GM 101: Dataphiles (Inactive)

Game Master Elinnea

Welcome to the gameplay thread. Your guide to the dataphiles will be with you shortly.

Having just delivered the album as Zigvigix had requested, you stand in the main office of the Archives. Anyone at all familiar with Absalom Station knows that this center contains a massive collection of texts and artifacts gathered from across the galaxy by generations of explorers. From beyond the door you hear the muted voices of researchers hard at work, backed by the hum of computers.

Historia-7 looks up from her datapad after a moment has passed and gazes steadily at each person in turn. “I gather you are the newest group of Starfinders. As you already know, I am Historia-7 and I greet you on behalf of the Starfinder Society, but I must warn you that the mission I have to offer you requires both discretion and speed. Do not accept it if you feel incapable of working within these parameters.”

The android places the datapad flat on the desk in front of her, and then folds her hands on top of it so that its contents are hidden from view.

“I have discovered that someone recently hacked into Bluerise Tower’s computer systems and stole a large amount of sensitive data from the resident corporations. I wish to be privy to this information. I managed to trace the hacker’s location through many proxies and erased the trail so that station and corporate security should be delayed in their pursuit. This deception will not fool them for long, so you must move quickly to retrieve the data before they can recover it. I will leave it to your discretion to decide what to do with the hacker afterward, but should it be feasible, I believe that person would be an asset to the Society.”

She stops speaking and watches you expectantly.

"Ai. we be some of the new graduates. Pleasure ta make your acquaintance. If speed be wha ya be lookin' fer I be your soldier." Ebonwolf listens to Historia-7 Explain what is needed.

"So tha way I be seein' it. One: locate the Hacker, Two: Get the data and, If were able, Three: Convince the Hacker ta join the Society. Am I miss'n an'na thin' ma'am?"

"I will be glad to help with this task."

Suddenly popping into the room unannounced and with no fanfare but apparently having heard the briefing, Kaiole says to Historia-7, "Got it boss! I'm in!"

He then turns to the rest of the party and says, "Sorry I went missing for a bit there. I heard you guys, one, stood in a line, and, two, killed a... ahem... a feather? Sounds heroic!" Kaiole appears to be stifling a chuckle.

Kaiole next addresses Faria, saying, "My name's Kaiole. Pleased to make your acquaintance! The group has probably already told you all about me, so no need to bore you with the repetition. Here, have my card!"

Kaiole offers Faria a business card and a handshake. The card has printed on it exactly everything he just said, verbatim, starting with 'Got it boss...'

When Kaiole realizes the extent of what's printed on the card, he says, "Oops, sorry. Misprint. Here you go!" He hands Faria a new card that also has everything he said, verbatim, printed on it starting with 'My name's Kaiole...' and ending with 'Misprint. Here you go!'

Kaiole looks at the card and says, "D'oh! Well, close enough!"

Historia-7 inclines her head toward Morroda. "That is an accurate summary. Very well then, if you accept." She hands over a small data chip that displays only an address in Drifter's End, the neighborhood surrounding the Lorespire Complex. She watches Kaiole's exchange silently, and then comments a touch dryly, "If you have no further inquiries, you should make your way there as soon as possible."

If there are no questions, I'll move us along to the location.

"A hacker!" Chip liked this news, his tail wagging as if he were a dog as he listened in. Whether or not it was a good thing, he was a tinkerer by nature, and messing with computers sounded like fun. This time, though, it didn't sound like he'd be hacking anything at all, just retrieving it.

"Just how sensitive is this information? Who, or what, is Bluerise Tower?" Chip asks, a little concerned that freshly minted Starfinders would be responsible for retrieving the stolen big corporate data.

Faria nods to the newcomer. "I am Faria, servant to the Lady of Light."

"Bluerise Tower is a private office structure maintained by several corporations. They have achieved almost complete legal sovereignty, and even the Stewards of this station are not able to enter freely. The fact that they require such secrecy is highly suspicious in and of itself. I do not know the nature of this hacked information specifically, but anything obtained from that secure location must be highly sensitive by its very nature. If you are successful in this mission, perhaps we will learn more."

Her eyes glance across the group once more, and then she lifts her datapad once more to resume reading. You appear to have been dismissed.

Taking your leave, you exit the Lorespire Complex to enter the neighborhood of Drifter's End. As you walk along you pass by a wide variety of races, spacers of every stripe who look like they are passing through the station on their way to various parts of the galaxy. The streets are lined by bars, restaurants, and inexpensive housing ranging from cheap hotels to serviceable longer-term residences.

