Game: The Desolation of Skaro

After the events of The Crimson Sphere, the Shadow Proclamation has ordered the capture and permanent destruction of Dalek X. His whereabouts are currently unknown, but he was last detected heading in the direction of a certain planet. That planet is Skaro.

Expect no mercy.

Starring the Toothless as Shadow, the Pingwy as Rangon, and the Holben as E-Kaidar, with the Styro as Unmerciful GM.

1
''You are both nearing the planet Skaro in a beta-class Shadow Proclamation pursuit ship. It is fully stocked, and each of you may take two items from this page in order to aid you in the quest. You're going to need them.''

2
I take a Particle Gun and a K9 Mark 2. "So...we're heading for the home planet of the most dangerous warrior race the universe has ever seen, a warrior race many thought to be mythical... and we're doing so in a single ship and a pair of agents. I'm not sure if I understand the strategic thinking behind this operation."

3
I take a Plasma Cannon and a Laser Supreme.

4
''Before you can make your next move, a gigantic blast from the planet's surface hits the pursuit ship, knocking out the engines and throwing you both to the floor. A tractor beam is dragging the ship down, and not doing it very gently either. From what you can see, structural integrity is critical and you will crash onto Skaro very shortly.''

There is one escape pod.

5
I check the ship sensors. What is the likelihood of our surviving the crash?

6
I wait for him to check the sensors, but stand by the escape pod just in case.

7
''You would crash at a fairly high speed, so to survive a bit of a miracle would have to happen. You would also land at what appears to be a rocky wasteland full of damaging radiation. Better decide soon.''

8
"Umm, I hate to bring this up, but only one person can use the escape pod, you see, and..."

I notice Shadow's close position to the pod.

"Oh. I see you've already, to use a human phrase, 'called dibs.' My apologies."

9
I look at your Particle Gun, then at mine.

"I don't think phrases like that count for anything in deep space when we're about to crash into the deadliest planet in the universe. Whoever shoots first gets the shuttle. You couldn't do it last time..."

10
''Still crashing. You really should do something right about now.''

11
I stiffen. "I won't kill another being solely so I can live. That's not the Saturnynian way. Now take the pod."

With those words, I peel off a sheet of panneling and see iif there's still a working transmat on board.

12
"Good luck, then."

I take the escape pod, and head for the surface of Skaro.

13
''Shadow flies away and finds himself in The Jungle. There does not appear to be a transmat where you are looking, but before you can make another move the ship crashes and a piece of debris knocks you out.''

''Consciousness returns a few minutes later. Miraculously, you have survived the crash, namely because your body has come to rest on a supply of portable bedding material on board the pursuit ship. Your K9 beeps at you.''

14
I look at the K9. "You know those little lobsters the humans break open and eat with their pliers?" I rub my head gingerly. "I feel like one of those."

I crawl out of the wreckage and hesitantly survey my surroundings.

15
''There are rocks and cliffs all around you, as well as a thick blanket of fog. There is a lake a kilometer or two ahead of you, and a flat plain off to your right. The air here is rather unpleasant, for reasons you can't quite comprehend, but it makes you feel a bit light-headed. ''

16
As my Moisturizer Armor will keep me hydrated, I head for the cliff.

17
''The lightheadedness turns into a full headache as you move. The cliff itself is very rocky, and you can see some interesting shapes at its base.''

18
Do we have headaches on the Conditions page? :P

I go to investigate the strange shapes.

19
Not yet anyway :P

''Upon closer examination, the strange shapes appear to be a form of landmine, so far unexploded. It also appears that you are resting your foot on one of them. You can try moving if you like, but roll two dice to do so. A roll of 7 or above will result in success, otherwise it blows up.''

20
"K9," I say slowly, "Can you defuse the landmine?"

21
"Affirmative. There is a fifty percent chance that I will succeed in this task. Shall I proceed?"

22
I nod. "Go ahead."

23
''K9 commences Operation Defuse. The GM rolls a 7, so the tin dog has just barely succeeded. It is safe to move now.''

