GM Tyranius The Commencement (Starfinder) (Inactive)

Game Master Tyranius

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 5 = 18

Chetna lets the others speak, but watches the kid.

Who do you live with young man?

The boy looks quizzically back at TRS-80. "I live with my Grandma...."

From what Chetna can tell the boy seems to be sincere and telling the truth.

"You are a clever fellow, aren't you? Look we don't want to get you in trouble, in fact, there could be a future in the Starfinder Society if you desire. But, first, you need to help us a little. Tell us who hired you? And to what ends? What were they looking for?"

Altharikon holds up his empty hands. "Keep in mind, if we found you, the corporations that were hacked can find you. We can protect you."

"I..I don't know what you are talking about." Jubair quickly becomes alarmed as several people hover over him questioningly.

Vahni sighs, pushing through the crowd who's quickly surrounding the kid. "For the love of- back off! What the hell is wrong with all of you? Accusing the kid of being our guy just because he's the first person we meet?" They shake their head and kneel down to eye level with Jubair, smiling kindly. "Look. Sorry for my colleagues, but they are right about something: the Society's traced a hack to this location. We managed to cover the tracks of whoever broke in to Bluerise Tower's mainframe, but that's not going to last for long. Fact is that corporate goons are going to get here pretty soon, and they aren't exactly concerned for the safety with anybody remotely involved with the hack. If you know if somebody in this apartment ended up doing this, please tell us. We can get them a job doing what they're good at in the Society and protect them from anybody gunning for them because of what they did. It's for their own safety. So, do you know anything?"

Diplomacy, if needed.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15

Before Jubair can answer Vahni, the door opens and a wizened old woman in a blue-and white abaya. steps out. "Something I can help you with or you just picking on my Grandson?"

Vahni gets up and says, "Sorry on the behalf of my colleagues, ma'am. Some of them," their gaze darts towards TRS-80, "aren't exactly the most civil, and appear to be under the impression that Jubair here is the culprit of a high-profile corporate hack simply because he's the first person we met when we came here. Rest assured, we're not here to make a mess, just to help the perpetrator get to safety before some corporate guns get here and tear them to pieces. And probably the rest of the neighborhood, too. I don't think they'd be that concerned about collateral damage." They get up and brush some dirt off their jeans. "If you'll have us, this conversation would probably be better conducted inside. Name's Vahni Dahawan, by the way."

I think I'm going to play it safe here and take 10 on Diplomacy, for a total of 17.

TRS-80 clears his throat and calmly retorts.....

If I may interject....Miss Dahawan, you powers of observation are not of a scientific caliber..Asking a young boy who he lives with is neither un-civil nor an accusation...is in fact a mere query..is it not?...And might I suggest that you speak to this young man as if he were a child and not a adult?

Please excuse my disloyal co-worker mam, she has trouble segregating her personal life and her career.

Although she does point out that there is some criminal activity in this vicinity and we as a team are interested in any observations you may have. And my condolences for misplacing your grandson's innocence. My co-workers mean well, and work for the benefit of the community each according to their talents.

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

TRS-80 tries to pinpoint Historia's coordinates using his Starfinder Insignia Datapad.

The elderly woman holds the door open for you to come inside. "I'll put some tea on. Please have a seat. Jubair would you leave us alone to speak for a moment." The boy nods and runs off to his room as the elderly woman shifts into the kitchen and sets a kettle on the stove.

"Data breach? Oh deary me. Oh boy..." She shakes her head.

The woman pours tea which is far too sweet for ANYONE. Once everyone has a full cup, the old woman's eyes flicker back as you see she has some kind of neural implant. After she examines her neural implants she turns back with a frown.

"I'm assuming you're after the files I've stolen... Oh dear. I had no idea that I did that. I was indeed a hacker in my earlier years—one of the best of the best in her field. However, old age brought on a degenerative brain disease, which forced me into retirement. Augmentations in my brain halted the damage and keep me functional, but I still have large lapses in memory and am no longer as capable as I once was. I must have slipped into a younger mindset, performed the hack, and forgotten about it."

