Fta-Be Not Afraid
Fta-Be Not Afraid
Fta-Be Not Afraid
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"Be not afraid of greatness: some are born great, some
achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon 'em."
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WARNING!!
Be not Afraid is exclusively for the Referee to read, Players should not read any further as it
will take away from the adventure ahead!
Adventure Synopsis
The adventure takes place aboard the U.S.S. Xenophon, en route to the Tannos System, in
disputed territory near the Federation/Klingon border in the year 2268. While
performing a routine health-and- welfare check on a Federation colony, the crew of the
Xenophon, a Saladin class destroyer, become entangled with a powerful ancient artifact
and Klingons who may seize it for themselves. The Xenophon is a ship with a reputation for
being cursed and is on its first mission outside the Sol system.
Players
This adventure is for 4 to 6 players and assumes the players are all Federation crew from the U.S.S.
Xenophon. A mix of gold, red, and blue shirts is necessary. This is a good adventure for starting
Ensign class characters to undertake as the landing party. If you wish to run it as a one shot
adventure, you can use the U.S.S. Xenophon's pre-made crew listed in the back of this adventure.
A creative Referee could flip the script and play this adventure from the Klingon perspective
instead! This will require some work on the Referee's part, but does provide an excellent
opportunity to Trek from a different point of view.
Referee Background
Tannos IV is a Federation agricultural colony founded in 2266. The 120 colonists were
intended as the first planting in what will one day become a thriving Federation
settlement. Intrigued by the mysterious mounds, Geologist Stewart unearthed the first
of the six crystals in the array. When exposed to sunlight, the crystal began distorting
space and time in the surrounding area, leading to the disappearances which decimated
the colony and later plague the landing party. The crystal is also responsible for the
gravimetric distortion surrounding the world and the ionization and subspace
interference which interferes with both sensors and communications (which is why the
effect is lessened during local night).
Displaced with little or no warning, the colonists were ill-equipped to survive on a harsh
and untamed world. Note, a benevolent Referee may decide that survivors can be found
(once the jamming has been lifted) scattered across the surface of Tannos IV, but you will
have to make up the survivors and their story on your own. You can add to the mystery once the planet is
scanned by shown the colonists dead bodies scattered randomly all over the planet. A Life Sciences test or
Sensors test (TN 17) may find recently deceased (still warm) colonists scattered all over the planet.
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Episode Conflicts:
Conflict #1: Man vs. Unknown- The players must determine what is taking place on
Tannos IV in order to resolve the mystery.
Conflict #2: Man vs. Man- The players must overcome the Klingon attempts to wrest
control of the crystals from the Federation.
Conflict #3: Man vs. Nature- Tannos IV will do its level best to kill the players if they are
not cautious.
Conflict #4: Man vs. Self- The players must overcome the starship's alleged “curse” and
resist the natural temptation to respond to the Klingon's provocations. The Federation
cannot want afford war with the Klingons at this point. The destruction of the puQmo'
taj in the disputed territories would undoubtedly trigger just such a war.
Act One
Captain's Log Stardate 3236.1: (read to players)
“U.S.S. Xenophon now arriving on the outskirts of the Tannos System. While patrolling
the area, Xenophon has diverted to conduct a routine health-and-welfare check of a
Federation colony on the fourth planet, Madsen's Hope. Starfleet Regulations mandate
an annual medical check of all colonists, but the opportunity for the crew to stretch
their legs ashore is also a powerful incentive for the stop over.
Xenophon has spent the last ninety-five days patrolling the area- disputed territory
between the Federation and the Klingon Empire. Although the Federation neither wants
nor needs a war with the Klingons, tensions remain high.
Thus far, ship and crew have performed ably and without incident.
Federation starship U.S.S. Xenophon arrives on outskirts of the Tannos System having
been ordered to check in with a Federation colony on the fourth planet. The players
should receive the System and Planetary Profile in Appendix I.
Heavy Weather
As Xenophon passes Tannos V (en route to planet IV), she should begin encountering
increasingly violent gravimetric shears, which become severe enough to threaten to
damage the ship as she struggles to make orbit.
The initial impact should take all hands by surprise, rattling Xenophon down to her keel,
tossing the crew about like dice, and (if she is traveling at warp speed) knocking the ship
back to sublight speed. As soon as the shear impacts, the Red Alert klaxon begins
sounding and the lights on the bridge begin flashing red.
