GM Kate's Commencement [closed] (Inactive)

Game Master Kate Baker

The children give Pokya some of Socks's food: candy, sandwich crusts, and a lot of steamed vegetables seemingly sneaked off dinner plates. Pokya scatters some in the direction of the creature, which draws its attention just long enough for Zaldekan to grab onto it. It struggles frantically in Zal's arms, still in a panic.

All right, one more round to get it to calm down! No one has to worry about slipping on the ice anymore since Zaldekan grabbed it.

"All right now, you just settle down a bit." Rogers tries to grab hold so the wriggly creature can't break free of Zaldekan's grip.

Athletics: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15

Tuudak comes to Rogers and Zeldekan's aid, doing his best to secure a flailing, furry end.
Athletics: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 10

Null nods at Tuudak, misinterpreting his expression as affirmation, and increases the music's volume by 10%.

With visible discomfort, Zal tries his best to continue holding on to Socks.

Rogers and Tuudak approach the creature, grasped tightly by Zaldekan, and each grab an end. Unable to thrash around, the alien now seems to hear the the calming melodies from Null's AI. It crunches on some of the candy from Pokya.

The children cheer. "Hooray! You caught Socks!"

When you return to Fitch, she is pleased that you captured the alien alive. "Excellent work, Starfinders! That's just what we like to see around here. We'll make sure that a team of Wayfinder experts can work with it, see if we can find a way to talk with it. And, now I can get my mechanics in there to get E-Deck properly fixed!" As an afterthought, she hands one of you a credstick with 400 credits. "I appreciate the diligence! You sure saved me a lot of time. But now it's back to work for us!"

One of the engineers runs toward you and embraces the children. "Lan! Si! You've got to stop running off! You've been missing for hours! I was so worried about you." The man stand up and thanks you profusely. "I'm Kieu Kein, by the way. They keep running off, and the daycare here is so overworked. They have to come with me to the ship though, ever since their mom..." He stops for a moment, holding back tears. "She went on the mission to the Scoured Stars. I really can't thank you enough. Here, please take this."

He hands one of you a Mk 1 ring of resistance.

Fitch gets you set up on a shuttle heading back to Absalom Station, and you can decide which faction leader to meet with next!

You can also talk more to Fitch or Kieu Kein if you'd like.

Tuudak takes the ring, then folds his hands over Kieu Kein's. "Grief is a wall, dismantled stone by stone. I will carry a stone for you." His expression is earnest, sincere, and sorrowful.
His trademark gentle smile bears a hint of melancholy. "There aren't many nuar children, and even if it's important for them to run off on their own, get lost from time to time, it certainly stresses me out! We were happy to help, and they're a lovely, conscientious pair. I don't think I'll forget them anytime soon!"

He brushes at the strands of as-yet unidentified fur plastered to his chest. "Hrm." The fur doesn't budge; his snout furrows. "I don't imagine I'll forget Lan, Si, or Socks anytime soon. Ah, well!"

He approaches Fitch. "I understand this is a sensitive topic, but... what exactly happened in the Shattered Stars? And why were so many Society assets involved?"

"You don't know? But aren't you a Starfinder? Oh, I guess you're new. It was the last First Seeker's grand mission: to explore the Scoured Stars. As for what happened, well, we don't really know. It's like the whole system is behind some kind of force barrier. We don't know if they're still alive or if they're..." Kieu Kein trails off. He hugs his children tighter.

"Well friends, I think we ought to leave these folks to their reunion." Rogers says, motioning toward the waiting shuttle. "Besides, I'm anxious to go meet Zigvigix. I hear they're quite the character." I vote Exo-Guardians next.

Tuudak bows his apologies for reopening a recent wound and follows Rogers.
Seconded!

Zaldekan bows slightly to Fitch and Kieu Kein and then follows the others to the shuttle. Zoomy waves enthusiastically before following in turn.

Exo-Guardians seems good!

Rafflesia watches Tuudak and Zaldekan as they bow, and follows their example. She then waves at the children... "Good bye, little ones. You be good to Kieu Kein!"

...and scurries onto the shuttle.

You’re instructed to meet the Exo-Guardians’ leader Zigvigix in the Downlow neighborhood, as the faction currently lacks a headquarters. Garbage litters the ground around the district’s largest art park—a cement lot filled with undulating metal sculptures and covered in graffiti of grotesquely adorable creatures. The sounds of music and chatter drift over from the nearby clubs, chronically interrupted by the roar of the local gangsters’ engines. A heavily augmented host shirren is sitting on one of the park benches, eating a simple meal of cold grub-noodles and rice candy. Their antennae perk up at the tremor of approaching footsteps. “Welcome, new Starfinders! And congratulations!” the shirren’s voice telepathically projects. “My speech-name is Zigvigix, but feel free to call me Ziggy, if that would be easier for you. Have some rice candy to celebrate your graduation! Today is your big day!”

