Male CG Human ace pilot mechanic 2 | SP 12/12 HP 16/16 ES 4/4| RP 3/3| EAC 15 KAC 16 | Fort +3; Ref +6; Will +1 | Init: +3 | Perc: +6, SM: +0 | Speed 30ft | Active conditions: None.
"Lead the way, Senndi."
Jaxon nods as he listens to Roquefort over the comm. He replies. "Maybe she can give us a description or even a name of who did the augmentation."
Male damaya lashunta scholar technomancer 10 | SP 50 HP 54 | RP 7/9 | EAC 27; KAC 29 | F+3 R+7 W+9; +2 vs spells/magical effects | Init: +8 | Limited Telepathy 30’ | Perc: +12, SM: +2, Darkvision 60' | Speed 30ft | Detect Thoughts 1/1 | Tip of the Tongue 1/1 | Spell Cache 1/1 | Spells: 1st 4/6; 2nd 0/5; 3rd 2/4; 4th 3/3 | tactical autobeam rifle 34/40 | Active conditions: none
Roquefort Camembert wrote:
"Sure kid, let's go see your aunt"
Through comms"Let's go speak to this aunt while she is still breathing, better a living lead than a dead one. We can come back and go through this place and pull up the tiles afterward, just remember to lock the door behind us"
Sefel answers back on the comm. Agreed. If she's hesitant to talk, maybe we can offer medical assistance courtesy of the society. Information often isn't free.
D'ris, you didn't learn anything else from the clinic that I didn't say before
Gunnar Ninja'd me.
Senndi chews his lip. "I think it's something with her lungs. At least that's what I heard her and Da arguing about. Now she's coughing lots."
The halfling apartment complex is only a short distance from the Freemarkets. You easily follow Senndi as he leads you there eagerly, and to the apartment that Senndi takes you into. Jumpsuits and equipment belts hang from pegs, crowding the entryway. Farther in, this cluttered apartment is dimly lit. To the right of the entryway is a small kitchen, where an older male halfling is preparing food while assisting two adolescents doing schoolwork at the table. To the left of the entryway is a common area, full of worn but comfortable-looking furniture. A heavy, wracking cough echoes from deeper in the apartment.
DC 14 Culture check:
You know that augmentations are stigmatized in halfling community; in the halfling family-centered culture, an ill halfling should be tended to by friends and family. Seeking out serious medical interventions like augmentation forces the acknowledgement that family and some good poultry soup can’t cure all ills, and most halflings flinch at that thought
Senndi bursts out, practically shouting, "I couldn't find the doctors, but I found some people that said they can help!" There is a flicker of hope in the male halfling's eyes for a second, before you appears to clam up. "Senndi. Go to your room. No buts." He looks almost apologetic. "Senndi can be over-eager sometimes. My name is Hermot, and my wife Maija is ill to be sure, but nothing you need to trouble yourself over."
You still get a +5 to this:
DC 20 Diplomacy:
You manage to relax the halfling family enough to talk. Senndi’s father, tells you that Maija had damaged her lungs working long hours in a chemical plant and that she needed a variation of a respirator compounder to continue providing for her family. A halfling acquaintance persuaded them to seek out a biotech augmentation, which would be less obvious than standard cybernetics. As it happened, this acquaintance had recently received his own augmentation—a high-density datajack—from the Renew-You clinic. This friend claimed his graft had taken almost immediately, without problems or scarring, and he had returned to work just days afterward. A friend of Maija’s introduces herself as Tanit and adds in that she accompanied Maija to the Renew-You clinic 2 weeks ago.
Tanit explains that a shirren male-female couple operated the clinic. The male, whose name was Vrisken, explained the procedure and booked the appointment. According to Vrisken, his partner had personally crafted the augmentation with components from “a new source” that would enable rapid recovery. The female shirren performed the operation; Tanit saw her for only a moment and can’t remember her name. Tanit then confirms that Maija’s operation took less than an hour and that Maija was back to work in 2 days.
Unfortunately, Maija began feeling ill again 5 days ago. Tanit went to the clinic to ask about follow-up care but found it closed down. The family was unable to afford another doctor, Maija has been bedridden at home for the past 3 days. You can ask further questions, or make a Medicine check for some more information from the story.
