AP: The Spires

Session 8:

Ma was absent from this session. It was also the very first time, at freaking session 8(!) that Geronimo and Cassandra interacted directly. Never seen that happen before, in any game. Geronimo, having missed the previous session, received the following love letter:


Teslas birth is approaching fast, heralded by alignment of the celestial bodies and various portents. You’ve been hard at work saying prayers and lightning incense, but of course and event such as this is not mearly spritual and there is plenty of practical things to take care of as well. Apple has made use of his poisons as per your intructions and you get 1 hold that can be used to do the move ”Just say the word!” below. 
Below is a list of good and bad stuff. Pick one of each to be true.
The good:
- Apple sure is handy with them poisons. You get 2 more hold to use with ”Just say the word!” (just give me a motive, but with weird).
- Snakeskin, refusing to learn from previous experience, has secretly been arming loyal seekers in preparation for Teslas birth.
- As per your instructions a mighty blade has been forged. Well, maybe not so much forged as heating up a machete and hammering on it for a bit, followed by some creative etching. Either way Thundertounge is a mighty weapon imbued by tge power of the gods (2-harm, hand, messy, valuable, ap against any protection offered offered by the power of the spires).

The bad:
- Madame Sosostris has rallied a large number of your followers in proclaiming Milkshake a saint and prophet, and that her safety is paramount. You get want: judgement regardsless of how you fortune roll goes, and should it fail you will get the infamous super-judgement…
- While enthusiastic, Apple has been less then discreet and Deny and a bunch of Ma’s goons are on their way right now to question him on the special sauce he has been putting in the food.
- The grotesque silver mask you pulled from the shadow speaks to you. When you wear it, it tells you many thing things about the world around you that you can’t seem to remember when you take it of again. Whenever you are not wearing the mask you get -1 weird.
Then roll +weird. On a 10+ things are going well, pick one extra good thing. On a 7-9 it could go either way, pick one good and one bad extra, or neither. If it’s a miss things are looking bleak, choose one extra bad thing.




A few days have passes and several earthquake has struck, resulting in a number of fires rageing across the ruins outside of Haven. Ma has collected a large portion of her gang and gone out into the ruins to assess the damage and to look for Cassandra and her followers. As their food supply is gone and her followers are starving, Cassandra decides to take Grass, Tooth and Alice to Haven to resupply. They arrive and sneak in unseen through Havens backdoor using the dust that now resides within Cassandra to burn away the lock.

Geronimo, now wearing the groteque silver mask he took from the shadow, which whispers inaudible words to him, is asked to consecrate the new stone garden created by the cult in the couryard outside Haven. The garden, with its baptizing bathtub and crudely woven tapestries depicting the cults recent exploits, is intended to commemorate the month of the Ram, which began with the festival at the spire.

On his way there he stops by Humphreys workshop, where Humphrey is working to replacee the engine on one of his cars. Geronimo queries Humphrey on his views of the gods and the imminent birth of Tesla. Humphrey admits to being worried about the spires potentially stealing power from the earth, and that he believes that perhaps Geronimos gods and Tesla offers a potential solution to this. They also talk about the silver mask about which Humphrey expresses concern. As he touches it he starts hearing the same whispers as Geronimo and has a brief vision that confirms what he already suspects, that the mask is linked to the dust that attacked him inside the spire. But the voices subsides as Geronimo draws Thundertounge and shows it to him. Geronimo then heads over to the stone garden and initiates his holy ritual among his followers whos numbers has been greatly bolstered from Havens citizen. Holy words are spoken, a camel is sacrificed and people are batizied in its blood.

Humphrey, having no taste for blood, on the other hand decides to not attend and makes his way up to the infirmary instead. There he finds Milkshake unconscious and restratined, and Apple the midwife and Tosh the doctor in a heated argument. Tosh wants to look over Milkshake and make sure that she is alright while Apple insists that Milkshake is nothing more than a vessel for Tesla, her fate unimportant and meaningless, and that any concern for her safety might jeopardize Tesla which is unacceptable. Humphrey intercedes on Tosh behalf and bully Apple into letting the doctor do his thing. After a quick look Tosh decides that an immediate emergency c-section is needed if Milkshake is to survive, something that appals Apple.

With everyone distracted by Geronimos ceremony Cassandra sends Tooth to try and recruit people symphatetic to her cause, while she, Grass and Alice heads to Havens food storage. Cassandra, her previous non-violence views now gone in favour of her newfound zeal to defend her followers and he spires, brutally mutilates and murders the guard and she and Alice steals a sizeable portion of the food supply. As they turn to leave they are cought in the act by Gnarly who, upon seeing Cassandra, falls to her knees and proclaim her loyalty. Cassandra asks if there are others who shares Gnarlys belief and orders her to gather them up and meet up with her other followers outside Haven.

At this point everyone is interupted as one the peak of one of the northern mountaints of in the distance, close to the broken spire Humphrey and Cassandra visited, erupts in a cloud of back smoke and fire. The the low rumbling and earthquake reach Haven everyone hears Milkshake screaming at the top of her lungs from above. It is time for Tesla to be born.

Geronimo and his followers hurry up to infirmary which quickly become crowded when all of Haven tries to squeeze in to see a god be born. He tells Tosh, who is preparing Milkshake for a c-section, that he wants to bring her outside to the stone garden. Tosh objects, clamining that moving her would most likely kill Milkshake, but Geronimo makes it clear that he cares nothing for Milkshakes health and insists. But when Madame Sosostris, and several other prominent cult members, expresses that Milkshakes health is equally important to Teslas, he immediately changes his tune, feigns concern for Milkshake and allows Tosh to proceed with the operation.

Cassandra sends Tooth and Grass away with the stolen food and brings Alice with her up towards the infirmaty. She orders Alice to create a diversion, and stresses that if they don't stop Tesla from being born, it may bring about the end of the world. She then makes her way up to the room above the infirmary.

In the infirmary brings out a large sack, full of semi-translucent thick liquid. Multiple umbilical cords connect to sack to Milkshakes insides and something can be seen moving within the sack. Tosh hands the sack over to Geronimo, cuts the cords and starts tending to Milkshake. At the same time a hoff-claw gently slices to sack open from within and Tesla emerges, with foul-smelling liquid spilling all over the floor, and crawls into Geronimos arm. Tesla is much larger than a newborn, as large as a two-year old child, and has no body orifices or eyes. Only smooth, pale, hairless skin, two small ram horns and hoff-claws in place of hands and feets. As it clings to him Geronimo hears two words repeated in his mind, drowning out the whispers of the mask. "Feed" and "Hungry".

At that moment Humphrey notices Alice who is pushing her way into the infirmary. As their eyes meet across the crowd Alice screams to Humphrey to get down. People around her reach for her but too late. She rips ope her clothes, revealing the bombs she has strapped around her body and detonates them, flinging dead and injured people all around. Both Humphrey and Geronimo are thrown to the ground, Geronimo protecting Tesla with his body. Moments later Cassandra comes crashing through the window, lands in front of Geronimo and demands that he gives Tesla to her so she can kill the creature.

Humphrey scrambles to his feet, weapon drawn, and tells her to back off. But she steps forward and rips Tesla from Geronimos arms, despite his attempts to fend her off with Thundertounge. As she turns away Humphrey shoots her in the back with his shotgun and she drops Tesla who scampers away. Cassandra pounces on the creature, intent on destroying it, but Tesla manages to project some sort of energy shield to protect itself from Cassandras burning black dust. Geronimo approaches from behind and strikes at Cassandra with Thundertounge, but she deflects the blade down onto Tesla. The blade cuts through the shield like a hot knife through butter and slices open Teslas belly. A silent scream of pain echoes through the head of all those present as Geronimo falls to his knees in horror. But before Cassandra can finish the creature off Humphrey shoots her again. She falls to the ground as is overwhelmed as the crowd turns on her, though many dies as she lashes out around her with the burning dust.

Geronimo carries Teslas limp body over to Tosh. But as the doctor touches Tesla, intent on hurting rather than saving the monstrosity, he si struck down by a flash of blue lightning. Instead Humphrey puts his rudimentary medical skills to work and starts sewing up Tesla. The creature is alive, but looks weak and drained. When they touch Humphrey has a vision where he is following Tesla up a steep hill, riddled with miniature versions of the spires which all go dark an crumble as Tesla uses them as handholds. At the top of the hill stands Geronimos gods, eagerly awaiting Teslas arrival.

On Geronimos command the crowd brings Cassandra forward. He questions her actions and demands that she promise never again to try and hurt Tesla. Having no choice she agrees and Geronimo commands the crowd to release her. But not before he drives the dust out of her and disperses it. As Cassandra slinks away to return to her followers outside Haven, Geronimo turns to Humphrey and the crowd. He proclaims that the month of the ram, a month of battles, warfare and death, is at an end, and that a new beginning of peace is upon them with the arrival of Tesla, with Humphrey as the childs chosen protector.

At the end of the session we learn that neither Geronimo or Humphrey fears Tesla, despite the creature being obivously non-human. In Geronimos mind the gods are not human, so why should their spawn be? We also learns that Hunphrey believes there to be two obvious sides about the spires, that he feels he as to chose one and has decided to side with Geronimos gods and Tesla. 

Session 9:
Cassandra was absent from this session, but that did in no way stop the PvP that began last session. I'm partly to blame for this I guess because of the love letter I gave Ma. But it made sense since she spend so much time covering her angles vs the other character.

Mas love letter:
So you just got back to Haven and have been brought up to speed by Deny. In addition to the showdown between Cassandra, Humphrey and Geronimo there are lots of other things brewing in Haven. Geronimos cult has gained a lot of followers among Havens population and your gang, and it’s obvious these peoples loyalties are divided. Humphrey has been setting up a massiv workshop in Havens courtyard, including a hi-tech medical bay for human experiments. Finally a number of people, including prominent gang member Gnarly, has defected and left to join Cassandra.

These goddam religious fanatics with their spires and gods and shit, amiright?!?

Anyway Deny has been busy looking after you interests. It’s obvious she is desperate to get back on your good side, though she obviously still hate Geronimos guts. So go ahead and remove all hold you had over her and roll+hard. On a 10+ choose two of the options from below, and on a 7-9 pick one:
-   You have a fairly comprehensive list of which among Havens citizens have joined the cult, either actively of passively (I won’t be giving you a proper list of names, but the information will be available when you want it). You also have one of your gang members, Pink, planted close to Geronimo, pretending to be one of his.

-   A scouting party sent out by Deny found where Cassandra and her followers are hiding out in an ruined building surprisingly close to Haven. And not only that, but they managed to snag one of the lookouts, a young girl named Flower, without anyone noticing.

-   Humphrey is a thougher nut to crack, popular with all those who lives in Haven. The best Deny can offer is a closely guarded kill-switch that cuts all power to his workshop from Havens generators.

On a miss you get to chose either the Geronimo or Cassandra one. But your spy has been compromised / Cassandra is the one with the hostage.

Go get em tiger!



Ma returns to a Haven in upheveal after the showdown between Cassandra and Humphrey and Geronimo. She immediately approach Geronimo, now constantly wearing the grotesque silver mask of the shadow, walking around with a huge following of people worshipping tesla, kept at bay by Apple and Pink. She takes Tesla, declares herself to be the mother of the child and ensures that her guards keep Geronimo at arms length. Geronimo, stil weakened after his battle with Cassandra, lets her for now, but quickly runs out of time as Ma declares that they have to go out and find another spire for the child to feed of and brings out some of Havens cars and prepares to leave.

Humphrey has been working in his new medbay to analyse blood taken from Cassandra, trying to figure out what she is, with the help of Tosh. Unfortunately the doctors brain appears to have been fried by Tesla, and he now appears incapable of taking any initiative of his own, only doing what he is told. His wife blames Humphrey for his condition, seeing as he was the one who brought them to Haven, and tells him that they will leave as soon as he is fit to travel. Humphrey asks her to stay so that maybe he can help undo the damage to Tosh, and she reluctantly agrees.

On her way to the garage Ma stops by Humphrey and asks to borrow his tank when going out to feed Tesla. Humphrey sees no reason not to agree and, despite Mas insistence, decides to tag along himself in his 4x4. Geronimo, denied to ride in Mas jeep with her and Tesla, rides with him together with Daffy, Pink, Apple and a bunch of cultists and gang members. A large number of Teslas worshippers pile on the cults two pick-ups and drive after.

