GM Fireclaw's SFS PBP 01-10 The Half-Alive Streets (Inactive)

Game Master FireclawDrake

A group of Starfinders arrive at the Lorespire Complex for a briefing by Venture-Captain Arvin. They have been asked to wait a few minutes, as the Venture-Captain is currently meeting with someone...

*Clang* *clang* *clang*

Into the antechamber strides a scruffy dwarf. He wears dirt-stained armor and similarly grubby clothes, save a shiny new pair of goggles and a 3D arm tattoo of some strange holy symbol. At his belt lies a variety of tools and weapons, and his hair is haphazardly tied together with industrial bands. Close behind him is a massive mechanical horse.

Instead of using the provided chairs, he sits against the horse's legs and pulls out a gadget to tinker with. Once someone else has entered (or after a few minutes if someone has entered already without his noticing), he nods and stands up. "Hullo. Name's Ivan. And you?"

A tallish winterborn Ryphorian stops in the doorway and surveys the room. While dressed in practical gear, runes rune up and down the length of his flight suit. Seeing the dwarf, he enters the room and greets the mechanic. "Amungst the people of the station, I am referred to as Archaius Maelstrom. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance."

Dressed in a garb that would suggest his belonging to an Idaran school of combat, the Lashunta that steps on in adjusts his face scarf before saying "I am Xelem. Good to meet you agent Ivan, agent Archaius," and offering a low bow.

A muffled impact and the door swings rapidly open. A furrily-eyebrowed man strides in. His large frame made hulking by his dull gray plate armor. A reaction cannon is slung over his left shoulder.

"Burn Kenyan. You all looking for VC Arvin too?"

He keeps stiding while under the heavy brows his eyes slide around the room, ending the with lashhunta, at whom he nods. "That's some nice gear you've got there."

A well dressed halfling in a trenchcoat shuffles through the door, clearly on an earpiece connected to his comm unit. "No, put everything into excavations...because there are a bunch of new mining operations in the Diaspora that we can capitalize on, that equipment will sell and...okay, then how about just because I said so? Sell some of what we've got on station food imports and put it toward excavations. I'll call you back once I've finished this other job, just do it." He hangs up and smiles at the group. "Always fun to do something active after rolling around the markets. Partners call me Dusty, happy to meet you all!"

Xelem takes in the new arrivals, some with more consternation than others.

"Thank you. I thought it would be best not to skimp on equipment when getting my back-pay after escaping the Scoured Stars sector. Thank you all by the way. In the eyes of both myself and the old ways, I am indebted to our Society and all those within for coming to our rescue." He bows again, before adding to the halfling's benefit: "And as for you sir, likewise... But I am confused. Have we expanded into financial operations since the Incident? Is this such an operation? If so, I am probably not what you need in the field."

Padme' arrives in the waiting room full of people. A Lashunta , a Dwarf, a Ryphorian, a human and a what Padme' believes to be a halfling. Hmm it's a shame the Lashunta didn't chose the female gender of her race.......My presence, may prove a bit of a distraction to what otherwise seems to be a male dominated group. Padme' nods and greets the others in the room as she enters. Greetings fellow Starfinders. I am Padme'. I've been summoned here by Venture-Captain Arvin. Has anyone indicated when the briefing will start? Padme' raises an eyebrow in question. She is dressed in a beautiful long purple gown with sequins sewn in near the bust. There's a long slash in the dress traveling almost to Padme's hip...revealing quite a bit of the android's shapely legs.

She looks around for a seat and chooses one next to the silent Dwarf. Crossing her legs casually she ask, Has anyone heard what this mission might entail?

Burn nods to the halfling.

"... But I am confused. Have we expanded into financial operations since the Incident? Is this such an operation? If so, I am probably not what you need in the field."

"Don't worry. We still do field ops the same way. The VC wouldn't have you here if you weren't just what we need."

