Iron Storms

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by Félix-Étienne Trépanier, Pascal Tanguay

 Iron Storms (v1.0)

The three shamans have been walking slowly for more than
a cyclade, braving the elements. As they reach the top of a
sand dune, they can finally see their destination, the ruins of

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the long-lost city of Sha-Lik.

OVERVIEW
Iron Storms is a short scenario that takes place on
Dabaran.
The PCs are tasked with delivering materials to a
research station located in the Dabaran desert. On
their way to the site, an enormous iron storm breaks
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BACKGROUND
THE SAHALIANS
Sahalians are intelligent lizard-like creatures native
to Dabaran. They were reported to be extinct by the
scientific community a few decades after humans
arrived on the planet. The exact cause of their
disappearance is unknown. The average Sahalian

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out on the horizon. The ship reaches the research
station just as the storm hits.

After landing, the PCs brave the storm to deliver

critical medical equipment to the station given that
measures 5 meters. Their large reptilian bodies
sport a 2-meter long tail and six appendages, two of
which are considered arms. Over the course of a few
millennia, they built many large cities in the Dabaran
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desert, though there are several indications that their
one scientist was badly injured when the strong
civilization was already in decline when humans
winds caused a structure to collapse on them as they
arrived on Dabaran.
returned from the excavation site.

Archeological records show that they mainly

The scientists explain that they have picked up
communicated through pictograms. The most
anomalous readings around a large iron dome that
recent discoveries are related to fables of their
was partially uncovered by previous storms.
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mythical origins which indicate that the Sahalians

Abnormally low temperatures in the vicinity of the
believe their spirit emerged from Exilion (the small
dome have been recorded and their scanners picked
star that orbits the Dabaran system's main star)
up signs of invisible lifeforms.
before it coalesced into their physical body.
According to anthropologists, the Sahalians
Once the storm has abated, the PCs are asked to
inscribed the surface of their dome-shaped iron
survey the excavation site using their ship’s sensors
temples with pictograms that tell stories of major
before the scientists and PCs return to the dome for
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geological and historical events that happened on

further investigation. When the group returns to the
the planet. Carbon dating however shows that the
dome, they notice that an entrance has been
inscriptions were etched into the ferrous surface
uncovered by the winds. Unbeknownst to the PCs,
long before the recorded events occurred. Some
they have roused an evil Djinn that has long lived
archeologists believe the Sahalians have even
inside the dome and is waiting for them.
prophesied the return of the Icons in their physical
form, though the evidence supporting such a claim
is widely disputed.

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 Iron Storms (v1.0)

Despite common beliefs, the Sahalians are not THE RESEARCH STATION
extinct. There are a few hundred individuals left,
Built three months ago, the research station is a
living and hiding in the deep desert. They have
state-of-the-art complex. It is composed of two
adopted a nomadic lifestyle and have stayed hidden

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circular buildings covered in magnetic plating in
from humans since they colonized Dabaran. Over
order to minimize the damage by the frequent iron
the course of their evolution as a species, the
storms. The two structures are linked by a narrow
Sahalians have developed a symbiotic relationship
10-meter long corridor. The first contains 8 small
with a native bacteria (ferrumia) that feeds on the

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rooms that serve as living quarters and a central
naturally-occurring iron deposits found in abundance
communal area, while the second houses scientific
in the desert. The scales covering Sahalian bodies
equipment, a central laboratory, and a small medical
are naturally infused with iron as a result of living for
facility.
generation upon generation near rich iron deposits.
While the ferrumia have evolved to feed on Sahalian
The five members of the research team - Kef Aman
scales, the native bacteria enhanced the mystical
(engineer), Lassa Maoun (archeologist), Oman Riad
powers of their host. At first, the Sahalians used
(archeologist), Jawna Halani (ascetic), and team
their innate mystical powers for healing and
leader Abriana Lua (prospector) - have been living
protection, but with practice and devotion, the

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symbiosis granted them premonitory visions which
they religiously recorded as divine prophecies. They
quickly realized that these divinations spelled out a
dire future, foreshadowing the downfall of their
on the site since the opening two months ago.
Detailed profiles of the team members can be found
in the Appendix.
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civilization. They decided to limit the use of what
they called the Gifts of Exilion, when they
understood that using the Gifts caused the Darkness
Between the Stars to grow, thus fulfilling dark
prophecies. But it was too late. Evil djinns had
already emerged from the Darkness and quickly
caused mayhem in Sahalian cities across the
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Dabaran desert. Sahalian civilization collapsed and

the remaining individuals left the cities for the desert
while a handful of djinns stayed on Dabaran to feed
on the powers of the Gifts, hiding inside the ruined
cities and protecting their treasure.