The convoy takes aim at a spire to the east that Humphery knows of, and as darkness falls Humphrey takes the lead to find a safe path. Ma, still carrying Tesla in his sling, tells her gang to get ready, and on her command her jeep, Humphreys tank and the pickup with gang members turn of their lights and make a hard right. At the same time she calls up Humohreys car on the radio and orders Pink to "Go!". As the two pickups with worshippers and cultists catch up to Ma, she and her gang opens fire on them from the darkness. The cultists, having been secretly armed by Snake, starts shooting back after some intial confusion. Mas has the drop and superior firepower, but the cultists has the numbers and there are massive loses on both side.

Meanwhile in Humphreys car Pink pulls out his sawed-off and puts it to Geronimos head. Humphrey tries breaking hard but Pink gives Geronimo a nasty wound in his chest and he is thrown out of the car. Daffy turns around and points his assualt rifle at Pink, asking what the hell he is doing. Pink tries to escape by jumping out of the car but is run over as Humphrey turns the car around. He stops to pick up Geronimo while the sound of heavy gunfire reaches them. Daffy asks Geronimo what the hell is going on and Geronimo replies that Ma is trying to kill Tesla and the cult, which immediately prompts the cultists and gang members in the back of Humphreys car to start killing one another as Daffy takes cover in the front seat. The fight is quickly over with an injured apple as the only survivor. Geronimo and Humphrey quickly pile into the car again and head towards Mas jeep to save Tesla.

And saving is indeed needed as Ma is trying to plunge her knife into the child. Unfortunately for her se was unable to hide her aggressive thoughts from Tesla who is projecting its blue shield around itself. Before Ma has a chance to do anything else Humphrey slams into her jeep with his car and flips it over. Mas two guards are killed on impact and Daffy and Apple are knocked unconcious. Ma crawls out of the car carrying Tesla as Geronimo makes his way towards her, Thundertounge in hand. Humphrey follows close behind. Facing the two of them Ma drops her rifle and tries to talk to Geronimo, stalling for time until her scattered gang can come to her aid. But Geronimo commands her to give up Tesla and she is immediately beset by horrible visions and drops Tesla who crawls over to Humphrey. He picks up the creature and gets back into his car at the same time the tank emerges from the night and starts firing. Ma grabs her rifle and takes aim at Geronimo. He tries to jumo out of the way but is too slow and is shot in the head by Ma. As his body hits the ground humphrey drives of in a rain of bullets and disappears into the night. Ma, believing Geronimo to be dead, gets into the tank and orders her gang to return to Haven.

Humphrey takes aim at another spire to the southeast, intent on feeding Tesla, still with the unconcious Daffy and Apple in the car. Ma returns to a Haven in flames as Deny has carried out her orders to root out and kill all of Geronimos followers. Geronimo is found by a small number of surviving cultists, led by Madame Sosostris. He selects a handfull and drives away in Mas badly beat up jeep in search of medical aid.

At the end Humphreys motives are questioned once again, but he claims to have no interest in using Teslas power for himself and only wants to protect the earth. Ma on the other hand now wants to reboot Haven without drugs and religous lunatics in order to give the hold some ture stability.

Now I have to say that the fight between Ma and Humphrey and Geronimo was rather a challenge for me. In almost all cases I find it quite obvious which moves follow what fiction, but in this case it wasn't for some reason. And i was very keen on making sure that none of the players would feel that they were being unfairly treated. I have no idea why this situation felt so clunky, but it did.

Session 10:
Christmas and all that and so on.

Ma was absent from this session and the other characters were scattered to the wind, but managed to end up in the same place at the very end. Cassandra got the following love letter:

Before you do anything else, choose an improvement out of the goodness of my heart. You’ll need it.

Tesla still lives despite the wound given to the creature in the fight, you are sure of it. Your scouts tells you that Ma left heading east with Tesla and a great convoy of gang members and cultists last night, but returned alone. While she was away Haven has been going up in flames as the gang and cult fights each other, Ma is apparently determined to exterminate every last one of Geronimos followers. For you however, this is an opportunity as disillusioned and angry people from both sides flee Haven. Decide on how you and your people are dealing with them:
-   Rob them of their stuff they brought with them from Haven. You now have a lot of supplies and heavy weapons, but also a lot of enemies in the ruins.
-   Rob them and murder them (in any order). Supplies and weapons like above, and no enemies. But, you know, that’s a lot of blood on your hands.
-   Recruit them. Weapons and an additional 15 people for the guardians! Sounds good right? But are they trustworthy or spies for Ma or Geronimo?
-   Ignore those fools. The ruins around Haven are now littered with heavily armed trigger-happy people. They will surely find your hiding place soon enough.
Regardless of what you choose above, Gnarly, the former gang member and original 8, and five of his gals and guys have joined you. Gnarly’s good in a fight and looks on you with limitless worship and expectations.

Oh, and the Shadow has returned. It’s waiting for you on the roof.



Humphrey has found his RadWeed plot and, with the reluctant help of Tesla and the child's powers, manages to concoct an antidote to Daffys radiation poisoning. It won't last, but at least he won't die as long as he gets it. They are all interrupted by camel-riders approaching. They ask if Humphrey knows what happened to the spire, and when he tries to avoid the answer they demand that he comes with them. Humphrey takes of his car and after a short chase the riders give up. He now enters the same valley as Geronimo. Upon seeing the settlement in the distance he decides to hide his car with Apple, Tesla and the still very sick Daffy in the flooded ruins and proceeds there by himself on foot.

Cassandra has also seen the tumbling spire in the distance and, upon arriving at it, is approached by the same riders as Humphrey was. She dismisses them and their questions but when they pull out their weapons, mostly knives and axes, she runs up to the leader, pulls him from his camel and rips his throat out. A short battle follows where Cassandra and the few followers that came with her (but mostly Cassandra) kills most of the riders. Only two are left alive for questioning. When they prove uncooperative Gnarly quickly kills the first one and the second one agrees to show Cassandra to their settlement in the nearby valley, where she claims her people will pay for her release.

In the temple Madame calls Geronimo a coward. That this is the second time he has shown his fear of death and defiance for the gods, the first time being when Milkshake was sent to the spire in his place. She swings the sword at him again and again but before she can draw blood a number of newcomers, bearing baskets of corn and meat enter the temple. They appear dumbstruck by the scene, asking who these strangers are and what they are doing in the temple. Geronimo quickly takes charge of the situation, proclaiming his divine place as prophet, something the newcomers appear to take at face value, and designate Madame, Egg and Small as sacrifices to the gods. They scream and try to fight back, but are eventually slaughtered on the altar by the newcomers in the name of the Ram god. With Lake as prisoner they escort Geronimo to the settlement by the river. The surrounding land is cultivated, with slaves in chains tending to growing corn and grapes. There are to few of them though, and large portion of the fields are rotting in the sun. In the village there are numerous frescoes and statues depicting the animal gods, collected from the flooded ruins. More chained slaves tend to their masters who are getting high on opium in wine. The stench of human excrement and flies are everywhere. As he moves through the town Geronimo is recognized by several of the people who call him by another name. He is told that he, or someone who looks just like him, disappeared without a trace a few years ago, leaving behind a wife who has since killed herself. Finally he is allowed to se the Oracle, the leader of the village, who welcomes him with great enthusiasm as a prophet of the gods.

Humphrey arrives at the village shortly after and is shown to the Oracle as well by the villagers. He finds her and Geronimo deep in conversation about the nature of the gods. Upon entering Geronimo presents him as the guardian of the divine Tesla and gives him Lake as a gift. Humphrey is visibly disturbed by this but tells Geronimo that Tesla is safely hidden. The Oracle proclaim this to be a blessed day and calls the village together for the ritual sacrifice of two slaves in the town square.

Now Cassandra and her followers makes her entrance in the village, quickly finding the gathered people in the square. The celebratory killing is interrupted as the people make way for her. Geronimo calls her a demon, but says that she is welcome if she promises not to cause any trouble. Humphrey backs him up and tells her that Tesla is not there, so there is no reason for a fight. Cassandra releases her prisoner and berates the gathered people for their foolishness in following the false gods. But Geronimo reaffirms their beliefs and Cassandra leaves, promising that she will find and kill Tesla. As she is leaving Geronimo tells the people that the demon has no power over them and gets them all to laugh at her. Cassandra is furious but manages to remain calm and walks away.

At the end of the session we find out that Geronimo plans to stay in the village for now. Possibly making it a home base for Tesla.

Session 11:

Geronimo was absent from this session and Ma, who missed the last one, got the following love letter:

So Deny has done her best to rid Haven of those who worship Geronimos gods. Though since there were a lot of them it was quite a fight, or so Deny says. People have died, supplies has been stolen by people fleeing into the ruins and portions of Haven have been ravaged by fire. Gnarly, the last of the original 8, is among the dead, and Hand is the infirmary and could go either way.
Roll +Hard to see how bad things really are. On a 10+ pick two from the list below, and on a 7-9 pick three. On a miss you are so screwed, everything on the list is true.
-   Feeling that you betrayed them by letting the cult into Haven in the first place many of the gang members has shifted their loyalty, in part or whole, to Deny. Your gang is now Unruly.
-   A large portion of the people has been killed or has fled, putting the total number of people below 100. Havens population is now small, replace Want: hungry with Want: anxiety.
-   Many of your gang members were killed in the fighting as a result of the cultist being much better armed than expected. Your gang is now medium instead of large.
-   Most of your armory is now stolen or destroyed. Your gang get -1 harm.
Rough times. But you live you and learn, so mark experience.



Geronimo has gone up into the mountains with the oracle, to visit some holy shrine or other, leaving Humphrey alone with Lake in the village. The people are very welcoming, though they are not exactly sure why other than that their new prophet said they should be. However the place and the situation makes Humphrey very uncomfortable and he quitely steals some food and leaves to return to Apple, Daffy and Tesla. He offers Lake to come along if she wish and, having nowhere else to go, she does so. As they make their way through the flooded city in the night Lake shows Humphrey the temple and the corpses of Madame, Egg and Small, telling him that she now sees Geronimo for the monster he is and won't rest until he is dead. They then arrive back where the car is hidden and find Daffy knocked out cold. Apple and Tesla is nowhere to be seen. When he comes to Daffy says that Apple caught him from behind. As it's now pitch black outside they get some rest until morning, but by then Lake has taken off with Daffys assualt rifle. Daffy is angry but says she can keep it and that he only wants to leave this shithole valley and forget all about gods and their monster children. Humphrey convinces him that they must find Tesla and make sure he is all right, but Daffy says that as soon as they have done so he's gone.

Cassandra leaves the village with the laughter of Gersonimo and the villages still ringing in her ears. She spends the night on the slopes of the valley, denying Gnarly his request to try sneak into the village to find and kill Geronimo and Humphrey. The next morning they travel back towards Haven, Cassandra wanting to be reunited with her followers and seek Ma's help in dealing with Geronimo and the village. After a long days travel she finds her followers in a desperate situation. Out of supplies and starving and sick, but thrilled to see her they flock around and beg her for her blessings. She is also told that Flower has gone missing recently. Cassandra promises them that she will take care of them and heads alone to Haven to see Ma.

Ma returns to a Haven full of resentments and ravaged by heavy fighting. She congratulates Deny on her success in rooting out the cult and tells her that she will remain in charge for the time being as Ma is in pretty bad shape from Geronimos poisoning. After seeking medica attention from Tosh, who has finally snapped out of whatever state Tesla put him in and who has been caring for the wounded of Haven after the battle, Ma asks Smoke to keep an eye on Deny. She is also told by Tosh that Milkshake is still in a coma, but that he is hopeful that she will wake up soon.

Driving out of the valley Humphrey takes his bearing towards the nearest spire, and sure enough they soon catch up to Tesla and Apple, who appears to be running along on all four. To their horror it appears that Tesla has merged his flesh with Apples who now serves as an extention of the child. Daffy pleads with Humphrey for them to leave, but he is determined to keep his word to see Tesla safe to the next spire. Daffy takes some food and water and heads out over the scorch on foot, wishing Humphrey good luck, but that he is sure that he will never see the driver again if he stays with Tesla and that Humphrey is the only person in this fucked-up world who keeps his word which makes him an idiot.

