Rifts - The Great Freeze - Tyran
Rifts - The Great Freeze - Tyran
It'd been six months since Tyran returned to North America. Reuniting with Dirk had steadied him, but the absence of Lori, Alec, Drake, Gor, Apok, Kira, Reaper, and the others weighed on him. With only Bill and Dirk for company, he wandered the northern Midwest wilderness, dodging Native warriors, startling strange beasts, and trying to understand how he’d ended up so far from everything familiar. Yet, he'd chosen not to portal back, not knowing how much things have shifted since last seeing them. Dreams of a land with flying carnivorous fish and an environment so outlandish that most would consider it nightmare fuel. It all feels like a dream of a time long past. He knows he experienced it, but being back home, he mostly remembers his time with his old friends. He's concerned that traveling through a rift could send him back there. How scary dimensional travel can be!
Eventually, after weeks of cold and uncertainty, he stumbled upon a small trapper settlement known as Camp Buford. The place sits three miles from the Missouri River, little more than a long wooden lodge, capable of housing fifty people, though Trevor Woods, its owner, is lucky to host even five at a time. Trevor is a middle‑aged trapper with a weathered face, a fondness for the outdoors, and an even deeper fondness for his golden retriever, Winnie. He welcomes travelers without question and trades lodging for whatever goods or labor they could offer.
Tyran found the camp primitive but surprisingly comfortable. Trevor claimed the land was once the site where a great Native American god, Sitting Bull, as he told it, had surrendered to the United Army of the States. Tyran wasn’t sure how much of that was true, but Trevor spoke it with conviction.
In December, the two celebrated Tyran’s fifteenth birthday with a makeshift potato cake and braised pheasant. It was surprisingly delicious, and has become one of Tyran’s few warm memories of the winter.
Rumors drifted in from the nearby Native settlement, Camp Union, six miles to the west. Their people were starving in the brutal cold, and some whispered they held a few pale‑skinned prisoners. Curious of the rumors, Trevor had tried to scout the situation, but the snow was too deep, and he refused to leave tracks that might betray him. He avoided their politics, and in return, they left him alone.
Trevor found Tyran endlessly fascinating. Bill, the Zembahk, made him uneasy, though, he's had never seen a creature like it and wasn’t sure he wanted to. Dirk, however, he adores. He’d never seen a falcon obey commands so precisely. Magic, on the other hand, made him nervous. Whenever Tyran cast even the smallest spell, Trevor flinched and asked him to keep it to a minimum. Winnie, ever vigilant, always seemed to “tattle” when Tyran used magic anyway.
By early January, according to Trevor’s homemade calendar, tension hung over the region. A week earlier, the distant sounds of a fight echoed from the direction of Camp Union. When Trevor investigated, he found a scalped native frozen in a snowbank He hopes that he won't be blamed. He wanted no trouble, especially with Rafael, the Justice Ranger of the Great Plains, due to arrive soon. Trevor has been excited to introduce Tyran to him.
Then, earlier today, Trevor returned from checking his lines and traps with a troubled look. Something was driving the game eastward, toward colder ground. He approaches Tyran with a hopeful smile, “Well, would you come with me to check the traps near the old lake? It’s about seven miles away. You up for the trip? Or… you could have your bird check,” he grins, still not fully understanding how Tyran communicates with Dirk.
Eventually, after weeks of cold and uncertainty, he stumbled upon a small trapper settlement known as Camp Buford. The place sits three miles from the Missouri River, little more than a long wooden lodge, capable of housing fifty people, though Trevor Woods, its owner, is lucky to host even five at a time. Trevor is a middle‑aged trapper with a weathered face, a fondness for the outdoors, and an even deeper fondness for his golden retriever, Winnie. He welcomes travelers without question and trades lodging for whatever goods or labor they could offer.
Tyran found the camp primitive but surprisingly comfortable. Trevor claimed the land was once the site where a great Native American god, Sitting Bull, as he told it, had surrendered to the United Army of the States. Tyran wasn’t sure how much of that was true, but Trevor spoke it with conviction.
In December, the two celebrated Tyran’s fifteenth birthday with a makeshift potato cake and braised pheasant. It was surprisingly delicious, and has become one of Tyran’s few warm memories of the winter.
Rumors drifted in from the nearby Native settlement, Camp Union, six miles to the west. Their people were starving in the brutal cold, and some whispered they held a few pale‑skinned prisoners. Curious of the rumors, Trevor had tried to scout the situation, but the snow was too deep, and he refused to leave tracks that might betray him. He avoided their politics, and in return, they left him alone.