24
With a quick prayer to Whomever the Saturnyn worship, I head for the lake.

25
''The lake is stained a reddish color, and you can see mutated fish-things swimming around in the water. Your headache is now to the point of excruciation. You see a small explosion coming from the other side of the lake, by the mountains.''

26
I sit down by the water's edge, clutching my head gingerly.. "K9," I moan, "Can you determine the cause of that explosion?"

27
''The K9 beeps. "The cause of the explosion in question appears to be from a Kroton Lattice Cannon hitting a significant quantity of calcium carbonate." It wags its tail in satistfaction.''

''As you watch, numerous other explosions appear from the same location, along with the thrashing of animal tails. To the side, you can see a shadowy figure moving among the rocks.''

28
"K9, meet me on the other side of the lake. I'm going swimming." I dive into the lake and attempt to swim to the other side.

29
''As soon as you enter the water you feel stabbing pains running across your body. Because you are so dependent on water it will deal 10dmg per turn, unless you retreat. This is not good water.''

''The shadowy figure leaps over the rocks and to the lakeshore. It's humanoid, but covered in blankets and rags. It starts waving its arms at you.''

30
I quickly clamber out and begin sulkilly walking around the lake.

31
Your K9 follows you, and so does the shadowy figure.

32
I shout out, irritated. "Who are you?"

33
''"A friend!" he shouts. "A lonely one." He's very raggedy-looking - someone who has been living out in the elements for a long time. "Who are you? A visitor has not come in a long time."''

34
"My name's Rangon. I'm a search-and-rescue worker for the Shadow Proclamation. What happened to you?"

35
"Oh, I have always been like this. It is only from the war. But I may be able to help you where you are going..."

36
"What war?" I ask suspicously.

37
"The war of the Kaleds and the Thals. It was a long time ago. They were bad people."

38
"I was under the impression that it was thousands of years ago."

39
"It was! And the bad pains have been passed down."

40
"To business, then. Do you know where I can find Dalek X?"

41
''"I have not heard of that one. Do you know what is going on over there?" He points to the smoke rising from the other side of the lake.''

42
"If K9's anything to go by, it's a Kroton Lattice Cannon. I actively try to avoid that bunch."

43
''The thing wrinkles its nose. "I have not heard of one of them either."''

44
"What do you know about that little scuffle on the other side of the lake?"

45
''It shrugs. "It looks like it is a big machine-thing. Could be some new Dalek. I am not sure."''

46
"Shall we go investigate?"

47
''"Aye," he says, and nods vigorously. You go investigate and walk into The Three Amigos.''

1
''The Kroton Absolute has sent you to Skaro in order to eliminate the threat posed by Dalek X. You materialize in a rugged, foggy wasteland. There are mountainous ridges in front of you, while to your right there are pools of a strange, hissing liquid.''

2
E-Kaidar extends a sensor needle into the liquid to analyse it, while scanning the area.

3
''It's water, but heavily irradiated. Your scans reveal similar results: the surroundings are full of radiation and other similar nasty things. Movement can be detected beyond the mountains.''

4
"Main-tain-al-ert-ness." He mumbles to himself as he heads off up the mountains.

5
You are halfway up the mountain when your sensors alert you to an unexploded landmine, half embedded in the rock, a short distance in front of you.

6
E-Kaidar makes sure he is at a safe distance and then fires his Lattice Cannon at the landmine. 5, if it is relevant.

7
''It explodes. Your sensors detect a couple more landmines, further ahead of you, of the same type.''

8
E-Kaidar shoots his Shard Cannon and hits them both. Gotta love that 15 MKS. He analyses the explosion characteristics to determine tech level.

9
They are reasonably advanced landmines, but much more primitive than a Dalek would ever willingly design.

10
While accessing and analysing his memories of anti-Dalek training, E-Kaidar continues up the mountain.

11
''You reach the top of the mountains. You can see a large lake, stained a dull red in color. There are yet more landmines to your left and right, but of two different types.''