Recently, a group of three Sahalian shamans,

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following ancient prophecies, reached a newly

established research station manned by a small
group of humans.

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 Iron Storms (v1.0)

ACT 1 - THE STORM

Buried in darkness, Mar’ksha connects with the mystical tree

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once again. Outside, powerful air currents start to form in a
whirlwind mirroring the tortured mind of the evil Djinn.

In this first act, the PCs will be contracted by the
University of Daddah to deliver critical equipment to
a research station in the Dabaran desert. As they
approach the station, an iron storm hits. As soon as
their ship lands, the PCs must act quickly as the
research team is in desperate need of medical
supplies and medicurgy support as one scientist
was badly injured when the storm caused a
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the University is out of options since contracted
couriers have all been dispatched to other locations.
The delivery of the goods should be easy, but the
Mathematical Institute has just emitted an
imminent iron storm warning.
The University is well aware of the risk of getting

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structure to collapse on him.

The themes for this act are urgency and survival.

The GM starts Act 1 with 1 DP per PC.

caught in such a storm so they offer 20,000 birrs as
a generous payment to independent contractors
willing to brave the impending storm. In addition to
the cash payment, the University offers magnetized
breathing masks (see the Gear section in the
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appendix) and one pair of binoculars (Core Book p.
THE TASK 115) to the PCs. Both items are very useful in the
desert.
The PCs are contracted by the University of Daddah
to deliver research material to a remote scientific At the PCs’ request, the University representative
outpost in the Dabaran desert. can provide a quick introduction to Sahalian culture
and beliefs (see The Sahalians section above) and
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The isolated outpost is an excavation site where
archeologists are investigating the ruins of a large
Sahalian city that was recently located by
reconnaissance drones. Three scientists, a manager,
and an engineer work there (see The Research
Station section above).
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show them the 5-meter long skeletal remains of an
adult Sahalian male that were uncovered recently.
Curious PCs asking about or researching iron
storms quickly learn that it is a common
phenomenon in the Dabaran desert but very hard to
predict. The best prediction models from the
Mathematical Institute are strangely not based on

The survival of the outpost is predicated on the atmospheric conditions but on Exilion’s radiation
regular delivery of food, water, and gear from the
emission patterns.
University. The last shipment left the University two
days ago, but a glitch in the supply chain caused
some critical goods to be left at the docks. The THE STORM
University is investigating, but the goods need to
Four hours after takeoff, the PCs can already see the
reach the research station without further delay, and
small research station on the horizon, but an iron

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 Iron Storms (v1.0)
storm is quickly forming. Using calculations from
the ship’s computers, the PCs can estimate (DATA
DJINN) that they could reach the station before the
storm is too strong and prevent them from landing
at the site.
With a successful PILOT roll, the ship can indeed land
near the station as the storm stirs the air, lifting sand
and iron particles on the incredibly strong winds. On
a failed test, the ship is caught in the storm just
before landing and the billowing winds prevent a
controlled descent, damaging the ship. The PCs can
land, but the ship’s thrusters are damaged by tiny
iron particles that clog the internal plasma relays,
preventing takeoff. The thrusters can only be
repaired with a successful TECHNOLOGY roll. Each
attempt at repairing the system takes 12 hours.
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Communication with the research station from the
ship is compromised by the unstable magnetic field
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created by the storm and requires a successful DATA
DJINN roll to establish a clear connection.
The research station is desperately trying to
communicate with the PCs’ ship as they urgently
need medical supplies (and MEDICURGY support)
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since Oman was injured when an excavation site
structure collapsed on him when the strong winds
started. Abriana estimates Oman, who suffered
from pierced intestines (critical injury 46) can be
kept alive for a maximum of 6 hours without help
and supplies.
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However the PCs manage to land their ship, the
raging storm reduces visibility to 5 meters, and
crossing the 100 meters between the ship and the
research facility requires 10 minutes on foot. PCs
must make an OBSERVATION roll to find the access
hatch to enter the research facility. On a failed roll,
PCs take an extra 10 minutes, wandering about in
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the sandstorm, before they can make another
OBSERVATION roll.
Any PCs going out in the storm will be hit with the
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equivalent of a MELEE COMBAT 7, DMG 1 attack. For
every 10 minutes of exposure to the storm, the GM
can make another attack. Excess successes inflict
stress damage. If the PCs are not wearing
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magnetized breathing masks when outside in the
storm, the charged iron particles quickly clog their
breathing equipment and filters. When this happens,
the PCs have only a few minutes before they have
difficulty breathing (inflicting one stress point per
minute).
Once the PCs reach the station with the medical
supplies, they can either roll MEDICURGY or help
Abriana roll to stabilize Oman who is in dire need of
medical attention.
If the PCs do not help heal the wounded, Oman will
die, allowing the GM to gain 3 Darkness Points.
EVENTS
Here are some optional events the GM can trigger to
add drama to the story.
✺ DAMAGED BATTERY
The iron particles propelled by the strong winds
damage the external battery that stores solar power
for the night, causing a short circuit that rapidly
drains the battery (the battery loses 20% every hour
until fixed). Since the storm covers the sky, the
research station’s compromised battery can only
power a single system. The PCs could attempt to
hook the station to the ship’s reactor using a cable
(TECHNOLOGY), though this would require PCs to
brave the storm once again, with the same risks and
penalties as described above. This will take 4 hours
to complete (6 with a failed OBSERVATION roll due to
reduced visibility) and one of the ship’s modules will
 Iron Storms (v1.0)

