Flowers of Algorab - Episode 20 - On Hammurabi Station (Gahand)

This was the first session in a while with the whole crew, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. It was also one o those more social interludes when the characters were just experiencing being a Zinti novel influencer and her entourage on tour, sorry, Explorer's Guild Delving Crew. It's strange how a passing reference in character generation has expanded into something increasingly significant in the backstory. Hattie's character, Arda, has moved from being a Zinti novel fan to an aspiring author. In parallel, we've had a pretend crowdfunding exercise for merchandise for the campaign in the form of pamphlet books on the episode write ups, bookmarks and a stamp of authority. I've been wary to mention these, as they've been created with AI tools, but they are lovely keepsakes for our players and I'm thankful to Hattie for the passion that she has put into the game.

Away again, in a Premier Inn again, with some more weirdness. Audio Hijack took a long to launch again (no idea why) and Safari refused to do audio on Role. Fallback was to use Firefox. Somewhere in the recording, I was getting a buzzing noise, but I think the rest of the players were fine. The recording worked well, so definitely some kind of weirdness on how Audio Hijack and Firefox were playing together.

Our Crew

• Arda Qamar, a Guild Surveyor and Traveller who came from the Far Colonies from a Mining Combine operation. She’s the bird handler and Scout for the team. (Played by Hattie).
• Meristo Koulas, an Esoteric Coriolite Seer who grew up in the Fog of the Haze, and has ties to the Black Toad. (Played by Paul).
• Lieto Miesma, a Scholar specialised in Builder Archeology who came from deep inside the Factory City of the Turbine Halls, with a background in the Machinist's Guild. (Played by Graham)
• Fassour Faradi, a roughneck deep miner who also came from somewhere the eternal fog of the Haze, and - like Merits - has ties to the Black Toad. (Played by Simon)
• Rashid al-Masri, a scoundrel Hull Cutter who came from among the hulks and wrecks of Hull Town, and has connections to the Gardener's Guild. (Played by Andy).
• Corvus the Bird, a specter; cobalt blue, with a long beak, always observing. Usually handled by Arda.

The New Seekers (Corvus, Arda, Meristo, Fassour, Rashid and Lieto)

The Session (Spoilers for The Flowers of Algorab).

In the Gahand star system, the crew of the Akhander had just emerged from the slipstream, approaching Hammurabi Station for docking. As the sensors began their tedious buzz of operations, the crew recalls the different messages they received upon arrival: directives from Hammurabi traffic control, propaganda from the Free Gahand rebels, and other communications hinting at resistance and corruption within the system.

The crew, consisting of Rashid Al Masri, Lieto Miesma, Ada Qamar, Fassour Faradi, and Meristo Koulas, primarily discussed their immediate plans while in the system. There was mention of repairs needed on the Akhander due to damages sustained while taking a glancing blow avoiding an asteroid during their journey through the slipstream. The mention of visiting Jiriman's Taverna at Hammurabi Station to experience local cuisine was floated, painting a lively picture of places named after iconic scenes from the diaspora history.

However, their thoughts were also on the mysterious and unstable signals they had intercepted, potentially from Anshubar. There was a brief confusion over place names and signals, leading to a discussion on properly identifying transmissions and locations.

As the Akhander successfully docked at the station, the crew fancied a stroll through the liveliness of Hammurabi Station, starting with the vibrant Taverna district, filled with mosaics, smells of exotic foods, and the hustle of crowds. The plan was to soak in the local culture and perhaps, in their relaxation, gather more information on the elusive rebels and the political tension gripping the system.

In the bustling heart of the Taverna district at Hammurabi Station, nestled under the shimmering veil of fairy lights and surrounded by the tantalizing aroma of exotic cuisines, our group of interstellar travelers found themselves engrossed in culinary adventures. The illustrious chef Meristo Kulas, wielding his well-thumbed cookbook from this very Taverna, expertly navigated the eclectic menu, engaging in enlightening discussions with the serving staff about the selection of tapas-style dishes before them. As courses flowed, so did the conversation, enriching their gastronomic journey with insights and anecdotes from the realms of interstellar cookery.

Amidst the flavours and fervour, Arda Qamar, under the guise of an incognito influencer and enabled by Fassour's well placed bribe, anticipated signing issues of the beloved Zinti novels on request, bringing a touch of literary grace to the evening. The meal peaked with interactions enveloped with warmth and joy, particularly when Jiraman, the celebrated chef himself, made his grand entrance. Recognising Meristo's profound connection with his cuisine through the well-worn pages of his cookbook, an immediate culinary camaraderie blossomed.

Their engagement deepened as Jiraman presented Meristo with an early copy of his new book, a gesture that symbolised respect and fellowship. This exchange under the softly lit mosaics was not just about food; it was a reciprocal appreciation of their respective crafts. As the evening waned, the conversation veered towards their ongoing mission and discreet undertakings within the Gahand system, with Jiraman curiously probing into the origins and intentions of their voyage.

But the station held more than just culinary delights. Arda and Meristo, swept up in a whirl of interactions ranging from fans to curious journalists, found themselves navigating the intricate dance of fame and anonymity. A news agent, intrigued by their distinct presence at the VIP section, approached with questions, teetering on the boundary of curiosity and intrusion. With tactful deflection and a guarded grace, they managed to maintain their composure and secrecy, allowing them to savour the richness of the station's offerings without the burden of unwanted exposure.

Their venture into the local scene, however, was not merely a quest for delectable indulgences but also a discreet investigation into the station's underworld. The fringes of society, marked by rebel symbols and whispers of unrest, beckoned with promises of secrets tucked away in shadowy corners. As they delved deeper into the station's underbelly, they encountered representatives and rogues, each interaction spinning threads of potential alliances and stoking the embers of upcoming adventures.

Thus, beneath the glow of Hammurabi Station's lights, amidst sumptuous spreads and hushed conversations, the crew of the Akhander wove through the tapestry of culinary arts, covert missions, and interstellar diplomacy, each moment seasoned with the exquisite flavours of the stars.

In the midst of the bustling Hammurabi Station, Fassour found himself engaged in a lively conversation about the ramifications of having a Jarkava prophet-poet aboard their vessel, musing with Meristo about the potential impact on crew morale. The notorious droning of the poet's prayers clashed with their serene environment, making the crew ponder the inclusion of such a character in their journey. The challenge was that the local boss for the Black Toad allied Sharzad Collective, wanted them to take his poet nephew out into the stars and also offered to connect them to a group that needed haulage rights to travel to Habanatum. Why anyone would want to travel to that icons-forsaken neutron star system is another matter altogether!

Arda, keen on blending into the local scene, schemed about deceptively accruing Zinti novel signatures as an incognito influencer. Meanwhile, Lieto Miesma sought local lore and hidden knowledge within the station, digging through sources like libraries and social media, driven by a thirst for understanding the mysterious signals and other uncharted phenomena in the Gahand system.

The crew also received a caution about the notorious wreckers operating within the system, adding a layer of urgency and caution to their mission. With Arda and Lieto diving deep into Hammurabi’s culture and dangers, their evening extended into plans of tackling the challenging environments whispered about in the station’s shadowy corridors.

As the station's vibrant life swirled around them, the crew of Akhander balanced their time between seeking knowledge and enjoying the rich cultural tapestry presented by Hammurabi Station. Their experiences ranging from culinary delights to covert inquiries set the stage for their next interstellar maneuvers, under the twinkling lights and amidst the echoing tales of rebellion and intrigue.

Regrouping with Rashid Al Masri, along with their other companions, the New Seekers considered the proposals brought forth by contacts at the station. The first was a poet known for his art-prophecies, seeking passage further down the arm of the galaxy to spread his verses. His presence offered no tangible rewards but could potentially curry favours beneficial to the crew in unforeseen ways. The poet's insertion into the crew's dynamic was debated, highlighting concerns about his doctrines affecting morale.

Concurrently, the proposition to transport an ore hauler was placed before them, promising straightforward financial gain. This hefty craft, destined for Habanatum—a location notable chiefly for its inhospitable environment and a stark white neutron star at its centre—would dock externally, presenting minimal risk to the Akhander's manoeuvrability.

