Kalkan stays silent during the encounter with the android. Same story as the rest. Perhaps he will be one of the few who are actually innocent. The shirren's hands stay close to his rifle the whole time, however. Oh well. I'm with the 'finders now, not the Stewards. His guilt is not my problem. The guilt of these thugs is.
Culture:1d20 + 8 ⇒ (12) + 8 = 20
Kalkan looks at the inhabitants of the slums carefully. "If we are careful, we may be able to see the patterns of those who live here. This may give us an edge up if these thugs do not return the stolen property."
Vesk Technomancer 12; SP 108/108; HP 90/90; FF-THP 15/15; RS 13/13; reroll 0/1; Lvl1 6/6; Lvl2 7/7; Lvl3 3/5; Lvl4 3/4; Cache 1/1; spell energy 1/1; AC 0/1; ; KAC 31; EAC 29; DR 3/-; (9/Bl); SR/15; Per +14; Fort +8; Ref +7; Will +9; fire and cold resistance/5; (acid/electric res 5-les resistant armor)
The Vesk have never been one for Stealth, and Compucast is obviously a Vesk through and through. However he does know a bit about how people interact, and the technomancer puts his incredible intellect to work in trying to "fit in"
culture:1d20 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9
A Vesk in a the slum area of an asteroid however sticks out like a bloodstain on a space suit visor.
| SP 28/28 HP 32/32 +8 HP-Energy Shield| RP 6/6 | EAC 13; KAC 14 | Fort +5; Ref +6; Will +2 | Init: +2 | Perc: +8, SM: +1 | Speed 30ft | Ranged attack +5 (semi-auto tactical, pistol); 30 ft.;1d6+2 P| Active conditions: none.
"Oh, I do hope that whatever dispute there is between these persons and the android can be resolved peaceably. I would hate to see a repeat of that horrible violence that occurred on Absalom station back when I first arrived. It was most dreadful!" K'Klacklun says, recalling the attack on a dwarven contact that led to his eventual joining the Society.
You easily find the thugs. Because of your skill in planning, you gain some advantages in the fight. They move towards you, clearly in no mood for talking.
"I saw plenty of low lifes like these on Verces. They don't like to talk." Kalkan shakes his head then stares down the left thug. "Roger, begin tracking."Yes, sir. Tracking initiated. Fire at will. The shirren raises his long arm and fires a single shot.
| SP 28/28 HP 32/32 +8 HP-Energy Shield| RP 6/6 | EAC 13; KAC 14 | Fort +5; Ref +6; Will +2 | Init: +2 | Perc: +8, SM: +1 | Speed 30ft | Ranged attack +5 (semi-auto tactical, pistol); 30 ft.;1d6+2 P| Active conditions: none.
"Oh! For the love of Hylax, they are shooting at us!" K'Klacklun cries. "My host warned me that there would be days like this." The shirren activates his force shield. Standard action
He the rushes toward some nearby cover. Not sure terrain modifiers on the map, but I assumed I could move under the plank/board/walkway.
Vesk Technomancer 12; SP 108/108; HP 90/90; FF-THP 15/15; RS 13/13; reroll 0/1; Lvl1 6/6; Lvl2 7/7; Lvl3 3/5; Lvl4 3/4; Cache 1/1; spell energy 1/1; AC 0/1; ; KAC 31; EAC 29; DR 3/-; (9/Bl); SR/15; Per +14; Fort +8; Ref +7; Will +9; fire and cold resistance/5; (acid/electric res 5-les resistant armor)
"Step back Garven." commands Compucast. The large vesk works his way around the back of the battle, drawing his pistol and shooting at the leader.
attack vs KAC:1d20 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 1 = 16 damage:1d6 ⇒ 5
Kalkan takes a step diagonally to get out of his prey's reach. Not today, scum. He fires again, sending a laser into the side of an abandoned building. "Roger, get it together. This is not target practice."
| SP 28/28 HP 32/32 +8 HP-Energy Shield| RP 6/6 | EAC 13; KAC 14 | Fort +5; Ref +6; Will +2 | Init: +2 | Perc: +8, SM: +1 | Speed 30ft | Ranged attack +5 (semi-auto tactical, pistol); 30 ft.;1d6+2 P| Active conditions: none.
"And they have some sort of deadly blade weapon!" K'Klacklun shrieks as the pike is drawn He manages to raise his pistol. "I certainly don't want to provoke an attack with that thing!" A bit intimidated, he turns to fire at the thug (yellow) instead.
I kind of doubt Yellow is still up after that sniper shot.
Kalkan chuckles a little as his enemies fall. He turns to the boss and shakes his head. "One more time, Roger. " The world focuses as the exo cortex does its magic.
Male Human Xenoseeker Operative / 4 Sta 24 / 24 HP 28 / 28 RP 5/5 EAC 18(22), KAC 18(22), AC vs. CM 25, Init +6, Fort +3(+5), Ref +8, Wil +4
"please can't we just talk this out"
As Deloran ducks another blow.
stepping back and fires a quick shot at yellow "I'm sorry this might hurt"
As he ducks around some trash (DC 20 plus yellows CR) to make a trick attack
Under the barrage of your attacks, the other thug falls over, dead, and the leader starts to wobble. He is clearly very badly hurt. He drops his pike and throws up his hands. "Ok, here's what you want!" and he holds out a datapad.
