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

Game Master Peet

medicine: 1d20 ⇒ 14 to find a medicine similar to that in Romeo and Juliet, where you can eat it/drink it and mimic a death like state while not actually being dead. Faking a death.

Will Ceren stay long enough to be declared dead with this fake-death serum?

Wait, are you trained in Medicine?

"Perhaps we could create a fake crash site with a starship or a junk racer for that matter--I know where we could get some parts." Navasi suggests.

Will Ceren stay long enough to be declared dead with this fake-death serum?

Sadly, no. Ceren is leaving as soon as she answers any questions people have.

Wait, are you trained in Medicine?

Senko has a point. Medecine is a trained-only skill. Interesting idea though.

"Perhaps we could create a fake crash site with a starship or a junk racer for that matter--I know where we could get some parts." Navasi suggests.

"Whatever works..." Ceren says, thinking. "But don't forget... you're not trying to fool the Stewards. Just a third-party that will use the Stewards' records. So getting a phony death certificate into the system somehow will probably be enough."

"When you create a new identity for me, I'd appreciate it if you don't make me a garbage processor or former prostitute or anything like that. I'm going to have to pretend to be the person you invent."

With that Ceren heads for the door. "Good luck! I'll see you in the evening." Ceren leaves you alone in the apartment with Jubair.

Altronus calls out to Ceren as she leaves, not expecting an answer.

"Wait. Who said that WE wanted to play baby sitter?"

A moment of silence follows.

"Well, that was not a set of ideal circumstances..." He turns back to the kid. "Alright kid... Lets come to some sort of understanding here."

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 = 16

Sense Motive on Jubair: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (7) + 9 = 16 How is he dealing with this turn of events?

This is my fifth time through this adventure (played twice, run twice). I am not able to think of any courses of action that aren't influenced by my knowledge of this encounter.

I'm can still roll skills, but I can't put forward ideas of how to proceed. While we are in this "come up with a plan" phase, unless one of you asks me to make a skill check, or Peet just gives us a list of skills to use, I'm basically unable to participate.

This is my fifth time through this adventure (played twice, run twice). I am not able to think of any courses of action that aren't influenced by my knowledge of this encounter.

This is also my fifth time playing through and I suspect others are similarly replaying. After my first play, I sat back and allowed others to propose ideas. Interestingly enough, the solutions reached were virtually identical (particularly as other players had played through the Quests before and knew of some potentially helpful ysokis as a resource).

The vehicle crash idea is one I haven't seen used before, so I thought I would suggest it.

Navasi attempts to create a false registry for a vehicle in Ceren's name.

Computers: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (14) + 6 = 20

Then, Navasi returns to the scrap area and looks for parts that most resemble the vehicle in the false registry.

Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 = 19

Navasi considers nearby routes on which a momentary lapse in judgment could lead to a particularly damaging and fatal vehicular accident.

Piloting: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (20) + 6 = 26

Before putting her plan into affect, Navasi ponders what else she may need to acquire to make the deception seem believable.

This is my first time playing it, but IC Altronus doesn't have much to offer other than babysitting the kid (if that is actually an objective or not). I can try to come up with a better plan though, if I am one of the few actively contributing.

This is my fifth time through this adventure (played twice, run twice). I am not able to think of any courses of action that aren't influenced by my knowledge of this encounter.

If you can think of something you didn't do before, then that would be an interesting way to do things.

Before putting her plan into affect, Navasi ponders what else she may need to acquire to make the deception seem believable.

It sounds to me like you also need a dead body that looks like it died in a car crash.

Note though that if you go this route, it will be the Stewards that will be investigating the accident.

Okay, time for a few hints.

There are really two parts here, Faking the Death and Creating the Identity.

Faking the Death really only requires that a death certificate be issued. There are government and civilian agencies that have the authority to issue such certificates, and once it has been issued, Ceren will be legally dead.

Creating the Identity can include a variety of things. You have already started one: forging false documentation (this is a computers check which Iseph failed). There could also be a variety of things that create a background for her which make the identity both more plausible and verifiable. Such as:
* Creating an Alias - this means coming up with a detailed background for Ceren (Iseph already hit on creating a credit and medical history, which would be a part of this). Bluff, Culture, or Disguise works for this.
* Providing Contacts - finding people who can vouch for the "new Ceren" in case someone starts poking into her background. Diplomacy can be used here.
* Giving the identity a job - creates an important piece of background and an employer that can vouch for her. A Profession check would work for this.

