Jadzia Bainbridge |
Jadzia looks around and feels like the left side of the area is under control. She sprints over and takes cover near RZMR.
"Any of these giving you trouble, RZMR? I can try to provide a distraction next time there's a lull in the shooting."
Thomagar Dayana |
photon attunement 3 rds
Let these fools duke it out among themselves. We'll deal with any miscreants that choose to fire on us later
"I am sorry, RZMR, I cannot do that. While innocent parties might come into harm." Thomagar's calm voice projects back via the connection.
He grunts in pain as the foe he is facing fires a shot into his shoulder. He stares grimly at the (green) gang member, and suddenly explodes! A burst of fire consumes the man!
supernova dmg: 3d6 ⇒ (4, 3, 1) = 8 ref DC15 for half
If the explosion takes him out, Thomagar will move 4 squares NE. If not, he'll take a guarded step directly towards the guy.
Tinker 7 |
Meanwhile, an arc or Laser-fire from Tinker to Orange causes the thug to rock back, clearly dead.
”That’s right punk! Mess with the Society, and there WILL be consequences!
GM Wolfspirit |
Reflex Save: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25
Green stumbles back from Thomagar's explosion, but by some inherent preternatural quick the ruffian avoids the worst of the blast (though still looking pretty banged up.)
Last up: RZMR!
Pangea-Epsilon |
Seeing the light from a silent explosion from behind, Pangea glances back: What the...?
RZMR |
RZMR points his finger at one of the compatants (purple) and says Succumb, fool, to my authority and lay down your weapon!
Casts daze at purple, dc 14 will save
GM Wolfspirit |
Green@Thamador: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9
Red@Purple: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (11) + 6 = 17
Blue@Pangea: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12
Purple@Red: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (20) + 6 = 26
Purple Damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3
Red Damage: 2d4 + 2 ⇒ (4, 4) + 2 = 10
RZMR's authority doesn't have nearly as much pull as he believed, as the thug just blinks once, and continues shooting at his rival, exploding out the side of the red thug's head at the same time purple hits back. Green, cornered, pulls out a club and swings wildly while Blue fires back unsuccesfully at Pangea.
Matters are winding down with only three heavily wounded combatants remaining.
Next up: Everyone!
RZMR |
The slender android sighs at the sight of so much defiance, and declaims Very well, let your hubris be your downfall.
Semi-automatic gun/divine fury: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 9 Divine fury takes a while to warm um, it seems
Tinker 7 |
With orange dispatched, Tinker turns his aim on purple (and then green if needed).
Azimuth Laser Rifle: 1d20 + 5 - 4 ⇒ (13) + 5 - 4 = 141d8 ⇒ 2 Fire; Burn 1d6
Azimuth Laser Rifle: 1d20 + 5 - 4 ⇒ (18) + 5 - 4 = 191d8 ⇒ 1 Fire; Burn 1d6
Pangea-Epsilon |
Hunkering down to try and have cover against the blue-thug, but not letting the enemy have any, Pangea bangs off two more shots.
Bang 1: 1d20 - 3 ⇒ (4) - 3 = 11d6 ⇒ 4
Bnag 2: 1d20 - 3 ⇒ (14) - 3 = 111d6 ⇒ 6
Jadzia Bainbridge |
Jadzia looks past her cover and over to behind the thug that that Tinker is firing at. Purple if still up, green if Tinker shot them down.
She shouts over as though one of her allies is approaching behind them.
"Strike now while they're distracted!" she yells.
Clever Feint, expertise: 1d20 + 7 + 1d6 ⇒ (3) + 7 + (1) = 11
At the merest sign of distraction Jazia takes a shot with her pistol.
static arc pistol attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17
static arc pistol damage: 1d6 ⇒ 1
GM Wolfspirit |
The chaotic battle drags on, with small arms fire taking its toll, but not finishing any of the combatants off, though a stiff wind might be enough to knock over the western thugs. Tinker and Jadzia score glancing blows, while Pangea continues to be thwarted by cover. RZMR's own hubris appears to be showing, as their gunshots go wild.
Next up: Thomagar and Cestkion
Thomagar Dayana |
photon attunement rd 1
"You are made of hardy stock, but you should have picked your profession with greater care." Thomagar slams his glowing palm again at the (green) man.
solar palm vs KAC, photon mode: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12 bludgeoning dmg: 1d6 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 3 + 1 = 9
If this takes him down, Thomagar will move 20ft NE.
GM Wolfspirit |
Thomagar explodes out the chest of the man he was fighting, before moving on. Only one thug on each side remain, though they appear to be dedicated to fighting until only one side remains. In the distance, you can hear sounds of station security approaching.