Trevor found Tyran endlessly fascinating. Bill, the Zembahk, made him uneasy, though, he's had never seen a creature like it and wasn’t sure he wanted to. Dirk, however, he adores. He’d never seen a falcon obey commands so precisely. Magic, on the other hand, made him nervous. Whenever Tyran cast even the smallest spell, Trevor flinched and asked him to keep it to a minimum. Winnie, ever vigilant, always seemed to “tattle” when Tyran used magic anyway.
By early January, according to Trevor’s homemade calendar, tension hung over the region. A week earlier, the distant sounds of a fight echoed from the direction of Camp Union. When Trevor investigated, he found a scalped native frozen in a snowbank He hopes that he won't be blamed. He wanted no trouble, especially with Rafael, the Justice Ranger of the Great Plains, due to arrive soon. Trevor has been excited to introduce Tyran to him.
Then, earlier today, Trevor returned from checking his lines and traps with a troubled look. Something was driving the game eastward, toward colder ground. He approaches Tyran with a hopeful smile, “Well, would you come with me to check the traps near the old lake? It’s about seven miles away. You up for the trip? Or… you could have your bird check,” he grins, still not fully understanding how Tyran communicates with Dirk.
"I plan to live forever. Or die trying..." Vila - Blakes 7
Re: Rifts - The Great Freeze - Tyran
"I'd certainly be up for a winter walk," Tyran responds pleasantly, noting the trapper's underlying concern despite the smile on his face as he extends the offer. Tyran had been learning to read Trevor over the past number of weeks. It was not that hard, with Tyran cataloguing numerous tells and mannerisms that the old trapper might not be too comfortable with, were he to know just how observant the "young boy" who stumbled across his camp really was.
But he was used to being underestimated ... In fact, he preferred it. That was one of the things which made his gifts as strong as they are, especially when dealing with the supernatural - they never see him coming until it's too late.
It was the same way with people ... Playing the same game, but just on "easy mode". Maybe that is why Tyran had understated his age when he arrived ... This past December wasn't his first fifteenth birthday; he was almost that back when he first met Lori and the others. But he still looked young enough for his age to not raise any questions; and staying"young" was strategic.
At least, that's what he told himself. Unless, maybe ... He just wasn't quite ready to "grow up"? It had been nice hanging with Trevor these past weeks. And he knew Trevor was happy to have him here as well ... Especially after Tyran demonstrated that he was actually pretty skilled when it came to a trap line.
"Are you anticipating any trouble?" He asks Trevor, feigning a note of nervous apprehension as he asks. "I can send Dirk to scout ahead, just to make sure we're not walking blindly into a situation we'd be better off avoiding."
But he was used to being underestimated ... In fact, he preferred it. That was one of the things which made his gifts as strong as they are, especially when dealing with the supernatural - they never see him coming until it's too late.
It was the same way with people ... Playing the same game, but just on "easy mode". Maybe that is why Tyran had understated his age when he arrived ... This past December wasn't his first fifteenth birthday; he was almost that back when he first met Lori and the others. But he still looked young enough for his age to not raise any questions; and staying"young" was strategic.
At least, that's what he told himself. Unless, maybe ... He just wasn't quite ready to "grow up"? It had been nice hanging with Trevor these past weeks. And he knew Trevor was happy to have him here as well ... Especially after Tyran demonstrated that he was actually pretty skilled when it came to a trap line.
"Are you anticipating any trouble?" He asks Trevor, feigning a note of nervous apprehension as he asks. "I can send Dirk to scout ahead, just to make sure we're not walking blindly into a situation we'd be better off avoiding."
Re: Rifts - The Great Freeze - Tyran
"I'd certainly be up for a winter walk," Tyran responds pleasantly, noting the trapper's underlying concern despite the smile on his face as he extends the offer. Tyran had been learning to read Trevor over the past number of weeks. It wasn't that hard, with Tyran cataloguing numerous tells and mannerisms that the old trapper might not be too comfortable with, were he to know just how observant the "young boy" who stumbled across his camp really was.
But he was used to being underestimated... In fact, he preferred it. That was one of the things which made his gifts as strong as they are, especially when dealing with the supernatural - they never see him coming until it's too late.
It was the same way with people... Playing the same game, but just on "easy mode." Maybe that is why Tyran had understated his age when he arrived... This past December wasn't his first fifteenth birthday; he was almost that back when he first met Lori and the others. But he still looked young enough for his age to not raise any questions; and staying "young" was strategic.
