Inchoations / Opening Scene (Harrison)

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Daniel
Daniel (Lars)
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Joined: Thu Jan 19, 2017 9:13 am
Location: Former Alias (GM name) was Lars (2016-2022)

Inchoations / Opening Scene (Harrison)

Post by Daniel »


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Rifts Speed Tribes!

The Great Brouhaha
  • The start of a noisy confused disturbance in 68 P.A. (2354 A.D.)
  • 42 years prior to the creation of the Tomorrow Legion
  • Somewhere on old Highway 87 (Amarillo to Lubbock TX)

The cracked asphalt roadway wavered in the heat of the Texas badlands. Your Mountaineer ARV races across the wastelands with purpose.

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Texas was simpler before the Coalition States (CS) decided to claim the region in late 68 P.A. (this has not happened yet in our game as we are playing in a earlier time than the rest of Savage Rifts is). Texas is a post, post apocalyptic, wasteland where gangs raged and traded goods and fought off each other and more often monsters that emerged from Rifts in space and time.

The oldest Speed Tribes of the badlands of Lone Star, or Old Texas, were mostly racing up and down the paved remains of Highway 87 (north - south) and Highway 20 (east - west). The old American state was referred to as either Lone Star or more often, the Texas Freelands.

No CS from the mid west were in the area, Texas was a sort of unofficial no mans land. Gangs, Comanche, and ancient ruins often occupied by demons and monsters, it was simple enough: live or die, kill or be killed, pray for freedom and find a tribe for safety. Ride Fast. Fight Hard. Stay Alive.

The entire region would soon be transformed by a epic discovery. That story is still to be told... I digress.

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A few moths ago an up and coming mercenary leader, Captain Sabre Lasar, had the foresight to convince several mercs/tribes of wanderers to join forces and beat down some supernatural monstrosities he called the
The Splugorth are an evil Lovecraftian-like inter-dimensional race of conquerors in the Palladium Rifts Megaverse roleplaying universe. Beings whom are malevolent and sadistic, enslavers and manipulators.
. You found yourself hitching up with the charismatic Captain Lasar and another esoteric mercenary named Hudson Blackwell. Lieutenant Blackwell was one of three lieutenants who worked for Lasar in the retaliation on the invading and slaving Splugorth. For the month you were working with the Lasar Mercs, you were assigned to Blackwell's platoon. During the month with Blackwell defending Texas from slavers you learned the Lieutenant was in fact a rare Black Dragon, originating from a far off dimension. Hudson, as he insisted you call him, shook your hand and thanked you after the mercenaries defeated the slavers and separated into smaller tribes of mercs. One of the nice finds, loot, you picked up while working with Lasar and Hudson was the vehicle/mount you now have.

Raging across the badlands you have run a few small jobs on your own. Now, roughly six months after the gathering Lasar put together, you have been contacted by Hudson Blackwell. While racing across the badlands over cracked and ruff asphalt a "magic" pigeon swirled across your view and started circling you with unreal speed as you rode. Stopping and eyeing the bird warily it suddenly spoke in perfect American.

"Greeting my old friend! It is I, Hudson! I could use a mercenary of your caliber right about now, someone I know I can trust. I got a job. It pays well. If you can, meet me at the Snake Pit in Crossroads. I'll introduce you to our client, Erin. Semper Celeritas"

You have been to the city of Crossroads before and know it is less than a days ride from where you are.

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Crossroads is a town with a regular population of just under 8000 and quite often up to another 2000 transient visitors at any given time. It is located near where pre-rifts Kernville used to be, and, for the Pecos Empire, is a relatively modern and safe community. The town gets its name for being in a geographical, center more or less, of the Pecos Empire.

Since it is relatively large, as empire towns go, and located centrally, it is a major trade center in the budding Empire.

Located in the Pecos Empire, the Lone Star State, the people of Texas have had very little contact with the East Coast including entities such as the Coalition States (CS), who most have heard of and most have never actually been in contact with. And absolutely no contact with the west which is cut off by the great barrier mountains with its dimensional anomalies.

Crossroads is a thriving community of artists and craftsmen. In addition to stage performances, primarily comedies and song and dance, and musical events, there is a full-time movie theater that offers a good selection of pre, and post rifts films. There are two dozen pawn shops, large and small, plus a handful of Shoppes that specialize in artifacts both pre, and post rift, and even alien artifacts. In addition to pottery, various knickknacks, customers can purchase and or commission objects of art such as paintings and sculptures or specialty items. Custom made saddles, saddlebags, boots with ornate unique designs, gang insignia etc. are in high demand among the Pecos bandits in the region. Over a dozen tattoo parlors also thrive in town.

