[SFS] GM Bigrin's Commencement - Table 1 (Inactive)

Game Master bigrin42

Eralyn smiles at Talc. "Because you should always offer the hand of friendship before resorting to beating someone with a stick, dearie. You've got lips that can smile for a reason." She pats him on the cheek, then turns to the stuttering boy and the old woman.

"Hello, there, ma'am." Eralyn says with a smile. "Pardon our manners. Enthusiasm comes with youth, as they say. We're here looking for someone who's gifted with computers, if you get my drift. We saw their recent accomplishments and came to make them an offer. I'd be awfully curious to know if that talented hacker we're looking for is you or your grandson. May we come in to speak in private?"

Boz folded his arms, and took in a deep breath. "Madam, we've done what we can to disrupt their surveillance, but StatSec's eventually going to track this... gifted... computer user down. Same way we were able to, but I'd imagine they're not likely to be as friendly about the situation as we are."

The dwarf offered his open hand. "We've traced the point-of-origin of the security incursion to this apartment, and all we're looking for is the data that was stolen. And as my compatriot Eralyn here mentioned, perhaps there's a way to make some sort of arrangement to avoid what's likely to be apprehension by the authorities."

Boz then shrugged his shoulders. "There's profit for both parties here. Talent's no good without a purpose, so I'd do well to consider this... offer of employment."

EDIT: Saw that Eralyn got in before me as I was writing, so I cut a bunch, hopefully it still makes sense. Apologies if this is a lot of the same content.

The old woman looked uncertainly at you for a moment, then she spoke. "I am sure I have no idea what you are talking about, but if you'd like to come inside for some tea, we can chat a little."

She motioned you inside, somehow closed the door around the gardening implements, then turned to face you. Her facade of the frail old woman fell away and she glared at you with eyes as cold as the blued-steel of a sniper rifle. "How dare you come here talking about data slicing and illegal actions on the front stoop, endangering me and my grandson? Have you no idea of the kind of danger you have put us in?"

Her shoulders slumped and she held a hand to her left temple, where you could see a datajack aug plugged in over her left ear. It looked almost organic, with a scaled surface, and was an oily green color. The boy looked nervous and moved to hold her, but she waved him away.

"Don't worry, Jubair, it's just another episode."

"B-b-b-but G-g-gram, they are h-h-h-happening m-m-m-more often n-n-now. M-m-maybe they c-c-can h-h-help, if they r-r-really are Starfinders." With that last statement the boy turned pleading eyes on you.

"You're right, love. Perhaps it is time to come in. These episodes are going to kill me, and the augs aren't working like they used to."

The old woman took a seat and looked up at you. "My name is Ceren Jarvix, once known in the data slicing community as Charon. I was one of the best hackers in the Pact Worlds, until I ran afoul of one of the corporations. They hunted me across nine worlds. They may be hunting me still. Ultimately, though, I just got old. Old age hinders us all, and I developed a type of brain degeneration common to those in my field with the early Tangoor Mark III model brain augs. I had it removed, and this one installed to slow the degeneration, but I can't afford to come out into the open to have decent aug work done."

She shook her head, "Enough about the past. Why exactly are you here? You said something about a data slice job and the trail leading here?"

"How dare you come here talking about data slicing and illegal actions on the front stoop, endangering me and my grandson? Have you no idea of the kind of danger you have put us in?"

Eralyn looks at Talc and whispers, "This is why you start a conversation with tomatoes."

"B-b-b-but G-g-gram, they are h-h-h-happening m-m-m-more often n-n-now. M-m-maybe they c-c-can h-h-help, if they r-r-really are Starfinders." With that last statement the boy turned pleading eyes on you.

"Of course we can, dearie. It's why we're here."

Looking at the old woman take a seat, Eralyn smiles kindly. "You'll excuse me for helping myself to a chair." Then she plops down on a nearby chair.

After hearing the rest of Ceren's tale, Eralyn nods. "Sounds like you've had it worse than most, Ceren. But, we're here to lend you a hand. Now, you don't remember the details of your job yesterday? That's why you need a new brain aug, right?" she sighs. "Well, let me see. Computers aren't my specialty, but someone hacked into the Bluerise Towers last night and the leader of the Dataphiles Starfinder faction traced it here. We're here for two reasons. First, we'd like to have a look at the data. And second, we want to offer you a place with the Starfinders. It sounds like the Dataphiles would be a great fit for you. I'm sure for talent like yours, Historia-7 would be willing to get you the kind of surgery you need."