She looks at her grandson's room and frowns even deeper. "I am happy to give you the files.... in exchange for your aid. Since I am guilty of stealing from Bluerise Tower, it is only a matter of time before corporate security hunts me down. I have no hope of evading agents in my state..."

The frown turns to a wry grin, "Help me fake my death to get her out of the hot water I'm in and give Jubair Society protection. Do this and we have a deal."

Altharikon frowns as the boy protests his innocence and his grandmother appears. Taking two steps backward to watch, yet keep his unbiased accusations to himself, he listens quietly, then follows the woman and his companions into the house.

Sipping at the tea, his eyes widen at the woman's proclamation, and he nearly spits his tea. "Um, do you have a scenario in mind in which to fake your death?" He asks, finding it odd that an old woman would have such a contingency in place.

Chetna coughs, "A little on the extreme side." However, she considers it for a second, "But we could probably sell it. I'm with Altharikon in that we need a good story to make it work."

"Oh, wow!" Alimony seems more interested that the woman was a master hacker than fazed by her request for a fake death. "What was your handle? Mine's...well, maybe I shouldn't say it. But we could use a hack to help the case. And a story wouldn't be too hard. I mean, you've got that disease, we can just say your augmentations malfunctioned."

After TRS speaks, Vahni appears frozen for a moment, as if they’re struggling to compute something. They finally, with great effort, put on a tight smile and say, ”Thank you for your offer, ma’am, but I’m afraid I need to discuss some things with TRS here before I can join you.” Their hand clamps on TRS’ shoulder.

When the others enter, Vahni turns towards TRS, eyes burning with fury. They take a deep breath, trying to calm them self down, and growl through clenched teeth. ”Now. We’re coworkers, and if we fail to work together, there is a very real possibility that we won’t get our licenses. So as much as I’m inclined to punch you right now, I’m extending an olive branch here: no more sniping, no more quibbling, no more squabbling. We don’t have to like each other. We just have to tolerate each other. And in order to facilitate that, I need to make one thing very, very clear for you.” They pull TRS close, glaring directly into his eyes. ”It’s not miss. It’s not missus. It’s not mister, either. Not she, or he. It’s just Vahni, and I assume you have a firm enough grasp of the Common tongue to use they/them pronouns. Got it memorized?”

"Well it's been a while, so I'd rather just bug out. My condition is degenerative and permanent. So I'd prefer this route." she takes a deep breath and holds it long enough that you begin to become concerned. Finally she speaks, and quickly. "This shouldn't be too bad. You'll need to manipulate data to convince the station systems that I'm dead. You also need to provide me a new identity..." her rapid rattling continues for a few minutes, but in the end you've got a rough idea of your options:

Getting a death certificate:

• Fake her body by obtaining a cadaver. Disguise or Medicine check to alter the corpse to match Ceren’s records. Shady coroners can provide fresh corpses for this purpose with a bribe.
  
• Computers check can hack the medical system and change Ceren’s records to match the corpse.
  
• Bluff check to convince the morticians they are grieving relatives and falsely identify an unclaimed body as Ceren’s.
  
• Just straight up bribe a mortician to cover your tracks, but remember anyone willing to do that for money would be willing to sell you out if they had no reason to stay quiet...
  
• If any of you do this kind of thing professionally the whole thing might be simple...

***

Creating a new identity

• New documents can be had with a solid bluff, cultural knowledge, or even with a good disguise.
  
• AND she'll need new contacts that last, so be diplomatic in how you approach this.
  
• She'll still need gainful employment, so perhaps you know anyone hiring in your own profession
  
• The station government, loose as it is will need to be fooled, thankfully you can do that with access to a computer...

***

That is the list that needs to be completed to be successful.

"I'll need to tie up some loose ends. Let's meet in Jatembe park.... call it 6 hours?"

"This sounds right up my alley!"

Outlaw theme, Operative class, Spy (disguise) specialization, Smuggler profession. Do any of those count as professional?

Altharikon considers the possibilities. "I'm fairly handy with computers, but outside of academic interests, I can offer little."

"I have a bit of medical know-how, nor is it the first time I've had to fake a corpse...admittedly, that one was a lot smaller than a human," Alimony muses. "Hacking I can certainly do, though. See you in the park!"