You take the datapad to Lerecti. Lerecti thanks you, and gives you a small map fragment. Lerecti wishes you well, and quickly disappears.
You return to your ship, where Venture Captain Arvin congratulates you on your success, and encourages you to get a quick rest and then go after one of the other fragments. He promises to send you data on where to find the others within the next few hours.
Kalkan carefully places the map fragment in the ship's safe. "Well done, team. It is a shame those thugs would not see reason." The shirren carefully sits down, enjoying the moment of peace.
Vesk Technomancer 12; SP 108/108; HP 90/90; FF-THP 15/15; RS 13/13; reroll 0/1; Lvl1 6/6; Lvl2 7/7; Lvl3 3/5; Lvl4 3/4; Cache 1/1; spell energy 1/1; AC 0/1; ; KAC 31; EAC 29; DR 3/-; (9/Bl); SR/15; Per +14; Fort +8; Ref +7; Will +9; fire and cold resistance/5; (acid/electric res 5-les resistant armor)
"Superior Vesk combat abilities will almost always win the day." says Compucast with smug superiority.
"And overhead support is greatly appreciated by all Vesk tacticians. The vesk learned long ago of the advantages of teamwork. This is one of the reasons I joined the Society."
After a restful night's sleep, you wake up ready to continue on your missions.
Due to the nature of quests, you have regained full health and also any daily use abilities you may have used up in the previous quest.
As promise, you find a communication from Venture Captain Arvin waiting for you, explaining where to go next.
communication:
"One world, two sides apart
Freedom locked ‘neath neon lights
Bad chameleon"
From this, I believe that the "one world, two sides apart" tells us to inspect the Pact World of Verces. The second portion of this dreamspun tale, plus the information gathered from the previous clues, points us to the verthani club owner, Karelite Bogdin. He owns a nightclub called Kozmos in the city-state of Vanos. I believe we’ll find the tablet hidden among his famed art collection in the personal safe in his office.
Ah, home. I love this strip of culture in the wilderness. Kalkan digs up his old Steward credentials, showing them to anyone who looks like they may have information. " The Stewards have a special place in people's hearts here, since this is their birth place. Seems to be working to our advantage. "
SP 0/16 | HP 17/18 | RP 4/4 | Spells 1st 3/3 | EAC 15, KAC 18, CMD 26 | F+2, R+0, W+6, +2 vs poison, spells, and SLAs | Init +0, Perc +8 | Dwarf Mystic 2
Garven finds this planet interesting but has never been. A whole half bathes in the light of Selune nonstop, but the other is cursed with darkness.
He also asks around for information about this collector.
Diplomacy:1d20 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7
| SP 28/28 HP 32/32 +8 HP-Energy Shield| RP 6/6 | EAC 13; KAC 14 | Fort +5; Ref +6; Will +2 | Init: +2 | Perc: +8, SM: +1 | Speed 30ft | Ranged attack +5 (semi-auto tactical, pistol); 30 ft.;1d6+2 P| Active conditions: none.
Upon hearing his companions offer their insights, K'Klacklun exclaims, "Oh, how wonderful to be travelling with such knowledgeable guides! Do tell, are you aware of a place where one could find some quality nectar? My thorax is still aching from that dreadful flight here in a cramped shuttle craft and a strong nectar always seems to soothe a throbbing carapace."
Kalkan smiles at K'Klacklun and points across the street. "Do not worry, friend. We can stop in at one of my favorite spots, down the block. I traveled this world often for work, and know of all the best nectar joints." They stop briefly on the way.
| SP 28/28 HP 32/32 +8 HP-Energy Shield| RP 6/6 | EAC 13; KAC 14 | Fort +5; Ref +6; Will +2 | Init: +2 | Perc: +8, SM: +1 | Speed 30ft | Ranged attack +5 (semi-auto tactical, pistol); 30 ft.;1d6+2 P| Active conditions: none.
"Thank the Forever Queen!" K'Klacklun says as he partakes of the nectar. "A most delightful recommendation. It is a wonder that the Starfinder Society doesn't have us doing more of this sort of exploration--sampling new beverages and cuisine--rather than that dreadful fighting."
Once he has finished, he asks, "Say, do you know where I could find some choice lubricant for B.U.G. nearby? His joints, too, are undoubtedly parched after our travels. Traveling within my pack is hardly ideal for him, but I have learned that having him hovering about can attract some unwanted attention at times."
oops, I did mean culture. Pathfinder on the brain, I guess...
Putting your heads together, you are able to recall or get someone to tell you the following:
Verces is a tidally-locked planet, with one side permanently facing the Pact Worlds’ single sun. The largest civilization is a sprawling metropolis spanning the circumference of the planet called the Ring of Nations, a temperate refuge lying between the scorching heat of Fullbright and numbing cold of Darkside. The most technologically advanced of the native species are the Verthani, eight-foot tall humanoids whose chameleon-like skin allows them to blend their pigments to hide in plain sight.
The mega-metropolis that spans the planet is known for its elevated level of technological advancement. Because of this, most Verthani use various cybernetic instruments to some degree to augment their senses and defenses.
Different nation-cities within the Ring of Nations operate with varying degrees of self-governance, with some being known for their rather lax rules on bodily autonomy. The city-state of Vanos is known as they place to do business if you’re looking to avoid scrutiny from the authorities. Casinos, clubs, and open black markets where the rich can buy and sell sentient androids abound. Laws, which are few and far between, are rarely enforced where they do exist.
