Our Mysterious Benefactor |
STAR WARS: DAWN OF DEFIANCE
Episode I
THE TRAITOR’S GAMBIT
It is a dark time in the galaxy. The evil Galactic Empire has spread from the Deep Core to the Outer Rim, and everywhere the Empire’s tyranny can be felt.
Fleeing from the oppression of the Emperor’s minions, agents of Senator Bail Organa have run to a remote space station above Brentaal. Known to be a vocal opponent of the Empire, Organa may be the last hope of freedom in the galaxy.
In the hopes of stopping these dissidents before they can reach the Senator, the Empire has alerted its forces on Sel Zonn Station, where the struggle for liberty rages on, and the first sparks of rebellion have begun to burn. . . .
It has been about a week since you arrived on Sel Zonn Station. Thinking back to your first glimpse of the station, you can barely remember the hope you felt...
Seemingly motionless among a sea of starships and satellites above the twinkling world of Brentaal, Sel Zonn Station grows larger in your view every second. A central pylon forms the bulk of the station’s mass, and three landing platforms leading to docking bays extend from the central section, equidistant from one another and jutting out into space. The dorsal side of the station features a discshaped secondary structure, on top of which blinking lights indicate the presence of a landing platform reserved for wealthy patrons.
Now, however, you see the Station from a very different perspective. The parts you've seen are dingy, dirty and unfriendly. Jobs are scarce and your credits dwindle by the day. Crime bosses feud over limited territory and most people on the station try to keep to themselves, their heads down and under the radar of the powerful or the criminal.
Still, you've met some kindred spirits, some people who you feel you may be able to trust. But it's hard to tell, and a sense of unease pervades the Station and even the Force...
As is your custom, you meet your friends on the Promenade, enjoying a few moments of seeming peace and normalcy before you head off to try to find any work. The Promenade is filled with the bustle of revelry and commerce. Spilling out of the gambling halls are the sounds of victory and the moans of defeat, while the music of local bands issues from the cantinas. Only a handful of citizens mill about in the main areas of the Promenade, a few gazing out the massive windows at the planet Brentaal hovering below. Businesspeople hawk their wares to the passersby, and a few Imperial stormtroopers make their way down the main avenue of the Promenade on their usual patrol at a leisurely pace.
Feel free to describe what you look like and introduce your character, then we'll move along to trying to kill you.
Chel Nasko |
Chel gazed down into his cup of watered down Corellian ale, and contemplated his situation. He had been following clues from his father's notes for two months, travelling from backwater colony to decrepit space station... Until , finding himself here a week ago, Sel Zonn station, the last legible place name entered by his father. Chel shook his head. Even with the Force to guide him, it would seem that his father's secrets would remain hidden.
Chell leaned back, his lean frame stretched beneath the table before him. Shaking a few stray locks of his fiery red hair from his eyes, Chel glanced down at the nondescript worker's clothes he wore. Early on in his travels he learned of the Jedi 'betrayal' and their subsequent exile. His lightsabre and traditional Jensaarai wraps quickly were hidden in his satchel... No need to attract attention.
He looked up and scanned the bar, seeing if any of his new acquaintances had arrived. Some were Jedi, that much he could tell, but seem alright despite it.
Chel smiled, they weren't quite sure what to make of him that was certain, but they were all in the same predicament... Stuck on this miserable station until something came up.
Quen Pah |
It had been a long few months since Order 66 had been promulgated and Emperor Palpatine had declared the establishment of the First Galactic Empire. So many Jedi and padawans missing or dead. The Temple had been ransaked and most who had been there were now one with the Force, even the younglings.
Master Rex, it seemed, had done everything in his considerable power in the Force to ensure that Quen had lived. His Master was gone and reported deadm but Quen was not so certain that was true. Propoganda had sprung up about the Jedi trying to take over the Republic. Perhaps this too was propoganda.
It still seemed odd to him not to be in his padawan robes. He felt almost naked without them and his padwan tail. However, the Living Force guided and he did not want to bring immediate attention to who he was and get people into trouble.
