Jeff Dee is recreating his art from the AD&D module S3 – Expedition to the Barrier Peaks!

Read more about it on his Kickstarter project page. He has already completed several other similar projects, producing new originals for art which was destroyed during the collapse of TSR.

There’s only two weeks left on this project, and it’s currently at 44% funded, so now’s the time to support it. Come join a good cause!

Check this out on Kickstarter, or visit Jeff’s deviantART gallery for examples of his artwork.

For those who are interested in checking out how this play-by-post adventure went, check out the Adventure Archive page.

• Go To: Tempora Mutantur

Tempora Mutantur uses Simon J. Bull’s “SotU Refired” as a basis, which was itself inspired by Nicolas Dessaux’s original “Searchers of the Unknown”.

One thousand years after the Fall, a strange new world rises from the old…

a world of savagery, super science, and sorcery!

Mutants & Magic is an old-school rules-light fantasy/post-apocalyptic RPG, run via the internet using Skype and Gametable.

Interested players are invited to follow this link:

• Go To: Mutants & Magic

I’m still recruiting players for Skype gaming. When we have enough interested players, I’ll start organizing a date and time for a session.

Well; after 7 months of gaming and 44 game posts, I suffered GM burnout. Luckily, the players were pretty close to the exit at the time…

If you found your way here via Google, go over and check the Adventure Archive. The logs are quite comprehensive:

• Go To: Barrier Peaks Adventure Archive

I’ve also used a lot of the campaign background from this campaign in my Mutants & Magic game.

I’ll leave this site up indefinitely as a record of the adventure, and I may post occasional updates here for new projects of mine.

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Cargo Bay

(Well, I’m sure you’ve seen this coming. Referee burnout has gotten to me and I’ve let the game die. But rather than let this tale trail off into nothingness, I’d like to at least railroad it into closure…)

Ibben, Apollo, and Slinker continue to watch the cargo bay. Suddenly the robots grind into action! They turn towards the central table as the shimmering lights surrounding the creature blink out. The machines grab the enormous creature in their clumsy graspers.

Next, the large cargo bay doors slowly begin to open, exposing sunlight! These are indeed the lower doors that you spotted while outside! The robots begin to drag their load towards the doorway, still seemingly oblivious to presence of the scouts…

Apparently Not Perfect

Cargo Bot

Amazed by the spectacle unfolding before him, but keen not to become embroiled in it, Apollo steps slowly backwards towards to internal doors. While it seems that the party have found the immediate cause of the incursions into the surrounding lands, Apollo can see no obvious way of stemming the flow of creatures being ejected from this huge portal.

Ibben remains motionless in the doorway, watching the robots go about their task. Independently he has the same thoughts as Apollo, for the moment the best he can do is observe and hope the information will come in useful later on.

The Slinker catches himself gawking at the event before his eyes, but quickly comes to a conclusion. He thinks to himself, “Damn withdrawal, now I’m seeing things. I really need to find my shit…” He carefully retreats to the internal doors to discuss further exploration.

Slinker’s camouflage is exceptional, but apparently not perfect. As he retreats across the room, one of the cargo ‘bots stops in its tracks and drops the inert creature. Turning its sensors towards Slinker, it begins emitting a loud “Woop! Woop!” noise!

‘Decider’

Meanwhile, back where the others are standing guard, Olive silently enters into a low-power state as he waits for something to move on. He looks like a plastic statue, frozen in a guard position.

Aka-Vasha jokingly whispers to herself, “What’s taking them so long? Its like we have been waiting here for nearly a month now!” Hearing a grinding noise in the distance (the opening of the outer doors), she cautiously begins moving forward to investigate.

Rasputin hears the noises from the cargo bay also and sees Aka-Vasha start to move. “Hold up!,” Rasputin hisses, “Our companions will shout if they need aid. Don’t risk their lives by your impatience.”

Even as he says that, Rasputin is itching to investigate the noises himself, but exerts his will to hold himself back.

Yobo, perched upon Aka-Vasha’s shoulder, catches a whiff of fresh air. “The scouts must have discovered the exit!” he squeaks.

“What in tarnation?” Gene wonders. Slowly, he peers toward the portal wondering if his companions need aid… “Talk to me ‘Decider’!” he mutters to himself as his hand hovers above the grip of his trusty pistol.

“Woop! Woop!” The alarm from the cargo bay echoes clearly through the deserted halls!

Gene is momentarily startled, as if it was the pistol itself answering him. He dashes towards the cargo bay, ‘Decider’ in hand, accompanied by the remaining party members.

Expulsion!

