[SFS, Campaign Mode] GM Blake's Against the Aeon Throne

Game Master Blake's Tiger

Antenor looks around at the crew, "This is a bold move. If you're aboard the ride, you are committed!" Pilot: 1d20 + 9 + 10 ⇒ (7) + 9 + 10 = 26 Antenor gives it a go! Plus any available computer assisted bonuses.

"Punch it!" Haro smiles.

You close the hatches, buckle in, and lift off from Nakondis' surface to the cheers of the colonists (even if they are drowned out by the roar of your lift engines). Once in orbit, Antenor punches in the coordinates for the prison moon of Gulta in the Nys system and activates the Drift engine. This ship sits in silence while the Drift engine spools, then the starry field around you and the planet behind you warp away and are replaced by the kaleidoscopic view of the Drift.

During the twenty five days of Drift travel into the uncharted regions of the Azlanti Star Empire, you have plenty of time to read through the data files that were attached to the Steward's message. Your food supplies also seem to be diminishing at a faster than usual pace as though you were feeding an extra three or four passengers.

By studying the Azlanti information, you can Take 10 on all Culture checks related to Azlanti society while within the empire. You gain all the information from page 495 in the Starfinder CRB.

I'll give you another opportunity for interaction before moving on.

Haro spends much of the trip pre-recording videos and conducting online polls, or perhaps sleeping. He does spend some time going through the Azlanti files.

"Steve, you're popular in my videos. I've had a few thousand new adds. They want to see more of your antics. Try to do crazy things when I'm recording you, okay? I'll give you some food or something shiny when we're done."

"When we're done for, which is the more likely result of that request." mutters Rril as he searches the food stores for a Nutration (TM) bar. Instead, he finds only a dusting of crumbs and approximately three-quarters of a soiled gasket.

"STEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEVE!" echoes his cry. The sound reverberates throughout the ship pantry, well into the corridors beyond.

"Seriously.... Actually, I'm going with stowaways. Time to search the ship!"

I see no reason not to take 20 for 26.

Steve scowls. "You think I am some plaything or entertainment? Some sort of longshanks monkey that does what he is asked for food?" His stomach rumbles loudly. "Alright, set the food over there." Steve points to an area across the ship near the Captain's chair. Mounting Oonopidae he climbs and clings to the ceiling as a long jet of fire streaks across the ship and ignites the food and the Captain's chair as well.

Having watched the food stores and Steve over the last few days Steve has definitely been the one eating most of the extra rations. Ever since his time below something went wrong and he has been eating non stop ever since.

Haro raises an eyebrow at Steve.

"Entertainment? Of course you're entertainment! Don't you want to be famous, like me? Share in my vids and everywhere you go, people will give you free food and throw shiny stuff at you."

Haro throws a bag of chips where Steve had designated to emphasize the point.

Unless Nekesh intentionally wants to be a stowaway...

Antenor finds an inordinate number of food wrappers in Steve's quarters.

"Dammit! STEVE! I will jettison you into the Void if we run out of food."

"Dammit! STEVE! I will jettison you into the Void if we run out of food."

"Ditto!" adds Rril. "Except for that, 'if we run out of food', part."

Despite his words, the scoundrel makes no effort to get up out of the relatively comfy chair where he has presently come to sit. "I'd like to keep you all guessing as to 'the when', part."

Lors focuses intently on the information, struggling to get a working knowledge of the Azlanti tongue, and to gain a better understanding of her prey.

As Rril's cries of frustration with their mechanic echo down the corridors she sighs and turns up the music in her earbuds.

Amateurs.

:-)

@GM- yes, of course! I was mainly playing up Steve's uhm...thing.

Steve holds his stomach. "But, I am so hungry all the time now. Something isn't right."

Several days after confronting Steve about the diminishing rations and his over-sized appetite, you emerge from the Drift outside of the Nys system. Right in front of a medium sized Azlanti war vessel.

See Map

"Battle stations!" Haro exclaims as the klaxon sounds its warning.

"Shields up!"

Are we in initiative? Or is it just sitting there?

"We're in disguise, Haro. We're likely to have to shoot our way out, let's try to avoid shooting our way in."

You are not in initiative... unless you want to be.

Everyone's shields are always up when traveling in space to avoid having holes punched in your ships by errant space debris. The Azlanti ship continues in a straight line, it will pass just to your port if neither of you move.

After a tense moment where Lors and Haro disagree about the best course of action, the transplanted transponder pings audibly. The on screen indicator shows a successful 'handshake' between your transponder and the passing ship's transponder, and they are soon on their way.

