Inspector Xagyg |
Heartened by the fact that he hears loud cursing from inside the room (as opposed to awkward silence...), Xagyg waits patiently for Boron to give the 'all clear'.
Boron' |
After resting, Boron combs his beard, and tries to hack the computer once again--
Computers w. rig: 1d20 + 20 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 20 + 4 = 29
--but is not very good with the card, and cannot stick it in, so he tries to stop the shock grid--
Computers w. rig: 1d20 + 20 + 4 ⇒ (11) + 20 + 4 = 35
--and manages to not be blasted once again.
"Darn, there are only two sides and four cornes to this card, I should be able to stuff it in!"
Computers w. rig: 1d20 + 20 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 20 + 4 = 34
"No, not that way."
The electric grid hums--
Computers w. rig: 1d20 + 20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 20 + 4 = 44
--but Boron is getting really good at blocking this.
"Like this?"
Computers w. rig: 1d20 + 20 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 20 + 4 = 28
"No, not like this either."
The electric grid hums--
Computers w. rig: 1d20 + 20 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 20 + 4 = 27
--and Boron is getting complacent.
Boom!
12d6 ⇒ (2, 6, 2, 4, 1, 6, 2, 3, 5, 2, 5, 6) = 44
Reflex 24: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (19) + 6 = 25
"Ha!" says Boron as he dances away...
"So... this way?"
Computers w. rig: 1d20 + 20 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 20 + 4 = 25
But, his fingers tingling, Boron drops the card.
Nat 1 now!
But he manages to not get zapped once again.
Computers w. rig: 1d20 + 20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 20 + 4 = 36
Boron picks the card up.
"Go in!"
Computers w. rig: 1d20 + 20 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 20 + 4 = 26
2 is better than 1!
But the grid starts up--
Computers w. rig: 1d20 + 20 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 20 + 4 = 33
--and Boron cannot stop it.
Boom!
12d6 ⇒ (1, 2, 1, 3, 6, 1, 1, 6, 4, 2, 2, 2) = 31
Reflex 24: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13
Boron is badly frizzled again... and stunned.
After recovering, he kicks the card into the slot.
Computers w. rig: 1d20 + 20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 20 + 4 = 43
"HA! Should've started with that! KICK THE DARN COMPUTER!"
53 damage
Boron' |
"Ha ha ha...", grumbles Boron.
GM Xavier Kahlvet |
2 people marked this as a favorite. |
That was...an interesting way to wake up. That really shouldn’t have been as hard as it ended up being...
Boron' |
Boron reads what he finds: »The computer holds several files describing the planned installation of signal transmitters around Cuvacara. An image of Cuvacara contains three sets of coordinates for Eclipse engineers to install this equipment—one each in the Southeast, Spouth, and Northwest Facets. A document explains that the test conducted at New Elysium is going according to plan. Cuvacara will host stage two of the trials in approximately 1 week. Additional recovered memos reference Eclipse Innovations’ new headquarters, a black site on Verces’ Darkside, though no coordinates are listed for the facility. »
» And the Grand Assembly meets in the Assembly of Nations in Cuvacara’s East Facet. This group includes representatives from each member of the Ring of Nations and acts as a planetary governing body. If phase 2 of the Eclipse plan is anything similar to the events of New Elysium, then the consequences could be planet-wide, possibly even spreading to other planets ».
Inspector Xagyg |
I can't fail that check...
Xagyg looks impressed.
"I had wondered how they had planned to propagate the signal across the city. I guess we had better go to those coordinates, and destroy the transmitters, before they can cause a problem... I doesn't solve the issue of the Darkside facility, but I suppose we should deal with one problem at a time..."
A thought then occurs to him.
"The Grand Assembly meets in Cuvacara East! If they were in session when the signal activated, the leaders of the entire planetary government would be infected..."
Volcklon Kolsub |
Volcklon watches in grim amusement as Boron gets electrocuted over and over. "I shouldn't be finding amusement in this." he turns to Xagyg. "Do you know where those transmitters could be at?"
Boron' |
"Glad to be the comic relief...", grumbles Boron.
He sits down and smiles at Volcklon: "Instead of laughing at a poor Dwarf's electrical problems... ", Boron shows the image of Cuvacara that contains three sets of coordinates for Eclipse engineers to install this equipment—one each in the Southeast, Spouth, and Northwest Facets.
Boron takes another 10 minute rest (-1 RP full SP)
GM Xavier Kahlvet |
A search of the rest of the facility reveals very little—mostly executive offices, restrooms, and so forth. The only other room of note is the security control room in the southwest, which shows no other things of note on the security cameras.
Inside the lockers in the security room Which Boron would eventually be able to unlock are a few items: a ghost killer fusion seal (12th), a jetpack armor upgrade, a spell ampoule of haste, and two ultra-capacity batteries. Inventory Updated
No matter how much they search, the group is unable to find anything more about Eclipse’s plan or the location of the black site. The group decides it best to go back to their hotel for the night and see what they can find out about the three transmitter sites.