At least, that's what he told himself. Unless, maybe... He just wasn't quite ready to "grow up?" It'd been nice hanging with Trevor these past weeks. And he knew Trevor was happy to have him here as well... Especially after Tyran demonstrated that he was actually pretty skilled when it came to a trap line.
"Are you anticipating any trouble?" He asks Trevor, feigning a note of nervous apprehension as he asks. "I can send Dirk to scout ahead, just to make sure we're not walking blindly into a situation we'd be better off avoiding."
Trevor sighs like a child who's been asked to do another useless chore, "I dunno. This storm has been raging nonstop for nearly two weeks and usually the game stick around. This is different. Something's running them off." He begins donning some bushman armor and furs, a hunting rifle, buck knife and vibro-knife, "I guess we're gonna find out."
Tyran mentally catches Bill ask, "Would you leave me here? It's cold outside," as well as sensing that Dirk doesn't want to brave the near blizzard conditions.
OOC: Any last minute preps before you head out?
But he was used to being underestimated... In fact, he preferred it. That was one of the things which made his gifts as strong as they are, especially when dealing with the supernatural - they never see him coming until it's too late.
It was the same way with people... Playing the same game, but just on "easy mode." Maybe that is why Tyran had understated his age when he arrived... This past December wasn't his first fifteenth birthday; he was almost that back when he first met Lori and the others. But he still looked young enough for his age to not raise any questions; and staying "young" was strategic.
At least, that's what he told himself. Unless, maybe... He just wasn't quite ready to "grow up?" It'd been nice hanging with Trevor these past weeks. And he knew Trevor was happy to have him here as well... Especially after Tyran demonstrated that he was actually pretty skilled when it came to a trap line.
"Are you anticipating any trouble?" He asks Trevor, feigning a note of nervous apprehension as he asks. "I can send Dirk to scout ahead, just to make sure we're not walking blindly into a situation we'd be better off avoiding."
Trevor sighs like a child who's been asked to do another useless chore, "I dunno. This storm has been raging nonstop for nearly two weeks and usually the game stick around. This is different. Something's running them off." He begins donning some bushman armor and furs, a hunting rifle, buck knife and vibro-knife, "I guess we're gonna find out."
Tyran mentally catches Bill ask, "Would you leave me here? It's cold outside," as well as sensing that Dirk doesn't want to brave the near blizzard conditions.
OOC: Any last minute preps before you head out?
"I plan to live forever. Or die trying..." Vila - Blakes 7
Re: Rifts - The Great Freeze - Tyran
"Well ... I'd better go gear up, then!", Tyran answers.
He turns and heads back towards his quarters, waiting until he's out of Trevor's earshot before conversing with the Zembahk. "It's cold outside? I'm sure you must have something inside your little magic bag of psychic tricks to deal with a little cold, don't you?", he jokes playfully.
"Ah, I'm just kidding with you," he quickly adds. "Your will, your way! I can certainly understand wanting to stay behind here. I'm not sure what we're going to find out there; but a white landscape of blowing snow really doesn't strike the same level of interest as, say, a Millennium Tree, right?"
Heading back to his room, he gathers up the majority of his belongings; noting that, eventually, he was going to have to head back to Louisville even if just to offload a few items into storage. Donning his own light armor, ensuring his various talismans and charms were secure and accessible, he holsters his weapons and double checks the buckles on his scroll case before strapping it on like a low sideways mounted quiver. Under his armor, attached via an elastic armband high on his arm, he's wearing the smallest of the items that Gor had developed for him ... A small electronic communications device, configured to alert him to any impending danger.
He looks to the falcon perched on the rafters of the cabin. "Not really wanting to brave the elements, my friend?" He states to the bird. "Okay for now ... Stay and protect Bill. But if we don't return, you come out and find us, all right?"
With one last equipment check, he heads back out to Trevor ... Perhaps a little over-equipped compared to their regular line checks. "Just point the way, boss!"
(OOC: I guess it speaks to the age of this campaign, right? I completely forgot that my character carries a pager!
)
He turns and heads back towards his quarters, waiting until he's out of Trevor's earshot before conversing with the Zembahk. "It's cold outside? I'm sure you must have something inside your little magic bag of psychic tricks to deal with a little cold, don't you?", he jokes playfully.
"Ah, I'm just kidding with you," he quickly adds. "Your will, your way! I can certainly understand wanting to stay behind here. I'm not sure what we're going to find out there; but a white landscape of blowing snow really doesn't strike the same level of interest as, say, a Millennium Tree, right?"
