PbP GD VI: Starfinder #1-00: Claim to Salvation by GM Poblano Pepper - Re-dux (Inactive)

Game Master Gary Pepper

I trust we will not need to come up with Aliases Iseph says We are all known mercenaries unaffiliated with the society in our previous careers and it would be simpler to say we were hired by the cover corporation rather than come up with elaborate backstories

As he turns back to the controls of the ship to prepare for landing he continues Thus we will minimize the prospect of biological error

"We can't send real information about us because they will know we are with the Society, our contact said we were investigating with anonymity. Maybe if Raia can hack us together some fake IDs."

"Thank you, Iseph. It is as our pilot says, captain."

"Based on what Elsebo told us about the ship and making sure it was not affiliated to the society, I would assume the information we send is already fake."

"A direct quote from our contact at the Starfinder Society: 'I have set up a front to explain your meeting with Livewire: you are all investigators hired by an unnamed corporation looking to remain anonymous.' so we should go along with the front that has already been established. I never said anything about coming up with aliases, only that it has already been said that we are looking to remain anonymous and should aim to do so rather than give them any information which might let them know of our true intentions."

Ispeh shrugs I will play the mute android then. I have no skill with talking in any case

"Captain, with all due respect, the 'unnamed corporation' is the only one that should remain unnamed, I think. Witholding our identities, when asked for, will very likely put them on the defensive.

"However, this is your call ultimately. Let us wait and see how they react to our secretive conduct."

"Nothing in the packet names the corporation, but the contract is standard and the IDs nothing more than investigator licenses. Should seem very much on the up and up as many investigations require anonymity of who hired the investigators.

I was under the assumption that they had already set up a meeting with the prison and were told that we would like to stay anonymous during our visit. I'm just trying to follow directions. Witholding our identities most likely means we just have to bribe our way in which was kind of implied with the whole "here's a bunch of credits to deal with Livewire and other occupants of the prison" but if you guys want to send information then I'm not going against the group. My character is highly NOT an "investigator" type so if I were to give my name and they could pull up information about me, it would be suspicious, at least that's how I'm seeing it.

Either way is a good approach. More than fine with going with the no name method.

I'm with Altronus regarding the plan. You manlings have pretty words though, you'll figure it out.

Don't worry about it, @Navaso. Make a decision and we'll go with that :). If anything goes wrong, we can always try blackmailing. Let's give @Poblano our intention so that when he can post something, he'll have our intention to react to.

If we can make it out of The Sauna without giving our identities, it would definitely be an advantage. However, I think that'll be pretty hard to manage :(

But hey, that's what your high social skills are for! Give us an order, captain. :D

I'm a communist captain, I take all input! We'll try not giving identities and see if we can come anonymously and maybe bribe our way in without having to give any info. If they demand it we'll send info and just say we are investigators and hope nothing more comes from it.

I'm a communist captain, I take all input! We'll try not giving identities and see if we can come anonymously and maybe bribe our way in without having to give any info. If they demand it we'll send info and just say we are investigators and hope nothing more comes from it.

Sounds good to me!

And so! Our heroes await to hear the response of The Sauna comms center, hoping that Navaso's claim to be the crew of investigations they're expecting is enough to make them forget about asking for our IDs again. :P

After an excruciating amount of time passes by the com link opens again

"Greetings Investigators. I am Warden and your identities and codes are confirmed. Sorry for the earlier trouble with out automated system. It sometimes gets a little uppity when we get visitors. Haha."

As you view the complex over the Vid Screen you see the building ripple and separate. What you can only assume is a landing pad 'grows' from the side and you hear again over the comm link.

"Please set down on landing pad Alpha. I have sent the coordinates to ensure you land easily."

Iseph flys the ship perfectly touching down on the pad. The landing is a bit different as if you feel the ship is sitting on top of a giant water bed.

