Go for it! (Just don’t expect quick responses.)
author: *** Dave H.
url: https://app.roll20.net/forum/permalink/6014822
On the flight, Numina asks questions, and thinks back. Finally, with a troubled look on her face, she speaks up.
“Listen. There’s different things going on here. Ghost Girl went to the Sepiaverse. She told Leo there were buildings there, a graveyard like hers, but it was all bombed out, wrecked. Harry said the same thing. Buildings. Someone built stuff. Then someone started bombing. There’s a Dragonfly, too - not your Dragonfly, you said it’s in mothballs, right? But a Dragonfly.”
“Buildings and bombs and Dragonflies have builders. The builder of the latter was Byron Quill. Your Dragonfly, your Byron Quill. The Sepiaverse Dragonfly, …” She lets the implication hang in the air a moment. “Maybe the pilot was a Byron. Maybe not yours.”
“A Sepiaverse Byron. A Sepiaverse… Amir? If there was an exchange, our Byron, our Achilles Chin, went there, who came here? Whose Amir was that in there?”
“He said ‘it’s as if the inhabitants had lost all hope, had turned on one another.’ Maybe something happened in that world, something that didn’t happen here. Leo said that Ghost Girl’s description made the bombing sound kinda recent.”
“Does any of what I just said make sense to you, Jason?”
The rest of her conclusions depend heavily on what Jason tells her about his private misgivings.
author: Bill G.
url: https://app.roll20.net/forum/permalink/6014893
Jason nods, face sober. “Yeah. I’ve thought about that. I mean, I’ve been reading about parallel dimensions, Jason-with-a-beard, ‘Brave New Metropolis,’ that sort of thing. That there’s a cemetery right in the same place, the ruins of the city nearby – that sounds like something similar to our Halcyon. I --”
He falls silent a long moment. “My … fantasy … ever since Harry talked about the Dragonfly … has been 'Dad and Rusty get caught over there, found a parallel world, found the Dragonfly that was built in that the Sepiaverse, and was alive and operating over there, trying to find a way back. Maybe detecting whatever energies were involved with Harry briefly shifted over there …” He gives a tight smile. “I haven’t talked about it to anyone. Until we got more evidence, got more proof, got something concrete …” A slight snort. “I didn’t want anyone poking holes in a soap bubble of an idea.”
His face grows more grave. “But, yeah, it’s more likely that it would be Sepiaverse Byron. Does that imply a Sepiaverse Amir? And, a Sepiaverse Jason? Sepiaverse Alycia? Sepiaverse Leo? Sepiaverse Numina?” He shakes his head. “The weird thing about this sort of thing in fiction is where there are differences, and where there are changes. If there was something fundamentally different in that universe, why would there even be a Byron, or a Dragonfly that he designed and built? Alternately, if there’s some decision point that changes things, then it all diverges from that moment. Maybe there’s a Sepiaverse Byron, but no Jason or Amir because he didn’t have coffee one morning with someone. How far back is the divergence? A war in recent years – if that’s the change, a lot may be alike. But not everything, obviously.”
He gives her an unamused smile. “In that case, there’s probably not a Sepiaverse Numina, given how recent your incarnation. Which is – no wonder it’s so depressing there.” Okay, that humor is back. “Or is it one of those magic parallel worlds where everything is the same except, improbably, everything is fundamentally different. Although, assuming an infinite number of universes, any universe can and does exist. So why not?”
A long sigh. “Bottom line, yeah, in addition to mind control and weird Vyortovian tech and unreliable memory, we have the possibility that anyone in play is a Sepiaverse double. It makes too much sense.”
author: *** Dave H.
url: https://app.roll20.net/forum/permalink/6015334
Numina nods along, still turning ideas over, counting off hypotheses on faintly glowing fingers.
“Even if he’s not your Amir, he’s an Amir. He has tells, he’s familiar, and if you thought he was lying, he probably was. So take as granted that most of what he said was true. He’s very well informed on the Hidden Family, on other stuff, but not on Alycia. He assumes that in the two years he didn’t talk to you or think about you, that you’d have killed her. Now he knows better.”
“Is that why is he afraid? Not for himself. You’re being friendly. You’re fooled. Even if you’re not, he’s a brother. You’d take him off the island, protect him, if he asked. Say that he is the Amir from a world where some violent world war or mass conflict broke out a few years ago. If I were him, I’d count myself fortunate to retire to a comfortable Florida Keys beach house. I think he’s afraid for you. For what you’ll do, or find, or unleash.”
