Redelia's SFS Dreaming of the Future (Inactive)

Game Master Redelia

Please dot and delete if you have been accepted. We will start as soon as our team is complete.

The Lorespire Complex bustles with activity as the doors to Venture-Captain Arvin’s private office slide quickly. The lashunta man jots down some quick notes on his datapad, and then he glances up and motions to you to sit down.

"Welcome, Starfinders. We have just finished compiling some intriguing news. The Society’s magical archive for divining potential new finds, the Communion Vaults, houses a perpetually sleeping Liavaran Dreamer named Whisperer of Solar Winds. The Dreamer rarely rouses from its torpor, but when it does, it spins interwoven dream stories that point us to promising finds. It awoke earlier this week and has given us an elegant story about a fractured sandstone tablet that could point the Society to a great treasure. Unfortunately, the three fragments of the tablet appear to be in very different locales based on the tales we’ve recorded. Luckily, each of these locations appears to be within the Pact Worlds. It’s your job to track each piece down and report back here so we can get everything pieced together and figure this dream out. Your first destination is the machine-driven world of Aballon. Based on the details of the first dreamspun tale, you’re likely to be looking for an android in a less-than-reputable city. We’re sending you via shuttle to Towershadow, where you’ll have to figure out for yourselves what awaits. Time is of the essence, as things can change quite quickly. Any questions before you depart?"

"What is the name of this android?" rumbles a large Vesk.

"And what more can you tell us of the city we are searching? Does the Society have any contacts there that would be helpful? How is the Society viewed there?"

He pauses for a moment before adding. "And why is time of the essence?"

"Oh, thank the Forever Queen!" The cry comes from an unusually thin shirren, his chitinous exoskeleton sporting a greenish-gold sheen. "We are headed to Aballon, a relatively civilized place full of mechanical wonders. I was afraid that you were going to send us somewhere quite dreadful."

"I believe you mentioned that we to recover a portion of a stone tablet from an android, did you not? I assume that the source information was a dream?" The shirren continues. "I must say that I believe that the recollections of a slumbering organic being would seem to me to be a most unreliable source of information. Indeed, I quite rarely recall dreams that I myself have and when I do, they seldom accurately reflect reality. For instance, I had this one dream in which my mating arms had fallen off and that kept wandering around Absalom Station in search of them. Could you imagine the absurdity--not to mention my utter embarrassment--if such a thing had really happened or to even be talked about within the company of others?" K'Klacklun pauses for a moment, seeming to realize that he has spoken his most recent thoughts aloud.

"In any event, assuming that this 'dream account' is sufficiently accurate in its details--a prospect that I believe is highly suspect--how is it that we are to identify this android and, for that matter, the piece of stone tablet as well?"

Garven is from Aballon originally and literally just got off the shuttle to join up with this Starfinder mission. Back to Aballon already eh? Sigh... Seems I just got off a shuttle yesterday.

"A mysterious tablet as a clue to some ancient treasure, who knows what kind of artifact or knowledge might be awaiting us. Hopefully it's something we can put to use protecting our system from bu - I mean liz - I mean external threats of all kinds!"

"A mysterious tablet as a clue to some ancient treasure, who knows what kind of artifact or knowledge might be awaiting us. Hopefully it's something we can put to use protecting our system from bu - I mean liz - I mean external threats of all kinds!"

"Oh, yes! Protection is of great importance," replies the bu- I mean- shirren. ; )

"That is one reason why I rarely go anywhere without B.U.G.--he is my by Battle Utility Golem."

An insectoid drone in the shape of a beetle hovers overhead.

A Barathu floats serenely above the others, though the heavy armor covering it's entire body makes it look as much like a drone as BUG does. Everyone feels the faint telepathic speech of the Barathu as it speaks.

This one will be most excited to assist the host Starfinders in retrieving the tablet. My codename granted to me by my old squadron is "Balloonboy". This one still uses that designation.

Balloonboy wriggles it's tentacles and a very long barreled sniper rifle slides into them.

Please note, this one prefers to have as much distance as possible to combat encounters. If you will be willing to provide access to your data feeds so I may have multiple views of the battlefield, it would greatly assist my targeting parameters.