The coordinates you were given lead you to an apartment building that resembles a cement cube which has been dumped by the side of the road. The street here is quieter, with only occasional vehicles or pedestrians passing by. In the front of the building there is a plain concrete slab that serves as a porch, and a young man is standing on it with his back to the street, currently occupied with some plants that are growing in a plastic barrel near the entrance. There are no other people in sight.

As they leave the Lorespire, Cora suddenly feels a wave of dizziness and has to pause to catch her breath. "Whew, I guess all that standing in line took more out of me than I thought! You all go on ahead, I'll catch up later. I just need to rest here for a little bit, and I'll feel better." She waves weakly to her teammates and then plonks herself down onto a nearby bench to take a breather.

A skilled hacker came from here? Dee thinks. And I thought.seeing a half-orc being attacked by a giant chicken was the strangest thing I’d see today

At the home, Chip winks at his combat drone, sending him into a nearby bush. He then slowly makes his way towards the home, and falls into full panic and charade. "Oh, blast it! Where did that stupid drone go! I had just configured him to be a little more obedient and now he goes and runs off. Sentinel, come on, get out here!" He steps up onto the slab. "Excuse me, kind sir, I see you're busy with your garden here, but I can't seem to find my drone. Have you seen it?"

Bluff: 1d20 ⇒ 5

The young man jerks in surprise, startled by Chip's approach. When he turns around you see that he is a human with blue eyes and light brown hair. He eyes the ysoki suspiciously, and replies, "Drone? No, I don't think I've seen one... why would it be here?" But he wanders over to the edge of the porch to look around for signs of a rogue drone. "Is it one of those little flying ones?"

Not knowing where Chip is going with the charade, Kaiole figures Chip has a masterful plan in mind and Kaiole decides to try helping Chip. Besides, Kaiole figures he cannot make things any worse after seeing Chip's hilarious attempt at lying to the human boy.

Kaiole walks up next to Chip, looking up and down the street in both directions, cups his hands to his mouth and yells, "Sentinel! Hey Sentinel!?!? Olly olly oxenfree!!" Kaiole turns to Chip and says, "If we find it, you'll really owe me one this time! It's always wandering off into the most unlikely neighborhoods to find spare parts! You really need to modify its search algorithms!"

Bluff: 1d20 ⇒ 11

“Oh, Sentinel, is that its name? Ok, ok...” Seeing Kaiole join in the search, the kid redoubles his efforts to look for the lost drone.

Perception: 1d20 ⇒ 16

His sharp eyes catch the glimmer of metal, and he rushes over to the bush near the road. “Hey, is this it? I can’t think that there would be two drones lost in our yard, so it must be Sentinel! Ooh, cool, it’s not one of those flying ones. I haven’t seen a drone like this before!” He grins, looking quite proud that he was able to help, and then looks curiously between the people in the little group. He appears much more open now. “Are you guys just passing through?”

Seeing a friend says Dee, smiling at the young man. You seem like a nice guy, one who looks out for his neighbours. You seen anything unusual the last few days?

"Hello, my name is Faria. Thank you for helping my friend find his drone."

diplomacy: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8

"Sure, no problem! I'm Jubair! Um, unusual things?" He tilts his head to one side in thought. "I can't think of anything, really. It's been pretty normal around here. What kind of thing do you mean?"

While he's talking, an old woman opens the door to the apartment building from the inside. She has white hair and blue eyes of the same shade as Jubair's, and she is wearing a blue and white abaya. She steps out on onto the porch while calling out, "Jubair, are you not done pollinating those tomatoes yet? Oh, we have visitors?" She stops when she catches sight of the small crowd on their doorstep. Her gaze lingers just slightly on the armor and weapons that you all wear openly. "Are you looking for something?" she asks cautiously.

"They said they're here to see a friend!" Jubair calls out helpfully. "And just look at this stellar drone they've got!"

Kaiole looks at the old lady and the kid, thinking, 'not exactly what we're expecting in a computer hacker.'

"That's right. We're here to see someone who really, really knows their way around computers. Know anyone around here like that?"

"Ah, thank you for finding my drone, Jubair." Chip grins at Sentinel knowingly. "I'm Chip. And good to meet you, too, miss. Do either of you know anything about drones or tinkering with them? Or are you strictly a gardener? Maybe we can tweak him to stop running off."