Police Robot

Disdaining caution at this juncture, the entire group pours into the cargo hold. The needs of your allies outweighs the danger to yourselves, and you bravely charge forward.

Inside is a desperate situation – one cargo bot has entwined its metallic ‘tentacles’ around Slinker, completely pinning him. Apollo and Ibben – now visible – are attempting to disentangle their companion, but the robot is emanating some type of repulsion field and they are unable to attain a grasp on their target!

The second robot continues to tug at the large mutant beast – but the creature is twitching now and shoves the machine away with one immense paw!

To make matters worse, the side doors have now opened, and additional machines are pouring in – a half dozen additional worker ‘bots, plus two floating ‘police’ droids (humming eerily, of course)!

It is at this point that things get infinitely worse. The inner cargo doors close with a “Thud!” behind you. Suddenly, you are trapped like rats!

Yobo snaps. Hissing like a snake, he makes a mad dash for freedom before the outer doors close in a similar manner. His escape is seemingly unopposed, and he flings himself out of the vault and skitters to safety outside.

Slinker is the next to go, though not of his own volition. The cargo ‘bot ejects the near-naked journalist out of the vault like a bouncer at some club.

Gene and Rasputin are tossed next, though they ensure that they go out with guns blazing. The cargo ‘bots do not seem to be trying to hurt anyone – their grip, though firm, bruises only slightly. The ground is less forgiving, unfortunately, when you land spread-eagled.

Ejected!

Olive gets a somewhat different treatment. Instead of the loving caress of robot grippers, he is thrust outside by some type of repulsor beam from a police ‘bot. “But we are brothers!” he calls as is flung through the air.

Seeing the probable outcome of these events, Aka-Vasha decides to go willingly. She nimbly leaps from the open vault doors and lands surefooted on the ground below.

Fighting back-to-back, Apollo and Ibben manage to hold their own for a few moments longer. They are caught by surprise (and unable to use their Control Light Waves power) by a paralysis beam from the other police droid, however. Stunned for a few crucial seconds, they are tossed out like yesterday’s garbage.

Many of you are still regaining your wits when the two original cargo droids complete their original intent and thrust the massive beast (now half-awake) out the vault doors. It lands semi-comatose with a distinct lack of grace, but you fear the creature will be fully alert soon.

Rasputin struggles to his feet and quickly takes note of the situation. His friends appear mostly unharmed, but something is not right… With a look of shock upon his face, he shouts “The retainers!” (Reesus, Rogaine, and Andre apparently did not feel rushing into the cargo bay was a prudent course of action and were not trapped when the inner doors shut.)

Seconds later, the external cargo doors grind shut. You have escaped, but due to events beyond your control, your mission from the Affiliation Conclave has been cut short.

And the bulette is waking up…

THE END

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Cargo Bot

While the rest of the group waits near the stairwell up, the party scouts have discovered a cargo bay – and perhaps an exit from this installation!

Ibben, Apollo, and Slinker have discovered a large, well-lit cargo bay. In the middle of the room are two large robots, different in appearance from the police robot which you encountered earlier. There is also the enormous body of a creature lying upon a table of some type. The monster is unfamiliar to you, and surrounded in a nimbus of light. The robots take no action, nor does the creature on the table.

To the south is a large set of cargo doors. These resemble perfectly the doorway which you spotted from the outside! On the east and west walls are large doors similar to the one you just entered, but brown-coded.

Cargo Hold

Ibben pauses to continue watching the two robots for a minute…

Saying nothing, and moving as quietly as he can manage, Apollo takes a couple of cautious steps into the room, glancing warily around this new area.

Other than the robots and the mysterious creature, there is little else of interest in the room. There are several open crates lying in the corners of the chamber, but from what Apollo can see they appear empty. He notes no dust or signs of disuse, unlike other areas within the lower level. In fact, the chamber appears well used – with scratches and scuff marks everywhere. There are definite signs that large and heavy objects have been repeatedly dragged towards the southern cargo doors…

The Slinker moves into the room slowly and carefully, scanning the room in hope of finding his valuable possessions. Although his camouflage is less perfect than that of Apollo or Ibben, the robots take no notice. With his gear nowhere in plain sight, Slinker peers into the crates. Although mostly empty, each contains at the bottom a smaller version of the ‘table’ that dominates the center of this room. (This still leaves each crate as mostly empty space.)

Suddenly, and without warning, the robots grind into action! They turn towards the central table, and suddenly the shimmering lights surrounding the creature blink out. You stand, momentarily transfixed, as the machines grab the enormous creature in their clumsy graspers. (Did the monster just twitch, or was it your imagination?)