“We have a book from a physicist writing about the universe’s hidden dimensions. She’ll give you insight into Hecate, he says. She’s in a group picture with your father, when they looked young. So she’s known your father a long time. But you don’t seem to remember her, so they weren’t active associates by the time you were in ‘the life’. But still, how did your father and Rusty learn about the Sepiaverse, enough to know how to ground dimensional energies there, that it’d be okay to do? Maybe her research helped.”
“Amir thinks Dr. Randal will have insight into the woman who put this memory thing on you. Why? Amir won’t say why. He just wants you to go talk to her. How does Amir know this? Could be any number of reasons. Just that he’s afraid of telling you. And if Hecate’s goal is to keep you from Amir, keep you from your father, whatever, and Amir thinks this woman is relevant to her in the context of this conversation…” She takes a deep breath. “I have to think Hecate knows about the Sepiaverse. Or that Amir thinks she does, I should say, and doesn’t want to explain why.”
“Finally, you’re right. I’m probably the point of divergence. There was this one time, I wanted ice cream. In this world I got it, but in the Sepiaverse I got told no, so I took over, raaar!” She makes swipey clawing gestures with holographic hands, and smiles at Jason, trying to defuse some of the tension she’s introduced. “Every world is better with ice cream.”
“I still think you’re doing the right thing. You know, none of us have really been there for more than a couple minutes. It’s been deserted. Deserted doesn’t mean empty or lifeless. We need data, badly. Besides…” She grins. “Go to the place you wouldn’t ordinarily go. Break the program. You’re Jason, the famous adventurer. And this sounds like a great adventure.”
author: Bill G.
url: https://app.roll20.net/forum/permalink/6015631
Jason grins. He holds up a finger, then speaks with a false basso announcer voice. “Jason Quill, boy adventurer! Pushing the bounds of science … and thrills! Other places! Other worlds! Danger! Excitement! ‘The Adventures of Jason Quill,’ coming to you this season at 8 pm, 7 pm Central!”
He leans back in the pilot’s chair. “I memorized that from the ‘new season’ announcement when the cartoon came out, back when that was exciting.” He snorts. “It was always exciting, on some level – but it also got old sometimes. Especially when someone else is the person saying where and when all those ‘adventures’ are coming from. Maybe making the choice because I think it’s the important thing will make it that kind of great adventure.”
“You might well be right about the Amir I met. And about Hecate. Maybe. It makes a lot of sense for all the reasons you give. But even if so, it doesn’t change the need.”
Jason sobers. “Charlotte’s an unknown quantity. I don’t have any sense of what her special vulnerabilities, or strengths, might be. But she’s … considerate. If she says she’s popping across to the Sepiaverse for a check-in, if she doesn’t show up again, something is wrong. And knowing that she’s tied to the portal’s power in some weird way, and the whole family history, and the weird turned-into-a-real-girl thing … I don’t want to run a risk if she’s late checking in. Even if I’m not ‘in charge’ any more.” Another snort. “And having walked in her metaphysical shoes for a while, I feel a certain … commitment to keeping her safe.”
He pauses, opens his mouth for a moment, then closes it again. A breath. Then. “But I’m not sure you should come on this adventure.” He swallows. “That kills me, and --” He glares at a point over her shoulder, then, looks back to her, his voice firmer. “Leo’s tech came back online once he was out of the zone around that portal. But that’s the tech he was wearing. You – are the tech. I --” His voice actually seems to seize up for a half second. “-- it doesn’t seem a wise thing to try.”
author: *** Dave H.
url: https://app.roll20.net/forum/permalink/6015754
Numina’s voice is quiet, but firmer than he remembers hearing. “I appreciate the concern. And I will tell you, once, that it’s my decision to make, Jason. You don’t like having your adventures dictated to you, and neither do I. But I promise you I will give it some thought.”
She brightens up. “Besides, you can try it before I buy it, so to speak. Walk me into the zone, walk me out. If I break down, call Triple A before you take off.” Her voice drops to a whisper. “Tell Leo it was my decision, and have him come get me, if anything happens. He can fix me. He can fix anything.”
author: Bill G.
url: https://app.roll20.net/forum/permalink/6015782
Jason nods, and manages a half-smile. “Your decision. I – but, hey, I very intentionally did not say you couldn’t – just that I said I thought it … unwise. So, see? Me not-stupid Jason! Me boy genius! Not stupid!” He thumps himself on the chest for emphasis.