12
Shooting three, the Kroton analyses them for differences.

13
There are minor differences in their structure and parts, but overall they are of the same tech level, possibly created by two different but technologically similar species.

14
E-Kaidar continues through, shooting landmines as he goes.

15
''You trundle down the other side of the mountain, towards the lake. The sounds of explosions seems to have attracted some attention, as you detect movement and noises coming from within a small cave in the side of the mountain.''

16
E-Kaidar scans for biologicals or electronic signatures.

17
''It's a biological signature. You can see several black tentacle-things wriggling their way into the sunlight.''

18
Firing his Lattice Cannon, E-Kaidar causes 300 (k) damage.

19
''The mangled form of a Slyther falls out of the cave. A second Slyther assaults you from behind, which deals...not enough damage to really even mention at this point, considering your armor.''

20
E-Kaidar turns around and scans it fully before shooting it in the face with his lattice cannon.

21
It is a perfectly normal, adult, healthy, and now dead Slyther.

22
E-Kaidar heads into the cave, scanners scanning.

23
The cave leads into three tunnels; one to the right, one to the left, and one straight ahead.

24
E-Kaidar takes the rightist option.

25
''A wise choice. As you trundle along the winding tunnel, you detect vigorous movement around the next bend, and sounds of equipment.''

26
Can E-Kaidar identify the biosignatures?

27
''Basic humanoid. Unusually, however, you are getting mixed readings from the scan, and so cannot identify them any further.''

28
He continues on to meet them.

29
''They're humanoid, with arms and legs and faces and things. They appear to be mining the tunnel walls with pickaxes and blasters. The debris that falls away is picked up and then carted away. Despite the conditions, they appear very clean and healthy.''

30
"Gree-tings. Let-us-est-ab-lish-post-it-ive-rel-a-tions."

31
''One of them turns to look at you, but then resumes working. The others ignore you entirely.''

32
E-Kaidar heads on then, past them.

33
''The tunnel is tight, and you can barely move through with the people lining the walls. In fact, you are forced to stop, because a trolley full of rocks is in your way.''

34
E-Kaidar picks up the trolley, lifts it over his head, and places it behind him before continuing on.

35
''The noise of the trolley banging against the floor attracts three of the miners, who begin shooting at you with Hasers. Two hits, one miss. (Calculate the damage on your own - Unmerciful GM is Unmerciful.)''

36
Not enough to care about. E-Kaidar shoots each with a shard cannon shot (all hits), and that low Thal health means that brings them all down to unconsciousness.

37
''They are not Thals. As a result, they keep shooting at you. All three hit this time. You can hear the sounds of running feet, heading to join your attackers.''

38
E-Kaidar uses his Neural Projector to finish one off and bring himself back up to full health.

39
''Another of the humanoids joins the remaining two. This is one is armed with a Plasma Pistol (shots per turn), and rolls a 4 & 2 and a 5 & 4. The other two miners fire, one hit and one miss.''

40
E-Kaidar neural-projects another low-HP miner, bringing himself back to full health.

41
''Suddenly, a blast of 500(h) damage hits you from the rear. "EXTERMINATE!" ''

It's a standard bronze Time War Dalek, btw.

42
Neural projector takes 42 HP from it. E-Kaidar recovers to 247 HP.

43
''"CON-TIN-UE WORK-ING," it shouts to the miners, and then proceeds to hit you again with its gunstick on high. The miners obey and resume their work on the walls, leaving you alone.''

44
E-Kaidar repeats his last attack. He is on 244 HP, it is on 116. "Our-spe-cies-have-enc-ount-ered-bef-ore. Kro-tons-were-vic-tor-i-ous."

45
''"EXTERMINATE!" the Dalek replies, and fires. This time it misses you though, hitting the tunnel ceiling and causing a mountain of rock to collapse. It buries some of the miners and half-buries you.''

