Post by Catsmate on Sept 9, 2015 13:03:17 GMT
A quickie, suitable as inspiration for a adventure in Dark Ages Britain or an odd background event.
Around 775-5 CE something happened to bombard the Earth with a burst of high energy radiation; some short cosmic event causes a massive spike in the levels of carbon14 in tree rings that formed during the 775 CE growing season in the northern hemisphere. Levels were approximately twenty times the annual norm. Such spikes are generally caused by energy from a supernova or huge solar flare striking the Earth's atmosphere. When the event was first documented in 2012 it appeared that, oddly, no other effects of such an event appeared to have been noticed at the time.
Later a biochemistry student (Jonathon Allen) tracked down a reference in the eighth-century Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, to a "red crucifix" that appeared in the heavens after sunset
Unfortunately the chronicle didn't include a date for the sight.
Many scientists now believe that the event was an unrecorded supernova; visible after sunset and perhaps obscured by the Sun. The red colour could be due to the supernova's light passing through a dense cloud of interstellar dust.
Ideas.
1. Someone wants to know what actually happened and the PCs are dispatched to find out, and take careful measurements of the relative position of the "crucifix" from the Earth. But why? Academic curiousity, or gain? Perhaps someone is interested in such violent cosmic events; supernova could be sources of valuable trans-uranic elements, or even stranger materials like Zeiton7, Chronomium or Kontron Crystals.
2. The party is in Britain in 775 for some other reason when they witness the phenomenon. Now a Time Lord or someone with a good scientific background will probably realise what's happening but others might now. Perhaps the superstitious locals are worried (and I'm sure the PCs will stand out, perfect scapegoats) or someone takes advantage of the effect to gain power, either a local or interloper (like the Master). Assuming the PCs speak up they may be the first victims of a new cult...
3. Of course the PCs might not be the only time travellers. Someone else is interested in the supernova and the possible treasure trove of rare minerals it portends. Is there a Sontaran scout party from the future hiding in a monastery, using their ocular devices to hypnotise the monks, eager to track the supernova and exploit it for resources to fight the Rutan? Or has a human corporation from the Imperial Era commissioned the Alexandrian Society to gather the data for them? Offering perhaps access to their own experimental technology.
4. In the Whoniverse the event might not have been a simple supernova; was it the explosion of a starship near the Earth? Or the opening/closure of a wormhole bringing alien visitors? Or something else entirely...
Comments? Suggestions?
Around 775-5 CE something happened to bombard the Earth with a burst of high energy radiation; some short cosmic event causes a massive spike in the levels of carbon14 in tree rings that formed during the 775 CE growing season in the northern hemisphere. Levels were approximately twenty times the annual norm. Such spikes are generally caused by energy from a supernova or huge solar flare striking the Earth's atmosphere. When the event was first documented in 2012 it appeared that, oddly, no other effects of such an event appeared to have been noticed at the time.
Later a biochemistry student (Jonathon Allen) tracked down a reference in the eighth-century Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, to a "red crucifix" that appeared in the heavens after sunset
This year the Northumbrians banished their king, Alred, from York at Easter-tide; and chose Ethelred, the son of Mull, for their lord, who reigned four winters. This year also appeared in the heavens a red crucifix, after sunset; the Mercians and the men of Kent fought at Otford; and wonderful serpents were seen in the land of the South-Saxons.
Many scientists now believe that the event was an unrecorded supernova; visible after sunset and perhaps obscured by the Sun. The red colour could be due to the supernova's light passing through a dense cloud of interstellar dust.
Ideas.
1. Someone wants to know what actually happened and the PCs are dispatched to find out, and take careful measurements of the relative position of the "crucifix" from the Earth. But why? Academic curiousity, or gain? Perhaps someone is interested in such violent cosmic events; supernova could be sources of valuable trans-uranic elements, or even stranger materials like Zeiton7, Chronomium or Kontron Crystals.
2. The party is in Britain in 775 for some other reason when they witness the phenomenon. Now a Time Lord or someone with a good scientific background will probably realise what's happening but others might now. Perhaps the superstitious locals are worried (and I'm sure the PCs will stand out, perfect scapegoats) or someone takes advantage of the effect to gain power, either a local or interloper (like the Master). Assuming the PCs speak up they may be the first victims of a new cult...
3. Of course the PCs might not be the only time travellers. Someone else is interested in the supernova and the possible treasure trove of rare minerals it portends. Is there a Sontaran scout party from the future hiding in a monastery, using their ocular devices to hypnotise the monks, eager to track the supernova and exploit it for resources to fight the Rutan? Or has a human corporation from the Imperial Era commissioned the Alexandrian Society to gather the data for them? Offering perhaps access to their own experimental technology.
4. In the Whoniverse the event might not have been a simple supernova; was it the explosion of a starship near the Earth? Or the opening/closure of a wormhole bringing alien visitors? Or something else entirely...
Comments? Suggestions?