Eralyn gives a serious look to Ceren and then Jubair. Looking back at Ceren she adds, "But, there's no time to dawdle. As Boz here told you, we delayed the others looking for you, but they'll get around it soon. We bought you a head start. If you want to come with us, and give the Starfinders a shot, you've gotta decide now."

Eralyn looks at Talc and whispers, "This is why you start a conversation with tomatoes."

Talc frowns heavily and crosses his arms across his chest. Muttering under his breath he remarks something about his way still being easier.

He was going to speak up about offering some protection and how the Starfinders could help them, but the elderly one seemed to have that part under wraps. Instead he decided to look the part of reassuring muscle and straightened his back and made sure his pistol was visible. As casually as possible, of course.

Talc frowns heavily and crosses his arms across his chest. Muttering under his breath he remarks something about his way still being easier.

Placing a hand on his shoulder "Sometimes the best approach for those who appear weaker is a friendly hand. Trust me, Ive been in his shoes" With that he follows Eralyn at a few paces back.

"Enough about the past. Why exactly are you here? You said something about a data slice job and the trail leading here?"

Korg Stands quietly. He is taking in everything he can, while some of it is a bit over his head. Computer and the like has never been his thing.

"Oh my. Bluerise Towers, you say? Then yes, they will track me down soon enough, despite any protections you may have put in place. The corporations there guard their secrets more jealously than an Eoxian guards his soulstone. Ah well, Jubair, it looks like our time here is done. Go to your room and pack a bag with whatever you want to take with you, but no electronics! I don't want anything they can use to trace us. We'll go with these folks and allow the Starfinder Society to place us under their protection."

As the boy ran off to his room to pack, she turned back to you. "You and I both know that the corporations won't just stop at us leaving, and we will be of much less use to the Society if they are being hounded by corporation agents. See if you can use your talents to fake my death. Accident records, body swap, fake death certificate, new identity, whatever you think will work. I need to take care of a few things, and reorganize some of my dead drops. I'll meet you on the bridge in Jatembe Park in six hours' time."

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 1 = 13

Eralyn considers this for a moment. "We'll get it done. See you then."

She groans and creaks her way off the chair and then starts to hobble over to the door.

Boz follows Eralyn to the others at the door. "Jatembe Park. In six hours. Gotcha." just as he's about to turn around, he hesitates. "Ma'am - the boy - is he to come with us, or is he integral to your preparations?"

"He'll stay with me. I believe you'll need as few distractions as possible for your efforts."

Ketch is surprised when direct tactics are used so openly. He is so used to being secretive and cautious that when it works he has to make sure his jaw doesn’t drop.

Hmm, a death cert can be seen if not prepared well. A dead body swap will need dental records more than likely. New identity could work, still fallible, but plausible.

Ketch starts to brainstorm ideas of ways to get the monkey off their back.

Since the covert work is not his skill trade, Korg follows the others and does lifting where he can to help, Something crosses his mind "Ma'am, did you worry something would lead to you if he brought an electronic device with him? Would leaving something someplace random and far away help distract them enough to help you disappear?"

@Korg (and everyone else) - I know you are new to Society play, so I'll offer up this tidbit: Never be afraid to offer a solution. Just because you are a bruiser doesn't mean you can't aid another, or make some really off-the-wall addition to the group's actions. And, you can always try a roll. If you fail it, oh well. RP the hell out of it. That's what makes this game fun. Don't just sit back and be quiet because you have a low modifier. Embrace it! One of the most fun I've ever had at a table was failing 3 disguise rolls and 3 acrobatics rolls in a row to pretend my character was a well-known dancer. It led to a lot of fun. The quiet brooding type may work in books and movies, but never for PbP.

"Not likely dear, unless you knew exactly which item they could find and follow. It's just a precaution from the old days. Now, I really must be getting along with my duties and you about yours. See you in six!"

So, any ideas of how you want to go about saving the old woman? Go ahead and RP those and make the appropriate rolls. If you aren't sure which rolls to make, let me know what you are thinking and I'll provide the rolls for you. Since Ketch has expounded on a few I'll go ahead and list them here.

Gogglez whips out his his datapad, "Certificate of death and a new identity? Easy enough for me, Gogglez, mechanic extraordinaire!" he says as he begins typing furiously. "Feel free to hand me an icee, I always work better when I've got one yo."

Aid another my checks please, we can beat DC 20 if you do :)

Computers, take 10: 10 + 9 = 19 "Uh huh, uh huh, death certificate and obituary for the original identity..."

Computers, take 10: 10 + 9 = 19 "Creating new identity complete with ID number and implanting it into the Absalom station database..."