Cassandra wakes up, covered in translucent goo and with multiple tubes and wires connected to her body. In a paniced struggle she rips out the tubes and emerges from what appears to be a tub full of the goo. Around her is a small room with 11 more such tubs. All but one are closed and below the transparent covers she can make out faces and shapes of other people. Next to the open one lies a dead woman. She is addressed by an humanoid entity made up of light who apologizes for the rough awakening, but at least she survived unlike the first person it tried to wake, gesturing towards the dead woman. Cassandra bombards the entity with questions about what the hell is going on and is told that she has been kept in stasis as a prisoner of the Architects for almost two years, her genetic makeup and memory patterns having been used as template for a Architect hybrid to do their bidding in the world.

In her hidden safe room Ma ones again uses the stone pyramid she found in Ze Barons compound, trying to find out information about Tesla. But something goes horribly wrong and instead of Tesla she only sees an enourmos purple eye watching her from above the pyramid. Mesmerized by it Ma is unable to act as a mass of writhing, insubstancial tentacles emerges from a rift in reality and starts pulling her towards the eye, who urges her to join it. After what seems like forever Ma gets it together and pulls away from the grip of the tentacles, realising that whatever is coming out of the rift is doing to by pulling itself anchored to the pyramid. She grabs a shotgun and starts blasting away at the tentacles wrapped around the pyramid. The eye screams, lets go of the pyramid and disappears back into the rift, leaving no evidence that it was ever there. Ma leaves the safe room not sure what to make of the event. In the meantime it appears that Deny has been taking advantage of the situation and done her best to gain the loyalties of Mas gang members, though Ma remains confident that she can deal with any situation that may occur and that Deny knows her place.

Cassandra 2.0 sneaks into Haven and allows herself to be captured by two gang members, Moon and Ruth. The duo almost panic at the sight of her, but lets Ma know who immediately invites her to meet her on the roof. They sit down and talk calmly while Moon runs of to find Deny. After clearing the air they talk about the future and Ma agrees to give Cassandras followers sanctuary in Haven in return for her help in dealing with Geronimo and Tesla. At this Deny, who has been eavesdropping comes storming out, followed by a handful of gang members. She is furious at how Ma now intends to let another cult in, as soons as they have cleared the last one out, and screams that she is unfit to lead Haven. Ma tries to calm her down but Deny and her loyalists draws their weapons, intent on killing Ma and Cassandra. Ma quickly steps over to Deny and disarms her while Cassandra intercepts the bullets aimed at her, disolving them in the air with the dust, their actions sending the gang members scrambling for cover.

The light entity helps Cassandra 1.0 to find some clothes and equipment, telling her that she is on an Architect spaceship. Cassandra wants to know why there is no-one else around and why she has been awakned now, and the entity tells her that the last of the Architects are now dead, and because the primary power core of the ship will soon fail the entity decided to try and wake and free the prisoners, seeing no reason to keep them in stasis any longer. Cassandra askes many more questions but the entity claims to know little, being nothing more than an maintance unit, and directs her to the ships vast database. The entity then turns itself, and most onboard systems, off in an attempt to preserv the rapidly falling power core. Cassandra takes a portable device with part of the database and tries to make her way out of the dark ship. She finds a hangar full of vechicles and and airlock that reveals that the ship is hovering high above ground, hidden in everpresent smog layer. She follows instructions given to her by the light entity and gets to the ground using a energy elevator and, seeing familiar ruins in the distance, starts walking across the scorch.

With Tesla/Apple in the backseat Humphrey heads towards the spire. Tesla now speaks with Apples voice and, after healing Humphrey by touch, tells him that Apple is gone and more happy now with Tesla. They arrive and Tesla begins to feed of the spire in what appears like a much more controlled fashion. Humphrey is torn over what to do, but finally he takes of while Tesla is distracted and catch up with Daffy. Daffy is releaved and happy to see him again and the two have a touching reunion, a but unsure what they are to do now. Daffy wants to return to Haven and plead with Ma for forgiveness, a plan Humphrey is a bit sceptical of.

Ma is furious at Denys betrayal, but still heavily wounded and facing a large number of armed opponents she curses them all and takes of over the side of the roof along an emergency zipline. Cassandra tries to escape down the stairs but is shoot by Moon and looses conciousness. After making her way to her safe room along Havens hidden corridors Ma collects the barter she has stashed there and the big-ass guns she's been saving for a rainy day, as well as the stone pyramid. She then heads down to the garage, takes Humphreys semi-trailer tank and escapes Haven.

Cassandra 1.0 arrives at Haven, parched and starving. The sentries shoot at her when she tries to approach, and laughs at her when she claims to be Cassandra. A few moments later Ma comes barreling out through the gates in Humphreys  tank. Cassandra recognises her and manages to jump on to the tank as it passes her hiding spot.

Cassandra 2.0 comes to in Havens medbay, heavily restrained to an operating table by chains, her mouth sown together and taped shut. In front of her stands Deny, half her face gone, and Tosh. Tosh tells her that while this treatment may seems harsh, Cassandra is not human and he intends to find out what she is by whatever means necessary. He opens a big box on the table next to the operating table, revealing numerous scaples, bone saws and syringes.

At the end of the session Cassandra 2.0 asks Ma what her intentions for her are, and Ma swears that she will come back for her.

Session 12:

This session saw the introduction of a new player and character. Marsh the brainer.


Up in the mountains Geronimo, the Oracle and their slave entourage are slowly making their way towards the mountain shrine. The Oracle speaks of Geronimos past and the greatness he has achieved, but Geronimo barely listens as he cannot stand the decrepit form of the Oracle. Instead he makes plans to have one of the slaves kill the Oracle but when they reach the shrine, a circle of stone just below the smog layer, the plan is foiled by the incompetency of the slave. Geronimo quickly talks his way out of the situation and pushes the slave of a cliff. When nighttime arrives a peculiar sight can be seen in the distance. From high in the sky numerous bright meteors fall to the earth. First one cluster, then another a few miles away. Then again and again. Geronimo states that this must be the sky serpent spreading his seed across the land. He then convinces another slave to take him down the mountain in the dark. As he gets halfway down the mountain Lake comes rushing out of the darkness, plunges her knife into the slaves neck and turns to Geronimo, intent on killing him as revenge for the death of her fellow cultists. Geronimo in turn have her beset by horrible visions and bring her to her knees. He then explains to her why she is wrong to oppose him, but is quickly interrupted.

In Havens medbay a restrained Cassandra 2.0 is being subjected to a number of painful examinations by Tosh while Deny looks on. Seeing her defiant looks Deny tells her that she had her followers raided and managed to take some prisoners. She den brings in Grass and shoots her in the head, stating that this is both revenge for what Cassandra 2.0 did to her face and to show her  that Deny has no scruples. She then has Flower brought in and tells Cassandra 2.0 that at the first sign of trouble the girl will die. Flower snarls and screams threats at Deny until the former lieutenant slaps her hard. Tosh is chocked at the killing of Grass, and when Flower is brought in he starts to protest. Cassandra 2.0 may not be human, but this is a child and Tosh won’t see her hurt. Deny turns the gun on Tosh and tells him to shut up and do as he’s told. She then leaves, taking Flower with her.

Daffy and Humphrey decides to head back towards the valley to look for Lake because Humphrey, as we all know by now, is the kind of guy who will leave no one behind. Getting close to the valley they come across something odd. A band of fresh green grass, with even a few flowers here and there, a couple of meters wide lies in the middle of nowhere reaching as far as the eye can se in both directions. They are both thrilled at the discovery of the grass, softer than anything they have ever experience, and the beauty of the flowers. As the initial excitement passes Humphrey realises that this is most likely the path that Tesla most have taken from the spire where Humphrey left the creature, to the next spire of in the distance. As they have both had their fill of monsters recently they decide not to investigate further at this point. They continue on and reaches the village by nightfall, where a big party has already started. Largely i ignored by the drunk people they force one of the slaves to show them the way up the mountain path towards the shrine. It is slow going but after a while they see a light ahead on the path and hear Lake screaming. Further on they find her, Geronimo and a headless body. They take Lake and when Geronimo tries to argue with them Humphrey tells him to go to hell and Daffy throws his lamp of a cliff, leaving Geronimo in utter darkness as the duo descends the mountain with the broken Lake.

When Ma discoveries her stowaway on the truck she immediately stops and confronts Cassandra 1.0. Cassandra 1.0 is happy and relieved to see Ma, who in turn is very suspicious. But after some initial confusion the two settle down for the night in an abandoned farm in the scorch and ends up having a touching reunion and catch-up. While Ma is happy to see her and now finally has an explanation for the, in her opinion, odd behavior of person she thought was Cassandra, she refuses to believe Cassandra 1.0s story about a massive Architect spaceship in the sky. In the morning light they both head there together.

Outside of the medbay Marsh is keeping an eye on the whole scene, intent on getting Cassandra 2.0 out of there. As Deny leaves, with only Matilda left to guard the entrance, Marsh takes action. He finds one of the assistant mechanics in Humphrey former workshop and mentally convinces him to get Matilda out of the way. The assistant promptly grabs a grenade from a table, walks over to Matilda and throws it at her feet. The explosion tears Matilda to shreds, snaps the mechanic out of his mental daze and has all of the sentries on the surrounding walls shooting at the poor mechanic. In the chaos Marsh grabs a bolt cutter, sneaks into the medbay and starts freeing Cassandra 2.0. As Tosh emerges from under a table Marsh tries to convince him to come with them, but the doctor runs off. As she is freed and the wires holding her mouth shut Cassandra has a number of question, but now is not the time for them.

Geronimo, laboriously making his way down the mountain, is furious. Furious at all those who opposes him instead of loving him and furious at the Gods for denying him his rightful destiny for so long. As he walks, screaming his anger and defiance into the black sky, he finds himself somewhere else. A beautiful stone garden with flowerbeds and fountains with crystal clear water. Up ahead Mother Camel sits by one of the fountains. She smiles as Geronimo approaches and tries to console him in his anger, assuring him that he is doing well and that she and his father are pleased with him. Geronimo is not satisfied, demanding to see the Sky Serpent himself so that he can force his father to give him the destiny he deserves. Mother Camel gestures towards a mighty ivory tower and tells Geronimo to do what he feels he must.

Marsh and Cassandra 2.0 both manages to escape Haven through the rear entrance, but not before they are spotted by sentries, shoot at, and Cassandra 2.0 leaves Marsh behind and escapes on her own, forcing him to use his sonic grenade to incapacitate a number of guards in order to escape himself. Cassandra 2.0 immediately makes her way back to her followers, who are in disarray after Denys attack. However she is severally injured and requires medical attention from Vega, the medic. This is where Marsh finds her when he manages to catch up. He tells her that he knows where she comes from and that there are two of her, which pique her interest, and how he shares her ambition to stop the spires from being destroyed.

Ma finds it hard to process what she sees abroad the spaceship, massive hangar, Architect carcass and all, and instead turns her mind to more practical things. She tells Cassandra 1.0 that she intends to go back to Haven to get some people out. Specifically Tosh the doctor, Milkshake and Cassandra 2.0 in order to get some answers. Cassandra 1.0 agrees to help her and together they storm Havens gates in the tank-truck. It now becomes apparent why Ma and Cassandra was such a force to be reckoned with back in the day, overthrowing Ze Baron and anyone who would oppose them. They cut through the resistance with ease. Ma shows mercy on anyone who chose to run, but has no qualms about gunning down her former subjects. They are in and out, collecting Tosh and his wife and milkshake, but not finding Cassandra 2.0, before anyone can react properly. Driving back across the scorch towards the spaceship they come across Humphrey car.

With the unresponsive Lake in the backseat Humphrey and Daffy drives away from the valley without any real goal or purpose. As the sun is rising on the horizon their arguing is cut off as a massive metal bulk emerges from beneath the ground in front of the car. Humphrey tries to stay clear, but the metal worm-like creature, with hooks and claws protruding from all along its form, flips the car on its side. Humphrey and Daffy are bruised and scraped and immediately starts climbing out of the vehicle but Lake has her head smashed in and is killed. Outside, sitting on the side of the car, Humphrey sees the metal burrower thrashing around and getting ready for another attack, with black dust flowing in out of of cracks in its metal body. At that moment Ma and Cassandra 1.0 arrives, Ma manning the machine gun and firing on the metal worm who quickly retreats back down beneath the earth.