The Force had led him to an old friend and medical companion, Ren. As they approached the cantina at Sel Zonn station Quen asked, Do you anticipate trouble here, Master? more out of habit than anything. I can sit quietly in a corner and see what I can discern about our environment
Mahath Kishion |
Moving slowly about the station is a man who looks run down and ragged. Perhaps the only reason he's here is that he wandered onto the wrong cargo ship, and the only reason he hasn't left is he lacks the credits to book passage. His clothes are rough spun, definitely plant material and not synthetic, and is reinforced with reptile skin in sections. If he had anything of value, he looks like easy prey for the seedier elements of the station except for a beat up blaster hanging from a pocket. His eyes are clear and bright, but lack focus. He shuffles through the station with a pace that shows a lack of purpose and destination.
Quen Pah |
The young padawan is going to take a seat in the back of the room and attempt to do a little meditation, after ordering a glass of booze that he will keep and nurse more for appererance sake.
Jex Savvo |
Jex rose from his sleep and remained still for a long while, his eyes and ears taking in the sights and sounds of a little back-alley of the station where he had been squatting. He had never longed for the comforts of a soft-bed while exploring uncharted territory with his father in the Expansion region, and he'd be damned if he spent his cred on such luxuries during his 'brief' stay on Sel Zonn Station. Creds were tight enough as it were. "Anywhere I lay my head is home." He thought. Still, the lazy imperials would be making their rounds soon enough, and he decided it best to move on before he drew any ire from the authoritys.
Making his way to the promenade, Jex enjoyed relative anonymity among the mixed bag of criminals, losers, users, and downtrodden. He was tall and well-built human of around 6 and a half feet. The lines across his dark-skinned face seemed to suggest aging beyond his years. His coarse hair was slicked back, and seemed to be haphazardly braided and dreaded, the full length obscured by the hood of his simple tan and brown cloak that reached his knees.
He made his way to the bar, ordered a tall glass of their cheapest ale, and lit his T'bac Cigar. From the corner of his eye he saw the fiery locks of another newcomer to the station he had met, Chel. He couldn't quite pin down what sort of man Chel was, but saw that the firebrand possessed a gruff set of sensibilities that appealed to his own.
Making his way with drink in hand through a cloud of his own smoke, Jex Savvo arrived at the table of his acquaintance and set adjacent to Chel, where he could still keep an eye out for danger. He slung his pack off his shoulder and sat it close to him. He didn't want the carbine contained within to be too far away if trouble reared it's ugly head. " Chel, what's new, how's the diluted booze treating you? He inquired, taking a large gulp of his drink and a drag of his cigar.
Vagrux Kro |
Vagrux wandered relatively aimlessly through the station the death of master still fresh in his memory. He wore an all temperature cloak around him like a second skin and hasd a whiteish shirt and grayish trousers both of them looked worn. He still felt it hard to adapt even though his master had ingrained it into him that adaption was to live and stagnation to die.
He had no hair that showed through the hood he wore half over his face although a few horns pertruded outwardly showing his species. His skin being a bit grayish.
With his eyes shielded inside the hood he took in the station time and again as was he thaught by his master the most important thing to do in an unknown environment is to get to know the location and see where the dangerous areas are and which areas lead to a possible save location or a point of retreat. That is how they always found the darksiders after which they were. Because they knew where they could run off to before they even started running.
To hide in the shadows you must become a shadow his master also had taught him which was why he was heading to one of the cantines again like he did every day since he came here. To watch and learn how those in the shadows here behaved and to adapt to better hide among them. His lightsword safely hidden inside a convealed holster while he was sporting a blaster on his hip that was only partially hidden by his cloak so that those who liked easy prey would see he was no one to be triffled with.
He then sat in one of the more shady corners and ordered something to drink, nothing with too much alcohol while he looked around noting familiar faces even if he could not remember at the moment where he saw them before. He noted their behavirour and also how they talked to others so as to adapt...as always.
Quen Pah |
Meditating in the Force as he sits, Quen is startled by what he thinks is a few other force sensitive people in the room. One aura seems familiar and he opens his eyes, thinking that he recognizes the young zabrak that has entered the room. Reaching out in the Force, Quen attempts to establish a telepathic connection. 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13. For some reason, perhaps grief or even exhaustion, he is not able to do so but will attempt to watch the zabrak without watching him.