The shears appear to be arriving every twelve to eighteen seconds (every second or third
combat round). For each shear, the Referee should roll 2d6+5. The result then becomes
the TN for ST or DX tests for crew to remain at their stations. A Disastrous failure (by 6
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points or more) should cause damage to the character (twisted ankle, broken limb) as he
or she lands badly after being tossed about by the shear. A simple (TN 5) Space Science
test will confirm that the ship was hit with a gravimetric shear.
One shear in three (at the Referee's discretion) should be sufficient to cause DL1 damage
to the Xenophon herself. The Referee should assign system damage at random to a
system like the hull, sensors, weapons, or impulse engines.
A challenging (TN 15) Engineering or Sensors test and five minutes work will allow the
crew to re-tune the sensors to detect the incoming gravimetric distortions. Once the
crew is able to detect the shears, they will be able to determine that the turbulence
appears to be centered on Tannos IV itself, and time their arrival. (Characters who are
forewarned of a shear's arrival may add a +5 circumstance bonus to their ST or DX test).
A challenging (TN 15) Starship Navigation test with each wave will allow the helmsman to
turn Xenophon in order to minimize the impact of the gravimetric distortions. If
successful, the characters need not make a ST or DX test, and Xenophon herself will incur
no damage from the wave. The sensation is still akin to riding a roller coaster (or a
sailboat in very heavy seas).
Tannos IV
Should they choose to beam down immediately, the players (plus one or two generic red
shirts) arrive at the colony site roughly a half-hour before sunset. Both of the planet's
moons are visible from the beam- in site, one high in the sky, the other just rising on the
eastern horizon.
The site is lush and green-brown, with tall grasses and sparse leafy trees scattered
around. It is eerily quiet, save for a faint, eerie moaning that comes and goes, and rises
and falls with the wind.
The colony is set into a shallow bowl approximately two kilometers across. The colony is
constructed of various pre-fab buildings and semi-permanent equipment tents. The
colony is laid out in a rough grid square and surrounded by garden plots and a five foot
tall perimeter fence (essentially a split- rail fence rather than a real obstacle).
A quick search confirms that the colony site is intact, but abandoned. The buildings and
equipment (except where disturbed afterward) are precisely as they were left.
The only signs that the colonists did not leave willingly are several unfinished meals, a
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shower that was left running (but has since run dry), and a badly scorched tea kettle on a
camp stove- it was apparently left on until all the water boiled away and then scorched
before the safety sensor tripped and shut down the stove.
An average (TN 11) Medical or Life Sciences test confirms that meals are long-since
spoiled. They've been exposed for several weeks. Based on the decomposition rate, the
colony has been abandoned for roughly six weeks.
An average (TN 11) Life Science test suggests that the fields/garden plots have been left
untended for at least five weeks, and becoming overgrown with weeds. Several of the
more delicate plants (the tomatoes in particular) are dying for lack of water.
An average (TN 11) Investigate test confirms that 1) several of the tents and prefab
buildings have been disturbed- most like by small scavengers, and, 2) that numerous
small implements (research tools, farm implements, and the like) are also missing.
Should the players think to check the colony's small arms case, they will discover that
three hand phasers are missing. One of the colony's tractors is also missing.
Administration
The colony's administrative computer is in the administrator's hut. This (like most of the
other colony buildings) is a pre-fabricated shack about twenty feet on a side. It consists
of a sleeping room with bunk, a shower/restroom cubical, and a larger work/living area.
A central table has four chairs and is scattered with an unfinished chess game and
various nick-nacks. The desk on the west side is cluttered with various printouts
indicating likely weather patterns, projected crop yields, and geophysical surveys
(notably, locations for drilling wells and projected land plats).
The computer is a standard-issue desk-top model, with a central processor/monitor
module and several linked PADDS and styluses. Interestingly enough- the unit is
physically intact but non-functional. A challenging (TN 15) Electronics test reveals that
the solid state duotronic memory chips are damaged on the molecular level. Given that
the chips are designed to by extremely resilient and chemically non-reactive, this is
extremely unusual. Despite the damage, a careful analysis of the memory chips should
be sufficient to recover the colonies records. This will, however, take time- a challenging
Electronics test (TN 15) with a period measured in 8 hours minus skill level of person
analyzing.