Next, with the sound of grinding metal, the large cargo bay doors slowly begin to open, exposing sunlight! These are indeed the lower doors that you spotted while outside! The robots begin to drag their load towards the doorway, still seemingly oblivious to your presence.

What are your actions?

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Current Map

Once again, the party has returned to the lower deck. Taking the western stairwell this time, you have descended to a location that is a mirror image of the corridors you explored earlier. Unexplored halls extend north and northwest, while to the east lies the large violet-coded door which attracted your interest earlier.

As before, the halls are eerily silent and have a deserted, haunted feel to them. There is no trace of the police robot. Yobo’s keen scent detects no living creatures. As before, he does smell traces of an unusual chemical scent, but he cannot identify its properties or source.

Cautious Exploration

Still determined to locate the large exit doors that you spotted from outside, Ibben focuses his attention to the east. “Let us first investigate that large violet-carded door”, Ibben states. “If that’s what the police robot was guarding, there may still be something useful in there.”

Peering back and forth while listening for the hum of the police robot, he continues after a pause. “… we should proceed carefully if we are not to run into it again, including keeping a sharp ear out for its approach”, he adds. “Give me the keycard and I will go ahead.”

“I will join you, brother”, states Apollo in hushed tones.

“Alright, let’s do this!” Slinker whispers with enthusiasm, ready to take on whatever might be behind the door.

Rasputin nods. “Go quickly. We will keep an eye out for the police robot and signal if it comes,” he states, moving over to listen and keep watch on the northern tunnels.

Olive says nothing, but judging from his stance, he is anticipating trouble. He swings his wicked mace in slow circles from its leather strap.

Likewise, Gene remains near the stairs, drawing his pistol and waiting for the door to open. Aka-Vasha and Yobo also remain wary, waiting a few paces behind the intersection, closer to the stairwell.

The violet keycard is handed to Ibben, who turns invisible and proceeds carefully towards the door. Remaining invisible, Apollo draws his weapons and stalks quietly down the hallway after Ibben. (Or at least after where he figures invisible Ibben is.) Using his Chameleon mutation to blend into the background, Slinker follows slowly behind.

(The referee tosses some dice. No random encounters this time, but Yobo can hear a faint humming to the northwest; perhaps the robot has headed away in that direction?)

Cargo Bay Doors

Ibben and Apollo proceed invisibly, bumping into each other once or twice as they cautiously move forward. A few paces back, Slinker moves even more slowly to better maintain his chameleon blending with the walls.

The trio reach the large violet-coded door. You are in near-complete darkness, far from the torchlight of your companions, but there is just enough light to see the door and keycard slot.

Ibben listens carefully at the portal before inserting the card (referee tosses a die), but hears nothing. Whispering to his hidden companions, he says: “I will use the card now.”

There is an audible ‘beep!’ as Ibben inserts the violet keycard, and then the large door slides silently open!

Cargo Bay

The room beyond is bathed in bright light. It is large and roughly rectangular – over a hundred feet wide and about seventy feet to the far side. It appears to be a warehouse or cargo area, but is mostly empty. In the middle of the room, however, are two large robots, different in appearance from the police robot which you encountered earlier. There is also the enormous body of a creature lying upon a table of some type. The monster is unfamiliar to you, and surrounded in a nimbus of light.

To the south, directly across from your current location, is a large set of cargo doors. These resemble perfectly the doorway which you spotted from the outside! On the east and west walls are large doors similar to the one you just entered, but brown-coded.

The robots take no action, nor does the creature on the table. They do not seem to acknowledge your presence in any way.

What are your actions?

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BP Map #20

Most of the party is back on the botanical level. As it returned downstairs, the police robot has given you quite a scare. Camouflaged in the stairwell, Slinker had to drop his remaining gear to remain undetected. The robot gathered up the weapons, armour, and backpack that were hastily dropped, then proceeded down to the lower level! Luckily, Slinker kept his force-field belt and he and Ibben were able to reunite with the rest of the party.

Subsequently, Aka-Vasha and Yobo have scouted to the east and found a large room labelled with a sign (in Ancient). The chamber is brightly lit and filled with a musk-like stench; Yobo smells that it is the lair of something. One side of the room is split into three smaller, divided sections, each containing vegetation of a different type (mostly dead now). The hallway continues at the far end of the room, about 150 feet away.

Ominous Sign

Rasputin uses his knowledge of Ancient to try and make out words next to the chamber, see if it offers up any clues.

Gene also tries to discern the Ancient writing. “Whatever it is, I hope its a vegetarian!”

You translate the sign as ‘Warning! Dangerous Animals’. A vegetarian diet is unlikely.

