[SFS] GM Peet's 1-01 The Commencement Table 1 (Inactive)

Game Master Peet

”I will give my best!!!“

Looking for rolls from Huckle Jim and Senko. I will move ahead in the morning if they haven't posted by then.

Kinetic attack on Nyizin: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 2 = 12

Huckle Jimbot fires his weapon at Velocity again.

kinetic weapon at velocity: 4 + 1d20 ⇒ 4 + (10) = 14

This time, the group's gunnery is more fruitful. Huckle Jim and Navasi both manage to land hits on Velocity, while to his surprise, Senko's shot manages to tag Nyizin. Velocity has turned two of her guns on Orsis, and your racer is only struck by a stray beam from Ratrod in the back. You activate the boost and your speed surges!

"Laboni gets underway again, and now Orsis and Nyizin are coming up behind Velocity, followed closely by Lemgem. There's a LOT of shooting within the pack... Nyizin, Orsis and Velocity all take hits! Velocity and Nyizin both wobble, and Orsis screams by, followed by Lemgem. But Wait! Look at Laboni go! I've never seen a racer move that fast! While everyone else is tied up, Laboni breaks away!!! And she's across the finish line! Laboni wins! LABONI WINS!!!"

PROGRESS ROUND 6
LABONI - 2400 + 1200 = 3600 feet
LEMGEM - 2000 + 600 = 2600 feet
NYIZIN - 2050 + 350 = 2400 feet
ORSIS - 2200 + 550 = 2750 feet
RATROD - 1925 + 275 = 2200 feet
VELOCITY - 2250 + 225 = 2475 feet

The crows goes wild as Laboni pulls the racer back to the pit, waving at the cheering crowd. You rush out of the maintenance shed to meet her.

"We won - I can't believe it! That was amazing!" she shouts over the roar of the crowd as she runs towards the group. "That wasn't even close! We left everyone in the dust, even Ratrod!"

"You guys were the greatest!"

Soon you and Laboni are swarmed by officials, reporters, and cheering fans. As Laboni is dragged off she calls back to you:

"I think this is going to be a while... talk to me after!"

Shortly after Laboni is carried off for the winner's presentation, interviews, and other ceremonies, you get a call from Radaszam. The stadium is too loud so you return to the maintenance shed to take the call.

"Well, I have to say congratulations. It seems you pulled it off after all! I appreciate a job well done. The reputation of the Starfinders is untarnished, and the operation has paid for itself in the form of prize money. Operations that pay for themselves are the best kind! The Society needs all the resources it can get right now. But don't worry... I've authorized Laboni to issue you a share of the purse."

"The show's producers have already contacted me about making Laboni a regular figure on the show. This wasn't what I had in mind originally, and I have to wonder how long that will last. But Laboni may be able to make good contacts within the scrap union while she is here, so it may be worth taking her off the field agent roster."

"Stick around until Laboni is able to see you off properly. And then I understand your initiation has two tasks left, so I will wish you good luck. I'm sure I will be seeing more of you later on."

The group is able to watch much of the closing ceremonies on the vidscreens around the track.

The Scrap Battle Cup is a shiny ceremonial cup that looks like it was made out of chrome automobile parts. Nevertheless she gushes when she is awarded it and shows tears of appreciation.

She apologizes to Ratrod for her earlier comments that sparked the feud, and acknowledges that he is a prime racer. The two shake hands as they share the victory podium.

It takes the better part of an hour after the broadcast is over before Laboni returns to the pit. She has a happy look on her face and though she seems tired she still has the glow of victory about her. She is carrying a large duffel bag.

"She can have the limelight if she wants it." Navasi says quietly to her companions. "I just hope it doesn't go to her head or we'll soon have to pull her tailpipe out of the fire again."

"Hey, guys! God, that took forever," Laboni moans, laughing.

"Guess what? They offered me a regular spot on the show! Yeah, I'lll be running in this race every week! I've already got some neat ideas for upgrades, as soon as I clean up the engine. I'm gonna be a celebrity! And I couldn't have done it without you guys!"

She pulls a credit chit from the duffel bag.

"Radaszam already took most of the prize money, but he said to give this share to you guys."

The credstick has 400 credits on it.

"Also, I totally made up with Ratrod. He gave me this," she offers the duffel bag to the group. "Said his scrap guys found the parts and put it together, and he thought a Starfinder might be able to use it."

Inside the duffel bag is a battered suit of graphite carbon skin armor.

"So... yeah. I gotta get back... apparently there's a bunch of contracts I gotta sign. Radaszam is sending an agent over for me. So I'll see you later! Thanks for everything!"