Almost as quickly as you land you recurve a call again.
"O good you landed in one piece. Please disembark when you are ready but we request that you leave any armaments and contraband, such as food, toiletries, or anything else to tempt prisoners with, on board your ship. Please note that credsticks however are allowed into the complex, as the facility always accepts donations To help the reformation effort of all those who reside here."

-Posted with Wayfinder

Don't like having to give up my weapons. Probably not an ambush. I can always rip their throats out with my teeth. Was that last part out loud?

Sense Motive: 1d20 ⇒ 10

Don't like having to give up my weapons. Probably not an ambush. I can always rip their throats out with my teeth. Was that last part out loud?

Altronus chuckles, knowing no one can see him smile."It will hopefully not come to that, Cwethan."

Then, he turns to Navaso. "Alas, captain, our identities have been verified already. The best we can do, in my opinion, is be at our best conduct so our reputation is not smeared by infamy in this mission. We're all mercenaries, but that doesn't mean we have to be thugs.

"Their greeting was civil and friendly enough. How about we play along?"

Even though he keeps his eyes on the captain, Altronus raises his voice slightly so everyone can hear the conversation.

"Playing along sounds fine." Navaso takes his Tactical Semi-Auto Pistol and tucks it away in his pants. "This is my way of playing along. We might need it if we get into any trouble." (Navaso has +10 Sleight of Hand) He does take his other flame pistol out and leave it on the ship along with any other items that may be deemed as contraband.

I am assuming I keep my spell book per set on my arm then, or is that given up as well

Just noticed that Quig hasn't said a thing in a couple of days, since his input hasn't been needed yet

"So I take it I leave these here" Quiq says, spitting out two frag grenades. "But I like where Captain's head is", so he fakes swallowing his pistol, but is only hidden within the cheek pockets. "Do ya think that'll work? He asks to anyone that's listening.

"HUH, can we bring Scout? It'll be bored locked up here"

I was about to store my weapon in my cheek pouches as well but then I realized I wasn't playing my Ysoki Mechanic and now I'm just imagining Navaso trying to stuff his pistol into his mouth. xD

Altronus leaves his whole bag behind, along with his pistol. All he takes with him is the small mote of yellow light orbiting his head, and 1 serum of healing.

Obozaya divests herself of her weapons and prepares to board.

Raia leaves her blaster behind.

Iseph leaves his pisol behind but inserts his static arc pistol into his quick release sheath internal augmentation before nodding at the others.
Sleight of Hand?: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (3) + 13 = 16

I am ready to begin.

Hopefully there's some bonus for the augmentation being internal? :)

Hopefully there's some bonus for the augmentation being internal? :)

Bonus to conceal it? As long as you're not scanned I don't think there's even a chance of people discovering it.

Iseph for the win!

Yup Iseph and Quig definitely for the win!!!

Raia you get to keep your spell book. Just don't let the prisoners try to read it ;)

As your party makes their separate preparations Poor Navaso doesn't have cheek pouches you begin making your way off the ship. As the main cargo hatch opens you're immediately blasted by an intense wave of heat. The Heads up Display pops an emergency message stating that the external temperature is over 120 degrees Fahrenheit with a humidity of 99%.

Anyone with a sliver of sanity knows that spending any time outside the facility would prove fatal quickly.

As you approach the end of the pad a 'bridge' connects between the landing pad and the bulk of the facility. You continue walking along the bridge you see a flotilla of four Barathus, floating, iridescent masses of flesh with draping tentacle appendages, wordlessly greet your group and escorts you the Warden’s office.

Walking through the complex you notice the halls and rooms of the Sauna are entirely organic, comprised mostly of fleshy blue walls replete with pulsating green veins. Tunnels take odd angles, sometimes sloping up or down, which is quite a nuisance to humanoid creatures but not an impediment to the floating barathus. Your group is directed towards the Warden’s office. As you enter you see several hard, plastic chairs have been placed in a semicircle around
a matching table. Opposite the table floats 'Warden' Slide 3, an almost comical creature that looks like a dozen of the barathu guards mashed together into a floating mass of iridescent flesh and tentacles.