Computers, take 10: 10 + 9 = 19 "Assigning the new ID to our original target..."

He then puts away his datapad, "AND...DONE! I'll be signing autographs whenever you'd like, totally free."

Take 10? Really? Where's your sense of adventure?? Besides, as these checks are crucial to the success/failure of your adventure, you shouldn't be taking 10 on them. Roll please.

As gogglez inner monologue: My sense of adventure is constrained by massive Ysokian intellect and knowing that there is no reason to risk it, mwahahaha!

Gogglez remembers all too late that his datapad is on the fritz, and only works 100% of the time ~43% of the time.

Computers: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (1) + 9 = 10
Computers: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (5) + 9 = 14
Computers: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (2) + 9 = 11

"Ehh, whoops, did I forget to tell you that my datapad was forced to upgrade to Mack Version x9g? Yeah, it doesn't quite work like it used to..."

"Hmmm.... I have a few old friends down at the Morgue. Let me give him a ring and see if he can lend us a hand."

Computers to find a Morgue: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7

After clicking away on her data pad for a while, she sighs. "Oh these new fangled contraptions. I never can figure them out. Usually my son helps me."

She puts the comm unit away and puts a finger to her lip. "Oh, let me think a moment."

Culture to find a Morgue: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 5 = 23

"Ah! I remember! Come along, it's this way!"

When she meets up with her old friend, Eralyn smiles. "Oh, hello, Yargos! You're looking dashing as ever. How's your mother? And your girls? Oh, I'm glad to hear it." she smiles kindly then leans in to whisper, "You remember how I helped you back in the day..? Well, I need your help now to do it for someone else. Think you can help me?"

Diplomacy to convince him to disguise a corpse as Ceren for me: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 1 = 13

Anyone else want to try to disguise this corpse?

Then Eralyn pulls out her comm unit and tries to cover up the alterations...

Computers: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25

Well, at least the corpse looks good on paper! Haha.

Korg follows Eralyn to the morgue. Hw has never been a fan of the smell of these places but knows it has to be done for the job to work. He keeps an eye out for any one that could be following them.

perception to see if some one is following: 1d20 ⇒ 17

Thats right a straight dice roll. no bonus.

Anyone can try and aid Eralyn's diplomacy check at the morgue. Or feel free to try and help in some other way.

Gogglez is fairly certain that he botched his attempts at making Ceren dead and forging a new identity. Still, maybe...?

Not sure about what else to do, Korg kept an eye out for any tails. The only ones he saw belonged to him and the two ysoki. There was no sign of being followed from Ceren's place to the morgue.

Diplomacy, Aid Another: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (9) - 1 = 8

"Yargos, pal - buddy - well, you see... we really need this favour..."

... Boz gets the sense he's not really adding to the conversation.

Ketch looks over Gogglez’ fuzzy shoulder (so to speak), as he feverishly types on his data pad. He sees where he went wrong, and grabs at the pad before he puts it away.

Hey, computer kid extraordinaire, lemme try. I may not be as skilled as you, but I cannot be any worse at the current moment.

Ketch will open the “system config” menu, reset the firewall. He then adjust the download speed to a shade slower to compensate for the variable speed of the other system’s mainframe.

computers: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14 (dead cert)
computers: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11 (new identities)
computers: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10 (other)

Yeah, the new upgrade sucks. Firewall was improved for security. Has good side and bad I suppose

———————

At the morgue, Ketch will attempt to add any final touches to the new corpse to fool the ‘bait’.

computer aid disguise: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14

Wow, the dice roller really hates you guys.

Anyone want to try and help either diplomacize or intimidate the morgue attendant to keep his mouth shut?

Also, one more person can help teh 2 ysoki with the computers checks to cover your tracks.

If not, we'll get rolling in the morning.

Ketch looks at the morgue attendant. He slowly walks up to them, and whispers in their ear.

If you talk, I’ll send that guy to make a visit to you. as he motions towards Korg. You’ll end up a patron of your establishment. Got it?

intimidate: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 1 = 15

Standing behind Ketch, Korg gives a toothy lizardy smile while trying to put on the meanest face he can.

intimidate: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11

Eralyn tries her best to help the ysoki with the computer records.

"Hmmm... I think my son said it works like... this?"

Computers (Death Certificate): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 = 16
Computers (New Identities): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 5 = 18

Eralyn smiles. "Did that help?"

The morgue attendant looked more than a little queasy at Korg's toothy grin and said to the ysoki, "Okay, okay, I get your point. I wasn't gonna tell anybody anyways. That's not the way I work. But, it looks like your friends are having some problems witht eh records over there.
Perhaps I can help with that? 60 creds and her own son would swear the body on that table was her...or at least could be."