*
Chapter 2: Gathering Shadows
*
The group spends time the next morning combing through the infosphere for information regarding the transmitter sites.
Before the group could find anything else, a knock on the door echoed. The source was from a hulking insectoid beast with two chitin-covered arms as thick as Jacob’s body as well as four tiny arms on its torso that barely look like they could hold anything. In one hand the trox holds a handheld device obviously built with someone smaller in mind; in the other is a cardboard package about the size of a shoebox.
The trox awkwardly hunches over to see through the doorway that is too small for him.
”Delivery for, uh...Vocklon Korsup. I need a signature.” The trox then turns the PDA-like device to face the room as he waits for a signature.
Boron' |
Boron remains grumpy, in his shorts, whispering to Vroni, and clutching Lava, his blade.
Volcklon Kolsub |
Diplomacy: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (10) + 16 = 26
Volcklon navigates several group chat channels and sends them to each of his companions. "The site in the Southeast Facet seems to correspond to an infosphere café known as the Blue Room. The one in the Northwest Facet is around the location of a black-market cybernetics shop run by an ysoki named Scuttle. The site in the South Facet is in a vesk-owned club called the Lizard Lounge."
Suddenly he is interrupted by a knock on the door. Turning around he is surprised when a package arrives for him. He points one hand to his chest. Me?"
Standing, he grabs the package and signs the form. "Does it say who it is from?"
Bringing the box over to the table Volcklon gives it a quick cursory glance for anything dangerous and then flips the lid open.
Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (15) + 8 = 23
Detect Magic
GM Xavier Kahlvet |
The trox shrugs at Volcklon's question and turns to leave—well, as much as he can given his size.
As Volcklon scans the small box he finds no return address, but it looks innocent enough.
What is everyone else doing?
Inspector Xagyg |
Well, I suppose that I would be in the room, but I wouldn't be looking over Volcklon's shoulder (literally or metaphorically)...
Xagyg perks up.
"Hang on... how does anyone know that we are here...?"
GM Xavier Kahlvet |
Jacob frowns.
Might wanna run that through the ship's scanners first.
The ship is in a completely different Facet, by the way.
Inspector Xagyg |
Xagyg looks around frantically, sweeping the room for bugs...
Perception: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (1) + 19 = 20.
...before settling for simply manually copying across his contacts to a new burner phone, and trashing his current comm unit (removing the SIM, and then crushing it).
Boron' |
Boron is lying down on his bed mumbling as he talks with Vroni.
GM Xavier Kahlvet |
As Volcklon opens the parcel he finds himself staring down at a metal box with various wires, some attached to the inside of the cardboard box itself.
Beep
The box explodes.
F Damage: 8d12 ⇒ (5, 5, 9, 7, 5, 9, 7, 12) = 59
Boron: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 10 Fail
Jacob: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 19 Success
Volcklon: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (10) + 9 = 19 Success
Xagyg for Nothing: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (19) + 12 = 31 Success
Boron' |
"AGAIN?! Who's playin' around with a computer?!"
Inspector Xagyg |
Xagyg, who managed to throw himself behind a couch just in time, stands up, and brushes himself off.
"Well, now we know for certain that a) someone knows we are here, b) that they mean us harm, and c) what we are doing is actually a threat to their plans..."
Inspector Xagyg |
Xagyg shakes his head.
"I am fine. I think we are all, at best, slight singed, rather than truly harmed."
His brow then furrows.
"I think we should head out to start dealing with those comm towers, yes?"
GM Xavier Kahlvet |
After several VERY awkward conversations with other nearby guests, staff, and even the trox delivery man, the party sits down and continues their infosphere searching about the areas with the transmitters.
These have some weird DC jumps, so be sure to check the number needed before you just open spoilers Willy-nilly.
If you exceed the DC by 5+, open the spoiler below
If you exceed the DC by 15+, open the spoiler below
If you exceed the DC by 25+, open the spoiler below
If you exceed the DC by 5+, open the spoiler below
If you exceed the DC by 15+, open the spoiler below
If you exceed the DC by 5+, open the spoiler below
If you exceed the DC by 15+, open the spoiler below
If you exceed the DC by 25+, open the spoiler below
Now, then, which location would you guys like to hit first?
Boron' |
Boron remains in bed, in his boxer shorts, talking with Vroni.
He does warn his comrades: "Be careful with the computer, don't make it explode AGAIN!"
Inspector Xagyg |
Actually, my theme halves the time it takes to gather information, and (effectively) gives me a +5 bonus on checks to recall information related to my current conspiracy...
On the first day, Xagyg happily digs into what he can discover...