Next up Cestkion
Cestkion |
Cestkion tosses a piece of trash left sitting on the crates and then dives out the other way as it clatters off a ventilation pipe, the sounds echoing from the station walls. Sliding to a stop behind some utility pipes he fires out at blue hoping he’s distracted by the noise.
Trick attack at blue from behind.
Trick, DC 20+CR: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (5) + 12 = 171d6 ⇒ 3
If successful the foe is flatfooted against the attack and takes an additional 1d6 damage.
Pistol shot EAC: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 81d4 ⇒ 1
Or of course Cestkion could continue to miss all the things. All of the things!
GM Wolfspirit |
Blue @Purple: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14
Purple @ Blue: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 6 = 16
Blue Damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3
Purple Damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3
With Station Security imminent, the two remaining thugs square off on each other, both scoring hits! Purple crumples to the ground, while blue, badly wounded, tries to make a dash out of the docking bay.
Everyone has one round remaining before Security arrives. There is one fleeing foe remaining that you can shoot at, you can search one of the thugs before they arrive, or whatever you would like to do. I'll push ahead with the story tomorrow evening.
Pangea-Epsilon |
Epsilon moves after the fleeing ganger and shoot at him.
Perception: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 1 = 121d6 ⇒ 1
Tinker 7 |
Tinker decides that letting the fleeing foe go back to report to whomever is a bad plan. ”Oh no you don’t.”
He fires at the retreating figure...
Azimuth Laser Rifle: 1d20 + 5 - 4 ⇒ (20) + 5 - 4 = 211d8 ⇒ 1 Fire; Burn 1d6
Crit and Burn: 1d8 ⇒ 31d6 ⇒ 1
Azimuth Laser Rifle: 1d20 + 5 - 4 ⇒ (18) + 5 - 4 = 191d8 ⇒ 2 Fire; Burn 1d6
(No second shot if the Crit dropped him.)
My damage rolls suck!
GM Wolfspirit |
For those of you that haven't used <Post 1>, <Post 2>, etc, I sometimes use that to break up big blocks of exposition while keeping things moving. Feel free to respond to either of the <posts> prefacing which one(s) you're responding to, or add anything else that you'd like.
Unfortunately, closer examination by Jadzia reveals Kreel to be quite thoroughly among the gods now with a horrible, cauterized hole laying his throat hideously bare. A quick search of the dwarf’s body reveals little other than his computer, which contains the name and description of each of the Starfinders present, as well as one additional name: Chiskisk, and the address of the Lorespire Complex, the Starfinder Society’s headquarters on the station.
Kreel may have been your contact, but there are few answers he can provide you now. Perhaps Chiskisk knows more?
As the battle winds down, station security finally arrives, shouting, ”drop your weapons!” but they are too late to join in the fight. Emergency medical services follow a few minutes later to assist the injured, giving your team a once over, before moving to others that somehow received more wounds while -not- participating in the fight.
As you were brandishing recently fired weapons and surrounded by bodies, your group seems to be of intense interest from Security personnel. For presumably good reason, they immediately focus on your party and take statements.
<Post 1>
Fortunately, other witnesses agree that your group didn’t start the fight and a uniformed android that was listening to the inquiries states dispassionately, ”You are free to go.” As you leave, you can hear the security officers talking about the two groups involved as two of Absalom Station’s most infamous street gangs: the Downside Kings and the Level 21 Crew.
<Post 2>
What will you do now? Rule of two will move along. Also, did anyone try to search one of the thugs?
Tinker 7 |
Culture(C)(1): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 17 -5 to DC of Politician Checks
When you gave us 1 round, I kept firing, no time to search anyone.
Post 2
Away from the security goons, Tinker tells the Starfinders, ”Information: Chiskisk is a high ranking Starfinder here on the Station.”
Cestkion |
culture: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (13) + 12 = 25
Cestkion will nod, ”I believe we should head to the Lorespire Complex. Even if Chiskisk knows nothing of why Kreel summoned us someone else may. With a little luck we can get some direction and aid. And if not they can help us in returning to our homes until the Society needs us again.
Cestkion will research the two gangs with the station’s infoshpere if possible. He is suspicious of their attack, and the Shirren scientist has a bit of a vengeful streak.
A culture result of 32 on each after a few minutes of searching if possible, I have a tier one computer. If not then Kings:: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (17) + 12 = 29, Level 21:: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (12) + 12 = 24.
While very curious as to what he would find Cestkion also wouldn’t have had time before the authorities arrival.
Pangea-Epsilon |
As the blue ganger goes down, Epsilon catches up with him, and, kneeling down, checks to see if the man is dead or just badly wounded--
Casting Stabilize on blue.
