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Rocket your D&D 5E and Level Up: Advanced 5E games into space! Alpha Star Magazine Is Launching... Right Now!

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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Insight" data-source="post: 1362359" data-attributes="member: 11437">Stranded on Dathomir, Part TwoHigh in orbit above the red planet, the crew of the Fearless are confident that the Paradiit Vision, the smuggler ship, was down and not coming back.  After all the planet below, Dathomir, is inhabited by fearsome predators and is generally a harsh environment.  Even if the smugglers survived a crash landing, their long-term prospects would not be good.  Capt. Rosha, commander of the Fearless, summons to the bridge Dr. Thaevius Orran, and advises Dr. Orran that the bio-engineer will be returned to his lab on Dathomir shortly.  A discussion over some secret super-soldier project causes some discomfort between Rosha and Orran.  Capt. Rosha further advises that the Empire is developing some nanotech implants to enhance the subjects of Dr. Orran's research, but that there has been a bit of a delay in delivering these implants.  Dr. Orran suggests that these implants are designed to control his test subjects, not enhance their physical and mental capabilities, but Rosha dismisses such conjecture.  Orran is sent back the the planet to return to his work, as Rosha muses on the potential prestige associated with delivering these super-soldiers to the Empire.Meanwhile, on the planet Dathomir below, Vortimax Weer, Orega Vala, and Beedo emerge from their escape pod to find themselves in a lush jungle valley situated between two vast mountain ranges.  Using the rudimentary equipment onboard the escape pod, Beedo determines that they are stranded on the remote planet Dathomir, not known for much besides being highly restricted under Imperial law as well as populated with a variety of nasty predators and wildlife, including the dreaded Rancor.  Searching the pod, they come up with enough survival gear to keep them going for perhaps the next few days, but it becomes obvious that either a better long-term solution would need to be found, or they would need to quickly find a way off Dathomir.  It is dark on Dathomir, as it usually is, even when the nearby sun gives off a faint glow.  The trio of Rebel operatives make a quick scan of their surrounding area, and learn that a shallow river runs through the valley.  Following it a bit, they spot an encampment nearby and decide to give it a look.  They make it to the camp without incident, and find it recently deserted.  A more thorough search determines that there has been a recent battle of some kind within the camp, given that a lot of equipment remains, as well as evidence of a struggle, perhaps with some sort of large creature.  Weer finds a datapad and decides to have a look at it later when there is better light.As they are just about to leave the camp, Beedo hears some strange noises outside the tent the three were inspecting.  Emerging, he sees a pair of giant spiders bearing down on the tent.  He alerts the others, draws his blaster pistol, and takes a few harmless shots at the nearest spider.  Vala, a more competent shot, does the same, giving the giant spider some pause.  Finally, Vort, the retired mercenary, brings out the big gun (literally), training his repeating blaster carbine on the same spider and riddling it with energy bolts.  The creature, though injured, delivers its own measure of blows.  With sharp, sword-like feet, it stabs at the Rebel agents, slashing Vala and Weer.  With the second spider looming in the foreground, Vala switches his blaster to stun and hammers the engaged spider with a wave of blue energy, sending it crashing to the ground.Beedo spots more spiders in the distance, and it becomes clear that time is not on our heroes' side.  They begin to flee the camp, dodging the closest spider as it stabs and bites at them, but come upon an even more horrid sight - across the river, coming quickly, a pair of Rancors!  Lodged between a gang of giant spiders and a pair of charging Rancors, the stranded Rebel operatives are about to give up hope when the Rancors inexplicably attack the spiders, easily dispatching the eight-legged creatures.  With a closer look, it becomes apparent that the Rancors are not operating alone - atop each sits a spear-wielding humanoid female, apparently commanding the Rancor she rides.  When the action is over, the women command Weer, Vala, and Beedo to follow the Rancors back to their camp on the nearby mountain.  Though this at first seems to be mere hospitality, things are not always what they appear to be...</blockquote>

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