[SFS] Into the Black Void

Game Master GM defiNately

You have been hastily summoned to the Lorespire Complex. Being new to the society it takes some of you a bit of time to actually navigate the various hallways and find the right door. At least you hope it's the right door since it says Venture-Captain Arvin on it, and that's who summoned you to his office…

Order of Arrival
Randal - Lashunta bonus
Rook - Profession Bonus
Thomagar - Lashunta bonus
Bob
Zipper
San

As Bob, Zipper, and San enter the room they see a tall and confident Lashunta man gesture to the three remaining chairs arranged in a semi-circle in front of what you can only assume is his desk. "Now that we're all here, let's begin. On the data pad you found on your chair are the details of the mission I've selected you for as well as the bios for your teammates that some of you may not have had time to socialize with." You notice during that last part his gaze lingers on Bob, Zipper, and San before continuing.

"I'll make this brief for two reasons.

• Time is of the essence in undertaking this mission.
• As stated earlier, the specifics are on the data pads. Please transfer the information to your personal data pads before leaving and stack the pads on my desk."

It is assumed that each character has a personal data pad or other means of storing data for later review.

“Several months ago, a crew of Starfinders took a ship called the Unbounded Wayfarer into the Vast to explore a series of uncharted planets. They never returned. A vesk pawnbroker named Julzakama contacted us, offering to sell us several Starfinder insignias. It's apparent that he doesn’t realize the true value of the insignias based on his asking price. We negotiated the purchase of the insignias and information about the seller. We need to know where the insignias came from as the pictures we were shown match those of the lost Unbounded Wayfarer crew. We’ve transferred the credits to Julzakama and informed him we would send agents over to pick them up. In addition to collecting the insignias you need to gather all the information you can from the vesk regarding seller, and then track them down. I’m worried that the seller might not be on the station for long, so act quickly. Otherwise the Unbounded Wayfarer and its crew could remain lost for all time. I know you all understand the importance of making sure our people make it back home.”

Gather Information: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (6) + 0 = 6

Bob went over to a seat and took the data pad. He took a quick look at the basic profiles of his comrades and grunted. The usual group that he would get. Hopefully none of them were those that complain about him blocking the line of fire again. What did they expect? They wanted him to block the ways of the enemies, but stay out of the way of their weapons. One day, he would use a gun and ask his comrade to stand in front. That would be fun.

He sniffed disdainfully after hearing the briefing. The Vesk Julzakama had decided to stray from the path of the warrior and go into the path of the coward.

"Find Julzakama the seller before he go. Get the insignia and get him to talk." He repeated and sighed. Why must they have all these talking, especially to another Vesk.

"I will restraint from beating him up for our lost comrade." He promised. "Provided my comrades here wishes to talk to him nicely. If he's a proper Vesk like me, a direct approached is better... But more likely than not, he has grown soft."

Roll the dice first, then click preview to show result. The dice number won't change if you don't change anything

Zipper hops over to his seat and starts thinking hard about who this Julzakama fellow is... fighting hard not to think about doing anything harmful to this scumbag that dares to stoop so low as to use Starfinder Society stuff without any sense of honor or respect!

Culture: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 14

Gather Information: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9

Greedily downloading all the information that Venture-Captain Arvin has posted, Randal, poor socially inept Randal tries to recall any information about Juzalkama, but came up nought.

"Is violence all you Vesk think about? There is so much more we can learn, Bob. Like how he came about such insignia, who gave it to him?
If he is the one who caused such trouble, I might be inclined to follow your course of action though. So violence is on the table! Or more specifically a promise of violence for now..."

Giving a slight nod to Arvin, "I'll look after him, don't you worry, good sir."

Zipper recalls Julzakama being a domineering brute and that only the truly desperate deal with him. Further, he responds better to bluster than to honeyed words...

"I believe there is no need to play nice with Julzakama, just get in his face and show him we mean business until he gives us the information we need before we do anything awful to him!"

Gather Information: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (7) + 0 = 7

Rook is more snarls than winsome, as a result all he got are frightened stares and cold curt replies that amount to "I don't know". Disgusted, Rook switches off the hologram feeds and sulks.

