Starfinder Gameday 6: Quest: Into the Unknown (Inactive)

Game Master Redelia

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PART 1: THE STATION

You summoned to the Lorespire Complex by Venture-Captain Arvin. He
quickly gets to the business at hand. The tall and confident lashunta man gestures to several functional chairs, inviting you to sit. “Thank you for arriving so quickly. As I mentioned in my comm message, we have an urgent opportunity to recover some critical information. Several months ago, a crew of Starfinders took a ship called the Unbounded Wayfarer into the Vast to explore a series of uncharted planets. They never returned. Earlier today, a vesk pawnbroker in the Downlow neighborhood contacted us, offering to sell us several Starfinder insignias. These insignias belonged to the lost crew of the Unbounded Wayfarer, and that immediately caught the Society’s attention. The pawnbroker—named Julzakama—doesn’t realize the true value of the insignias. We negotiated a purchase price in exchange for the insignias and information about the seller. We hope this seller can lead us to the Unbounded Wayfarer and its crew. We’ve remotely transferred the requested credits to Julzakama. Now, we need you to collect the insignias and all the information you can from the vesk regarding whoever sold him the insignias, and then track down that seller. Learn where to find the Unbounded Wayfarer and its crew. I’m worried that the seller might not be on the station for long, so act quickly. If you have any questions, please make them fast.”

Look at the maps link above to see who you are talking to.

A golden haired woman sits and listens, aware that they're in a rush from the way Venture-Captain Arvin is speaking.

"What do we know about Julzakama?" she asks, curious about the person they're to be... speaking with. "Is there image, so we know what these insignias look like?" It'd be embarrassing, after all, if they went through the trouble of getting to the Vesk if they didn't come back with the insignias and information they'd been promised.

Keskodai glances at all his fellow Starfinders and makes a soft ticking sound in the back of his mandibles. I hope they are all as competent as they look. The mission sounds straightforward enough. "Anything else we should know before we begin?"

A vesk pawnbroker? Let's hope there's still some honor inside him

Seeing that his questions have already been asked, but she doesn't want to stay one step behind her new companions, "Where do we find this pawnbroker? And where was the Wayfarer lost?" Obazaya asks without realizing that one question has already been answered and the other can't be.

Steelscales declines the seat. The delicate chairs preferred by Pact Worlders have a tendency to break under his bulk with his armor on. He waits while the others ask questions. He has none of his own, it seems like the pawn broker has the answers they need.

"Julzakama runs a pawnshop called Julzakama’s Loans and is an unusually arrogant vesk. I don’t know him, but I get the impression that I wouldn’t like him much if I did." Venture-Captain Arvin also provides directions to Julzakama’s shop.

"The Starfinder Insignias appear to be simple medals with the logo of the Starfinder Society. The crew of the Unbounded Wayfarer received the insignias long ago for exemplary service to the Society. Although this isn’t common knowledge outside the Starfinder Society, these insignias are no mere trinkets; they can be used to encrypt or decrypt information that the Starfinders wanted to keep hidden."

diplo: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15

Keskodai asks around a bit and advises the party "This vesk responds better to intimidation and bluster than to diplomacy and smooth talking... we should treat with him appropriately."

Culture: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 5 = 14

Miya nods at both what the venture captain says and at Keskodai's comment. "I agree," she says crisply. "Well, time is of the essence, correct? Let us start off then."

"Off to the Downlow we go, thank you for the briefing Captain"

-Posted with Wayfinder

"How much are these insignias worth? It sounds like maybe this pawnbroker doesn't know what he has... but if he does, will he hand them over now that he has been paid?"

Culture: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10

Elektra remains quiet to start letting the others get their questions in. Even though at first glance she appears to be using her personal comm unit's camera function to do her hair and makeup she is definitely taking note of the answers that are given.

"Oh he sounds so interesting..." she lets the sarcasm dripping in those words linger in the air... "I'm sure the six of us can handle one arrogant vesk."

Steelscales grunts in assent at Miya's suggestion to get started. To Yippee he adds, "Oh he'll hand them over."

Because of the nature of the quests, you do not get to slot any boons. This is when you would normally do so.

Everyone ready to go to the pawn shop?

"Let's get moving, I don't want to miss my space opera."

Translation: 'Obo' is ready to visit the Downlow.

-Posted with Wayfinder

Not even the base 'champion' (Wayfinder's Champion) ones? o:

"Yes, it'd be a shame," Miya agrees. "Would you be able to catch a rerun?" she asks, almost curiously.