Chel Nasko |
Chels shrugs at Jex's question , "Keeps the boredom away..." he mutters, his eyes drawn to a passing barmaid. Turning back, he smiles wryly as Jex's eyebrow raises with amusement.
"Doesn't hurt to look."
Chel likes Jex. He's not much older than Chel, but seems to have lived and experienced much more of the galaxy. The fact that he was able to sit companionably and not say much has helped many an idle hour pass a little more quickly.
Ren C. |
It had been a long few months since Order 66 had been promulgated and Emperor Palpatine had declared the establishment of the First Galactic Empire. So many Jedi and padawans missing or dead. The Temple had been ransaked and most who had been there were now one with the Force, even the younglings.
Master Rex, it seemed, had done everything in his considerable power in the Force to ensure that Quen had lived. His Master was gone and reported deadm but Quen was not so certain that was true. Propoganda had sprung up about the Jedi trying to take over the Republic. Perhaps this too was propoganda.
It still seemed odd to him not to be in his padawan robes. He felt almost naked without them and his padwan tail. However, the Living Force guided and he did not want to bring immediate attention to who he was and get people into trouble.
The Force had led him to an old friend and medical companion, Ren. As they approached the cantina at Sel Zonn station Quen asked, Do you anticipate trouble here, Master? more out of habit than anything. I can sit quietly in a corner and see what I can discern about our environment
"I always anticipate trouble, Quen." Ren commented dryly, entering the cantina with his Jedi friend. He had been working hard to keep the young man's actual identity a secret, along with his ability to heal. So far, the people they had treated had kept their mouths shut, either through bribery, extortion, or just refusal to heal them if they did consider talking. It had been tiring, to say the least.
Now, with their work done for the day, Ren felt the rare need for a stiff drink or three. Even if he was healing underworld goons and borderline illegal cybernetic enhancements, every so often he would just need to knock something back something stiff and burning. Sitting next to Quen in a tucked away booth, he replied, "You do that. DO your usual thing of keeping eyes and ears open. Certainly doesn't hurt."
Our Mysterious Benefactor |
As you sit and sip your drinks, discussing the events of the day and remembering times past, there is a sudden disturbance on the Promenade. A woman limps towards you, clearly in distress. This slender, black-haired woman wears a blue uniform like that worn by many mechanics and repair crews aboard Sel Zonn Station. Her face and clothes are smudged with grease, and her look suggests that she has been in more than a few firefights. She's bearing signs of scorch marks on her shoulders and her face is desperate as she looks back over her shoulder. In the background two burly men in plain clothes break off from the crowd, their hands slipping inside their jackets as they move toward her.
She sees you lot and gasps, in obvious pain, "Please! Please help me! They're after me! I... I can pay!" She adds in an undertone.
Actions?
After thinking this over I am going to avoid using maps if I can avoid it. I think Star Wars combat should be cinematic; you shouldn't be counting squares to see if you can get to the baddies, you should be vaulting tables and running headlong into danger. Therefore we will err on the side of awesome: you can try anything. If it's obviously impossible or out of your range of abilities, I'll make you roll for it. Otherwise, assume it works and roll with it. Thoughts?
Our Mysterious Benefactor |
The lady is hurt pretty badly. She's clearly taken a beating and looks like there might be internal injuries. She's also pretty far down the condition track.
Ren C. |
Ren also notices the shouting woman, seeing her looking pretty poor at the moment. Sighing angrily, he slammed his glass down and muttered, "Damn Hippocratic Oath..." as he stood up and went to look her over as well. With Quen already tending to the woman, he could see the approaching men with their hands under their coats. "Quen, take her to the clinic. Make sure you aren't followed." He would mutter to him before standing up and standing between the armed men and his assistant, one hand resting, seemingly, in his back pocket. Putting on his most winning, friendly smile for the two men.
Mahath Kishion |
Mahath moves closer to where the woman is getting attention from seemingly kind hearted strangers. About 4 squares off. He looks around for the source of her abuse; if no one is chasing after her, then anyone that seems frustrated or angry that she's being helped. His hands hang loosely at his side as he looks around. Is this a trap, to draw me out, or others like me? Do the Imperials know I'm still alive? Then he shakes his head and chides himself for his hesitation. It doesn't matter if it is a trap; I can't just walk away. He steps up closer 2 squares away and continues to keep a watch over the woman and her attendants.