“That does not sound promising.” mutters Ibben.

“Hmmm, keep watch for creatures but let us try the violet door,” suggests Rasputin. “With luck, we may find an unlooted area with the additional keycard we need to continue.”

Ibben comments: “I agree with Rasputin; let us first check out the violet-carded door.”

Before proceeding, however, you perform a quick check of your surroundings.

Olive looks around silently. From the doorway, he checks for potential threats, and whatever may have killed the plants in the ‘Dangerous Animals’ room. Perhaps they could find something that would help them with the plants above…

Although he is not a botanist, Olive figures that the plants in the ‘Dangerous Animals’ enclosure have simply died from neglect. It appears to have happened relatively recently, however – maybe in the past few weeks, as opposed to centuries ago.

Knowing that the greenhouse is a little dangerous to explore just yet, Aka-Vasha decides to explore the small rooms near the stairs, starting with the room at the end of the hall (marked ‘B’ on the map), then she will explore the two little rooms.

You take the time to explore all the smaller rooms nearby before proceeding further. The one at the end of the hall (marked ‘B’) actually requires a brown keycard, so your entry is barred.

(The referee tosses some dice.) The remaining unkeyed chambers are filled with what appears to be gardening equipment. They have been partially looted, but in one you do find some herbicide mix (pellets in a plastic pail). The instructions are to add water and spray, though you lack a spray device.

“Herbicide sounds useful.” remarks Rasputin. He takes the time to mix up a concentrated batch in one of his waterskins.

Olive politely asks one of the retainers to take the herbicide with him in case the group finds a spraying device. (Andre takes the herbicide pellets.) He also looks for parts to construct his own spraying device (or at least start one when we get a break).

Behind the violet-keyed door is a dark and narrow corridor, apparently some kind of serviceway. Small, latched metal doors line the walls on each side. The group gathers in the main room (with the drop chute) to decide how to proceed.

Rasputin comments: “The serviceway seems promising.”

Feeling sheepish after his close encounter, Slinker takes a deep breath and tries to move on. “Yeah, let’s see what the hell all these doors are all about.” He reaches for his notebook and pen instinctively, but is denied his tools of the trade. He nearly reaches for a cigarette, but stops himself. “But we should really check out the lower level and see where that robot is going off to.”

Ibben comments: “I agree with Slinker. Let us not get sidetracked, our primary goal is down on the lower level.” He contemplates for a moment, then adds: “I would prefer to take the other stairwell down this time, hopefully it will be free of robots!”

Gene concurs: “Yes, lets get to the bottom of this!”

Aka-Vasha adds her vote: “There is nothing of value with botany! We should see what secrets that tin watchman is guarding.”

Apollo formulates a plan: “Let’s try the other staircase. If we meet the Police Robot again, then so be it – it looked like it had already taken one beating before it found us. The sooner we get to the source of this infestation, the sooner we can all go home. Plus it rankles having someone – nay, someTHING – lay down the law to a duly appointed judge.”

“Agreed then.” says Rasputin. “We should take the quicker method and hope the reward justifies the extra risk. Let’s get scouts ahead and try to avoid the robot – damaged or not, I suspect it still has powerful weaponry intact if it comes to a fight.

“Yobo, if we do encounter that tin-can again, then you can slither down my robe to hide.” whispers Aka-Vasha.

Return to the Lower Level

Taking the western stairwell this time, your party returns to the lower level.

These stairs are a mirror image of those to the east. The metal stairs are in good shape, and there is little debris. As before, the stairwell extends quite far down – past the range of Ibben’s echolocation – and none of the landings appear blocked or occupied. You descend a total of about 90 feet down to the lower deck, but decide to send scouts ahead before all of you leave the stairwell.

Exiting the stairs, Ibben and Apollo (both invisible) leading with Slinker (camouflaged) slightly behind. Aka-Vasha follows, with Yobo coiled around her shoulders. There is just enough light from the torches in the stairwell to make out the closest stretches of corridor.

(The referee tosses some dice.)

Current Map

As before, the halls are eerily silent and have a deserted, haunted feel to them. Yobo’s keen scent detects no living creatures. As before, he does smell traces of an unusual chemical scent, but he cannot identify its properties or source.

Notably, you do not hear the ominous humming of the police robot.

Deciding that it’s as safe as it’s going to get, the scouts summon the rest of the party and you get a better look at your immediate surroundings. This area appears to be a mirror image of the halls to the east. The large violet-keyed cargo door that your party found earlier is to the east, while to the north is another corridor lined with doors. Presumably, the northwest corridor leads to another stairwell up.

What are your actions?