--while patting him down, checking to see if has any datapad or comm' unit and such, also removing his weapon.
Moving back to the group, hearing what is being said, Epsilon will see that we hold on to Kreel's datapad. To check it out further, later on.
"May Triune guide all these poor souls to the Boneyard. Shall we pray? For Duravor Kreel, and these unfortunates?"
Jadzia Bainbridge |
Culture: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13 My profession is Orator - so -5 to DCs for people of that profession.
Jadzia does as the station security personnel ask and shares a statement with the interviewing android. She makes a specific point about leaving her weapon on stun for the duration of the fight.
"With our contact dead i think this Chiskisk may be the only one who could have some information for us. We don't even know what Durovor wanted us for!"
GM Wolfspirit |
Epsilon, the thug is clearly dead. You do find a Azimuth Laser Pistol with 16 charges and a credstick with 150 credits.
The Level 21 Crew are a street gang that claims (unsurprisingly) Level 21 of Absalom Station’s seedy lower decks as its territory. Their known criminal endeavors include theft, fencing stolen goods, gambling, prostitution, racketeering, and smuggling
Thomagar Dayana |
Thomagar stops to catch his breath after the gangsters are all taken down, quietly allowing himself to restore balance internally between light and dark, photon and graviton. He looks on as some of his fellow Starfinders check on Kreel but it seems certain that the man's life was ended. He glares at the bodies of the gangsters and sighs at the waste of lives.
<Post 1>
When the security forces arrive, Thomagar holds up his empty hands, and smiles wryly. "I am unarmed." But not defenseless. Once they are satisfied, he paces over to one of the security officers. "I do not come to the Downlow much, and I am afraid I am not familiar with the situation. Do such open gang fights happen frequently? Is there a gangwar going on?"
diplomacy: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (11) + 10 = 21
<Post 2>
"Yes, let's report to the Lorespire Complex. I am not certain what we can do about this situation in the Downlow, but at least let's first find out why we are summoned here."
Pangea-Epsilon |
With a few brief words for the poor ganger's soul, Epsilon pockets the gun and the credstick, and joins the others: "Lorsepire Complex it is!"
Cestkion |
Cestkion will forward the information to the other’s comm units. ”Two groups of nasty customers. I hope they stay out of our way for the rest of the visit. I find myself no more forgiving and merciful knowing that these acts are how they willingly spend their days.” Cestkion highlights the trafficking charges on the holographic monitor of his wrist computer. ”It seems clear to me that station security could use some assistance in dealing with such groups as they deserve.”
RZMR |
RZMR keeps himself from chiding the security forces, rather finding comfort in the wisdom of the masses. The many corroborate our story - we were merely caught in the crossfire between these nincompoops. Because of their arrogance, blood was spilled, as sacrifice to their own egos. Let us learn from this display of pettiness, and not succumb to the limited desires that did these cretins in.
Answers we seek, and Lorespire complex is as promising a name as any.
Pangea-Epsilon |
"So, it's bad timing... yet the first one to go down was the person waiting for us. Were there other innocent victims? And why were these groups fighting here? Are they trying to take over control of the station's docks or something?"
GM Wolfspirit |
"I do not come to the Downlow much, and I am afraid I am not familiar with the situation. Do such open gang fights happen frequently? Is there a gangwar going on?"
The two security officers silently converse with each other, then turn to you. "Gang fights happen, but normally on lower levels. These particular gangs have a history but it is suprising to see them go so far out of their way for a brawl. And rarely with this much collateral damage."
Pushing ahead a bit
There is a short travel to home of the Starfinder Society. The Lorespire Complex, located in Absalom Station’s Ring sector, is a campus with multiple buildings and rooms, though its eponymous spire is what people most associate with the Starfinder Society’s headquarters. Upon their arrival, you are greeted by a green-haired gnomish receptionist who cheerfully inquires, “Hello there. What business do you have with the Starfinder Society today?” She beams up at you.
Tinker 7 |
”Mam, we are agents of the Society, and we have urgent business, although no appointment, with Chiskisk. We are prepared to wait. Is there an energy plug around?”
If a plug is found, I am charging up.
GM Wolfspirit |
"Chiskisk? They are in, but in a meeting." The receptionist points towards a small waiting room and politely asks you to wait. Luckily, there is a charging station.
After several minutes, a functionary arrives to lead you to a cluttered but clean office deep in the complex. Waiting in the office for you is Chiskisk, a member of the Starfinder Society’s elected leadership council, the Forum. Chiskisk is neither male nor female, but host, the third shirren sex, and uses ‘they’ or ‘them’ as a pronoun. Seated behind a polished and unadorned plastic desk, Chiskisk wears understated business clothes and is nervously flexing their antennae from side to side—a shirren expression of perplexity.