Jubair sighs a little bashfully. "I don't really know much about drones, I just like to look at 'em. Maybe someday I can learn to build one myself. But Grandmother's really good with computers - at least, she always can make mine work again after it breaks. Maybe she can help you?"

The old woman sends Jubair a quelling stare and he stops his chattering. With a somewhat confused expression on her face, she asks, "What is it exactly that you're looking for here?"

Faria gives Chip a significant look at hearing Jubair mention his grandmother's computer skills.

Kaiole takes a deep breath and speaks the truth to the lady, "Well ma'am, you see, we're from the Starfinder Society. And our information has led us to believe there is a hacker of considerable skill residing here. We'd like to speak with this individual and, honestly, protect him or her as we believe this person is in great danger." Kaiole will activate his Starfinder implant for her to see.

Still not believing that the tomato-growing kid nor the kindly grandmother to be hackers, Kaiole continues, "I'm sure you and Jubair here are innocent. Do you have someone else living here?"

Morroda is not much of a talker type unless he needs to scare the pants off of some retail clerks :)

Morroda begins to look about the room seeing if anything is out of place or if there is a computer access junction or pad about the little hovel.
perception: 1d20 ⇒ 8

His movements could be similar to whay you might expect of a bull in a China shop.

Sorry for my absence - been travelling in India and the WiFI is....intermittent shall we say

Dee’s places a hand on the old lady’s shoulder, and smiles at her My friend Kaiole here is right. We’re from the society, and we’re here to protect. I promise you, that this hacker would much rather be found by us than the others hunting him. Or her.

"Oh, so you're Starfinders!" The woman visibly relaxes when she sees the implant in Kaiole's hand, and she places her own hand lightly over Dee's with a smile. "A hacker? Well, there is and there isn't, you could say." She laughs quietly, but her words seem a little slurred and uncertain. "Why don't you step inside my apartment for a bit, and we can discuss it over tea."

She ushers you inside the door, and Jubair follows. Inside the flat, the room is filled with gardening supplies, ranging from tools to nutrient broth. There is also a general clutter of objects that makes it difficult for all of you to find somewhere to sit, but Jubair clears off some spaces. Morroda trips over a few things, but doesn't notice anything in particular that looks out of place.

The old woman does brew some tea and offers it to anyone who wants it, though her hand shakes badly as she pours it, and she gets confused and offers a cup to Dee several times before taking a seat herself. "Now then, my name is Ceren. I used to be hacker - oh, many years ago now. I was one of the best, at the time," she says with some pride. "I'm fairly certain there aren't any others in this building, so I'm probably the one you're looking for. But what's this about danger, after all this time?"

Faria smiles and follows. She politely sips on any tea she is offered.

"We are looking for someone who has recently done a hacking job. We believe they have angered powerful corporate interests, so we would like to offer them protection in return for sharing the results of that hacking job with us."

Ceren frowns in confusion. "I haven't done anything recently though. Unless... no, surely not." She gets to her feet and pulls a datapad-scanner out of a drawer, then spends a few seconds poking away at it. She sighs. "Oh dear. Bluerise Tower, I assume that's the one you mean? I do have this data, but I don't remember ever doing the hack. The reason I quit hacking in the first place was because I was diagnosed with degenerative brain disease." She taps her fingers against one temple. "I have brain augments that keep me running, but I still get gaps in my memory. I must have hacked them in a burst of youthful energy - maybe I was thinking about the old days, who knows? But now I don't even remember why I did it."

She is speaking quite calmly, but Jubair gapes at her, clearly quite shocked and trying to catch up with her explanation. "You did what?"

Ceren ignores her grandson and presses on, "You are quite right that they're going to come after me for this, and when they do I'm not going to be able to escape. I'm not young any more. If you're willing to help me fake my death, and agree to take Jubair under the Starfinder Society's protection, then I will cooperate and give you all the data."

Faria gives the sweet old lady a big grin. "We will certainly do what we can to help you."

"Fake your death in exchange for the information? Sure, we can do that! But only if you'll also pour us another cup of this delightful tea!"

Chip scratches his furry chin.

Step one. Steal data. Step two. Grow old. Step three. Claim you can't remember why you did it. Seems like the perfect plot.

He stares at Ceren for some time, having declined the offer of tea, trying to size her up. "I don't like your story, but it's not like I'm a ysoki of perfect morality either. So, I'm going to agree to help you along with the others here. I've faked a death before. I know a thing or two about it." He flashes a cocky smile. "Perhaps we can hack into the social security database and flag Ceren as dead for starters." He cracks his knuckles, and looks for a terminal.

