)
Miss - The aid is ineffective and the situation worsens.
Note: I decide this has delayed us.
Lose Momentum
When you are delayed or disadvantaged, suffer -1, -2, or -3 momentum depending on severity.
-1 momentum
Note: Current momentum = +3
The med bay had been raided for supplies when everyone had been evacuated, leaving very little left behind to help.
Crash wrapped a bandage around the wound but that was the best he could do.
“It’s fine. Let’s see what else we can salvage for supplies before we dive.”
Resupply
When you attempt to bolster your readiness, envision the opportunity and your approach. If you…scavenge or craft, roll wits
1d6 + 2(wits) = 3 vs (1,6)
Weak Hit - Choose one, but you must first deal with a cost, complication or demand.
If you are unprepared, clear the impact and take +1 supply. Otherwise, take +2 supply
If you are in need of a specific item or resource that can be reasonably obtained, you acquire it. Gain +1 momentum
Notes: I take +2 supply. Current supply = +5. But I also Lose Momentum due to all the time this is taking.
Lose Momentum
When you are delayed or disadvantaged, suffer -1, -2, or -3 momentum depending on severity.
-1 momentum
Note: Current momentum = +2
It took some time but after rummaging through closets, storage and scavenging equipment left behind, they had what they needed, and headed to the submersible.
It was small, with space for 4-5 people and storage, mostly used as a scouting vessel and for gathering resources for study from the deep seas.
They found deep-sea environmental suits and put them on.
“You know how to pilot this thing?” Crash asked as lowered themselves in from the open roof hatch.
“How hard can it be?” Shen replied, getting into the pilot’s seat, flicking some switches and turning it on.
The screen came on.
Fiddling with the controls, Shen brought up the coordinates of the ancient settlement still in the GPS system. He set it as their destination and activated the auto pilot. “Easy enough. Here we go.”
The bay doors below the sub opened and it was lowered down into the water.
The submersible is an ‘Incidental vehicle’, just a temporary one we’ve acquired through play. These have an Integrity track like the Spaceship asset, of Heavy(5), Medium(4) or Light(3). I rank the integrity of the submersible as Light (3).
Set a Course
When you follow a known route through perilous space, across hazardous terrain or within a mysterious site, roll supply.
1d6 + 5(supply) = 7 vs (6,8)
Weak Hit - You arrive but face a cost or complication. Choose one:
Suffer costs en route: Make a Suffer(-2) move or two Suffer(-1) moves.
Face a complication at the destination
Note: I did the Resupply move before this because I knew I’d be rolling supply, but even with +5, I still get only a Weak Hit! Just shows you never know what the challenge dice will do. I choose to Lose Momentum(-1) and Withstand Damage(-1).
Current momentum = +1. Current integrity of the submersible = +2.
The journey into the deep was quiet and unsettling. A light shown from the front but all they could see was a vast darkness, with brief glimpses of marine life flashing by. Schools of tiny yellow fish, shots of sleek silver bodies gliding by, blobbing pink jellyfish, and more.
The metal of the sub groaned and shook as they descended lower and lower.
Then something latched onto the side, heavy and large. The sub lurched sideways, red emergency lights flashing inside.
“What the hell is that?” Crash asked, trying to look through a side window.
“I don’t know!” Shen yelled back, scrambling for the controls.
The screen flashed warning signs as it detected damage to the outer hull.
If it penetrates the hull, we’re both dead.
The sub shifted again as if a sudden weight came off. The alarms and emergency lights stopped as the sub corrected its course and continued on its way.
Shen leaned back against the chair, closing his eyes and letting out a breath.
“Close one,” Crash said, still looking through the window into the darkness.
“Wouldn’t think this would compare to hunting giant leviathans,” Shen said, smirking and looking over.
Crash looked back. “I don’t hunt them underwater trapped in a metal coffin.”
“How do you hunt them, then?”
“Maybe I’ll show you when all this is done,” he said, moving back to the front. “Are we almost there?”
Shen checked the route. “Should be coming up on it…Holy shit.”
The light from the sub showed something in front of them, vast and unbelievable.
(Source)
The light caught great big domes connected with trapezoidal buildings, stretching into the distance.
The sub’s autopilot disengaged as they arrived.
Shen took the controls, moving forward. He found an entry into a sub bay.
Shen looked at Crash, who shrugged.
“What the hell. Let’s explore an ancient underwater Precursor settlement to search for a cure to a plague. Why the hell not?”
Undertake an Expedition
When you…survey a mysterious site, give the expedition a name (“Explore Precursor settlement”) and rank (“dangerous”). Then, if you…move at speed, roll edge.
1d6 + 3 = 6 vs (3,1)
Strong Hit - You reach a waypoint. Mark progress.