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Disappearance
Shortly after the party separates to conduct their investigation, one of the NPC Red shirts
steps into one of the buildings and disappears with a choked off cry. An average (TN 11)
Investigate test reveals no trace of the man. There are no hidden exits, no trap doors, no
way out of the pre-fab structure. He has simply vanished.
A tricorder scan combined with a (TN 20) Planetary Science or Physical Science test-
reveals a very faint Theta band radiation signature. Otherwise, there is no detectable
particle residue to indicate the crewman's fate.*
The tricorders will detect atmospheric/pressure variations. A challenging (TN 15)
Planetary or Physical sciences test will discover that a 4 in/HG (2-pound) pressure
differential coincided with the red shirt's disappearance.
Unwelcome Strangers
Roughly at the same time as the players are exploring the Administrator's office,
Xenophon's sensors should detect an uncloaking Klingon Bird of Prey approaching the
planet, fighting its way through the turbulence.
As the vessel takes up a close orbit, the ship's sensors identify her as the I.K.V. puQmo'
taj (which translates roughly as Star Knife).
An average (TN 11) Computers test should earn the players the following information:
The vessel is reported to be under the command of Captain D'Kar- a noted warrior and
foe of the Federation. D'Kar is reported to be an experienced and savvy combat
commander, and has clashed with the Federation on at least three occasions, resulting in
the destruction of the Kolaris Subspace Observatory, the capture/destruction of a
Federation convoy near the Lambdor colony, and the loss of the destroyer U.S.S. Bennion
and heavy damage to the light cruiser Rochester. Clearly, the puQmo' taj and her
commander are not to be underestimated.
The Klingon's shields are up and weapons are charged but not locked on the Xenophon.
They begin a series of intense scans of the planet's surface. They will not attack first.
The Klingons ignore attempts to hail them for the first half- hour while scanning the
planet. When they finally do make contact, Captain D'Kar demands to know what the
Federation is up to.
Upon failing to receive a satisfactory answer, D'Kar announces that he, too, is sending a
landing party to the surface. As this planet lies in disputed territory, Starfleet has no right
to object.
Rivals
The Klingon landing party is comprised of six Klingons led by Lieutenant Klaag. They are
dressed in the standard uniform of the era- black under suit with a gold-metal tabard.
The Klingons are armed with basic Klingon gear: disruptor pistols, knives, and
communicators. One of the Klingons (Kral) is carrying a basic science kit. Upon
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materializing, the Klingons will take up a basic defensive stance, then begin moving to
either confront the players or search the compound.
Klaag is under orders to find out what the Federation is up to on the planet, rather than
to start a war. As a result, he will be belligerent, rude, condescending, and
(comparatively) straightforward. He states bluntly that he and his people are there to
determine what the Federation is up to on Tannos IV and is bluntly dismissive of protests
of innocence.
Unless the players attempt to physically interfere with the Klingons, they make a
thorough (if chaotic) search of the encampment.
Records Search
Once the repairs to the colony's computer is completed, the expedition logs can be read.
The records indicate that the colonists were doing so basic survey work around the
colonies, and that the colony's geologist, a man named Stewart, had uncovered a series
of regular mounds about five kilometers to the west. Stewart thought the mounds might
be artificial, but others were skeptical.
Later records indicate that the disappearances began the next day, but no real notice was
taken until people began disappearing from the colony encampment itself. The final log
entry is nearly incoherent with panic and was made just four days later.
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Security Breach?
During the mid-watch o the Xenophon, someone discovers Ensign Makarov (Red shirt,
Security) unconscious on Deck 6, near Main Engineering. A nearby relay panel cover is
open but there is no evidence of intruders.
A challenging (TN 15) Medical Sciences test reveals the Ensign is suffering from acute
neurological trauma- consistent with either a low-power disruptor blast or brief exposure
to the ship's EPS grid. Should any of the players think to ask, this particular array behind
the panel feeds Xenophon's weapons grid and shields. Makarov himself remembers
nothing useful, he was standing outside engineering and the a blinding pain knocked him
out.
A deck-by-deck search of Xenophon will take six hours. An internal scan will require both
a (TN 15) Engineering and (TN 15) Sensors test which takes 6 hours. Neither shows any
evidence of Klingons (the most likely suspects if there was sabotage) aboard. So the
rumors begin to also circulate that the Xenophon is cursed and “falling apart” due to the
earlier rough ride into the Tannos system.