As they contemplated these offers, including the poet's connection to a crime lord, they faced another unexpected opportunity. A journalist, Aframan Helen, approached Arda Kamar again, seeking an interview about her literary work on the Zinti novels. Arda agreed to the interview but was tactful, aiming to share knowledge of her work without compromising the mission's details. The journalist then pitched a business proposition to transport and sell info cubes containing expansive regional news, offering Arda a cut of his profits or publicity for her literary series.

With the crew needing to factor in these developing circumstances, they moved cautiously. Rashid, wary from prior experiences, expressed concern over the undertones linked with some of the journalist’s cargo, which included controversial revolutionary pamphlets. The discussions and decisions became a dance of diplomacy and discretion, as they balanced potential benefits against unforeseen consequences that might ripple through their journey.

In the end, having consulted with the First Officer, they accepted the haulage contract and agreed to take the prophet-poet with them, surprisingly to the crew's delight as they saw him as a source of luck for the expedition.

As the crew of the Akhander prepared to depart Hammurabi Station, a brief reunion with the plot saw them entertaining the thought of returning to the narrative. The exchange was lighthearted with mixed reactions; Arda Qamar rooted for heading back to the plot while Fassour Faradi humorously opposed, citing potential mishaps. Dom, resuming his role as the Game Master, guided the Akhander's undocking and set their course through the Gahand Cloud towards the elusive destination of Anshubur.

During the departure, concerns surfaced about the ship potentially scraping the station. Dom conducted a pilot check, confirming with relief and a hint of theatrical suspense that the maneuver was executed with stunning precision, avoiding any contact.

The conversation took a turn as Fasour brought up a detail about wreckers operating independently in the system, targeting all factions equally. This revelation added a layer of complexity to their journey, indicating potential threats without the possibility of leveraging organised groups.

Arda Qamar questioned the implications, leading to Rashid Al Masri revealing they possessed access codes from the Mining Combine, intended to aid their passage through the system. However, it was quickly deduced that these codes would likely be ineffective against the wreckers, pointing to challenges ahead in navigating these hostile spaces.

Meanwhile, the news agent arrived at the now empty dock, early for the journey he planned to join, but found the Akhander departed. Rashid just didn't feel he was right for the Expedition's crew.

With these considerations in mind and the clock ticking towards the end of their session, Dom concluded the night's adventure, wrapping up another chapter in the saga of the Akhander Expedition as it sailed through the stars, its crew poised to face the mysteries and dangers of the Gahand system.

Source - initially Tabletoprecorder.com, heavily edited for names, clarity and brevity with some parts injected to explain or catch elements missed in the summarising. 

Out of Application Memory...

Now that's an error message I've not seen for a long time (to paraphrase Obi Wan Kenobi). In fact, I can't actually remember ever getting this kind of error in recent memory.

I found the error this morning when I unlocked the MacBook, as I'd forgotten to shut it down.

I had a fair few apps open, but the one consuming the RAM was Safari which had 2.2GB in use. Kind of weird as it only had five tabs open (3x DriveThru RPG, a static blog page and a Backerkit confirmation). Next biggest after that was Discord at 2GB and Music at 660MB. Hope this isn't going to be an ongoing thing for Golden Gate.

And how on earth do Safari and Discord use so much RAM?!

I'm also curious if you can open the Force Quit Dialog and have it show memory usage like this did: Esc+Opt+Cmd just shows the apps by default.

27 September 2026

The Bridesmaids of Gaming

There’s that old saying “Always the Bridesmaid, Never the Bride” which I was reflecting on recently as I finalised what I was going to run for Furnace in October as the deadline to commit the games to the timetable was that weekend. I thought I knew [1] what I want to run, and it’d taken a while to get there. In doing this, two games that I’ve been minded to run for a while fell by the wayside, yet again. 

[1]: The Hooded Man and something from Wages of Sin for Mothership, but using Neon City Overdrive as the rules. 

Like most GMs, I have a list of games that I’d like to run. This is usually sparked by a specific campaign or adventure, but the best games give me what I describe as ‘the GM tingles’ where there’s just something about them that makes me want to run them. Campaigns are challenging in this way; practically, I know that I can – at most - run two campaigns at once, and perhaps a third mini-campaign like A|State at LongCon. My time is limited by work and family commitments, and that’s okay.

I use gaming conventions to get the opportunity to run one-shots of games that fascinate me. If I’m lucky, I may get to run the scenario in advance with friends, but often it’s first outing for me at the convention. Fortunately, attending Garricons for two decades means that there’s a wide group of people that I would consider friends and who often sign up to play if I’m running; it’s like an extended gaming family. Running a game for the first time at a convention is more risky than using a system you’re really familiar with [2], because there’s more chance that you may not know a specific rule immediately. Fortunately, I mainly go for lighter game engines these days, but does mean I need to properly prepare, often building a cribsheet to make sure I have the rules down well. 

[2]: For example, if I was running Traveller, I wouldn’t think twice about the system, and I could cope happily without the rules in front of me in most circumstances. 

Getting back to the bridesmaids. There are several game systems that I keep on getting really close to running as a one shot, but they always fall away just before the convention. Pelgrane Press’s The Dying Earth Roleplaying Game was one of these for a long time. I’ve loved Jack Vance’s Dying Earth books ever since I found them on my dad’s bookshelf, and the roleplaying game is beautifully written. However, I found it incredibly intimidating as it captures the sly quick wit of the books and I just felt that I wouldn’t be able to deliver as a GM so I kept on planning to run it, and then bottling it at the last minute, finding something else instead. However, I finally ran it a few years ago at Furnace using the Revivification Folio version of the rules and one of the pre-written scenarios. What I’d forgotten was that advertising a game in the Dying Earth would attract players who loved it and people who owned the book but had never ran it or played it - perhaps for reasons similar to mine - but wanted the chance to try the game. We had a really fun time, and I’d definitely do it again.

So who are my current bridesmaids?

Godbound

Kevin Crawford’s game of playing semi-divine beings. Reality was shattered when heaven was stormed, only to find the throne of God empty. The characters all possess some of the words of creation and will chew through lesser opposition with little effort. It’s cleverly put together, and looks like it could be a fantastic convention game with the right scenario. I keep on meaning to prepare one, but I always remember too late. Perhaps I should consider reading the material immediately after Furnace and make a decision on what I want to do with it when the pressure is off.

Outgunned 

This is a game I played at North Star, and have picked up everything for it. I reviewed it previously, but I’ve yet to get it to the table. I really need to do this (if only to justify the amount of books I’ve bought). When I played it, I found it slick, fast and effective. I almost feel like I have too much choice thanks to the multiple genres. Perhaps the craziest thing in my head was to use the Superheroes rules and some of the ‘Action Flicks’ (nutshell expansions) to do Carthaginian Heroes taking revenge on Rome, partly because I was reading Eve MacDonald’s excellent book.

Dragonbane

Another game I have far too much of, but I have yet to get to the table or even play. I’ve read it, I know it will be my kind of hot beverage, but I’ve either missed getting into a game or gone for something else. First Age keeps saying he’ll run a session, but it never seems to quite happen. I may just bite the buillet and go with it because it’s another game I’ve bought a fair few things for.


There are other bridesmaids, but these are the ones that I keep on circling back to at the moment [3]. 

What are yours?

[3]: And in the end, none of them made the final cut for Furnace as I opted to go with only The Hooded Man for simplicity.

26 September 2026

Flowers of Algorab - Episode 19 - Into the Slipstream - Jumuah to Gahand (8 weeks)

Away with work again, this time a Premier Inn. Their paid for WiFi is pretty decent (at least at the location that I was staying) and I didn't have any issues with connection or the technology for this session. Audio Hijack was restored to normality, which was a relief.

Session preparation was mainly reading the background again and adding some images and the map of the Hammurabi Waystation to Role and OwlBear Rodeo. I figured that it was unlikely that the players would reach the surface of the world that the signal was emanating from in a single session. I'd also pulled together some crib sheets for slipstream (space) travel and planetary operations.

Background reading is complicated, as there are three different sources of information to collate. For example, there is a section on the Gahand system in the core book, and then an expanded session in the Expedition Book for Flowers of Algorab, and then even more relevant detail (slipstream routes and events, and more on Gahand and the Waystation along with the scenario itself) is found in the Campaign book. I suspect I may need to use Gemini Notebook to pull this together to something that can be referenced more easily at the table.