Padme' arrives in the waiting room full of people. A Lashunta , a Dwarf, a Ryphorian, a human and a what Padme' believes to be a halfling. Hmm it's a shame the Lashunta didn't chose the female gender of her race.......My presence, may prove a bit of a distraction to what otherwise seems to be a male dominated group. Padme' nods and greets the others in the room as she enters. Greetings fellow Starfinders. I am Padme'. I've been summoned here by Venture-Captain Arvin. Has anyone indicated when the briefing will start? Padme' raises an eyebrow in question. She is dressed in a beautiful long purple gown with sequins sewn in near the bust. There's a long slash in the dress traveling almost to Padme's hip...revealing quite a bit of the android's shapely legs.

She looks around for a seat and chooses one next to the silent Dwarf. Crossing her legs casually she ask, Has anyone heard what this mission might entail?

Burn runs an appreciative eye over the android's curves. They sure built her right. Too bad she's not a real woman. Despite that realization, he can't help the warmth that infuses his reply.

"You're in the right place, sister. It's the usual story. Hurry up for the VC, then wait for his pleasure. And I've no idea what this is about. Also the usual story. We're all just mushrooms, right?"

"Agents? Mushrooms?" Ivan says confusedly without looking up. "This's a new language, those words don' make sense there." Then he notices Padme' sitting next to him.

At once, the dwarf seems more invested in the discussion. "Are ye a robo...android, sorry," he amends hastily, no less excited. "You guys're great! Created people, with souls n' all. 'Nother android was nice enough to give me his schematics ta help build Roll-4 here." He knocks the horse's leg (apparently it has a name), and it whirs disapprovingly. "Tech 'round here is so much fun."

"Nah, though, not sure what we're in for. We'll find out at some point."

Just as the conversation between the summoned Starfinders is beginning to get interesting, they are interrupted by a loud ding played over the room's intercom.

"Thank you for waiting, Starfinders. The Venture-Captain is ready to see you now, you may go inside." says a pleasant male voice.

As the group files inside, they see something rather peculiar: A large vesk in a muscle shirt sits at a table in the large office, messily consuming the various laid-out refreshments. Venture-Captain Arvin stands on the opposite side of the table, visibly annoyed at the vesk, and turns toward the arriving Starfinders with some relief. “Thank you for your quick response. Some new technology has come to the Society’s attention” —the vesk clears his throat loudly, and Arvin’s eyebrow twitches in irritation— “from our… contact Julzakama. If you would…”

The vesk, Julzakama, stands, pulling a battered gym bag out from under the table. “Feast your eyes on this little gemling.” He reaches into the bag and removes what appears to be a severed human hand. Julzakama waves the limb then offers it to Arvin to shake.

Arvin declines the offered limb, rubbing his temples, and explains. “As you might have guessed, this is a prosthetic limb. It’s a standard cybernetic augmentation, but this one was made with a new type of biotech, so well grafted that it’s almost undetectable without magic. Its special features are just as well hidden.” Arvin takes the hand from Julzakama to demonstrate a nearly invisible compartment large enough to conceal a knife, several data drives, or a small toolkit. “Such technology would be invaluable for covert and diplomatic operations, and the Society would like to find the specialist who crafted and installed it. But therein lies the difficulty. Julzakama, if you could explain the… circumstances of this discovery?”

Julzakama holds up his hands, saying, “Now, I wasn’t personally involved. Some vesk workers known to some of my customers got in a territorial dispute with some manlings. Stuff happened, one of these guys turned his winnings over to my customer to settle a bet, and here we are.” Julzakama gestures at the hand, smiling ingratiatingly, and continues, “I thought you Starfinders might be interested.”

“Indeed, we are.” Arvin folds his hands behind his back. “Julzakama tells me that his acquaintances’ rivals had been known to acquire their gear from gray-market operations in the Freemarkets. As that is our only lead so far, I’d like you to investigate the area; even if none of the listed clinics are the source, they may have more information on who is.”

"Before you begin, do you have any questions?"

Pictures of Arvin and Julzakama can be seen in the Slides listed in my tagline.