A complete diagnostic of all ship's systems requires a series of Computer and Engineering
tests (TN 15) for each of the following main systems: Propulsion, Shields, Ops, Sensors,
Weapons, and Life Support.
How long the check takes depending upon how thorough the engineers wish to be.
Referees should consult the table below:
Diagnostic Level Duration Bonus
Quick check 5 minutes -2
Scan 30 minutes +1
Research 1 hour +2
Detailed Review 4 hours +4
If the Klingons somehow beamed aboard, could they have tampered with Xenophon's
weaponry? If so, what else might they have tampered with?
The Referee can decide if it was sabotage or just a quirky system issue. If sabotage,
damage to Xenophon's weapons system is extremely subtle: an extraordinarily small
sleeper bomb planted on the relay leads. Discovering the sabotage will require an
extreme (TN 18) Engineering test.
The players do (as always) have the option to focus their efforts on the Weapons and
Shields grid, but the Referee is encouraged to play up the uncertainty involved in this
short of focus.
If it was just a ship malfunction, this should play up the idea the Xenophon is a troubled
vessel and potentially unreliable or even dangerous. There is NO reason to define the
nature of the trouble to the players, let their imaginations fill the gaps and create dread.
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Act Two
Sunrise Surprise
As daylight dawns on the encampment, an average (TN 11) Investigate test reveals that
the atmospheric harmonic has returned (as do the subspace fractures). If the players do
not notice, the Klingons should tip them off.
Within two hours of sunrise, one of the Klingon guards is gone and the Klingons suspect
the players. Lieutenant Klaag will deal with the disappearance in the most direct means
available to him- by attempting to seize the Federation party. Any fighting should be
short, sharp (both sides are equally matched) and inconclusive. The players have the
choice of surrendering, subduing the Klingons, or merely fighting to drive them off. They
also have the option of talking the Klingons down by sharing what they know and telling
about the disappearance of their red shirt. An average (TN 11) Diplomacy test is
necessary to convince Klaag to stand down. The Referee is advised to award a
circumstance bonus (up to +3) for good role-playing.
Even if dissuaded from doing something foolish, Klaag is still unwilling to cooperate with
the Federation team, and will content himself to following them and monitoring their
progress.
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From the rest of the party's perspective, the character has simply vanished. Tricorders
previously set to detect atmospheric distortions will sound the alarm seconds too late-
but will record the same 4 in/HG (2-pound) pressure differential seen in the red shirt's
disappearance earlier in the episode.
While the character is (for the most part) potentially removed from the remainder of the
adventure, the Referee should not neglect the character or the player.
The Referee should inquire what efforts the character is making to find shelter, contact
the Xenophon, or even to return to the landing party. The character is likely working
under the same constraints as the missing red shirt. Survival, Athletics, Investigate, and
other skill tests should be made as necessary.
If the character/player thinks to scan for the tell-tale atmospheric distortions, the
Referee should allow the character the option of returning through the distortion by
making an average (TN 11) Investigate, or other appropriate skill test to locate a nearby
portal. The character should have only a small window in which to act, and must make an
average (TN 11) DX or suitable Athletic test to re-enter the distortion and return back
where he belongs).
Referees with a strong sense of the dramatic may choose to time the return with the
conflict in Act 3 “Seizing the Find”.
The Mounds
Just half a kilometer west of the dig site, the players find a series of six two-meter high
mounds in a pyramid pattern in a small valley. One of the mounds has been cleared of
dirt and debris to reveal a 1.5 meter high, shimmering, golden egg-shaped crystal.
A tricorder scan, (TN 11) Physical Science test, reveals that the remaining five mounds
also contain large crystals. The crystals themselves defy classification (they are made of a
material unknown to Federation databanks) and appear to be chemically non-reactive.
Carbon dating on the mounds themselves suggest that the crystals are at least 150,000
years old.
The exposed crystal is glinting in the sunlight, and is surrounded by concentric rings of
what look like floating, ragged panes of glass. They orbit the central about .25 meters
from the crystal surface. The moaning/atmospheric distortions appear to be
concentrated here.
Should any of the players wander too close (make contact with one of the floating
“panes”) there will be a brief flash of light and the character will disappear. As with the
previous victim, the Referee should take the player aside and describe his location and
circumstances.
The Referee is encouraged to indulge his creative side in where and when the character
arrives (yes, the distortions work across temporal barriers, as well), but only to a certain
degree. Killing the character outright or placing him more than a day outside of the
current time frame is not recommended.