The session itself went smoothly, with a two week flat space transition to Lighthouse Station Barrabas at the edge of Jumuah, and a shopping trip at the station, and then they entered the Slipstream for the first time in the campaign. The journey was six weeks in length, and the voyage rules were in play. These mash hazards and events together, to give the feel of an age of sail expedition. I was trying hard to make it not feel like a randomly generated section (rolling for wandering monsters) and the ability to select and merge events helped with this. The players seemed quite relieved when the Akhander emerged back into flat space in Gahand. Next session, we return to delving.

Our Crew

• Arda Qamar, a Guild Surveyor and Traveller who came from the Far Colonies from a Mining Combine operation. She’s the bird handler and Scout for the team. (Played by Hattie).
• Meristo Koulas, an Esoteric Coriolite Seer who grew up in the Fog of the Haze, and has ties to the Black Toad. (Played by Paul).
• Lieto Miesma, a Scholar specialised in Builder Archeology who came from deep inside the Factory City of the Turbine Halls, with a background in the Machinist's Guild. (Played by Graham)
• Fassour Faradi, a roughneck deep miner who also came from somewhere the eternal fog of the Haze, and - like Merits - has ties to the Black Toad. (Played by Simon)
• Rashid al-Masri, a scoundrel Hull Cutter who came from among the hulks and wrecks of Hull Town, and has connections to the Gardener's Guild. (Played by Andy).
• Corvus the Bird, a specter; cobalt blue, with a long beak, always observing. Usually handled by Arda.

The New Seekers (Corvus, Arda, Meristo, Fassour, Rashid and Lieto)

The Session (Spoilers for The Flowers of Algorab).

In the 19th episode of their thrilling adventure "Flowers at Algorab", under the guidance of the Game Master Dom, our intrepid crew members, each bearing unique capabilities, set the stage for an intricate play in the cosmos. Hattie is Arda Qamar, a dextrous scout with an affection for her Bird. Andy embodies the vigilant Rashid Al Masri, the stalwart security officer. Paul takes on the role of Meristo Koulas, the meticulous team medic, a sage of sorts with an intriguing - and probably illegal - collection of 'medicinal herbs'. Not present in the flesh but spiritedly alongside, are their companions Lieto Miesma and Fassour Farradi, rendered by Graham and Simon respectively. These characters add layers of archaeological prowess and a robust, if slightly intimidating presence, to the team dynamic. 

The New Seekers find themselves aboard the slipstream cruiser Akhander, set to venture from Ship City’s Aluminium Bay towards the remote frontiers of known space. This journey, powered by dreams of finding a route to the lost Ark Ship Nadir and driven under the banner of Grand Council, sails towards discovering uncharted territories and celestial phenomena in the vast, great dark. 

Their voyage promises challenges and requiring the delegation of ship duties. Arda opts for sensor patrol on the hull of the ship, while Rashid, with his penchant for security, decides on hull guard duty. Meristo, choosing to blend culinary arts with his medical expertise, selects kitchen service offering a chance to sustain morale amongst the crew.

Karmelia Merest, a mysterious algebraist accompanying them, contributes to their navigational efforts, though not without causing some technical hiccups along the way. These minor setbacks don't deter the crew, thanks primarily to Arda's keen observance, noting Karmelia's curious interest in literature that perhaps mirrors her own personal motivations or secretive musings.

Their travel through space goes on efficiently managed, and the ship, under the firm command of First Officer Indria Kander, maintains high morale and operational integrity. Docked briefly at Lighthouse Station Barabbas, the crew enjoys a brief respite filled with camaraderie and anticipation. Meristo, the gastronomic artisan, elevates spirits with a feast inspired by the anticipated cuisines of their destination, enriching bonds and painting promising brushes of camaraderie across their cosmic canvas.

Events proceed smoothly thanks in part to the discrete yet effective administration by Dom, guiding his players through a narrative woven with intrigue, cooperation, and the vast, undying enigma of the cosmos they commit to traverse. Each roll of the dice, each decision made, stitches tighter the fabric of their collective story, on through the Great Dark and beyond, toward tales yet told and stars untouched. 

Here, amidst gossip and preparations, Meristo ventured to secure exquisite bottles of Makh Spirits, akin to a treasure trove of single-malt scotch. Meanwhile, Arda employed her avian companion, Corvus, to spy discretely around the captain’s quarters, revealing mysterious interactions involving the first officer and suspicion of a potentially haunted section on the station.

Rashid's curiosity piqued when Corvus hinted at a peculiar scent near the captain's quarters, suggesting a possible presence of 'blight', a concerning anomaly. This discovery propelled Rashid to ponder about the captain’s perpetual seclusion. Arda and Rashid agreed on the necessity of discrete communication, considering the sensitive information surfacing about the station.

The crew then utilised their stop at the Canteen of Lost Mates for replenishing and gathering intelligence. Meristo and Rashid, planned to uncover parts of the ship free from surveillance to ensure a secure meeting spot, away from prying technologies.

Foreboding news reached the team’s ears about another vessel, the Slipstream cruiser Mehrabi, had been posted lost, over six months late. It was speculated that the disappearance was tied to myths of an uncharted passage promising shorter travel but with unverified perils.

With preparations complete and gossip traded, the crew of Akhander, under the vigilant supervision of Rashid, recommenced their journey. They engaged in a meticulous slipstream entry, aided by Kamelia’s navigational expertise. Despite technical challenges during the entry, the transition into the slipstream was a success, setting the stage for their next segment of cosmic adventure.

In the midst of their venture, a trivial squabble over Meristo’s culinary creation threatened crew harmony, compelling Rashid to intervene with charm and resolve the conflict peacefully. This close shave with discord prompted Meristo to plan an entertainment night, elevating spirits and fortifying camaraderie as the Akhander further into the the slipstream current.

In the midst of their arduous journey through the slipstream, the crew of the Akhander, guided by Dom, found themselves facing a myriad of challenges that tested their skills and unity. A pivotal moment arrived during their second week of travel when Dom prompted the crew to roll the notorious 'dice of doom,' signaling a potential calamity. Hattie, not willing to take her chances, passed on the responsibility.

Meristo took the dice, expressing a reluctant acceptance of his fate. Soon, Dom described the dire scenario unfolding: the ship was suffering from the relentless battering of slipstream currents, causing stress across the hull plates. It was a situation that demanded immediate attention. Arda, efficiently conducting sensor patrols, was nominated to address this critical issue. Given her agility and her understanding from previous experiences, she was apt for the task. Lieto, with his expertise in mechanics, joined her, adding his skills to the endeavour.

Fate hanging in balance, Arda managed a successful but not perfect fix, reducing significant potential damage to a minor one. Relief washed over the crew, but it was short-lived. Another issue arose when the docking bay reported a loose shuttle - their own Grasshopper - threatening to crash into the ship. Rashid and Arda, accompanied by the rest of the New Seekers including Fassour and Lieto, rushed to secure the shuttle. The task required strength and tact, where Arda, with her superior agility and knowledge as a driver, led the effort. They utilised Meristo's climbing kit supplies to stabilise the shuttle, a task they accomplished commendably.

As the weeks passed, odd occurrences began to disturb the crew. Reports of ghostly figures and inexplicable events aboard the Akhander stirred unease. The crew speculated about stowaways or mysterious entities, but no clear evidence was found, leaving the ship riddled with whispers of a Ghost Watches – spirits of past crew who met untoward ends aboard the ship, now haunting its corridors.

During the fifth week, as Hattie rolled the dice of doom again, a new challenge arose: the ship's sensor grid collapsed. With the vessel now 'blind' in the slipstream, Arda took charge, supported by Rashid and other crew members, to repair the vital systems. Their collective skill was just enough to avert disaster, keeping the Akhander on its mysterious course through the cosmos and avoiding a catastrophic exit into flat space.

As the narrative unfolded, the crew not only had to contend with mechanical failures and spectral mysteries but also with maintaining their morale and unity as eerie tales circulated amongst them.

In their sixth week aboard the Akhander, the crew faced fresh perils as they navigated a densely asteroid-laden part of the slipstream. A tense moment arose when the slipstream currents brought more micrometeoroids and larger rocky fragments into their path. Their first officer, piloting the ship, made a crucial intervention, managing to manoeuvre skilfully past a sizeable asteroid, grazing the ship but preventing any significant hull damage. However, this close call had the crew on edge, lowering morale from the highs it had reached thanks to the entertainments that Meristo had skilfully prepared.

