The Dire GM's [SFS] #1-01: The Commencement (PbP Gameday VI) (Inactive)

Game Master CanisDirus

Thread for my PbP of Starfinder Society scenario #1-01: The Commencement (Tier 1-2). Recruitment can be found through the google doc linked in my profile!

If you are part of this table, feel free to "dot and delete" and be ready to play on September 18th!

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.doting

I will start play in approximately 24 hours. It looks like we're still waiting for 1-2 people to check in.

In the meantime, feel free to introduce yourselves to each other, as you have been called to the Lorespire Complex - the home base of the Starfinder Society, where following an abbreviated training program, you are today going to graduate as trainees and are set to become full Starfinder Society agents!

A Vesk enters the commissary at the Lorespire Complex, orders two entrees and strides over to an open table. She is wearing troop ceremonial plate and looks comfortable in it. She slings a rucksack down next to her table and sits. She immediately starts quickly devouring the two meals.

Following her is a robot that looks like it has seen the wrong end of almost every type of weapon. Although it is intact, there does not appear to be any surface on it that isn't dented, scortched, or patched. It does have a fresh coat of lightning blue paint, but that just makes the previous damage stand out more. The robot has an assault hammer sticking out of a sheath built into it's back.

Charli had spent the early morning, as usual, just outside the Lorespire Complex. Her little tea stand, the Posh Kettle, did a bustling business selling a variety of exotic teas to the business folk who were up early and spacers who were up late. Most of the teas she sold hailed from the mountains of Castrovel, delicate green teas with names like Contemplation, Harmony, and Desna's Dreaming. There was the highly caffeinated Breakfast Blend of the day -- this one was made primarily from the bold and cinnamon-smoky Akiton Red, with just a bit of the black castrovellian Thunderclouds on a Stormy Day mixed in to give it a bit of complexity and body. Then her signature drink, Brethedan Bubble Tea, a drink sold in clear glasses with tight fitting lids to keep the tea-flavored bubbles from floating right out of the drink.

Finally the delicate looking little gnome called, "Last call!", poured a six pack of Brethedan Bubble Teas to go, packed up her stand and headed into the Lorespire Complex. She had an appointment to make. Looking around, she grins as she sees a familiar face coming out of the commissary. Craning her neck to look upward, she waves at the Vesk with the robot. "Oh, hello!" She offers up a bubble tea in the same plasma blue shade as the Vesk's robot. "I think I must have seen you pass me going into the complex a bunch of times, but we've never been in any of the same classes. I'm Charli, and I sometimes run the tea stand across the street! Here, have a tea on me... My guess is that you're here for the same reason I am. Did Guidance send for you, too? Maybe we'll go on a mission together! I've been on a couple already, both going out of Absalom Station! I'm hoping that we can do another one like that. I want to travel everywhere and meet everyone! How about you?"

A tall and lean kasatha swaggers into the commissary. A fine dueling blade hanging from a simple baldric and pistol in a holster low on his hip. His white shirt billows under his dust-red vest as he gracefully struts about taking in the scene. Though under the open neck of the shirt, the well fitted second-skin armor peeks out.

Dart overhears the gnome talking to the vesk sitting at the table. With a confident saunter he strides over to join the pair. He eyes well wore drone and smile. "I bet he would have some tales to tell about those scars! The Drinkless God watches over all that adventure with good heart, even if that heart is make of gears." Dart sits with a flourish.

"I see you are the others that have heard the call to join the illustrious Starfinders. I am Dart H'andman, righter of wrongs and vanquisher of injustice. May the clear cool blessing of Kaydin Kalin calm thee, and set us on our righteous path!"

Mikkazuki looks over at the gnome. Talkative, and a little bit hyper. Smaller than one of those Ysoki. I'll have to look up what they call themselves later.

With a nod, she replies "Yes, I'm here for the mustering out."

Having completed her meals, she carefully picks up the cup of tea and tastes it. "Unusual. Thank you for the tea, Charli."

"I am Mikkazuki." She puts her fist to her chest as she states this. People react badly to be given the full name. Best to keep it just to the common name. "I believe we may have passed each other a few times in the data center."

As she is about to grab her rucksack, the Kasatha approaches them.

At mention of the robot, Mikkazuki replies "BOB is not set up to be a story-teller."

