(Let's Build!/Location Seed) Prison of the Angels

[grinch]

As we are all currently in the midst of quarantine (and I hope looking after yourselves) I thought this might be a fun thing to do to help pass the time. I offer a few lines of a possible location for an adventure and we try to build off it. 

Here's what I have so far: 

A wealthy magnate (often described to have more money than sense) begins investing in and construction of one of the most elaborate and some would say foolhardy projects out there. A prison in space specially designed to hold the figures of folktales and nightmares, the Weeping Angels. His reason behind investing hundreds of thousands into this project into this endeavour is currently unknown with he only offering enigmatic answers or outright dodging the question entirely. There is very little evidence that the prison currently holds any Angels but it is known that he has already begun hiring the services of various mercenary groups. 

So, any thoughts or ideas on how you could expand such a concept? What sort of prison would be able to hold one of the universe's deadliest predators? Who would guard such a thing? What is the reason behind its construction? And what other groups might be interested in this Pandora's Box? And what of the Angels themselves? 

Just food for thought. 

[Catsmate]

Can an AI 'observe' and quantum-lock an Angel? If so I'd eliminate humans/biologicals entirely (as far as possible) and their irritating need for heat, air, food, sleep et cetera.

Networks of cameras with a redundant cluster of AIs 'watching' them constantly. Each angel to be monitored by multiple cameras at all times. Redundant illumination (radioactive 'glow pups'?). A massive, warehouse style, grid of pods to accommodate the Angels.

How well do Angels perform without gravity? Can animals 'observe' them for quantum-locking purposes? If so maybe a large supply of cats might be useful...

[grinch]

Apr 3, 2020 18:05:44 GMT Catsmate said:

Can an AI 'observe' and quantum-lock an Angel? If so I'd eliminate humans/biologicals entirely (as far as possible) and their irritating need for heat, air, food, sleep et cetera.

Networks of cameras with a redundant cluster of AIs 'watching' them constantly. Each angel to be monitored by multiple cameras at all times. Redundant illumination (radioactive 'glow pups'?). A massive, warehouse style, grid of pods to accommodate the Angels.

How well do Angels perform without gravity? Can animals 'observe' them for quantum-locking purposes? If so maybe a large supply of cats might be useful...

Hmm. Androids I could see being utilised to literally 'Keep watch on them' Only problem with using camera surveillance is the idea of 'That which the holds the image of an angel becomes itself itself an Angel' Before you know it you could hundreds of the things roaming the prison. I do like the idea of pods being used to contain them. With limited space, of course, to prevent movement or whether that is just the case of the magnate turned warden being rather sadistic. Anti-gravity measures could be taken in the event of an attempted breakout. Just enough to allow them to be imprisoned once again. 

I do rather like the idea of animals being used (Perhaps it's cheaper than simply using robots) I could see each pod as you suggested being transparent and reflecting one another, filled with water like a miniature fishbowl with a single angel incarcerated inside. Maybe also containing the odd underwater specimen or two.

"Why the fish?"

"No eyelids. No blinking."

Of course, one has to call into question the designer/warden true intentions behind such a impressive piece of architecture. Are his intentions purely altruistic or does he have some hidden motive for gathering them? I'd imagine all those angels would emit quite a high level of temporal energies. Enough to get the attention of outsiders I'd imagine. 

[nesteneunconscious]

This is a really cool idea, and I hope you continue with these things!
I can imagine this being a somewhat abandoned place, with the players exploring and suddenly finding an imprisoned angel! Maybe the Magnate's intentions are less than good, and instead of imprisoning the angels, maybe he's gathering them, to be unleashed upon an unsuspecting planet! After all, a ship carrying hundreds of Weeping Angles is a most powerful weapon in the right hands... I'm sure the Daleks or the Master would love getting their hands on this.

[Catsmate]

Apr 3, 2020 20:29:40 GMT grinch said:

Hmm. Androids I could see being utilised to literally 'Keep watch on them' Only problem with using camera surveillance is the idea of 'That which the holds the image of an angel becomes itself itself an Angel' Before you know it you could hundreds of the things roaming the prison.

That's an addition to the mythos that I dislike and find rather silly.

Apr 3, 2020 20:29:40 GMT grinch said:

I do like the idea of pods being used to contain them. With limited space, of course, to prevent movement or whether that is just the case of the magnate turned warden being rather sadistic. Anti-gravity measures could be taken in the event of an attempted breakout. Just enough to allow them to be imprisoned once again. 

"In event of emergency, RELEASE THE KITTENS!!" And watch them float around and mob the Angels, keeping them quantum locked.

Apr 3, 2020 20:29:40 GMT grinch said:

I do rather like the idea of animals being used (Perhaps it's cheaper than simply using robots) I could see each pod as you suggested being transparent and reflecting one another, filled with water like a miniature fishbowl with a single angel incarcerated inside. Maybe also containing the odd underwater specimen or two.

"Why the fish?"

"No eyelids. No blinking."