My other group came up with at least one other thing that would work but these are the suggestions within the module.

"Well, that was not a set of ideal circumstances..." He turns back to the kid. "Alright kid... Lets come to some sort of understanding here."

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 = 16

Sense Motive on Jubair: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (7) + 9 = 16 How is he dealing with this turn of events?

Jubair seems to be rather in shock.

"I can't believe it. Ah... I better get packing our things, I guess."

Jubair gets to work on packing up things in the apt.

Jubair is the equivalent of a 0-level NPC. He doesn't have any skills of note and doesn't have combat experience, though if you handed him a gun he would be proficient in small arms (since everyone is). He will basically do what he is told. Getting him into a combat would not be a great idea though.

"Well. The more details we can build about her new life, the better off she is going to be. I say that she could be a retired cookie baker- seems like the perfect cover for a grandma. I know a couple people who might be... convinced... to attest to her baking skills. Let me send out a couple of messages"

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 19

If you can think of something you didn't do before, then that would be an interesting way to do things.

My issue was that everything I thought of at least partially involved things I remembered from previous runs of this, so I figured it was best to let others suggest stuff.

"A baker? Not exactly my area of expertise, but I'm sure I can find her a job like that."

Profession (cook): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 14
Add +4 to this if I am able to use my tools. Add +1 to this if finding a job counts as "earning a living".

"Ceren's new identity needs a backstory. Not too exciting, but not so plain as to appear suspicious."

Culture: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (5) + 10 = 15

Navasi - Pregen wrote:

Before putting her plan into affect, Navasi ponders what else she may need to acquire to make the deception seem believable.

It sounds to me like you also need a dead body that looks like it died in a car crash.

Note though that if you go this route, it will be the Stewards that will be investigating the accident.

"If we go through with this crashed vehicle plan, we need to make sure whatever body is in the vehicle is burned beyond any recognition. Like, freak-accident-that-vaporizes-dental-records levels of destroyed. That last thing we want is to have more people investigating Ceren. Where do we get a body, anyway? My experience regarding buying and selling corpses is limited to animals and the like."

Profession (cook): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 14

Add +4 to this if I am able to use my tools. Add +1 to this if finding a job counts as "earning a living".

I looked up tool kits and professional tools just add +4 to any profession check with that specific profession. So yes, you can use them. However this doesn't count as "earning a living."

Before putting her plan into affect, Navasi ponders what else she may need to acquire to make the deception seem believable.

It sounds to me like you also need a dead body that looks like it died in a car crash.

Note though that if you go this route, it will be the Stewards that will be investigating the accident.

Stewards? Better make it convincing then, I guess.

"Are we willing to risk possible Steward intervention with this cover-up?" Navasi asks the others before she puts her somewhat risky plan into motion.

"Either way, a body would be useful. Anyone know of a local morgue or someplace that might not miss a fresh corpse?" she asks.

Culture: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (19) + 6 = 25

Would I be correct in assuming that roll is high enough to point Navasi to the Vat Garden (from the Quests)?

Senko, Shirren Xenohunter wrote:

Profession (cook): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 14

Add +4 to this if I am able to use my tools. Add +1 to this if finding a job counts as "earning a living".

I looked up tool kits and professional tools just add +4 to any profession check with that specific profession. So yes, you can use them. However this doesn't count as "earning a living."

Okay, then that's an 18 to find Ceren a job using Profession.

bluff or diplomacy aid: 1d20 ⇒ 15

”To be honest I do not see that I have any further skills that can be used to create an identity for Ceren. But what I could do is try to fabricate details about the crash that you are currently thinking about! Maybe we can tamper with the data in a way which clearly shows that our potentially soon to be deceased ally was really in the crashed the car! I could for instance input into the database the real medical records of Ceren for this crash. What do you think?“

Computer to input data into accessible systems which support the crash storyline : 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14

"I think these are all good plans. I am concerned for how long it would take to get a body. Good work on the medical records Iseph!"

Would I be correct in assuming that roll is high enough to point Navasi to the Vat Garden (from the Quests)?

I would say yes... but the corpses found at the vat garden are not embalmed and would show decomposition unless they had just been buried. But there are also plenty of private mortuaries that are more conventional.