Repeating the gesture, she tells the Kasatha "Mikkazuki." I wonder what a Kayden is. It isn't any military or mercenary group I recall.

Grabbing her rucksack, she stands. "Shall we get going?"

Touching a control on her wrist comm, she looks to the robot and orders it "Follow us, BOB."

Looking to the other two, she asks "What are your MOS? Comms and wrenches for me."

A young human lady in her early twenties comes in a bit after the others. Her flightsuit is unzipped to her waist with the arms tied there like a makeshift belt even though it and her upper body are covered in little smudge marks here and there like she just got done working on a vehicle engine or something. She has her comm unit in one hand and is almost absentmindedly scrolling through the infosphere on it as she joins the others.

"Oh hey there! I'm Kaylee! I love ships and vehicles and engines...and well ships most of all. I can build 'em, repair 'em, write code for 'em, or fly them too if you need me to!"

"Emohess?" Dart is momentarily confused with the jargon but then quickly regains his bravado, "If you mean my Job on the team, my mentor said it was Stand out of the way. Don't touch anything. And if anything shoots at us, smack it till it stops. I like to give them a righteous smacking"

Dart then notices the young human who just introduced herself. "Good day and blessings of the Drinkless God upon you!"

"Pleased to meet you, Kaylee and Dart!" Charli looks through the glasses of remaining Brethedan Bubble Tea. She pulls out one with a cherry red color and offers it to Kaylee, and then a golden colored one for the Kasatha. "Brethedan Bubble Tea? I brewed it myself this morning! I'm no mechanic, but I dabble in a lot of different things!"

Then she pauses at the mention of this 'drinkless' god. "Does drinkless mean that you don't drink? Because these teas are really good!"

Dart smiles at Charli, "The Hero God Kaydin Kalin teaches that it is alcohol that distracts us from our calling, and that we should Put down the Glass and Pick up the Sword. Tea is most acceptable as it keeps us clear and focused on our duty. I would be most honored to share your tea."

Dart seems in his element talking about Kaydin Kalin and would be very excited to expound on it. But has restrained himself to the taks at hand.

So Kayden isn't a mercenary group. Wonder if he is some sort of priest?

"MOS -- Military Operational Specialty. No tour of duty?" Mikkazuki asks Dart, crinkling her eye ridges in mild surprise. "Who taught you to wave thataround then?" she asks with a nod towards his dueling sword.

Looking to Kaylee, she adds "Sounds like we got much the same training. I'm much better with the wrenches than the flying."

Dart looks at down at his sword. "This one? This one I took to after I heard the tale of Kaydin Kalin, as it is his divine symbol, and I fought the gangs of Art (a city on Akiton) protecting the weak. Before that I would fight in the pits of Art for coin that I would waste on booze."

Dart halts and his face loses its up to now constant smile. "But it is this..." he holds up his upper left hand and red and gold light coalesce in to a shape of a tankard. "This is Kaydin Kalins blessed weapon. We fight with it to remind us truly what we fight for. Freedom!"

After a moment, the light tankard dissipates and the smile comes back to Dart's face. "But do not worry. One does not fight many shobhads and not learn a trick or two on how to stay alive."

Oh, he was some sort of gladiator.

She briefly looks at the flagon when Dart summons it. "Unusual weapon. Hopefully there will be an opportunity for you to demonstrate it."

Well, I did come to the Pact Worlds to see what they had to offer. That weapon is certainly different than any I saw on my tour of duty!

As the doors to the Lorespire Complex slide open, a bluish-green holographic image of a middle-aged human woman shimmers into view at the center of the room. “Greetings,” it says. “I am Guidance. Please use the cheek swabs in the open receptacle to provide a genetic sample for Starfinder Society identification purposes. If desired, you may place your hand on the glowing panel to receive a subdermal implant further marking you as a member of the Society.”

After providing a genetic sample and deciding whether or not to receive an implant, Guidance continues:

“It is our pleasure to officially welcome you into the Starfinder Society. Today is the commencement of your new role as a Starfinder field agent. It is our tradition, at the end of the graduation ceremony, for new graduates to present themselves to the heads of our most prominent factions and complete a task at those leaders’ behest. This allows the leaders of these groups to become familiar with all new Starfinder agents, and it provides a constant supply of agents for handling situations in our holdings on Absalom Station. While these tasks were formerly symbolic, the heavy loss of Starfinder agents in the Scoured Stars necessitates that these missions become something more. Please treat any tasks given with the gravity you would grant any other Starfinder assignment.”