PCs may now attempt a Culture check to Recall Knowledge about the Freemarkets at this point. If you have no ranks in Culture, you are limited to DC 10 information.

culture: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10

Padme' is intrigued by the Vesk's statements but finds his likely profession suspect. She follows up with what she considers a pertinent question, Profession? What profession might that be master Julzakama? sense motive to detect if the Vesk is hiding something: 1d20 + 2 + 1d6 ⇒ (6) + 2 + (3) = 11

[dice=culture]1d20+6

Padme' is intrigued by the Vesk's statements but finds his likely profession suspect. She follows up with what she considers a pertinent question, Profession? What profession might that be master Julzakama? [dice=sense motive to detect if the Vesk is hiding something]1d20+2+1d6

Julzakama grins a toothy grin. "Why I am a proper upstanding business-type, don't you know."

He pauses for a moment and then continues. "I assist my customers in finding diversified and discreet solutions which synergize with their market needs."

Even with a DC 10 you can tell that was a prepared speech.

Culture (untrained): 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (18) + 3 = 21

"Was out 'round the Freemarkets a few weeks back. Nice people, showed me about. Few leeches kept tryin' ta sell me pesh, though." Ivan looks most interested in the prosthetic, barely staying polite enough to keep his distance. "Now here's some top-of-th'-line tech. Can you give us any on th' people yer friend had problems with, Sir?"

CUlture, untrained: 1d20 ⇒ 8

"Who's Julzakama's customer? Seems like the best place to start."

Culture: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6

Xelem attempts to recall any information he might remember, but is overwhelmed on some level by the wifebeater-wearing Vesk. Who even wears these?

"Well, if we're going into the Freemarkets, I would say we should keep our credsticks tucked in and our weapons at the ready. And hope noone attempts to steal said weapons."

Julzakama frowns as he looks between Ivan and Burnham. "Thought I said discreet, didn't I? Sorry, who my customers are is not your business."

The Venture-Captain sighs and once again rubs a temple, clearly having had this conversation before. "Unfortunately that's all I've been able to get out of him as well. This is why we have to resort to poking around the Freemarkets directly. I'm sure there's a directory you might be able to search for augmentation clinics, and if you have any contacts within AbadarCorp, they might prove useful."

Arvin also motions to the augmentation in question - the hand - which is laying on the table at the moment. "You may take this if you believe it will help you. Given the nature specific genetic nature of biotech, it is virtually impossible to reverse-engingeer, so this particular piece is only valuable as a lead."

Culture: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 10 Yeesh, no luck in the whole party.

Dusty shrugs, reaching out and accepting the hand. "Could be worse than combing through the Freemarkets. Might be a nice chance to check in on some of my investments and survey the market a bit. Kill multiple birds with one stone. So we just have to track down the origin of this augmentation?"

Ivan recognizes he shouldn't tinker with the hand (yet, at least), but is still elated he can be around it. He doesn't even think much of the brusque, probably shady vesk, something that would usually annoy him to no end. "And hopefully get 'em a job with us, if we find th' maker."

Padme' is a bit frustrated a the lack of information, never-the-less, she tries one last tactic with the Vesk. Master Julzakama, we appreciate your patience and help thus far with the Starfinders. It gives us a solid place to start. That being said...without revealing your clients...are you sure there isn't a least a little more information you could offer us...you know just to make sure we're heading in the correct direction? Padme' crosses her legs once again and winks at the towering Lizard man. diplomacy: 1d20 + 7 + 1d6 ⇒ (8) + 7 + (2) = 17

Culture: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (2) + 7 = 9

"I am afraid such things were beyond my field of study."

So, Dicebot, my old enemy, you have returned again I see.

The big vesk merely shrugs at Padme's continued requests for information. "Sorry there girlie, you already know everything I do, besides my sources. And believe me, they wouldn't take kindly to a bunch of softskins walking in on them. You're probably best off not knowing who they are."

To Dusty and Ivan, Arvin nods, confirming the mission objectives. "Yes, if you find the maker, the Society would like to employ them, either directly or contractually. You shouldn't need to leave the Station, so I will be at your disposal should you need further assistance.