In her search Navasi comes across a mortuary in nearby Pipetown that has a reputation for dealing in cash and not asking too many questions, called the Peaceful Repose Morgue.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 19

Altronis is able to line up a number of new "friends" for Ceren's new identity who will vouch for her.

Profession (cook): 1d20 + 7 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 7 + 4 = 18

Culture: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (5) + 10 = 15

Senko successfully arranges a part-time job for Ceren in a bakery on the other side of the station, and fills out a background where she was once a full-time baker but is now semi-retired.

Computer to input data into accessible systems which support the crash storyline : 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14

Iseph quickly realizes that without some sort of password they will not be able to hack the Stewards' computer systems to implant false data about a vehicle accident.

Guys: you have successfully completed three tasks here so you have completed the "Creating an Identity" part. If you have other things you want to add, go ahead, but you don't need to do any more on that score.

Navasi heads to the morgue of questionable repute.

"I am interested in acquiring a piece of your... merchandise." The woman says, waiving a cred stick somewhat conspicuously. "I want to keep the transaction a quiet one."

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 6 = 16

Looking over the bodies, she tries to find one that most matches the body type of Ceren.

Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17

"How much for that one there?" She asks once she has made her selection.

Not far from the Downlow district and just below the Eye is the district of Conduit, known to its locals as "Pipetown." Within Pipetown is the central processing sector for Absalom Station's water, power, and sewage systems, and most of those who live in the district work within those facilities or in support of those who do.

The mortuary the party has identified lies just within this district. The group pulls up outside. The sign reads:

Peaceful Repose Morgue
A proud member of the Abadarcorp Ltd. family
Serving the Conduit District for over 80 standard years!

As you open the doors a small chime sounds. The front office is clean, but drab. Cheerful-looking potted plants are revealed to be plastic and are covered with a thin film of dust. Nobody seems to be here, but after looking around for a moment, you hear a voice come from what looks to be a small intercom on the desk.

"I'm in the back! You can come back here or wait in the lobby."

Pushing your way through a pair of double doors and a sterility force screen, you enter the rear area, which turns out to be 'workroom.' Four examination tables are present, but only one is occupied, by the corpse of a middle-aged man who appears to have a crushed pelvis. A thin human man in a lab coat is working on him and looks up as you enter. He is balding and his skin looks rather greyish.

"Merchandise, eh?" the man says as he stands and dabs his mouth with a small kerchief. "You don't look like the usual sort I get around here. Not for that sort of thing."

He smiles, and shrugs. "But that's all right. I don't see that there's any need to discriminate. You wouldn't ask if you didn't have your reasons."

"Are you looking for a complete cadaver, or just certain parts?"

"Are you looking for a complete cadaver, or just certain parts?"

Navasi grimly considers the question for a moment, then responds, "Parts should do, I suppose. Provided you have a matching or close-to-matching set."

"As for your non-discrimination policy," she notes with a smirk, "I appreciate your inclusiveness, though, I don't mind telling you that actually just buying the parts for a friend. Honest."

Altronus stands awkwardly around the morgue with Navasi at his side.

"I wonder if the authorities would allow me to observe an autopsy? I have always had a keen interest in..." as he trails off into some dry academic discussion with whoever is on the other side of the counter.

"Well, to be honest I do not know if parts will do?! Don't you have a fresh body that just recently ... you know ... passed away and where we could even give you a description of somebody so that you could change the body so it resembles the description?" he says with a sly smile.

"We can also pay for your services."

After the group describes the general type of corpse they are looking for, Doc nods knowingly.

"Ah... I think I see where this is going. Let me introduce you to one of my tenants."

He goes over to the bank of drawers against one wall and pulls it open. Within is the body of an elderly human woman.

"May I present Mrs. Grace Danhavel. No fixed address, died of natural causes two nights ago. No next of kin, so the body was going to be 'donated' to the various services that have a use for them. I'm no plastic surgeon, so modifying the body is up to you, but for the low price of 60 credits she's all yours. I'll throw in a free body bag."

FYI: Modifying the body will require a Medicine or Disguise check. Alternately you could hack Ceren's medical records to have them match the body with a Computers check.

With no prior experience in the trafficking of corpses, Navasi things the price sounds like a bargain. Lacking the ability alter the body, she attempts to hack Ceren's medical records to make them more closely match the features of the body.