A large Carnival has set up shop in the town of crossroads. There are gambling halls and sporting arenas that can seat up to 8000 people. Besides gambling, these halls provide a variety of entertainment in which the same manner as a saloon halls of the old wild west ones did.

There are even some red light districts with brothels, cockfighting and dogfighting and drug dens, houses of illusion, psychic experiences and a host of unique pastimes for a reasonable price. The local law-enforcement is mostly made up of a militia or basically a large gang well outfitted with weapons and armor. They are referred to as the City Guard.

Hover vehicle racing is a common occurrence and there are Juicer games. About the only thing that Crossroads draws a line at is actual blood sports, they are forbidden within city limits. All in all this could be considered a Las Vegas of the Pecos Empire.

The town is run by a board of commissioners. The Guard, or militia is made up of citizens and full-time freelance military forces. One perk of signing up with the militia is after two years you are given citizenship and a license to work in the city and have your own shop. It is illegal for unlicensed persons to set up businesses within the city, this does not in anyway affect independent mercenaries working in the area.

Roughly 30% of the population is human, another 8% are augmented humans such as cyborgs, juicers and crazies. The majority of Crossroads is made up of roughly 62% dimensional beings (D-Bee's). The commissioners for the city of Crossroads are currently starting a new project of building a wall around the city, although this may take several decades to complete.

One of the more famous bars within Crossroads is known as: the Snake Pit.


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Now you find yourself sitting at a table located in the seedy bar, the Snake Pit, waiting. A few drinks later the double doors to the bar swing open and you recognize your old Lieutenant.

Image


Literally the piano players stops playing, as everyone eyes the newcomer, then the music starts back up and murmurs and conversations carry on. Dressed in black leather pants, biker jacket and cap, Hudson grins and you recognize the dragons large golden dragon ring on his right hand. The evening darkens outside, silhouetted behind Hudson as he walks deeper into the bar after eyeing you. With night, the hot day starts to cool off. As the black dragon settles haphazardly into the seat across from you he smiles and before he can say anything a D-Bee bar maid, Harriette, an easy to look at mole-like humanoid female bustles up to the table and asks Hudson what his pleasure is.

"A refill for my mate and I'll have what he is having. Lace mine if you please."

Returning his attention to you, Hudson continues:

"It has been a while hasn't it mate. By the Dragon Kings of Tolkeen, so many stories to tell and we were only together a ... what five weeks or less!"


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PLAYER INSTRUCTIONS

To start out, you can recant (like an Interlude) a story of the time you spent being a mercenary working with Hudson and Captain Lasar fighting Splugorth and defending Texas from slavers! Feel free to embellish and make it a truly worthy of being a bar story tale.

After your post I will carry on with more narrative. Thanks and enjoy.
Agents of Titan Robotics Industries (AoT)
The Agents (Players)
• Jim - Sparkmort Zipwidget: Male Tinker Gnome Power Armor Ace
• Derrick - Caiden: Male Human, Momano Headhunter
• Steve (Hans) - Berk: Male Simvan Psi-Druid Monster Tamer/Rider
• Murp - Rupetta Martin: Female Human MARS Merc Soldier (X-CS)
• Freemage - Lance: Male Dog Boy Techno-Warrior (Cyber[netic] Knight)
• CSC - Ozy “Oz”: Dragon

My Accounts:
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  • Jackal - IC (Neural Intelligence) - 7th SET
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  • Henry Grimes - CS Commando - Rumble in the Jungle

Not Active
  • Hondo - Wild Psi Stalker
  • Burn - Mega Juicer - Juicer Uprising (On Hold)
  • Blackfish - Ogre Combat Mage - 12th SET (On Hold)
  • Setrakian - Dragon Juicer - FoM Jungles (Retired)

NPC Accounts
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  • Erin Tarn - NPC
  • James T - NPC
  • Hagen Lonovich - NPC

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Harrison Fulton
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Joined: Tue Jun 30, 2020 8:05 pm

Re: Inchoations / Opening Scene (Harrison)

Post by Harrison Fulton »

