Afterglow, Adventures in the Shatter Lands

Recent Notes

Phase Gates

The Phase Gate Project was conceived in the shadows before the world broke. Guided by Dr. Elena Santos and AI overseers (NOBLE for logistics, PARSEC for analytics), the network was designed for instantaneous, global transfer of people and material—more weapon than wonder.

Each gate was hidden deep beneath cover facilities around the globe: water plants, biosafety bunkers, forgotten libraries. The network was never revealed; instead, the Collapse swept over everything, leaving the gates abandoned and their true function lost to rumor and myth.

Today, Phase Gates are the stuff of whispered legend. Most who stumble across one never understand what they’ve found—or don’t survive the experience. Those who do rarely share their secret.

Outside the chamber, there’s a metal panel with a grid of 35 softly glowing buttons, each with a different circuit looking pattern on it, in faded yellow markings the button rows are marked A to E down the side, and the columns 1 to 7 across the top. There is a simple LCD readout that will display “READY” if it’s working and ready to make a transfer. At the very bottom their are three large buttons labeled “RETURN,” “DIAL,” and “REPEAT”.

Addresses:

Gateway codes are generally 6 symbols and mapped using one Letter one Number to denote the symbol on the grid to use, for example A5:C3:B4:D3:A6:E1

In side the chamber’s big and has rounded corners where the walls meet. The entire chamber is made of metal walls, and are typically about 100 square feet (10 x 10). The Floors and ceilings are tiled with odd geometric panels—their edges start glowing when things kick on. When the gate’s running, cold mist fills the air. The thick steel submarine-style blast door that locks as soon the lever latched in to place and stays locked tight until the process is complete. Each gate chamber features a huge, glowing circuit mural—each one different, all of them strange. That’s your landmark: every gate’s mural is unique. A little amber light marked “CYCLE COMPLETE” sits above the door. If that’s on, you made it and the door unlocks. Floor vents suck away the mist once you arrive.

Using a Phase Gate (Rules & Mechanics)

1. Activation

You step in, door locks, lights and mist kick on. Before you can react, you pass out.

2. Jump Phase Sickness

When you wake up on the other side, you must make a Fortitude Save (DC 15) to see how bad the jump was:

  • Success: Just a pounding headache.
  • Missed by 1–2: Crippling headache—maybe can’t think straight. -1 Fortitude, Reflex, Will saves
  • Missed by 3–4: Headache and you lose your last meal; –1 to all rolls.
  • Missed by 5+: Feels like you got shoved through a meatgrinder; all Action Dice and Save rolls are reduced by one die size.

Note: Only the worst effect sticks—if you use a gate again before resting, just keep the most severe penalty until you recover. Effects last 24 hours or until you get a full rest period.

3. Arrival & Recognition

When you wake up, the mist is clearing and you see the circuit mural glowing on the wall.

  • If you’ve sketched or written down this mural before (player note-taking):
    • You automatically recognize which gate you’re in.
  • If not:
    • You can try to recall—Intelligence check (DC 10–15) to recognize it, with bonuses if you kept written notes (+2), penalties if you’re especially shaken or it’s been a long time (–2).

4. Control Panel Operation

  • RETURN: Sends you back to the last gate that dialed into this one (if used within an hour of arrival).
  • DIAL: Lets you enter a valid address, if you have one.
  • REPEAT: Sends you to the last location dialed from this gate (if used within an hour).

Important: By default, players don’t get to pick where the gate takes them—it’s random unless they’ve found a real code as loot or a story reward.

Game Use & Judge Tips

  • Gates are rare, secret, and dangerous. Most are forgotten, busted, or simply never found.
  • Destination is random unless a Judge gives out a code. Gates are a great tool for changing the story, moving the party to a new arc, or introducing new mysteries.
  • Recognizing a gate mural rewards player note-taking and sketches. Encourage players to pay attention to details!
  • Control panel addresses are always six symbols (A–E, 1–7), e.g., D2:C4:E5:A1:B7:E2.