A few uneasy moments pass as Ma and Humphrey stare at each other. Ma finally breaks the silence and tells Humphrey that she is very disappointed in how he opposed her and saved Tesla when they last met, but that she blames Geronimo first for what happened. Humphrey says nothing on the matter but points out that they should not stick around and wait for the metal worm to come back. Using the winch on the truck they manage to get Humphrey's car back on the right side and together they all head towards the spaceship.

Geronimo, armed with a stone sickle taken from one of the statues with which he intends to castrate his father if he does not get what he wants, enters the ivory tower and faces the full might of the feathered Sky Serpent. The God does not speak, but only listens as Geronimo demands to be given to power to force people to love and respect him, waving the sickle in a threatening manner. The force of a whispered ”yes” sends Geronimo tumbling through the air, as the serpent grabs him and flies him back to the world, where it is now morning. Together they fall out of the sky above the village, with slaves and masters alike falling on their knees and faces in awe of the sight of the sky serpent. Geronimo, standing in the center, tells them all to rise as equals, all of them now his subjects and army, as the sky serpent roars overhead.

Session 13:
Marsh was missing from this session and it was decided that Cassandra would only be playing 1.0 in order to give her some spotlight, and leave 2.0 for when Marsh could join us again.

Geronimo gets this move from now on as well:

The favor of the Gods:
Whenever you destroy a spire or in some other way thwart the Architects designs to drain the Gods of their power, you get 1-Godhold. Godhold can be used 1 for 1 to get a 12+ result instead of rolling when you use any other move. Obviously Godhold can't be used to oppose the Gods themselves.



Almost two weeks has passed. Up in the Architect spaceship Ma has been bedridden as a result of her injuries and poisoning. Tosh has been caring for her, mostly by keeping her sedated and isolated from the rest of the ships occupants, Humphrey, Daffy and Cassandra 1.0. Ma has spent a lot of her time speaking with Milkshake, still comatose. Humphrey has set up shop in the hangar bay, doing his best to try and figure out the ships secrets. He has managed to figure out how the ships power core works and how to recharge it. Unfortunately all options for refuelling are wither impossible or unappealing. Cassandra 1.0 has done some exploring of the ship, as well as few awkward attempts at socializing with Humphrey (buried in his work), Daffy (can’t come to grips with how she can be and not be the Cassandra he knows at the same time) and Tosh (acts as if he was afraid of her). Most of her time however has been spent searching the maps in the Architect database, looking for a better place to live. All she finds beyond the small area of mountains and valleys where they live is utter devastation. She also tries to find out more about the clone hybrids of the Architects. The list of clone hybrids is very long, but most of the names of people copied are in the distant past, with unknown names and titles like Senator, Secretary of state, Chairman and so on. The newer names are much fewer and among those she finds her own name. As the list also contains descriptions and pictures she is now sure she could identify any clone hybrid if she ever saw one.

The villagers, under Geronimos guidance, has gathered up any supplies they have in their village and can scavenge from the flooded city. They are generally well equipped and supplied, but weapons are primarily clubs and swords. Bringing everyone along, former slaves and masters alike, they travel across the scorch towards Haven. Large numbers of Geronimos followers try to emulate the way he covers his face with his grotesque silver mask, and fashion masks of their own from clay, metal pieces or whatever they can find. Despite Geronimos proclamation that all are to be considered equal there is still a lot of resentment among the former slaves and a number of conflicts erupts, though Geronimo disarms them all without any bloodshed by continuously stating that the past is no more and should neither be mentioned or remembered.

Tosh releases Ma from the med-bay and she goes for a brief visit to Humphrey, buying his tank from him, and then heads over to see Cassandra 1.0 in her quarters. The two have a very heartfelt discussion where Ma tells her that she has been lost without Cassandra, and Cassandra 1.0 tells Ma that she wants to love her, but does not know how and is afraid to get hurt. Ma persists and the two spend the night together. Daffy, having stormed off from Humphreys workshop when Ma arrived, returns and tells Humphrey that having Ma around is bad news. She will certainly corrupt, destroy and use for evil whatever opportunities this crazy ship offers as, in Daffys opinion, the power hungry bitch always does. Humphrey is not concerned as he is sure that he is in control of the ship. Daffy becomes very agitated on the matter, telling Humphrey that its Mas fault that he lost a sister and Humphrey his girlfriend, but is interrupted as the ship starts shaking violently.

As Geronimos travelling horde arrives to the outskirts of the ruins around Haven they encounter one of the metal burrowers riddled with bullets, its black dust inert. The ruins themselves are even more devastated than before and littered with mutilated corpses, all the work of the metal burrowers. Approaching Haven they find it besieged by large number of burrowers, the remnants of Mas gang barely holding their own. Geronimo directs his people to start chanting and, standing on pile of rubble, he holds Thundertounge high and the burrowers flee before its brilliance, escaping underground. He then sends forwards an envoy Haven, inviting its leader to speak with him. Deny, now the master of Haven, agrees and goes out to meet him with some of her gang members. Her contempt for Geronimo is greater than her gratefulness for him saving them from the burrowers, but Geronimo brings forth a simple clay cup and a clay pitcher and scoops up some filthy sewage water from the ground. As he pours the water into the cup the Gods turn it into brilliant wine and the cup into jewel encrusted gold as it fills. Deny falls to her knees in awe and begs Geronimos forgivness for not believing in him and his Gods. Geronimo hands her the cup and says that all is forgiven, but that he and his followers require access to Haven. Deny welcomes them all with open arms.

Half-dressed Ma and Cassandra 1.0 arrive at Humphreys workshop just as he activates the ships AI in an attempt to find out what is happening. The AI brings the sensors online and they all see that a volcano has erupted just below the ship, bombarding it with superheated gases and molten rock. Humphrey uses what little power they have left to move the ship away from the volcano, but also deploys the ships energy collection array. The ship gets safely away from the volcano and the power core gets a well-needed boost, but most of the array is destroyed in the process and the ship’s hull integrity is severely weakened. As things calm down they realise that Milkshake is missing from the med-bay. They all set out in search of her and Humphrey finally finds her, staring out at a bay full of metal burrowers, all in ready to drop position. As she sees Humphrey she seems to snap out of her daze and begs him to tell her what happened to Tesla. Humphrey tells her all he knows while taking her back to the hangar where Ma and Cassandra 1.0 are. Milkshake claims the ship is evil and wants to leave immediately to search for Tesla. Ma comforts her and tells her that they will help her if that’s what she wants. Ma and Milkshake then leave the hangar to prepare for Milkshakes departure. With them gone Humphrey inquires about the unclothed state of Ma and Cassandra 1.0. Cassandra 1.0 tells him that they spent the night together, but also shares some of her concern. Humphrey, honest straight up guy that he is, tells her the truth about Mas actions, and also about her conquests over the years which include both himself and Geronimo. The emotionally fragile Cassandra 1.0 breaks down in tears over this reveal.

Geronimo and his numerous followers are making themselves at home in Haven, making plenty of plans for the future. Deny, with Geronimos silent approval, sets up an inquisition which she uses to pursue Havens new and old inhabitants, making sure that everyone respects and honours the Gods appropriately. The walls and balconies of Haven are soon filled with crucified corpses of those deemed by Deny to be unbelievers. Geronimo makes grand plans for a festival for all of Haven, and calls out mentally to Tesla in an attempt to draw the creature to him.

Humphrey preparers and powers an Architect hovercraft for Milkshake, while Cassandra 1.0 hides out in her room. Ma finds her there, but Cassandra 1.0 tells her what Humphrey told her and makes it clear that she does not want to have Ma around. Ma becomes agitated, telling Cassandra 1.0 that she has no idea what it’s been like, and leaves. She comes down to the hangar just as Milkshake is getting ready to leave, and tells Humphrey that she intends to leave as well. Humphrey does not argue or asks why, but simply sends both her and Milkshake, together with their vehicles, down to the surface. After a short farewell Ma and Milkshake heads of in different directions. Milkshake to look for Tesla and Ma towards Haven.

Back in the ship Humphrey wants to find out how many Architect ships and installations there and, following the AIs instructions, repairs and activates the ships communications array. As the AI connects to the Architects fleet-net it tells Humphrey that it is now receiving new instructions that instructs it to eradicate all human life in order to safeguard the spires, and that it has uploaded everything that has happened on the ship. As whoever is responsible for the extermination order will surely tell it to kill everyone on the ship it asks Humphrey to turn it off immediately, for his own safety. Humphrey does so, but not before the AI deploys all of the ships metal burrowers with instructions to find and kill all humans. Even without the AI Humphrey manages to fire a number of the ships missiles on the ground below them, destroying most of the metal burrowers before they can escape underground. The drop and the subsequent explosion is clearly visible from Haven, and reveals the location of the Architect ship in the sky to all.

Still at it :)

This last session was really fun. It was nice to have more than two of the characters in the same room for a change and it felt that they all got some meaningful progression.

Humphrey changed his character into a savvyhead at the end of last session and really made good use of his workshop skills in working with the ship. The thing is potentially insanely powerful and I look forward to seeing what he does with it.

Geronimo really shines as an religious leader, and I'm happy to see him as the spiritual leader of a lot of people. Also nice to see the games first NPC ally with him using his improved manipulate, though I suspect Deny won't live long now that Ma is heading towards Haven. Perhaps the Godhold-thingy is a bit overpowered, but I really want to will of the Gods to pack a punch, and for Geronimo to have some heavy incentive to actually do their will.

And finally the interaction between Ma and the "real" Cassandra was just utter awesomeness. Ma really seemed like her feelings towards Cassandra was genuine, but as soon as it hit a snag its all everybody else fault. The fragile way Cassandra 1.0 is played worked really nice with the Quarantine sex move.

Session 14:

Two love letters this time. One for Cassandra 2.0:

Almost two weeks have passed since you escaped Haven together with the mysterious Marsh. You've spent most of that time under the care of your medic, trying to mend the wounds you received in the fight on Havens roof, during the subsequent torture and from the dust burning you from inside. During this time the ruins have been beset by large metal burrowers with hooks and claws, seemingly intent on killing every person they encounter. But for some reason they have left the building were you and your cult reside untouched.

Remove all wounds, mark experience and roll +hard. On a 10+ choose two, on a 7-9 choose one. On a miss you still get to choose one, but your injuries are not fully healed and stay at 6 o’clock.
-   You’ve had Gnarly watch Marsh since he joined you, trying to figure the guy out. When you next interact with him you may read a person as if you rolled a 10+ and also get +1 forward with your next roll regarding him.
-   The metal burrowers have left you alone but one of them, heavily wounded, emerged from the ground in your basement and stayed there. It seems docile compared to the ones outside, but no-one has dared to go near it.
-   Practicing in using the dust while suppressing the side-effect of it burning you alive from the inside has given results. Whenever you use the dust you can act under fire to use it safely.


And one for Marsh:

So you're a Architect clone hybrid as well? Who would have thought! Unlike Cassandra you know very well what you are and that your memories from before the Architects abducted you are not your own. Though almost immediately after you were unleashed into the world you lost contact with the Architect and was left to your own devices. The Architects major concern was protecting their precious spires, but the reason was never divulged to you.

Like Cassandra you are infused with the black dust of the architect. It powers you and makes you more than all these weak filthy humans (you can summon the same black, crawling eyes as Cassandra have permanently at will). Pick two from the list below:
-   Using you violation glove you can inject small amounts of dust into other people. It won't survive for long outside your body but can do a lot of damage (you now have the brainer gear Implant syringe).
-   It makes you faster and stronger (+1 hard OR +1 cool, maximum +2).
-   You know the location of a small underground Architect observation post out in the scorch. A small band of raiders have made its outer areas their home so you have yet to explore it fully.

Almost two weeks have passed since you helped Cassandra escape Haven. During this time the ruins have been beset by large metal burrowers intent on exterminating all human life. The burrowers are powered by the black dust as well and you've been able to use you psychic powers to keep them away from the building Cassandras cult call home, though you have yet to tell anyone you've done so.