As tensions simmered, the Akhander prepared to exit the slipstream into the Gahand system, marking the end of their turbulent journey through the slipstream. The New Seekers made sure that Karmelia assisted the First Officer (still no sign of the captain!) and a successful exit was made.

Upon their arrival in the Gahand system, the sense of relief was short-lived as they detected a mysterious signal from beyond the Gahand Cloud. Clever analysis revealed that the signal was emanating from Anshubur, a hostile planet located on the edge of the Gahand cloud. Intrigued and cautious, the crew discussed their next steps, deciding to make a pit stop at Hammurabi Waystation for urgent repairs before investigating the source of the signal.

Amidst these developments, the crew received a cautionary welcome from the auxiliary patrol fleet, advising them to steer clear of local insurgents known as Free Gahand. Amid political tensions and hidden dangers, Karmelia, the meticulous algebraist, discovered an additional broadcast, a rebel transmission decrying the governance of Ship City and promoting the sovereignty of the Gahand people.

Choosing prudence over haste, the crew opted to dock at the Waystation, repairing the Akhander and preparing for the uncertainties awaiting them in the politically charged Gahand system. This strategic pause allowed the crew to focus on boosting morale and fortifying their vessel for the challenges that lay ahead in the vast reaches of space. It also gave them time to visit the famed Jiriman's Taverna, the source of many of Meristo's recipes. Thus, the session drew to a close, with promises of thrilling adventures in the sessions to come.

Source - initially Tabletoprecorder.com, heavily edited for names, clarity and brevity with some parts injected to explain or catch elements missed in the summarising. 

Flowers of Algorab - Episode 18 - Final Preparations

Back on the road for this session, this time at a Travelodge. The WiFi was okay, but too slow for uploading the audio file at the end of the session so this is a little later than I planned. I also had weird technical issue with Audio Hijack, which is usually rock solid. 

Audio Hijack is the application that allows you to do clever things for audio recording; whenever I've had issues before, it's been caused by me rather than the application (for example, when I missed that the Role VTT had a different set of of audio settings which were meaning that the audio on the recording was going somewhere different to the way the system was set up). This time was a bit different. Although I could see a list of the various sessions that I have created (sessions are a combination of audio blocks like those shown below), I couldn't actually open the session window. I just got the macOS beachball of doom. I ended up reinstalling the application, but that didn't resolve it. Ultimately, it was possible to run the recorder from the session list. Now I'm home, it seems to be working fine (although there was a spinning beachball delay initially until the session window opened). Hopefully, it will be fine next session. 

I found prep for this session really hard, as it was pulling together across the Gahand system descriptions in both the Campaign (GM) and Expedition (Player) books. I had to be ready for supporting the preparation phase, running a slipstream journey, encounters in Gahand and then potentially reaching the adventure. It was a lot to get into my head, and I ended up generating a set of summaries. Hopefully, I will get the time to re-read them all again this weekend.

I think it wasn't helped by the fact that we'd had a restructuring announcement at work earlier in the day, and although I was fortunate enough not to be directly affected, I was supporting others who were.

The session itself ended up dedicated to planning again. This was probably the best thing that could happen; the preparation for the expedition is critical and once the characters are committed, they will be spending nearly a year travelling, much of that far away from any replenishment. We'd only had three players for the previous planning session, and Graham admitted that he was losing sight of the big picture. We solved this to some degree by taking these blog entries (now some 28,000 words) and summarising them in Gemini Notebook. Hopefully, a more regular player-led log will avoid losing this focus again. I need to check in with Simon as he's the only team member who hasn't been part of the planning work.

Graham recently made a post where he observed this campaign could be a long one. Having reflected, I do think he is right. I'd originally thought we'd get it done in perhaps 25 evening sessions (based on two four hour sessions for each scenario, and an extra four hours for the taster Sky Machine adventure). Now, each of our sessions runs for about 2 hours, maybe two and a half hours maximum. We also have a bunch of great role-players who enjoy character interaction, so we aren't meeting the rate that I originally estimated. I'm not certain how much longer this will take, but we will run long. I guess this is a conversation that I need to have with everyone. I'm comfortable if it does, but will need to work out what I do about Singularity for Traveller, which I was planning to run next.

As an aside, I have left in some of the 'at table' commentary that Tabletop Recorder generates this session as it shows a side of the tool I don't usually show.

Hattie and the Hats?

 

Our Crew

• Arda Qamar, a Guild Surveyor and Traveller who came from the Far Colonies from a Mining Combine operation. She’s the bird handler and Scout for the team. (Played by Hattie).
• Meristo Koulas, an Esoteric Coriolite Seer who grew up in the Fog of the Haze, and has ties to the Black Toad. (Played by Paul).
• Lieto Miesma, a Scholar specialised in Builder Archeology who came from deep inside the Factory City of the Turbine Halls, with a background in the Machinist's Guild. (Played by Graham)
• Fassour Faradi, a roughneck deep miner who also came from somewhere the eternal fog of the Haze, and - like Merits - has ties to the Black Toad. (Played by Simon)
• Rashid al-Masri, a scoundrel Hull Cutter who came from among the hulks and wrecks of Hull Town, and has connections to the Gardener's Guild. (Played by Andy).
• Corvus the Bird, a specter; cobalt blue, with a long beak, always observing. Usually handled by Arda.

The New Seekers (Corvus, Arda, Meristo, Fassour, Rashid and Lieto)

The Session (Spoilers for The Flowers of Algorab).

The crew assembled within the confines of Vermilion House amidst a scatter of charts and documents to plot their course and fine tune their expedition's logistics. The adept GM, Dom, and the party - comprising Lieto Miesma, the artefact specialist; Arda Qamar, the astute scout and bird handler; Rashid Al Masri, the vigilant security guard; and Meristo Koulas, the diligent team medic - deliberated over maps and potential routes for their imminent journey through the expansive and mysterious systems of Jumuah, Gahand, Ninhulam, Habanatum, and Auriga.

Their discussions were steeped in strategy, focusing on the necessity of specific equipment and supplies required due to the unpredictable conditions of the varied locales they intended to explore. The crux of their mission, as shared by Arda, was to trace an elusive signal linked to the mysterious orbs. The Singularity Sphere had triggered a signal that disrupted all electronics in Ship City and now possibly pointed toward technology of ancient, perhaps builder origin, hinting at a truth far beyond their current understanding.

As they sorted through the details—like the choice of gear prompted by circuits that demanded special considerations—Lieto attempted to probe deeper into the signal's origin using his expertise in artefacts. Despite his analytical attempts, the uniqueness and complexity of the signal eluded definitive explanation, though speculations about its warp space or trans-spatial nature emerged. The group collectively pondered the advanced technology it implied, potentially surpassing even the known horizons.

In the backdrop of their technical preparations, personal and logistical concerns also surfaced. They contemplated the long duration of their quest, joking about domestic trivialities like finding someone to water the plants at home but their jests soon gave way to broader existential discussions about the implications of their discoveries and the fame or scrutiny that might follow. Intellectual property rights and media exposure post-mission were discussed with a light-hearted perspective on how they would manage or endure the inevitable storm of public and academic interest.

As they concluded their session, the crew reaffirmed the details of their ship, the Akhander, with Meristo insuring the addition of comforting amenities like harpoon cannons, ostensibly for protection against space monstrosities but also adding an air of adventure to their equipped vessel. They reflected on the Akhander's storied past, marked by anomalies and odd occurrences that hinted at its travels and tribulations through the great unknown.

Finally, solidifying their resolve and their route, they ensured every detailed necessity was documented, leaving no stone unturned, preparing to delve into the cryptic cosmos with their eyes wide open to the marvels and dangers that awaited. Thus, ready and resolute, our explorers set forth, their spirits intertwined with the spectral echoes of those who had ventured forth before them, each step forward a stitch in the vast tapestry of cosmic destiny.

Their voyage plan was to travel from Ship City, leaving the Jumuah system and heading to Gahand, the gateway to the Hammurabi Arm. From there, they would travel to Ninhulam - the Golden Star - and on to Auriga, before finally reaching Habanatum. Allowing for at least a week in each system, the journey out would take at least half a year. They agreed that the safe route home would be to reverse their passage, but the potentially faster route via the Kerfeter Stream was an option, but Hiram's Delta and the Kerfeter Shoals would need to be navigated carefully as they presented significant hazards. 