Keskodai smiles at Obozaya's comment. "Perhaps you can see a recording later. tsk... they do still have that option, yes?"

Elektra hops out of her seat and tucks her comm unit in her back pocket after tucking a tiny earbud/mic into one ear first. "All good here cuties!"

As they get closer to the pawnshop she loosens up a bit and then finally before they enter, she unzips the front of her tight flightsuit down to be more than a little "revealing" and if asked about it she'd reply with a grin "the more this pawnbroker or anyone else is distracted by me, the more you all get to do your thing!"

I thought I heard somewhere at gencon that we could use the faction ones only?

"Good, distractions could be useful. Let's go find this Julzakama."

A vesk being distracted by seeing some human's milk sacks? Sarangari chuckles at the thought.

brownie points for making the GM laugh, Sarangari.

Your travels from Lorespire to Downlow take less than an hour. Although some areas of Downlow are clean and trendy, this narrow alley of concrete and metal buildings drips with oil and sparking wires. A wide, red neon electric sign reads “Julzakama’s Loans” on a building sandwiched between a Kuthite sensation house and a derelict building covered with graffiti. The shop’s solid metal door contains a single, small window too grimy to peer through.

The interior of Julzakama’s Loans is crammed with shelves containing all manner of near-valueless items, from small appliances to VR game consoles and jars of colored powders. The shop has the acrid smell of a reptile house that has not been cleaned in months. A massive vesk in a muscle shirt stands at the rear of the shop, behind a low desk and a series of heavy metal bars anchored into the ceiling. Julzakama is carelessly disassembling an old computer when you arrive, but he looks up from his work when you enter his shop.

He notices Elektra's open clothing, rolls his eyes, and remarks, "Nice milk sacs, manling."

He then looks at the entire party expectantly.

Miya shrugs and rolls her eyes at the other girl's attempt at, ah... seducing the creature, but, well.

You had to at least try, right? She could commend her for that.

"You have something that belongs to us - we're here to pick them up," she says to the vesk briskly.

Intimidate: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 1 = 17 If necessary.

"We've come for the Starfinder medallions, Lizard LIps... so let's see the goods... Quick before we lose our tempers... You wouldn't like us when we're angry."

intimidate: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (14) - 1 = 13

Elektra rolls her eyes a bit at Julzakama. "That the first thing you notice? Typical male."

Aid another intimidate: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25

"As you can see we are in a bit of a hurry, this is a very important matter for the Society. We are here to hold our end of the deal, we've been told payment has been made, but after you handle the insignias, we still need you to answer a few questions. Let's keep this easy, let's keep this moving, we don't need to waste anymore of your time." Intimidate (Aid Miya): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 16

-Posted with Wayfinder

Yippee stands back, watching the others work. Looks like they are trying to make the guy pee his pants. Not sure that's going to work on a vesk, but let's watch!

I aim to please

The others seem to have the questioning well in hand so Steelscales just stands behind them looking as tough as he can manage. No need for letting this big Vesk think he has nothing to worry about.

Aid Miya Intimidate: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5

Julzakama roars with laughter at the threating tone. "Humanlings, a ratling, a 'renling, and a vesk, trying to threaten me? Here's what you came here for. I've already been paid for these. I remember Arvin said something about wanting information, too, and I can do that. But information costs extra."

Just to be clear, that counts as a success with the intimidate. This particular Vesk would not respond well to diplomacy or politeness, but does respond well to a bit of bluster. Obozaya, you get a +2 on your skill checks (including aid another) against this Vesk.

At this, Miya narrows her eyes. "Extra?" she repeats, lips thinned as she regards the creature with the respect it has inspired in her. (None.) She gestures for more details. "What extra do you seek?"

The vesk smiles, showing a mouthful of sharp teeth. "I seek for you to make it worth my while."

Weird, I remember posting yesterday, but it seems Wayfinder swallowed my post

"Tell us the number of creds you think will make it worth your while, otherwise we may think about taking your tongue with us for not keeping up your end of the deal."
Intimidate +GM told me bonus: 1d20 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 4 + 2 = 10

-Posted with Wayfinder

12 credits. the vesk tells Obozaya, clearly not impressed by his bluster.

12 credits. the vesk tells Obozaya, clearly not impressed by his bluster.

