'Shadows' in CT: can't figure it out...

[philabbot]

First owned this when it first came out; just got it again & want to incorporate it into my MgT campaign. But one thing I could never figure out & still can't...

All the way thru the description of the base, it seems as if it's been abandoned & only the animals are living there now.

But then the final section, 'Referee's Notes' refers to the aliens who built the base in present tense:

'they are reptilian'; 'food must be eaten live'; 'breeding chambers serve to produce small animals... A hungry alien simply grabs one'; 'The aliens who man (sic) the interior... the others who live a life in the wilds outside'; The aliens have a great deal of interest...'

So... are those aliens still supposed to be around? Manning the base or nearby? Confused...

Anybody ever played this with the aliens still in residence? What race did you use? Hostile...?

Thanks!

[« Spinward Scout »]

In the version in The Traveller Book, the very last section of the adventure (the last couple of paragraphs) is titled 'The Situation Today'. That's where you'll find your answers. If you don't have that in your version, let me know.

[aramis]

Originally Posted by Spinward Scout

In the version in The Traveller Book, the very last section of the adventure (the last couple of paragraphs) is titled 'The Situation Today'. That's where you'll find your answers. If you don't have that in your version, let me know.

I'll go ahead and quote that section, in spoiler block, since it's three paragraphs...

Spoiler:

The Situation Today: This colony failed many years ago. The aliens outside have died off and the food animals seeded outside have dispersed; the area has proven unable to support the numbers of aliens expected. All that remains today is the pyramid complex and the animals within, supported through the years by the power plant which continues to operate.

These food animals, originally docile, have regressed from their meek roles to wilder, more aggressive types, and as such they now pose some danger to the adventurers.

The area outside the structure may present additional challenges or interests to the adventurers. Some members of the original colony may still survive, although in what form is not certain. Some may retain their philosophical civilization, or they may have regressed to savagery. The original colony ship is almost certainly disintegrated by the local atmosphere by now. And any outside investigation would have to take into account the effects of insidious atmosphere on vacuum suits.

In other words, they're not "ancients"... commentary in this sblock...

Spoiler:

They probably failed in the last 100-200 years. They should have a world in a nearby location, seeing as it's set on Yoribund...

[philabbot]

ohhhh, that's where they put it!

cheers, that completes the puzzle for me

[philabbot]

in kinunir, there's a rumour:

A scholar (age 58, 692CC9) has been researching the previous cultures which have inhabited this region (prior to the arrival of humans). His inquiry has lead him to believe that Knorbes (0207) and Shionthy (0706) are both former hubs of such cultures. Unfortunately, Shionthy is interdicted, and Knorbes is a game preserve with no records, and strict travel restrictions.

and shionthy is only jump-3 from yorbund, so maybe that's where they came from...

[Whipsnade]

Originally Posted by philabbot

... and shionthy is only jump-3 from yorbund, so maybe that's where they came from...

Shionthy is a planetoid belt.

The rumor in Kinunir refers to the Ancients, although not by that name. When you look over the adventure again, you'll find that one of the ships is orbiting Knorbes in order to protect an Ancients site.

There's no official explanation for the Shadows aliens, although there is a fanon material which links them to a STL-using minor race in the Vargr Extents.

[AlHazred]

Of potential interest: there is an unofficial fanon followup adventure, Deep Shadows.

[Jame]

Originally Posted by rvolz

Of potential interest: there is an unofficial fanon followup adventure, Deep Shadows.

Ahhh, it's *fanon*. So no wonder it used those H'kar folks.

[aramis]

Originally Posted by Whipsnade

Shionthy is a planetoid belt.

The rumor in Kinunir refers to the Ancients, although not by that name. When you look over the adventure again, you'll find that one of the ships is orbiting Knorbes in order to protect an Ancients site.

There's no official explanation for the Shadows aliens, although there is a fanon material which links them to a STL-using minor race in the Vargr Extents.

There is enough in Shadows to rule it out as an ancients site... which also means it can't have them from Shionthy, as it was settled during the 3I, and...

Spoiler:

Shionthy is what's left of Eskaloyt, the ancients/droyne home world.

[Blue Ghost]

Yeah, it was never an Ancient site, just a site that happened to be "ancient" with some other race involved.

I always wanted to write up a few follow ups to some of the official LBBs. I may give it a shot tonight.

"Return to Mithril", by Blue Ghost