If you fail the Diplomacy check the halflings there refuse to talk to you, but you can still go and talk to Maija
Male damaya lashunta scholar technomancer 10 | SP 50 HP 54 | RP 7/9 | EAC 27; KAC 29 | F+3 R+7 W+9; +2 vs spells/magical effects | Init: +8 | Limited Telepathy 30’ | Perc: +12, SM: +2, Darkvision 60' | Speed 30ft | Detect Thoughts 1/1 | Tip of the Tongue 1/1 | Spell Cache 1/1 | Spells: 1st 4/6; 2nd 0/5; 3rd 2/4; 4th 3/3 | tactical autobeam rifle 34/40 | Active conditions: none
Oh, sir, it's no trouble at all! We're looking into the operation and it would help us if you could tell us about your experience with them.
Diplomacy:1d20 + 1 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 1 + 5 = 26Everybody into the spoiler!
After the elderly halfling finishes his story Sefel keys in on the particulars.
Did Vrisken given any more hints, or let slip anything further about this "new source"? Did any of the other customers seem to know anything about it? Did you become familiar with any of the other clients that we could talk to?
sp77 | hp68 | rp 11 | EAC 31 KAC 31| fort +7 ref +13, will +12 | init +14| Perc 23 (31v Traps) (DV)/ Ysoki Op (Detective) 10 Forensics Master Hireling - Life Sci/Physical Sci/Mysticism (+19)
Take 10 Culture = 19 Reveal Culture spoiler to the team
"Hey I don't want to come off the wrong way here, but I know the...difficulties...the issue of augmentations might cause for some people. I respect the family traditions, we Ysoki feel them deeply too, but helping you is also helping us as we're trying to learn more about Renew You"
Roquefort unrolls his medical supply kit and checks the patient.
Take 10 Medicine = 16, have a Basic Medkit, Medpatch, Serum of Healing 1 - let me know what else is involved in triaging/treating
"Good sir, we are only trying to find out what affliction has overcome the person in the back of the apartment and trying to find the people responsible for it."
SFS #119796-701, M Human Bounty Hunter Mystic (Overlord) 3 | HP 22/22| SP 21/21 | RP 3/3| EAC: 14 KAC: 15 | Fort: +2| Ref: +2| Will: +5 | Init: +1 |Spells DC 13+ 1st: 4/4| Cultures +6, Intimidate +8, Mystic +8, Perception +8, Pro (Bounty Hunter) +8, Sense Motive +8, Survival +9
Kallus, ever grim in his presence, finally decides that he knows what is going on and while the others attend to the ailing woman, he checks his contacts for information or possible bounties on people from the Renew You clinic.
"It sounds as if this clinic has quite a few disgruntled patients and I'm sure some of the docs went underground. I'll see what I can dig up."
With the barrage of questions regarding the augmentation's source, Hermot shakes his head apologetically. "I didn't handle any of the details about... that..." He sighs. "Gods know I want her to get better, but I told Maija I didn't trust these augmentations. Shenge was insistent though and said he knew someone..." He breaks off, realizing that he might have said too much. "Look, you seem to mean well, but I don't want any trouble. I just want my Maija to get better. I'm working with some of my kin to get the credits, but it takes time."
Roquefort, with your medical training, you know that with the use of a medkit, you can try to assist Maija.
If you render aid with Medicine:
Examining Maija, the only visible signs of the augmentation are small scars on either side of the trachea. It appears that the augmentation originally was a set of adaptive biochains mimicking a respirator compounder. However, the biocains continued to expand unchecked like cancer into her lungs. It needs to be removed, or she won't survive more than a few more days.
With your medical know-how, the knowledge you got from Chryson in the freemarkets, and possibly a little help from your friends, you can not only remove the augmentation in time to save her life, you can also teach Maija's friend Tanit how to provide long-term care for her, keeping Maija comfortable for a week while the family finds a replacement augmentation with no risk to her condition.