Culture(Blue Room): 1d20 + 19 + 4 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 19 + 4 + 5 = 41.
"The Blue Room is a small infosphere cafe among dozens of its kind in Cuvacara’s Southeast Facet, the city’s tech district.
The cafe is open at all hours and is owned by a verthani named Liander Vaz, who frequently picks up shifts when understaffed.
Rumor has it that the hacktivist organization Syzygy either co-owns the cafe or has close ties to Liander Vaz.
A female android who hides her face with a hood and mask has been spotted numerous times at the cafe. Locals suspect that she is none other than the notorious hacker Noname."
Culture(Cybernetics Shop): 1d20 + 19 + 4 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 19 + 4 + 5 = 45.
"This cybernetics and weapons shop is located on the ground level of the Northwest Facet, an impoverished area known as the Shade that is infamous for its criminal activity. The shop’s owner, a ysoki mechanic named Scuttle, maintains ties to several local gangs, and the area is not well policed.
Scuttle sells both stolen and legally acquired items at outrageously inflated prices, but he has enough clout within the local crime scene to protect himself from unsatisfied customers. Anyone with proof of allegiance to a Cuvacaran gang may qualify for a “friends and family” discount.
Scuttle, who normally loves technology, has loudly refused to buy the new Penumbra app and has discouraged his close associates and employees from downloading it. He claims to hate social media, but his acquaintances don’t recall him being outspoken about this fact in the past."
Culture(Lizard Lounge): 1d20 + 19 + 4 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 19 + 4 + 5 = 41.
"The Lizard Lounge is a popular nightclub located on the 30th floor of the Apex Building in Cuvacara’s South Facet. It is a typical bar and dance club that does brisk business around the clock in the restless sunset city. Celebrities frequent the establishment and enjoy its private balcony, which boasts a stunning view of Cuvacara.
The Lizard Lounge’s owner, a vesk immigrant known as Boss Zurnala, values brains over brawn and prefers a refined life of luxury to the battlefield. She relies on the stereotypes about her race to gain an edge over those who underestimate her intellect, and employs a staff of vesk bouncers to protect partygoers at her club.
Boss Zurnala’s best friend and favorite customer is Silvene, a male damaya lashunta who works as a high-class escort in Cuvacara. Silvene frequents the lounge and brings his wealthy clients there.
Both Boss Zurnala and Silvene are no friends to Eclipse Innovations, for reasons that they refuse to discuss. Zurnala doesn’t advertise Penumbra or any other Eclipse technology in her club."
That takes me a total of 4.5 hours, so we should be able to visit at least one location today, Yes?
My vote is to start at the top, and work down - so the Blue Room :-)
GM Xavier Kahlvet |
I mean, you never said that you made this your new case ;) (Three-ish days in the Drift was plenty of time to do so. Also, some weird wording in your theme as to whether the time halving would only happen on your Take-20 attempts—I’m gonna say that’s not the case, because that’s just kinda stupid.)
To the Blue Room
If you exceed the DC by 5+, open the spoiler below
A massive skyscraper towers above a network of bullet train tubes, roads, and darkened lower walkways, its iridescent glass gleaming in the dusky sunlight. A sign posted on the north side of this building reads “The Blue Room Infosphere Café,” accompanied by a neon arrow that points down a winding back alley to a blue door.
Into the Building
Signs in Common and Vercite are positioned near the door stating, “Access our state of the art computers and discreetly browse the infosphere on our secure servers for the low rate of 2 credits per hour! Complimentary noise-canceling headsets allow you to surf the ‘sphere in peace. Ask about our virtual reality headsets and day-pass discount.” Another sign proclaims that this establishment is a licensed Penumbra retailer. Beyond the welcome desk, rows of plastic carrels house comfortable swivel chairs facing identical computers. To the south, an outdated-looking service bot dispenses food and drink.
Despite the rather high occupancy of the building—around 20 guests who are mostly humans, shirren, and verthani—the area is eerily quiet. Each person in one of the many partitioned workstations wears noise-canceling headsets and are completely absorbed in their tasks.
Seated behind a desk is a male verthani who taps on a datapad continually. A name tag on his breast says “Leander Vaz.”
”Welcome to the Blue Room, how may I help you?” He speaks monotonously and without looking up from his datapad.
I’ll put up a map of the Blue Room if we need it (mostly because I don’t have access to my laptop at the moment).
Boron' |
Perception: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (18) + 19 = 37
Boron points: "Look. There is a small discolored area on the exterior door of this building."
Inspector Xagyg |
Culture: 1d20 + 19 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 19 + 4 = 36.
"Syzygy believes all corporations are fundamentally corrupt, that it has no central leadership, and that it operates anonymously.
Many of the members tattoo the Syzygy logo on their bodies in UV-reactive ink."
Once inside the building, Xagyg bows politely, then engages the host in telepathic communication.
