GM Mawgrim's Dead Suns campaign (group B)

Game Master Mawgrim

Eye thinks for a moment. "Well, to turn your question back on you, how do we approach this?" he asks Orlam. "Do we try to sneak in and get close or do we go in with guns drawn and bust heads? I think that's the first thing to decide."

"I suppose we're ruling out just walking in and asking."

"But I don't mind looking for a back way in."

"Some of us could go in posing as tourists just to get a layout of the place and figure out where this Ferani is. Once we know, the rest could bust in through the back."

Orlam considers for a moment. "It seems like a dangerous idea to divide our numbers in hostile territory. We should stick together, I think."

So we could try sneaking in, approaching openly to get some idea of the inside layout through deception or launch a frontal assault. Might be we just leave our plans open until we get a look at exterior of the place to make our final decision? I don't like the idea of splitting the party up, though.

"Well, it is a nightclub. Showing up in anything less than what we're wearing right now would mean stripping ourselves of good protection. But walking in wearing armor seems like a good sign that we might be there to start trouble in the first place. Which I don't necessarily think is a bad thing. If they start something with us first, we have every right to defend ourselves. But I'd want us to avoid the possibility of getting bystanders involved, so if we do go during business hours, we keep our guns in check until we're in a back area where sight lines are clear. Either way, I don't think stealth is the best method. Especially since if the survivors of the shootout are there they will probably notice you guys."

I agree with waiting to see the exterior first before making hard plans. Let's go see the night club first then decide our plan of action.

"Also, some of the Downside Kings there may be the ones from the ambush. They may remember us."

Xera points at her new sunglasses.

"Fortunately I have a disguise."

Mysterra jerks her head up and down once. "Yes. Let us inspect this night club."

She takes another bite of her carrot, and chews it thoroughly, following the others towards the ...ringtrain? Elevator? How do we get there?

Looks like the majority consensus is to get a look at the place from the outside at least, so we'll go with that.

After giving their comm codes with the elderly halfling woman, the group leave Mama Fatt's through the twisted alley-streets of Level 21 and make their way back eventually to the public service lift that can take them deeper within the Spike. They descend several floors before having to use a set of stairs before another elevator, but eventually, the group reaches level 48.

The atmosphere to this level is a stark contrast to that on Level 21. Where the home of Jabaxa's gang was crowded but communal, level 48 has slightly more spacious streets and alleys and a boxy industrial vibe, and the people here seem to keep to themselves. Many of the light globes are a mixture of bright neon and ultra-violet, brightening the area and its inhabitants in hues of electric blue and glowing purple. Steam pipes overhead and vents underfoot release their pressure, filling the air with a perpetual haze of vapour and giving the area an almost dream-like quality.

Following one of the leading thoroughfares, the five prospective Starfinders can see a rotating neon sign poking out from the middle of a squat, one-storey building cluster. The logo depicts a thin tiara-like crown encircling a cocktail glass and has the words 'Fusion Queen' lit underneath it in a curved script, all done in blue neon. The sides of the club sit flush against its neighbours' walls, and no alleyways are adjoining the venue. A pair of broad-chested bouncers in similar stationwear to what the gang members on the docking bay were wearing stand outside of the front door to the club, patting people down before either allowing them to enter or rejecting their entry into the Fusion Queen.

On the opposite side of the street to the club sits a dark cafe with small tables on a raised patio in front of it.

"Amazing that places still use neon lighting instead of holograms. This place must be ancient."

"Let's sit at the cafe for a bit to observe."

Xera heads over the the Cafe and watches the people going in and out.

"They're doing patdowns. So if we want to bring our weapons, we'll have to go in another way, or take those two out."

culture Take 10: 10 + 5 = 15

"We're in the right place though. The graffiti with the crowns are Downside Kings markings."

Mysterra follows Xera to the cafe and sits down, back straight and face blank. Her carrot is long since eaten, and her box of Brim Bram Bites are nestled safely in her backpack.

She watches to see if it's weapons they're patting people down for, or something else.