You can make an additional Medicine check to learn more about the Augmentation and what went wrong. It's higher DC than you can get by taking 10, though.
Also if you render aid, or give 750 credits for a new Augmentation:
Although the old halfling tries to hide it, gratitude breaks through his facade and he pumps your hands enthusiastically, tears streaming down his face. "Thank you... Thank you... We were going to scrape together the money, but things take time, and Maija was getting worse and.." He clears his throat. "You wanted to know about the augmentation's origin. Shenge is a 'kinda shady' member of the community that occasionally comes up with 'solutions' when someone needs help. He was the one that suggested the shirren after he had an augmentation of his own, a datajack, I think. You can find him in the worker's Lodging Camp 66 a block down." He gives you directions to find Shenge.
Luckily, you can have the group do the medicine to avoid having to pay money to save the life of a poor, sick woman ;)
Kallus, you aren't able to find out any information on the Renew You clinic. Either it's been flying under the radar or the problems with it are too new to have hit your contacts. On the other hand, with your background you figure that Shenge must be a "fixer" in the halfling community. Like several tight-knit communities, halflings will give a blind eye to members that operate outside the law if they provide can provide solutions with questionable legality to help the members of the community.
Also, to clarify, both above spoilers can be opened if Roquefort takes a 10 on Medicine. There is a +4 bonus to the check that you got from visiting one of the clinics earlier.
You can open both of the spoilers now. As mentioned in the spoiler, you can make one additional Medicine check (without the circumstance bonus) for some more info :)
Male CG Human ace pilot mechanic 2 | SP 12/12 HP 16/16 ES 4/4| RP 3/3| EAC 15 KAC 16 | Fort +3; Ref +6; Will +1 | Init: +3 | Perc: +6, SM: +0 | Speed 30ft | Active conditions: None.
Jaxon leans over to watch Roquefort perform the operation. "Huh. Kinda like removing some bad conduit and splicing in an old actuator relay to manage the flow." He nods to the Yoski in admiration.
"Ok, so we go see this Shenge next? Maybe shake him down for some answers. Sounds like he the slippery type. We ought to be careful. He could have some surprises."
Male damaya lashunta scholar technomancer 10 | SP 50 HP 54 | RP 7/9 | EAC 27; KAC 29 | F+3 R+7 W+9; +2 vs spells/magical effects | Init: +8 | Limited Telepathy 30’ | Perc: +12, SM: +2, Darkvision 60' | Speed 30ft | Detect Thoughts 1/1 | Tip of the Tongue 1/1 | Spell Cache 1/1 | Spells: 1st 4/6; 2nd 0/5; 3rd 2/4; 4th 3/3 | tactical autobeam rifle 34/40 | Active conditions: none
Sefel thinks to watch the operation in the back at first, but as soon as the wounds open the lashunta turns pale and retreats to the front of the apartment to keep Hermot company. Really he's breathing heavily and trying to collect hismelf...
Phew... <pant> <pant> bodies are not the type of systems I'm used to working on.
He calls back to his teammates, How much longer until we can go find Shenge?
He steps out onto the balcony and takes in the fresh air.
Male NG Dwarf Mercenary Blitz Soldier 4 | SP 32/32 HP 34/34 | RP 6/6 | EAC 16; KAC 18 | Fort +5; Ref +4; Will +5 | Init: +7 | Perc: +1, SM: +1 | Speed 30ft |Active conditions: None.
Jaxon wrote:
"Ok, so we go see this Shenge next? Maybe shake him down for some answers. Sounds like he the slippery type. We ought to be careful. He could have some surprises."
Gunnar smirks and pats his Doshko."If he's smart he'll tell us what we need to know."
Although you face heavy pressure to stay for luncheon, afternoon tea, dinner, and supper by incredibly grateful halflings, the need to track down Shenge and learn more about the augmentations is pressing. Extricating yourselves from a tearfully joyous scene, you make your way following Maija's directions.
Map added!