Xelem slyly looks to the Vesk and adds: "Someone of your talent could offer us a nudge, maybe tell us where we don't want to go. Just a thought."

Diplomacy assist: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (11) + 10 = 21

Could Xelem use Detect Thoughts to try and scope out if the man can actually picture the people he's been talking to? Surely talking about them would bring them to the forefront of his mind, but if that involves doing something he can detect (and thus spot Xelem doing it) Xelem won't do it.

Dusty shrugs. "No point trying to squeeze water from a stone. Let's hit the markets and see what we can dig up."

Archaius looks to the 'other' Second Seeker and offers, "Agreed."

"Nice outing fer sure," Ivan also agrees. "I'll be more on guard this time, I'd wager."

"More on guard? What happened last time?" Burn rumbles.

"Naught too bad, jus' a shady place is all. Most everyone's probably nice, but there's always those few who'd take advantage of th' setting." Ivan looks straight down his new laser pistol to ensure it's calibrated properly. Satisfied, he puts it back. "I'm ready t'be off whenever."

Either sufficiently sure that Julzakama has nothing else to offer, or that it wouldn't be worth trying to squeeze every drop from him. While the Freemarkets aren't clear across the station, they're still a few miles away. Luckily the Venture-Captain has chartered a taxi-shuttle waiting outside the Lorespire Complex to take the Starfinders to their destination.

Gilded doors separate the Freemarkets from the previous station sector. The entrance area contains a sizable shrine to Abadar to the right; to the left, an office issues permits, takes complaints, and receives petitions. Through the entry zone, a giant signboard with a directory of businesses offers onlookers a way to locate their desired merchandise.

The walkways are laid out in an orderly manner, with lifts and staircases at regular intervals leading to the Markets’ three retail levels. Kiosks sporting AbadarCorp logos offer carts for rent and advertise delivery services. Other businesses promote themselves in a riot of lights, music, and recorded ad pitches. Businesses are not grouped by type; food stalls operate next to jewelry stores, and specialists repair high-end electronics next to secondhand clothing racks.

A quick check of the directory reveals there are five augmentation clinics listed: Bioboost, The Cytech Clinic, Renew-You, Metagenesis, and Synthathesia.

Right, so you guys are free to investigate the Freemarkets as you see fit. With some of the information Arvin gave you, you could check in with AbadarCorp if you wish (nobody slotted the boon but you can still speak with them). I don't mind if you guys split the party here, if you wish, or you can stay together (or break into smaller groups), that's completely up to your individual characters. (If you want to discuss minutiae, you should do it in the Discussion tab please).

With all that said, here's a list of actions that are obvious to me. If you wish to offer creative ideas or solutions, I am all ears.

Xelem looks to his fellows. "I'll chat up some of these people. Maybe spend some time with vendors. I am on the lookout for a better ranged weapon after all; perhaps my attempts to barter and acquire something will lead to something."

And also because I just realized that I can't use a bow without having the proficiency. Going to be selling my ranged weapon GM and buy a Grave-Class Bonepistol.

Diplomacy (Gather Information): 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (2) + 10 = 12

Wow. Poor rolls so far.

Dusty will also work the crowd for intel. That failing, he'll go and start poking around the augmentation clinics as they appear along the main tributary of the Freemarkets.

Diplomacy (gather information): 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 2 = 19

Burnham looks back and forth as the party starts to break up. Looking at weapons with Xelem sounds like fun, but this is still work, and the lashunta seems very capable of looking out for himself. Dusty's size makes him seem more vulnerable, so Burn follows the halfling.

Archaius sighs to himself, I may as well follow my 'brother'. He seems fairly disinterested as he halfheartedly offers to help.

Diplo aid: 1d20 ⇒ 8
"Did you here the tiny man? Well are you going to answer his question?"

Betting the team will hit up an augmentation clinic at some point, Ivan is content to follow along until then. So the dwarf follows his two Seeker allies. He tries to help find clues, but his naive, happy-go-lucky attitude gets in the way a bit.