Not long after the Azlanti patrol ship has passed beyond your sensor range, another ship comes into range. Your sensors indicate a medium sized vessel, and visual inspection reveals a ship design unlike any you are familiar with. When your transponder pings and shows a failed 'handshake' on the other vessel's end, it begins to veer around you. However, several moments later, it slows down and turns to parallel your course.

You receive an incoming hale.

Noting the indicator light, Rril looks up and says, "We seem to be getting a hail from the other ship."

Look, Rril has one job on this lousy ship...

"Want me to answer?" Steve looks on expectantly.

"Did anyone else pick up the language who's not as... distinctive as Steve?"

"I know a little Azlanti." replies Rril, subconsciously raising his hand. "What would you have me say?"

Steady.... steady.... "Steady. Let's not light it up here."

I don't know what I was thinking not picking up the language. I guess this will be the RP reason to really do it now.

You receive two more hails while you discuss until finally you receive a recorded holo-message.

The view screen flickers on to reveal a four-armed figure dressed in bright yellow robes with red accents and covered by a dark blue cloak. She gives a slight bow, with all four hands making a gesture in front of her conical hat.

The figure pauses and looks down at something in front of her. She presses a button off screen. Suddenly, she folds all four hands together in front of her chest. She sounds markedly more friendly and enthusiastic as she continues in Common.

"Why, hello, travelers! Welcome to the Azlanti Star Empire! Would you be interested in buying a few goods for your continuing journey? Hail me back if so! I am Sayonsi.”

"It appears to be a trading vessel," Haro says, though he remains concerned they seemed to know they weren't Azlanti.

"Yes--show us your wares," he responds.

"Commerce! It knows no boundaries!" I'm ashamed to say that I don't have a feel for what we have to sell, have for credits, and have for UPBs.

"How much do you think they'd give us for Steve?" Rril ponders aloud.

The hologram flickers as it shifts to real time. "Excellent!" Sayonsi says, her eyes crinkling above her veil in what you presume to be a smile. "I will send you my inventory presently."

Just to get you thinking. I haven't updated your loot list with your more interesting and valuable finds, but even without selling anything you have 5500 credits/UBPs.

Aeon stone, clear spindle (245)
Sword cane, tactical (250)
Aeon stone, iridescent spindle (740)
Ring of resistance, mk 1 (735)
Spell gem of charm person (x5) (140 each)
Aeon stone, amber hyperboloid (2,200)
Darksight goggles (2,100)
Aeon stone, sapphire cone (3,200)
Serum of enhancement (commando) (475)
Serum of enhancement (diplomat) (475)
Serum of enhancement (sneak) (475)
Serum of enhancement (warrior) (475)
Staff of mystic healing (3,700)
Aeon stone, viridian balbis (4,200)

Steve digs through the bag grabbing ahold of a handful of stones before emerging. "These are pretty. Could be useful..." He thinks.

Steve could definitely use the Clear Spindle Aeon Stone, and would gladly claim any others that noone else wants to claim. Though I'll give you guys first dibs.

Ha! Steve should definitely take the clear spindle so he'll stop eating all the food!

Haro examines the gear thoroughly. "This is all very useful," he says.

Okay, if we have 5500 credits, should we try to sell anything we don't need and divide up the rest so we know how much we can spend? That's 5500 credits for the whole group, not each. Right?

Steve definitely needs to not eat! I recommend that Lors take the amber hyperboloid. One of the envoys should take the sapphire cone. Whichever one DOESN'T take it should take the Ring of Resistance and Diplomat Serum. Rril likely benefits the most from the viridian balbis and Darksight goggles. The Staff of Mystic healing should go to Haro. Thoughts?

Works for me :-)

Sounds good. Rril likes benefiting.

Assuming Steve opts to use one of the clear spindle aeon stones you already have...

"Reviewing your wish list," Sayonsi says, "The total comes to 16610 UBPs, Pact World credits, Azlanti Star Empire credits or barter." She pauses and then continues cautiously, "Not to offend, you do have a very nice ship, but do you have that much in your hold?"

You've got 10,000 credits in liquid assets. I don't think you've got 60,000+ worth of other loot (see LINK), but I haven't tallied the magical weapons or the advanced armor.

You can haggle. One person can try to increase the value of what you're offering with a Diplomacy check (no Aid Another but I will give circumstance bonuses if you're creative in your post) or each person can try to haggle down one item's price with their own Diplomacy check (no Aid, with circumstance bonus for creativity), but you're still unlikely to get everything on your wish list.

I'll go through the loot sheet tonight and make any requests. Once people are on board, it's mercantilism time.

Haro turns to his companions. "If any of you want anything, feel free to use my share for now. I'll collect later on, but I don't need any of this."