Laboni waits a few moments for the group to say their goodbyes and then hustles back towards the main buildings.

Okay, guys. You have finished two tasks out of four. The race I think is the most time-consuming of the four, so hopefully the rest of the adventure won't take so long.

There are two tasks left:
* Dataphiles
* Wayfinders

Which one next?

As Laboni leaves, Navasi quietly shakes her head. So young, she thinks.

After a while, she turns to the other Starfinders, "Just one more task to be done here on the station." Navasi notes. "Shall we see what Historia-7 wants us to do?"

”Weeee woooooonnnn!!!! Historia-7 ... I am a big fan!“

That's two votes... Dataphiles it is then.

Once again you return to the Lorespire Complex, home and heart of the Starfinder Society, is a striking campus dedicated to knowledge. Communal labs and historical departments study the Archives’ massive collection of artifacts and texts, gathered by generations of agents from across the galaxy. A quick search of the directory indicates Historia-7 frequents the Archives’ Cortex, a computerized matrix containing digital records of the Starfinder
Society’s most prominent discoveries.

The android reclines on a raised chair and is plugged into the local infosphere when the doors open. The neural cables detach themselves from her neck as she swivels in her seat to address the new arrivals.

“Greetings, Starfinders,” she says calmly. “I am Historia-7. If you are seeking a mission from me, please be aware that my request requires both discretion and speed. Do not accept it if you feel incapable of working within these parameters.

“I discovered someone recently hacked into Bluerise Tower’s computer systems and stole a large amount of sensitive data from the resident corporations. I wish to be privy to this information. I managed to trace the hacker’s location through many proxies and erased the trail so that station and corporate security should be delayed in their pursuit. This deception will not fool them for long, so you must move quickly to retrieve the data before they can recover it. I will leave you to decide what to do with the hacker afterward, but should it be feasible, I believe that person would be an asset to the Society.”

“Here are the co-ordinates for the location the hacker used to make this infiltration,” Historia-7 says, as a file appears in your inbox. “There is no guarantee however that the hacker has remained at this locale.” It shows coordinates that are in a residential district of the nearby Drifter's End neighbourhood.

"While it is very interesting what people can do with computers, this hacking stuff makes no sense to me. Someone want to explain to me what all she was talking about?"

Get off my lawn. Can't used culture untrained.

Culture: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10

"Someone stole something. The corporations are trying to get it back. Historia-7 wants us to retrieve it first. Does that make it clear, Altronus?" Navasi says.

"These coordinates are to Drifter's End, which is a nearby district in the Ring known to hold temporary residences for travelling spacers and visitors to the station. The corporations seeking to reclaim the stolen information likely also originate in ring, which means we have little time to act." she urges.

Get off my lawn. Can't used culture untrained.

FYI Altronus:

You can attempt untrained skill checks to recall knowledge if the DC is 10 or less.

Anyone want to ask Historia-7 any questions? Or give her anything?

If that is a Culture check to recall knowledge, Senko will spend two minutes looking up the information on the infosphere, taking 20 to get a 30.

If it is not a check to recall knowledge, I'll take 10 for a 20. If I cannot take 10:
Culture: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (1) + 10 = 11

"So you want us to find this hacker before corporate security, get whatever data they stole, and if possible, recruit them. Seems straightforward enough."

"By the way, Zigvigix asked us to give you this." Senko hands one of the Star Sugar Heartlove!!! albums to Historia-7.

Sharing info about the DC 15 Culture check pending clarification about the skill check.

Sharing info about the DC 15 Culture check pending clarification about the skill check.

It is a recall information check, though normally you wouldn't stop to browse the infosphere in the middle of a conversation with someone.

Fair point. Senko will look up the info after we leave the Archives’ Cortex.

"So you want us to find this hacker before corporate security, get whatever data they stole, and if possible, recruit them. Seems straightforward enough."

"Yes, that is correct."

"By the way, Zigvigix asked us to give you this." Senko hands one of the Star Sugar Heartlove!!! albums to Historia-7.

Historia-7 looks at the album, and then looks up to stare at Senko.

...

She continues to stare...

...

"Very well. I will enter it into the archives." She picks up the album and places it in her desk.

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (1) + 9 = 10

Yep. My dice are on fire tonight.

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 4 + 1d6 ⇒ (17) + 4 + (6) = 27

"No need to get all emotional, Historia-7. We hope you enjoy the album.". Navasi says.

Sense Motive : 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9

"Got it! Why didn't she just say that? I don't know anything about this "drifter's end" place, but I suppose we should probably be going."