“When you are ready, I have two assignments I could use assistance with. The first is to help me secure a new headquarters on Absalom Station. I’ve been in talks with our station’s protectors, the Stewards, and they were kind enough to give us ownership of a warehouse here in Downlow for that purpose! The current owners no longer want it because a vicious alien took it over and kills anyone who goes inside. Once the alien is gone and the warehouse cargo has been returned to its owners, we can start installing desks and computers, so please go in and incinerate the creature!”

“My second assignment...” Zigvigix twitches their tooth barbs for a moment and then holds out a credstick. “Please buy the brand-new Strawberry Machine Cake album, Star Sugar Heartlove!!!, which is out today, and give it to Historia-7 when you see her. She is the head of the Dataphiles, so you should meet her today! I wish to do it myself, but I... I have trouble standing for long periods of time. Thank you very much!”

Any questions for Ziggy?

Bluff: 1d20 ⇒ 17

A shiver runs down Zaldekan's spine at the sight of the grub-noodles, but he manages to hide his apprehension.

"It is a pleasure to meet you, Zigvigix. I am honored to be part of your prestigious faction, and I look forward to serving under your leadership in defending the Society and this system."

Zaldekan gladly accepts rice candy from Zigvigix and "hears" the shirren's description of the first assignment.

"Understood. Have you determined what species of creature is residing in the warehouse?

Zaldekan nods after Zigvigix responds. He then takes a look around at the bustling commotion in the surrounding area.

"This is not exactly where I imagined I would find the Exo-Guardians headquarters. What has prompted the relocation to this sector of Absalom Station?"

After receiving an answer and listening to Zigvigix's responses to the rest of the team, Zaldekan listens as the shirren explains the second assignment. Upon mention of Strawberry Machine Cake, Zal's head perks up.

"Oh!—" Zal clears his throat. "I mean... uh... Affirmative! We will carry out this task to the best of our ability!"

Upon hearing the mention of Strawberry Machine Cake, Zoomy chirps happily. It extends its arms and pushes a button on Zaldekan's armor's comm unit. Heavy guitar chords blare for a brief second before Zal hastily pushes the button again, silencing the comm unit. XD

Zal shoots Zoomy a dirty look before turning back to Zigvigix. "Uh, my apologies! Is there a store nearby where we can purchase the album?"

"Oh yeah, my students won't shut up about that group. Haven't heard them yet myself, but maybe I'll pick up a copy. Might help make students less nervous while they're learnin' to fly."

"We believe that the creature is a feather stalker. I assure you; it's a lot more dangerous than the name sounds. As far as the Stewards have been able to piece together, a crime lord illegally imported the creature, and the beast promptly ate him! I can send you some holorecordings of the incident taken off the station’s security cameras, if you'd like."

"The old base was on another planet in the Vast, but we can't use it any more. Anyway, Strawberry Machine Cake! So great, right? I loved the previous album Cantaloupe Circuits. I always used to listen to it on missions. I hear Star Sugar Heartlove is even better! Virion Music is supposed to have the album available."

Ziggy tries to give a candy to Zoomy.

Null holds their rice handy between two fingers and scours their memory for anything they might know about feather stalkers.

They address Zigvigix. "xxwwwhat are the odds the current owner will want their warehouse back when we neutralize this threat?"

When Zoomy suddenly blasts Zal's music, Null reflexively crouches into a defensive position, using their staff for balance, and visible electricity crackles around their throat. They quickly realize there is no threat and return to a normal standing position.

Fret.

Null knows that feather stalkers are unusual creatures and can have a variety of different abilities. The holorecordings might tell you more!

Null knows that feather stalkers are unusual creatures and can have a variety of different abilities. The holorecordings might tell you more!

"Not to worry, Null! They have already signed it over to us!"

"I can just see the classified ad now: One warehouse, as-is. Free."

"Pets allowed on a provisional basis." Tuudak brushes more Socks fur off his robes. "Well, why not make it two for the day? Maybe another faction will have their own zoological troubles, and we'll make it a set!"

Tuudak pulls out his Starfinder Society insignia datapad. "Ziggy, would you be so kind as to transfer that footage?"

Null moves to stand just behind and to the side of Tuudak, looking expectantly (some might say invasively) at his datapad's screen.

Ziggy transfers the file. The warehouse isn't well lit, but you can make out a large cluster of feathered limbs shooting feathers as though they were harpoons at the entering man. As soon as the man goes down, the creature leaps on top of him, eating messily.

Please attempt a Life Science check to know more about this feather stalker's special abilities after watching the recording! With a result of 14, you can read one spoiler of your choice, and with a result of 19, you can read both. More than one PC may attempt this check.

"Oh dear." Tuudak grimaces as his screen, then angles it towards Null. "Is it shooting that man with feathers?"

"Oh, I think I remember studying these in biology!" Rafflesia jumps up and down in order to catch glimpses of the video file playing on the datapad.

She squeals and covers her eyes with her claws at the point where the feather stalker pounces on its downed victim. She stops her bouncing at that moment.