"Greetings Investigators. Please, please have a seat." a collection of platters full of bowls of Grey Mush and glasses filled with an opaque, milky substance float about the room. As the platters float by a pungent smell assaults your nostrils "Please partake of any refreshments. While inside the facility you will not need to worry about the environment being outside of your comfort." You can sense Warden eagerly awaits for any of you to take sample his offerings.

OK, perhaps a sense motive? This could either be Poison, truth serum, or a diplomatic issue of insulting the hosts offer.

Navaso takes a seat and pushes the platter away from himself, "We are here on official business, not comfort. The information we seek could save lives that are on the line, so the quicker we can speak to Livewire, the better."

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 10

No life science here.

Not here either

Iseph stays silent, letting the others take the lead in talking to the warden.

Sense Motive: 1d20 ⇒ 5

Life Science: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13

Agh. Unfortunately, I do not get to read the spoiler. Oh, wells.

"I hope you don't take it as an insult, sir. Us Kasathas are not in the habit of showing our mouths in public. Could you tell me what your refreshments are, however? I would relish a chance to acquire and try them by myself later."

Oh! @Poblano. If the Life Science roll is to remember facts about xenobiology, the DC would be lowered by 5 for me. Is this the case?

Thewissen you are correct. Feel free to spoil it all :)

As your group becomes wary of the food presented, you believe Warden is not intenteding to poison you. The worst you think could happen is a stomach ache from trying something new.

Warden looks at your group feeling downtrodden as you have yet to try his creations. "Please partake in the refreshments. I have been working on this recipe and think i have come close to perfecting it. The residence here if The Sauna i think do not have a good palette." he projects mental communication rather than actually speaking the words.

You also have an awareness that the Warden doesn't have many guests and he is eager to listen to your thoughts on his wonderful, rather foul smelling, delicatessen presented.

-Posted with Wayfinder

Iseph shrugs and grabs a bowl to give it a sip.

Knowing it would be better to please the warden to grease the wheels, Altronus stands, takes a bowl and a glass, and walks over to a corner with his back turned to the others to try the food and drink.

"While my companions may partake in enjoying your.... recipe... I am only here on business." Navaso sits unlike he normally does, keeping his back straight and his eyes on the warden to give a false air of professionalism.

Obozaya indulges in some grey mush. Not bad.

Being ever the diplomat, Raia samples some of the gray mush. "So what is this made of? "

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

"Bottoms up people." Quig drinks the pungent refreshment.

"So, Warden, what's this made of?."

@GM: does Quig like the drink?

As you all partake or don't this 'food' is some of the worst you have ever eaten. Even Quig feels uneasy after indulging in the prepared refreshments.

Everyone, except Navaso I see, who has tried some of the mush or milky substance needs to make a bluff check to convince Warden of your delight with it. RP may help a little bit.

Warden seems pleased as you have tried some of his recently made food. They excitedly send a telepathic message to all of you.

"So you are investigators? One of our combined constituent barathus had a career as an investigator, and we are always excited to meet with like-minded personalities. What are some of your proudest moments?"

Listening with telepathic squealing delight at your answers Warden then submits in a serious telepathic tone "Visits with prisoners are strictly forbidden." as you all 'hear' this Warden gestures with a tentacle at what looks like an empty credstick. "Though our maintenance fund is a little dry at the moment and if someone were to make a substantial donation it would be greatly welcomed and we might even be convinced to allow an exception this time, Once."

Feel free to roll that beautiful diplomacy roll

Bluff: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (8) + 0 = 8

Altronus coughs, putting a hand over his mouth. Once his fit is over, he covers it with the cloth again and turns to the group with watery eyes.

"I'm afraid my palate is as unrefined as that of you inmates, Warden. I apologize deeply for that."

He walks over to his seat and takes it. "Ah. If you don't mind my asking, why are your fundings dry? And what other carreers do the rest of your constituents practice?"