Located a half hour away from Maija’s apartment, Lodging Camp 66 is one of several scattered camps throughout Absalom Station that provides basic housing for those unable to pay the heightened rates for proper station housing. Foot traffic is low in this neighborhood, and most of the roughly dressed citizens ignore newcomers and expect to be ignored in return. Short halls connect several basic square lodging units together in simple patterns, while exterior areas with open tables and chairs act as communal gathering points. Few people walk the dirty streets here, and many of the doors are unnumbered with multiple locks installed.
Shenge resides in a small housing unit adjacent to a public restroom. This unit contains six single-occupant dwellings crammed together. Each space is a ten-foot-cube chamber with a single door. Some of the chambers have armored windows, though each of these is covered by posters or shaded over by crude spray paint. A communal restroom unit is located near the center of the accommodations. The sealed entrance to one of the dwellings bears a battered nameplate that reads “Shenge. No solicitors.”
Perception DC 23:
On the door there is a trap set to cause a jolt of electricity to arc out if anyone opens it. (This can be neutralized by Computers or Engineering)
Male NG Dwarf Mercenary Blitz Soldier 4 | SP 32/32 HP 34/34 | RP 6/6 | EAC 16; KAC 18 | Fort +5; Ref +4; Will +5 | Init: +7 | Perc: +1, SM: +1 | Speed 30ft |Active conditions: None.
Gunnar is on high alert walking through the rough neighborhood, but as his gaze continually darts from shadow to rooftop he fails to notice small details.
Perception:1d20 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 1 = 10
As they pass over a floor grate Gunnar unsuccessfully tries to hide his disgust."This whole street smells like a latrine."
sp77 | hp68 | rp 11 | EAC 31 KAC 31| fort +7 ref +13, will +12 | init +14| Perc 23 (31v Traps) (DV)/ Ysoki Op (Detective) 10 Forensics Master Hireling - Life Sci/Physical Sci/Mysticism (+19)
Jaxon Kyber wrote:
"Huh. Kinda like removing some bad conduit and splicing in an old actuator relay to manage the flow."
"Air goes in, air goes out, blood goes round and round. Just like keeping the flow right on a circuit, or like a biofuel vehicle - suck, squeeze, bang, blow"
Roquefort finishes the work off and accepts a (modest) reward from the Halflings - picking up a few delectable treats and any jams or conserves he can lay his paws on. He promises to drop by again later and clean the bandages. He also leaves his contact details in case they think of anything or the patient's condition changes.
***
"Geez would you look at the state of this place" Roquefort examines the door.
Perception 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (17) + 7 = 24
"Hey what's that? Someone has wired this door with a live current - anyone a hacker or engineer? I could look at it, but if one of you guys is a pro that'd be a better plan"
SFS #119796-701, M Human Bounty Hunter Mystic (Overlord) 3 | HP 22/22| SP 21/21 | RP 3/3| EAC: 14 KAC: 15 | Fort: +2| Ref: +2| Will: +5 | Init: +1 |Spells DC 13+ 1st: 4/4| Cultures +6, Intimidate +8, Mystic +8, Perception +8, Pro (Bounty Hunter) +8, Sense Motive +8, Survival +9
Kallus nods at the comment about the latrine. "If you want to find the dregs, you go where they hang out. Sounds like he means business about the solicitors. I can blast it open, but I don't think we need to announce ourselves just yet."
Male CG Human ace pilot mechanic 2 | SP 12/12 HP 16/16 ES 4/4| RP 3/3| EAC 15 KAC 16 | Fort +3; Ref +6; Will +1 | Init: +3 | Perc: +6, SM: +0 | Speed 30ft | Active conditions: None.
Jaxon moves over to take a look. "Crude, but effective. Let me see if I can lift the trip actuator."
Male damaya lashunta scholar technomancer 10 | SP 50 HP 54 | RP 7/9 | EAC 27; KAC 29 | F+3 R+7 W+9; +2 vs spells/magical effects | Init: +8 | Limited Telepathy 30’ | Perc: +12, SM: +2, Darkvision 60' | Speed 30ft | Detect Thoughts 1/1 | Tip of the Tongue 1/1 | Spell Cache 1/1 | Spells: 1st 4/6; 2nd 0/5; 3rd 2/4; 4th 3/3 | tactical autobeam rifle 34/40 | Active conditions: none
Although he wasn't very perceptive as they approached the door, Sefel is somewhat more proficient in disarming or deconstructing a problem he knows about. He joins his fellow Lashunta.