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A malicious Referee will toss the player far out to sea in one of the (warm) equatorial
oceans.
A particularly merciful Referee will also leave the character a small window (6-12
seconds) in which to attempt an average (TN 11) DX test or suitable Athletic test to re-
enter the distortion and return back where he belongs).
Here, where the disturbances are localized, an average (TN 11) Planetary Science or
Engineering test will detect a considerable subspace distortion (varying between fifty
millicochranes and 5 cochranes of distortion).
Act Three
A Blazing Mistake
One of the players (or the Klingons) opens fire on the crystals, inviting a high-energy
backlash. The shock wave of gravimetric distortion ripples out in an expanding dome
pattern which knocks both landing parties off their feet and grows stronger as it expands.
By the time it reaches the horizon (from the players' point of view) it is ripping up trees
and toppling buildings.
By the time is reaches the orbiting starships...Xenophon and her Klingon counterpart will
have six seconds warning before impact. The expanding subspace shock wave is at WR+3
to any vessels in orbit.
A challenging (TN 15) Starship Navigation will also allow the helmsman to turn Xenophon
in order to minimize the impact of the shock wave, cutting the WR to WR+1. As the
players get to their feet on the planet, the crystal is undamaged.
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Battle Royale
As battle erupts on the surface, the puQmo' taj joins the fray in space as well. Both
starships should be pretty thoroughly beaten up by now- but should still be (roughly)
evenly matched. If Xenophon gains the upper hand too quickly (and sabotage was not
discovered or the Xenophon “curse” occurs), the Referee has the option to temporarily
cripple her weapons systems until a patch or bypass can be rigged. This could be a DL1 or
DL2 level damage issue as needed by the Referee. Full repairs will take several hours, but
will have to wait on the outcome of combat. If Xenophon is destroyed, full repairs to the
weapons grid are something of a moot point.
Resolution
Assuming that the crew has played their cards correctly, the crystal mounds are either
destroyed or are firmly under Federation control. Depending upon their course of action,
the puQmo' taj has either been destroyed or if wounded, cloaks and escapes.
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APPENDIX I: TANNOS SYSTEM & PLANETARY PROFILE
The Tannos System is comprised of eleven unremarkable planets orbiting a Type G2 V
type star (a fairly bright, yellow-white dwarf star much like Earth's sun).
Tannos I and II are Class F, Mercury-like balls of molten lead and rock. Tannos III isnClass
D, a small, airless, rocky world much like Earth's moon. Tannos V is Class K- much like
Venus, save for that the atmosphere is a thick soup of poisonous gases and clouds of
corrosive acids.
Tannos VI thru IX are Class J worlds, much like Jupiter and Neptune. Tannos X is Class T-
a “super-jovian” rivaling a small star in size, and possessing an extensive orbital ring.
Tannos XI is a Class G in an elliptical orbit at the edge of the star system. Tannos XI
orbits in an elliptical path some thirty degrees of the orbital plane shared by the other
worlds of the Tannos system. Federation astrophysicists speculate that this path may be
due to a close encounter with a rogue planet or star sometime in the distant past.
Tannos IV is Class M (Earth-like), and the sole habitable world in system. It is orbited by
two small moons. Tannos IV is covered by extensive oceans and five continents, three
with extensive “young” mountain ranges. Climates range from thick equatorial jungles
to barren arctic polar caps- and cover most of the terrestrial range in between.
The Tannos colony was set in a depression on high foothills at roughly 35O latitude in
order to take advantage of fertile soil, good climate, and favorable weather patterns.
Class M System Data 3 small moons
Gravity 1.002 G Year and Day 866 days / 23 hrs
Atmosphere Thick Terrestrial Hydrosphere 76%
Climate Warm Temperate Sapient Species None
Government: Colonial Administration
Culture Federation
Standard (Predominantly
Human)
Affiliation: Federation
Colony World
Resources Scarce- primarily
intended as an agricultural
settlement
Places of Note: Tannos IV
colony/”Madsen's Hope”
Ship Facilities: None
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APPENDIX II: U.S.S. XENOPHON
The last of the original builds of the Saladin class destroyers, Xenophon was “tacked
on” to the construction program. Her construction was plagued by funding shortfalls
and poor management, and a number of compromises were made in her design.