Computers: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 6 = 15

Anyone care to Aid Another on that check?

Computers Aid Navasi: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (19) + 6 = 25

Iseph is surprised about Navasi's skill level and jumps in to support the creation of medical records.

Success! You've completed enough tasks to fake her death and give her a new identity.

With the help of Iseph, Navasi manages to hack into the city's medical database and alters the medical records for Ceren to match the features of the cadaver. While she is there, she also alters Grace Danhael's records so the don't quite match the corpse.

After that the group stages their "accident" in a shadowy region of the downlow district and calls in ananonymous tip to the Stewards.

Moving on... Just setting up the map for the next encounter. Give me a few.

At the appointed time, the group heads to Jatembe Park in the station's Eye.

Open to all citizens, Jatembe Park occupies a wide portion of the Eye of Absalom Station. Filled with lush trees and open grass fields, the park offers some natural terrain to the otherwise metalclad station. Ceren’s meeting point is one such forested portion of the park, specifically a spot often ignored by citizens due to the winding path required to reach it.

As the group comes around the curve of the path they see the bridge up ahead, going over an artificial stream. Ceren stands on the bridge, looking out over the water.

Several other people are also at the bridge. Three young men with bizarre haircuts and clothing that looks to have been deliberately slashed open in places and marked with neon paint in others. They seem to have just arrived, from the same side of the bridge as you. When they get there, one stops before getting on the bridge, and turns and looks around as if enjoying the scenery. The other two continue, but when they get to the middle of the bridge, the second stops, while the third one continues to the other side.

"Hey, grandma," the one on the bridge says to Ceren. Ceren turns around to look at the man, surprised and fearful. He holds his arm up and turns on a device on his wrist; a holographic image appears in the air above. The image is of Ceren! "Yeah, this is her, mateys!"

As you approach, the man standing on the near side of the bridge, calls out to you. "Sorry, civvies! Bridge is closed. Maintenance, an' whatnot. So shove off."

Map is up on the slide show. You are not in combat at the moment but may initiate it if you want, or you can interact with them.

It seems unnecessary at this point to roll Sense Motive to know they're after Ceren. But perhaps a Sense Motive check could determine how prone these... gentlemen... are prone to violence?
Sense Motive: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (4) + 9 = 13

Senko telepathically sends to the group: I am not the most skilled at talking to people, but Navasi and Altronus are. Maybe you can explain something like... if the bridge is closed for maintenance, then surely this old woman should not be on the bridge. Perhaps you could suggest that we escort her away from the construction?

Considering Senko's telepathic message, Navasi decides to try and take a non-violent approach.

Follow my lead, Navasi responds in her mind.

The woman approaches the men with confidence. “You were right.” Navasi says loudly. “That is her. You found the criminal hacker. You were wrong, though, when you said we were just ‘civvies’.” Navasi flashes her holstered firearm so the brutes can see it. “We’re with Bluerise Towers—the professionals. This job just got a lot harder and we’re here to save your butts.”

“Bluerise Towers has learned that this…’little old lady’…” Navasi points to Ceren , speaking in suspicious tone. ”Is actually quite a threat. They’ve discovered that the woman was expecting us to find her— wanted us to her—and take her back to corporate. That’s why she’s hidden a bunch of high explosives on her body. She was hoping that you’d take her back to before the board, or at least some of the officers. And if that didn’t work, she’d blow herself up first –taking you with her. “ Navasi warns. “A message to the corporation, I suppose.”

“But the company got wise to you, lady.” The liar says to Navasi. “You’re not going to kill these men like you’ve planned or hurt the corporation.”

She turns to the thugs, “Run along now. I doubt you’re equipped to handle the disarming of high explosives like we are.” She points towards her fellow Starfinders. “I’m pretty sure we can disarm her, buy you wouldn’t want to be here if things go BOOM!” She gestures in an explosive manner for emphasis. “I’d hate to see you guys go up with us if we botch this. It’s not sentimental or anything, it just that if the corporation loses you guys too in a big explosion, then my family might not get all the money promised for this job.”