Chiskisk welcomes you, speaking out out loud slowly and graciously ”Greetings. Can they offer you refreshments of filtered water and processed-protein wafers? Please, sit down. What urgent business do you seek?”
Pangea-Epsilon |
Pangea will have charged the Azimuth Laser Pistol it found, and checked it out, while we waited.
"Can someone take another look at Kreel's datapad? Check if any hidden info' or such?"
Entering Chiskisk's office, Pangea bows its head: "Greetings, thank you for seeing us".
Thomagar Dayana |
"Hmm, we were hoping you would be able to enlighten us. Kreel sent us a message to meet him at the docks, but he was unfortunately gunned down in the crossfire of a gang war just when we arrived. We found your name on his datapad."
Jadzia Bainbridge |
"That poor Dwarf! He was gunned down just before we could meet him. It initially seems like he's just in the wrong place at the wrong time and got caught in a gang fight, but some details are a little strange. Do you know why he called us here to Absolom Station?"
GM Wolfspirit |
You don't currently get more from the datapad, but there will be more to add later.
The shirren gets down to business, speaking much more quickly and telepathically in your heads. “I am sorry that I cannot welcome under better circumstances. I assure you that such attacks on arrival on Absalom Station are not a daily occurrence, though I realize that is likely small comfort to you. I am pleased that none of you were seriously hurt, but I grieve for Duravor’s death. He was a valued member of the Society, and a friend. May the Lady of Graves be kind in her judgment of his soul. As for why he contacted you, I cannot say. Durovar had previously requested aid from the Starfinder Society for a personal matter, but we currently lack the resources to sanction such a mission. It seems likely that he was organizing a venture in a personal capacity.”
The shirren bows their head momentarily, then looks up, their compound eyes glittering. “Adding to this puzzle is the reason behind this attack.” Chiskisk taps a few commands into their computer. “According to the incident report just released by station security, two gangs were involved in the attack: the Downside Kings and the Level 21 Crew. Gang wars are not uncommon on the station, but they usually confine themselves to the more lawless sectors like the Puddles. It is rare for street gangs to battle openly in public areas like the docks. I cannot help but wonder whether all is as it seems. There must be a reason why those two gangs were at Docking Bay 94 at that time—the time of your arrival, coincidentally. But was it coincidence? Were you and Duravor just innocent bystanders caught in the crossfire, or might you and he have been specifically targeted? And if so, why?"
"Since you are already involved and witnesses to the attack, I would like to ask you to investigate the incident on behalf of the Society. Find out exactly what happened and why. It may simply be a matter of being in the wrong place at the wrong time—I have no doubt station security will rule it so—but if Duravor was murdered, I would like to find justice for my friend."
RZMR |
An interesting proposition. The scenario you sketch contains a crucial assumptions: either set of hoodlums has a motive for killing Durovar. What information do you have on this individual? In what way did he contribute to society: does he have a profession, a network, a home? Particular individuals he may have crossed?
Thomagar Dayana |
"Or both sides wanted to capture him for whatever he knows, and Durovar was simply gunned down by accident in the subsequent crossfire. I hope the security forces would be able to wring out some information from the survivors. Perhaps we could also drop them a visit." Turning to Chiskisk, he asks, "Does the Society have any influence with them?"
Jadzia Bainbridge |
"Whatever the reason for poor Duravar's death we are already involved in this. I feel like a have a commitment to finding out the truth for him and for all the other Starfinders. Our group stands together! Who is with me!" says Jadzia with a little more passion than is really required.
profession (Orator): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (12) + 8 = 20
That's it Jadzia. If I can get these lot working as a team and focused on the task at hand we'll have this solved in no time. Then back here to reap the benefits of the gratitude of the Starfinders!
GM Wolfspirit |
Chiskisk's antennae flicker a moment. "Duravor Kreel was a Venture Agent of the Society. Most of his work focused on mineral prospecting, but he also took an interest in mentoring new and prospective members of the Society. He had no family and few friends; especially after the Scoured Stars. I cannot imagine who would have wanted to hurt him, though perhaps I am blinded by friendship. That is all I know."
He taps on the console. "I can offer each of you 200 credits for expensenses. I will send you this, plus my Comm code so you can call and report as necessary. If there are no other questions, I wish you good luck."
Jadzia Bainbridge |
"Thank you for your help Chiskisk. We'll do what we can and keep you informed on our progress."
Jadzia goes to shake Chiskisk's hand and then leaves with the others.