A “short hull” vessel, Xenophon is slightly smaller and more cramped than her full-sized
sisters. Xenophon's been disparaged as the “runt of the litter” and thanks to a series of
accidents has been marked as a “bad-luck” vessel.
During her launch, being moved from the Norfolk Orbital Yard to the San Francisco
Yards for commissioning, a tractor beam emitter malfunctioned and pulled Xenophon
into the dry dock wall. An inspection pod was crushed between Xenophon and the dock
wall and three men were killed.
Xenophon spent the first ten years of her career in and around the Sol system, serving
as a “test-bed” vessel testing equipment and procedures, and acting as an auxiliary
training vessel for Starfleet Academy.
Two years after her commissioning, Xenophon experienced a serious engine room fire
which could not be contained. Captain Hart was forced to vent the compartment to
space, and eight men were killed either by fire or exposure. A Starfleet Board of Inquiry
determined that the ship's fire fighting system failed due to neglected maintenance and
both Captain Hart and his Executive Officer were reprimanded for “neglect of duty” and
reassigned.
Three years later, while being prepared for a deep-space assignment, Xenophon
collided with the civilian transport Etharan Naru. Though no lives were lost, Xenophon
spent three months in dry dock for repairs. Her five-year-tour was given to U.S.S. Cyrus
instead.
Now, under the command of Captain Bristol, Xenophon has finally been given a deep-
space exploratory assignment.
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Crew of the U.S.S. Xenophon
NAME Position Rank Species
Anthony Bristol Commanding Officer Captain Human
Tholon Exec.\ Science Officer Commander Andorian
Crockett Davis Chief Engineer Lieutenant Human
Peter McCrae Helm Officer Lieutenant, JG Human
William Anton Navigator Lieutenant, JG Human
Leah Holt Communications Officer Lt. Commander Human
Dr. T'Vey Chief Medical Officer Lieutenant Vulcan
Bristol is an experienced and seasoned commander and has excellent instincts. His
manner is occasionally gruff and distant- he feels the burden of his command- but is, at
heart, a kindly man who thinks well of his officers and crew. In point of fact, Bristol used
his political connections and professional ties to hand-pick his officers- a rare privilege.
Although he cannot give them any sort of official credence, Bristol is aware of the rumors
surrounding Xenophon and of both her short-comings and strengths- and must find a
way to both unite his crew and forge confidence in themselves and their ship. As
commanding officer, Bristol is the rock upon which the morale and spirit of his crew must
depend.
As Executive Officer, it is Tholon's job to ensure that the Chesapeake and her crew
function efficiently- freeing Captain Bristol to worry about their overall mission. As such,
he functions as the ship's disciplinarian and a steadfast supporter of the Captain.
Normally a passionate man (like most of his people), Tholon has cultivated a thorough,
professional stoicism and calm- though his feelings still run deep. One or two of the
younger crew call him “the Blue Vulcan” when they think he cannot hear.
Tholon, like his captain, is aware of the rumors surrounding Chesapeake and her
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reputation, and is torn in his own mind. On the one hand, Tholon is a rationale and
objective scientist- scornful of metaphysical nonsense like “bad luck”. On the other, he
comes from a passionate and superstitious people who still resort to bloodshed to settle
matters of honor.
Davis is well aware of the Xenophon's reputation, but (almost) dismisses the rumors out
of hand and believes that the ship will prove herself if given the chance.
McCrae is an eager young officer in need of a great deal of seasoning and tempering but
the seeds of future greatness are already emerging. McCrae, for all his youth, is a
steady, reliable officer, excellent in a pinch and level-headed in a crisis.
That having been said, McCrae is a romantic full of heady notions of duty, honor, and all
the passions of youth. While officially dismissive of the rumors and whispers, McCrae is
nonetheless troubled by the Xenophon's reputation as a “bad luck ship”.
Anton is a rough-cut stone- brash, impetuous, and willful. With sufficient polishing and
experience, however, he'll make an excellent officer.
Anton completed his midshipman cruise aboard Chesapeake, and knew Captain Hart
through family connections, making him intimately aware of the ship's reputation. Anton
prefers not to discuss the matter, and is torn between his fears over the ships reputation
and the potential glory of a successful five-year mission.
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Communication Officer Leah Holt (Human, Red Shirt)
ST+0 IQ+2 DX +0 CA+2
Skills: Computers +2, Communications +2, Investigate +1, Athletics +1, Sensors +2
Talents: Intuition, Stiff Upper Lip
Holt is confident, sophisticated, and elegant, but she is also quite willful. She has the
confidence of her convictions, and will advocate strongly for her beliefs without being
insubordinate.