Then his face softens. “But I wouldn’t dream of – if – yeah, if anything happens, 911 to Leo. No question. He’s the guy who … understands … you.”
He holds up a hand. “True confession time: I feel uncomfortable referring to your … non-biological … nature.” He quickly adds, “Not because it bugs me, I am so woke about it and feel free to slap me silly if I seem anything otherwise. But because … I just don’t want you to feel uncomfortable. Or … Other. Or not ‘real.’ Like I’m calling you just a machine. If that makes any sense. You’re just – more than that.”
Jason closes his eyes. “Leo’s the expert on your technology, the same as a trained surgeon or pathologist or whatever on a meat person like me. Even more so. I’m not going to be stupid and think I can tinker you back together if a problem happens. I’ll be on every comm channel in a hot second if you need his help.” A slight, crooked smile. “Assuming he didn’t punch off my face before taking care of you.”
author: *** Dave H.
url: https://app.roll20.net/forum/permalink/6015852
“I am a machine, Jason,” Numina says. Her voice is conflicted. “I’m not just a machine. But I’m also a machine. It’s… important to know what that means. The Mona Lisa is paint. It’s not just paint. Sorry if I’m puffing myself up here, but it’s the first comparison I could think of.”
“You’re chemistry. You’re proteins, lipids, nucleic acids, amino acids, ions. If I’m checking on your condition, I’m going to consider your chemistry. When you consider mine, you’re going to think about my machine nature. If you were protecting the Mona Lisa, you’d worry about paint thinner and rain. That’s all natural, and normal, and it’s okay. I want you to be comfortable, too. So…”
She pauses, then flicks off the hologram entirely. What’s left is a black egg-shaped object, mounting a long cylindrical holographic projector. The mechanism is still warm, and there’s a quiet purr coming from it. Inexplicably, there’s a pink scrunchie wrapped around the projector’s base.
Her voice comes from the speaker. “This is me, Jason. This is my body, right now. It’s not perfect. But I’m making progress, with your help.”
She flicks back into holographic existence, short hair and determined expression included.
“I’m grateful you accept me. You’re right to be concerned about the transition to the Sepiaverse, I do appreciate it, it’s very … gallant of you. And you are very good for acknowledging my choice. It means a lot to me. You’ve really turned around since you first talked to me as Numina. I want to acknowledge that. If you think that I’ve come all this way, risking danger and embarrassment, and am not comfortable with you by now, well, you’re be ridiculous.”
author: Bill G.
url: https://app.roll20.net/forum/permalink/6015894
Jason is quiet during her speech, nodding frequently – and only barely flinching, but saying nothing, when she flips off the hologram.
In the end, though, can’t help but make a face at that god-damned meme. Then he smiles. "I know. I … know. I just – wanted you to know that if I sometimes talk about you funny, it’s not that I don’t care, it’s that I care too much, and I’m overcompensating for not having cared enough, or realizing how much I should care. I know language can hurt, and using the wrong words carelessly, or even with mistaken consideration, can wound.
"I – don’t want to do that to you. Even by accident.
“Which I know is unrealistic, but, hey, I’m Jason Quill, I deal with the unrealistic every day, right?” He grins. not altogether successfully.
“So, we’ll give the ‘zone’ a try and see what happens. And I will try to not freak out if you run into problems. I mean, I once carried Amir through fifty miles of Amazon jungle because he’d been bitten by some sort of crazy frog and there were natives after us and a monkey with a hat was operating this – never mind, I have an honorary Adventurer’s Club badge, Kungaloosh!, and will take care of any fallen comrade, damsel in distress, etc. It’s in my contract.”
author: *** Dave H.
url: https://app.roll20.net/forum/permalink/6015959
I don’t have anything that’ll top the monkey with the hat, so hopefully you and Jason both got useful stuff from this, both the deductions and personal conversations.
author: Bill G.
url: https://app.roll20.net/forum/permalink/6015975
[the gm will only note, parenthetically, that if Jason uses his portal power, he doesn’t actually have to go anywhere near the dead zone to get to the other side. At least in theory. it would probably take less juice there, maybe quite a bit less, but it’s not mandatory.]
author: Doyce T.
url: https://app.roll20.net/forum/permalink/6016421
Bill G. said:
I don’t have anything that’ll top the monkey with the hat, so hopefully you and Jason both got useful stuff from this, both the deductions and personal conversations.