"Arr!!!???. . . Julzkazama is a pretentious name!!! Furrthermore, I have asked around and NO-ONE has heard of him. He HAS to be a 2-bit, *one dimensioned* generic never-do-well that I deal with all the time! Either bribe him or beat him!!! And he will co-operate!!! ARHAHAHAHA!!"

Now that Zipper's thoughts had been collected and the information about Julzakama had been perfectly recalled, he decides to pluck up his courage to get his party's attention and speak about what he knows.

"Listen up everyone, this Julzakama guy is a bully and only those with little to nothing to lose would ever want to do business with this scumbag, talking nicely to him ain't so effective but he would definitely pay attention to us if we talk big and loud. I bet you are all thinking to put an end to Julzakama as I am, but please at least don't do anything too rash until we at least got what we need!"

"At least I've got some friends which this Julzakama bully could pick on his own size if he dares! But I just know a scumbag like him would never do so unless he has some obscene dirty advantage!"

diplomacy, take 10: 10 + 9 = 19

Thomagar looks serenely at everyone in turn, his antenna swaying gently.

"Indeed, violence is not always the first solution, for it is a solution for which there is often no return." Thomagar pauses here briefly, then with a wry grin on his face, he adds, "But often, the threat of violence is more than enough." With that, you could have sworn you saw a faint glowing of his hands.

Turning to Captain Arvin, Thomagar asks, "Should we find the location of this seller from Julzakama, do you want us to report back to you first or go after them as soon as possible?"

>>Male Ysoki Technomancer<<

Rook stifles a sniffle as painful and traumatic visions of small rat-folk being hunted by big predators bleed blood red into his mind.

"We must hurry! PACKMATES look out each other!" Rook snarls his words out angrily and Rook's fingers claw into a somatic sign in preparation to evoke elemental energies.

"Calm down, my rat... err... Ysoki friend. Such anxiety to do damage does nobody any favours."

"Sigh... Seems like a distant dream of being a Pathfinder in ancient Golarion washes him over again. Something about a bunch of murderhobos etc..."

Randal double checks and triple checks his gear to make sure everything is there, worried that for his very first mission, he might have left something important behind. And also, to make sure he does not disappoint Venture-Captain Arvin!

Culture: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (19) + 6 = 25

Julzakama huh? Sounds like a 2-bit thug to me. In any case, sprouting honeyed words or talking tough are no match for a good blaster by your side. I will leave the talking to you lot

San smirks as he glances at his pistol.

Lets get going. I still have a few deliveries to make after this.

Looks at San Holo, and thinks Hey that's what I said !!

Glances out of the corner of his eyes at Randal Kayley, A PACIFIST!!!!!

Rook's fur appears to come alive as it bristles with ratlike fury, and suddenly calms down again.

"The safety of our wayfarer friends are most important before the sands of time run empty AND I assure you paci- err peaceful Randal that violence is the only force that can enforce non-violence. I also concede that a calm mind is necessary but it must be a calm that heralds a storm! Therefore less talk and more speed, Julzkazama is likely more bluster than violence anyways."

"Guess we have to hurry. Wouldn't want our Starfinder friends to be lost forever! Anything more we should know before we head off?" Randal probes Venture-Captain Arvin subtlely.

My pacifist colleague speaks true! , broods the Ysoki.

“I've provided everything that we currently have. It isn't difficult to locate the shop. Given the urgency of the mission there is no need to report back in person. Please send your status updates by encrypted message using the Unbounded Wayfarer insignias. This will allow us to know that you have been able to acquire the insignias and are proceeding with the mission."

As the team stands to leave Venture-Captain Arvin calls Randal and Thomagar over to him. You hear the Venture-Captain whisper something to the Lanshuntas…

You exit the office and make your way towards the Downlow. Following the instructions copied over to your data pads you easily find Julzakama's Loans. It helps that as you enter the alleyway you see the wide, red neon electric sign with the name of the shop on it. The alleyway is deserted as far as you can tell.

As you enter the shop Julzakama looks up from an old computer that he is "working" on (i.e. Unskillfully tearing it apart for any valuable parts that might be inside.). "Ah, customers! You are customers right? I don't have time for window shoppers…

Perception: 1d20 ⇒ 17

As Randal approaches the door to the store, he whispers to his mates. "Don't look so surprised gents, we are being observed." as he points his antenna towards the camera's way.