Diplomacy (aid Dusty): 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (11) - 1 = 10

Padme' goes through the stalls acting like a prospective customer. She ask discrete questions regarding 'black market augmentations' and if anything unusual has happened in the *free market* lately.
diplomacy gather info: 1d20 + 7 + 1d6 ⇒ (16) + 7 + (2) = 25

Xelem

After some poking around, Xelem finds himself pointed towards a more permanent fixture - what appears to be a pawnshop entitled "Second Time Around". Inside, an energetic ysoki greets him and introduces herself as Dot. When it becomes clear that Xelem is here to do some buying and not just browse, Dot proves helpful, but also extremely chatty.

Xelem you are able to conduct transaction here.

When the conversation inevitability turns to biotech augmentations, Dot mentions that she's had a few customers in here recently selling things to raise money for such augmentations. She mentions the names Renew-You and Metagenesis as seemingly the most popular places. It seems that Renew-You was a startup that was simply not going to last, a common enough occurrence in the Freemarkets, but it seems that they've been doing better recently, according to Dot.

Dusty, Burnham, Archaius, Ivan

As the group of Starfinders wanders the market and taking in the sights and doing their best not to be overwhelmed by some of the crowds in front of the more popular carts, a loud voice can be heard booming across the markets. Upon closer investigation, it appears to be coming from a Vesk horn grooming and scale detailing barbershop. The barber appears to be loudly complaining about a recent murder in the Freemarkets perpetrated by a Vesk gang...

Padme

Padme's route takes her to a somewhat quieter section of the Freemarkets. While nearby to a cafe called the Many Petals Cafe, she happens to overhear a pair of elderly shirren ladies discussing the recent closure of a clinic in the markets. If Padme so much as glances in their direction, they take note and wave her over, obviously eager for more company.

...

Dusty, Burnham, Archaius, Ivan

As the group of Starfinders wanders the market and taking in the sights and doing their best not to be overwhelmed by some of the crowds in front of the more popular carts, a loud voice can be heard booming across the markets. Upon closer investigation, it appears to be coming from a Vesk horn grooming and scale detailing barbershop. The barber appears to be loudly complaining about a recent murder in the Freemarkets perpetrated by a Vesk gang...

"That's got to be when Julzakama's friends got the hand. We should ask him about the incident."

Alas intimidate isn't the right social skill for this situation. So someone else should take lead.

Having made the necessary purchases, Xelem quickly meets up with his fellow Starfinders after a moment playing digital Marco-Polo.

"There's a clinic called Renew-You; it deals in bioaugments and has not been doing well until recently; some sort of uptick in its customers."

Dusty approaches the vesk and tries to grease the wheels a little. "Sounds like this gang activity has been hard on you. What happened? Is it something buyers should be worried about? Are the gang members being augmented or something?"

Upon returning, Dusty shrugs. "Renew-You seems like as good a starting place as any. Shall we mosey over and see if we can figure out what saved their business?"

As Padme' moves through the market, she notices two elderly shirren ladies gossiping about the recent shuttering of a clinic. Thinking this could be valuable intel she tries to unobtrusively move closer to the conversation. Her efforts to remain circumspect ..meet with failure as they elderly ladies immediately notice her and wave her forward. Darn't forgot their race has psychic powers..need to keep my distance from the mind-reading races when possible...*Shoot!, they're probably scanning my thoughts now! Padme' does her best to clear her thoughts and decides within a moments time, the effort is useless.

Well ladies if you can read my mind...sorry, didn't mean any offense. Just scouting the area..on a Padme' does her best to create *noise* in her mind so if her mind is being read it would be hard to pick up what her mission was.

Burn continues to stay near the back of the group. It's the best he can do under the circumstances.

So Renew you, the barber, the closed clinic. (even if most of us don't know about that one yet.) That's three possible leads. Can't wait to see what turns up.

Archiaus straightens at the mention of a vesk 'gang'. I thought they were disciplined soldiers. Unchecked power and military training? A deadly mix indeed! "What's all this about a gang?"

"That shopkeep didn' look so reputable. How'd his friend even get jus' an arm over some credits?" Ivan looks a bit disgruntled with Julzakama, despite this not being the best time to vent. "Wish we could keep away from his likes."

