The Thirteen Moons of Shamballa (in-character thread)

Best Selling RPGs - Available Now @ DriveThruRPG.com
"Shall we proceed?" asks Gilipollas. "This sub-creature is not exceptionally heavy but neither is he getting any lighter the longer I carry his pitiable body."
 
"The man on the front shall decid", Spisarevski shrugs.
"Why do you call them sub-creatures? Is it just their height, or is there more?"
 
"Subnormal stature, subnormal intelligence, submissive, subservient...how many reasons do you need?

"Sergeant! Quite back there. This isn't no fucking picnic! Keep your eyes sharp and stop jabbering. On our world you would be locked in a cage for the amusement of our children and fed bananas. Judging someone's worth merely on superficial traits, or values that you do not approve is not wise. in fact, it is foolish. Now everyone down."
Major Hunter follows his order by crouching down as well.
"You two, let's adapt a standard leap frog, or pepper pot attack. Unfortunately we only have two Ray Guns, so Spisarevski and I will provide covering fire if needed. 5 metre dashes, and down. The next squadie will then advance the same distance and so on. I want to take a quick look and see what's what. What! I say, did you see what I did there?" Major hunter laughs.
"Now let's move, and don't fire unless we are fired upon first." He quickly dashes forward, and drops after travelling the requisite 5 metres.
 
As you approach the cabin, for just a moment you see a glint of light reflecting on what may have been a helmeted head popping up and peeking quickly from a crack in the drapes in the window. When you've dropped, the front door suddenly opens inward and is left ajar.
 
Major Hunter will signal the others to stay put. He will then motion Spisarevski to move to the left. Once he is in position, Major Hunter will softly say to him. "Cover me. I want to see who is in there." Once Spisarevski is in place Major Hunter will slowly get up, have his Ray Gun lowered, and start to walk towards the cabin. "Hello there! We are travellers, lost in this land. One of our fellows is injured. He needs medical attention, and a place to rest. May we come in the cabin. We mean you no harm."
 
Major Hunter will signal the others to stay put. He will then motion Spisarevski to move to the left. Once he is in position, Major Hunter will softly say to him. "Cover me. I want to see who is in there." Once Spisarevski is in place Major Hunter will slowly get up, have his Ray Gun lowered, and start to walk towards the cabin. "Hello there! We are travellers, lost in this land. One of our fellows is injured. He needs medical attention, and a place to rest. May we come in the cabin. We mean you no harm."
A tall, gunmetal grey figure in the mold of a man appears in the doorway. In a hollow-sounding, tinny voice it speaks: "Observation: visitors. Determination: harmless. Protocol: invitation. Response: proceed into cabin, humanoids."
20190626_204135.jpg
Your host
"Egad!" exclaims Gilipollas, whose surprise causes him to drop the gnome to the grass at his feet.
20190626_205059.jpg
Gilipollas
The gnome is awakened by the fall, looks up with eyes bugging out of his head at the metal man, and promptly pulls his hat down over his eyes.
20190626_205507.jpg
The gnome
 
Last edited:
Spisarevski follows, and takes a look around.
"Huh", he says. "Just like in that Karel Capek play... thank you for your hospitality, my good man!"
 
Major Hunter starts to walk towards the cabin. "Sergeant, pick up that poor little chap and follow along!"
 
"Have you watched R.U.R., Major?", Spisarevski inquires.
 
"I can walk on my own, thank you very much!" protests the little man. "Am I not a Lord of Picklenut Forest?!" Looking around, he inquires, "Who's that tin man? Who are you, for that matter? Where are we?" He strides towards the open doorway and abruptly faints to the ground, but is caught midway through his fall by your host.

"Observation: your pet is unwell," says the metallic creature. "Recommendation: enter cabin and assess pet's health and appropriate treatment or euthanasia."
 
"I agree with the assessment", Spisarevski sighed. "Let's get him inside and see what medical help can be provided!"
 
Inside, you find the cabin to be very small but clean. Almost immediately upon entry you have to weave around a poorly placed ladder that appears to lead either to the roof or to a crawlspace. There is a bed, a small dining table, and a workbench, and not much else. The metal man gestures for Gilipollas to place the gnome on the bed, which the legionary does. Your host then crosses the room to a cabinet or pantry and picks up what looks to be a first aid kit. While examining the gnome, he says, "Observation: you are exhausted. Suggestion: please be seated while this unit examines your pet. Alternative: there are consumables appropriate for humanoids in the pantry."
home-800-rustic.jpg
 
Inside, you find the cabin to be very small but clean. Almost immediately upon entry you have to weave around a poorly placed ladder that appears to lead either to the roof or to a crawlspace. There is a bed, a small dining table, and a workbench, and not much else. The metal man gestures for Gilipollas to place the gnome on the bed, which the legionary does. Your host then crosses the room to a cabinet or pantry and picks up what looks to be a first aid kit. While examining the gnome, he says, "Observation: you are exhausted. Suggestion: please be seated while this unit examines your pet. Alternative: there are consumables appropriate for humanoids in the pantry."
"He is an excitable little chap, isn't he? I say, this is rather quaint. Victuals you say? Well I am parched and famished. Let's see what we have here." Major Hunter goes to the pantry and looks inside.
 
