Noble Outrider

[Eventua]

In a year lost to history, humanity let go. The void would be our home, until the day we found a place we could belong.

Do you remember what green is? To hear birdsong through the trees?

How many lifetimes were they sleeping? How many memories were lost in the vacuum? We can't possibly know - when we woke up, most of the records were damaged or destroyed.

To feel soil beneath our feet, soil that's ours, teeming with life that's alien yet familiar, right down to our DNA?

For months we feared the worst, surviving in the darkness from whatever systems still worked, praying for death.

And then...

The one-eyes and the beetles might think they did us a solid turn, but this silver sanctum, this golden garden... is nothing more than a prison.

We rebuilt something of ourselves, here on this Shoreline. A place where all humans belong.

We don't belong here.

~~~~

But you, Outrider. Are you human?​

--- [] Obviously! Dumb question.
--- [] Haven't been for a while.
--- [] Labels are just words.

Mmm… could I ask you a personal question? Why did you become an Outrider? People join for a lot of reasons, after all.​

--- [] Duty, I think, was probably the main thing. They were looking, and I was available.
--- [] Honestly, I didn't want to spend my life farming ambrosia in the boonies.
--- [] Heh, seemed like a good opportunity to shoot stuff, that's all.
--- [] Family for the most part. Sometimes your blood tells you what to do.

I see… and how long have you been an Outrider?​

--- [] Just started - not gonna lie, still wondering if it was the right choice. You underwent nobility just a few months ago and are still dealing with the recovery and the limitations it places on your abilities, but you'll be assigned a more experienced partner to take the lead and only have to handle rookie and routine missions.
--- [] Couple years now, so I've got some respect. You underwent nobility some time ago so the initial side-effects have worn off, and you have some experience in high risk scenarios. People trust you to take the lead in unknown or dangerous places and may even occasionally assign you solo missions.
--- [] Coming up for my tenth stint now, you know? It's a big deal. You underwent nobility a good ten years ago and are now in your early forties. You are tasked with missions in highly unusual or dangerous situations or that require the utmost secrecy or respect. You will nearly always be taking point in group missions.
--- [] Heh, been an Outrider since they started. Pretty much got free reign. You were a first generation outrider and are in your early sixties. The fact you stick with field work rather than sitting behind a desk or training recruits raises eyebrows. You dwell at the very edge of society and are tasked with only the most eclectic, secretive or dangerous tasks - or at least the ones no one else will take.

What's it to you?

Mmm... oh, just asking because it's interesting, you see. Of all the four virtues that the nobility program added to you - of all the tools and technology you could gain access to - your body and mind seemed to have a particular affinity for tenacity, didn't it?​

--- [] Yeah, but reason was crucial. Tenacity and Reason are, between them, the virtues of problem-solving and cunning. Having an affinity for them at the expense of Fairness or Warmth is potentially a recipe for loneliness and unchecked ambition. It is the affinity-combination of Gremlins, ruthless tinker pirates.
--- [] Being honest, that and fairness. Tenacity and Fairness are, between them, the virtues of endurance and justice. Having an affinity for them at the expense of Reason or Warmth is potentially a recipe for stubbornness and inflexibility. It is the affinity-combination of Istvun, reincarnating mantis warriors.
--- [] Thankfully warmth is there too. Tenacity and Warmth are, between them, the virtues of passion and freedom. Having an affinity for them at the expense of Reason or Fairness is potentially a recipe for chaos and heartbreak. It is the affinity-combination of Carnies, fox-like nomads and performers.
--- [] Yeah, just tenacity - only other thing I was ever good with was the practical, the material. That is, your talents lie primarily in the skills and technology of humankind, who don't have an innate affinity for the four virtues and thus are at a disadvantage in most of society.

Yes, of course. That all seems to match the records we have…congratulations! Seems like your memory is still intact.

Now, wouldn't it be great if you could tell us what you were doing, when we found you?​

--- [] Mmm… I recall I was chasing down a Gremlin skirmish company halfway to the debris fields… must've scratched the fuselage. Dunno how long I was drifting for, but they'll be long gone by now.
--- [] Mmm… I recall I was meeting a girl, a Carnie going by the name of Kaile. Said she was needing someone who could help her with some trouble, before I got ambushed by… mmm.
--- [] Mmm… I recall I was heading to Zenith on a security detail. They told me there was a meeting between the Shoreline consulate and the Storm's Eye? Something important. Political stuff.
--- [] I… I don't recall. If you choose this option, please select one of the above missions as the "actual" answer.

 

[Eventua]

|Index| |Objectives & Threats| |Profile| |Affinities & Abilities| |Companions| |Feats & Skills| |Inventory| |Lore|

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• |FAIRNESS| [!][][][][][] (Rank 1) Currently disadvantaged.