"Maybe a few of my old contacts are still around, unless they got caged. If faking the certificate is as 'hard' as faking the manifest in a salvaged ship, maybe I can still do it."

The Profession would be something like funerary, medical, or security field. Or something similar.

Hmm...TRS-80 thinks....I like biologicals with a little fire and passion..although I don't know why she rejects gender-based recognition.

I need more cultural studies added to my regimen.

I do enjoy a little needle-ing, but quite right...Its time to get to work...

TRS-80 bows slightly in courteous fashion and catches up to the other.

After getting up to speed, TRS does explain that he has a little skill with medicine, and never leaves his bunk without his trusty medkit.

As for computers, well that is his passion in life really..so he feels he has something to contribute.

You guys can go ahead with all the rolls. Just let me know what they are for.

Altharikon ponders the planning of what is needed to happen and wonders aloud. "How does one go about obtaining a corpse....? Looking up, he addresses his companions. "We need to come up with a plan."

"We don't need to obtain one. We just need to claim one. Unknown people die all the time... I'm told." She clears her throat. "We just need to go to the morgue and pretend we're the grieving family."

Grieving Family to get death certificate:
Bluff: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (5) + 10 = 15

"Then we just get her out of here on a fake id."

New Identity Papers:
Disguise: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (18) + 10 = 28

"And while you're doing that...." Alimony fishes out his datapad and begins a hack.

Computers for Death Certificate: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (18) + 8 = 26

"Now, as for new papers, I may know a guy. It's been a while, probably enough time for him to get over our last...interaction."

Culture for New ID: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (6) + 9 = 15

Altharikon attempts to help Chetna portray the deep grief felt for the passed away family member.

Bluff Aid: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 1 = 20

Looking at everyone getting busy and tech-like, Kentalch feels a bit outdated and obsolete.

Damn these guys are good!

"Glad we understand each other." Vahni releases TRS and goes to the rest of the group to get briefed on the situation.

Vahni pulls the old woman aside before she leaves to tie up her loose ends, saying, "I don't know if the others discussed this with you, ma'am, but if we do this for you, could you do us a favor in return and hand over that data your alter ego stole? The Society is interested in how Bluerise Tower actually ended up getting this level of legal impunity, as our resident researchers have turned up nothing. This information might help us get to the bottom of that particular mystery, and, quite frankly, the Starfinders need all the wins we can get right now. It's either something very illegal, in which case it'll boost our PR by giving it up to the Stewards or station authorities to handle; or it happened during the Gap, which falls squarely in our interests. If you give the data as a sign of cooperation, I'm fairly certain it'll smooth the process of getting your grandson Society protection."
___________

Vahni scrolls down their list of Platinum-Tier subscribers on Absalom Station, thoughtfully hemming and hawing over the best candidates. Finally, they set aside a few and set up a video conference.
__________

"Hey there, guys, gals, and nonbinary pals! So, what do you call a hacker with situational amnesia and dementia?" Vahni pauses, letting the fans time in with their punchlines, genuinely chuckling at a few of them. "Answer is: not a joke, and actually a very serious matter I need you to help me out with." They sigh, rubbing the back of their head. "So, I'm finally on my Commencement after those shenanigans on Akiton, and one of my verification missions is to help out this hacker who stole some very, very interesting data and keep her from getting killed by Bluerise Tower goons. Problem is, she's very, very old, and the cybernetics that help her deal with her degenerative brain disease have the teensy side effect of occasionally causing her to black out and revert to her old persona. She's in no shape to avoid the corps, and I'd rather not see a relatively innocent little old lady beaten to death. Plus, she has a grandson, and chances are the corps are going to come after him too. Right now, we're setting her up with a new life, disposing of her old one, and getting her grandson Society protection.

"The former is why I need your help. Here's the deal: she needs a support network and a plausible group of friends to help her out and avoid scrutiny. If you're willing to help me here, then I'll throw in lifetime Platinum Subscriptions plus some good ol' fashioned warm fuzzies. Whaddya say?"

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 19

TRS works with Alimony on the New ID:

Aid Another (Culture): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 = 21

TRS-80 also consults his connections at institutions of higher education, and tries to get the woman a job as a research assistant, teacher's aide, etc relating to the computing field.