As Harrison rode smoothly across the badlands, a pigeon, with incredible speed, landed in the passenger seat of his ATV. Startled, Harrison stopped to inspect the bird. Picking up the pigeon, Harrison noticed the scroll attached to its leg. Upon opening it, Harrison read,
Lars wrote: Wed Jun 10, 2020 6:59 pm "Greeting my old friend! It is I, Hudson! I could use a mercenary of your caliber right about now, someone I know I can trust. I got a job. It pays well. If you can, meet me at the Snake Pit in Crossroads. I'll introduce you to our client, Erin. Semper Celeritas"
After reading the note, Harrison, to himself, stated, "Who else could it be? Is there anyone else who knows of my condition?" Putting the ATV into drive, Harrison headed out towards Crossroads. Along the way, Harrison reminisced on the day that caused him so much trouble presently.

It was a chill and humid morning in San Marcos, Texas and Blackwell and Harrison had just finished an exchange with another group of wanderers outside a warehouse on the outskirts of town. As they were loading the cargo into the hold of their ATV, Harrison noticed a cloud of dust rising above the dunes to the east. Upon further inspection, he realized they were a band of marauders. "Hey, Lieutenant? You think we got some bogies comin' in hot from the east? You think they're comin' for the cache?"

Turning to assess the situation, Blackwell said, "Kid, hop onto your bike and lets get out of here. We've got a shipment of weapons to deliver."

What ensued for the next 30 minutes was a high speed chase across the badlands. Harrison doesn't remember to much of that due to the high amount of adrenaline coursing through his body. Shots were fired and no damage was taken on Blackwell and Harrison's side. That is until the two of them were almost within reach of the gates of Seawillow. Harrison was ahead of Blackwell by a few hundred feet and was only 1 or 2 miles from Seawillow when he was thrown from his motorcycle. All Harrison saw and felt was a bright flash of light behind him, the sensation of flying, and then the solid impact of flesh on asphalt. Harrison then blacked out.

The next thing Harrison saw was the bright lights of an opertating/recovery room with Blackwell sitting next to his bed. Blackwell proceeded to talk to Harrison but Harrison motioned that he couldn't hear him. Blackwell grabbed a notepad and pen and wrote, "They said that it would be a downside to the procedure, losing your hearing. You're lucky to have made it. Marauders scored a shot on your bike and it blew. I was able to get you and the shipment within the city walls. I also took the liberty of using your share of the reward to bring you back with a few enhancements." "What enhancements are you referring to?" "Some synthetic organ replacements, a Core Electronics Package, and a Vehicle Interface Package. Thought you might like that last one." Harrison showed a hint of a smile, but suddenly regretted it as the nausea of surgery hit him. "Kid, you're one of the best drivers I've seen and I'd hate to lose you." After a pause, he continues. "All the medical costs have been paid for and there's a gift outside for you when you're well enough to leave." As Blackwell stands to leave, Harrison asked, "Will I see you again?" Blackwell smiles slyly, "I'll keep in touch."

By the time that Harrison had fully ran his mind through the events of the past,
Lars wrote: Wed Jun 10, 2020 6:59 pm the double doors to the bar swing open and you recognize your old Lieutenant.

Literally the piano players stops playing, as everyone eyes the newcomer, then the music starts back up and murmurs and conversations carry on. Dressed in black leather pants, biker jacket and cap, Hudson grins and you recognize the dragons large golden dragon ring on his right hand. The evening darkens outside, silhouetted behind Hudson as he walks deeper into the bar after eyeing you. With night, the hot day starts to cool off. As the black dragon settles haphazardly into the seat across from you he smiles and before he can say anything a D-Bee bar maid, Harriette, an easy to look at mole-like humanoid female bustles up to the table and asks Hudson what his pleasure is.

"A refill for my mate and I'll have what he is having. Lace mine if you please."

Returning his attention to you, Hudson continues:

"It has been a while hasn't it mate. By the Dragon Kings of Tolkeen, so many stories to tell and we were only together a ... what five weeks or less!"
Harrison stands to greet the Lieutenant and says, "Has it truly been that long and are you sure you want what I'm having?" Harrison lifts up a glass of water with some ice. After this exchange, Blackwell looks incredulously at Harrison. "Did you get your hearing back? The last time I spoke with you we had to use pen and paper." Motioning for Blackwell to sit, Harrison explains, "Have you ever wondered how hard it would be to learn how to read lips?" "Is that what you're doing?" Harrison nods, downs the glass of water brought to him, and asks, "What are the details on the job you wrote about?"
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Daniel
Daniel (Lars)
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Joined: Thu Jan 19, 2017 9:13 am
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Re: Inchoations / Opening Scene (Harrison)

Post by Daniel »

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@Harrison Fulton nice opening post! You have earned a bennie for that post.