Note: Current progress for “Explore Precursor Settlement” = 2/10. I’m using Starforged’s Oracle tables for Derelict settlements which has locations, events, and details.
“We aren’t here to sight see. Focus on anything that might have to do with this infection and let’s move quickly,” Shen said, turning on the suit’s flashlight.
Outside of the sub bay, the corridor was dark.
They made their way down the hallway, stopping at a door and entering.
Inside was a dusty laboratory. Against the back wall of the lab was a large vault, with thick steel walls, a door and a keypad.
“Let’s see what we can find,” Shen said, finding an old console.
After pressing a few buttons, it buzzed and turned on.
“There must still be some kind of emergency power,” he said.
After all this time? How?
“Ancient Precursor tech,” Crash said, investigating dusty jars and bottles on a shelf. “Let’s not stay long, I’m getting a bad feeling. There’s a reason this place is sitting down here, abandoned.”
Explore a Waypoint
When you divert from an expedition to examine a notable location, roll wits.
1d6 + 2(wits) = 5 vs (3,10)
Weak Hit - You uncover something interesting, but it is bound up in a peril or reveals an ominous aspect about the place. Take +1 momentum.
Notes: I also get a bonus +1 momentum from my Explorer Asset, so current momentum = +3. I randomly roll for an Opportunity and get “Useful Navigational Data”. I figure that’s helpful for my background vow “Explore beyond the void”, so I take 1 tick on that. I roll for a peril and get “evidence of something darker.”
“There’s some ancient navigational data,” Shen said, downloading it to a spare drive he had on him.
“Anything about this damn plague?” Crash asked.
“Yeah,” Shen said, diving deeper and feeling his gut drop. “They were…experimenting on their own people. They…created this disease, on purpose. Not the Precursors…but people who came down after.”
“The scientists from the research outpost?”
“No, this was…a couple years ago.”
Crash sat down on a bench. “That’s messed up.”
“Well, if they created it, maybe they have a cure or antidote or something. I’ve gotten all I can here, let’s keep moving.”
Undertake an Expedition
When you…survey a mysterious site…if you…move at speed, roll edge.
1d6 + 3(edge) = 5 vs (5,9)
Miss - On a Miss, you are waylaid by a crisis or arrive at a waypoint to confront an immediate hardship or threat. Do not mark progress and Pay the Price.
Pay the Price
When you suffer the outcome of an action, choose one:
Make the most obvious negative outcome happen
As Crash stood to leave, he coughed and stumbled. He leaned against the wall, coughing voilently and falling to one knee.
Shen saw blood on the inside of Crash’s helmet. He rushed to his side, helped him lay down and pulled off the helmet. He grabbed a med kit from his pack and tried to help.
Heal
When you provide treatment, roll wits
1d6 + 2(wits) = 5 vs (5,10)
Miss - The aid is ineffective and the situation worsens. Pay The Price
Pay the Price
When you suffer the outcome of an action, choose one:
Make the most obvious negative outcome happen
Nothing seemed to help.
Shen cleared a lab table off with a sweep of his arm, sending old gadgets and beakers crashing to the floor and helped Crash lie down on it.
“Keep going,” Crash gasped. “I’ll be ok.”
“I’ll be right back,” Shen said, clasping Crash’s hand, before rushing to the exit and back into the hallway.
Undertake an Expedition
When you…survey a mysterious site…if you…move at speed, roll edge.
1d6 + 3(edge) = 5 vs (4,8)
Reach a waypoint, mark progress, but choose 1:
Make a Suffer(-2) move or two Suffer(-1) moves
Face a peril at the Waypoint
Notes: Current progress = 4/10. I choose “Face a peril” and roll for it. I get “Hazardous environmental change”
He ran through dark corridors, light bouncing off the gleaming walls, the dark of the sea seen through glass panels at regular intervals. Going through a large airlock, he found himself in one of the glass domes.
It had been a park of some kind, complete with grass, trees and plants he didn’t recognize. Some were overgrown, others were dead.
He slowed down, trying to catch his breath as he walked. He opened the visor of the helmet and breathed in the damp air.
Something wet dropped onto his head.
He looked up and only saw the glass of the dome. A strange cracking sound reverberated around him.
He started running for the nearest airlock door.
Alarms went off and the entrances to the park started closing to ensure the rest of the facility didn’t flood.
There was a great crash behind Shen as a huge piece of the dome gave way, water rushing in to fill the void.
Shen ran as fast as he could.
Face Danger
When you attempt something risky or react to an imminent threat, envision your action and roll. If you act…with speed, mobility or agility, roll edge
1d6 + 3(edge) = 6 vs (5,6)
Weak Hit - You succeed but at a troublesome cost. Make a suffer(-1) move.