be disabled as long as the station is hooked to the

reactor. Alternatively, they can attempt to fix the
battery (TECHNOLOGY -2) with each attempt taking 2
hours (3 with a failed OBSERVATION roll due to

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reduced visibility). Kef will help, giving a +1 to
TECHNOLOGY rolls.

Cost: 2 DPs

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✺ SPIRITUAL RUPTURE

The GM could induce a mania (Core Book p. 137) in

at least one person as the djinn’s dark influence
reaches the station. For 1 Darkness Points, the GM
can inflict a Spiritual Rupture mania on one of the
wounded scientists. For 2 Darkness Points, the GM
can inflict a Spiritual Rupture mania on any other of

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the researchers. For 3 Darkness Points, the GM can
inflict a Spiritual Rupture mania on one of the PCs.

Cost: 1-3 DPs

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 Iron Storms (v1.0)

ACT 2 - THE ANOMALY

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As Jawna puts her hand forward to touch the odd
pictograms, she immediately feels mystical energy
emanating from the abnormally cold iron surface.

In the second act, the PCs will have to analyze and
gather more data about the anomaly detected at the
excavation site.
They will then need to mediate conflicts between the
research team members.
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scaffold, probably weakened by the winds, fell right
on top of us. Oman was badly hurt. Abriana and Kef
rushed out from the station and carried him back to
safety while Lassa and I painfully made our way to
safety in the lab."

Analyzing the scientists’ sensor data (DATA DJINN)

The GM should emphasize the limited space in the
confirms their recollection of the events. The

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research station and the growing tensions between
its inhabitants caused by the recent events and the
feeling of being trapped by the iron storm.

The themes for this act are investigation and social

temperature instantly dropped to -4C and biomatter
was detected on the dome and in the air all around
them. Further analysis (SCIENCE -1) of the biomatter
data reveals a bio-signature that seems to indicate a
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large population of ferrumia, a bacteria native to
tensions.
Dabaran that feeds on iron. Ferrumia is known to be
harmless to humans.
The GM starts Act 2 with 1 additional DP per PC.

THE CONFLICT
THE MYSTERIOUS READINGS
The next morning, the storm is still raging but Lassa The research team will start to argue about the next
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and Jawna are feeling better and relate the last
minutes of their foray into the excavation site to the
PCs.
Jawna says: "As we were walking back to the lab, we
noticed the strong winds had uncovered part of an
old structure buried in the sand: a large dome made
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steps to take. The PCs can take part in the
discussion if they want. The NPCs may talk to some
of the PCs in private to request support or promote
their agenda.
✺ ABRIANA (TEAM LEADER)

of iron engraved with pictograms. When we got near
the structure, the temperature dropped below
freezing and our proximity sensors went haywire,
indicating the presence of lifeforms on the surface of
the dome, though we couldn't see anything. When I
touched the pictograms to study them, the winds
picked up, and I ordered everyone back to the
research station. When we crossed zone 5, a large
Abriana is concerned about the security of her crew.
As long as the storm is raging, she will prevent
anyone from leaving the station. She might go as far
as using her high-level clearance codes to lock the
research station doors to trap everyone inside
(including the PCs). Breaking out of the station
during such a lockdown will require a security tablet
and a successful TECHNOLOGY roll.