He then turns to the group, and explains. "You see, our gracious host is a combination of barathus. They came together to form a single superior being."

I once had to live for a week only eating the steadily rotting corpse of some fused-together Eoxian nightmare. This isn't that bad.

Bluff: 1d20 ⇒ 2

I once had to live for a week only eating the steadily rotting corpse of some fused-together Eoxian nightmare. This isn't that bad.

bluff: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (16) + 9 = 25

Delicious... Iseph murmurs before finishing his bowl and grabbing another one to sip on.

Bluff: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3
It will be clear that Quig doesn't like, but..

"You know would love this? My friend and companion Scout, he would be all over this taste, similar to rusting aluminum and stale oil. The fact that I haven't built him a mouth yet is... perplexing to say the least."

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 1 = 19
"Well, it seems a few of us don't have such a refined palate such as yours. But please accept this as a token of our gratitude, this is an effort on our part to help you keep running these fine facilities."

If the rest of the crew agrees, I was planning on starting to grease the tentacles of the Warden with 500 cr. (I believe, now, this is something we could've discussed earlier =P)

If the rest of the crew agrees, I was planning on starting to grease the tentacles of the Warden with 500 cr. (I believe, now, this is something we could've discussed earlier =P)

We could wait for the Warden to answer my question as to why his funds are dry. Perhaps a "prize" might come naturally from that conversation, and some diplomacy rolls could lower it, hopefully.

While speaking with Warden you all start to feel a sadden if not almost heart broken feeling. Warden continues "One of us was a well known chef and believes that not many can understand the delicacies that we can prepare." Warden gestures towards Obo especially "Even our own residents prefer what we prepare to the foods from their own home world. Altronus we are from many backgrounds. An Artist, Musician, even an inventor to name a few more."

"Our funding has been tapped as the needs of our residences is becoming more taxing as you your kind cannot easily adapt to the environments of Varos like we are able too."

Hearing Iseph's Exclamation at their love for the food Warden has prepared. Warden begins to hover with an excitement "You honestly like it!!! O yes you can have as much as you want!!!

"Quig I agree many do not have as refined a palette. You are as gracious a Ysoki that I have ever met, and I have met a few. Quig I am eternally grateful for your words!! You are now friends eternal and as long as you agree to follow our rules you are free to travel among our facility. Escorted... for your safety of course." Putting the Credstick away Warden summons two other Bathuras to the room.

They merge together and say "Follow us."

Navaso chuckles to himself as he watches the others try to bluff their way through the awful food. He nods at Quig when he offers to transfer some credits, since the group has 2500 credits to deal with the people in this prison. He gets up as the bathuras motion for them to follow.

Altronus follows along.

Obozaya grins, Hnh, sneaky little ratling.

Bluff: 1d20 ⇒ 8

Raia coughs, "My apologies Warden, I am afraid I have some allergies. But I really like the texture.

The barathu 'guard' who combined to form one larger, menacing amalgam creature leads you along the corridors. Whereas the stench within the Warden’s office early was bad, the stink in the common area is almost unbearable. The halls are packed with several half-naked, sweat-drenched workers of various species crowding around the Complex. The guards seem to have an air about them seemingly ensuring, "You remain safe from confrontations."

After several minutes traversing through this sweat-slicked region, the barathu guard amalgam stops at a table where a ysoki sits. The ratfolk constantly licks her paws uncomfortably while grooming her drenched and matted pelt. With the guard’s arrival, she looks up and acknowledges an unspoken communication between herself and the barathu collective.

In an instant, the barathu collective splits into its separate entities and floats off in independent paths throughout the complex, leaving you alone with the sweat-soaked ysoki who looks up with a cautious interest. She timidly asks “Hiya, the name’s Livewire. What can we do for each other?” she finishes with a wink towards Quig.

Through sheer will power and your amazing group you still have 2500 Credits to be used