With that, your personal comm units buzz, and you receive a digital readout listing your four assignments that you may attend to in any order you wish.

In addition, you can make Culture checks to see what you know about the current state of Absalom Station, where your missions will be taking place, and Diplomacy (Gather Information) checks to see how much of the latest gossip and rumors you are informed of!

Following your briefing and your opportunity to make checks to get background information about what's going on in the area where this adventure is taking place, you may now slow any boons you may have. Please list these in your character pages somewhere as "active" or "slotted" boons, or post them to the Discussion tab, just so that there is a record of them being active. Thank you very much in advance!

After making your introductions to each other (our 6th player will join us soon), you may share whatever information you wish with each other, and then decide where to go first!

*

Mikkazuki takes one of the cheek swabs and uses it to provide the required sample.

She looks at the panel for a moment, then with a shrug places her clawed hand there.

Diplomacy, untrained: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (6) + 0 = 6 Evidently no one likes to share gossip with the big reptile.

*

Dart places his hand on the panel "All for one!" and then takes the sheet.

Dart glances over the info sheet. "Looks simple enough I would like to impress my mentor's capo, Zigvigx. But it does not have to be first."

Diplomacy, untrained: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10

He smiles as he hand the printout around. "Should be a exciting day."

*

"Youch!" Charli leaps a bit as the Subdermal implant is applied to her hand. She shakes it a moment to ease the sting, and then stares open-mouthed at the implant. "Oh, that is neat!" She flexes her hand to admire the results.

Take Ten Culture+Expertise: 10 + 6 + 1d6 ⇒ 10 + 6 + (4) = 20
Take Ten Diplomacy: 10 + 8 = 18

Charli will always share the results of knowledge rolls with the rest of her team. Feel free to flip all spoilers.

"I'm so glad we're getting these. Most of the people around here look up to Starfinders. I know always did!" Then she grins up at Mikka and Dart. "Of course... I look up to almost everyone!"

"So... I've heard some interesting gossip at my tea stand! Would anyone else like to hear it? There's rumors of weird aliens, a show-down at the junkbot race and..." Charli quivers with excitement, her spiky pink hair shaking as she bounces. "Strawberry Machine Cake is releasing a new album, and they'll be even selling physical copies of it!" She squeees! "Oh! I have been a fan of them since their 'Golarian Is Gone, Yeah We Know It' single!"

When Charli studies the handout of the four assignments, she asks, "Does anyone mind if we do the Wayfinder mission first? I've always wanted to meet Fitch! She's one of my heroes!"

I guess she has sensitive skin. Glad I have scales!

"Strawberry Machine Cake? I'm not familiar with that." Mikkazuki says, obviously baffled by the reference.

She does not make any comment on which mission to do first.

I would just take them in the order listed, but since we are going to have to do them all I don't see that it will make any difference in the end.

*

A tall slender woman reading a comm unit walks in right before the beginning of the holographic message. Pale antennae twitch slightly at the slight change in atmospheric pressure between the room. Putting the comm unit away she sets down an industrial sized bag she starts listens to Guidance her only movement during the announcement is to straighten out the cuff on her sleeve that looks like it just got pressed in Bluerise Tower. The cuff links being the polished and antiqued Abadaran golden keys stand out along with the light blue markings on her face with the darker tones of her attire.

Dipl +4: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24

Looking at the digital readout for a second, while picking up and looking over the swab before giving a sample and placing it the correctly labeled location. "This would explain stop for supplies on the way over message then." She mentions as she places her hand on the panel.

She looks over the others ~Human, smaller human-like creature, possibly over excitable, one large lizard, and an inquisitive Kasathas....they do like mixed bunches.~
"It looks like we're a lively bunch, if there is an overwhelming desire to go meet Fitch, it does not seem a horrible starting point. Perhaps we would then find the other information out where we need to meet Zigvigix along the way, and it does seem the Armada is the longest travel point and work are way back."