Orlam readily agrees with Xera's idea and takes a seat at the cafe, ordering a bit of food and a non-alcoholic drink that he makes only feeble attempts to eat and drink as they sit and watch. He is especially looking for any other means of egress into the building beyond the front door. After a bit, he glances at Valius, and asks. "Maybe you can talk to some of the employees here at the cafe to get some information on the club across the street. Do they close up at some point or are they always open? Any time when the crowds thin out? I'm afraid I'd be too obvious in my questioning and raise suspicion, but you seem a talkative type that could probably get some good information without causing undue alarm."

Maybe there's a back door into the building that's guarded but where we wouldn't cause a commotion if we take down the guards? Alternatively, we could try to sneak in or try a frontal assault once the place closes or at least when the crowds die down?

The group takes a seat at a couple of empty tables on the patio, and they can see that the interior of the cafe is dimly lit with small ultra-violet lanterns on each table causing the reactive paintwork to glow. A thick, cloying haze of smoke fills the dining room and wafts out the front door. A barista can be seen leaning against the back wall behind the counter, their cybernetically-enhanced eyes glowing green in stark contrast to the darkness around them.

As Orlam orders a drink and some food from a touch-tablet menu chained to the table he notes that unlike the cafe's on the Ring, the speciality of this establishment seems to be the dozen or so varieties of hyperleaf advertised through the menu.

As people enter and exit the Fusion Queen, a deep, reverberating bass sound with ululating and repetitive vocals echoes into the street from the club's doorway.

--=Xera=--
The patrons exiting the Fusion Queen seem to be mostly young, trendy, with several piercings, tattoos, brands, and other body modifications. Every so often, people who are apparently more touristy attempt to make their way into the club, many of whom are hostilely rebuffed by the terse bouncers. Those who make it through the doors either appear to be incredibly convincing or else make a donation to the bouncers' credit chits.

--=Mysterra=--
The bouncers seem to be quite vigilant in their duties of patting people down, though they pay particularly more attention to those who don't appear to be regular clientelle, and it would seem they are looking for weapons. Every time the bouncers find a weapon, its owner is handed a slip of paper and allowed inside. A plastic tag wound onto the weapon, and the bouncer deposits the item into a small drawer near to the door.

--=Orlam=--
From the vantage point of the cafe across the road, there does not seem to be any other point of entry to the club. The narrow windows at the top of the front wall are in easy view of the bouncers, and there is no alleyway adjacent the club at either side.

"Visitors must check their weapons at the door. They receive them back upon leaving." Mysterra points out.

"Are any of you trained in unarmed combat?" she asks, eyeing each of her companions in turn. "Or, perhaps in hiding small weapons upon your person in unmentionable areas?"

"I see no other ways into the building, beyond the front door." Orlam confirms, then speaks in response to Mysterra. "I have some training, as all soldiers do, but going in there without weapons seems very dangerous. Let us see what our friend Valius can learn before we make any plans."

How many guards are out front doing the checking? How far away is the cafe from the entrance? A distraction of some kind might work.

There are two security guards in front of the door - one who keeps an eye on the passers-by and those waiting to get in, while the other pats down for weapons and processes them. The cafe patio is about 70 feet away from the entrance to the club.

"Information is valuable." Mysterra replies to Orlam. Whether she means it as a scolding, or an agreement is difficult to ascertain...

"I'm sure that I can get at least one weapon inside. Though I wonder if there is a 'back door' somewhere. Actually, being a front for criminals I'm sure there is, the question is whether we can access it. Another option would be to distract the bouncers long enough to slip in the front."

"I doubt the Starfinders would approve of our storming the place. Especially with so many civilians about."

"I wonder if there is a way to access the building from the level above, or below? I'm not great with computers, but there must be a way to access the civic station plans to see if there are any access points. Even things like ducts and conduits might be of use if they are of sufficient size."