In a wiser move, the dwarf stays back to let a more eloquent teammate start asking around about the murder.

"That shopkeep didn' look so reputable. How'd his friend even get jus' an arm over some credits?" Ivan looks a bit disgruntled with Julzakama, despite this not being the best time to vent. "Wish we could keep away from his likes."

....

"If these leads run dry, we'll try Julz again and he'll wish he could keep away from us."

Ivan, Dusty, Burnham, Archaius (and Xelem, shortly after)

"Don't you mention that lowlife in my presence." The vesk barber interjects as Burnham mentions Julzakama. To Dusty, the barber simply nods. "Happened right here in the 'Markets it did. Gang killed this poor softskin a week back. Caused a big ruckus, AbadarCorp is all in a tizzy. Me? I'm just pissed they're giving us upstanding vesk a bad name. No discipline, that's the problem with young folk these days. RuiningBack in my day, we had to fight the Swarm and be happy about it! Even then..."

The barber stops himself short from going on a rant, and clears his throat. "Listen, dunno much about these gangs myself, but if you know anything, let AbadarCorp know. Sick of these young ruffians ruining species relations. Good day." He turns back to his clients, and won't take any more questions.

Padme

Just wanted to say that post was hilarious Padme. :D No will save required.

The elderly shirren ladies are most welcoming, especially once Padme offers to buy the next pot of tea. "Oh yes darling please come sit down! Sadly quite a few businesses don't make it here in the Markets, but there's alot of buzz about this Synthathesia place. Closed down by AbadarCorp! Apparently they was dealing in illegal drugs behind the scenes. Nasty business that!"

The conversation continues on for a few minutes, the ladies being extremely chatty to the point where it is difficult for Padme to get a word in edge-wise, but she gathers that Synthathesia never dealt in augmentations.

"Oh my, did you hear about that poor shirren host?" One of the ladies says in a break in the conversation. "No? What happened?" Again, Padme has trouble getting a word in... "I don't have all the details, but the family that runs Renew-You had their host die recently. Very tragic. Just as the clinic was beginning to turn things around too..."

There's finally a break in the conversation as the ladies' mood darkens slightly.

"Oh my, did you hear about that poor shirren host?"

Padme' s empathy center activates as she hears this as investigative mode of her beta sub-routine increases. Oh I'm so sorry to hear this ladies! A friend of yours? Perhaps I can be of assistance or comfort to the family? I've many friends in the insurance industry...perhaps some time of investigation is warranted? Where would I find this Renew-You place? Is there anyone I should ask for? Are there subjects I should avoid discussing? You know considering the sensitivity of the family of the recently departed? I just want to help my community..talk of illegal activities like drugs and people dying all seems like too much to absorb of a pot of tea! I mean really what has happened to the markets! I am sure there was a time you could take your family down here! I fear for this generation don't you agree ladies? Perhaps something should be done no?

Padme' is smiling inwardly as she converses.

"No no, not a friend of mine, just heard it from the rumour mill. And it sounds like AbadarCorp is going to take care of things, so hopefully it will start looking up around here." She says with a sweet smile. "If you want to look in on them though dearie, Renew-You is just down that way. I'm sure they would appreciate whatever condolences you can give." She provides directions to Renew-You. "Thank you for
sitting and listening to us old folks gossip. It warms the heart."

They elders wave Padme off with a smile.

Xelem looks to the others and winces. "At this point, maybe we should go snooping around Renew-You. I don't have the money for any bio-augments right now, but maybe one of you do? Or we could window shop while someone snoops around. I am genuinely curious about their catalog."

Ivan doesn't even check his credstick before answering, instantly perking up. "I got plenty, if that's on th' menu! And if it helps, too...well, might as well see what's in stock."

If we had and hour and this would help, Ivan would gladly pick up a hideaway limb or gill sheath. Really, he wouldn't mind even if it wasn't useful right now.

Dusty nods. "Not partial to augmentations, myself, but Renew-You seems like the next logical place to look. Let's go."