"He is an excitable little chap, isn't he? I say, this is rather quaint. Victuals you say? Well I am parched and famished. Let's see what we have here." Major Hunter goes to the pantry and looks inside.
You find many jars of honey, strawberry preserves, and dried fruits and nuts, or the regional version of what you'd describe in those terms.
 
Without ceremony, Major Hunter tucks in, and when satiated will lean back in his chair and observe the room. "How is the little chap doing?" He asks the Robot.
 
Without ceremony, Major Hunter tucks in, and when satiated will lean back in his chair and observe the room. "How is the little chap doing?" He asks the Robot.
"Diagnosis: multiple contusions and abrasions. Recommendation: rest."
Spisarevski follows the Major's example in eating, and waves to the legionnary to join them as well.
"Don't be shy, there's enough for all of us".
Gilipollas pours an entire jar of dried fruits and nuts down his gizzard and wipes his mouth with the back of his hand.

"Inquiry: what is the purpose of your presence here?" asks the metal man.
 
"Diagnosis: multiple contusions and abrasions. Recommendation: rest."

Gilipollas pours an entire jar of dried fruits and nuts down his gizzard and wipes his mouth with the back of his hand.

"Inquiry: what is the purpose of your presence here?" asks the metal man.
"We were in a tank that fell into the river and was in danger of being swept over the waterfall. So we jumped off and swam to the shore before we perished. We actually had no idea that you were even here. What!" Major Hunter matter of fact explains.
 
"Indeed", Spisarevski confirms. "But we're glad to see you, since we've been assured that no soldiers would dare come to this part of the planet. Which gives us some time to make a plan about freeing our friends."
 
"We were in a tank that fell into the river and was in danger of being swept over the waterfall. So we jumped off and swam to the shore before we perished. We actually had no idea that you were even here. What!" Major Hunter matter of fact explains.
"Inquiry: what do you intend now?"
"Indeed", Spisarevski confirms. "But we're glad to see you, since we've been assured that no soldiers would dare come to this part of the planet. Which gives us some time to make a plan about freeing our friends."
"Assessment: three humanoids and a pet stand little chance of overcoming Imperial forces. Primary recommendation: abandon hopes of success. Secondary recommendation: obtain farm implements and establish homestead in the Proscribed Zone."
 
"Farming isn't part of my immediate plans", Spisarevski says. "But we won't try to overcome them, either. Out think them, yes."
 
"Farming isn't part of my immediate plans", Spisarevski says. "But we won't try to overcome them, either. Out think them, yes."
The metal man, while tending to the gnome, responds, "Evaluation: humanoid intelligence insufficient. Conclusion: you will need our help."
 
"Farming? Alas, the life of the country squire is not for me. I tried that, and it didn't take. Too bucolic you see. We have no illusions about being able to take on the Empire, but we need to help our friends escape their clutches." Major Hunter turns to Gilipollis. "Sergeant, you have tossed in your lot with ours. Should we encounter your former comrades will you fight with or against us?"
 
"Farming? Alas, the life of the country squire is not for me. I tried that, and it didn't take. Too bucolic you see. We have no illusions about being able to take on the Empire, but we need to help our friends escape their clutches." Major Hunter turns to Gilipollis. "Sergeant, you have tossed in your lot with ours. Should we encounter your former comrades will you fight with or against us?"
"Bah! Need you ask? Did I not pledge my troth to your cause in exchange for my life?"
 
The metal man, while tending to the gnome, responds, "Evaluation: humanoid intelligence insufficient. Conclusion: you will need our help."
"What kind of help could you offer? Other than healing and rest?", Spisarevski inquires while the Major is talking with the Sergeant.
 
"What kind of help could you offer? Other than healing and rest?", Spisarevski inquires while the Major is talking with the Sergeant.
"Summary: this unit demonstrates superior intellect, superior strength, and superior technological and mechanical aptitude. Addendum: this unit's companion demonstrates superior area knowledge and political acumen."
 
Last edited:
"Why, thank you", Spisarevski smiled lightly. "You yourself demonstrate superior capabilities in a wide-ranging number of fields."
 