"Of course! Have all the tea you like. If all goes well I won't be around here to drink it for much longer anyway." She pours Kaiole another cup, and then flashes a tight wry smile at Chip. "It seems I have asked the correct people."

She is able to show him to a computer that will serve as a terminal. "I, on the other hand, have not been involved with faking a death. I look forward to seeing how it's done. I expect I will also need a new name and identity for afterwards."

Jubair is clearly still in shock, but Ceren sends him bustling around the room to collect a few precious belongings to take away with her.

You can explain what you'd like to do or discuss with each other, and then make skill checks for proving Ceren's death and coming up with a new identity for her. There are multiple ways to go about it, but you will need more than one success to be fully convincing. This part is a bit challenging in pbp format, so I can give you some hints about what is possible or how you're doing, if you need it.

"Have you ever considered a job in the mental health industry? It's a vastly rewarding field!"

Kaiole gets onto comms and talks to some colleagues, attempting to pull some strings in finding Ceren a new job.

Psychologist: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (5) + 12 = 17

We’re going to need a body - unless..... Dee ponders for a moment. You say you have a degenerative brain condition. Presumably one that is recorded on your medical file. I suggest we use that for plausibility.

Dee turns to Jubair You know, it’s not uncommon for poor folk suffering from neurodegenerative disease to wander off, particular when they have brain augs that might, for example, have developed a problem. How good are your acting skills? I suggest you inform the authorities that your poor grandmother wandered off three days ago and hasn’t been seen since. Ceren - you could write a note indicating that you were going to Aballon and were seeking transport off planet. I think with the authorities stretched and focused on the scoured stars, they won’t look too deeply, especially when you mention the dementia. I give it three weeks before Ceren is missing presumed dead.

"Nah if we be need'n a body I might know a man who be know'n another man tha could help with that. Prob'ibly even get an official death certificate tah." accepting a cup of tea finally as they all discuss what is to be done Morroda takes a long draw from his glass. Savoring ever hint and taste it has to offer he says "If ya wer' nah such an accomplished hack'ar I'd say ya could open up a tea shop or go help out a certain vicarious gnome I be Know'n who owns a Tea Stand on Embassy Row named 'The Posh Kettle' right across from tha Lorespire."

Chip looks for a terminal and begins to flip through the social security system until he finds a record matching Ceren's address with an old photograph. Hmm, she was a cutie in her youth...

Can I take 10 here? If so Take 10 on Computers for 19

"Well, that just won't do..." Chip erases the old record and updates it to read deceased.

Faria does what she can to help Jubair, since she knows she won't be any help with stuff on the computer.

Jubair appreciates Faria’s help, as he runs around looking harried, trying to sort through the clutter in their flat in a hurry. At Dee’s suggestion he halts and stares at her wide-eyed. ”M-m-me? Lie to the authorities? I’m not sure I could d-d-do that. Not with Grandmother’s life on the line.” He looks down at the floor, both afraid and ashamed of his fear, but Ceren gently touches his shoulder, saying, ”Don’t worry, I won’t make you do anything you don’t want to do.”

One of you could do a bluff check to make such a report if you’d like, though you probably want to get your stories straight first.

Chip takes a seat at the computer and works quickly and efficiently. He finds the record and is able to modify it and get out, without being caught at it as far as he can tell.

Taking 10 is ok for the computers check.

Meanwhile, Kaiole is busy making contacts over the comms, and he manages to get in touch with someone who sounds willing to offer aid. Ceren pauses to listen. ”Actually I can honestly say I’ve only ever considered mental health from the other side of the desk. But I would welcome any allies who are aware of my situation, after all this dies down.” She hears out Morroda’s suggestion as well. ”I’m not actively hacking any more - well, I wasn’t, before all this. Settling down at a tea shop doesn’t sound all that bad.” But she does perk up at the mention of rustling up a dead body, her eyes twinkling. ”Now that sounds exciting! Quite like the old days!”

Jubair finishes tying up a small satchel, and then tugs on Ceren’s sleeve with a worried look on his face. She smiles fondly at him and says, ”Yes, you’re right, dear. We should get going.” Turning to the Starfinders she says, ”Whoever those corporates have hired by now will probably be here soon. I’m sorry to leave the rest to you, but I can’t let them find us here. I have a safe place where I can hide for a little while. You know Jatembe Park, at the center of the Station? There’s a bridge over the river in a quiet, out-of-the-way spot. I’ll meet you there six hours from now.” Without wasting any more time, she cautiously exits the building, Jubair trailing after her.

