===== Play Test Module ===== ====== Echoes Below ====== A short ODDS RPG playtest adventure. Genre: Space Adventure Theme: Exploration, tension, tactical combat Length: 1–2 sessions Players investigate a derelict underground research facility on a remote colony world. ---- ===== Adventure Hook ===== A mining outpost on planet Kestrel-9 has gone silent. Orbital scans show power fluctuations beneath the surface. The corporation (or patron) hires the party to: * Investigate the underground lab * Recover research data * Retrieve valuable prototype tech * Determine what happened Reward: Wealth increase OR 500 credits equivalent Plus salvage rights ---- ===== Planet Overview ===== Kestrel-9 is: * Thin atmosphere * Jagged rock formations * Frequent electrical storms * Low-level seismic instability Surface threats: * Electrical storm bursts * Unstable rock shelves * Abandoned mining drones Access to the lab is through a collapsed mining tunnel. ---- ===== Lab Overview ===== The underground facility consists of: 1. Entry Tunnel 2. Security Checkpoint 3. Research Wing 4. Containment Block 5. Power Core Chamber The lab was researching alien bio-tech discovered during mining operations. Something escaped containment. ---- ===== Area 1 – Entry Tunnel ===== Dim emergency lighting. Scorch marks on walls. Discarded mining equipment. Challenge: Clear debris (TN 12 Might) OR bypass through side shaft (TN 15 Agility) Failure: Minor collapse – 2d10 damage (Agility TN 12 halves) Clue: Log tablet mentions “Subject Gamma breach.” ---- ===== Area 2 – Security Checkpoint ===== Blast doors partially sealed. Options: Hack control panel (Extended Task Goal 3) Force doors (TN 18 Might) Cut power reroute (TN 15 Engineering) Random Event (roll 1d6): 1–2 Motion sensors activate automated turret 3–4 Nothing happens 5–6 Strange movement in vents Automated Turret (Standard) Health 14 Attack +5 Damage 2d10+1 Defense TN 13 Armor 1 Ability: Suppressive Fire (-2 to next attack roll if hit) ---- ===== Area 3 – Research Wing ===== Broken glass. Containment pods shattered. Bio-fluid stains. Encounter (choose one): Alien Parasite (Elite) Health 22 Attack +7 Damage 2d10+2 Defense TN 14 Armor 2 Abilities: Regenerate, Terrify OR Corporate Retrieval Team (2 Standards) Health 14 each Attack +5 Damage 2d10+1 Defense TN 13 Armor 1 Ability: Coordinated (+2 when adjacent) Loot: Prototype energy weapon (2d10+2, ignores 1 Armor) Research data core (valuable) ---- ===== Area 4 – Containment Block ===== Cold. Lights flicker. Containment chamber breached from inside. Environmental hazard: Radiation leak (TN 15 Might or lose 2d10 Resolve) Inside: Evidence of forced extraction. Something large was moved. Clue: Power readings spike below. ---- ===== Area 5 – Power Core Chamber ===== Massive generator hum. Alien organic structure fused with reactor. Boss Encounter: Hybrid Entity (Boss) Health 38 Attack +9 Damage 2d10+3 Defense TN 15 Armor 3 Abilities: Regenerate (5 per round) Terrify (1/scene) Cleave Phase at 50%: Reactor destabilizes (everyone rolls TN 15 Agility or take 2d10) Victory Options: * Destroy creature * Shut down reactor (Extended Task Goal 5 during combat) * Seal chamber and escape ---- ===== Random Encounters (Optional During Exploration) ===== Roll 1d6 between areas: 1 Seismic tremor – debris fall (TN 12 Agility) 2 Drone reactivates (Minion stats) 3 Strange whisper over comms (Resolve TN 12) 4 Environmental fire burst 5 Rival scavenger team arrives 6 Nothing… but something watches ---- ===== Rewards ===== Major Success: Wealth +1 (temporary or permanent) Unique tech asset Faction reputation boost Partial Success: Data recovered Creature escaped Failure: Facility collapses Creature reaches surface colony ---- ===== Expansion Hooks ===== The alien organism was not native. Coordinates found in data logs. Corporate cover-up begins. Rival faction wants the tech. This lab was only one of many.