Boarding the Akhander, a gathering unfolded that brought together our intrepid explorers with Indria Kander, the ship's First Officer. Our medley of specialists, dubbed the New Seekers, found themselves in the company of this First Officer, whose demeanour resonated with unassuming authority cloaked beneath her great coat.

Meristo Koulas introduced himself as a competent Delver and Doctor, hinting humorously at his culinary adventures, which elicited a scant smile from Indria. Lieto Miesma then described his expertise in artefacts and ancient technologies, linking their mission's purpose to their past findings that had enticed such universal curiosity.

Arda Qamar, the scout and bird handler, introduced her feathered companion Corvus, who, showing a rare affection, allowed Indria a cherished scratch under the chin, a gesture normally reserved for very few. Rashid Al Masri, dedicated to the crew's safety, highlighted his qualifications in exosuit handling and mechanics, assuring Indria of their collective capability.

Amid lighter moments and the explorers' shared histories, they broached the subject of how they would operate as a unified entity under the dual command structures of the mission and the ship. A consensus-led approach was suggested, fitting their informal and collaborative style, but with a nod towards having Rashid as a potential point of decision-making contact, steering clear of overlap and contradiction.

The dialogue flowed into the mission's confidentiality, with Indria clarifying that the crew was fully aware of their goal to seek out mysterious Singularity Spheres, contradicting the explorers' prior expectations of secrecy. This revelation steered the conversation towards practical preparations and the dynamics of ship command.

As suspicions of a ship haunted by adventurous spirits emerged, the conversation took a whimsical turn, with theories and playful banter about the nature of their upcoming voyage through the slipstreams of space. Indria, stalwart in her role yet displaying a shadow of exasperation with her new charges, navigated their personalities and the logistical intricacies of space travel with a firm yet fair hand.

In the end, though not without some humorous reluctance, Rashid was nominated to act as the liaison with the First Officer, ensuring that when they faced the unknowns of their journey, their actions would be as coordinated as the stars they sailed amongst. Thus, with roles assigned and spirits high, they looked to the stars, ready for the mysteries that awaited in the cosmos's dark and wondrous depths.

During their strategic meeting aboard the Akhander, the crew debated their upcoming voyage through the unpredictable cosmos. Arda Qamar shared intrigue about the captain's mysterious circumstance, whispering her intent to uncover the story, while under the watchful eye of a security camera.

The conversation transitioned to the logistic complexities of their route which included the Gahand System, among others. Rashid Al Masri voiced concerns about certain perilous stretches, emphasizing the need for careful planning and frequent reassessments at each stopover. Indria, while explaining the logistics, highlighted the importance of crew morale, likening their journey to a long military deployment with potential strains similar to those experienced on long naval missions. The longer the slipstream journey, the more pressure on the crew and the vessel's integrity. The Kerfeter Stream was especially perilous from this perspective and may require an exit from the Slipstream to flat space to allow for rest and repairs.

As they fine-tuned their plan, a lighthearted banter unfolded about the mechanical prowess of the crew members. Meristo jokingly mentioned his potential role in fixing toilets should the need arise, reinforcing the camaraderie amongst the crew.

The discussions delved deeper into logistics, focusing on the supplies needed for multi-system delves. Rashid proposed investing heavily in supply to ensure ample resources throughout their expedition, showcasing his commitment to the mission’s success. The crew decided to procure additional supplies, with suggestions of investing rukh (currency) to secure what was necessary for extended travel and potential emergencies.

The meeting veered into procurement specifics, with debates on how much to spend on supplies and the balance of investment among the crew. Decisions were made on the allocation of funds from mission payouts and salary advances, highlighting the crew’s strategic financial planning to bolster their expedition's success.

As they wrapped up their planning, the crew remained mindful of the challenges ahead, ensuring they were equipped not just with physical supplies, but with a robust plan responsive to the unpredictable nature of space exploration. With spirits high and roles clearly defined, they were ready to traverse the cosmos, each member pivotal to the collective adventure that lay before them.

As their session neared its end, Dom, the GM, checked the time and suggested postponing the launch of the expedition to the next session, noting that Simon was absent and that Graham would be unavailable the following week. He inquired if there were any final preparations or requirements they wanted to handle before embarking. Confirming that the vessel, the Akhander, was fully prepared and ready to depart, Dom expressed his concern about the duration that initiating their journey might entail, hinting at his weary state after an early start and a tiring day.

Paul then weighed in, suggesting they conclude the session since significant progress had been made in their preparations and they had enjoyed some enriching role-playing, particularly their interactions with the First Officer, Indria Kander.

Accepting the group's sentiment, Dom agreed to wrap up, noting that although they might not gain substantial experience points from this session, the role-playing and team dynamics had been rewarding. Thus, with the decision made, the group decided to adjourn, leaving the grand cosmic adventure to commence at their next gathering.

Source - initially Tabletoprecorder.com, heavily edited for names, clarity and brevity with some parts injected to explain or catch elements missed in the summarising. 

Flowers of Algorab - Episode 17 - Expedition in Search of the Spheres

As a novelty, this session was at home and not on the road. Andy (Rashid) was back, but Graham (Lieto) and Simon (Fassour) were missing. The session was very much a planning session for the next part of the campaign. The conceit was that the crew were gathered at the Guild House in Ship City in a meeting room, planning how they would approach the Search for the Spheres in the Hammurabi Arm.

It was a mixture of in character and out of character conversations and discussions. In the write up below, I'm going to let it reflect the way that the fourth wall was broken during the session due to the nature of the blend.

During the session, I was leveraging Gemini Notebook quite heavily to answer questions. This is what was previously known as NotebookLM; it has a sandboxed document store and is really useful at pulling rules summaries and answering specific questions. It shows its working and links back to the original sources so you can check its comments. Recently, it was updated and can generate useful PDFs and improve documents. However, it cannot reach outside the sandbox so - for example - it will generate a Word docx file  (it looks like LibreOffice is sitting in the background somewhere according to some the progress messages), but you need to download it rather than directly creating in Google Docs.

I ended pulling together two sets of handouts for upgrading Rovers and Shuttles on the fly, which were useful and accurate.

I really enjoyed the session and it was fun to see everything getting pulled together. Of course, matters of how much supply to take with them and what upgrades to plan for are important as once they depart, there are limited options for repairs and upgrades until the crew return to Ship City. On initial looks, the mission would likely take most of a year, unless they took the more risky slipstream route home.

Our Crew

• Arda Qamar, a Guild Surveyor and Traveller who came from the Far Colonies from a Mining Combine operation. She’s the bird handler and Scout for the team. (Played by Hattie).
• Meristo Koulas, an Esoteric Coriolite Seer who grew up in the Fog of the Haze, and has ties to the Black Toad. (Played by Paul).
• Lieto Miesma, a Scholar specialised in Builder Archeology who came from deep inside the Factory City of the Turbine Halls, with a background in the Machinist's Guild. (Played by Graham)
• Fassour Faradi, a roughneck deep miner who also came from somewhere the eternal fog of the Haze, and - like Merits - has ties to the Black Toad. (Played by Simon)
• Rashid al-Masri, a scoundrel Hull Cutter who came from among the hulks and wrecks of Hull Town, and has connections to the Gardener's Guild. (Played by Andy).
• Corvus the Bird, a specter; cobalt blue, with a long beak, always observing. Usually handled by Arda.

The New Seekers (Corvus, Arda, Meristo, Fassour, Rashid and Lieto)

The Session (Spoilers for The Flowers of Algorab).

As the motley crew of the New Seekers congregated within the quiet confines of Vermilion House, they cast their gazes over the sprawling maps of the Charted Sphere and the Hammurabi Arm to plot a daring voyage aboard the slipstream cruiser Akhander.

The Guild-mates, including Rashid Al Masri (the team's security operator), Arda Qamar (the scout and bird handler), and Meristo Koulas (the Delver, medic, and drug dealer), gathered without their colleagues Lieto Miesma and Fassour Faradi, who were notably absent. Their mission was clear: to prepare for the expedition to discover further Singularity Spheres, starting at the Gahand System, a necessary pitstop on their journey into the Arm due to its strategic position as the gateway to the stars  of the Arm.