Indeed. Always a pleasure.
author: *** Dave H.
url: https://app.roll20.net/forum/permalink/6016988
Doyce T. said:
[the gm will only note, parenthetically, that if Jason uses his portal power, he doesn’t actually have to go anywhere near the dead zone to get to the other side. At least in theory. it would probably take less juice there, maybe quite a bit less, but it’s not mandatory.]
I’ve been unclear for game purposes what the parameters are for using the ability. Last time out, at least, it seemed to be very power intensive. Jason also has some apprehension about getting back if there’s no infrastructure… or even if the power can be used to a place sight unseen or without Google Maps coordinates. (Yeah, I know what the power description is, but Jason doesn’t have the playbooks. I’m trying to play fair with his ignorance. Unless you tell me he fully understands how it works, in which case we can play this differently.)
author: *** Dave H.
url: Community Forums: Masks 22.1 - Sepiatoned Images of Florida [Cutscene] [RP] | Roll20: Online virtual tabletop
It is, weirdly one of the things that he probably understands as well as anything at this point. At least he understands the math, when he lets himself.
Jason believes he has the capacity to use the thing without wiping out the Halcyon city power grid. It’s just going to take a bit out of him.
author: Doyce T.
url: https://app.roll20.net/forum/permalink/6017073
Ah. The first, fugue state “free” use that caused the power problems was one thing. Now he knows how to use it himself, but that means, aside from RP personal strain, a nice dollop of Doom. Will consider.
author: *** Dave H.
url: https://app.roll20.net/forum/permalink/6017186
that sounds about right. Although, knowing that simply using the portal will cause you doom, but that you have a sanctum that lets you solve problems that would normally cost doom, you might be able to use the sanctums resources to figure out some way of doing the portal sometimes in conjunction with your sanctum, in a way that does not cause Doom. There probably be some other downside I’m sure but that’s part of the whole “here are the things you have to do to help the sanctum solve your problem” Formula.
alternatively, you could use your sanctum to solve a slightly different problem - how do I establish a portal over to the sepia verse that doesn’t damage the dimensional membrane? As an example. That is not actually a way to allow you to use the portal differently, but it leverages that portal usage to solve a larger campaign level problem.
author: Doyce T.
url: https://app.roll20.net/forum/permalink/6017379
The potential problems of creating another penetration point have not gone unconsidered. Food for thought.
author: *** Dave H.
url: https://app.roll20.net/forum/permalink/6018091
Or, just use the smaller breach point.
“Jason, why did Quill Industries buy an apartment block in the residential district south of the Point?”
“Umm…”
“And why am I looking at a work order to install a mid-grade fusion power plant in the basement?”
author: Doyce T.
url: https://app.roll20.net/forum/permalink/6018200
The more Jason thinks about the trip to the Sepiaverse, the more the complications strike him, the more it seems like a problem of not just hallooing off to Charlotte’s rescue (assuming that’s needed), but an exercise in how to do so safely.
Aside from the risks to Numina from the “normal” portal in the graveyard, penetrating the membrane between universes seems to be causing a progressive problem. There’s a new, pinprick hole where Harry threw that Vyortovian device (and what might have happened if it went off in the cemetery Jason shudders to think), but working there would only make that a bigger hole, create more danger.
And, yeah, he could stay at home and do it from there – he understands the power, somehow, better than when he actually first invoked it. He can do it without blacking out the block, or the neighborhood, or the city. But –
He’d like to do it without straining his power – he knows what that costs. But if he has to, for something important (potentially saving a team mate and not weakening the fabric of the multiverse), it’s potentially worth it. How to do that?
Well, it’s not like he doesn’t have some powerful resources, both the raw research power of the Quill Foundation computers, and bits and pieces of his father’s examinations and notes that, in retrospect, he realizes have to do with just this topic (and, heck, he’ll import the text of this book by Randal he’s been reading), as well as what he instinctively knows about how the bots help him create the Portal in the first place. Can he figure out a way to cross to the Sepiaverse without causing yet another permanent, damaging breach?
[Use the power of the Sanctuary. I don’t want to take a lot of time doing this, but there are applications beyond just this effort.]
author: *** Dave H.
url: https://app.roll20.net/forum/permalink/6019706
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