Valius considers the play here, tapping his fingers on the cafe table for a few moments. "No, there're smart enough to keep their base from having another entrance, fire codes be damned. So then we have to take our chances in line." He withdraws his pistol, handing it over to Xera. "I'm not gonna be able to sneak that in. However, it's not as if they're barring the weapons either, just checking them. Which means there is probably a place inside we can retrieve them from storage before things get hot. I'm not hoping that things will get hot, but we need to take action soon. I'll take a moment to talk to the waiter and see what they know."

Giving back that laser pistol to Xera because as a solarion, Valius doesn't really need it. But also speaking to the cafe employees about the Fusion Queen. Really doesn't seem like there's any other access point but the front door though.

Diplomacy (Gather Info): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (18) + 6 = 24

It takes a few moments for the solarion to adjust to the smoky haze and the contrasting darkness and ultraviolet glow within the hyperleaf cafe. Soon Valius can make out the forms of several people enjoying their doses of the leafy product which can be seen in a glass display cabinet built into the counter. The barista, a half-elven man with glowing green irises and dark greasy hair, pushes himself off the back wall and smiles wearily at the solarion.

”What can I do you for, friend? No, wait, let me guess. You look like someone who enjoys some Red-point Akitonian Blue, am I right?”

Nice roll - that will most certainly make the barista helpful. Go ahead and ask your questions :)

"Trust me, only having one entrance is not the smart play. If the cops come in the front they'll want to go out the back. Of course, the back way is probably guarded even better so more than likely it's pointless to attempt that."

"No, there're smart enough to keep their base from having another entrance, fire codes be damned..."

Are you really saying "no, let's not bother checking if there's another way in?"

"Let's check anyway, just to be sure. It costs us nothing but a bit of time. There may be ways in that they don't even know about. Sanitation ducts, maintenance access. The station is old."

Giving back that laser pistol to Xera because as a solarion,...

Actually it wasn't mine. We recovered three from the gang at the beginning.

Checking for civic station plans or blueprints

Mysterra nods at Xera and begins to tap away on her custom rig.

Computers: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (1) + 9 = 10

After a while, Mysterra stops fiddling with her custom rig and announces, "I cannot find anything of use to us."

"I agree that we should take a walk around the block, keeping an eye open for other exits or large congregations of the Downside Kings."

She stares at the neighbouring buildings for a long time, then suddenly says: "What are the neighbouring buildings? It might be easier to gain access to one of those buildings and get access to the Fusion Queen from there. Perhaps the Downside Kings even have a secret exit to one of the nearby buildings for the purposes of escape."

She turns and stares at Valius for a while, then looks back to the group. "I would prefer another option presents itself, but If Valius goes into the building unarmed, I will go as well. Though I cannot hide objects on my person in unmentionable places, I can fight with my hands. It is of little use in a gun fight, but will be of use in cramped quarters." she hesitates, then adds, "I would like to leave my weapons outside with some of you. If you hear gun fire, you can attack the front guards and come in to help."

Mysterra thinks we should do some leg work and check out the back of the building and the neighbouring ones. If we still don't find anything of use and we've no choice but the front entrance, some of us should go inside unarmed and check it out, while the others keep guard outside. Thoughts?

Orlam nods at Eye's words. "An underground tunnel, maybe. Makes sense they'd have an escape route of some kind." He is disappointed when Mysterra's search turns up nothing, perhaps on of the others might have better luck and he glances around at his companions to see if anyone else might have a go. The kasathas knows he is lucky to find the local weather report on the computer. When the android speaks again, Orlam is quick to agree. "It would make sense, but without some sort of schematic of the building's layout or a city plan it would be impossible to tell - unless you want to break into every building around the place and look for a hidden entrance."

He glances over to see how Valius is faring with the barista and replies to Mysterra's suggestion. "Two or even three would be better than one, and we have the comms to stay in touch. Let us see what our talkative friend learns before we decide on a course of action."

I'd like to see someone else make a Computers check if possible? Also, I'm thinking Valius could find out how long that club operates, if it closes at some point, and the barista's thoughts on the place in general. I'm not keen on the idea of splitting up, but I guess as long as we can keep our comms, sending two or three of our more talkative and/or sneaky characters in there while those lacking such skills keep watch outside makes sense if we can't find a better way to get all of us in there.