You have six hours to carry out whatever else you'd like to do. Once you're ready I'll advance the clock.

Faria looks to her new friends, waiting to see if anyone could use her assistance.

Having done what he can to help Ceren with a new identity, Kaiole turns his attention to the team's progress at faking her death. "Chip has updated her record to show deceased. Perhaps I can hack in and link her record (that now states she's deceased) to an unidentified Jane Doe in the morgue?"

Computers: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (14) + 10 = 24

"I can assist ya with tha Kaiole."
Medicine: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 5 = 20
Morroda pulls out his personal comm and begins making a few calls to some of his fellow med students. Anyone listening over hears "I be needing a body." pausing to listen "No naught like that." Morroda turns a bright shade of red "A cadaver, no name, dead, and an official Certificate with the name Ceren..." Morroda looks trouble for a second "Wha's tha Last name?" the Half Orc asks Ceren. Getting the Answer he puts the Comm back up to his ear and finishes his conversation "Ya got it?" hanging up the Comm he sighs and says "I be think'n ol' Samson has one for us."

Kaiole raises an eyebrow after seeing Morroda go from green to red after saying 'I be needing a body.' Once Morroda is off the comm, Kaiole says, "Don't worry, I'm a mental health professional! I don't judge..."

Kaiole then gives Morroda a playful elbow nudge and says, "....much"

Morroda and Kaiole, putting their heads together, are able to set up a connection in the records between Ceren and a dead body. They believe it will hold up under basic investigation.

Do you want to do anything else to prepare her new, post-death identity?

I'll admit to not really understanding what's going on in this bit. It feels like we have a lot of free choice which is great, but I don't really understand what my options are. Sorry if I've missed something obvious whilst on my travels

The goal is to come up with methods to fake Ceren's death and provide her with a new quasi-legal identity. You do this by coming up with a plan and then making skill checks you think are relevant to carry it out. (Or in reverse, choose skills you're good at then figure out how they could help.) For example, you could make a Disguise check to come up with ways to alter her appearance, or a Computers check to forge new identity papers. You can assist each other on those checks as well. Does that clear it up?

Elinnea, please correct me if I'm wrong, but at this point, I believe we've managed to fake her death by hacking her station records to list her as deceased as well as linking that record to an unidentified cadaver. Dee, now we have to set up a new identity for her as she will no longer be 'Ceren.' Think of it as setting her up in a 'witness protection program.' Kaiole's contribution to her new identity was setting her up with a job in the Psychology profession - in fact, to flesh that out a bit more....

Kaiole says to no one in particular, "So the job I got lined up for Ceren is a simple office assistant at one of my fellow psychologist's medical practice. However, considering the lax medical regulations on this station, I betcha she'll be a practicing psychologist and have her own list of clients in no time!! Besides, how do you think I, of all people, got certified?!?" Kaiole then looks around quickly and says, "Errrrr.... Did I say that out loud...?"

Elinnea, I had similar difficulty when I ran this, and I think giving us options was the right move. You were absolutely right in saying this part doesn't work as well over PbP!

Chip laughs at Kaiole's remarks. "Y'know, I know you're a psychologist and all, but what does a psychologist do when they need psychological assistance?" He smiles knowingly. "Now she's got a job. Let's give her a 'family' as well, hmm?"

Chip plugs away at the terminal, scrolling through various entries and giving "Ceren" a brother and sister.

"... And we should shave her head, too. Yeah, definitely," he mumbles as he hacks away.

Taking 10 again for 19

Exactly right. I'll advance to the next scene tomorrow (assuming the website downtime isn't more disruptive than expected), so get your rolls in if there's anything else you want to do first.

Also, last call for adding your initiative to the slide if you haven't yet.

THanks all - and I just wanted to clarify GM that my confusion was nothing to do with your GM skills and everything to do with my newness at RPG’ing!

At the appointed time you make your way to Jatembe Park. It is a public space, but to reach the bridge Ceren mentioned you have to follow a long, winding path, and there are not many people around this forested section of the park.

You see Ceren standing at the center of the bridge, but just as you walk toward her you catch sight of three men creeping out of the trees off to the right, each with a pistol ready in his hand. They are intent on Ceren, and they have not yet noticed your group as you approach from behind.

Map updated

Everyone in bold may act
Faria
Chip
Dee
Kaiole
Thugs
Morroda