Balloonboy, before you hit ten posts, you should know: Your character name is 'Codename "BallonBoy"'. I think you intended it to be 'Codename "BalloonBoy"' with an extra 'o'. You can edit it before you get to 10 posts.

Another shirren approaches K'Klacklun and raises his limbs in a customary shirren greeting. "Hello, fellow follower of the Forever Queen. Hylax's harmony on you. I am Inanckalkan-Uzununutulmus Anavatan-Topraklarinigeridebiraktik. But, you can call me by my speech name if you wish." The shirren looks to the rest of the group, his words entering your minds. "Hello, everyone. You may call me Kalkan. I have spent my time in the Stewards on Verces, but the Society pays better. I have a little one on the way, and I needed the raise."

He looks to Venture Captain Arvin with a smile and speaks out loud. "How will we know we have found the right android? I would hate to go asking every android on Aballon if they have a special tablet we can take from them." He shakes his head and chuckles. "Speaking of, how do we convince the current holders of the tablet pieces to part with them? Will the Society be giving us the credits?"

The Vesk nods to the others. "My tradename is Compucast." he offers. "It is good to meet with the fellows of my squad. Our mission is clear. The details however are still obscure. Let us hope they become less dream like as we get to the first planet. Aballon? He turns to the shirren. "[b]What else can you tell us about it?"

He nods to the battle bug. "Is your Battle Golem a close combatant?"

Human wide eyed looking at Balloonboy.

I have never seen the like, this is going to be a grand adventure.
Then the rifle come out and talk about combat.
Maybe not as grand of an adventure as I thought.

"I better let everyone know that I will refuse to take life. It's a personal thing. So if your in to killing that is fine, I just will not be the one to do it. But I do believe that the dead should stay dead."

Thanks for the heads up on the name!

The rifle slides back up into Balloonboys armor and he floats around Deloran, clearly not familiar with human "Personal Space" it's tentacles almost probing the air around him. Which, considering Barathu, is very likely that it has no concept of personal space.

Oooooh... this one is surprise to meet a fabled pacifist within starfinder host!! This one's squadron host spoke of kind like you, who do not kill. Have not yet met form who holds this thought pattern. Most fascinating, most fascinating! It is sad that humans cannot join as host, this one would relish the experience to mingle thought pattern with pacifist. Please, tell me more of your "Personal Thing"...

Or "Personal" for that matter.

His back stiffens as Balloonboy comes right next to him, almost touching.

"It's, it's just that I want to travel the stars and meet new and different lifeforms. I want to learn about them not kill them. But I will defend my self with my Pulsecaster pistol. I have been told that it only stuns life forms and not harm them, luckily I have not had the need to find out.
May I ask, but how do you float like that? It's amazing."

Venture Captain Arvin smiles indulgently at your questions. "We don't know the android's name. The dreams of Liavaran Dreamers are not like the dreams of you or me; they have lead us to many interesting discoveries already. I'll make sure the details we have or can reason out are sent to your com units when you're on your way."

The only answer he gives to any further questions is to insist that you'll have to wait for the communication and figure out what to do when you get there.

Arvin then directs you to your shuttle, which is ready to take you to Aballon. As you settle into your seats (well, for those of you who use seats), you receive the following text:

“A made real one runs for fear of untruths

A piece of the prize stolen brought close to the sun
Under the shadow of a false-made tower”

From our research into this dream tale, we can establish that the location is somewhere on Aballon. The reference to a tower likely
suggests the “made real one” is somewhere within the Towershadow sub-settlement of the Aballonian Megaplex known as Striving.
It’s clear that the being in possession of the fragment is some form of artificial or partially artificial life, likely an anacite or android
on the run from some legal woes. You’ll need to search the Towershadow region to find any possible leads.
-Venture-Captain Arvin

I'll pause here to let you discuss the message from Arvin with each other. In a day or so, or sooner if you seem ready, I'll narrate the trip.

Balloonboy makes a odd sound kinda like a bubbly purr.

Oh! A scientist to! How wonderful! To learn about others!

At the question about how it floats, Balloonboy sorta... rotates in the air.

This one is not sure. How do you locomote using legs? It seems quite complicated... so much math to properly account for shifts in terrain so you don't fall over... how do pedal creatures express thought patterns and move at the same time? Floating is so much simpler... the worst is the need to account for wind conditions...