Notes: I decide to Lose Momentum. Current momentum = +2
Shen rolled under the door gap as it closed behind him.
Water slammed against the door, but it held.
He stood, taking deep breaths. He’d have to circle around, find another way back to Crash and the sub.
No time to waste.
Undertake an Expedition
When you…survey a mysterious site…if you…move at speed, roll edge.
1d6 + 3(edge) = 7 vs (6,3)
Reach a waypoint, mark progress.
Notes: Current progress = 6/10
Shen made his way through the facility, finding himself in Engineering, large bays with broken down or dusty submersibles, equipment and tools. Past that, he found the living quarters, small rooms with bunks and desks. They looked cramped and uncomfortable.
Coming to a large corridor, he found a makeshift barricade, separating the living quarters from the operations area, and signs of an ancient scuffle.
Moving forward, he wondered what conflict had happened here.
Something to do with the experiments? The disease?
Through another door, he entered a communications/security room with consoles, screens and touchpads. He was able to bring the power up like before, the screens flickering to life. Maybe there was information here, records or logs.
Explore a Waypoint
When you divert from an expedition to examine a notable location, roll wits.
1d6 + 2(wits) = 6 vs (4,7)
Weak Hit - You uncover something interesting, but it is bound up in a peril or reveals an ominous aspect about the place. Take +1 momentum.
Notes: With the bonus +1 from Explorer, current momentum = +4.
First, he found the code for the vault in that laboratory where Crash was. Then, he found recordings, messages, reports, filings, data logs and more. With it, he was able to put together the horrible truth.
This place had been found years ago by Overseer Tern, then the head scientist and lead researcher of the ‘Lotan’ project. They’d found this Precursor settlement and used it, secretly, without the knowledge of the rest of Tranquility. They’d performed experiments on humans, attempting to unlock…something that wasn’t clearly defined.
The parasites that caused the illness had been created down here.
Tern had planned on becoming Overseer, and using the illness to weaken the other settlements in the sector, so they’d be easy to invade. It got out of hand, people died, and Tern shut it down. Everything known about this place erased, everyone involved killed. Forgotten. Except for Tern.
Until a new group of scientists found the settlement and explored it without informing Tern. They had unknowingly unleashed the man-made infection that currently threatened the entire sector. Which was what Tern wanted all along.
Shen sat for a moment, processing.
Endure Stress
When you face mental strain, shock or despair, suffer -1, -2, or -3 spirit depending on severity….
-1 spirit
Notes: Current spirit = +4
He went back to the computer and found one last thing. An experimental process for curing the infection, untested but theoretically possible. Unfortunately, the digital report was entirely redacted, but there was a physical report, locked in the vault in the laboratory.
He then opened up a map of the settlement and planned a route back to Crash and the laboratory around the now-shattered park-dome.
Finish an Expedition
When an Expedition comes to an end, roll the challenge dice and compare to your progress.
Progress = 6 vs (1,10)
Weak Hit - Reach your destination or complete your survey, mark reward but suffer a complication. The reward is one rank lower.
Notes: I get 1 tick on my discoveries legacy track as a reward.
Before he left, he noticed a warning on one of the screens. Investigating it, he saw the doors of the park were not holding up. Water was leaking through. Soon, the whole facility would be flooded.
Time to move.
He ran back to the lab as fast as he could.
Face Danger
When you attempt something risky or react to an imminent threat, envision your action and roll. If you act…with speed, mobility or agility, roll edge
1d6 + 3(edge) = 3 vs (2,10)
Weak Hit - You succeed but at a troublesome cost. Make a suffer(-1) move.
Notes: I decide to Lose Momentum. Current momentum = +3
Shen’s boots splashed through inches of water by the time he reached the lab.
Crash lay on the lab table, unconscious but breathing.
The vault stood against the far wall.
Shen went over and keyed in the code.
The thick doors opened, slow and grinding, revealing a small 10x10 room within. Shelves were stacked with gadgets and devices. Tools? Weapons?
He quickly checked the vault, looking for the physical report.
Gather Information
When you search for clues, ask questions, analyze evidence or do research, roll wits.
1d6 + 2(wits) + 1(scavenger) = 6 vs (3,8)
Weak Hit - The information provides new insight but complicates the quest. Take +1 momentum
Notes: I was able to use +1 from Scavenger because this is a ruin. Current momentum = +4.
He found the report in a cabinet in the wall, a file that held notes on a procedure that should, theoretically, cure the infection. But it required a substance, Immir, found deep in the waters of Lotan.
Shen helped Crash wake up and held him up as they walked through the ankle-deep water back to the submersible.
“You…got it?” Crash asked, coughing.
“Yeah,” Shen said. “Theoretically.”