Jex Savvo |
as I think most of us are inside the cantina, is it assumed the lady has made her way to the entrance of that? I'd like to get her inside and behind some cover.
Jex gives his red-headed ally a sideways glance that seems to convey a message of "Here we go, if reluctantly...", and closes the short distance towards the door. In the same motion he gives a kick to one of the tables adjacent the door, providing a bit of impromptu cover. Leaning against the corner of the doorframe he digs the carbine from his pack, muttering under his breath about not having it closer at hand.
" Get her inside and get your head down!" he shouted to the young human who moved to check on the injured and pleading woman. He kept his eyes on the two men who emerged from the crowd as he prepared for the impending firefight. He didn't know who this woman was, but her offer of pay was the first scent of work he had picked up on the station in days. For now, he's shoot first and ask questions later.
Moving to the entrance, kicking a table, and retrieving a weapon from his pack probably eats up his actions, and he'll be ready to take a shot next round. Should we roll initiative or is that something you want to handle, James?
Our Mysterious Benefactor |
For initiatives, when we get to the need for them, I'll roll them all. It cuts down on waiting for people to roll time.
The good doctor steps forward as the burly men move toward the woman, while Mahath steps up, his expression neutral. Jex, on the other hand, is all action. He kicks one of the tables over, creating cover. " Get her inside and get your head down!" he shouted to the young human who moved to check on the injured and pleading woman. He kept his eyes on the two men who emerged from the crowd as he prepared for the impending firefight.
Seeing the carbine coming out the two men halt suddenly. Their courage is restored when two white-clad men in armor step through the hole in the crowd that their armor creates. Two stormtroopers, rifles in hand, step forward. One calls out in a slightly mechanical voice, "You there! Step away from the woman! In the name of the Emperor, lower your weapons and prepare for arrest!"
Actions?
Ren C. |
Ren looked back at the man shouting, seeing him offering help. Even if it was loud and non too subtle. Swearing under his breath at that, then again at the Troopers showing up, he flicks his thumb and lobs a silver cylinder at the feet of the soldiers, whipping around and scooping up the wounded woman just as the stun grenade goes off in a brilliant bloom of bright light. He imagined, because of those damned visora, it wouldnt buy a huge amount of time for them. But it would be better than outright killing them.
(4d6 stun in a 10 ft. radius)
Quen Pah |
The padawan will pull the lady behind the table that has been kicked over, nodding at man of action. Are you ok? Why are the Imps after you? Let me see if I can help you.
Chel Nasko |
Chel nods at Jex's observation, then downing the dregs of his drink, rises to assist the man helping the woman. He's seen him around with his friend, just hadn't had the chance to talk yet.
Grabbing his satchel, Chel jumps over a table and slides into cover beside When and the woman, just as the grenade goes off.
Giving Quen a friendly nod , he adds "Yeah, what did you do yo get the Imperials so riled?"
Mahath Kishion |
Mahath nods in approval at the grenade, then sys "That won't distract them long. We need some place to lay low. If anyone has someplace to go, lead the way. Otherwise, we'll need to deal with them now."
He moves next to the group, drawing his blaster as he does so.
Ren C. |
Ren slips behind the table and grabs Quen's shirt, growling, "Come on man, we have to be gone. Now!" He looked to the more gruff characters also there, saying, "If you two can keep a secret, then follow me and my assistant. We're taking her to my clinic." He dashed towards the back, using the employee entrance and waiting for Quen with the wounded woman.
Quen Pah |
Hearing his "Master's" order he leave with him and the lady, looking at the red haired man with a look of familiarity and almost wanting to say something but is pressed to leave.
Vagrux Kro |
Vagrux looks at the whole mess that happens right in front of him and sighs trouble has found him again. Knowing what will surely soon unfold in the cantina he raises himself and begins to follow those who are trying to get that woman out of there "Hey do you need another blaster in case more of those turn up?" he moves his cape back slightly to show the blaster at his hip, while he moves around the tables in an attempt to make a small target in case those 2 who were with the imperials get any ideas....takes the blaster into his hand looking to where the grenade went off.