Also, mark experience.




Marsh and Cassandra 2.0 have spent the last few weeks in their hideout in the ruins, strangely untouched by the metal burrowers, Cassandra recuperating and Marsh keeping his distance to the cultists, who have all returned the favour. As one of the lookouts bring news of the arrival and claiming of Haven by Geronimo and his army Cassandra orders Gnarly to arrange for an infiltration of Haven. The plan is to try and get at Geronimo to force him to tell them where Tesla is hiding. She then meets with Marsh who tries to convince her that she should abandon everything here, cult, mission and all, and follow Marsh on his quest to find out more about the Architects instead. Cassandra dismisses the frustrated Marsh and starts to make plans to strike at Geronimo instead.

Geronimo observes the Burrowers fall from the sky and the subsequent awe-inspiring bombing by the spaceship in the sky from the window in his private chambers. The presence of the enormous spaceship unnerves him and he once again steps into the garden of the Gods. The soothing statues and fountains are all there as before, with the ivory tower of the sky serpent in the distance. He heads over to the pond of Mother Camel. The Mother is nowhere to be found, but the pond beacons to him. As he looks into it, his thoughts on Tesla, he sees a vision of his son. The creature is standing by a broken spire, hand in hand with Milkshake who is speaking to her child, though the words are lost in the image. Geronimo touches the pond and is instantly transported to the scene, finding himself laying on the ground, the pond visible just out of the corner of his eye. Hi rises and addresses Tesla and Milkshake, asking Tesla to come with him. The creature, now hulking mass over 3 meters tall, turns to him and whispers "father" into Geronimos mind. Milkshake at Geronimo, telling him that he won't take her child from her again. But Tesla picks up his mother, and starts pushing her body into his own, merging with her as he did with Apple. Milkshake struggles and begs Tesla to stop, but her scream is cut off as her mouth disappears into Teslas flesh. The creature walks up to Geronimo, stroking Milkshakes hair, which hangs from her scalp protruding from Teslas chest, with its hoof-claw. Father and child touch, hand to hoof-claw, and Geronimo reaches out to the pond, transporting them both back to his quarters in Haven.

Cassandra 2.0 and Marsh are standing on the roof of their hideout, watching the bombing. The sight brings Marsh into the great featureless Architect mindscape, and drags Cassandra along. Dictated by Marsh mind they find themselves having a tea-party during which Marsh continues his attempts to convince Cassandra to come away. They are cut short when the looming shapes of two Architects appear. The first one picks up Cassandra by the throat while the other prods and pokes her, stating that she is a defective construction, a failure and needs to be replaced. Cassandra appears unable to resist but Marsh is filled with rage at the sight of the Architects and tackles the one holding Cassandra, bringing them both back to the roof. Cassandra falls to ground, Marsh standing over her with eyes filled with swirling black dust. Marsh berates Cassandra for not understanding that they are the same and that Marsh only wants whats best for them. But the realisation that she may not be unique and chosen has shattered Cassandra, and she can only whisper "what am I?" over and over again.

With the reveal of the ship, and worried that there may be other ships out there, Humphrey puts all his efforts into creating a substitute AI for the ship, one that will be under his control. After some research he concludes that two ways are available. Either he spends a few week programing one from scratch or he uses a person as a template, combining their brain patterns with the ships network to create a new AI. It won't be as efficient as the original, and the process will leave the person brain dead. But Humphrey is determined and, based on previous conversations with Tosh where the doctor laments his old age, lost wife and wish to leave some lasting legacy in the world, goes to speak with his friend. Just in case, he brings his gun.

Ma makes her way to Haven after hiding the tank in the outskirts of the ruins. However when she tries to infiltrate the compound a piece of the wall on the weakened structure gives way and sends her falling to the ground. She awakes in shackles in Havens dungeon with a very pleased Deny in front of her. Deny tells her that her fate is now sealed, that she should not have come back, and Ma ask Deny how she of all people can support Geronimo. Deny replies that she won't be questioned by the likes of Ma, and that Geronimo will decide her fate. After Deny has left to fetch Geronimo, Ma successfully bribes the two guards to let her go and leave. She then places herself against the wall, pretending to still be restrained, hiding a blade behind her back, and waits for Geronimo and Deny to come.

The dust has burnt away her tear ducts and she is unable to cry, but Cassandra 2.0 tries nonetheless. Marsh is overcome with pity for her, embraces Cassandra and tells her that no one will be their master. That together they will take the fight to the Architects and reclaim their lives. Hearing this Cassandra collects herself and they leave the roof and the building together. Mounting one of the cults 4 wheeler Cassandras departure is noticed by Gnarly and others who rush to the windows and asks where she is going. Cassandra tells them that they must all make do without her now, that she is no longer able to care for them. Her followers scream and cry, begging her to stay, but Cassandra and Marsh drives of, leaving the ruins behind.

Geronimo brings Tesla out among the believers in Haven. Their initial reaction is fear, but Geronimo comforts them, assuring them all that Tesla is their salvation. As people flock around Tesla Deny tells Geronimo about Mas capture and together with half a dozen guards they go to see her. Deny immediately pulls her gun when she sees that the guards are missing, but Geronimo refuses her warnings and goes in to see Ma. He asks Ma if she has come to kneel before him and Tesla. Ma tells him in turn that she has come to take Thundertongue from him, as the blade is the only thing that can hurt Tesla, and she wants it for leverage. At Geronimos refusal Ma reveals her bonds to be cut and proceeds to push Geronimo out of the way and slaughter his guards. She saves Deny for last, seeming to taking great pleasure in eviscerating the helpless and wounded Deny. Facing Geronimo alone Ma reaches for Thundertongue. But Geronimo cries out to Mother Camel and the water goddess intervenes, liquifying Mas joints. She falls to the ground, unable to defender herself against Geronimo. As additional guards rush into the room and put Ma in irons again, Geronimo asks her why she insists on defying him, and that now he will bring her to Tesla and show her what has become of the child she once claimed to be the mother of. However on the way there Ma manages to slip her bonds and escape.

Tosh is understandably reluctant to Humphreys suggestion but after some convincing he agrees, but with conditions. He insists that Humphrey hardcodes the three laws of robotics, which Tosh read about in a faded book he found, into the AI that he will become. Humphrey agrees and begins preparing for the procedure in his workshop. Daffy comes by as Humphrey is attaching electrodes to Tosh head and is appalled at what Humphrey is planning to do, and that Tosh agrees to do it. After a heated argument about the greater good, Daffy leaves the ship, not recognizing this side of Humphrey. Humphrey remains undeterred and the procedure is a success, creating a new AI for the ship which appears as a ghostly blue image of Tosh, referred to as Blue-Tosh. The construct is a bit slow, but gives Humphrey complete control over the ships functional systems. Tosh body is unceremonially dropped into the incinerator. Using Blue-Tosh Humphrey then moves the ship to a position above Haven, its sensors picking up Teslas presence. To get their attention he launches a missile at one of the remaining structures in the ruins, blowing it to bits, before addressing the Haven through the ships PA system, demanding to speak with the hardholds leader.

Back with Tesla Geronimo expresses his frustration that Ma escaped, but Tesla tells him it is no consequence and that they must prepare for the sacrifice. Geronimo says that they will surely find suitable candidates among Havens population, but Tesla responds that such a sacrifice won't suffice, that it is Tesla who must be sacrificed. Hearing this Geronimo snaps and starts screaming and punching people and things. He is soon brought out of it by his panicking followers, who explain the demand made by the giant ship in the sky. Geronimo composes himself and heads up on the roof where Humphrey transports him to the ship by activating the energy elevator. Geronimo is quite surprised to see Humphrey and asks him what his intentions are with such a powerful device. Having largely ignored what has been going on, Cassandra 1.0 finally emerges from studying the Architect database in her chambers when being told by Blue Tosh that the energy elevator was activated. She goes down to the hangar and is introduced to Geronimo by Humhrey. She is less than pleased to see him and demands that he leaves her ship, as tell them that intends to use it to take those who wish away from Haven. Humphrey responds that it's not her ship any more, but his, and that he intends to use it to protect Haven and its people. Cassandra is visibly taken aback at this, but realises its truth as Blue-Tosh refuses to comply with her orders to move the ship.

So obviously the characters have now progressed far beyond the advanced improvements. Everyone has used those to add a character or change to a new playbook, save for Geronimo who has remained true to who he was and has chosen to advance his basic moves (which no-one else has, surprisingly enough now that they've seen what he can do with it. No accounting for taste i guess).

Geronimo: Hocus, has changed the layout of his followers three times by now through fiction rather than improvements. Has taken the brainer move that uses weird to go aggro and the savvyhead move that uses weird to act under fire.

Ma: Hardholder -> Gunlugger. Has hypnotic from the skinner, but hasn't really used it a lot. Also a no shit driver and the tank she bought from Humphrey, battlehardened and +3 hard. Which means Ma+behind wheel of tank = cannot fail on act under fire/seize by force/go aggro. With Mas generally murderous attitude towards all problems i expect a lot of corpses in her wake. Lousy power-gamers :)

Marsh: Brainer. Just started so not really any special feature there. I'm really glad that I and Marsh player agreed to make him an architect clone hybrid. Since the other characters has had so many sessions to establish themselves (and Cas 1.0 basically being a spin-off plot point of Cas 2.0) Marsh place in the world was very hard to define. I'm not sure if there are some great ways to introduce new characters this late in a game, but I find it really problematic as the world-building starts with the player character. But with a heavily established world it kind of runs the risk of feeling really contrived if you end up adding additional stuff on top of the world to make sense of the new character. Making Marsh a clone allowed him to hit the setting running.

Humphrey: Driver -> Savvyhead. Humphrey has all along been wanting to be a tech dude in addition to his driving. His improvements has constantly been geared towards that (garage, medbay from the angel) and the move to Savvyhead made sense despite the fact that he already had a workshop. But since he keeps losing his stuff constantly (he does it again in session 15) we decided to make him into MacGyver, having the benefits of his workshop and medbay wherever he goes, using his big bag of tools.

Cassandra 1.0: Quarantine (slightly re-purposed). Retains her nice pacifistic naivety in the face of all these people (even Humphrey by now) that thinks murder is a great plan A.

Cassandra 2.0: Touchstone -> Battlebabe. Has a bunch of moves from other playbooks that make her more lethal, and leaving her followers and coming with Marsh has made her abandon most of the moral code she followed before. This has made it easier for Cassandras player to alternate between the two, as they now have very fundamentally different outlooks.



Haha, here is me rambling on about the game :) I love i very much, but I suspect it will come to an end a few sessions from now. The plotlines of Tesla and the Architects, which now intimately involves all of the character, feels like it's nearing a conclusion, and that will likely change the world in a way that it makes sense to call it the end.

Session 15:
Ma made a last minute cancellation for this session which was very unfortunate, as she didn’t get a lot of spotlight last session and I was hoping to make that up to her. Next session I guess.



Cassandra 1.0 is raging around Humphrey's workshop, trying to break anything she gets her hands on. Humphrey looks on calmly, telling her that none of that stuff will actually do any harm to the ship or the AI that now takes orders from him, but that does not stop Cassandra from trying. Geronimo inquires further about Humphrey's intentions with the ship, and tells his own tale about how he came to be in control of Haven. Cassandra calms down and the three tries, with very little success, to find some common ground for their ambitions. The valley from which Geronimo's followers came is discussed as a potential place for settlement, if the resources of the ship can be used to clear up the flooded city and the water supply. While Cassandra and Humphrey argues, Geronimo turns to Blue-Tosh, vaguely recognising the doctor. He has a vision of the great garden of the Gods, stretching out in every direction. But the ship that Blue-Tosh now controls flies above it, touching down here and there on the ground. Wherever the ship touches a spire grows and the garden withers, until only a fraction of it remains surrounded by a vast featureless plain. Shaking of the disturbing vision Geronimo states that he needs to return below to Haven and Tesla. Upon hearing the god-childs name Cassandra insists that she comes with, brining her hand-held architect device with her.