46
E-Kaidar easily shakes the rubble off with his tellurium strength, and neural-projects again. Dalek is on 74 HP. "I-will-soon-dest-roy-the-Dal-ek-known-as-Dal-ek-X. He-may-prove-a-chall-enge-un-like-you."

47
''Abruptly, the Dalek stops, and slides back a few inches. "DA-LEK X?"''

48
"That-is-correct." E-Kaidar attacks again for Kroton reasons. It is now on 32 HP and he recovers to full.

49
''The Dalek pauses for a moment, but then Dalek-y instincts take over. "EXTERMINATE!" Another 500(h) damage to you.''

50
E-Kaidar kills the Dalek with one final hit, and then heads off through the tunnel the way he was going before.

51
''The tunnel opens out on the shore of the lake that you saw before. The water is very unpleasant and there are squirmy things wriggling about in it. A giant clam sits by the side of the water.''

52
E-Kaidar shoots and hits the clam with his Lattice Cannon.

53
''There is an explosion, and the clam is now sautéed. You can see ripples in the water, approaching you.''

54
E-Kaidar shoots the ripples and hits with his Lattice Cannon.

55
''A Terrorkon, missing one of its heads, rises out of the water and screams at you. It proceeds to hit you, causing 80 dmg before armor.''

56
That's pretty ignorable. E-Kaidar Lattice Cannons again. 300 (k).

57
''The Terrorkon is down to 30 HP. It attacks again, doing another 80dmg. Another Terrorkon, with both heads this time, rises out of the water and attacks. Both heads can attack in the same turn, doing 160dmg, making for a total of 240dmg this turn.''

58
E-Kaidar kills the injured Terrorkon with his neural projector, which also heals the barely double-digit quantity of damage he has taken.

59
''The second Terrorkon does another 160. Meanwhile, the fight is attracting a lot of attention among the lake's mutations, and one resembling a gargantuan electric eel slithers up to you (I'll give it stats of 250 HP and 80 strength). Since it resembles an electric eel, it proceeds to deal 80(elec) damage to you.''

60
As the eel cannot actually hurt him, E-Kaidar shoots his Lattice cannon at the Terrorkon.

61
''Terrorkon is down to 30 and does 160 to you. Eel does another 80(elec). The lakeshore you are sitting on is starting to mysteriously sink.''

62
E-Kaidar retreats up the shore, while also neural projecting the Terrorkon to kill it and restore all lost health. He continues to be unaffected by the eel.

63
''The shore follows you. A clear gelatinous blanket rises up from the ground and engulfs you. It is surprisingly strong for its apparently flimsy body, doing 100 damage. It has 400 HP.''

64
How convenient for you. :P 300 (k) I guess.

65
Down to 100HP, and it does another 100 to you.

66
E-Kaidar destroys it with another shot and regenerates back up to 245 HP.

67
A Saturnyn and a Muto walk up to you and you find yourself in The Three Amigos.

1
''The pod sails through the atmosphere before abruptly hitting a mass of leaves, branches, and squished fruit. It tumbles down through the canopy before coming to a rest at the ground and opening.''

2
I pick up all my weaponry and get out of the pod to have a look around.

3
''The jungle is very jungle-like. In particular, the foliage is very thick, and it is difficult to see more than a few meters in front of you. A small animal scurries across your path.''

4
I ignore it and start exploring the area.

5
You come across a lone Varga Plant, which warbles and starts advancing towards you.

6
I shoot it with my Particle Gun and continue (I rolled a 6).

7
''It dies. As you continue the trek you notice that the foliage starts changing color. The color fades and greys as you move further away from the pod site.''

8
I don't think that's a good sign. I continue regardless.

9
A small metallic creature sits in your way, and looks up at you with two beady little eyes suspended on stalks.

10
I shoot it with my Particle Gun, rolling a 7.

11
''It dies, but a plated metallic skeleton is left behind. Around you, the trees have almost no trace of green left in them, and you are starting to feel a bit light-headed.''