Profession(Professor of Computer Science Engineering): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15

The group splits up as it is the only sure way of faking a death in less than six hours.

Alimony finds a corpse after a small search on his data pad and sets to altering the information to match Cerens.

Chetna and Altharikon head straight to the morgue to claim the body as they pretend to be grieving family. Chetna falls to the ground crying as Altharikon consuls her

The Death certificate is almost complete. With a body and the paperwork in order it now just falls on making the body look like Ceren. Or at least enough to fool anyone who would check up on it.

***

As for the new identity. With the Death certificate complete Chetna and Alimony sit down and begin work on a brand new identity as they create a new birth certificate, passport, ID, and Social Security card.

Vahni makes a few calls to lifetime platinum members and is able to cash in a couple of favors, able to provide Ceren with a brand new contacts list.

Though it is a bit of work, in a matter of hours TRS-80 is able to create a baseline resume and put it out across Absalom Station's web, netting her steady employment as a network administrator.

Getting a death certificate:

• Fake her body by obtaining a cadaver. Disguise or Medicine check to alter the corpse to match Ceren’s records. Shady coroners can provide fresh corpses for this purpose with a bribe.
  
• Computers check can hack the medical system and change Ceren’s records to match the corpse.
  
• Bluff check to convince the morticians they are grieving relatives and falsely identify an unclaimed body as Ceren’s.
  
• Just straight up bribe a mortician to cover your tracks, but remember anyone willing to do that for money would be willing to sell you out if they had no reason to stay quiet...
  
• If any of you do this kind of thing professionally the whole thing might be simple...

Creating a new identity

• New documents can be had with a solid bluff, cultural knowledge, or even with a good disguise.
  
• AND she'll need new contacts that last, so be diplomatic in how you approach this.
  
• She'll still need gainful employment, so perhaps you know anyone hiring in your own profession
  
• The station government, loose as it is will need to be fooled, thankfully you can do that with access to a computer...

I'll bite, @GM: Can I roll for Profession Smuggler to Recall Knowledge/reach contacts to find/know about a shady coroner?

Profession(Smuggler); DC -5 (Outlaw): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (17) + 9 = 26

Kentalch begins calling and pinging some members of his old crew, maybe one of them knows a naughty* doctor that would be willing to part with a fresh corpse in exchange of some hard cash.

*: Season appropriate naughtiness, not the other kind.

With the corpse procured, Alimony gets ready to set about on it in an attempt to make it resemble Ceren. "This was a lot easier on something smaller's body, like my old bully's pet...huh, I don't even know what it was," the ysoki mutters to no one in particular. "Must've been rare, she was pretty upset. You said you could work a medkit, TRS, mind lending a bigger hand?"

Medicine: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (19) + 8 = 27

After securing a job for our budding hacker, TRS-80 removes his Basic Medkit and allows Alimony use of it since he seems to know what he is doing...

Basic Medkit (+2 to Medicine Checks)

Aid Another (Medicine): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (2) + 7 = 9

The party spends a fair amount of time, but gets the work done before the appointed meeting time with Ceren....

Open to all citizens, Jatembe Park occupies a wide portion of the Eye of Absalom Station. Filled with lush trees and open grass fields, the park offers some natural terrain to the otherwise metal-clad station. Your meeting point is one such forested portion of the park, specifically a spot often ignored by citizens due to the winding path required to reach it.

Ceren is already waiting for you with a smile...

And your timing couldn't be more perfect as three thugs seem to be approaching from the other side....

Tactical map is up to date.

"Ceren, get in the trees! They're here!" Vahni yells, their shield manifesting in a flash of light as they reach for their sword. "Let's try to keep casualties at a minimum here. We don't want to give the Society a bad rep."

"Well, let's see if they agree. We'll all pull our punches and have some lovely Eoxian tea afterwards," Alimony says, drawing his pistol. He pauses for a second and watches Vahni as they power up. "Okay, I was being sarcastic. Eoxian tea is awful. It'll be kahlgee or nothing."