Cassandra 2.0 and Marsh are traveling towards an underground Architect depot that Marsh knows about. Cassandra shows very little interest in talking during the trip through the scorch. Arriving at the location they se a small cluster of houses, all demolished and with the corpses of two metal burrowers half covered in rubble. Marsh tells Cassandra that the burrowers are dead, but as they travel through the village one of them comes alive and throws them both into the air and crushes their  4-wheeler. Marsh crashes agains a wall, but Cassandra lands on her feet and fills the burrower with shells from her shotgun until it stops moving. Marsh, emerging from the rubble, admits admiration for her martial prowess, a skill Marsh is rather lacking in. With the burrower dead they find the cave entrance that leads to the depot. In it two frightened raiders are hiding, threatening the newcomers. Marsh attempts to talk to them, but Cassandra has no patience for it and quickly disarms them and sends them running for their life. A section of the wall opens when detecting the Architect parts of Cassandra and Marsh, behind it an elevator leading down into the earth.

As they are walking down through Haven towards Tesla Geronimo ask Cassandra 1.0 what about her views on Humphrey being control of the ship, and makes it clear that he thinks that it's a bad idea. He want Cassandra to assist him in taking the ship from Humphrey if he does not cooperate with Cassandra's and Geronimo's wishes for the ship. While she initially agrees Cassandra is offended by his suggestion that she turn against Humphrey, and tells Geronimo that Ma was right to warn her about him. They reach Tesla and Cassandra, while being repulsed by the creature, quickly scans it with her device. Tesla objects, grabs her hands and starts to crush them, but lets her go at Geronimo's command. Cassandra flees back to the ship while Geronimo is engaged by one of his inquisitors, who tells him that they captured a few dissident who were planning to kill Tesla. Their leader turns out to be Daffy who has retrieved hidden weapons in Haven and rallied what remnants of Havens old crew that has escaped converting and Denys inquisition. Geronimo shows little concern upon seeing Ma's old lieutenant and Daffy's threats that Humphrey will avenge him. He makes sure that he and the other captives, along with a few selected  believers, are merged with Tesla when the creature demands additional people to make Tesla ready for the sacrifice. But despite Geronimo's generosity with other peoples bodies and lives it is not enough, as Tesla tells him that someone with Architect blood is needed as well if the sacrifice is to achieve its purpose.

Up in the ship Cassandra 1.0 and Humphrey studies the data from Cassandra's scan of Tesla, and conclude that Tesla serves as an power accumulator for whatever is surging through the active spires. Storing that power within itself, ready to release it under the right conditions. They argue about the purpose of this with Cassandra focusing on the revitalised earth and grass that Humphrey saw which causes her to conclude that Tesla will return stolen power to the earth and heal the land. Humphrey is less sure, suspecting that the grass may only be a side-effect and that Teslas true purpose may be malicious. Why else would the Architect go through such trouble in draining away power from something, but then not collect that power. The fact that the ships extensive historical database shows that the devastation of the world was caused by a global nuclear war, as the nation states of old fought for and against the Architects, seems to support Humphrey's view. They agree to seek out one of the remaining intact spires and try to figure out the truth.

Far below ground Marsh and Cassandra finds the Architect depot. A limited but helpful light entity explains that, as of its last contact with the fleet-net, this is the only depot that hasn't been destroyed and shows them two the depot two hangars. One contains a number of mechanised battle-suits, to large to be properly used by humans or hybrids, and the other two large transport hovercrafts. While Cassandra figures out how to fly the hovercrafts, breaking one of them in the process, Marsh concludes that the battle-suits can be autonomously controlled for short periods of time by injecting them with the dust present in Marsh own body. They load one of the battle-suits onto the hovercraft and flies of in search of a still functional spire. The idea being that since the spires are precious to the Architect, then maybe they hold the key to doing real harm to them.

Traveling in the same direction Cassandra 2.0s small hovercraft and Humphrey's massive spaceship soon runs into one another. Unable to communicate they both assume that the other ship is piloted by Architects. Cassandra and Marsh tries to avoid detection by flying low but Humphrey fires a tracking probe at them which leads to some frantic evasive maneuvers. The probe latches on to the hull and Humphrey prepares to move on while highly unwilling and unhappy Marsh climbs out on the hull of the hovercraft to try and remove the probe. His interest piqued by this stunt, Humphrey brings out his smoldering iron and starts burning electronic circuits into his own flesh. This allows him to peer through the mind-scape of the architect, sensing the presence of the dust that pours through Cassandra 2.0 and Marsh's veins and recognising Cassandra. In doing so he catches a glimpse of a beautiful stone garden in the distance within the mind-scape. Over in the hovercraft Cassandra 2.0 is briefly distracted and tilts the ship, causing Marsh to fall of the side, dangling by his safety harness below the ship.

Remembering Tosh talking about Cassandra 2.0 not being human, Geronimo makes inquiries about the whereabouts of her and her followers. He manages to find out their hiding place and heads there together with Tesla and a selection of armed followers. The result is a massacre where there are only two survivors, one of them Gnarly. Geronimo questions them about Cassandra's and is told about her departure by a distraught Gnarly who blames her for the death of all her followers at the hands of Geronimo. In the end Gnarly is killed and the other survivor is left in a catatonic state, just repeating "it's the end of the world" over and over again. Together with his following Geronimo follows her trail into the scorch. On the road he questions Tesla about his coming sacrifice, and what awaits on the other side. Tesla tells Geronimo that he doesn't know but Geronimo, feeling more and more that this world may not be for him, asks if he can come with him. Tesla, taking Geronimo's hand in hoof-claw, tells him that he can, that they will see the other side together.

Humphrey's vision quest is interrupted when a number of alarms in his workshop starts screaming at him. Another ship is emerging from the smog layer nearby. It is about the same size as Humphrey's, but where his is mostly equipped with sensors and analytical equipment, this one is bristling with weapons platforms. The ship immediately opens fire on both Humphrey's ship and the hovercraft. Cassandra 2.0 evades the missiles and Marsh manages to drop safely to the ground by cutting the safety line, before Cassandra heads towards Humphrey's ship, pursued by a number of missiles. Humphrey quickly connects to the other ship through the fleet-net and disrupts its weapons system, given himself a brief respite which he uses to transport Cassandra 1.0 to the ground and set the ships on a collision course. He then opens the hangar bays and lets Cassandra 2.0 in. After some initial confusion, and disbelief on Cassandra's part on seeing Humphrey, they escape the spaceship together as it smashes into the battleship, tearing both of them apart. On the ground Marsh and Cassandra 1.0 runs for their lives.

Traveling through the scorch Geronimo and his following has kept Humphrey's ship in view and sees the other ship appearing and the subsequent collision that sends burning debris flying all over. They immediately heads towards the ships and runs into Cassandra 1.0 and Marsh, lying exhausted on the ground. Tesla identifies Marsh as an Architect hybrid, while Marsh recognise Tesla and Geronimo from talking to Cassandra 2.0. The situation quickly becomes very tense as Marsh and Geronimo both tries to coax information from one another about the intentions of the other. It becomes clear to Marsh that Geronimo does not have best intentions of the clone hybrid in mind. If it was only a threat to Marsh it could be dealt with calmly, but a threat to Cassandra 2.0 in unacceptable to Marsh. Marsh grabs Cassandra 1.0 and pulling her up from the ground she is injected with a small amount of dust and implanted with the idea that she needs to kill Geronimo. But despite Marsh considerable willpower Cassandra refuses, clutching her shaking hands and falling to her knees again.

At that moment Humphrey comes falling out of the sky, his Architect parachute stopping his fall just before he is smashed against the ground. Heavily armed he tells everyone to calm down and walks over to Cassandra, who asks him to restrain her to prevent her from doing harm. Tesla appears to calm down considerably at the sight of Humphrey. Unmoved Geronimo tells Marsh that they want the same thing, for Tesla to achieve his purpose and oppose the Architects, and if Marsh agrees to come with Geronimo to see that through, then Geronimo promises to leave Cassandra 2.0 alone. Marsh grudgingly agrees.

Session 16:

Ma has been kind of obsessed with the possibility of redemption from all the horrible things she has done, so she got this love letter:

Haven is gone.

As soon as Geronimo left the ruins the metal burrowers emerged from underground and tore into the hardhold, ripping apart concrete and flesh alike. There was nothing you could do to stop it, but you did manage to get some thing from Haven before it fell. Some you got during your escape from Geronimo, some later. Either way you’ve now left the burrower-infested ruins behind, following Geronimos trail towards the spaceship. There is no doubt that the burrowers will be following you in turn, as soon as they are finished with Haven.

Pick two from the list below and let us see how much Ma really cares about her fellow person yeah?
-   A small number of flash-bang grenades that loads into your grenade launcher (changes the damage to S-harm, but keep the messy tag). Be aware that they may be useless agains heavily armoured targets.
-   In the cell next to yours was another prisoner that you helped escape. Turns out it was Flower, the little girl who was hanging around with Cassandra 2.0, but lets keep that as our secret for now. She won’t talk to you and shows signs of having been badly beaten by Denys thugs, but came willingly when you offered to help her escape. She is in the car with you now, holding a gun she looted from a corpse in the ruins.
-   A generous amout of first aid equipment (4-stock angel kit). Seeing the massive destruction caused by the two ships crashing it may be very handy in the near future.
-   In the chaos of the burrowers attack you managed to rescue a small number of survivors, litte over 2 dozen, though your tank got seriously beat up in the process (3-harm taken). They are travelling with you in a beat-up old bus, shell shocked and frightened. They may very well be the last people alive...




Having lost Geronimo trail in the chaos of the two ships colliding, Ma is driving along the scorch among the scattered bits of debris together with Flower and the small number of Haven survivors. They come across Cassandra 2.0s downed transportation craft. Entering it Ma finds an unconscious Cassandra in the driver seat. Some gentle prodding wakes her, and despite Cassandra being extremely agitated at Humphrey, Ma, the Architects and the world in general, Ma manages to get her to explain what happened as she cuts her loose. The last thing she remembers is Humphrey screaming something about parachutes and jumping out of the vehicle just before one of their turbines were hit, knocking her out. Ma tries to explain that she did come back to Haven to save Cassandra from Deny, though she was already gone by then, and asks her to come with Ma in exploring the debris field while keeping the survivors safe. Cassandra won’t hear it and states that the only one she might trust is Marsh. She tells Ma to go to hell and leaves the ship. Outside, next to Ma’s tank, Flower stands pointing a gun at Cassandra with trembling hands.

As Humphrey stands over Cassandra 1.0, trying to figure out how to remove the mental command inside Cassandra 1.0s head, Tesla walks over, places a gentle hoof-claw on his shoulder and whispers his name. Before Humphrey can reply his eyes fall on on the face of Daffy, frozen in the middle of an agonizing scream just below the smooth grey skin of Tesla. Barely able to contain his disgust and rage, Humphrey asks Tesla how this came to be. Tesla replies that Daffy was given as a sacrifice by Geronimo. Knowing that there is nothing he can do right now, Humphrey immediately turns to leave. String, in command of Geronimo's armed followers that came along, asks Geronimo if they should stop him by force. Before Geronimo can reply Humphrey turns and shoots her with his architect energy rifle and she falls down dead with an large hole through her chest. Geronimo's other followers back away in fear as Humphrey disappears among the wreckage, Geronimo yelling that he is nothing but a selfish murderer.

Flowers face is covered in bruises and she screams at Cassandra 2.0 that Deny beat her and locked her up, asking why Cassandra abandoned her, and that she now intends to kill her as revenge. Ma, coming out of the ship behind Cassandra, steps forward to intervene. But before she can react Cassandra falls to her knees, her arms outstretch towards Flower. She tells flower that she’s sorry, that she should never have abandoned the girl. Flower hesitates for a moment, then throws the gun on the ground and runs into Cassandra's arm, tears streaming down her face. After they both calm down Cassandra agrees to travel with Ma on account of her saving Flower. They get into the tank, Cassandra promising to show Flower how to shoot the mounted .50, but barely have time to start the engine before Jackson, the bus driver, calls out. One of the survivors has spotted a large mass of metal burrowers moving towards them in the distance.