Our Mysterious Benefactor |
The stun grenade goes off, sending the stormtroopers reeling and causing chaos on the Promenade as people scream and dive for cover! The two plainclothes men draw badly hidden hold-out blasters and fire wildly at you, scoring the table Jex kicked up!
The Doctor growls "Come on man, we have to be gone. Now!" He looked to the more gruff characters also there, saying, "If you two can keep a secret, then follow me and my assistant. We're taking her to my clinic." Quen follows, the weight of the woman mostly resting on him as she leans upon him, clearly so badly hurt that she won't stay conscious for long!
More blaster fire scores the walls and the tables as the two men shoot their hold-out blasters at the retreating party. The stormtroopers are shaking their heads and seem to be regaining their senses...
Stay and fight or follow the Doctor?
Mahath Kishion |
Mahath brandishes his blaster high, trying to make himself a more inviting target than the doctor and the already savaged woman. He follows along behind the doctor, trying to serve as a rear guard, content to leave the stormtroopers behind if they can.
Jex Savvo |
Jex shields his eyes as the blaster-fire digs into the upturned table. Still, he see's clearly the stormtroopers quickly finding there bearings. The doctor offers an out and the tall man smiled. " You don't have to tell me twice." he assured, rushing forward to the other side of the injured woman. He took her arm and slid it over his shoulder, taking some of the weight off of Quen. " Sorry about the table chum, I'll get you back on that, you've my word!" Jex exclaimed to the bartender hiding face down as they made their escape through the rear exit.
He gave one final glance over his shoulder and saw that a few others had tagged along. " I hope they can keep a secret, too." He thought to himself, returning his attention to bearing the weight of the damsel in distress and following the doctor.
Our Mysterious Benefactor |
It's clear that the informants and the stormtroopers are rallying as you move away, following the Doctor to his clinic. They're not immediately following, but they will be coming along soon!
Are you headed straight there? Are you covering your tracks? What are you doing to keep the Imperials from following?
Ren C. |
More focused on the fading woman, he holds the back door open for Quen as the other three armed men follow them out. 'Guess more kind folks still exist around here.' He thought to himself as he was the last out. He jogged up to Quen and fell in step beside him, saying, "Back entrance Quen. We can't afford to have troopers kicking down my doors. We'll get her stable once we're relatively safe, then move her to the clinic."
He looks back to the men following them, adding, "Shoot to wound, don't kill!"
Our Mysterious Benefactor |
The woman stirs as you speak of safety. She mumbles, "Blue quadrant, level 3, room 54. Safe." You know basically where she's talking about: it is a storage area used to hold repair parts and dry goods for the station. It's lightly secured because the parts and goods aren't particularly useful for anything but station maintenance.
Vagrux Kro |
Knowing that the situation can get out of hand too easily "Run as quickly poas possible!" he tells those who he is following while shooting at the troopers just as they regain their bearings with his blaster set to stun
attack roll: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (18) + 3 = 21 damage: 3d4 ⇒ (2, 1, 3) = 6
Quen Pah |
I understand Master, but if any of the people recognized you they will know where the clinic is, if they aren't there already. Perhaps we should listen to the lady and hide there? You might not need the more important of the equipment until we can get a thorough examination of her wounds?
Mahath Kishion |
Mahath raises an eyebrow at Quen's references to 'master', but says nothing about it. Instead, he asks "Should we split up so some of us draw off pursuit? Meet at Blue 3, 54?"
Is Blue section very far? Can we use side passages, or do we need to go through highly public or Imperial patrolled areas?
Quen Pah |
Hearing Mahath's comment, No! Separating a group is not ideal. The more of us there are the more likely that we all come back. Not like the last... he says. Realizing that he might have said too much he stops talking, paying attention to the patient.
Ren C. |
Ren's brain was going many miles a minute, weighing his options. While he has zero reason to trust this strange woman, he didn't think she'd give them bad directions. These wounds weren't fake to be sure. And Quen had a point: The Imperial soldiers could very much be at his clinic by now. Coming to a fork in their back alley, he sighed angrily and said, "Rrgh! Everyone split up! You three stick together, I need Quen to help keep this woman breathing. Meet at the location she gave. Go!"