The Snake Pit, bar, restaurant and local ganger hangout: Sounds of patrons drinking and eating in the bar mingled with a cheap piano that played in the background.

Leaning forward in the chair Hudson glances around the Snake Pit before answering Harrison.

”In a few days at noon, we are meeting a bloke by the name of Desmond Bradford. He says some of his contractors were captured and he wants them back. Sounds like his men are working for the Coalition States. Says he was contracted to search for oil here in Texas and some bandits snagged a few of his men when they were traveling. He’s going to give us details and instructions. Claims he knows who has them and where they are, but doesn’t want to send in his own mercs or ask the CS for help. Seems to think that would piss off his employers. Says these captured fellas have some vital company info on them. He’s offering 100k for the info and 20k per man rescued.”

Letting that soak in a moment Hudson goes on after a sip of his laced drink. Burps. Laughs and looks, a little pale.

”Now here is the fun part. Next appointment is with Erin Tarn, a scholar who wrote that underground book the CS hates. Yeah. She’s in town. Wants to write another book. More of a first hand experience book. So she and some Lazlo dudes stroll into Texas and come across a group of guys claiming they have fled from the CS and a contractor company after finding something amazing. Some relic. They steal the details saying where it is and try to set up a buy. But it goes badly. Erin’s group try to save these blokes from some tribe of mercs but only Erin escapes the firefight. The guys with the details are captured and her Lazlo escort all killed. She contacted me, I met her few years ago, and wants to hire us to find these poor captured fellas and then rescue them. She’s interested in the information too but actually seems more worried about the dudes. We are meeting her at 2 in the afternoon, same day as Desmond.”

Grinning Hudson nods.

”One leads to the other. Now. Here’s how I wanna do this. We tell the guy Bradford we are down. No problem. Then we chat with Ms. Tarn and tell her we are down. We rescued the blokes and see what the relic is before deciding on how we play that. Lazlo has fronted 200 k for taking out the tribe, dead or alive and rescue of the men. I don’t know what tribe of mercs it is yet. But we will figure it. We collect on that then maybe collect with Bradford too. I for one am not keen on a CS presence in Texas though. Unless the relic is too juicy to let go.”

Raising his glass up as a toast to Harrison, Hudson says, ”I want you with us. Most of us are guys that were together during the Splougorth attacks. Few new faces. I know you got that ATV and ya can drive like a Whiskey fired rattler. Whatcha think?”

The dragon looks at Harrison expectantly. “You free? You in? If so, let’s hang out tonight and chat. Here’s to, riding fast, drinking lots, and swimming in credits!”



Carry on with conversation with Hudson if you like. (Be just a few days before I get group post up).
Agents of Titan Robotics Industries (AoT)
The Agents (Players)
• Jim - Sparkmort Zipwidget: Male Tinker Gnome Power Armor Ace
• Derrick - Caiden: Male Human, Momano Headhunter
• Steve (Hans) - Berk: Male Simvan Psi-Druid Monster Tamer/Rider
• Murp - Rupetta Martin: Female Human MARS Merc Soldier (X-CS)
• Freemage - Lance: Male Dog Boy Techno-Warrior (Cyber[netic] Knight)
• CSC - Ozy “Oz”: Dragon

My Accounts:
Active
  • Daniel - Admin/GM of AoT
  • Jackal - IC (Neural Intelligence) - 7th SET
  • Vi - Space Pirate - Stars Without Numbers
  • Henry Grimes - CS Commando - Rumble in the Jungle

Not Active
  • Hondo - Wild Psi Stalker
  • Burn - Mega Juicer - Juicer Uprising (On Hold)
  • Blackfish - Ogre Combat Mage - 12th SET (On Hold)
  • Setrakian - Dragon Juicer - FoM Jungles (Retired)

NPC Accounts
  • Lord Coake - NPC
  • Valentine - NPC
  • Erin Tarn - NPC
  • James T - NPC
  • Hagen Lonovich - NPC

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