Boz saunters over to the crew looking over the datapads, and sees if he can offer a hand.

Computers (Death Certificate): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11
Computers (New Identities): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (19) + 6 = 25

"Dunno if that works? It's a bit of a stretch, but could pass..."

"Oh, Yargos, you're a dear! I'll swing by with a cred stick for you and a fresh batch of cookies as soon as I get paid. Tomorrow alright, hon?"

I'll dock it off what I earn this scenario?

"That's fine, Eralyn. You always were good for it."

The morgue attendant turned his attention to his work, making subtle changes in the body's appearance with some sort of handheld grafting device. Synthflesh transformed the middle-aged woman on the table into a reasonable facsimile of Ceren from the picture you provided and the medical records you had on hand.

It took a couple of hours, but it was done. Ceren's death certificate looked a little shaky, but it was passable. The body was disguised as hers, and Ceren's official records had been changed to cover the differences. The new identity was odd, though. For whatever reason, the two ysoki had set Ceren up with the unlikely moniker of Beatrice Whiskers, and it was all Boz could do to convince them (and Gogglez' datapad) that 'Junker Extraordinaire' was not a legitimate job category on Absalom Station. They were still arguing about it as you walked towards the rendezvous in the park.

As you approached the bridge, you could see Ceren leaning against one of the rails, Jubair by her side. She smiled at you as she saw your approach, and reached down for her bag. She was interrupted by a man in rough clothes who pulled a pulsecaster and pressed it into her side. Two more backed him up from the other side of the bridge.

Following her gaze, the man called out, "Just turn around and walk away, friends. This doesn't concern you. If you make it your concern, I won't be held responsible for the outcome."

The roll20 map is live!

Ketch tried to use the allies in between him and the aggressors to block view of him.

stealth: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (7) + 10 = 17

Being sure not to reach for her weapon, Eralyn hobbles forward. "Oh, dearie, give me a moment with her, would you? We're old friends. I just want a hug goodbye. You'll allow a pair of old women that, won't you?"

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 1 = 18

Double move up to Ceren.

I don't see Jubair, or the man holding the gun against Ceren on the map. Just my allies, Ceren and two guys at the end of the bridge.

"Lady, if you don't back off the bridge right now, I'm going to shoot you. I don't care how old you are."

From the threat in his voice, there is no doubt he intends to follow up.

Jubair isn't on the bridge, as I didn't want to clutter the map. Can you really not see the guy in armor flanking Ceren with you? can anyone else not see him?

Ketch tried to use the distraction to move forward closer to the edge of the bridge. Lining up a shot at the thug with the pulsecaster pistol to Ceren’s side, he squeezes the trigger.

Figured it’s dim lighting, allowing me to hide. Rolled a “stealth 17” a couple posts up unless you want me to re-roll

stealth trick shot dc 20+cr: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (8) + 10 = 18

azi laser pistol: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 3 = 131d4 + 1d4 ⇒ (1) + (2) = 3

...and we're in initiative now!

And no, not dim lighting

Ketch pulled his own pulsecaster and fired, hitting the man behind Ceren. "Take 'em out, boys!" the man called, and a rain of pulsecaster shots flew across the bridge. Two of them hit Ketch, and the ratfolk's whiskers twitched as the neural shunts tried to short circuit his system.

Gogglez begins frantically building a barricade to provide cover for himself, "Hole Puncher, take care of those thugs over there!", he says as he drops prone behind his cover.

Move action to barricade, standard to drop prone.

Hole Puncher's gun begins winding up as it makes numerous mechanical transformations, "Engaging extermination mode, leaving none standing." The suction dart gun begins firing, but not suction darts anymore!

Light Reaction Cannon at the bottom right enemy: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 3 = 12
damage: 1d10 ⇒ 8

Quickly raising his rifle to his shoulder and took aim at one of the thugs that is not holding Ceren. With a slow breath out he squeezes the trigger.

attack withAzimuth Laser Rifle: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 2 = 13
damage type B: 1d6 ⇒ 1

It took a second but Korg wishes he could have just hit him with his hammer.

Ketch’s leg jerks violently as he takes two blasts of electricity. He retaliated with another shot of his own.

dc 20+cr trick shot: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (18) + 10 = 28

azi laser vs ceremony guard: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 3 = 222d4 ⇒ (2, 1) = 3

Eralyn deftly steps around Ceren as she draws her survival knife, then she thrusts it at the man behind Ceren.