Chel Nasko |
Chel ducks as blaster bolts rained into the cantina, scattering the few remaining patrons and staff alike. Dodging from table to table, he follows the others out the back of the cantina.
As he reaches the door a blaster bolt narrowly misses his head, striking the wall behind him. Turning in a moment of pique, Chel marshalls his control of the Force and flicks his hand at one of the pursuing thugs...
Use the Force, Move Object 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23
If that roll exceeds target's Will Defence, move up to Large object.
Hurled into other thug, if roll exceeds his Reflex, both take 4d6 ⇒ (5, 6, 4, 4) = 19
Without waiting to see what happens, Chel hurries after the others, catching up to them at the junction.
Catching the exchange betwenn Quen and Ren, Chel raises an eyebrow but doesn't comment, instead saying "Agree, you take her to her hideout, we'll go this way..." He looks to Jex and the others for their agreement.
Mahath Kishion |
GM, is it far to the blue section refuge? Are we talking hundreds of feet, or miles of passages? If it isn't far, we can just race there and stick together. If it is much further, we can consider the split.
Is there any emergency escape pods along our route? It might distract them if we launch one off.
Our Mysterious Benefactor |
Vagrux sends a couple stunning shots toward the stormtroopers, prompting them to take cover. When one group takes the woman and heads off, the other moves off in a different direction, but not before Chel flicks a hand at the informants and smashes one into the other using the Force.
You split up, one group heading for the turbolifts, the other racing through the corridors, occasionally sending a blaster bolt backwards to encourage the attention of the stormtroopers. The group bearing the woman arrives relatively quickly to find a nondescript door bearing the marking "54". The woman stirs and murmurs a word into Doc's ear, which he repeats out loud. The door beeps and opens with a hiss, revealing a simple storage room that has been converted into a safehouse. A pair of bunk beds, a desk and wardrobe sit in the room. A first aid kit is on the wall and a small privacy shield covers the refresher in the corner. The room is small, but it holds several intriguing objects including several changes of clothing made to fit the woman, including an Imperial officer uniform, a maintenance outfit, the uniform of a podracer and stylish dresses fit for a noble, not to mention the handful of cred chips all bearing the woman's face and different names.
The second group loops around and after several minutes of shooting off escape pods and looping their trail around and through a couple shopping areas and a docking bay, they end up at door 54. They knock lightly and inside the group can see a monitor showing a live feed of them. They are let inside and the door closes with a soft whoosh.
Under the Doctor's ministrations, the woman seems to be doing much better. Her internal injuries are stabilized, and while she won't be doing much physical movement for a couple hours, she is safe from death. She stirs and starts when she sees you in the saferoom.
"Oh my. Thank you for saving me. I admit, I was not conscious of what happened and it's extremely fortunate that I found people who were willing to stick their necks out for a stranger. I owe you much, but let;s start with my name. My name is Maya Droosk. I work for the Alderaanian security services. For the last few months I have been following the trail of some disturbing rumors. I was supposed to meet with a fixer named Switch tonight, but I was discovered by station security first. I barely escaped, and I fear I must ask you for a further favor: will you meet with Switch in my place? He has the location of a very important piece of cargo that I need to recover for my superiors. As I said before, I can pay you for this trouble, and I might be able to get you off-station if you're interested."
Jex Savvo |
Jex is thankful to arrive at the door "54" with the injured woman safe in tow. Once inside, he places her as gently as possible on the bunk where the doctor can tend to her injuries. He makes a few quick rounds of the simple storage room, taking a visual note of the different outfits, and looking over a few of the various cred chips of the woman's various aliases.
After several minutes, a gentle knock at the door made Savvo's hair stand on-end. His eyes darted to the video monitor and he was thankful to see the other three had made it without getting arrested or killed. He lets them in and hurries them inside. He keeps a vigilant eye towards the direction they approached from, trying to discern if they were followed.
Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (3) + 8 = 11
Talent use~~ Acute Senses!
Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (18) + 8 = 26
Once the door closes with a soft whoosh, he returns to the side of the woman as she stirs and speaks. He listens attentively and raises a brow periodically. " What Sort of Rumors Maya? " He inquires.
" Pay is always good, and something tells me we'll need to be off this station by the time this is all said and done. I'm in."