As Dom, their guide, attempted to share detailed maps for better planning, technical difficulties with the transmission ensued. Despite minor frustrations, subsequent attempts proved successful, displaying the intricate web of destinations and pathways that lay ahead. The crew discussed and deliberated over the most prudent route, considering factors such as safety, hostility, and strategic importance of each location in the Hammurabi Arm.

The conversation thickened as Arda unveiled a worn map, scribbled with notes and possibilities. Debates arose around the safest and most logical paths to take, taking into account the hostile environments and the relics of the ancient Builders that might still be lurking undiscovered. Various dangers were considered, from plasma bursts in Auriga to blight-infested jungles in Ninhulum, as well as the mystic allure of a lost planet rumored to reside within a gas cloud in Gahand.

As their strategies took form, Rashid reached out to his contacts within the Gardeners Guild, particularly seeking guidance from Petume Sibgoli, the First Arborist and assistant to the High Gardener. Their conversation was a delicate dance around sensitive issues such as unauthorised colonies and the non-colonisation clause, hinting at covert operations and lost heroesr.

This mingling of agendas, personal connections, and the quest for knowledge about the mysterious conditions in Ninhulum wrapped around the promises of a drink and further camaraderie. Throughout, Arda pursued her personal contacts as well, engaging with Radha Johuna, a cantina owner with ties to the Mining Combine, exchanging tales of recent adventures and discussing prospects of navigating the Hammurabi Arm safely.

Thus, amidst shared stories, strained technological interactions, and strategical deliberations, the New Seekers were drawn ever deeper into the complexity of their upcoming journey. Each member carried their own weight, their own past, and their own hopes into the plotting of a path that would likely change their destinies and perhaps unveil secrets long shrouded in the cosmic shadows of space.

As they convened to chart their forthcoming voyages into the enigmatic realms of the Hammurabi Arm and beyond, Arda Qamar broached the topic of local Mining Combine presence in the Ninhulam system, particularly concerning a mining outpost, shared with the Coriolites. Dom provided insights, mentioning a joint venture involving the Coriolites excavating high-grade ore.

Arda expressed the need to connect with Ermina Nester-Cour Mir-Kua, who was managing the operations, intrigued by the prospect of gleaning more from someone with an adventurous spirit. As the conversation meandered to other locations like Mourir's Landing amidst the Gahand Cloud, queries about the fabled, mythic planet surfaced. Dom, after referencing notes, informed Arda of the lack of new information, though she cautioned about the less-than-hospitable Shahzad Collective and a notorious group of Wreckers, led by Captain Massov.

Post-discussion, Meristo Koulas sought to cement plans for their route, advocating for a start at Gahand, and following the trail to Ninhulam, Auriga, then Habanatum. The course seemed set, but not without contingencies dependent on the findings within each system. They contemplated the necessary ship enhancements for safely traversing these perilous paths, aware that the unpredictable nature of their journey might require every bit of available technology and foresight.

Their navigational strategies were meticulously woven with personal tales and aspirations, and although the vast unknown loomed dauntingly, the camaraderie and shared resolve within the group lent courage to their collective heart. As the session concluded, the New Seekers were left to ponder the implications of their decisions, the perils awaiting in the cosmos, and the mysteries that beckoned from the poorly charted territories marked on their course.

There was a detailed and enthralling discussion on the ship and shuttle enhancements necessary for their perilous expedition across the Hammurabi Arm. Each character contributed astutely to the discourse, threading together a tapestry of technical needs and strategic desires.

Rashid Al Masri, ever the security-conscious, emphasised the critical requirement for a plasma shroud to safely navigate through the volatile Auriga system. Arda Qamar highlighted the shuttle’s potential modifications, suggesting blight and hazard protection for multiple environments. Meristo Koulas, with a keen eye on the ship's defences, prioritised establishing a list of essential upgrades, starting notably with the plasma shroud for the ship.

As they sifted through the myriad of possibilities—spanning from hull scrubbing stations for Gahand to scoop systems and enhanced sensors—their technical deliberations deepened. The Seekers mulled over optional upgrades such as reinforced plating and specialised scopes, carefully considering their utility against their expedition's routes.

In the thick of this strategic muddle, Dom interjected with sobering statistics on the limited availability of slipstream cruisers and the formidable great ships, framing the conversation within the limits of reality. The logistical interplay unfolded with Arda advocating for a gas intake scoop for Gahand, while Meristo argued for weapon mounts to fend off notorious Wreckers.

They pragmatically distinguished between obligatory and desirable upgrades, categorically marking hull scrubbing stations and a plasma shroud as indispensable for their survival. The realpolitik of their planning exposed the tantalizing dance between desire and necessity, capturing a glimpse into the vast and ominous cosmos that awaited them.

Arda and Meristo debated the merits of various systems and enhancements, weaving a complex mesh of technical labyrinths as they ventured deeper into the specifications of shuttles and shuttles’ possible adjustments. The mention of harpoon weapons and caustic-resistant coatings spun tales of combative anticipation and pragmatic foresight, juxtaposing their adventurous zeal against the harsh realities they might face.

As the session drew to a close, Dom promised to relay their compiled list of essential and desired modifications to the guild, whose technicians would breathe life into their mechanical aspirations. Amid friendly jests and a shared determination, the New Seekers stood on the precipice of the unknown, their fellowship fortified not just by bold dreams but by the meticulous groundwork laid down in Vermilion House.

In the Vermilion House, the Seekers engaged in a lively discussion about their upcoming expedition. Dom outlined the potential for committing crew points to facilitate improvements and resources for the next two missions. The conversation turned to the embellishments of their vessels, a new coat of paint suggested by Maristo Kulas for the Rhino vehicle, aiming to impress others despite the potential damage from acidic environments.

Arda brought to light the intriguing possibility of exploring underwater caves in one of the planned destinations, probing the necessity for amphibian capabilities. Rashid Al Masri chimed in about a possible flashy paint job for another vehicle, the Grasshopper, but concerns about the durability of such improvements were voiced given the harsh conditions they would face.

Talk shifted towards augmenting their crew; Dom reminded the team about new freelance additions, including Elena who pondered on hiring due to their impressive prior work. Meristo expressed intention to re-engage these freelancers, including a medic from the Gardeners Guild and a mysterious algebraist who, although helpful, aroused suspicions due to potential hidden agendas.

The discussion then navigated towards specifics about their vehicles’ capabilities, with Dom confirming the inclusion of comfortable bunks already installed in the Rhino, amidst various suggestions for other technological enhancements such as a laboratory and a harpoon cannon for defensive purposes.

In the midst of strategising, Meristo and Arda advanced ideas on making the most of their resources, contemplating the purchase of inexpensive goods in Ship City to trade during their journey. They deliberated over the potential rewards and logistics of carrying and trading such resources, mindful of the need for agreements from higher authorities within their crew structure.

As the session drew to a close, Dom encouraged the Seekers to finalize their preferences and plans in the Discord chat, ensuring a comprehensive preparation for the imminent challenges and opportunities that lay across the Hammurabi Arm, reflecting a mix of enthusiastic planning and cautious strategising by the seasoned adventurers.

Source - initially Tabletoprecorder.com, heavily edited for names, clarity and brevity with some parts injected to explain or catch elements missed in the summarising. 

Books in August 2026

August is always a month when I read a lot, as it usually has a block of holidays in and I'm often not preparing for running at a roleplaying convention, and this year was no exception. I read 17 books and 4,375 pages bringing the year-to-date totals to 76 books and 19,340 pages.

In the mix were one SF short stories magazine, two non-fiction, three graphic novels, four roleplaying, and seven fiction books.

The magazine was Clarkesworld, as I read another of the back catalogue I have (#203). It was using my little Xteink e-Reader as part of the ongoing attempt to avoid doom scrolling social media. Glad I have this subscription as the stories are always thought provoking and it's nice to have a library to dip into.

The non-fiction books were both excellent. Eve MacDonald's Carthage: A New History of an Ancient Empire was mostly read in July, with me finishing it the first week of the month. It tells the history of Carthage (no surprise there!), which I was only vaguely remembered from the perspective of the Roman Empire. This was fascinating and interesting and reminded me just how nasty and expansionist Rome was.  