While listening to the others, Eye has an idea. "How about this? I'll try to sneak a gun in. Me and one other, probably Mysterra, go in. You keep your weapon Myst, if you go, and let them tag it. Once inside we'll check the place out and maybe see where they keep the weapons. If it looks like we can sneak them out of lockup we'll call you guys and just let the bouncers take your guns. I nominated Mysterra because I think one of us two has the best chance to get our weapons. If not we can come up with another plan. While we're in there Valius can see what his tongue can find out."

"...well, hello." Valius smiles strangely as he leans up on the counter and meets the half-elf's eyes. "That does sound nice, but my friends and I were kind of interested in that club across the way, The Fusion Queen? You look like you enjoy dancing off the stress of work, so I was curious to see if you've ever been inside. Good music? VIP sections? Attractive bodies sweating on the dance floor while sucking down overpriced and watered down drinks? Maybe you know of a tip to get past the bouncers, or a way to slip in without paying the cover?"

He glances down into the glass case, thinking. "Though if they close anytime soon, I guess it wouldn't be worth it. Not unless they have an after party suite at least."

"Mysterra... do you think you could disassemble a weapon into component parts, and then reassemble the parts once inside? Assuming we could find a quiet place for you to do it?"

"If we can find some kind of welding torch we might be able to cut a hole from the wall of an adjacent building."

I don't have any ranks in computers.

Disassembling and reassembling a gun is engineering? I can do that, right?

"I believe I could. It is hiding those parts upon my person that would prove difficult. It might work."

"A welding torch," Mysterra nods. "Yes. I do not possess one."

"It is probably best that you and Valius enter the Fusion Queen," Mysterra admits to Eye. "I have shot some of the Downside Kings. You two have not."

"It is probably best that you and Valius enter the Fusion Queen," Mysterra admits to Eye. "I have shot some of the Downside Kings. You two have not."

"Good point. If those three happen to be here... they might remember me. They definitely will remember Orlam."

--=Valius=--
The barista nods his head and smiles lazily. Oh, yeah, I've been in there a few times. Sometimes they won't let me in because I, like, don't exactly fit their usual customers - not enough body mods, and not enough creds," he says, and it is his speech has taken on a bit of a slur. "But if I'm, like, lucky I can get past the bouncers when they're dealing with stock coming in on delivery." The half-elf looks at his watch and seems to do a slow calculation in his head. "They're open, like, all the time, so they have to take deliveries when it gets slow. Usually before the topsiders get out of their cushy day jobs before slumming it down here with us."

On disassembling/reassembling guns, I would say that most of the weapons in the game aren't made to be easily disassembled/reassembled (unlike in real life, where I assume guns are relatively easy to take apart and put back together for someone with training). The rules for Engineering allow you to disable an item/weapon, as well as repair it, but nothing on disassembly/reassembly. That being said, you may certainly try - please give a Engineering check for me to disable/dismantle the weapon.

Nah, she's good then, thanks. I don't want to accidentally make my rifle explode in a cafe. Haha.

"Maybe we should wait for a delivery then. What time is it, anyway?"

"Thanks for the info," Valius says before returning to his group, relaying the information. "We should probably wait for their next delivery before trying to slip in unnoticed. That will be the best bet for stealth, though if the bouncers are outside nuscle, we could also bribe our way in."

Sorry for delays, I'm in the middle of finals week.

The group waits for another twenty-five to thirty minutes, and as they are beginning to get agitated, they notice a short, stocky bull-headed figure walking ponderously towards the club, pulling a hovering cart bed laden with crates and boxes behind it.

Once in front of the club, the nuar stands patiently beside its cart until addressed by one of the bouncers, a computer tablet in hand. The shortest of the two bouncers nods curtly at the horned creature, taking the electronic device from him and gazing at it. The ganger nods and motions for the other bouncer to start hauling stock into the club while the line to get into the venue is empty.