---------------------------------------------

In the shuttle, Ballonboy hovers over Starrunner's shoulder to read the pad... somehow. It doesn't seem to have eyes...

Hmmmmm.... when my squad host wished to find people who needed help, it often began by looking for those who looked for the target.

"So the line -A piece of the prize stolen brought close to the sun- and Aballon is the closest orbit by the sun, so that makes sense for us to go there.

I don't know Aballon enough to figure out what 'false-made tower' could be. has anyone been there that might know what it is?

Taking a step or two away from Balloonboy and looking at the rest of the group.

He nods to the battle bug. "Is your Battle Golem a close combatant?"

"Oh my, no!" K'Klacklun responds. "B.U.G. is equipped to sting its opponents from afar. Fighting can be so dangerous, you know! Like the one called Deloran, B.U.G. utilizes a non-lethal pulsecaster."

Arvin then directs you to your shuttle, which is ready to take you to Aballon.

As the shirren enters the shuttle, he stops and seems to take quite some time in choosing a seat. Indeed, he appears to be enjoying the very act of considering the options, but then seems to sour as he realizes that seats are being taken as he pauses and, thus, his potential universe of choices is dwindling.

Finally, settling on a seat, he at first seems quite content, but then he begins to squirm.

"Well, I must say that these seats are so seldom designed for insectoid comfort." K'Klacklun notes as he fidgets. "Oh, I do hope that the pilot knows what she is doing. It would be most horrible if my still-short career as a Starfinder were to end as the result of some dreadful shuttle accident!" He brings one of his arms to his forehead as he appears to contemplate the idea. "Even the slightest misadjustment to the power couplings on a shuttle's power core could easily result in an incidental energy surge. Were such a surge to travel the relays to the capacitors on the rotational thruster mechanisms, the result could send the shuttle tumbling into a docking bay door--such a collision would undoubtedly fracture the power core housing igniting the liquid fuel reserves and ending in a catastrophic explosion!"

The shirren appears to be a state of panic, which is only partially alleviated by the receipt of the text from Venture-Captain Arvin.

As you settle into your seats (well, for those of you who use seats), you receive the following text:

Quote:

“A made real one runs for fear of untruths

A piece of the prize stolen brought close to the sun
Under the shadow of a false-made tower”

"By the Forever Queen, what sort of riddle is this!?" the nervous shirren exclaims. "I suppose I can see how the Society concluded that the last line of message contained a reference to Towershadow, but the remainder seems like quite the mystery to me."

The drone enters the shuttle and hovers as the greenish-gold shirren considers different seats. Once the shirren is seated, the drone hovers to his location, then descends next to it and powers down for flight.

"Interesting. I agree with your conclusions Deloran. On run from fear of untruths is interesting. Perhaps lies being spread about them?" he conjects.

"Walking is really quite simple and very effective for quick movement, especially when one accounts for acceleration, as the motion can be adapted to running with a little practise." he adds to Balloon Boy.

Search for anacites or an android on Aballon. Well, that's only 90% of the population according to their net site. Should be interesting. Kalkan chooses a seat quickly, then shifts to a different one. Yes, this was the correct decision. He nods to K'Klacklun in agreement. "Yes, these human-sized seats can be quite unfortunate."

The shirren looks at Compucast intently. "I think you may be right. The legal woes guess may be close as well. Hopefully something will jump out at us."

Culture: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (16) + 8 = 24 Information on Aballon?

At the discussion of the nonlethal preferences of some of the members, Garven remarks "Indeed, the Dawnflower teaches even our enemies should be given a chance to redeem themselves when appropriate, but some foes are beyond that, so my pike is exactly as pointy as it needs to be." He brandishes his definitely-lethal pike.

---

On the ship Garven is mildly entertained by the awkwardness of all the aliens trying to settle in the very human-shaped and sized accommodations. "Well hopefully the safety harnesses are up to code. They are required to be functional for any shaped inhabitant, not that manufacturers always keep up their obligations."

"I agree with the assessments, maybe there is a local law enforcement or bounty database we can access for potential targets of our investigation once we get to Aballon. Perhaps it would be reading into the riddle too much, but 'made real one' could suggest something first generation, uncommon enough it might be worth looking for as well."

I'll let you converse on the shuttle for another 6 hours or so. I want to keep up our momentum, but don't want to prevent fun roleplay.