”Go tell your corporate contact that you found the hacker for us. We’ll take care of the rest.” Navasi suggests. “If my team and I succeed in disarming her, then the corporation wins and we all get paid. If my team fails, well, the old ‘boom lady’ hear doesn’t do any more harm to the corporation and my family gets hazard pay.” Navasi shrugs. “Now, run along and let us take care of this. We need quiet and concentration.”
Bluff w/expertise: 1d20 + 6 + 1d6 ⇒ (19) + 6 + (4) = 29

"You guys better leave her alone or you will have to go through us!" Iseph says and steps forward.

Intimidate: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9

"You guys better leave her alone or you will have to go through us!" Iseph says and steps forward.

"Now, now." Navasi says to Iseph. Turning back to look at the thugs, she explains, "My android co-worker here just gets a little sensitive when it looks like people who have no idea what they are actually dealing with begin messing around and risk setting off an explosion that would take out a good portion of this park and him along with it."

Sorry. Posted simultaneously! :-(

Sorry. Posted simultaneously! :-(

No need to apologize. It was taking me a long time to write up that post. You couldn't have known.

But perhaps a Sense Motive check could determine how prone these... gentlemen... are prone to violence?

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (4) + 9 = 13

Senko is fairly certain that the punks are not actually trying to fool anyone, and are certainly threatening physical violence.

The woman approaches the men with confidence. “You were right.”...

Hmmm.... tricky. Great roll... but...

“I’m pretty sure we can disarm her, buy you wouldn’t want to be here if things go BOOM!”

At first Ceren stares at Navasi uncomprehendingly, but after a few moments, she recovers and smiles.

"That's right, sonny!" she says, patting her handbag. "One false move and I take y'all with me! Heh heh heh!"

Navasi considers the thugs. I hope they bought it.

Sense Motive w/Expertise: 1d20 + 4 + 1d6 ⇒ (10) + 4 + (1) = 15

”Go tell your corporate contact..."...

"What the @#*% are you talkin' about?!" the ganger shouts. "We don't work for no suits, and no suit's goona scoop our bounty!"

The ganger reaches for a weapon within his jacket.

Round 1 Initiative:
Block 1: Altronus, Khorvax, Senko
Block 2: The Gangers
Block 3: Huckle Jim, Iseph, Navasi

Altronus, Khorvax, Senko are up!

The bad news: since you guys have been walking around in a public park in an urban center, I'm going to say that you wouldn't have had weapons drawn and have to draw them as a part of your first action.

The good news: this also applies to the gangers.

Peet: I am assuming that the gangers' shouting earlier about clearing people away means that there are no innocent bystanders in the way of this combat. If I am assuming incorrectly, my turn will be substantially different.

"Hey, at least we tried to resolve this peacefully." Senko pulls out his pistol and aims at the nearest ganger. "Wait... we're protecting a senior citizen from some thugs, and they reached for their weapons first. If we happen to kill these dudes in the course of defending both ourselves and this unarmed citizen, will we face any legal repercussions?"

Culture: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (16) + 10 = 26 to know about the Absalom Station laws regarding this

After thinking a moment, Senko fires his gun.

Attack the blue ganger: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10 Shooting through soft cover; also subtract four to do nonlethal damage if my Culture check determined we need to not kill them. Yeah, that's a miss.

If we do legally need to not kill them, Senko will share that with the group.

Altonus rushes forward, onto the bridge and up next to the red shirted bounty hunter. As he moves, a ball of energy flickers into life- forming a wicked looking blade.

Double move

Culture: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (16) + 10 = 26 to know about the Absalom Station laws regarding this

The laws do allow for self-defense as a consideration for homicide cases, and foiling a kidnapping would also constitute "justification." However, these considerations might be overruled if your response was considered excessive compared to the threat involved.

Whether you kill them or not, getting the Stewards involved would probably be a bad idea, since they would insist on filing reports detailing the incident, including the identity of the gangers and the presence of an elderly lady. If whoever hired the gangers saw those reports they would probably conclude that Ceren is still alive, despite your other efforts. And in the mean time you would also likely spend the night in jail (at the least) and be prepared to defend your actions in court.

You are also aware that gang violence is common in some parts of the station. Many of these crimes end up going unsolved, as even the victims have little desire to interact with the Stewards. In the absence of compelling evidence to the contrary, if these three guys were found dead in the park it would probably be written off as "gang violence."

TL;DR: Killing these guys won't get you into much trouble as long as you don't stick around afterwards.