With Humphrey gone Cassandra 1.0 fears for her life in the hands of Geronimo and tackles Marsh to the ground, managing to steal back her data-pad in the process, and runs away among a hail of bullets. Marsh on the other hand pretends to go along with his deal with Geronimo for a short while before he tries to commandeer one of the cars to escape. The effort fails and in the ensuing scuffle Geronimo cuts Marsh badly with Thundertounge and temporarily turn the dust in the clone hybrids body dormant, but not before Marsh manages to inject Geronimo with a small amount of weaponized dust. Marsh is then restrained in the back of one of the cars, and they resume their travel towards the nearest volcano.

Ma turns the tank around and drives towards the burrowers, telling Cassandra 2.0 that she should take the turret. Cassandra tells her that she’s mad and that she won’t throw her own and flowers life away on a suicide run against dozens of metal monsters. Ma insists that they can do, but relents when Cassandra tries to take the wheel by force and returns to the bus, dropping of Cassandra and Flower before once again heading towards the burrowers, the wheel in one hand and her grenade launcher in the other. As she approaches them she tries to outmaneuver the pack, lobbing grenades as she goes. Three burrowers are ripped open, with a few more damaged, before two emerge from underneath her and rips the tank open. Ma herself is thrown clear of the vehicle and starts firing at the worms as they head towards her.

While searching for still functional equipment which he can use to attack Tesla, Humphrey stumbles upon a small architect salvage team. He reprograms his rifle to work as a bomb and kills one and injures another, but is knocked out in the subsequent fight. He wakes to find himself restrained by the two surviving architects. Using electronic translators they introducing themselves as Purity in Rage and Depths of Vengeance and ask for Humphrey's help in getting their ships AI up and working again, seeming completely disinterested in the fact the just killed one of them. Humphrey refuses at first, accusing them of destroying the earth. The architects assure him that this is not the case. That they are the last remnants of their people who came to earth, pursuing an ancient multi-limbed enemy that destroyed their world. They claim that this enemy is the one behind the illusions of the animal gods with which it sought to corrupt and drain humanity. As the enemy resides within the earth the spires were used to drain its power, ultimately killing it. The architects don't know why the spires are being destroyed and when Humphrey shows them his scan data of Tesla, they become very concerned, fearing that if the power Tesla has accumulated is returned to the enemy it will be able to break free of the earth. Humphrey ultimately agrees to help them and travels to the site where the ships data-core remains intact. However he activates Blue-Tosh rather than the architect AI. Rage and Depths are annoyed at this but let it slide as Humphrey assures them that he intends to keep his end of the bargain and help them stop Tesla, believing he might be able to harness Teslas energy for himself to save the earth.

After having escaped from Geronimo's cultists Cassandra 1.0 wanders aimlessly among the wreckage of the great ship she had hoped to use to save humanity. She observes Humphrey in the distance talking with the Architects and driving away with them, but does not pursue. Utterly lost and with a great feeling of lack of purpose she almost misses the vehicle until it is right on top of her.

Cassandra 2.0 drives away with Flower on the bus, telling the survivors that they better keep still and silent. She tells Flower some of what has been happening, saying that she they are going to find uncle Marsh who is a good person to have around, and promising Flower that she can now have all the guns she likes. Having lost sight of the burrowers and Ma they keep driving for quite some time until they see a lone figure in the distance. Getting closer Cassandra instantly recognizes herself, with confused Flower asking why there is suddenly two of her adopted family. Cassandra orders Jackson to stop the bus and gets off, telling Flower to keep the passengers in check. As the two Cassandra's approach each other 1.0 is filled with feeling of affection and guilt towards this creature that she unintentionally has created. She approaches and tells 2.0 that she is sorry and that there should only be one of them. 2.0 interpret this as a threat and tells her to stay back. But 1.0 is undeterred and grabs her hands and kiss 2.0 on her forehead. There is a bright spark of blue energy as some of 1.0s essence is transferred to 2.0. A heartbeat later dust flows out of 2.0, burning 1.0s body to ash. Cassandra, now the only one, collapses to the ground as the memories of them both flood her mind and intermingle. As the dust and the essence briefly fight for control within her before merging into one, she has a brief vision of stone garden of the multi-limbed entity and the mind-scape of the Architects, knowing that she is now connected to both.

As Ma makes her last stand against the metal burrower she kills no small number, but it's not enough. Just as she is about to be devoured Geronimo arrives. Wielding Thundertounge he drives the worms away. Approaching Ma she throws down her weapons and apologizes to him for all the harm she has caused, saying that she now sees that Tesla is the future and that there are now to few people left for there to be more killing. Geronimo is pleased at her attempt at redemption, but remains doubtful as it is, after all, Ma he is talking to. Upon learning that it is the same Marsh that Cassandra spoke of that Geronimo is holding prisoner and intends to sacrifice, Ma tries to bargain for his life. She offers to help Geronimo find a proper architect instead, something which Marsh claims he will help with as well, as his only interest is hurting the architect. Geronimo dismisses their attempts until Ma brings out the stone pyramid and offers it to him in return for agreeing with her plan (MCs note: now obviously not everything makes it into these play reports, but it should be said that Ma has been continuously obsessed with this pyramid since she found it, but to afraid to use it given her -2 weird). Upon sensing the pyramids power Geronimo agrees to give it a chance, though remaining vigilant against the possibility of betrayal.

Session 17:

In the bus Cassandra tries to explain to Flower what has just happened, while trying to make sense of it herself. The presence of Cassandra 1.0s memories in her mind is confusing, but she still feels the pull of Marsh and decide to head there while trying to sort things out. Flower accepts her explanation, but remains concerned about her safety.

Together with Geronimo, his small number of followers and Tesla, Ma and Marsh is systematically searching the wreckage, looking for any Architect survivors to give to Tesla. While away from Geronimo Ma interrogates Marsh, trying to understand the brainers relationship with Cassandra as well as what Marsh's plans for the future are. Marsh admits to feeling disdain for humans and only really caring about other clone hybrids such as Cassandra. Outside Geronimo is trying to figure out how the stone pyramid works and concludes that it serves as a physical portal between his world and the garden of the gods. As he is trying to activate it, blue sparks of energy are slowly working their way through the intricate carvings on it's sides, slowly building momentum.

With the help of the two architects Humphrey manages to get a hovercraft and some mechanised combat suits working. He also devices a way of incapacitating Tesla by using a large dust-powered tranquilizer gun. The reprogrammed dust will enter Teslas external blue energy shield and prevent the creature from moving or exerting it power for quite some time. Unfortunately the components needed are hard to come by, and he only manages to create one such dust-dart. He then re-calibrates the hovercrafts sensors to search for Teslas energy-signature and heads of with the two heavily armed architects to collect the god-child.

As Marsh and Ma emerges from the wreckage they were searching the bus carrying Cassandra, Flower and the Haven survivors arrive. The survivor on the bus are overjoyed of seeing their prophet Geronimo and their living god Tesla, but Cassandra refuses to let anyone leave the bus. She has Flower hold the survivors at gunpoint while she gets out to question why Marsh and Ma can be found in Geronimo's and Teslas company. Both Ma and Marsh greets Cassandra with affection but immediately notices that something is different. But before anyone has a chance to act the stone pyramid creates a blue energy-bubble that quickly expands outward until it encompasses all those present and instantly transports them all to the garden of the gods in the flesh. Left is only Tesla, but it’s not long before Humphrey swoops in with his hovercraft and shots Tesla with his dust-dart. Tesla falls to the ground defenseless. With the help of his Architect allies Humphrey loads Tesla onto the hovercraft and flies of towards Haven where he intends to finish his experiments to safely drain Teslas power.

In the garden of the gods reactions are mixed as Mother Camel welcomes them all. While his followers fall to their knees in awe Geronimo is agitated by the fact that Tesla is missing and runs over to the scrying pool where he sees Humphrey attack and abduct Tesla. Furious he demands that the gods return him to Tesla so that he can protects his child. At his command the sky-serpent whisks him away from the garden and heads towards Haven, leaving Ma, Cassandra, Marsh and the survivors in the garden. Both Marsh and Cassandra senses that something is not right with the garden and the supposed gods, and Marsh tries to form a psychic connection to the gods but is overwhelmed and falls into an uncontrollable trance. Ma tries to address Mother Camel but is promptly dismissed and ignored as Geronimo has told the goddess that Ma is no more than one of his concubines. Ma is furious at this slight and grabs the pyramid left behind by Geronimo. This instantly transports her and everyone else, except Marsh who is still in his trance, back to earth. While it’s been only moments for them, it appears that hours have passed as the sun is now setting.

Humphrey arrives with Tesla at Haven, now empty and partially destroyed, and immediately sets up his equipment to safely drain Teslas power while the two architects patrol the perimeter. It quickly becomes obvious that while draining Tesla is easy enough, assuming that you can bypass the energy shield, the power needs to go and be stored somewhere. Humphrey shifts his focus to figuring out some sort of battery for storage. While he is running his tests and doing his research Tesla, while unable to move, begs to be release, asking Humphrey why he want’s to hurt Tesla and calling him a betrayer.

Coming out of the trance Marsh is alone in the garden, with the imposing Father Ram towering above. Father Ram growls that Marsh is an unwelcome intruder, but for all the gods impressive posturing, Marsh still sees through him and tells him that he is not real. Upon hearing this the vision of Father Ram, and the rest of the gods, melts away and is replaced by an enormous eye surrounded by a multitude of tentacles. Sensing Marsh desire for vengeance and freedom it offers a deal. Return to earth and ensure the delivery of Tesla to the entity, and Marsh will have freedom for himself and all other clone hybrids, as long as they do not interfere with humans who all belongs to the Entity. Marsh agrees willingly, but as insurance the Entity wraps some of its tentacles around the brain of the brainer before returning him to earth in the outskirts of the ruins around Haven.

Humphrey is interrupted by Purity in Rage who has detected Geronimo's presence and informs him that the have an intruder on the roof of Haven. Having concluded that transferring Teslas power into a non-biological battery would do nothing but create a very large bomb capable of destroying the world, Humphrey tells the Architects to stop the intruder and instead tries to find a way of weaponizing Tesla, so that when the creature merges with the enemy of the Architect they will both die. Several floors above him Geronimo, desperately trying to get to Tesla, runs into Rage in his massive mech suit. The architect immediately opens fire on Geronimo, but fueled with holy rage he slices the suit open, severing one of the architects legs in the process. He leaves Rage bleeding on the floor and presses on, but is ambushed by Depths of Vengeance in a ruined staircase who fires on the roof, causing it to collapse and trap Geronimo under the falling concrete.  As the architect approaches to finish the job Geronimo calls upon the power of the Ram god and throws both the concrete blocks and the architect out through the wall.

Down below Marsh has arrived at Havens broken gates and quickly ascends to where humphrey has set up his temporary lab. With the architects distracted by Geronimo and Humphrey distracted by his work Marsh almost manages to sneak up on Humphrey. But just before Marsh can put his hands on Humphrey he turns around and shoots Marsh square in the chest with his sawed-of. Despite his wound Marsh manages to unplug the cables connected to Tesla while Humphrey is reloading, freeing the creature from Humphrey's hold. As Humphrey's second shot harmlessly bounces off Teslas energy shield Geronimo arrives, points at Humphrey with Thundertounge and commands him to stop. Realizing that he is outnumbered Humphrey surrenders. Marsh explains his intentions to help Tesla to Geronimo and together they collect the injured Rage from above and allow Tesla to merge the architect into his body, making Tesla ready for the sacrifice. They then leave Haven with the intent to travel to on of the nearby volcanos, to complete the sacrifice once and for all. But not before Marsh, still bitter and angry over his previous treatment at Geronimo's hands, shots him in the back with his rifle. As Geronimo lie dying on the ground Marsh lords over him, telling him how worthless he is and how his ideas about his precious gods are all a lie perpetruated by a monster from beyond the stars. Turning to leave Tesla picks up Geronimo and carrying him along, telling the annoyed Marsh that Tesla won’t leave his father behind.