I followed this up with Rob Cowen's The North Road which focuses around the A1 north south road in the UK, a place that I am very familiar with as I live in a town it connects to and I travel a good distance on it most weeks for work. I really don't know how to describe it's genre; part history, part autobiography, and part fiction, the author sets out with an objective to travel the length of the road and discover its history. However, it's also a way for him to find peace in himself from the way that his parent's divorce impacted him as a teenager. There are only a few fiction sections the book, and one of them about the Harrying of the North by William the Bastard (the Conqueror) has left me wanting to know more about that period. It's a part of the Norman Conquest of England that gets glossed over in history classes, but the systematic genocide of around a hundred-thousand people through murder and starvation in the north of England is brutally shown through a short story of two survivors. I really liked this book; it was always going to resonate with me as all the place names are familiar, but I won't be surprised if this is a strong contender for my best non-fiction book this year.

The graphic novels started with Brian Talbot's The Adventures of Luther Arkwright and Heart of Empire in a single volume. I've actually tried to read these several times; the first was thwarted by it revealing I needed to change to varifocal glasses, and I forget the reason I didn't conclude it the second time. However, the holiday we had on the Isle of Man gave me time and space to enjoy the stories. I do think that some of the text in the first book is challenging to read due to its size, but I don't regret getting back to this. The stories are told in very different styles (beyond the variations of black and white vs colour) and tell the tale of Luther Arkwright, an agent who can shift across multiverses protecting them against 'The Disruptors'. I followed this up with The Legacy of Luther Arkwright, a later follow up set quite some time after the original stories where Arkwright is called into action again. I'd originally intended to pass the books on once I'd finished them, but I think I'll probably read these again.

I followed this up with the latest compilation from Titan Books in their Blade Runner series, Black Lotus: Las Vegas, which continues the story of the protagonist from the Black Lotus anime series as she ends up in the remains of the city of vice after the dirty bomb, a story we first glimpsed in Blade Runner 2049. Enjoyable, and I'm looking forward to the next one.

Roleplaying next; I started with Outgunned: Superheroes which is a tailored version of the system built around the superhero genre. Having played the game engine back at North Star, I definitely want to get one of the Outgunned games to the table. I reviewed the first version here, and I think it's a game that will replace Savage Worlds for me as a go to action led system. I was mentally trying to build Marvel Defenders characters with this in my head, and then pondering doing a take of the fall of Carthage using superheroes rules (maybe a little like Eternals in principle).

After that, I read Midnight of the Century, a really interesting story game that is designed to a GM and one or two players. If you've seen the X-Files adjacent series Millennium, then you will immediately understand this game. The players are investigators in the Pacific Northwest of North America employed by a somewhat mysterious consultancy group to support the authorities investigating serial killers and occult adjacent deaths. Failure to solve the case will lead to some form of apocalyptic event, either local or more broadly. I found this intriguing and would like to run it at some point. I may do a more in-depth look at this later.

I then read Through the Hedgerow, one of the Osprey Games roleplaying games. This hooks into the British Fantasy vibe. I did find the typeface in the book a bit challenging to read at first but adapted to it. The characters are Briar Knights, fey and humans drawn from across different ages in Britain who cross through time representing the Light facing off against the Dark. I love the game idea but I found the rules poorly presented. I think that they are simple at heart, but the presentation uses lots of unnecessary acronyms and long winded terms that complicate the presentation. If I have a moment, I may well dive back into this and try and restate them in a clear and simple way on a cribsheet. As it stands, I liked this but it doesn't give me an urge to run. That may change if do the summary.

The final roleplaying game I read was Neon City Overdrive, which is a slick and fast cyberpunk game which feels a bit like an evolution of the dice mechanic in Blades in the Dark. Again, I was mentally trying to build characters I know from the genre like Molly, Case and Armitage from Neuromancer and it looked pretty simple to do (although they'd need to have more experience than a starting character to be realised). I'd originally planned to use this with the new Mothership book, Wages of Sin, for a scenario at Furnace, but have subsequently dropped that idea for reasons of simplicity (I'm running the same system three times).

On to fiction.

The first novel this month was Charles Cummings The Spanish Game, which is a sequel to A Spy by Nature and is set some years later when Alex Milius is living in exile in Spain, but ends up being drawn back into the world of espionage. A good book and I'm still not certain I like the protagonist. I'd happily read another if Cumming writes it.

After that I read Velvet Was the Night by Silvia Moreno-Garcia, best described as a Mexican Noir, where a young woman finds that looking after a neighbour's cat draws her into a world of protest and politics in 1970s Mexico. I enjoyed this; it was pretty dark, but so was the time it describes where the government was carrying out political repression with the support of the USA.

After that, I indulged with a thriller from Nicci French, in which a woman who has suffered a mental breakdown is convinced her neighbour has been murdered, but no-one believes her. It has the same police detective - Maud O'Conner - as Has anyone seen Charlotte Salter? which I also enjoyed a lot. The Last Days of Kira Mullen is definitely worth a read and it was a page turner for me.

Next up was Derek B. Miller's The Girl in Green, which was set in the Middle East. It follows a journalist and a young soldier in Iraq who witness a brutal repression by the Iraqi state after the first Gulf War where they fail to save a girl dressed in green. Thirty years on, a video clip goes viral with another girl in green, a Syrian refugee, who is attacked at a checkpoint, and both protagonists are drawn back to find out what happened. This wonderfully written, with a sadness to it, but ultimately a story of hope.

Lives of Bitter Rain is a novella by Adrian Tchaikovsky set in The Tyrant Philospher's universe. It is a prequel to Days of Shattered Faith and tells the backstory of one of the protagonists, Angilly, in that story, leading me to like her even more. Handiwork Games are planning to release a roleplaying game in this setting, which could be quite interesting. I enjoyed this.

The next two books were both by John Marsden, and are a young adult fiction series - The Tomorrow Series - set in Australia where a group of young people have been camping in the bush over a holiday weekend only to find that the country has been invaded (it's never said by whom but everything points at China) and all their families have been taken prisoner. The stories, Tomorrow, When the War Began and The Dead of Night are done as journals by one of the protagonists, a late teens girl from a farming family called Ellie. They're quite gripping and fast to read (page counts in the high 200s) and as I write this I'm on the fifth of the seven books in the series. The story doesn't pull its punches, people get hurt and can die in this, and characters are confused teenagers who make mistakes that are all too human.

If I had to pull favourites from this list, it would be Derek B Miller's The Girl in Green for fiction and Rob Cowen's The North Road for non-fiction, with an honourable mention for Marsden's The Tomorrow Series. However, lots of books I enjoyed this month.

5 September 2026

Flowers of Algorab - Episode 16 - Slipstream Inversion

Once again travelling with work (and back after a fortnight away for holiday), the technology worked fine from the Premier Inn. As usual, I'd upgraded the internet to the faster option to try and minimise any risks.

Originally, we'd though that this would be a session with everyone for the first time since the start of the summer, but circumstances conspired and we were without Andy (Rashid) again. Before we started, there was a discussion on how vulnerable everyone that played last session was, and the realisation that healing and recover was minimal from when we ended. This directly led to the crew buying the Phoenix Engine upgrade for the bird - it allows it to regenerate in extreme circumstances - at the end of the session, spending their crew points.

We opened the session with the characters continuing to explore the crystallised professor's office, hoping to find more clues on how to stop the slipstream experiment from continuing to expand and destroy the station.

My reflection is that this session felt dangerous again; the critical system in the game means that characters are always at risk of dying, and some the signature attack table elements are quite vicious. The positive is that it means that the game always has a tension in combat, the negative is that realistically, it's likely that at least one character will die at some point and we will have to deal with that as a player group. The campaign is built to allow substitutions, but I'm sure that it will take an emotional toll when it happens.

The end of the session left us about to return into the main sandbox, which means that the next session will likely be consumed with planning the approach for the forthcoming sessions. Where will they want to take the Slipstream Cruiser Akhander? The summer homework that has long been put off is coming due...

Our Crew

• Arda Qamar, a Guild Surveyor and Traveller who came from the Far Colonies from a Mining Combine operation. She’s the bird handler and Scout for the team. (Played by Hattie).
• Meristo Koulas, an Esoteric Coriolite Seer who grew up in the Fog of the Haze, and has ties to the Black Toad. (Played by Paul).
• Lieto Miesma, a Scholar specialised in Builder Archeology who came from deep inside the Factory City of the Turbine Halls, with a background in the Machinist's Guild. (Played by Graham)
• Fassour Faradi, a roughneck deep miner who also came from somewhere the eternal fog of the Haze, and - like Merits - has ties to the Black Toad. (Played by Simon)
• Rashid al-Masri, a scoundrel Hull Cutter who came from among the hulks and wrecks of Hull Town, and has connections to the Gardener's Guild. (Played by Andy).
• Corvus the Bird, a specter; cobalt blue, with a long beak, always observing. Usually handled by Arda.