Holt is aware of Chesapeake's reputation and the effect that this has on the crew, but is
skeptical without being dismissive. She doesn't believe that the ship is cursed, but does
recognize that the crew's fears can become a self-fulfilling prophecy.
T'Vey is in her mid forties- though legally an adult, it is rare for a Vulcan so young to
travel off-planet. Exposure to off-worlders and rigorous mental discipline have allowed
T'Vey to cultivate the leonine grandeur and granite will common to Vulcans far older
than she. T'Vey has little patience for fools and conveys a general air of disapproval
towards “lighter” or “frivolous” pursuits, but is a dedicated and capable healer
nonetheless.
T'Vey is aware of the Xenophon's reputation and the effect that this has on the crew, but
is dismissive of this base superstition.
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APPENDIX III: KLINGONS
The Bird of Prey is the heavily armed scout and reconnaissance vessel in Klingon
service. It is considered the equivalent, but more powerful, to the Federation's Saladin
Class Destroyer and is considered to have comparable armament, including heavy
disruptor batteries and photon torpedoes.
The Imperial Klingon Vessel puQmo' taj (roughly translated as “Star Knife”) is reported
to be under the command of Captain D'Kar- a noted warrior and foe of the Federation.
D'Kar is an experienced and savvy combat commander with excellent family and
political ties within the Empire. D'Kar is known to have clashed with the Federation on
at least three occasions, resulting in the destruction of the Kolaris Subspace
Observatory, the destruction and capture of a Federation convoy near the Lambdor
colony, and the loss of the destroyer U.S.S. Bennion and heavy damage to the light
cruiser Rochester.
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Klingon Non-Player Characters
Captain D'Kar
ST +2 IQ +2 DX +2 CA -2
Skills: Leadership +2, Starship Combat+4, Marksmanship+2, Unarmed Melee +2,
Investigate +2, Computers +1
Talents: Command, Klingon Diplomacy
D'Kar, son of Molor, is an experienced and savvy combat commander, who has spent his
career along the Federation border. D'Kar has clashed with the Federation on at least
three occasions, resulting in the destruction of the Kolaris Subspace Observatory, the
pillaging of a Federation convoy near the Lambdor colony, and the loss of the destroyer
U.S.S. Bennion and heavy damage to the light cruiser Rochester. He is not to be
underestimated.
D'Kar believes (based on the subspace distortions) that the Federation is up to far more
in this system than a mere agricultural colony- and his suspicions will be exacerbated by
the disappearance of one or more of his landing party. He is keenly interested in not
only the Federation's “secrets” on IV, but also in driving the Federation from the system
and solidifying Klingon control of the sector.
Lieutenant Klaag
ST +2 IQ +1 DX +2 CA -2
Skills: Computers +2, Electronics +2, Sensors +1, Armed Melee +1, Marksmanship +2
Talents: Power Attack, Klingon Diplomacy
The first officer of the puQmo' taj is Klaag, son of Braak. A typical Klingon of his
generation, Klaag is ambitious, belligerent, rude, condescending, and (comparatively)
straightforward. He is also under orders to find out what the Federation is up to on the
planet, rather than to start a war, and realizes that his best bet for doing so is to
observe the Federation team closely, while conducting his own search.
Lieutenant Kral
ST +1 IQ +2 DX +0 CA -2
Skills: Life Sciences +2, Physical Science +1, Marksmanship +1, Computers +1,
Investigate +1
Talents: Institution, Exploit Weakness
The science officer of the puQmo' taj is Kral. Slim, and unimposing, Kral is looked down
upon by the more traditional warriors among the crew. Kral is cerebral and slightly
fussy, but is also observant and pays excellent attention-to-detail. He is likely to be the
most approachable of the Klingons, but will be cooperative only insofar as it serves his
needs and those of his commander.
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Generic Klingon Crew
ST +1 IQ +0 DX +1 CA -2
Skills: Marksmanship +2, Subterfuge +1, Investigate +1, Armed Melee +2
Talents: Durable, Brawler
Crew will be armed with disruptor pistol, knife and communicator. Arrogant, stern, they
will taunt and get under the skin of Federation landing teams. They are ready to fight if
an excuse is given.
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