Okay, moving ahead.

"Very well. Here is the address that was used to make the download. The hacker may or may not still be there. Since there seem to be no questions, I will wish you good luck. Remember, others are also looking for this information. You have a head start... do not waste it."

The Langston Field Apartments are a group of residences which theoretically are for medium- and long-term transients, who might be on-station for a few months or years. But despite this, many permanent station residents live here, taking advantage of the cheap accommodations.

The apartments are organized into "racks" of cube-shaped apartments made from Astrocrete*, that are stacked four-high from floor to ceiling of the deck; two such racks face each other forming an open chasm between them. At the far end is the upper wall of the station and long vertical windows let natural light into the gulf between the racks, and each apartment cube has windows only on the front face. Each apartment has a small "outdoor" porch leading to its entrance.

The coordinates that Historia-7 gives the PCs point to an apartment that like the others here resembles a cement cube, with about fifty tomato plants in plastic barrels sitting on an otherwise barren porch. A young human man appears to be tending the plants, and looks up when you arrive. He is not wearing armor and is unarmed.

"Ah... hi. Who are you guys?"

__________________
* Astrocrete is a material made from the regolith of carbonaceous asteroids fused into a solid form and generally reinforced with structural materials. It is not very strong on its own but is a cheap building material with a dark grey color.

”Hello young man, we are looking for a computer specialist that we would like to hire! You know anyone living here fitting this description?“

"The job pays real good, too." Navasi chimes in.

Bluff: 1d20 + 6 + 1d6 ⇒ (13) + 6 + (4) = 23

"Ah... nope, it's just me an' Grandma living here," the young man says, clearly confused. "We can sell you some tomatoes if you want, but that don't have much to do with computers."

He looks you up and down.

"You sure you got the right apartment?"

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 4 + 1d6 ⇒ (20) + 4 + (2) = 26

"Sure, I'll try a tomato. Our hiring department is usually pretty good with their information and they told us this is the place. They're not going to be too happy if I tell them they got the wrong place. They probably won't believe nme unless I have a statement from the current occupants. Would you mind if we came and and asked you and your grandma to sign off saying no specialist for hire lives here?". Navasi responds.

Bluff: 1d20 + 6 + 1d6 ⇒ (17) + 6 + (1) = 24

Altronus stands just outside the door, looking around the street for any wandering eyes.

Perception: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

However he is distracted by the unusual script painted on the wall of the structure across the road.

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 4 + 1d6 ⇒ (20) + 4 + (2) = 26

Navasi gets the feeling that the youth is genuinely baffled by your questions.

"...They probably won't believe nme unless I have a statement from the current occupants. Would you mind if we came and and asked you and your grandma to sign off saying no specialist for hire lives here?". Navasi responds.

"Uh... okay, I guess." The youth turns around and calls out through the screen door of the apartment. "Gran! Some people here to talk to you!"

"Who is it?" relies a faint voice from inside.

"I dunno!" the youth looks at you questioningly. He turns back to the door again. "Something about a computer specialist."

An elderly woman comes out, adjusting her hat as she exits the apartment.

"Hello there! What's all this about?"

When you explain to her the situation (for brevity I'm assuming you give her exactly the same information you have the young man) she also looks confused.

"But why would you think that there's someone like that here?" she asks. "And which company do you work for?" she continues.

"I used to so that sort of thing when I was young, but I retired a long time ago. There are some things that don't get better with age." she winks.

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 4 + 1d6 ⇒ (5) + 4 + (5) = 14
Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17

The old woman is sporting a datajack. I think we found our hacker! Navasi concludes.

sense motive : 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (17) - 1 = 16
perception : 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9
Computer : 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (18) + 6 = 24

"We are with the Starfinder Society." Navasi responds to Ceren. "We are tracking down a data transfer that led here and we fear whoever received that transfer may be in trouble. Corporate hacking can be a dangerous business. We are here to help that person and make sure that the hacker and any data - gets safely to where it should be."

Computers: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 6 = 15
Looking at the datajack, Navasi concludes that it must be a fairly old model. "Obviously, you spent some time running the net." The envoy points to the dated datajack as she speaks to the old woman. "I suspect that those old models still work pretty well--I mean, they don't build them like they used to. Our information suggests that the data transfer led here and you have what appears to be working, albeit older, headware. So why shouldn't we suspect you as the hacker?"

"Starfinders! Really? Now that's exciting," Ceren says.

She then frowns and seems oddly uncertain. But after a moment she looks up again with a smile. "But where are my manners? I can't have you stand around on my doorstep! Come in and we can talk there. I just put a pot of tea on. Jubair, go and get the nice china out, will you?"