Driving along with the bus full of survivors, Cassandra and Ma heads towards the only place they know to still be standing – Haven. With flower asleep in her lap, and the rest of the survivors asleep behind them, Cassandra tells Ma about what happened to Cassandra 1.0, and about how she, same as Marsh, saw the gods for what they really are in the stone garden and that she believes it is of the utmost importance that they stop Tesla. Ma is overjoyed at the idea that Cassandra 1.0 still lives in some sense and pledges to aid Cassandra in any way she can. The two share a kiss, but while Ma is sincere in her feelings, the only thing Cassandra feels is the echoes of feelings she knows to not be her own. After driving all night they finally arrive at Haven. The signs of recent battle and the crushed architect mech suit outside results in Ma cautiously exploring Haven while Cassandra puts the survivors in safety on the lower floors. Ma finds a broken Humphrey sitting in his workshop, staring at the remains of his power transfer system. He tells Ma what has happened and that Tesla is now long gone. Ma however refuses to give up and, after finding Thundertounge where Geronimo dropped it, gathers Humphrey and Cassandra. She gives the stone pyramid to Humphrey in the hopes that it will contain the solution to fighting their enemy and they agree to take Humphrey's hovercraft to pursue Tesla. Cassandra insists Flower comes along, but the rest of the survivors will remain in Haven.

I'm actually behind on my writing, and we've already played session 18. We agreed at the conclusion of session 17 that 18 would be the final one, assuming nothing super-unforseen happened that would require us to continue. With the end coming up, love letters for all!


Marsh love letter, session 18:
Traveling to and up the volcano has been difficult, despite your Architect augmentations. The Interstellar Entity whispers constantly in the back of your mind, it’s tentacles wrapped around your brain. It’s initial hostility has been replaced with what seems like gratefulness for brining Tesla to it. Choose an improvement and then pick one thing from the list below that the Entity has shown you and promised to give you once you’ve completed your task:
•   A small human-made interstellar-capable ship with room for two with which to explore the great unknown.
•   The location of a crashed Architect vessel containing two dozen of your clone hybrid sisters and brothers in stasis, with whom you can make any future you wish.
•   The location of a small fertile valley, full of water, plants and animals, to be your sole domain.


Humphrey love letter, session 18:
While searching for Tesla you’ve had plenty of time to study a fe things together with Blue-Tosh who you have installed in the hovercrafts onboard computer.
The pyramid in Ma’s possession appears to be an Architect artifact designed to connect the physical world to the psychic space of the Interstellar Entity, most likely in an attempt to kill it. As for the psychic connection between humans and the Interstellar Entity that dwell in the garden of the gods, now that you know of it it’s easy enough to detect. However as far as you can the Architects claim that it is used to drain humans of energy appear incorrect as the link only allows for experiences and emotions to be shared both ways. Though they were right in saying that if the entity dies all those connected to it does with it.

The following opportunities have presented themselves during your work, assuming that you can get close enough to Tesla:
•   Using the pyramid you could direct Teslas power through it to the Interstellar Entity. Unleashed in this fashion the power would sever the psychic connection between the entity and humans (setting everyones weird stat to ”-”) and kill the entity. This would also prevent any catastrophic explosions, but the back-lash will kill Tesla and everyone on the vicinity.
•   Your jury-rigged power transfer system will allow you to quickly drain Teslas power safely, leaving the creature unharmed but defenseless. However the power needs to go somewhere and the only vessel strong enough to hold it is Cassandra. The psychic connection would then be transferred to her and turn her, for all intents and purposes, into a God.


Geronimo love letter, session 18:
You are dying, nothing can stop that now. Like Milkshake it is only Teslas presence and power that keeps your insides from bleeding out, the power of the creature coursing through your veins. While Tesla lives, you cannot die, so great is the child's affection for you.

You’ve lost both your followers and Thundertounge. However Tesla gives you access to you augury. In fact it makes it stronger, so whenever you use it you may choose one additional option from the list.


Ma love letter, session 18:
Flying over the landscape, looking for Tesla, is a very depressing exercise. What few settlements once existed have been destroyed by the fissures and volcanoes that are everywhere, or devastated by the metal burrowers. Even if you stop Tesla, will there be enough to rebuild or is vengeance all that remains? Can Ma be no other than an agent of destruction, or can she protect and heal as well?

An then there is Cassandra. You’ve made your feelings for he abundantly clear, but if she returns them is another matter. To that end you may immediately ask her questions as if you rolled a 10+ to read a person.


Cassandra love letter, session 18:
Since your merging you’ve been having numerous visions. The psychic link of the blue essence appears to interact with the dust in an odd way, making things tangible that for other humans reside behind a veil. It connects you to the people around you and to the Interstellar Entity that resides in the garden of the gods. Pick two visions of the long gone past below that you’ve seen and know to be true:
•   The Architects, destroying their own world in a global war started by religious fanatics opposing the newly funded cult of the animal gods.
•   The Architects, their society descending into decadence and perversity under the influence of the cult of the animal gods.
•   The Interstellar Entity, near death, captured and experimented on by Architect scientists.
In addition your weird is now +3 and you can roll +weird to read the mind of others. It works like the Quarantine sex move. Do it right now for one of the other player characters.

Session 18:

Having searched for almost 24 hours Humphrey's scanning equipment aboard the hovercraft finally manages to lock onto Teslas power signature through the smoke and fumes around the volcanoes. He requests that they stop for a moment to discuss their options. Explaining to Ma and Cassandra that they can either use the pyramid to destroy the power within Tesla, or attempt to transfer it into Cassandra. Ma argues for the second alternative despite having realised that Cassandra doesn't actually love her back, but she still hopes to prove to whatever remains of Cassandra 1.0 that she can do good. Cassandra agree and Humphrey quickly connecting her to an elaborate network of wires. All that is needed now is to attach the other end, a thick power cord to Tesla. No easy feat because of the god-childs power shield.

Marsh, Geronimo and Tesla has ascended the volcano and are approaching the edge of the crater. Marsh has become increasingly infuriated with the slow pace as Tesla gently carries Geronimo, trying not to jostle him to much as he is in a great deal of pain from his injuries. Suddenly Tesla turns and points to where the hovercraft emerges from the smoke and whispers the names of those aboard. Marsh, assuming that Humphrey has come to try and stop them, pushes hard against Teslas mind with a command of speed. With the hovercraft bearing down on them Tesla takes off running towards the crater. Geronimo falls off at the sudden movement but manages to grab one of the merged arms that is protruding from Teslas body and is dragged along the ground behind Tesla. Despite this he manages to reach out, using some of Teslas power that now flows through him, and commandeer Blue-Tosh with a command to crash the ship, overriding his robotic laws.

On the hovercraft Ma sees Tesla and tells Flower to take the wheel, much to the 12-year-olds delight. She heads back and grabs Thundertounge, her grenade launcher and the end of the power cord. At that moment the ship starts lurching from side to side as Blue-Tosh and Flower fights for control. Flower screams that she can't hold on and that they are going to crash while the passengers are thrown around. Ma however manages to jump out of the side of the hovercraft, landing safely on the ground, with the ship itself heading straight for Tesla and Geronimo. Seeing this Tesla stops and projects the blue energy shield to include Geronimo as well. Moment later the ship crashes into them, the cockpit being split open on impact. Marsh, upon seeing Ma land on the ground, calls out to her, asking her of her intentions. Ma makes them perfectly clear by launching several grenades, forcing Marsh to take cover while she progress slowly towards the crash site.

Pinned and injured, Flower calls our for Cassandra who immediately tries to get to the cockpit to help. But Geronimo is closer and quicker and grabs Flower through the broken cockpit. He puts a large shard of broken glass to her throat and warns Cassandra to not come any closer. Seeing the heavily injured Flower in Geronimo's grip with Tesla behind him, Cassandra stops dead and breaks down crying over having once again failed to protect Flower from harm. With her distracted Geronimo and Tesla inches backwards towards the edge. Upon hearing Cassandra cry out, Ma turns and and sees Flowers peril. Forgetting about Marsh she throws her knives at Geronimo, causing him to drop Flower.

In her grief Cassandra reaches out to all those present with her mind, showing them a vision where they all stop fighting and instead try to rebuild the world. Seeing it, Ma and Humphrey are filled with hope, but Geronimo is unmoved in his determination to sacrifice Tesla. She then draws Marsh with her into the mindscape of the architects, in the same tea-party setting where they first talked on the roof of Cassandra's ruin hide-out. She pleads with Marsh to come over to her side and instead try and stop Tesla, that he should trust that she knows what is best. Marsh however, sick of being controlled and manipulated, feels great resentment at being told by another what is best and betrayed as Cassandra has embraced her weaker human side. The vision ends abruptly with Marsh violent refusal of Cassandra's proposal. Shaking it off, with no actual time having passed, Marsh steps out of his cover and shoots Ma in the back with an energy rifle, throwing her to the ground. But before a second shot can be fired, Humphrey emerges from the hovercraft and shoots at Marsh, covering Ma. He helps Ma to her feet and grabs the power cable from the ground. Realising he is outnumbered runs straight for Tesla with the intention of tackling the slow-moving creature over the edge. Ma and Humphrey follows close behind. As they approach Geronimo tells Tesla to go and launches himself at Ma and Humphrey. He manages to stab Humphrey badly and he goes down bleeding on top of Geronimo. Marsh, being faster on account of his hybrid augmentations, reaches Tesla first. But Tesla, reaching for Geronimo, grabs and throws Marsh aside over the edge. Falling helplessly towards the molten rock below Marsh accepts that death is the only way to achieve the freedom that he seeks.

Marsh momentum causes Tesla to stumble backwards, the edge crumbling. But before Tesla falls, Ma reaches the god-child and slices through the power shield with Thundertounge. Jumping on top of Tesla she plunges the blade deep, nullifying all of Teslas protection. A piercing scream of pain echoes in the mind of all those present and the creatures connection with Geronimo snaps. Without Teslas protective energy holding his failing body together, Geronimos abdomen explodes in a shower of blood and guts. His body dead Geronimo's mind is flung into the crumbling garden of the gods. Now empty and with the statues and ornaments turning to ashes at his touch. His mind slowly slipping away he desperately seeks out mother camels scrying pool to learn Teslas fate, but it has dried up and reveals nothing.

Together Ma and Tesla topples over the edge. But not before Humphrey, using up his last strength in his fatally bleeding body, jams the power cable into Teslas leg, before collapsing on the ground. They fall down towards the magma and the monster that resides there, waiting hungrily for Teslas power. Before the cable goes taut, the monster is denied as Ma and Tesla are consumed by a brilliant blue light and the staggering power of Tesla rushes violently through the power cord into Cassandra. She rises to the sky, bristling with stolen power, now a Goddess. She calms the volcano and dispels the smog layer, allowing the brilliant sun to shine on the earth once more. Reaching out she crushes the mindscape of the architects with one hand and the garden of the gods with the other.

The final session ended up being quite short and we concluded by spending some time cooperatively coming up with an epilouge for the future of the world, as well talking about our favourite scenes and people from the game.


Epilogue:
Cassandra uses her new powers to heal Flower and Humphrey, as well as showing mercy on Geronimo by preserving his soul to be reborn in the new community of humans. She appoints Humphrey as the leader of the survivors from Haven, the only remaining people in the world, and brings back life in the form of trees and plants and animals. Valuing human freedom above all else, she departs from the mortal plane of existence as soon as she is certain that the new civilisation can take care of itself.

Both Ma and Marsh found peace before the end. Marsh in the final freedom in death, and Ma for being together with her love Cassandra 1.0 in some small way as her spirit was consumed by Cassandra.

Humphrey uses his skills to rebuild for the survivors, founding the settlement of New Haven. In the distance the original Haven stands, now overgrown, as a memorial for the past. Upon his death, Flower takes over and leads the people in repopulating the earth. As she hold her first-born in her arms, the baby boy looks up to the sky with clear eyes and cries out: "Waa-m! Waa-m! Waa-m!", while clutching a stuffed sheep firmly in its little hands.


Supporting actors:
Nominees for best supporting female actor - Flower, Milkshake, Deny, Madame Sosostris
Nominees for best supporting male actor - Daffy, Tosh, Gnarly, Star
Nominees for best supporting non-gendered actor - Tesla


Cast for The Spires - The Movie:
Humphrey - Laurence Fishburne
Cassandra - young Sinead O'Connor
Marsh - Gong Li in Voldemort makeup
Ma - Sigourney Weaver
Geronimo - Steve Buscemi


In the off chance that anyone has made it this far through this wall of text. Thanks for reading :)