  The affinity of balance, justice and honesty. It is detached but social. Opposed by Tenacity.
  Liquid Fairness can accelerate entropy. It is a force for equalization.
  At rank 1, you can silence your emotions with effort. You can sense powerful Fairness-aligned matter in the absence of interference. With effort, you can detect sinister, passionate or ambitious intent in others.
  
  |WARMTH| [!][!][][][][] (Rank 2) Currently capable.
  The affinity of kindness, understanding and peace. It is attached and social. Opposed by Reason.
  Liquid Warmth can sustain living systems. It is a force for growth.
  At rank 2, you can heal minor injuries with effort. You can sense notable Warmth-aligned matter in the absence of strong interference. With effort, you can significantly lift the moods and anxieties of others.
  
  |TENACITY| [!][!][][][][] (Rank 2) Currently capable.
  The affinity of creativity, courage and loyalty. It is attached but practical. Opposed by Fairness.
  Liquid Tenacity can exceed entropy. It is a force for dynamism.
  At rank 2, you can move and strike with significantly greater physical potential. You can sense notable Tenacity-aligned matter in the absence of strong interference. With effort, you can use the willpower of others as your own.
  
  |REASON| [!][][][][][] (Rank 1) Currently disadvantaged.
  The affinity of order, wisdom and intellect. It is detached and practical. Opposed by Warmth.
  Liquid Reason can move instantly. It is a force for deconstruction.
  At rank 1, you can see in a wider spectrum of colours and detail. You can sense powerful Reason-aligned matter in the absence of interference. With effort, you can detect uncertainty in people and systems.
  
  |MATERIAL| [!][!][][][][] (2/6)
  The affinity of not having an affinity - of apathy, materialism, strength and physical systems. The dominant affinity of humans, who are without light, and of the endless vacuum of space.
  At rank 2, you are capable with human technology. With effort, you could modify some simpler pieces of alien technology to work without virtue, though they probably wouldn't be as effective.
  
  SURVIVAL [!][!][!][!][!][!][!][!] (8/8)
  The affinity of not being dead (or as good as dead).
  The combined total of your other affinity's serves as your maximum Survival, which is expended by screwing up badly or suffering noticeable harm - be it emotional, intellectual, physical, social etc. The exact results of hitting 0 are all variants of ceasing to exist and ending the campaign but what that actually means at the time will depend on the context - what wont change is that if you reach this point, your journey is over.
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[Eventua]

Heading to Zenith...? Mmm...

You nod, and her eyes narrow slightly. She places a delicate hand to the blue earpiece she's wearing, and you start to wonder why you're here but it seems unimportant.

Thank you for being so patient, but could I ask, do you know why they were meeting on Zenith? I understand you hit your head pretty badly, so thank you for your patience. It's important we try to know as much context as possible, you see.​

--- [] Gosh lady, I dunno, I was... busy, during debriefing. Probably because it's neutral? The Easterbuns are balanced about everything, ya know?
--- [] Well, the night before deployment me and my cousin Jackie were popping some ambrosia, and he told me they were expecting an attack. Something about human saboteurs and those Fifth Virtue guys?
--- [] That... should I be telling you that...? Check failed, this option is unavailable.

She nods slightly to your answer, finger still pressed against that blue earpiece. Her teeth are bared slightly... and suddenly it occurs to you that something about this is off.

You were never one for remembering procedure, but the pattern of it, the way she asks these questions, without identifying herself or exchanging information, the arrangement of her uniform with the... is that a pentagon instead of a square...?

Now, listen, I appreciate it's hard to remember, but it's very important that you answer my questions in a way that's helpful, understand? I can't help you or your friends if you wont help me first.

You blink - once, twice, three times - and are suddenly aware of a weight, pressing down on your mind.

She tilts her head.

What's the matter? Everything okay? Do you need some water?​

Pick TWO Options:
--- [] Sorry, just a headache... yeah, water'd be great.
--- [] ...!!!
Tap into your TENACITY and make a fortitude check to reject whatever influence is slowing your mind.
--- [] It's... it's fine...
Tap into your REASON and make a gathering check to try to observe your environment through the fog clouding your mind. NOTE: You have disadvantage on REASON due to your recent nobility.
--- [] No, no... I'm fine. I can answer more questions.
Tap into your FAIRNESS and make a restraint check to prevent yourself from making it obvious you know something is up. NOTE: You have disadvantage on FAIRNESS due to your recent nobility.

Spoiler: Skillchecks and Results

First skill check of this post was a Combined Vibe+Logic Check, with a difficulty of 10. You rolled a 9, with a -2 (Vibe) and -3 (Logic), so your score was 4! Failed.
Second skill check of this post was a pure Vibe Check, with a difficulty of 10. You rolled a 14, with a -2 (Vibe), so your score was 12! Success!