She stops thoughtfully for a moment looks at the data display and then checks the belt pouch under the jacket which looks like it contains a handful of neatly labels Serums with little golden keys on them. "Right I think I've heard where Zigvigix may be sending us." She looks down at a Pulsecaster Pistol under the blazer in a holster on the other side. "Right...bring lethal next time."

*

Ch'aya has been watching the group from afar, an entertained smirk on her face. The Damaya Lashunta female appears to be ready to get out in the world and "get to it".

Her attention turned to the hologram, studying and listening as it spoke. When able, she promptly, and unceremoniously, provided her genetic sample and placed her hand on the device to receive the implant. A slight flinch and sharp inhale accompany the implantation in her palm.

Rubbing the newly marked hand she turns and makes her way towards the group, checking her equipment as she walks over.

"Mind if I tag along? The more the merrier I always say...plus it's always fun to share new experiences with others!"

She smiles warmly to the group, her antennae gently bent to match her demeanor.

Dart nods to Kima. "I have found that my mentor's faction tends to find itself in a few interesting situations. Best to have as much information as we could find. Filtch seems like a good place to start as any. To the Armada?"

Dart turns to Ch'aya. "More members for our adventures. Always welcomed. And since the Guidance has marked us all, we at least share some of the same goals"

Kima nods antennae bobbing slightly. "Something is loose in Downlow, harpooned security officer with some natural projectile. Seems to fit the type of things he would send."

"A creature to hunt in Downlow? That sounds interesting!" Mikkazuki exclaims.

*

Kaylee perks up hearing about the race. "Ooh I wanna look into that!" but hearing about the creature thing she keeps her excitement in check "but I'll go with whatever the group decides of course. Dealing with a nasty creature first might be better before it hurts anyone else right?"

“A race could also be interesting — especially if we got to look at the vehicles — but I think we are supposed to contact the four leaders for assignments. We are just hoping one of them involves a hunt!”

It looks like the majority are in favor of at least visiting the Armada...

Charli grins. "We'll do all the missions of course, but let's head off to the Armada now and see what Fitch has for us!"

The station’s Armada can be seen from the shuttle’s view screen as it takes off, gleaming figures standing out against the emptiness of space.
The Master of Stars immediately stands out from the rest, as layers and layers of scaffolding obscure its hull. Tiny lights flicker among the metal beams as distant figures weld plates and heat shields to the ship’s exterior. The shuttle smoothly glides closer until it reaches the starship’s docking bay, slipping through the magic field that keeps the hold pressurized with breathable atmosphere. As the shuttle doors open, a small drone flies in and pops up a holoscreen, displaying a harried-looking ratfolk.

“Finally, fresh meat!” the ysoki exclaims over the screen, sounding pleased. “Name’s Fitch—pleasantries over, time to get to work. I had some trouble earlier with the lights flickering on the ship, and now both the lights and computers have suddenly gone out on E-Deck. No idea what’s causing it, but you work this job long enough and—” Fitch’s attention flicks to something offscreen, and she shouts “Kirkath! The welding torch is not a toy! You wanna go in the toddler’s pen with the other kids?” She snorts dismissively before continuing, “Sorry, some of these little ones would cut off their own heads if I let them. Anyway, it could be some lunkhead screwed up the wiring, but that’s a pretty big system failure for a simple electrical short. I’d prefer to send in some people with combat training to scout it out, just in case someone or something is sabotaging the ship. If it’s nothing, great, get the power back on if you can. If there’s something suspicious, use your comm units to report in to me. I’ll give you the access codes, so—Selicha! If you touch that panel again I will staple you to the hull!”

The screen on the drone cuts out, then flashes to display the ship’s schematics and the passwords for the computers on E-Deck.

Taking the indicated lift, you arrive on E-Deck, which is in pitch darkness. There is one computer terminal next to the elevator, however, that still has auxiliary power.

One character can make a Computers or Engineering check (the Aid Another action is available for anyone else who would like to help, however), in order to reroute local systems from here. Failure would mean having to either call Fitch back to send a tech, or to explore the rest of the deck in complete darkness.

Looking to the others, Mikkazuki asks "Who wants to take the lead on this?" gesturing towards the terminal. She pats some tools on her armor, indicating she considers herself qualified to do it.

"I'm willing to lead or play assistant."

She can auto-aid another for either skill.