Greetings. Apologies for the mental intrusion, but I thought it best to communicate this as discretely as possible. We have reason to believe that Eclipse Innovations has hidden a broadcasting / relay tower in this area, and we wish to... *deal* with it. I know it is a cliché, but the fate of the planet is potentially at stake.
Diplomacy: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (13) + 13 = 26.
GM Xavier Kahlvet |
Liander looks up from his datapad with confusion on his face.
”I’m sorry, what?”
Inspector Xagyg |
We just want to look around, find the intrusive tech, learn what we can from it, and then shut it down. We are more than happy to have you, or someone from Syzygy, keep an eye on us whilst we do so.
GM Xavier Kahlvet |
Liander sets down his datapad on his lap and stares at Xagyg with his pure black eyes.
”Sir—I’m assuming ‘sir’—I don’t know what you’re talking about. All I know is that they made the Penumbra app and you can buy it for 20 creds. Now, would you like to use our facilities? If not, then I’m going to have to ask you to leave; I’ve dealt with enough crazies today alone.”
Inspector Xagyg |
Perception: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (16) + 19 = 35.
Xagyg shrugs, and (deliberately) shifts to being verbal.
"Fine. You know what? I am rapidly approaching the point where I cease to care. I saw a holiday resort ripped apart by what that app did during its beta-test, and I have the vid-footage to prove it. If you aren't interested in helping us stop your planet going the same way, then I guess its time for us to leave... after all, no-one I personally care about lives here; I am sure that I can find a nice, out of the way planet in the Vast, where I will (hopefully) be able to live out my life free of the insanity-plague that will be unleashed. Make sure you communicate that to whomever you are texting whilst talking with me."
He then turns around and leaves.
I guess I will go to the Cyber-shop?
Inspector Xagyg |
Xagyg looks over his shoulder, and shrugs.
"They aren't part of Eclipse; I am not going to start something, just because they are too foolish to let us help them. That said, if they want to dig themselves a hole, I see no reason to risk falling in ourselves..."
Volcklon Kolsub |
Volcklon cowers as the package literally explodes. He holds the smoldering wreckage in his hands as he looks around the destroyed room. Coughing, his body aches in all manner of pain. "Not getting our security deposit back on this one."
The Blue Room (Diplomacy): 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (17) + 16 = 33
Scuttle’s Cybernetics Shop (Diplomacy): 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (2) + 16 = 18
Lizard Lounge (Diplomacy): 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (8) + 16 = 24
At the Blue Room Volcklon watches as Zagyg pushes his way into questioning and then turns to leave.
"Wait! I thought you said there was a relay here. Shouldn't we look around?" He finds the entire situation confusing.
Inspector Xagyg |
"Volcklon, this isn't an Eclipse facility; if the owner doesn't want us poking around, we can't, without resorting to violence... and that will almost certainly have repercussions (unlike the Eclipse HQ we just raided), from *legitimate* authorities. These are civilians, not corporate dupes..."
Boron' |
Out of earshot from the staff and such, Boron points to the discolored portion of the wall outside: "We can just rip this apart, maybe the thing's behind that?
Or check out the roof..."
Inspector Xagyg |
Xagyg shakes his head.
"I cannot, in good conscience, be involved in that... however, in utterly unrelated news, I think I will go have a coffee in that café over there; it might take a while..."
Boron' |
Boron shrugs: "Okay. No need going to the other places either, then. Since I imagine that leaving one is not valid. Let's just fly away and be over with this."
Inspector Xagyg |
Xagyg shrugs.
Boron, I am simply subtly indicating that I can't, out loud, agree to breaking and entering (involving an unaffiliated third party's building), without permission. We are in a public place, and this is a high-tech area... I am sure that we are being recorded...
"I am not suggesting that, either - maybe if we acquire something damning at one of the other sites, they will relent, and let us look for something similar...?"
Boron' |
Boron shrugs.
"Okay... wait then."
He will type away on his comm unit and see if he can order a ladder, a local looking electrician's outfit and some tools.
"Let's pick that up and say there is city work to do. And we rip their thing out."
Boron' |
Seeing that part of the group moves away, Boron gives up trying to plan this.
He uses some tools to scratch away at the small discolored area on the exterior door of the building, trying to see what is beneath that.
1d20 ⇒ 17 Engineering? Whatever needs to be used.
If anybody sees him or looks over, he will smile:
"Crappy job. Boron Ltd. can give you a quote on redoing this..."
GM Xavier Kahlvet |
As Boron scrapes at the discolored area he finds that underneath it is just more of the door itself, but underneath the discolored area it is the same color as the rest of the door.
Boron' |
Boron looks at the stuff, to make sure no wiring or such was put in and then covered up.
"There are more blotches here than in my beard!"
Perception: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (18) + 19 = 37