Apr 3, 2020 20:29:40 GMT grinch said:

Of course, one has to call into question the designer/warden true intentions behind such a impressive piece of architecture. Are his intentions purely altruistic or does he have some hidden motive for gathering them? I'd imagine all those angels would emit quite a high level of temporal energies. Enough to get the attention of outsiders I'd imagine. 

Ah yes, the motivations. Someone doing this must be up to something sinister, mustn't they?
Experiments in time travel perhaps? Rather crude but possible s/he's sending prepared and loyal agents (androids? mind controlled?) into the past to try and rewrite history t their own advantage?

Or is it something more subtle? Like a trap for an inquisitive time traveller?

[Catsmate]

Apr 3, 2020 21:49:03 GMT nesteneunconscious said:

This is a really cool idea, and I hope you continue with these things!
I can imagine this being a somewhat abandoned place, with the players exploring and suddenly finding an imprisoned angel! Maybe the Magnate's intentions are less than good, and instead of imprisoning the angels, maybe he's gathering them, to be unleashed upon an unsuspecting planet! After all, a ship carrying hundreds of Weeping Angles is a most powerful weapon in the right hands... I'm sure the Daleks or the Master would love getting their hands on this.

And someone (I'm thinking Mickey or Rory) finding an Emergency Escape Protocol button and pressing it.
Cue emergency lighting, loss of gravity and hundreds of kittens (or cat skeletons) being released...

[Catsmate]

As a darker and more Laundry-esque idea, maybe the Angels are contained by vivisected human heads.
Take a human, there's no shortage of them, remove the unnecessary bits (neck down) and attach a life support system. Remove the eyelids (no blinking) and fit a moistening/maintenance system (reminiscent of the Ludovico technique apparatus). Place captured angels between a trio of such "monitors" (to allow for replacement and redundancy) and replace as necessary.

So what to the PCs do when they find this is how the Angels are contained? Is one of them the next 'Alex'?

[grinch]

Apr 10, 2020 20:35:11 GMT Catsmate said:

As a darker and more Laundry-esque idea, maybe the Angels are contained by vivisected human heads.
Take a human, there's no shortage of them, remove the unnecessary bits (neck down) and attach a life support system. Remove the eyelids (no blinking) and fit a moistening/maintenance system (reminiscent of the Ludovico technique apparatus). Place captured angels between a trio of such "monitors" (to allow for replacement and redundancy) and replace as necessary.

So what to the PCs do when they find this is how the Angels are contained? Is one of them the next 'Alex'?

Blimey Catsmate....

Rather like the idea actually. Possible 'guards' as it were could either be political prisoners or those with no change of parole who have been conveniently erased from records. As for disposing of the extra genetic material, you could always namedrop the Fleshsmiths and say the Warden kindly donates it to them. If you really wanted to up the horror element, you could say that the process leaves the guards completely aware a form of extra punishment or community service for their crimes if you will. The Warden makes sure to remove their tongues though to avoid any of them screaming in agony.

Be quite harrowing actually. 

"Can't you see it? Look at their eyes, they're terrified!"

Of course, as you said, there is a moral dilemma to it. Do they shut this operation down and expose the corruption running deep through the Galactic justice system whilst allowing possibly releasing a planet full of Angels onto the Universe? Or do they keep quiet for the greater good? Could divide a group of PCs and allow for some excellent roleplaying. Especially if they have already had prior contact or have suffered at the hands of the Angels prior. 

[Catsmate]

Apr 10, 2020 21:44:14 GMT grinch said:

Apr 10, 2020 20:35:11 GMT Catsmate said:

As a darker and more Laundry-esque idea, maybe the Angels are contained by vivisected human heads.
Take a human, there's no shortage of them, remove the unnecessary bits (neck down) and attach a life support system. Remove the eyelids (no blinking) and fit a moistening/maintenance system (reminiscent of the Ludovico technique apparatus). Place captured angels between a trio of such "monitors" (to allow for replacement and redundancy) and replace as necessary.

So what to the PCs do when they find this is how the Angels are contained? Is one of them the next 'Alex'?

Blimey Catsmate....

Rather like the idea actually. Possible 'guards' as it were could either be political prisoners or those with no change of parole who have been conveniently erased from records. As for disposing of the extra genetic material, you could always namedrop the Fleshsmiths and say the Warden kindly donates it to them. If you really wanted to up the horror element, you could say that the process leaves the guards completely aware a form of extra punishment or community service for their crimes if you will. The Warden makes sure to remove their tongues though to avoid any of them screaming in agony.

Be quite harrowing actually. 

"Can't you see it? Look at their eyes, they're terrified!"

Of course, as you said, there is a moral dilemma to it. Do they shut this operation down and expose the corruption running deep through the Galactic justice system whilst allowing possibly releasing a planet full of Angels onto the Universe? Or do they keep quiet for the greater good? Could divide a group of PCs and allow for some excellent roleplaying. Especially if they have already had prior contact or have suffered at the hands of the Angels prior. 

You can blame our cat for this little bit of darkness.

Personally I'm fond of a good moral dilemma; can the PCs think of a third alternative that frees the prisoners and keeps the Angels contained? Can the prisoners be freed? Are they sane? Are the safe to release? The there's the missing bits...