Trying to scan Julzakama's thoughts (Will DC 12), Randal pipes up "Yes, customers we are. We are here to pick up some insignias on behalf of the Starfinders."

Trying to stall for time until 12 seconds have passed, Randal presses on. "May we know from whom did you acquire these insignias from?"

perception: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (3) - 1 = 2

Thomagar comes up beside Randal and sends his thoughts directly to him. Observed? What are you talking about?

Disregarding that for now, Thomagar faces the vesk and adds on with a calm smile with a hint of steel just underlying that, "And Captain Arvin has already transferred the credits to you, so let's not try the whole 'I-haven't-been-paid' schtick, shall we?"

Bob decided to keep his mouth and anger shut for now. After everyone entered the shop, he just stood at the door, keeping a look out for any other exits around while guarding the obvious front entrance.

Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 5 = 24

Zipper's whiskers start twitching around, it is almost like a sixth sense that something is up...

Zipper EASILY spots a hidden camera and knows that this Julzakama guy is either cautious to keep a visual track record of his customers or just a plain coward.

"Hmmm... it might be possible to use the hidden camera to our advantage when it comes to negotiations with this Julzakama guy! Now if only my bros with telepathy could start talking to me so that I can secretly let the rest know too! Or perhaps, maybe I could try to subtly hint to the rest of my bros about it..."

"Don't try to pull a fast one on us now Julzakama, I can't help you if my bros here were to do something you would not like if you try!"

perception: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (20) + 0 = 20

"Window-shoppers??!! Anything I craft will be cheaper and better than anything you have!!!!"

Rook gives all of the items on display a once over, real slowly. All the while making tsking noises that only a rat can make, whiskers twitching, and making a melodramatic shaking of his head, making it obvious to all and sundry that every item on display is not good enough.

Rook tosses his credstick in his palms carelessly and says, "So many credits and nothing to spend on. . . ." Then gives a meaningful sideways look to Julzkazama.

Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 17

San acknowleges Randal's comment, and adds.

"Well, he knows we are coming"

Once in the shop. San leans on the wall adjacent to the door with his arms at his hips. Making sure that his blaster is visible.

Will Save: 1d20 ⇒ 19
You see a perplexed look cross the Vesk's face like he's about to say something.

Julzakama pushes a small box across the table at the group. "I believe these are what you're referring to. Consider the transaction completed."

Julzakama attempts to feign disinterest while stealing a look at Rook's credstick. He then focuses his full attention towards Randal. "It would seem to me lash-ling that you are interested in starting a new transaction. Although I deal primarily in various odds and ends that make their way into my shop. I've learned over the years that information can be an equally valuable commodity."

Rook sniggers to himself with his inner rat-voice, it seems that Julzkazama can tell that Randal is fishing for more information! Maybe it sensed a telepathic probe!

Rook gives a bored and uninterested expression at Julz's sale of information, for Rook is thinking that a small minded thug could not have anything intelligent to offer and with an affected air of being dismissive says, "Peaceful Randal I shall leave you to your negotiations."

With that Rook faces the exit and walks out of the small shop.

GM, it was Randal that attempted to read Julzakama's mind, not Thomagar.

Thomagar feigns a deep and disappointed sigh. "Perhaps my message was not clear enough. The client that we represent has already full paid. For the items, AND information on the seller!" Thomagar draws himself to his full height, which even though still shorter than the vesk, with his antenna waving animatedly in the air, presents a rather imposing sight.

intimidate: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (15) + 9 = 24

Randal's antennas and his shoulders droop considerably. His "clever attempts" to read minds failed him.

He takes his time to consider what are the options available to him first, but for now, he takes a step back while letting Thomagar guide the conversation.

With a self-satisfied smile, Rook watches the goodly solarian intimidate the 2-bit vesk, big with claws on the outside, but nothing solid within. The world is at its best, formless and chaotic, just like the Black Pharoah.

Julzakama looks down at Thomagar for a moment before speaking… "You've got guts little lash-ling, I'll give you that. As ridiculous as you look with your antennae waving around like that I don't think you'd go down too easily if things came to blows. I'd rather not cause a mess in my shop that I'll be left to clean up later. Not to mention your overly eager friend by the door."