As the Starfinders come inside she brings them to a homey kitchen and has them sit around the table as Jubair sets the table and she pours the tea.

"I had to retire from all that... I have a... condition. It's a degenerative brain disease. Just caused by old age, really, but I couldn't continue as I had when I was younger. I had some implants put in that halted the damage," she shakes her head. "But the ol' cracker barrel ain't what she used to be." She taps the side of her head with a wink. "Without my headware memory, I'd forget my own head I imagine."

"But... that's strange," she continues. "I... I seem to have a file in my headware memory. I cannot recall for the life of me how it got there."

"Grandma!" gasps Jubair. "They can't be talking about you, can they?"

"Oh, I could hack the 'sphere like blazes when I was younger. I thought I had put all that behind me, but... well..." Ceren thinks for a moment.

"I must have forgotten I was retired... slipped back into an earlier version of me, back when I used to do that kind of thing. Frankly I didn't think I still had it in me!"

She looks the Starfinders over.

"You're right... hacking Bluerise Tower was dangerous. The companies that have offices there don't play around."

"But why would you want to help me? What exactly do you mean by 'where I should be?' Do you plan to turn me over to the Stewards?"

Altronus gives the street another quick glance, slipping inside with his fellow Starfinders. He sits casually, taking tea in one of his four hands.

"I have heard about those implants before. Seems they have been quite effective for some people." His small talk lacks any real degree of charm, but he tries to be conversational.

Turning to a more pointed conversation, "It is information that the starfinder's seek. Any details involving these large corporations could have immense value in the right hands." He pauses for a moment before moving on. "I would imagine that if the Starfinders were able to find this location, that perhaps Bluerise might be capable as well?"

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12

'What a long day.'

All this time, your stealthy companion was around, but he was so quiet that maybe you stopped paying attention to him. And then, suddenly, he gives a half-whisper voice.

- If my colleagues agree... Then we plan to help you escape - in exchange for full cooperation with your organization. So it can be beneficial to all.

”I am just glad that we are all so pragmatic!“ Iseph chuckles.

”Let us get to work! Ceren, you and your kid here are in danger if you stay here. If we found you so easily then those you stole from will find you too!“

- If my colleagues agree... Then we plan to help you escape - in exchange for full cooperation with your organization....

"My organization? I'm on my own, unless you count Jubair here. And he's no hacker."

"You haven't come out and said it, but I'm guessing what you want is the file, yes? Your Society wants a peek at the secrets the corporations have been hiding, hmm? I can't say I blame you... I must have thought it was interesting when I grabbed it!"

"You're right that I'm in trouble here. A lady my age doesn't have much of a chance on her own. But I'm not willing to move into a closet in the Lorespire Complex and never come out again. So I'll be happy to turn over that file to you if you can throw those Corporations off the scent."

"The way I see it, that will require two things. They have to think I'm dead, and I need a new identity. If you Starfinder Agents can handle that, then the file is yours."

Ceren claps her hands together.

"This is so exciting! It's like one of those Daredevil Darla shows!"

"Oh, and one more thing. I'll need you to look after Jubair here. I have a place I can lay low for a little while until you've finished your work. We can meet at Jatembe Park at 6 PM tonight."

Ceren will answer any questions you have and will then leave. You can then begin working on faking her death and building a new identity.

This bit is kind of freeform; you can come up with ideas on how to make both of these things happen. Many of these ideas are listed in the module but if you come up with something else that is valid it can be worked in. There are no "turns" but everything you do has to be doable in an afternoon.

This part works best if you are familiar with spy stories already. If you get stuck I could drop some hints, but I'd prefer to start with a blank slate and see what you come up with.

”We will help you to create a new identity! Anything that you prefer?“

Computer- create identity : 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9

”We will help you to create a new identity! Anything that you prefer?“

Computer- create identity : 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9

What is it that you are trying to do? You need to be a bit more specific.

I have played in other scenarios where that is all that was required (1-07) so I can understand the confusion

"Well. I suppose we can come up with something to help you out. I think a new ID card and infosphere documentation would probably be a good start. I don't have any skill in that, mind you, but I am sure one of my companions does. Never you worry!"

The faking the death part is going to be the hard part, as I am pretty sure that the computer people can fabricate a new ID/infosphere stuff pretty simply. I don't really have too many ideas, if I am being honest

”Well, Ceren it seems that I am not in the right mind for hacking at the moment but I wanted to create an ID with credit, medical etc.history for you. Then you could have just moved away and started a new life! A new job or occupation would have been next!!“