“As in…untested? As in…might not work?”
“Think positive,” Shen said, helping Crash into the sub, following and closing the hatch behind him.
Luckily, the research sub had grasping claws and a storage compartment for gathering deep sea materials. It also had programming that allowed it to search and scan for different materials, Immir included.
They undocked from the settlement and went searching in the dark depths of the ocean.
Face Danger
When you attempt something risky or react to an imminent threat, envision your action and roll. If you act…with expertise, focus or observation, roll wits.
1d6 + 2(wits) = 6 vs (4,1)
Strong Hit - You succeed. Take +1 momentum
Notes: Current momentum = +5
The scanner indicated the material was found, and the light of the sub illuminated the substance. It looked like thin pink strands, wrapped together in a floating glob. He used the claws to gather in as much as he could, before setting the autopilot to take them back to the research outpost.
Crash was curled up on a seat, coughing.
Shen patted him on the shoulder. “Almost there, just hold on.”
Set a Course
When you follow a known route through perilous space, across hazardous terrain or within a mysterious site, roll supply.
1d6 + 5(supply) = 9 vs (6,5)
Weak Hit - You reach your destination, and the situation favors you. Take +1 momentum.
Note: Current momentum = +6
The sub returned to the outpost without incident, the looming darkness around them growing lighter and lighter until they surfaced within the sub bay.
Shen helped Crash out and to the med bay, laying him on a bed. He went back to the sub, opening up the storage container and pulling out the Immir. Following the procedure on the report and the machines in the laboratory and med bay, he was able to use the Immir to create a substance.
Crash eyed the syringe as Shen brought it over. “I know you aren’t a doctor. That going to work?” He asked.
“It has to,” Shen said, pulling Crash’s sleeve up and jabbing the syringe in. He pushed until it was empty and pulled it out.
Crash gritted his teeth. “I hate needles.”
Shen had another dose for himself and laid on the cot next to Crash. “Everyone does.”
“Shouldn’t you wait?” Crash asked. “See what happens to me?”
“It’s going to work,” Shen said, sticking himself.
Afterwards, they both slept.
Fulfill Your Vow
When you reach the end of your quest, roll challenge dice and compare to your progress.
Progress = 8 vs (3,10)
Weak Hit - Your vow is fulfilled but there is more to be done or you realize the truth of your quest. If you Swear an Iron Vow to set things right, take the full reward. Otherwise, take the reward for one rank lower.
Notes: I take the reward for one rank lower instead of swearing another iron vow. That gives me 1 tick on my quests legacy track. I also decide to check to see if my connection with Crash has become a bond after all of this. I’ve been marking progress with Crash after important milestones such as finding him, rescuing him and curing him.
Forge a Bond
When your relationship to a connection is ready to evolve, roll the challenge dice and compare to your progress.
Progress = 6 vs (2,10)
Weak Hit - You now share a bond but they ask something more of you first. To gain the bond and the legacy reward, fulfill their request or Swear an Iron Vow to see it done.
When they woke, they both felt better.
As they stood and stretched, Crash gave Shen a look.
“What is it?” Shen asked.
“You saved my life, Coyote.”
Shen shrugged. “I owed you. I swore.”
“I would ask one more thing,” Crash said, leaning against his cot. “Those others in Tranquility, the infected. We can’t just leave them.”
Shen nodded in agreement. “It’s worse than you know. I found out some things down there, about the Overseer. Whatever you’re about to ask, I was ready to do already.”
Crash put a hand on Shen’s shoulder. “I knew you were good people, Coyote.”
“We have the cure. They should welcome us back with open arms, right?”
End of Session Notes
So much happened in this chapter! Explored a research outpost, delved down into the sea, found a derelict Precursor settlement, and more. I was able to use the Undertake an Expedition move to track exploring a site, which I hadn’t done before. Using the Derelict oracle tables for zones, rooms and details was very fun.
Unfortunately, I moved very quickly through it and didn’t spend much time thinking of details and description of the settlement. I feel the story suffers a bit for that. As this was my first solo campaign, I definitely played fast and loose to keep the story moving quickly, and that shows.
When I started this session, I didn’t know what I would find, just that I would find something. That’s one thing that’s very cool about this system, you don’t have to figure things out ahead of time. You can just make a note of something and play to see what happens. Your brain fills in the gaps, makes connections and comes up with very cool ideas based on the universe you’ve created, the character you’ve made, the outcomes of the moves and the random oracle prompts you roll.
Next time, we return to Tranquility and things go very, very poorly.
Let me know what you think so far in the comments. Share if you think anyone else might enjoy this and subscribe if you haven’t already and are interested. Thanks!
Next Chapter → Chapter 4: Return to Tranquility