Charli is a bit starstruck at the sight of Fitch and her family. So that's Fitch! Someday I'll meet her in person.

At Mikka's question, she grins. "I'm only a dabbler with all this fancy computer stuff, but I am more than willing to help out the real experts."

Computers Aid Another: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 16

"The auxiliary systems should route through here, right?"

Kaylee cracks her knuckles "I can take a shot at it if you all want!"

Kaylee's totally headstrong so she'll go for it unless someone else wants to in which case she'll aid another.

Computers: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (13) + 10 = 23

While Kaylee is focused on the power connections, Mikkazuki scans the error logs and data output for any anomalies.

Aid Kaylee: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (12) + 9 = 21

Dart quietly waits. Remembering the one of the most frequent sayings of his mentor. "Dart, Don't touch that!!!"

Kima calmly pulls out the flashlight and clicks it on. "I'm not a wiz a computers but I do bring light."

(I'm assuming no one else is jumping in, so I'll move it along now)

Kaylee, with assistance from Mikkazuki and Charli, is able to restore lights, environmental controls, and some of the security cameras to E-Deck. When the cameras come back on, however, you all take note that there are two human children, under 8 years old, hiding behind some fallen blue barrels in the room next to you!

(Whenever you are ready, the first map is now up. The children are hiding in the spot where the "sun" icon has been placed!)

Looking at the video feed from the cameras, Mikkazuki says “The light are on, but the children are still hiding. There might be something else in there.”

With a casual gesture towards her robot, she suggests “BOB should lead the way. Hopefully what ever is in there will attack it.” She taps something on her wrist unit.

The robot’s head turns to Mikkazuki and says “I hate you!” as it readies it’s assault hammer.

Tapping at her wrist unit again, she says “Be quiet and update your backup, BOB.”

Looking to the rest of the group, she asks “Assuming there is something dangerous in there, who is best qualified to convince the children to come to safety?”

As she says this she gets her own laser pistol out.

"Are you sure that you want to lead with a fierce and scary robot?" Charli asks. "I'm closest in size to them. They might find me pretty unthreatening. I could even make them some tea!"

Dart strides to the lead. "Bob may do well in a scrap, but let a friendly face go in first to calm these children. Should danger be lurking with them, I can hold the line and have Bob join the fight." Red and gold light coalesce again taking shape around Dart's hand and glows softly.

Dart nods to Charli. "Stay close, and I will keep an eye on the surroundings while you coax the children to safety. But I will at least present my smiling face"

I was in the middle of posting mine when Charli posted

Aid to Charli Diplomacy: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 2 = 16

"Thanks, Dart!" Charli nods to the large Kasatha. She steps into the room. "Hey guys, I'm Charli, and this big guy who is waving is my friend, Dart! I run the tea stand across from the Lorespire. The one with the bubbly teas in funky colors? Are you two okay? I know that I would not want to be trapped in the dark!"

Charli wills the Starfinder subdermal implant in her hand to glow brightly. "Can we get you out of here? I have some tea with me, and I've got some rations if you're hungry."

Dipomacy+Dart's Aid: 1d20 + 8 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 8 + 2 = 23

Then she looks around the room to see if she can spot anything else!
Perception: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (18) + 0 = 18

I moved Dart and I forward. Also cropped all of our tokens and added borders!

Mikkazuki sighs and allows the others to lead. She has BOB move towards the stairs.

The purpose of the thing is so people don't get hurt.

She is also watching for any danger.
Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9

Dart keeps an eye out while smiling. "Yes, Fitch sent us. We can make sure you get back to his company."

Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 5 = 18

Charli waves at the kids, and then says, "Um, we also have a few other people here. There's Mikka, she fixes stuff! And that's her drone, BOB... Do you know what that stands for? Oh and there are some other folks back there. We've got Kaylee and Kima too. Can you guys wave and say hi?"

I just realized that Dire GM might be waiting for all of us to post before he moves us forward.

Control the temper! Do not get angry, the little one probably doesn't know what an insult it is to abridge my name like that.

Somewhat tensely, Mikkazuki holds up her left hand and then waves. The laser in her right hand stays at the ready. Bringing her hand down, she quickly keys something in her wrist unit.

BOB lifts his assault hammer high, and then brings it back into fighting position.