Chapter 5 - Plumage and Paranoia

The ferry ride offers the group a peaceful and enjoyable experience. They wisely select a sheltered area on the deck, avoiding any locations where gulls are aggressively swooping down in search of food. The journey is enhanced by the crisp sea breeze and the warmth of the sunlight, creating a serene atmosphere and offering a welcome moment of relaxation.

As they approach the island of Munsö, they glimpse the distant Nordiska Gobi, a collection of islands known for their rugged beauty.

(If this were a movie, ominous music would play in the background as they gaze upon the Nordiska Gobi)

These islands are covered in rusted debris and remnants of forgotten technology, giving the landscape an eerie and unique quality. Despite once being home to a thriving ecosystem, it now appears desolate and still, creating an unsettling quietness.

After disembarking from the ferry, the group heads in the direction of the small island of Skärholmen. The walk is relatively easy, and they engage in casual conversation along the way. Whenever a bird appears in the sky, they startle, mindful of the potential threat, but none of these birds seem to be the infamous "murder birds." Eventually, they reach a massive rust-covered magnetrine ship. The remnants of its once-black paint now peel off, and various types of birds have taken up residence in the vicinity. A slightly ajar door on the side of the ship beckons them. There serial number IEX-4Z32 is stamped on the side.

However, reaching the ship is just the first of the expected challenges. There is no land bridge, and it stands alone on a small island. The water surrounding it is littered with rusty and sharp debris, half-submerged ships, and strange structures like domes, circular towers, and magnetrine disks.

Reaching the ship presents a challenge. They must either swim, requiring a successful MOVE roll, to get there or find a boat of some kind, which involves rolling for TINKER or CONTACT. Failure in the MOVE roll will result in the loss of protective gear, and a condition. Another PC can prevent that condition by swimming to your aid with a successful MOVE roll. Failure in finding/making a boat roll will lead to the loss of protective gear and becoming separated from the group temporarily.

Edit: Feel free to present alternative solutions .

Tanya begins looking for something that could be used as a boat. Surveying the marshy terrain, she grapples with the challenging ground, many steps requiring significant effort. Her unwavering determination ultimately pays off when she stumbles upon a piece of metal debris that seems perfectly suited for a small raft capable of accommodating all three of them.



As Tanya meticulously inspects the makeshift raft, she loses her footing and takes a tumble. Her helmet spares her from a potential injury, but it becomes entangled with some wires and metal protrusions. Despite her best efforts, she can't free it from the entanglement. Reluctantly, she leaves the helmet behind.

During this time, Tanya becomes so absorbed in her task that she inadvertently walks too far away from the other two and loses sight of them. To remedy the situation, Tanya seizes a long stick and positions herself on the makeshift raft with the intention of floating back along the shoreline until she reunites with Robbie and Emilia. Her plan works, and she spots her friends in the distance.

However, the water's depth increases, and the stick can no longer reach the bottom to guide the raft. With no means of steering, Tanya drifts closer to the island with the magnetrine ship and away from her friends.

As Tanya kicks her feet in an attempt to propel the raft, things don't go as planned. Not only is her endeavor noisy, but it also has an unintended consequence. The raft begins to spin, making her progress somewhat chaotic. Despite the swirling motion, the raft keeps moving, steadily inching closer to the island.

Emilia and Robbie can still look for something to float on with a TINKER or CONTACT roll. Failure will result in a loss of time and a less reliable boat. (50% chance of sinking)

Robbie reaches Tanya on the makeshift raft and quickly helps her to get back on track. With strong, sure strokes, she maneuvers the raft back toward the shore. Robbie, dripping wet, then helps Emilia get on the raft. Tanya and Robbie soon find a couple of flat pieces of debris that could work as makeshift paddles. With improvised tools in hand, they continue their journey towards the island.



The IEX-4Z32, a massive 25-meter-long wreck, rests at a noticeable tilt. Its once sleek black exterior has given way to a dominant rust-colored patina, a testament to the passage of time and decay. Rainwater accumulates within the magnetrine discs, forming small pools reflecting the overcast skies above.

Perched on the ship's old antennas are numerous birds, their watchful eyes scanning the waters that surround the vessel. Closer to the ground, a large door is visible on the ship's side, barricaded from the outside by a sturdy metal beam.

The rusting hulk appears to be a bustling hub for avian activity, as birds continuously swoop in and out through the various vents, their chirping blending with the mechanical hum of machine fans.

A substantial gull emerges into view, soaring above in broad circles. Its wings cut through the air as it gracefully maneuvers through the sky, casting a prominent shadow below.

All three characters need to make a SNEAK roll to avoid being seen by the Gull. Failure of the SNEAK roll will force them to make a MOVE roll to avoid the bird and find a place to hide or to make a FORCE roll to knock the bird out. Failure in the MOVE or FORCE roll will cause the character to gain a condition.

The metal beam in front of the door can be moved with a FORCE roll. Failing the force will give the character a condition.