"Best I can do is 9, that's all I've got." A defeated Obozaya adds, as she hands over her credstick.

"Here, take the rest," Sarangari adds, disgusted. He isn't happy about the shakedown when lives could be on the line but is hurried to get on with it. He hands over his own stick for the three remaining credits.

Elektra zips up her flight suit's front rather loudly while glowering at all the vesk present. "And here I thought vesk were supposed to be like scary or something" (to all of them) "and not so craven or scum-sucking." That last to the pawn-broker trying to shake them down.

Intimidate: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 19

The vesk visibly wilts under Elektra's verbal onslaught and waves away the cred sticks.

"All right, all right; the seller was named Exegara, and she wasn’t from around here. She was definitely an Eoxian. She looked like a man-ling, but didn’t breathe or blink or anything. Wore a flight suit, like she had come off a long trip. Once she had her money, she asked about where to purchase clean skeletons. I don’t carry goods like that, so I sent her to the Vat Garden. She mentioned something about hiring some local muscle just in case."

"Well, now... doesn't it feel better to be cooperative and helpful? Thank you for that information"

"So off to the Vat Gardens we go."

On the way, Obozaya says to Elektra, "that was impressive, who knew you could chew his head off?"

-Posted with Wayfinder

"Nicely done," Miya congratulates the woman once they're out. "Scum like that doesn't deserve the extra he tries to squeeze out of hard working folk."

Info about the Vat gardens, either Culture or Diplomacy:

diplo: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9

Keskodai asks around about the Vat Gardens but gets the cold shoulder from everyone he talks to.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (20) + 0 = 20

Traversing the station, Obozaya barely short of screaming, "Could anyone be so kind as to tell me how to get to the Vat Gardens?" She manages to catch the attention of an ysoki passing by who happens to be going in the same direction. On the way the ysoki shares that the Vat Garden is an ysoki-operated garden, selling fresh plants around Absalom Station and they accept corpses to help grow their plants. This side business is not technically illegal, and in fact is seen as a service to the very poor.

After the ysoki parts ways with the crew, "So the owners of the Gardens take corpses for free and this Eoxian was looking for skeletons according to Julzakama, sounds like a match made in Abaddon. You better be ready for a fight, I always am."

Elektra just chuckles a bit "Thanks. I guess after enough private parties you get used to cutting to the chase with men like that."

Then mutters..."To me čini čudnim ako i vesk žvakanje ... možda ću morati da se igramo negde nakon misije i saznam za sebe."

Hearing that Obozaya is getting good answers she just hangs back and stuff and nods when the female vesk returns. "Yea... Eoxians don't really like my kind of entertainment so I think this time I'll be baring a laser instead of skin. Ready when you all are."

Whenever they arrive at the Vat Gardens Elektra will draw her azimuth laser pistol and keep it at down by her side and try to be in the middle/back of the group.

Grimacing, Miya nods in agreement, keeping her weapon handy as well - just in case. "We'd better be careful - for all we know, he's let her know in advance."

"A good policy,", Sarangari says at Obozaya's last statement. "If a fight is brewing just stand behind me, I'll show them how scary a vesk can be when he cares to."

Feel free to rearrange yourselves on the map.

The station passageways open into an enormous sunken pool filled with a riotous growth of plants. A narrow walkway leading to other parts of Downlow encircles the overgrown vat, and a spire of some kind of machinery stands in its center. For such a busy section of Downlow, the area is surprisingly quiet. Two ladders and a steep staircase pierce the foliage and lead down into the vat. The floor of the Vat Garden is 15 feet lower than the walkway surrounding it, and the foliage is so thick it is hard to see anyone in it from the walkway.

Something is supposed to happen as soon as you enter, but I'm giving you a quick chance to move yourselves around, and to let me know what you at least try to do.

"It's so.... green! I suspect it's not as peaceful and calm in there as it appears from here."

I'm good with that position.

"It's so green, danger could be hiding below, keep an eye out. We vesk go first?" She asks Sarangari.

-Posted with Wayfinder

Weapon still in hand, Miya moves with the others, not wanting to, ah... Cause problems by attempting to scout ahead or anything of that sort. She is entirely in favor of nice, happy solutions after all.

"I'll stay in the back, shall I?"

"Of course, Steelscales replies to his fellow Vesk. He holds his reaction cannon ready. A peaceful solution would be nice, but he isn't counting on it. He doubts the Eoxian got those insignias by asking nicely.