"Well, there goes our chance to bluff our way out of this." Chetna pulls a pistol and her blade.

"How about we let those three have the Eoxian tea, Alimony?"

Kentalch draws his Pulsecaster Pistol, but also prepares to cast Telekinectic Projectile if any of the thugs approaches Ceren.

"Why the hate on eoxian tea? It's bitter, but it doesn't kill you... HAHAHA! Maybe we can share some apostaean (?) leaves with them after we're done, and by share, we don't have to drink them."

Culture Check: What race are these humanoids?
1d20 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7

Do they wear any identifying insignia?
Perception Check: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 5 = 24

TRS-80 Will notify fellow starfinders of any conclusions.

TRS-80 recognizes the trio as some local gangers. More than likely hired by the corporation to take care of Ceren

The trio of thugs pull out pulscaster pistols and advance on Ceren. Kentalch grimaces as he is still too far away to toss a stone at them.

"We tracked the old broad here. We were paid to take care of her."

Seeing the Starfinders also pulling weapons the gangers take cover behind the trees and ready their weapons.

Round 1
-------------------------------
Gangers
-------------------------------
TRS-80
Kentalch
Alimony
Altharikon
Vahni
Chetna

TRS-80 Grimaces at the bridge and the lack of cover upon it. The android springs into action like a track star...

He double moves next to Chetna, and drops prone.

Get down Ceren!...too dangerous to run now...I need to create a diversion first...

(+4 EAC, -4 on Melee Attacks, -4 KAC)

VIC-20 moves up 25 feet (Weapon mount is holding TRS-80s Survival Knife).

Altharikon curses softly and begins casting a spell.

Full round cast of magic missile

Chetna runs forward to block view of Ceren. "Wait, we were paid to bring her in. They want her services. Sounds like the company is double-dealing us here."

Bluff: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (5) + 10 = 15

Out of range, Alimony moves closer to protect Ceren properly. He hopes Chetna's deception will work, but does not count on it enough to drop his guard.

Double move.

He hopes Chetna's deception will work, but does not count on it enough to drop his guard.

Good call. :)

Kentalch walks to the first planks of the bridge, with his mystical connections ready to cast telekinectic projectile if Chetna is threatened.

TRS-80 may not know about Chetna's deception....Not sure how to act accordingly. If TRS-80 is unaware of Chetna's bluff, then...he will do the following:

TRS-80 will Retrieve a smoke grenade from his backpack and throw it to create a visual disruption, and then shout for Chetna to move off the bridge and find cover.

See map for Grid InterSection

Vahni is up.

@TRS-80- You would know it to be a bluff as you weren't hired by some corporation and rather Starfinder Society. Will stick with your prone for +4 to AC from ranged attacks?

@Altharikon- It is a full round and not 1 round cast meaning it uses swift, move and standard action to cast so you can go ahead and roll damage. :)

i'm talking about initiative order...If Chetna goes after me, then I wont know that Im not supposed to throw a grenade until her bluff attempt is resolved...If her bluff fails or TRS does not know she will spend her action bluffing then he will throw his grenade for the benefit of Ceren.
I'm not sure how GM interpretation will affect what TRS-80 does/doesnt know on his turn....PBP is often subject into wonky intiative order interpretations...

But TRS wants to throw his smoke grenade if it makes sense at the time,
and is not seemingly stepping on anyone's toes..he wants to create that diversion quickly to get her away from here.

1. I do want to throw grenade and remain prone until next round if it
makes sense to throw grenade.

else see option 2:

If it doesnt make sense, then he will ready his pistol and await the bluff results (provided the grenade will obviously step on someone's toes)

If needed: Attack Roll (Smoke Grenade): 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 2 = 12

Remains completely still and spends one round activating Reactive Camouflage modification.

Vahni slowly moves towards Chetna, still gripping the hilt of their sword in case things go bad.

Good call, GM!

Altharikon finishes his spell and three missiles of force fly from his fingers toward the two southern assailants!

Missiles x2: 2d4 + 2 ⇒ (1, 1) + 2 = 4
Missile x1: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Not sure if the two southern guys are considered 15' apart or 20' If 15, will send two at Red and one at Yellow, otherwise all three at Red