"Why, thank you", Spisarevski smiled lightly. "You yourself demonstrate superior capabilities in a wide-ranging number of fields."
"Observation: you have misunderstood my statement, as humanoids are prone to do, and mistakenly believe you were complimented. Primary correction: 'this unit' refers to Servitor-1, the entity speaking to you now."
20190626_204135.jpg
Servitor-1

"Secondary correction: 'this unit's companion' refers to Desideria, who approaches now from behind you."

As you turn to look, you see a young woman enter through the front door. She is clad in exotic armor and carries a gladius, a bow, a quiver of arrows, and a small light-brown sack, the bottom of which has stained purplish from dripping blood: it's clear she has been hunting and returned home with game. Seeing strangers in her home, she raises an eyebrow and readies her gladius.
25[1]~1.jpg
Desideria
 
Last edited:
"Observation: you have misunderstood my statement, as humanoids are prone to do, and mistakenly believe you were complimented. Primary correction: 'this unit' refers to Servitor-1, the entity speaking to you now."
View attachment 10572
Servitor-1

"Secondary correction: 'this unit's companion' refers to Desideria, who approaches now from behind you."

As you turn to look, you see a young woman enter through the front door. She is clad in exotic armor and carries a gladius, a bow, a quiver of arrows, and a small light-brown sack, the bottom of which has stained purplish from dripping blood: it's clear she has been hunting and returned home with game. Seeing strangers in her home, she raises an eyebrow and readies her gladius.
Spisarevski thinks that he just might be in love.
But then she readies a gladius, and he jumps between her and the Major, lifting his hands up.
"No, Major!", he warns, knowing full well the Major's rifle is still on maximum power. "Lady, we're guests, not intruders! We needed shelter, and some healing, after an unfriendly meeting with Imperial forces. Your companion Servitor-1 was kind enough to invite us to share your roof for a while."
 
Major Hunter looks somewhat confused at Spisarevski's outburst. He finishes chewing on some almonds, stands up and greets the young lady. "Madam. I am Major Hunter. Our friend was injured, and we intruded upon your home hoping to find some aid. Your metal man said we help ourselves to some food Once he is healed we shall be on our way."
 
OOC: I know Spisarevski is the manliest man on this planet, sharing the title with Major Hunter, but when will someone think of checking his wound?
 
"Oh...thank you for reminding me, Major! I was worried about the gnome over there would die on us, so I almost forgot my own wound!"

OOC: fun fact:
Servitor 1 demonstrates superior intellect, superior strength, and superior technological and mechanical aptitude.
The unnamed woman demonstrates superior area knowledge and political acumen
We? Our intelligence is limited, so we're going to need their help, according to the robot.
Why do I have a feeling these NPCs don't take us too seriously:grin:?
Oh wait. That's the Sword-and-Planet opening scene where the locals underestimate us, right:tongue:?
 
Last edited:
Desideria responds, "Servitor-1 can tend to all your injuries, sirrahs, and while he does so you can explain why two Moscan vagabonds, one of the Emperor's legionaries, and a Lord of Picklenut Forest are trespassing into the Proscribed Zone."
 
"Well, we were kidnapped by the forces of the Queen of Volcana during a hunting trip with Prince Volpone, Princess Vulpecula, Baron Bonario, Duke Corbaccio, Count Corvino, and other worthies", Spisarevski explained (making Jarg the Jargmeister a worthy). "But when we arrived, there was an attack by the Imperial forces. Our group, which consisted of us and the aforementioned men, got separated by the other cars and we ended up in the Picklenut Forest. The locals considered us to be the prophecied saviours, and invited us over for dinner".
He stopped, growing visibly sad.

"Poor, small, courageous guys! They tried to defend us from the Emperor's forces. The tank and legionaries plowed through their forest...which neither me nor Major Hunter could countenance, being good guests. So we two captured us some rifles, and attacked the tank, climbing inside. Once there, we made short work of most of the crew, though I got myself hurt and the last one, herepresent Sergeant Gilipollas, surrendered, and later swore to be our boon companion. Alas, the tank fell off into the river, so we didn't manage to turn it against the Emperor's forces, except for one shot. We believe that this shot at least stopped them from massacring the gnomes, though - they were throwing them off the cliff, and laughing... Then the river carried the tank away. And since we heard the sounds of rapids, we figured it'd be far preferable to swim to the shore. We learnt that the zone is Proscribed due to some ugly beasts, and decided encountering them might be preferable to fighting a whole legion...though we might have to at least outwit it...but here we are."

He looked again at her.
"By the way, my lady, my name is Stoil Spisarevski, heir to the Spisarevskis of Dobrich and honorary members of the Munich's university. Who would you be?"
 
Last edited:
Banner: The best cosmic horror & Cthulhu Mythos @ DriveThruRPG.com
Back
Top