Life Science: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8

"Eek! I'm so glad I daydreamt through most of this lesson... What a horrible creature!"

Null leans in to watch the video closely, eyes whirring quietly as they focus...

Life Science: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (3) + 10 = 13

...but they find it hard to concentrate.

I hope I did not disquiet my companions with my overreaction. I must try to put them at ease.

Null straightens up, looking ahead at nothing in particular.

”xxiiit seems so, Tuudak. How do you prepare your food?”

The random number generator does not like your group!

"Oof. I like the record-shopping idea better. That thing looks nasty." Predictably, no Life Science for the soldier.

"Ice cold or very hot," murmurs Tuudak in response to Null, his eyes transfixed by the replaying footage. "The Burning Archipelago has a culinary culture based on extremes." He shuts off his datapad and shakes his head. "Generally a more minimalist garnish style than what we just saw."

"Shopping first, perhaps. Though that begs the question—Ziggy, I can understand the pest control assignment, but why do you need six armed and presumably capable Starfinders for a trip to the store? Surely you have a single friend, or at least digital distribution!"

"Oh no, this album is very special! The initial release is only on physical copies to fully experience the songs with the best audio quality. My friends..." They stop short, cutting off the telepathic signal briefly before starting again. "I'm afraid I don't have anyone else who could stand in the line. You don't mind, do you?"

Assuming you don't mind, you can head to Virion Music!

The line extends out the store's front door and wraps around several blocks before filling a wide alley. The crowd is anxious, and several people blast the band's earlier hits on loud speakers, prompting sing-alongs and coordinated dances.

You think this line will probably take about six hours.

"Oh my." Tuudak dodges an enthusiastic line of dancers. "Well, what do we think? Are we all ready for almost a full work day's worth of standing and subculture socialization?"

No.

Null steels themself for a long wait, standing rigidly as far from the crowd as possible while still appearing to be in line.

So standing in line, then?

Zaldekan nods to Tuudak. I suppose so. There might not be any copies left if we come back later.

"Guess we may as well get it over with."

The line does indeed take about six hours of tedious waiting, and the standing, the heat, and the constant singing take a toll.

I need Fortitude saves from everyone, please!

You finally make it to the front of the line, past some large security personnel holding the throngs at bay and reach the counter. A harried-looking lashunta asks, "How many copies?"

Fortitude : 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 = 13

Pokya turns to her companions, ”We need at least two, right? And I kind of want to hear what all this fuss is about. And Zoomy seemed excited about all this, so... four...anyone else want their own copy??”

While in line, Pokya has been wracking her brain if she had ever heard over feather stalkers.
Life Science: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9

Fortitude: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 3 = 19

"Yeah, guess I'd like one too. Seems like it'd be a shame not too after standing in that line."

Fortitude save: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 2 = 17

"Hmm." Tuudak dances his orange mote across his fingertips in time to the music, considering. "I might as well, sunk cost fallacy or no!"

Null, whirring and clicking into a slightly more animated state, shakes their head “no.”

Fort save: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 1 = 16

The albums cost 50 credits each, but you can pay for it at the end of the scenario if you don't have the credits now. Ziggy gave you enough to buy one copy to give to Historia-7. If you buy another copy for Ziggy, someone does have to pay for it.

Pokya, Rogers, Null, and Tuudak hold up to the trials of the line just fine.

I can afford my copy. We could also each chip in 8.33333333333 credits to get a copy for Ziggy!

Sounds good. I'm willing to chip in for a copy for Zigg.

Count me in for chipping in!

Looks like I still need Fortitude saves from Zaldekan and Rafflesia, and I need to know if Rafflesia wants a copy of Star Sugar Heartlove.

I’m in; I’ll even round up to 9 : p

Fortitude: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (13) + 3 = 16

After the long hours of waiting in the line, the music actually grew on Rafflesia.

"I'll take a copy too, please!" she shouts from below the countertop, her feat too sore to do anymore jumping.

She will chip in for Ziggy's copy too!

Botting for Zal to keep it moving: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 3 = 12

Everyone is in fairly good shape after standing in the long line, and the clerk brings you seven copies of the album. As you turn to leave, a huge group of fans pushes past security and runs straight for the counter! Reflex saves, please!

Once you make it outside, would you like to drop off the albums or go straight to the warehouse?

Reflex: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 1 = 18

"Hey, watch it! Alright, just let us out of your--Oh jeez! Wait, I gotta--Ok, ok!"

Rogers manages to dodge the worst of the crush, but not before one horn hooks on a rack of promotional teacups bearing the logo of an old-Golarion themed metal band and brings it crashing to the ground. As the crush of bodies forces him out the door, he catches the clerk's eye and mouths the word "sorry".

"Ah, excuse m—" Tuudak's eye goes wide at the onrushing fans. Jostled back and forth by the crowd, he holds his albums high and slowly forges his way through the waves of enthusiasts.
Reflex: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 1 = 16