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The Beetle-Express Vault Railway

Environments Designed by Patrick

At a glance

Tier
2
Type
Exploration
Difficulty
14
Impulses
Maintain terrifying momentum shake off interlopers plunge unready into the abyss

Environment overview

A thundering network of suspended arcane rails where massive beetles pull floating cargo through the dark tunnels and enormous caverns at stampede speeds.

Potential adversaries

Beetle Riders (Leader) Cargo Security (Elite Soldiers / Minions) Tunnel Dwelling Beast

Features

Passives

passive
  • G Force

    The beast-train moves at such high speeds that the wind and centrifugal force threaten to tear riders away.

    Any PC attempting to move beyond Very Close range while on the exterior of a beetle or cargo pod must succeed on an Agility Roll or Strength Roll, and on failure must mark 1 Stress from the physical strain of holding on.

    Questions
    • What are you using to anchor yourself?
    • What does it feel like as the magic from the Arcane railway hums next to you?
    • What does the G Force feel like?

Actions

action
  • Woah, Sharp Turn Ahead! Stampede! Brakeeessss!

    The Quadriga of beetles surges or veers sharply. Target all PCs in a specific area to make an Agility Reaction Roll.

    On a Failure: Take 2d6+3 Physical Damage as you are slammed against the cargo or the tunnel wall and become Vulnerable, and must mark 2 Stress to hang on.

    On a Success: Mark 1 Stress to maintain your footing.

    Questions
    • What does it sound like when massive beetles screech in a low-frequency hum that vibrates in your very bones?
    • How do you keep your focus through the deafening sound of thousands of skittering legs?
  • Big F'in Drop!
    Fear 2

    The train enters a humongous cavern where the rail hangs, vaulted to the ceiling.
    Target a PC to make an Instinct or Agility Reaction Roll as a rail-joint sparks or a beetle bucks or a cargo container veers.

    On a Failure: You fall from the train. If not saved by an ally or an ability on the next action, take fall damage from the plunge and the PC is lost in the cavern below.

    Questions
    • Who do you reach out for as you begin to slip?
    • As the light of the arcane rail fades above you, what bioluminescent patterns do you see moving on the cavern floor miles below?

Reactions

reaction
  • Rail Arc Flash

    Activates when a PC rolls a Failure with Fear while using a spell or technological item.

    Spend 1 Fear to have the arcane rail discharge a massive bolt of energy. The PC takes 2d10+2 Magic damage and is Vulnerable until they succeed on an Instinct Roll .

    Questions
    • What color is the electrical arc that leaps from the rail to your gear?
    • What does the ozone smell like in the wake of the blast?

About this environment

On a Failure with Fear, ask the PCs what Tunnel Dwelling Beast they can see hanging out in the environment coming up ahead.

The Beetle-Express Vault Railway

Tier 2 Exploration

A thundering network of suspended arcane rails where massive beetles pull floating cargo through the dark tunnels and enormous caverns at stampede speeds.

Impulses: Maintain terrifying momentum, shake off interlopers, plunge unready into the abyss

Difficulty: 14

Potential Adversaries: Beetle Riders (Leader), Cargo Security (Elite Soldiers / Minions), Tunnel Dwelling Beast

Features

G Force - Passive: The beast-train moves at such high speeds that the wind and centrifugal force threaten to tear riders away. Any PC attempting to move beyond Very Close range while on the exterior of a beetle or cargo pod must succeed on an Agility Roll or Strength Roll, and on failure must mark 1 Stress from the physical strain of holding on.
  1. What are you using to anchor yourself?
  2. What does it feel like as the magic from the Arcane railway hums next to you?
  3. What does the G Force feel like?
Woah, Sharp Turn Ahead! Stampede! Brakeeessss! - Action: The Quadriga of beetles surges or veers sharply. Target all PCs in a specific area to make an Agility Reaction Roll. On a Failure: Take 2d6+3 Physical Damage as you are slammed against the cargo or the tunnel wall and become Vulnerable, and must mark 2 Stress to hang on. On a Success: Mark 1 Stress to maintain your footing.
  1. What does it sound like when massive beetles screech in a low-frequency hum that vibrates in your very bones?
  2. How do you keep your focus through the deafening sound of thousands of skittering legs?
Big F'in Drop! - Action: The train enters a humongous cavern where the rail hangs, vaulted to the ceiling. Target a PC to make an Instinct or Agility Reaction Roll as a rail-joint sparks or a beetle bucks or a cargo container veers. On a Failure: You fall from the train. If not saved by an ally or an ability on the next action, take fall damage from the plunge and the PC is lost in the cavern below.
  1. Who do you reach out for as you begin to slip?
  2. As the light of the arcane rail fades above you, what bioluminescent patterns do you see moving on the cavern floor miles below?
Rail Arc Flash - Reaction: Activates when a PC rolls a Failure with Fear while using a spell or technological item. Spend 1 Fear to have the arcane rail discharge a massive bolt of energy. The PC takes 2d10+2 Magic damage and is Vulnerable until they succeed on an Instinct Roll .
  1. What color is the electrical arc that leaps from the rail to your gear?
  2. What does the ozone smell like in the wake of the blast?

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