Apologies for the delay in responding - Christmas season shenanigans were afoot at the end of the week. The bouncers are currently distracted, and for the time being there is only one bouncer out front of the club. If you want to try and talk your way in, please roll the appropriate social skill (or Charisma, if unskilled), if you wish to attempt to sneak in, please roll Stealth (or Dexterity, if unskilled). If you want to try anything else, please make the appropriate roll as needed :)

Xera looks at the others.

"Now's our chance," says Xera. "Do we want to just drop the lone guard, or try to get past him?"

I have neither stealth nor social skills (though my DEX is good). But I might be able to use command on him to get him to hold still or run away, or leave his post and come towards me.

Mind you, combat maneuvers are really hard in Starfinder. So just piling on the guy and trying to incapacitate him probably won't work.

"If we drop him the other one will notice something is off sooner or later. If any of you guys don't have confidence you can sneak past, you could let me hold onto your weapons and I'll sneak them in. Then you can just go through the patdown."

After receiving the weapons, if any, Eye slips behind the cart and inches towards the door.

Stealth: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (9) + 8 = 17

Orlam nods. "Be careful, stay in touch. If you need us, call and we'll make our move from the outside." The kasathas watches with whoever else stays behind at the cafe, watching from the patio as the sneaky ones try to infiltrate the club.

"...I have an idea, but it requires that you play along and act...well, act like we've been doing what they do at this kind of bar," Valius suggests as he gets up and puts on a strange smile as he walks over, bringing along anyone that wanted to come with him. He slings his arm around their shoulders - or if they happen to be much taller than he is, around their waist.

"Hey...wow, we were just hearing some pretty sweet things about this club. Sounds like the right kind of place to party. You think that, uh, you could let us in? I could probably pitch in for an 'over occupancy fee' if you need that," He says as he pulls out a credit stick, waggling his eyebrows. "I'm in a pretty sweet mood right now, so can you help me out for say, fifty?" He asks him.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13

Unlucky..

As Valius attempts to charm his way into the club, Eye takes the opportunity to attempt to sneak past them and smuggle the group's pistols into the club. As the android attempts to open the door, the bouncer catches the movement out of the corner of his eye and turns his head towards the doorway. As he sees Eye there, his face contorts into a menacing sneer and his face flushes red with anger.

"Hey, what the bloody hell do you think you're doing?!" he snarls, stepping away from the solarion as he reaches for the club at his hip. "You're both workin' this together, ain't ya! Oh, you're both in for a world of pain tonight!"

Initiative: Mysterra: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9
Initiative: Orlam: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 12
Initiative: Private Eye: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (11) + 4 = 15
Initiative: Valius: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (14) + 0 = 14
Initiative: Xera: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11
Initiative: Bouncer: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 4 = 20

Gripping the club tightly and brandishing it menacingly, the bouncer takes a wild swing at Valius, missing his skull by mere inches as the solarian flinches back out of instinct.

Bouncer draws weapon (club), and attacks and misses Valius.

Initiative - round 1
20 - Bouncer
15 - Private Eye
14 - Valius
12 - Orlam
11 - Xera
9 - Mysterra

I have updated the Google slide link with a new slide for the map. For those who are new, I do combat by way of blocks, so I will resolve your actions as per posting order but only within your block - in this case, it's very simple as you're all going after the bouncer has acted.

Orlam hops up quickly and moves toward the fight. He doesn't particularly want to kill the bouncer, but if he can get in close enough... "Hey, this little runt was causing me trouble at the cafe! He's drunk and he's a fool! Let me hold him while you teach him some manners!" The kasathas moves threateningly toward Valius, but he's ready to change course and close in with the bouncer when he gets near...

Bluff check DRR: 1d20 ⇒ 17 vs DC? (Opposed check - maybe, if this check can actually do anything, other just call it RP flavor)

No real idea of what I want to 'do' here, maybe get close enough to try a Disarm attack next round with some sort of a bonus or something? I don't have my book at the moment, so I can't recall if Disarm draws an AoO. For this round though, just double move and Bluff to maybe make the bouncer think I'm on his side - but it's mostly just for color. :)

The bouncer is a member of the downside kings, yes?