Julzakama pauses for a moment. You can't tell if he's considering his odds of escape or just taking his time to recall the information you've requested.

"The seller was an Eoxian named Exegara, and she wasn’t a local as far as I could tell. She was still in her flight suit when she came in to sell me those trinkets. We completed the transaction and she asked about where to purchase clean skeletons. I don’t carry goods like that, so I sent her to The Vat Garden. Although I know of Eoxians, I don't think I've ever come across one in person. Looked like a man-ling, but didn’t breathe or blink or anything. Then there was the smell… I was happy to send her on her way."

Do you proceed to the Vat Garden, report in, or…?

An Eoxian? Would need a holy hand grenade of positive energy!

"We best hurry my fellow rat-packs, Eoxians value life but not our way of life." , whispers Rook urgently into the comm unit.

Thomagar smiles sardonically in return. "I thank you for the services rendered. Not that difficult, was it? I'm sure we would have opportunities for more businesses ahead. You might not recognise me, but you might know of my work. My sculptures have been known to fetch a nice sum."

I'm actually GMing this game right now also, so I should let you guys take the lead. :)

"At least you've learned over the years that information can be an equally valuable commodity AND ALSO save your life, Julzakama. If you would excuse us, now we have better things to do with your information rather than do something stupid in the shop. Rook is right, come on Bros, let's ride to The Vat Garden!"

"To the Vat Garden!"

Cue The 70s' Batman show scene change music.

Map for The Vat Garden can be found at https://1drv.ms/p/s!Aq7Y7ZCTZZATqo0L3gO3LmVxlYilBw. Please have a look and let me know where you want your starting positions to be using the grid system. The link allows editing so you should be able to drag and drop your minis if as well. Movement after initial placement will be through coordinates. If you want to move in a certain path please separate your movements with commas (i.e. A1 to D4 becomes A1, B1, C1, C3, D3, D4)

Map for The Vat Garden can be found at https://1drv.ms/p/s!Aq7Y7ZCTZZATqo0L3gO3LmVxlYilBw. Please have a look and let me know where you want your starting positions to be using the grid system. The link allows editing so you should be able to drag and drop your minis if as well. Movement after initial placement will be through coordinates. If you want to move in a certain path please separate your movements with commas (i.e. A1 to D4 becomes A1, B1, C1, C3, D3, D4)

GM, you can embed url links using the [ url ] tags, link so: map link.

I have updated Rook Burns position Coords (I,3)

San walks up to the Vesk and whispers.

Wise not upsetting the Wookiee Ysoki.

He then turns and walks towards the door.

San Holo's location on the map updated.

Initiative
Randal - 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 2 = 21
Rook - 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 3 = 22
Thomagar - 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 1 = 16
Bob - 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 4 = 18
Zipper - 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (20) + 9 = 29
San - 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (18) + 8 = 26

Exegara - 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 4 = 22
Merc 1 - 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11
Merc 2 - 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 6 = 15
Merc 3 - 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 6 = 15

Order
Zipper - 29
San - 26
Exegara - 22 (+4)
Rook - 22 (+3)
Randal - 21
Bob - 18
Thomagar - 16
Merc 2 - 15
Merc 3 - 15
Merc 1 - 11

Since all residents of the Downlow are familiar with it, even the most directionally challenged of your group would have no trouble locating The Vat Garden. You arrive in a timely manner with no real issues.

As you near the end of the passage leading to The Vat Garden you see it open up into an enormous sunken pool that is mostly filled with chaotic jumble of various types of plants. There is a narrow walkway surrounding the vat that will allow passage to other parts of the Downlow. In the center you see a spire of some kind of machinery. This area of the Downlow is supposed to be very busy, but for seem reason it is deathly quiet. A steep stone staircase (H4) and two ladders (E11,H19) descend into the foliage and the vat below.

The group is positioned in front of the staircase. You can choose to head down from there or re-position yourselves prior to heading down.

Culture: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8

"Oh, I should have asked about the Vat Garden before we left the shop! I don't know ANYTHING about it...and I don't like walking into unfamiliar places without knowing ahead and without a vehicle! I am not with the Dataphiles for nothing!"

I have just recently played and completed the entire quest series so I don't want to do too much other than help make checks. And LOL, I get a Natural 1 after I get a Natural 20 for initiative! How statistical!