Kalkan looks at Garven's average frame jealously. "Yes, 'functional' often isn't comfortable. The laws still have not caught up with social norms it would seem." The shirren brushes his chitin and mentions off-handedly, "I was reading up on Aballon recently. It's a mechanically populated planet, with mostly Anacites and Androids. Not much air, naturally. Thankfully, our destination has an artificial atmosphere."

"Our suits should provide air, for at least a short stay.." does Compucast.

"What are the legal authorities like there? I should see if I can make contact with any local hunters - if there is a commission out it would be helpful to konw."

Yay, bounty hunter theme! Do we have enough information to make our android my "mark" (CRB p30)

Ballonboy is also a bounty hunter! Yay!

You can't designate the android as you mark yet, because you don't yet have any name or alias for him. If you gain this information at a time when you can spend 1 minute on it, I'll pause and let you know.

After a few days, the shuttle reaches a blasted wasteland of a planet that—despite its dark and barren appearance—quickly shows itself to be covered in glittering metal cities under the full brightness of the Pact World’s sun. The shuttle goes through a set of blast doors into a city built inside and around what was clearly once a massive silver tower.

Since the adventure is far too vague what is going on at this stage, I'm just going to give you some options. You can make one of the following skill checks: Computers (to review the local infosphere), Diplomacy (to gather information), Survival (to track), or a relevant Profession skill. The number of successes your team achieves may have an impact later.

Garven is from Aballon, and hasn't been gone long. He'll ask around for anything new that stands out, especially rumors of ancient artifacts or any androids or other "synthetic" life forms on the run.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 4 = 18

I think it's a stretch, but just in case, Garven's Xenoarchaeologist theme bonus is "Reduce the DC to identify rare, ancient, or alien tech by 5" May come in handy later at least.

"Praise be to the Forever Queen that we arrived safely!" K'Klacklun announces as the shuttle docks.

The shirren wastes little time getting to "firm ground" before accessing the local infosphere, having developed a search algorithm looking for the high concentrations of references in recent web traffic and news reports that include the key words contained in the dreamer's prophecy.
Computers: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (4) + 11 = 15

"You will undoubtedly be happy to know that I have completed my search of references to recent events among the infosphere. However, as the search terms provided in our briefing were quite vague, I cannot guarantee that the results will be as iluminating as I had hoped."

Kalkan looks at K'Klacklun meaningfully. "I suppose it is unlikely that Hylax has a large congregation on this planet of steel and lead. My connections will not be as helpful." The bug shakes his head and begins searching social networks for information. Being a chaplain for the stewards created quite the network amongst my own kind. It will not be as helpful amongst these godless anacites.

Culture: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (13) + 8 = 21

Compucast plugs into the local infosphere to see what he can find out about unusual rumours, especially around androids, or stone tablets.

computers: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (2) + 9 = 11

"Bahhh, the local computers don't respect any standard Vesk protocols." says the frustrated Compucast.

"How did the rest of the teams efforts go?" he sighs.

Looking up info on anyone maybe selling stone tablets and tracking it/them.
Survival: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (5) + 7 = 12

This one is very elusive, aren't they

Gathering up all the information you find, you realize that you want to find an android named Lerecti who fled from Verces because Lerecti was charged with murder. You also know which slum area you are likely to find Lerecti in.

I'm going to pause here because I know some of you wanted to do things when you had a name for the android you're looking for.

Profession Bounty Hunter: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10

Yuck. Marking as bounty anyways.

Balloonboy returns shortly, his telepathic speech tinged with frustration.

Many of these host forms are not willing to speak with this one. Most unfortunate.

"Lurecti!" smiles Compucast. A not especially nice image, as it reveals alllll his teeth, which look pretty sharp (and natty if you are a Vesk, probably less natty if you are prey).

"We will find this Lerecti and his tablet too. I wonder who it was supposed to have murdered, and if it was false...why him? Are others after the tablets too?"

bounty hunter: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (16) + 8 = 24 Anything I can learn about him or his "crimes". DC reduced by 5 from normal due to him being Marked.

