Labyrinth of Dread
Labyrinth des Schreckens
Plot Summary
On a nameless planet, David terGorden and Narda crash-land in the Himmelsstürmer, an Orkansegler, after the Collector (containing Aura Damona Mar) and the Himmelsstürmer are drawn to a mysterious signal. The planet is home to the Buds of the Tree, and the signal is causing the Collector and Himmelsstürmer's quasi-intelligent control centers to encapsulate themselves out of fear. Meanwhile, a native species, the Klippenstürzer, lives in a structured society around the Traumstatt, a place where they believe their Creators sleep. Kadir, a Contacter, leads the Klippenstürzer and sends individuals into the Traumstatt to awaken the Creators, despite a tradition warning against it. Janan, another Contacter, dissents, believing they should adapt to the changing world.
David and Narda are attacked by Kadir's group, who seek to send them into the Traumstatt. They are rescued by Ariane terWilson, Goliath, Onnegart Vangralen, and Ennerk Prime, along with three rogue Gray Guards led by Maron Lumis. Lumis intends to use David to escape the planet using the Himmelsstürmer, but David refuses. Suzanne Oh and Aschan Herib, who have been stranded on the planet for two years, help David escape from Lumis. However, the Himmelsstürmer launches without them due to Lumis firing on it.
Kadir captures Narda and plans to send her into the Traumstatt. David, Suzanne, and Aschan team up with Ariane, Goliath, Onnegart, and Ennerk, and Janan to rescue her. They are captured by Kadir, but David is spared and sent into the Traumstatt alone, given a limited time to awaken the Creators. Inside, he discovers it's a plant labyrinth filled with illusions and traps. He resists the illusions and communicates with the Sleep Guardian, the entity maintaining the labyrinth.
The Sleep Guardian reveals that the "Creators" are actually insane Renegades who triggered an entropy catastrophe and must not be awakened. David convinces the Sleep Guardian to stop transmitting the signal, allowing the Collector and Himmelsstürmer to reactivate, but also awakening the Renegades. David and the others escape the Traumstatt and prepare to leave the planet, knowing the Renegades are now free and a Kaiser Force outbreak is imminent.
Key Events
- 01 David terGorden and Narda crash-land on a nameless planet in the Himmelsstürmer.
- 02 They encounter the native Klippenstürzer and their Contacter leader, Kadir.
- 03 Kadir's group attacks David and Narda, seeking to send them into the Traumstatt.
- 04 Ariane terWilson, Goliath, Onnegart Vangralen, and Ennerk Prime rescue David and Narda from Kadir.
- 05 Suzanne Oh and Aschan Herib help David escape from Maron Lumis and his Gray Guards.
- 06 The Himmelsstürmer launches without David, Suzanne, and Aschan.
- 07 Kadir captures Narda and prepares to send her into the Traumstatt.
- 08 David, Suzanne, Aschan, Ariane, Goliath, Onnegart, Ennerk, and Janan team up to rescue Narda.
- 09 They are captured by Kadir, but David is sent into the Traumstatt alone.
- 10 Inside the Traumstatt, David resists illusions and communicates with the Sleep Guardian.
- 11 The Sleep Guardian reveals the "Creators" are actually insane Renegades.
- 12 David convinces the Sleep Guardian to stop transmitting the signal.
- 13 The Renegades awaken.
- 14 David and the others escape the Traumstatt and prepare to leave the planet.
Characters
David terGorden — The main protagonist, crashes on the planet and seeks to rescue Narda and uncover the secrets of the Buds of the Tree. He is identified as having a special "emanation" and is authorized by the Sleep Guardian.
Narda — David's companion, captured by Kadir and rescued. She is a skilled pilot and has psionic abilities.
Maron Lumis — The leader of the rogue Gray Guards, seeks to use David to escape the planet.
Suzanne Oh — Stranded on the planet for two years, helps David and Narda. She has psionic abilities.
Aschan Herib — Stranded on the planet for two years, helps David and Narda.
Kadir — The Contacter leader of the Klippenstürzer, seeks to awaken the Creators in the Traumstatt. He is power-hungry and disregards tradition.
Janan — A dissenting Contacter who believes the Klippenstürzer should adapt to the changing world and warns against awakening the Creators.
Sleep Guardian — The entity maintaining the Traumstatt and guarding the sleeping Renegades. It communicates with David and ultimately follows his directive.
Ariane terWilson — One of the Drivers stranded on the planet, helps David rescue Narda.
Onnegart Vangralen — One of the Drivers stranded on the planet, helps David rescue Narda.
Ennerk Prime — One of the Drivers stranded on the planet, helps David rescue Narda.
Locations
Nameless Planet — The planet where the story takes place, home to the Klippenstürzer, the Traumstatt, and the sleeping Renegades.
Traumstatt — A plant labyrinth where the Klippenstürzer believe their Creators sleep. It is actually a prison for the insane Renegades.
Hort — The cone-shaped stone dwelling of the Klippenstürzer.
Light Forest — A forest area on the planet.
Magma Lakes — A region of active volcanism on the planet.
Ships & Vehicles
Himmelsstürmer — An Orkansegler piloted by David and Narda.
Collector — An organic spaceship of the Buds of the Tree, containing Aura Damona Mar.
Technology & Concepts
Contacter — A member of the Klippenstürzer society with psionic abilities, responsible for communicating with the Creators and maintaining social order.
Klippenstürzer — The native species of the planet, living in a structured society around the Traumstatt.
Buds of the Tree — A powerful group of beings who created the Traumstatt and imprisoned the Renegades.
Renegades — Insane beings who triggered an entropy catastrophe and are imprisoned in the Traumstatt.
Sleep Guardian — The entity maintaining the Traumstatt and guarding the sleeping Renegades.
Traumstatt — A plant labyrinth where the Klippenstürzer believe their Creators sleep.
Gray Guards — Soldiers conditioned for the Council, some of whom have gone rogue.
Heir of Power — A title or designation associated with David terGorden, possibly related to his psionic abilities.
Kaiser Force — A destructive force associated with entropy catastrophes.
Themes & Notes
This booklet explores themes of tradition versus adaptation, the dangers of blindly following authority, and the consequences of past actions. The tone is dark and suspenseful, with elements of body horror and psychological thriller. The narrative style is fast-paced and action-oriented, with frequent shifts in perspective.
Connections
Continues from: Previous booklets detailing the crash of the MADRID and the stranding of the Terranauten on various planets.
Leads into: The escape from the planet and the ongoing threat of the awakened Renegades and the Kaiser Force outbreak.
Related booklets: Booklets featuring the Buds of the Tree, the Collector, and the Terranauten stranded on alien worlds.