At my homeworld Akiton, only the privileged had the luxury of spending time honing their diplomacy and culture, I was busy sneaking and vaulting past obstacles. Therefore I do what comes naturally, I will stealth and attack when I have the advantage.

If I do not see mercs/mobs on the map, I will stealth behind the railing and watch for movement.

So to confirm, only Zipper and San can act now, right?

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 1 = 17

"Dodgy. I don't like the look of this place, not when it deals with corpses and using them as... fertilizers. Best be on our guard.

Randal draws his pistol and creeps along quietly, trying to figure out why the place is so quiet.

Culture: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (18) + 6 = 24

"First missing starfinders, then undead and skeletons...

I got a bad feeling about this.."

San, seeing his companions advancing cautiously; draws his blaster and stealthly creeps along the other side of the room.

Stealth: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (20) + 8 = 28

Moving sufficiently away from the edge of the walkway, San occasionally peeks over the edge, looling for any inhabitants

Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11

Due to the density of the foliage you find it extremely difficult to see anything in the vat other than portions of the path leading between the bottom of the staircase and the strange spire in the middle. To do any further investigation you'll need to descend into the vat...

Everyone can act currently. You're at top of the vat so you can't see or be seen at this point. ;)

"I do not like this..." Thomagar's antenna starts waving animatedly in the air, as he sends his psychic awareness ahead of him as he slowly descends into the vat, stopping as soon as he detects an intelligent mind. As he does so, his hands also start glowing with an ever-brightening orange-yellow gleam.

activate lashunta ability: detect thoughts, DC14

GM? Just to clarify, I can see the foliage from where I am, so I do have sight into the Vat yes? Even though, all I see is foliage, and nothing but foliage, but if something peeks out and shoots at me, it can be done? And I can shoot back but at heavy penalty?

Of course!! I squeak to myself in my mouse voice that only I can hear that no-one else can hear, for I am Rat not Mouse. It has to be an ambush!!!!! Dense foliage, null sight. My rattiness hates this!!!! Squeak Squeak! goes the inner mouse

Cool as a rat is cool, Rook says in a low growl, "Team this smells of ambush, I will fade into the dark and watch."

Creeping forward, Stealth: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5, Randal's boots clopped uncomfortably loud in the echoes of the Vat. Standing beside Thomagar, he waits while his fellow lashunta scans the air.

[b]"Any signs of intelligence? Besides us, of course."[/b} Randal almost shot himself in the foot with that intelligence question.

oh yeah time to roll for stealth

stealth: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (3) + 8 = 11

dex 16 feat gave me stealth as cc and racial bonus +1

Whether it was the foreboding atmosphere in the Vat or just the feeling that the god of ysoki's not watching over Rook, he felt like he ought to huddle into the shadows one more time. . . .

Stealth: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (9) + 14 = 23

Zipper zips away to the left side where he can hide in the corner, pistol out and ready to shoot if necessary.

Zipper seems to almost shrink in size as you see him run down the stairs to the left and into the foliage. San moves along the upper level to the right. Blaster in hand and remaining a comfortable distance from the edge while keeping an eye out for inhabitants. Thomagar seems very focused. Right as he's about to take a step forward he freezes.

As Randle rushes to the side of Thomagar his footsteps seem unreasonably loud given the situation. In the distance you hear, "Damn Ysoki!"

A human comes strolling around a outcropping of foliage ahead holding an assault hammer. "S$&*! You're not the Ysoki!" As he rushes towards you he yells out "Intruders!!!"

1 = attack directed at Thomagar, 2 = attack directed at Randle Target: 1d2 ⇒ 1

The mercenary swings at Thomagar with his hammer.
1d20 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 91d6 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

Animated encounter can be found here.

I'm not quite certain whose turn it is, but I'll go ahead to post first.

"You will regret this," Thomagar intones monotonously at his attacker. He takes a step down the stairs to move slightly away from the rest of his allies, before swinging his glowing palm down on the mercenary in front of him.

Move: guarded step 1 square SW. Standard: attack.
solar palm vs KAC, photon mode: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 4 = 22 bludgeoning dmg: 1d6 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 3 + 1 = 8

Photon Mode: round 1