The New Seekers (Corvus, Arda, Meristo, Fassour, Rashid and Lieto)

The Session (Spoilers for The Flowers of Algorab).

At the opening of the episode, our crew found themselves recuperating from a fierce encounter with a peculiar crystal creature. The GM recounted the brutal clash for the benefit of those that weren't present, highlighting that our heroes narrowly avoided grave injuries, though Meristo Koulas did suffer some knocks. The creature, showcasing a signature attack mode unlike any they had previously encountered, ultimately fled after a relentless assault from the party. This was an encounter that nearly saw the end of one of our heroes, a tense moment for all involved.

Our group was left in the remnants of the battle, amidst broken machinery and the frigid atmosphere of disarray. They found themselves in the office of Professor Melitreides, faced with a researcher encased in crystal, a ghastly sight bearing testament to experiments turned awry. The office was rich with clues, peppered with log notes pointing to the dangerous science of the Argumoda Experiment that had consumed its creators.

Amidst their exploration, the group heard subtle but eerie chittering coming from a vent adorned with scratch marks. This called for quick thinking; they devised a plan to seal the vent to prevent any unseen, possibly crystalline creatures from emerging. The tension in the room was palpable, as they quietly argued the best approach, ultimately deciding to use a canister of cryogenic material to freeze whatever lay behind the vent's shadows. They sealed it with stack of books, hoping their impromptu barricade would hold whatever they faced at bay, at least for a while.

The threat sealed away, there was a whispered debate about the nature of the mysterious chitterings. In jest, Fassour remarked on the density of algebraic texts as being hopefully sleep-inducing for whatever critters lay beyond should they break through.

The cluttered desk revealed intriguing items including a crumpled love letter, hinting at a heartfelt connection between Adina and an unknown 'B.' The intrigue deepened as they speculated on hidden codes within the letter, questioning its ties to the station's researchers and possibly deeper secrets sewn into the station's quivering narrative. Was it a love letter or a secret coded message? Checking records, they believed that Adina was an algebraist who had recently returned to Ship City.

The discovery of more documents about the Argumoda Experiment amongst the scattered papers spurred a scientific discussion led by Demar, a knowledgeable presence, about the experimental tests being conducted on the station. The concept of inversion and scaled tests became focal points. Fassour Faradi, with a mix of humour and skepticism, engaged with the theories, pondering the pragmatic approach to invert a growing crystal phenomenon threatening the station.

As the group prepared for action, strategic considerations around resource management, path choices, and potential threats from unseen creatures were voiced, with Fassour maintaining a deadpan humorous take on their perilous situation. They reinforced their resolve to tackle the Argumoda Experiment, understanding that the balance of chaos and order hung by a precarious thread, woven with the crystal strands of time itself. However, they decided that it was time for some self care, and withdrew from the section of fractured space, back to the rest of the station, to allow for rest and recuperation.

Resting overnight, they prepared to return to the fracture. They shared details of what had happened, managing to gain agreement from both Station Chief Azade Jaspel and Professor Nisma Kabakoutal-Doussa. The latter's dislike of the Continuum Modeller's approaches was overcome by her desire in understand the phenomenon that they had created, her interest peaked by the video footage, information and technical summary from Demar Doui. The urgency to close down the experiment was emphasised by another more violent light quake, shaking the station to its core.

Thus primed and ready, or at least partially recovered, the New Seekers plunged deeper into the labyrinthine corridors of Professor Melitreides's haunted legacy, each step a stride toward either salvation or ruin. They pressed resolutely through the corridors and rooms that they had previously travelled through, haunted by moments when they felt the crystalline jackal-like creature was shadowing them in the depths of the translucent crystalline walls, just at the limit of what they could make out through the fractures.

Reaching. the heart of experiment, our intrepid adventurers encounter an unstable sphere of slipstream energy, tethered dangerously and stabilised by the reactor's force-fed power. Amidst their strategic inspections, they glean that the sphere, though unstable, holds together by a precarious force. The group—Meristo Kulas, Fassour Faradi, Arda Qamar, and Lieto Miesma—realises the necessity to cautiously invert the values controlling it to ensure a safe collapse rather than just cut off the power.

As they orchestrate their plan, a pressing challenge emerges in the form of the Professor, now transformed into crystalline form by the chaotic energy release of the experiment. The need to shift him away to safely input the crucial inversion becomes apparent. Fassour, leveraging a unique talent that allows him to harness his strength in persuasive ways—akin to an intimidating 'thug'—steps up to handle the situation physically, ensuring they maintain control over the potentially volatile setup.

In their efforts, they are suddenly besieged by bat-like crystal fluttering creatures emerging from previously traversed vents, adding layers of danger to their already dire situation. Arda Qamar, quick to react, calls for tactical vigilance, even attempting to manage an observational role amidst the chaos. Lieto Miesma provides analytical support, piecing together the delicate scientific sequences needed to stabilize the energy sphere lest it wreak further havoc.

As they fend off their aerial assailants with varied success, using everything from flamethrowers to improvised cryogenic devices, the reactor linked to the unstable sphere sparks dangerously, culminating in a blast of energy that ripples throughout the vicinity. Though they manage to avoid immediate harm from the blast (thanks to the dice favouring them), the structure of the station itself does not fare as well. The severe jolting of the facility makes it difficult for the crew to retain their footing, their suits affecting their ability to manoeuvre swiftly.

In this climax of elemental and physical onslaughts, the crew find themselves navigating their subsequent actions amid blasts of energy, swarms of crystalline creatures, and the desperate need to input the critical inversion codes. Amidst the defensive chaos, they utilise their respective abilities—some in combat prowess with Meristo's guidance, others through technical means with Arda's and Lieto’s insights to Demar Doui, to try and resolve the situation.

The session crescendos with the successful inversion and the subsequent stabilisation of the chaotic slipstream energies permeating the station. As the sphere collapsed, it released a hazardous burst of blight, which the crew's suits' protective armour provided some resistance to, albeit with varying degrees of success.

With the slipstream sphere now collapsed and the immediate threats momentarily abated, the adventurers, though wearied and battered by the ordeal, gather their energies. They attend to the fallen Professor Melitreides, whose form, freed from the crystalline encasement, collapses in exhaustion—a mirror to the adventurers' own drained but determined spirits, ready to face the next chapter in their thrilling voyage through the realms of science, mysticism, and the unknown.

The discussion turned to the extraction from the dangerous area while ensuring the safety of Professor Melitrades and any other survivors. The heroes debated the next steps in their escape, checking on other researchers, only to find that the other trapped researchers were less fortunate, succumbing to the harsh conditions of their entrapment. The body of one researcher was never found.

They navigated through damaged and hazardous corridors, with the structural integrity of the station compromised and environmental conditions a persistent threat.

Before they left the fracture, they checked out the power system for the experiment. In the reactor room, they encountered a powered-down neutronic continuum reactor, a marvel of technology they only recognised due to their prior briefing. Despite the challenges, they managed to access crucial data from a terminal, which proved vital but complex, surpassing their technical comprehension but hinting at further mysteries tied to the slipstream experiments and potentially sabotaged expansions.

They left the Library Station with the two Professors warily discussing the outcome of the experiment and the data that it had made available for future research. The fracture and crystallisation of the station slowly receded, although the damage remained, needing repair. Once recovered from the ordeal, Melitriedes was committed to analysing the precious cargo of the Nadir Mummy and Slipstream Sphere to discover any secrets that may make their mission to find the origin of the signal easier.

The voyage back to Ship City on the Kumaranti was uneventful. 

Upon their return, debriefings and discussions about future potentials opened up new avenues for inquiry and reflection. As they interacted with other characters, including Master Moska, they navigated discussions about leverage and the relational dynamics aboard the ship, hinting at deeper layers of social intrigue and potential future conflicts.

Source - initially Tabletoprecorder.com, heavily edited for names, clarity and brevity with some parts injected to explain or catch elements missed in the summarising.