Heading back to his room, he gathers up the majority of his belongings; noting that, eventually, he was going to have to head back to Louisville even if just to offload a few items into storage. Donning his own light armor, ensuring his various talismans and charms were secure and accessible, he holsters his weapons and double checks the buckles on his scroll case before strapping it on like a low sideways mounted quiver. Under his armor, attached via an elastic armband high on his arm, he's wearing the smallest of the items that Gor had developed for him ... A small electronic communications device, configured to alert him to any impending danger.
He looks to the falcon perched on the rafters of the cabin. "Not really wanting to brave the elements, my friend?" He states to the bird. "Okay for now ... Stay and protect Bill. But if we don't return, you come out and find us, all right?"
With one last equipment check, he heads back out to Trevor ... Perhaps a little over-equipped compared to their regular line checks. "Just point the way, boss!"
(OOC: I guess it speaks to the age of this campaign, right? I completely forgot that my character carries a pager!
)Re: Rifts - The Great Freeze - Tyran
He turns and heads back towards his quarters, waiting until he's out of Trevor's earshot before conversing with the Zembahk. "It's cold outside? I'm sure you must have something inside your little magic bag of psychic tricks to deal with a little cold, don't you?", he jokes playfully.
"Honestly, I just don't want to." the Zembahk admits.
"Ah, I'm just kidding with you," he quickly adds. "Your will, your way! I can certainly understand wanting to stay behind here. I'm not sure what we're going to find out there; but a white landscape of blowing snow really doesn't strike the same level of interest as, say, a Millennium Tree, right?"
"Why can't we go back?" he asks.
Heading back to his room, he gathers up the majority of his belongings; noting that, eventually, he was going to have to head back to Louisville even if just to offload a few items into storage. Donning his own light armor, ensuring his various talismans and charms were secure and accessible, he holsters his weapons and double checks the buckles on his scroll case before strapping it on like a low sideways mounted quiver. Under his armor, attached via an elastic armband high on his arm, he's wearing the smallest of the items that Gor had developed for him ... A small electronic communications device, configured to alert him to any impending danger.
He looks to the falcon perched on the rafters of the cabin. "Not really wanting to brave the elements, my friend?" He states to the bird. "Okay for now ... Stay and protect Bill. But if we don't return, you come out and find us, all right?"
He swears that Dirk nodded.
With one last equipment check, he heads back out to Trevor... Perhaps a little over-equipped compared to their regular line checks. "Just point the way, boss!"
The two head out, checking traps and perimeter alarms to find many of them either looted or tripped. Eventually they reach the great river, frozen for months, making it easy to walk across. Tyran swears that he hears shouting from up ahead. Maybe even the familiar sounds of combat or at least some violent games... in raging blowing snow and life-threatening temperatures.
Across the river, they both catch occasional glimpses of movement through the blowing whiteness.
(OOC: I guess it speaks to the age of this campaign, right? I completely forgot that my character carries a pager!)
OOC2: I forgot how much crap Tyran had amassed in his travels! Makes these new players look so... puny!
"Honestly, I just don't want to." the Zembahk admits.
"Ah, I'm just kidding with you," he quickly adds. "Your will, your way! I can certainly understand wanting to stay behind here. I'm not sure what we're going to find out there; but a white landscape of blowing snow really doesn't strike the same level of interest as, say, a Millennium Tree, right?"
"Why can't we go back?" he asks.
Heading back to his room, he gathers up the majority of his belongings; noting that, eventually, he was going to have to head back to Louisville even if just to offload a few items into storage. Donning his own light armor, ensuring his various talismans and charms were secure and accessible, he holsters his weapons and double checks the buckles on his scroll case before strapping it on like a low sideways mounted quiver. Under his armor, attached via an elastic armband high on his arm, he's wearing the smallest of the items that Gor had developed for him ... A small electronic communications device, configured to alert him to any impending danger.
He looks to the falcon perched on the rafters of the cabin. "Not really wanting to brave the elements, my friend?" He states to the bird. "Okay for now ... Stay and protect Bill. But if we don't return, you come out and find us, all right?"
He swears that Dirk nodded.
With one last equipment check, he heads back out to Trevor... Perhaps a little over-equipped compared to their regular line checks. "Just point the way, boss!"
The two head out, checking traps and perimeter alarms to find many of them either looted or tripped. Eventually they reach the great river, frozen for months, making it easy to walk across. Tyran swears that he hears shouting from up ahead. Maybe even the familiar sounds of combat or at least some violent games... in raging blowing snow and life-threatening temperatures.