Kalkan shakes his head angrily, almost pushing his voice into your minds. " That's why this planet sounded familiar. We had a blasted time with criminals running there when I was in the Stewards on Verces. They have some sort of AI-court there that promises perfectly fair and logical trials to anyone who is more robotic than organic. " He claps his arms, then grunts. " Stewards can chase criminals across the galaxy, but had to stop once the dirtbags made it to this planet and claimed to be in the boundaries of that court. "

He breathes deeply, trying to maintain composure. Maybe this one is actually innocent, and not just looking for a lessened sentence among his own kind.

Balloonboy responds, his voice a bit more measured.

Remember, Starfinders host does not concern with legal troubles of Target, Designation Lurecti, only the tablet he holds. Perhaps this reveals leverage point to retrieve tablet, if Target's crime is not to egregious to Host Kalkan?

You easily find your target. The android, in worker's clothing, looks at you, obviously scared, but choosing to stand his ground rather than flee.

If you roll diplomacy, you get a +4 bonus for finding the android quickly by passing at least 2 checks in the previous bit.

Balloonboy stays back, and above as much as he can, knowing that he does not do well with conversing with non-barathu, and let's the others try to talk to him first.

"Friend Lurecti" smiles Computcast, showing his teeth.

"We have heard that you have some troubles with the law and may be able to help. We have also heard that you have on you a tablet, that we would also like to see. Perhaps a deal might be arranged."

Computcast will not take the lead here, but will try to support others. Just getting in a post due to the asynch nature of PBP

diplomacy(aid): 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

What, Vesk teeth are not reassuring? Who would have thought it?

"Yes we have an important prophecy to investigate in which you may play some part. As the Vesk says we seek this tablet, and may be able to help you fight some false accusations? The vision isn't clear, but I think we can help one another."

diplomacy: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10

I am sure what trouble you might be in can be solved easily. What is this trouble that your in?

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 1 = 17

K'Klacklun holds out his limbs in an open manner as the party approaches Lucrecti, "In the name of Hylax, we are not here to judge you, but to seek your aid and possibly provide some in return."

Diplomacy (Aid Another): 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 1 = 15

The android, who was looking very nervous when you walked up, calms as you speak to the android. "I was framed for murder on my home world, Verces, for finding out some scumbag of a club owner was engaging in android trafficking. Had to come here to get a proper trial from the anacites. If only I had my evidence… but some thugs stole it from a coworker. I don’t want to risk making a bad name for myself while trying to clear my name already. Although if you want that sandstone thing so bad, I’d be happy to give it to you if you could go and get the evidence back. The evidence is on a datapad with a red sticker that some verthani thug took to the slums."

"What more can you tell us about the thug. How do you know he went into the Slumms?" asks the large looming Vesk.

"This sounds like an acceptable trade of services."

The android grins cheekily at Compucast. "Not only do I know he went into the slums, I can tell you where he went. I just didn't want to do something else that might get me into trouble while I was already fleeing justice on a murder charge."

Following the android's directions, you find yourselves in a grungy section of Towershadow’s interior slums. The ground here is a grimy mix of soot and dirt, created from the runoff of various industries on Aballon and entirely unnatural to the normally sterile planet. The buildings in this particular area are abandoned, with doors hanging open and interiors ransacked by gangsters and vagrants.

Please roll bluff, stealth, culture, or survival. Success represents approaching in the right way and will give you an advantage in the fight, as will how quickly you succeeded in diplomacy with the android.

Please roll bluff, stealth, culture, or survival.

K'Klacklun nervously looks around the area, it resembling little the sterile environments aboard starships and space stations that he finds comforting. "Oh my! So much filth. And many signs of violence! What a horrible place in which to venture. Surely, we could look elsewhere for these 'thugs'!"

The shirren is clearly out of his element.

K'Klacklun does not have ranks in any of the above listed skills.

Do you want individual rolls (how each of us is approaching?) or a group roll (how the group as a whole is approaching?) Giving a roll to keep things moving...

As they head into the slums, Balloonboy begins to float up... up... and up and away from them. Com unit's click on and a message comes in from him.

This one will assist with looking from above. Starfinder Hosts cooperation is appreciated as we hunt the target.

Survival: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11

Garven looks for some environmental factors that might help on an approach or give cover to the party.

survival: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (16) + 7 = 23

These are individual checks. They determine where you start when the fight starts. Balloonboy, the scenario says you need to start in a box, but I'll let you start high up above that box.