The circuits on Xera's skin blaze brightly for a moment, as she shouts,

"DROP IT!"

Casting command, commanding him to drop the weapon. Will DC 14 negates.

Mysterra stands up from her seat awkwardly. She pauses a moment, trying to think of something clever to say, like Orlam or Xera, but comes up with nothing. Deciding time is of the essence she gives up, and hurries across the street in determined silence.

Is it a move to stand from her chair and a move across the street? Or can you stand from a chair as part of a move action? I counted it as two separate move actions, but let me know if it's not and I'll move another 30 feet closer to the bouncer.

Private Eye curses as he is caught. Good ears on that one. He releases his gun from its compartment up his sleeve and points it at the bouncer. He doesn't want to fire just yet however so he holds his aim for a moment hoping that one of the others has a silent way to end this.

"I agree, you should drop that club," he hopes that a gun pointed his way will make the bouncer comply if Xera's command doesn't.

@Mysterra: ill rule that since these would be normal cafe chairs, you can get out of it at no additional cost. Feel free to move an additional 30 feet.

@Xera: the command spell has only a range of close, so 25 feet at first level. I will allow you to do other things with your standard and move, as standing up from being seated in this case is not an action. @Private Eye: as this may change your actions, please feel free to specify what you wish to do :) I am presuming an intimidate check to demoralise? If so, feel free to roll Intimidation.

As I’m at work atm, I will get an update out this evening when I get home

@Xera: the command spell has only a range of close, so 25 feet at first level. I will allow you to do other things with your standard and move, as standing up from being seated in this case is not an action.

Sorry, I thought we were all trying to sneak past the bouncer. How were the rest of us going to get in there then?

Xera gets up and runs towards the action.

Apologies - I was under the presumption that Eye was trying to sneak the pistols through, and Valius was trying to talk his way as a distraction while Orlam, Mysterra and yourself waited at the cafe to see what happened, and then Valius would wave all over from where you were at the cafe. I am sorry if that was not the case, and will try to get more explicit instructions from you all before proceeding :)

At the beginning of the altercation between their friends and the bouncer, Orlam, Mysterra, and Xera all stand and begin to make their way towards the club's entrance.

Initiative - round 1
20 - Bouncer
15 - Private Eye
14 - Valius
12 - Orlam
11 - Xera
9 - Mysterra

As stated earlier, Private Eye, if you wish to do anything else with your action, you are free to make any rolls necessary. Mysterra and Xera, you may move your tokens on the map :)

Intimidate: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17

Starting in photon mode. 0 Attunement points.

"Woah, I think that you've misunderstood something," Valius says, a golden glow coming from his as he snatches the mote of energy that appears, erupting into a sleek scimitar weapon that he points at the bouncer's nose. He smiles and winks over the shoulder at Private Eye. "Namely, that you are effortlessly outmatched, and it's better to surrender and keep your life than mess around with us."

Intimidate as aid another for Private Eye: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 19

With both a gun and a sword made of pure solar energy pointed at him, the first cracks in the gang bouncer’s bravado appear. The malicious sneer loses its edge and a hint of fear appears in the man’s eyes. Nevertheless he tightens his grip on the club, knuckles turning white as he tries to hold back his apprehension, and swings at Valius once again. The solarion deftly dodges the clumsy swing, and the bouncer backs towards the door slightly in a guarded step.

The nuar delivery man continues to stand there, either oblivious to or uncaring of the melee occurring before him, chewing a piece of gum and holding the manifest tablet in his hand.

Target is shaken. Attacks Valius, and misses, and takes a guarded step diagonally toward the door.

Initiative - round 2
20 - Bouncer
15 - Private Eye
14 - Valius
12 - Orlam
11 - Xera
9 - Mysterra

Round 2, all actions available again.