"Surely, these medicinals could come in handy." notes Rril, pointing at the analgesics, antitoxins, sedatives, and serums of healing.

I'm inclined to keep these items, but otherwise, I think I'm good.

Sorry, never got to this. School is kicking my butt.

Antenor knows a thing or two about haggling, so he sets to work getting a good deal. Diplomacy: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (20) + 9 = 29

I'd love to turn this into a spreadsheet. I've added my name to things I'd like to keep, and taken off my name on things I'm not looking to sell.

After some back and forth with Sayonsi about the relative value of the items you are offering for trade, he manages to convince her to give a bit more in return.

Once you decide what you're selling, you'll net 10% more buying power. Basically 11% of sold equipment's values and 10% more on the antiques/valuables (excluding credits and UBPs).

Steve circles the stone above his head. His eyes watch it curiously. He even leaps up a couple of times trying to catch it, but missing each time.

Steve grows bored and smashes his face close to the screen to speak with Sayonsi. "Can I come over and look around?"

Steve is good on the loot.

There is an uncomfortable pause following Steve's question. "...you may dock and meet me at the airlock where I do my exchanges once we have agreed upon the final exchange. If you find my wares too costly, you can always try the free station, Zed, to purchase more mundane supplies and tools. I am happy to provide the coordinates, if you desire. I am curious as to what you are doing here where it is well known that Azlanti fire upon Pact World vessels on sight."

Steve pouts, slumping back in his saddle. "Fine."

Just waiting to see what the loot split is from the sales.

"I'm sure we can still do business," Haro says as the group finishes coordinating what they would like to buy.

"As for what we're doing here, he says [b]"We're tracking some people--perhaps you have seen something interesting you could share," he says.

"I think that is a matter of perspective," she replies to Haro. "Your ship is truly the most interesting thing that I have seen in the Empire in, well, a very long time. Maybe if you told me what you were looking for?"

Ah, no. I was waiting for someone to answer her question.

Once you have determined which of the recovered weapons, armor, and antiques to sell, you extend your ship's umbilical to dock with Sayonsi's vessel. The antechamber on the other side of her airlock is blocked by a steel counter and thick, transparent aluminum window. A multi-armed droid stands on the other side. He accepts your trade and credits through an opening in the window--too small for Steve to squeeze through--and hands you each of the negotiated items.

Thank you for trading with us today," the droid says in a chipper tone.

Staff of Mystic Healing
Ring of Resistance Mk I
Darksight Goggles
Amber Hyperboloid Aeon Stone
Serum of Enhancement (diplomat)

Without additional guidance, I went for getting you the most number of things.

"Well, all this should help us with our task," Haro says.

"Thank you for your services," the bounty hunter broadcasts. "Perhaps we will trade again in the future."

Once they have completed the trade, he says "Where to now?"

"It is a vast universe," Sayonsi broadcasts cryptically.

Your exchanges complete, you and the Witchwyrd part ways. While you could head directly to the prison moon, Gulta, you decide that it might be beneficial to see what resources or, perhaps more important, what information you can gather at the independent space station that Sayonsi mentioned. The outpost is located at the very edge of Azlanti space, which is likely why it is allowed to remain free.

Nothing unexpected happens as you dock your ship at the station.

The ship’s airlock doors open to a blast of hot, muggy air and the heavy scent of nickel. A nearby catwalk runs adjacent to a wall covered in thick pipes, both leading to a massive pair of automated doors that lead further into the station. Beings of all shapes and sizes move along other catwalks from their own vessels toward the entrance, conversing with each other in unfamiliar tongues. The sounds of scrabbling feet and other curious voices seem to echo from within the pipes.

Once you reach the automated doors, you notice that they do not open at your approach like they did for a group of aliens that passed in front of you.

Nobody else in the bay seems to be paying you any special attention as they make their way from their ships toward the entrance.

Antenor shakes off his latest daydream of riches, women, and drink. "Well now, we should get in here and cause a serious kerfuffle!"

He looks at the odd setting, "Okay, maybe not a kerfuffle. Maybe we do a bit of slick rescuing on the down low."

Antenor is ready to do some serious Ocean's 11 A-Team style rescuing!

While you loiter in front of the door, a group of aliens passes through the automatic doors. The doors continue to not open at your approach, but you do note that there is adequate time to follow another group through when the doors open.

Antenor gesticulates wildly. If that doesn't open the door, he'll try to ride someone's coattails.

Take away Antenor!

Steve skitters down the hallway riding aboard his spider-like drone. He leans over at a passing group. "Why don't these doors open?" He points to the sliding doors trying to get some answers.