12
I turn around and travel at a right angle to the way I was going, to see if the light-headedness goes away.

13
''It lessens slightly, but not by much. As you travel, you see footprints in the ground, heading towards the greener parts of the forest. They come from some four-legged beast and several creatures that appear to be wearing shoes.''

14
I follow the shoe-prints, hoping to find some locals (who are obviously not Daleks, because Daleks do not wear shoes).

15
'' Unless they are ballet dancer Daleks. You move back into the green jungle and you are all back to normal. The footprints seem to lead into a clearing among the trees, but it's difficult to see from where you are standing.''

16
I enter the clearing. "Hello?"

17
''There appears to be a group of buildings in the clearing, fairly high-tech, but all this is moot to you because you feel the barrel of a gun being pointed against your head. "Identify yourself."''

18
"I'm Shadow, I work as a mercenary. Been sent here on business. Looking for a guy."

19
''Your assailant, like the four others standing behind him, is humanoid in physiology with blond hair. "Who exactly are you looking for?" he asks, keeping the gun against your head. "We're very suspicious about strangers these days."''

20
"Not one of your kind. It's... complicated. I was with a friend, too, but we got separated in a crash... I don't suppose you've seen him? A Saturnyn, came in a beta-class Shadow Proclamation spaceship."

21
"We haven't seen anybody like that. I say again: who is it that you are looking for?''" He appears to be getting impatient. Others of his kind emerge from the buildings in order to watch.''

22
"Dalek X."

23
''He steps back abruptly, lowering the gun. "Alright," he says. "This better be good."''

''They lead you into the clearing. "Are you here to help the Thals? Ever since that...thing reared its ugly head we've been needing support."''

24
"I've never heard of Thals. But I want Dalek X gone as well, so I guess I am here to help. Do you know anything of his whereabouts?"

25
''The Thal shakes his head. "Somewhere on Skaro, but that's as precise as we can get. No doubt he's trying to hook up with the other Daleks. My name is Baldeon, by the way."''

26
"Well then, I guess the first job is to look for my friend. Is there anywhere the ship would have been likely to crash? We were struck by some sort of energy beam on the way here."

27
''Baldeon sneers. "Dalek tractor beam. The ship probably came down in the wastelands, somewhere near Kaalann. They're probably a lost cause by now, and if not the Daleks will get them."''

28
"Then we'll either find my friend or find the Daleks. And as we're looking for both of them, I suggest we head for the wastelands now."

29
''"Alright, we'll lead a search party. If you're coming with us, take these." Baldeon hands you a small canister. "Anti-radiation pills. You're going to need them."''

30
"No, I don't. But I'll take them anyway, if you want."

31
''Baldeon gives them to you anyway. "If you're going to be coming with us, you may as well tell us what this fellow of yours looks like."''

32
"You haven't heard of Saturnynes? They're..." (Using my amazing descriptive skills, I give an accurate depiction of this)

33
''"Alright. Let's go." The Thals lead you through the jungle, in the direction of the wastelands. From the side, you spot another Varga Plant, crawling towards you.''

34
I shoot it with my Particle Gun, rolling a 5, a hit.

35
''It dies. From ahead of you, you can see three spots of fire in the jungle. They are advancing towards you. Baldeon is noticeably concerned. "Get ready to fire," he shouts to his comrades.''

36
I get ready to fire.

37
''Three Imperial Daleks emerge from the undergrowth, fitted with blowtorch claws instead of plunger attachments. They leave a trail of burning jungle in their wake. "EX-TER-MIN-ATE THE THAL IN-TRU-DERS!" one of them shouts. They proceed to fire their gunsticks at one of the lead Thals, turning him into a charred, smoking husk.''

38
I fire my Particle Gun, rolling a 6 and killing one of them.

39
''The remaining five Thals fire at the Daleks with their Optic Rays, downing another one. The remaining Dalek sticks its blowtorch at you, causing 500 heat damage before armor. "AL-ERT! AL-ERT!" it seemingly shouts to itself. "RE-QUEST-ING A-SSIST-ANCE IN SEC-TOR GAMMA-THREE-THREE-FIVE-ZED!"''