Attack vs. KAC: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 = 13
Slashing Damage: 1d4 ⇒ 2

I can see the guy behind Ceren now. Thanks.

Seeing the cracks of discharged plasma and electrostatic streak through the air, Bozril instinctively put his head down and clutched for his goggles. As his companions laid down a base of fire, he saw there was no course but to charge onto the bridge to help secure Ceren's well-being.

Move: Move 20'
Standard: Move 20'

@everyone, please designate your targets. It\f I have to pick, I will just randomly assign damage

I want to target the same one I did last time :)

Botting Talc at his request

The boom of hole-puncher's cannon ripped out across the park, sending even more people screaming and running away than the light arms fire had. One of the thugs twisted sideways, a huge red stain appearing on her left side. More firepower rained down on the one threatening Ceren, and he backed up as he was hit multiple times. Talc's shots went wild as the scrum obscured his view, even as Boz ran up onto the bridge.

The three thugs backed away, still firing their pulsecasters, but with a wild look in their eyes. They obviously had been expecting an easy snatch-and-grab, and not this determined defense. One shot hit Eralyn with a glancing blow, making her twitch slightly.

Eralyn lets out a grunt of pain when she's shot. She grits her teeth and steps between Ceren and the thug who held a gun to her side a moment ago.

"Run along, dearie," she tells Ceren.

Then she lunges at the man in front of her and stabs him with her dagger.

Attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24
Critical Hit! Slashing Damage: 2d4 ⇒ (2, 4) = 6

After cutting a massive cut in the man's leg she smiles kindly at the thugs. "Walk away while you can, boys. I don't want to have to cause you permanent harm."

Stepping forward and deciding to pick up is preferred style of combat, Korg steps forward and places Ceren further away from the thugs. I dont mind as much as she does though" With that, he swings into the same one that Eralyn just stabbed.

attack with Assault Hammer: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25
crit confirm if needed: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8
damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6
crit damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9

and the 20s fall like rain

The thug in front dropped to the ground as first an artery in his leg was severed, and then a massive hammer caved in his skull.

Round 2

Boz's near-sprint down the bridge had him nearly out of breath. As his last couple of steps slowed him down, he saw the big vesk Korg bring his hammer down on one of the thugs sent to abduct Ceren. It was a sickening crunch that left the man nothing but bloody pile, but Boz had the stomach for hard sights like that. After all, he'd seen worse — a heavy industrial adamantine drill bit would do unspeakable things to a careless dwarf — down in the thasteron pits.

Like that one cruel tyrant of a foreboss who put Boz's entire drill crew on half rations for missing their quota. Boz couldn't remember which one of his crew warned the topsider that he was getting too close to the guardrail... and he was a bit foggy as to whose responsibility it was to tighten the bolts to the rail... But he remembers that after the incident report was filed, and the crew got back to work, there were no shortages of rations, and crew morale never wavered for the rest of that stint on that blasted rock...

Woah. Spaced out, there. Keep your head in it, ol' boy.

Boz shook it off, and the haze of battle re-filled his ringing ears. Korg the Vesk looked like he could crush as many stars with that assault hammer just as his war-sobriquet boasted he could. But his right flank was exposed. Plug the gap in the line. No room for pressure.

The dwarf ensured the safety was off on his scattergun as he passed by Korg. "Behind you, on your right!" warned Boz, and he leveled his weapon. He squeezed the trigger, and a sharp CHOOM! erupted out of the muzzle brake.

Ranged - scattergun, utility, vs. KAC, 15' cone: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 1 = 21
Damage, piercing: 1d4 ⇒ 2
Crit Damage, piercing: 1d4 ⇒ 4

Three in a row! A nice payoff for me rambling on for a couple more hundred words than I thought I was going to write... :P

Ketch moves forward, making sure to stay behind those hardier then he.

trick dc 20+cr: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (15) + 10 = 25

azi vs most injured: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 3 = 132d4 ⇒ (3, 2) = 5

Gogglez punches a bunch of buttons on his game controller and moves the joy sticks while pressing in both triggers. "It's raining bullets!" he says as he laughs.

Hole Puncher's Reaction Cannon spins even faster now as it continues its barrage of bullets. As it is firing the drone yells, RAT A TAT A TAT!" in Gogglez's recorded voice.

First Shot: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (5) - 1 = 4
Damage: 1d10 ⇒ 9

Second Shot: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (8) - 1 = 7
Damage: 1d10 ⇒ 9

Shooting at whoever is up at random, but uhh, doesn't look like those are going to hit.