Jaxon nearly doesn't have the door jolt in his face, but D'ris and Sefel tag team to defuse the threat.
The interior of this cramped dwelling reeks of death mixed with all manner of foul odors. Sweat-stained bedsheets lie half-draped on the floor, completely covering a three-foot tall lump on the floor while still clinging to the sides of the bed. A computer terminal (Tier 2) and associated desk are bolted to the west wall.
Note, failure for computers may constitute a lockout
DC 21 Computers to hack the computer:
Successfully hacking into the computer grants you access to Shenge’s appointment calendar for the past month, including several visits to the Renew-You clinic and a follow-up appointment with someone named Vrisken to discuss “promotional activities” at a residential address farther out in the Ring.
Requires an additional DC 21 Computers to hack the computer:
You find a dossier on Shenge's potential business partners, including Renew-You. He documented Renew-You’s roller-coaster business trajectory: the family-run cybernetics clinic was on the verge of losing its operating permit when suddenly one of the owners died. Despite the mysterious death of its physician Kinnakt, the clinic switched to biotech augmentations of markedly improved quality. The clinic’s two remaining owners began turning a profit and were considering expanding their business (hence consulting Shenge). However, Shenge’s dossier notes that the owners abruptly closed shop last week.
DC 18 Perception check to search the desk:
You find 300 credits spread across numerous unmarked cred sticks. Searching the underside of the desk, you discover a note that taped that has access codes to the computer. Discovery of these codes provides a +4 bonus to Computers checks to hack Shenge’s computer. You also notice a hidden compartment in the back of the desk that contains to augmentations: an ocucloak processor and a high density datajack
The lump under the bedsheets is the corpse of a halfling, and presumably the source of the horrible smell.
DC 20 Perception to investigate the corpse:
You find a datajack installed and well concealed in the halfling's left wrist. You may make a Life Science or Medicine check for additional information
Additional DC 15 Life Science or Medicine:
You confirm this augmentation as the cause of death; it appears that the circuitry connecting the datajack and the halfling’s brain grew out of control, trying to connect to components it couldn’t find. ("You might say his connection is... permanently out of service..." <glasses> "Yeeeaaaaah")
Male NG Dwarf Mercenary Blitz Soldier 4 | SP 32/32 HP 34/34 | RP 6/6 | EAC 16; KAC 18 | Fort +5; Ref +4; Will +5 | Init: +7 | Perc: +1, SM: +1 | Speed 30ft |Active conditions: None.
Gunnar steps quickly into the room and kicks aside the sheet revealing the body then does a quick visual sweep of the room to see if there are any other ways in or out of the room.
Perception:1d20 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4
If there is another way out of the room Gunnar checks it out(if he can see it with that abysmal roll). If not he steps back out of the room so the tech-savvy members of the team can do their thing.
Male CG Human ace pilot mechanic 2 | SP 12/12 HP 16/16 ES 4/4| RP 3/3| EAC 15 KAC 16 | Fort +3; Ref +6; Will +1 | Init: +3 | Perc: +6, SM: +0 | Speed 30ft | Active conditions: None.
As Sefel begins accessing the computer, Jaxon notices the power surge circuits are offline. He activates them as the computer begins draw more power and it evens the load, eliminating spikes.
Roquefort, there isn't an obvious rush, but you are investigating a murder scene, so you never know ;) Also, you unlock the two computer spoilers with the assist
Male CG Human ace pilot mechanic 2 | SP 12/12 HP 16/16 ES 4/4| RP 3/3| EAC 15 KAC 16 | Fort +3; Ref +6; Will +1 | Init: +3 | Perc: +6, SM: +0 | Speed 30ft | Active conditions: None.
Jaxon scrolls through some of the computer records they opened. "Hey, here's an address Shenge visited for Renew-You business and a name: Vrisken." He opens another file. "Huh. Looks like the business suddenly took off at just the time you wouldn't expect it to. I wonder what changed."