40
(25 damage after armour) I shoot it with my Particle Gun, rolling a 5.

41
''It gurgles and dies. Ahead, the jungle is noticeably thinner, thanks to the work of the blowtorches, and you can see what might be the edge of the wastelands further on. A couple small fires are still burning.''

42
I head towards what might be the edge of the wastelands.

43
''It is indeed the edge of the wastelands. Baldeon is cautious. "Best be careful around these parts," he says. "There are a bunch of Mutos hiding around here. And if that Dalek sent in some backup...well, I'll leave that to your imagination."''

44
I head out cautiously into the wastelands.

45
''From beyond the next rise, a fireteam of Special Weapons Daleks, aided by a single Plain Old Imperial Dalek, is approaching. One of them fires a warning shot at you, but they aren't quite close enough to hit you. Next turn, however...''

46
Run Away! (No way can I take on a group of them - I mean, 60% res to exotic damage, and those cannons?)

47
''Baldeon and another Thal follow you behind a nearby rock, while the other three Thals begin shooting. They are all ruthlessly murdered by Special Weapons Cannons. "What now?" Baldeon whispers''.

48
"Well, we can't fight a whole squad of Special Weapons Daleks, even my weaponry can't manage that. We'll have to find some way of evading them, I guess, and then keep looking for my friend; with him, we may stand a better chance."

49
The Special Weapons Daleks begin gliding toward you...

1
A Kroton, a Saturnyn, and a Muto walk into a bar meet up on the lakeshore.

2
E-Kaidar scans them thoroughly. "I-den-tif-y-your-selves."

3
"I'm Rangon, a search-and-rescue operative for the Shadow Proclamation. You are...?"

4
"I-am-comm-an-der-E-Kai-dar-of-the-Kro-ton-Sev-enth-Latt-ice. What-is-your-purp-ose-here?"

5
"I... I was sent here to exterminate Dalek X."

6
"Our-goals-are-i-dent-i-cal."

7
"Then... perhaps an alliance could be formed."

8
"This-could-pot-ent-i-all-y-be-mut-u-all-y-ben-e-fic-ial. What-func-tions-can-you-serve?"

9
"I have a particle gun. I'm also smart."

10
"These-are-use-ful-att-rib-utes. I-ant-i-cip-ate-a-pos-i-tive-rel-a-tion-ship."

11
"Well, that's good."

I look around the lakeshore, rubbing my aching head. "So, do you know where he is? Dalek X, I mean."

12
''Suddenly, the K9 starts beeping and wiggling its tail. "Attention," it says. "Two cyborg organisms are approaching your position." The Muto looks at the robot dog curiously.''

13
E-Kaidar shoots one of them with his Neural Projector; 60 (ex).

14
"Stop shooting! We haven't identified them yet! They might be allies!"

15
''Two Time War Daleks appear, one of them slightly damaged by E-Kaidar. "EXTERMINATE!" it says, and proceeds to deal a 500(h) to the Kroton. The other eyes Rangon suspiciously.''

16
E-Kaidar does the same attack again; it is on 116 HP and he is on 245.

17
"I suppose you know best, then." I fire my particle gun at the Daleks, missing completely.

18
''Dalek 1 fires at E-Kaidar and hits, doing another 500(h). Dalek 2 fires at Rangon...and barely misses, instead hitting the Muto, which dies with a shriek and falls to the ground, a fried cinder of a skeleton.''

19
Same again. It is on 74 HP and E-Kaidar is on 240.

20
I fire again, missing spectacularly. This is probably probably not giving E-Kaodar a good impression of me.

21
''Dalek 1 continues to do 500(h) to E-Kaidar. Dalek 2 uses its gunstick on low (2 shots per turn) at Rangon, which is 100 damage before armor.''