Across the river, they both catch occasional glimpses of movement through the blowing whiteness.
(OOC: I guess it speaks to the age of this campaign, right? I completely forgot that my character carries a pager!
)OOC2: I forgot how much crap Tyran had amassed in his travels! Makes these new players look so... puny!
"I plan to live forever. Or die trying..." Vila - Blakes 7
Re: Rifts - The Great Freeze - Tyran
As they check the lines, Tyran looks for any signs that might help indicate who or what had been looting the traps ... Whether humanoid, animal, supernatural, or other - admittedly a challenging task, given the drifting snow. Still, even if signs of tracks had likely been obscured, there should be some recent carcasses nearby, if it were simply an opportunistic predator.
As they get to the river, Tyran warns Trevor about what he hears. "Sounds like some sort of trouble ahead ... Might be related to whoever has been looting the traps. Which would you prefer ... Stealth and investigate, or shock and awe, trying to scare them away?"
As they get to the river, Tyran warns Trevor about what he hears. "Sounds like some sort of trouble ahead ... Might be related to whoever has been looting the traps. Which would you prefer ... Stealth and investigate, or shock and awe, trying to scare them away?"
Re: Rifts - The Great Freeze - Tyran
As they check the lines, Tyran looks for any signs that might help indicate who or what had been looting the traps... Whether humanoid, animal, supernatural, or other - admittedly a challenging task, given the drifting snow. Still, even if signs of tracks had likely been obscured, there should be some recent carcasses nearby, if it were simply an opportunistic predator. He sees only a few unblemished tracks... Wolves...
As they get to the river, Tyran warns Trevor about what he hears. "Sounds like some sort of trouble ahead... Might be related to whoever has been looting the traps. Which would you prefer... Stealth and investigate, or shock and awe, trying to scare them away?"
The sounds of desperate screaming erupt from up ahead. The silhouette of two armored people and someone struggling on the ground becomes briefly clear as the wind dies down for a few seconds, then kicks back up.
"We should help. Looks like wolves attacking tribesmen..." Trevor brandishes his JA-11 rifle, set to 7.62 rounds, "Let's scare the damn things off. Good thing we left Winnie behind." He begins marching across the frozen river, carefully aiming for a clear shot.
OOC: Move to Camp Union for now.
As they get to the river, Tyran warns Trevor about what he hears. "Sounds like some sort of trouble ahead... Might be related to whoever has been looting the traps. Which would you prefer... Stealth and investigate, or shock and awe, trying to scare them away?"
The sounds of desperate screaming erupt from up ahead. The silhouette of two armored people and someone struggling on the ground becomes briefly clear as the wind dies down for a few seconds, then kicks back up.
"We should help. Looks like wolves attacking tribesmen..." Trevor brandishes his JA-11 rifle, set to 7.62 rounds, "Let's scare the damn things off. Good thing we left Winnie behind." He begins marching across the frozen river, carefully aiming for a clear shot.
OOC: Move to Camp Union for now.
"I plan to live forever. Or die trying..." Vila - Blakes 7
Re: Rifts - The Great Freeze - Tyran
"Shock and awe it is, then!" Tyran grins.
Re: Rifts - The Great Freeze - Tyran
"Sorry ..." Tyran says quietly to Trevor as they watch the scene unfold in front of them. "I think that pelt might be ruined."
Re: Rifts - The Great Freeze - Tyran
A lightning bolt streaks down, killing one of the wolves and blowing all but one of the armored girls backwards.
"Sorry ..." Tyran says quietly to Trevor as they watch the scene unfold in front of them. "I think that pelt might be ruined."
"How the hell did that happen?" Trevor mutters, reminding Tyran that the man doesn't know about his magical abilities. The three of them watch as Tyran fades from view, sparking his curiosity as to how the lightning failed to affect one of them. Then he notices the arc of electricity, dancing around her armor and what appears to be gaseous vapors surrounding her.
"Sorry ..." Tyran says quietly to Trevor as they watch the scene unfold in front of them. "I think that pelt might be ruined."
"How the hell did that happen?" Trevor mutters, reminding Tyran that the man doesn't know about his magical abilities. The three of them watch as Tyran fades from view, sparking his curiosity as to how the lightning failed to affect one of them. Then he notices the arc of electricity, dancing around her armor and what appears to be gaseous vapors surrounding her.
"I plan to live forever. Or die trying..." Vila - Blakes 7