GM WhtKnt's Alternity: Perpetual Twilight (Inactive)

Game Master WhtKnt

"What did you learn?"

"About what you'd expect." Lig'Tu gives a knowing glance towards the girl.

"You have not yet inspected his lodge yet, have you?"

Rrin says, "The newcomer has a point. If his den is on station, there may be some useful information there.... Though, at this point, we may have to sneak past the authorities, given they've found his corpse...."

The Pershala blinks, then says in a tentative tone, "We might actually have a window, while they process their paperwork."

"The hidebound can be slow, for their rules make it so, but the hunter, who knows. It the rules of their hides may steal a march on them."

"Then perhaps we should go see what we can see."

"Okay lets go, though I'd just like to point out that if we get caught then we have so far abducted a child and are now breaking and entering."
Did my previously retrieved contact details include an address on-station?

See the jungle savage is already providing great ideas to the group!

As it happens, Michael Pasteur had spent the night on the station in a rented suite. It is a simple matter to retrieve that info and you find yourselves in a deserted corridor, standing outside of room 312. However, you have no key.

It is possible to force the doors (requiring a feat check against Strength with a +d8 penalty) or you can try Security -> Security devices to attempt to override the lock. You see no security cameras or other persons in the area.

"Unfortunately I never mastered locks. If this were merely an encrypted database or multi-factor ID system I might have a chance." Alita quips. She then realises that most of the group probably don't even recognise that as humour and gets a sudden longing for home.

"I do however have a cutting torch, if the use of force is required?"

"When Wayung, the Noisemaker, found her way barred by an inconvenient door, she mixed the chemicals of the forest, and made a loudness, thus opening the door. Alas, I have the knowledge, but not the components."

Lincoln will rent a suite... if possible adjoining the other and keep the girl safe there... after all he has a reputation to uphold, and somebody might need to post bail.

"Why doesn't someone just bribe the front desk clerk?"

"Because the hunter forgets there are some who will sell their honor for money."

I'm trained in Manipulation=>Lockpick -- was that the wrong skill to take?

It depends on what you want. Lockpicking works for opening physical locks, but not electronic ones. Given that many or most of the locks you will be encountering are electronic is nature, you might want to switch to Security=>Security devices.

My plan is always to switch my skills to the right one when it is needed!

Given the backstory, I'm thinking I'd probably have both -- so I'm thinking I'll drop the Specialization in lockpick (keeping the Manipulation broad) and then take the broad for Security -- assuming you'll allow that? It looks like none of the specializations are trained only.

Sure, that works.

Ok, done. Any modifier on the security roll?

Rrin says, "Let me take a look at what we're dealing with. Depending on the system, force could trigger an alarm... Or, it could be a system meant more to provide peace of mind via an illusion of security."

Security: 1d20 ⇒ 13

It does not seem to be alarmed, though it is securely locked. You try to hotwire the lock, but are unsuccessful.

Choraak moves forward and tries to force the door open...

Strength: 1d20 + 1d8 ⇒ (20) + (3) = 23

But fails. He looks at the weren and says, "the hunter hunts, and the door is found, but he cannot open it. Perhaps should the breaker break?"

Lig'Tu Shrugs, steps forward, and then tries to force the door open.

Power Martial Arts: 1d20 + 1d8 ⇒ (1) + (4) = 5

"You need to lift more weights Moon Man."

Nice!

Did Lincoln have any luck finding an adjoining room for rent? Any issues checking in?

Rrin nods, "It's a better lock than I gave it credit for, but no alarm. There are bypass kits, but I don't have one..."

He whistles appreciatively and adds, "... other than a Weren, that is."

"The big one is a good multipurpose tool!"

The door gives way easily under Lig'Tu's "touch" and allows you entry to the room.

Yes, Lincoln, you were able to get the suite next door. No issues checking in.

The room is a mess; clothes are strewn everywhere, suitcases turned inside out, drawers hanging open, etc. It doesn't take a genius to see that someone has searched the place.

Rayshel asks Lincoln, "What happened to my daddy?"

I will search the place myself...

Perception: 1d20 ⇒ 20 (10/5/2)

And see what I can figure out...

Deduce: 1d20 ⇒ 4 (13/6/3)

So, hahaha, I find nothing, but maybe I figure something out?

Perception: 1d20 ⇒ 10 8/4/2

A search of the room by both Choraak and Lig'Tu reveals nothing but after a moment of consideration, the seshayan comes to a conclusion. "They were searching for the thing the child wears," he states earnestly and with confidence.

"The wonderer considers the function and purpose of the thing that is worn."

Rrin nods, "Logical. But that would mean they likely already had a means to identify the kit, and knew her time of arrival. Can't say I'm liking where that's going."

He looks to his companions, then says, "It would have been useful to find some way to back-track the sire's movements to his point of origin -- a log or personal assistant, say -- but in the absence of the same, this might be an opportune time to leave.... and, as the Seshayan suggests, maybe take some time to study what it is that has everyone so excited."

"While the dead tell no tales, their systems might. Is there a terminal that she can jack into to search?" Choraak gestures to Alita.

Alita looks around for any sort of computer interface, she may be able to see what he last looked at.
"I should warn you I trained at mechanics, not data mining." she comments as she looks.

"I don't know anything about the mines that you pull data from, or the ends of which you speak, but I will go outside and make sure no one disturbs you while you get your picks out."

Lig'Tu will go outside and stand guard on the room.

Lincoln looks at the child, a look of puzzlement on his face, as if he didn't expect the child to ask such an adult question. "Your father is dea... definitely on our list for finding... In fact he's very high, quite possibly at the top of our list for finding... and... Would you like some Ice cream?".

If there are double doors between the rooms like in modern hotels, Lincoln will unlock his, and knock gently on the connecting door. If not he'll stick his head out and see presumably Lig-Tu.

"Let me see if my friends are over here, and then we'll send someone for Ice Cream... What kind do you like"?

I'll be on a week long business trip, but should still be able to post from the hotel. Don't let me hold things up if not however, and feel free to DMPC my character.

There is a grid terminal available in the room. The rooms are adjoining.

"I like strawberry," the child replies to Lincoln.

"What is ice cream?"

Before I disturb anything else on the system, can I bring up a terminal history? See what Mr Pasteur has been looking at/for.

The system history reveals mostly mundane things; a communication with his wife, the news, etc.

Are the communication details for his wife different to those we already looked up?

I did not invest in any hacking tools/software as it was both expensive and not my primary focus, but I do have the skill, is it possible to reach the general hotel systems from here - see when he booked in, anything he may have requested secure storage for, anyone else booking in shortly after

"At least read the letter from his wife."

Can I bring up the communication with his wife?

You can certainly try. Give me a Computer Science => Hacking roll with a +d8 penalty to try to hack the system. Bringing up the communication requires no roll.

The communique reads:
Susan,

I have made arrangements to meet Rayshel aboard the Lighthouse, just as we discussed. It'll be nice seeing her again. I appreciate your giving me the opportunity. Even if there is nothing lost between us, there is no reason that we can't be civil to one another, if only for Rayshel's sake.

Sincerely and respectfully yours,

Michael

Hacking: 1d20 + 1d8 ⇒ (15) + (2) = 17, well, that's a no, though only just.

You almost had it. You can make another attempt, but there is a chance that someone will notice you in the system snooping around. The chance grows greater with each attempt you make.

Lincoln opens the door between the two rooms, and invites the others into the "paid for" room.

"Well I gotta a promise to keep. You guys keep an eye on the kid, while I go scout out some ice cream. Strawberry good for everybody"?

"The hunter repeats himself, what is ice cream?"