Starfinder: Dead Suns

Game Master Simmyish

Having a look at the thug, Netharan notices a couple of things, the first is that he was armed with a laser pistol. The second is the insignia of the Level 21 Crew.

The Level 21 Crew are a street gang that claims (unsurprisingly) Level 21 of Absalom Station's lower decks and its territory. They have been known to partake in theft, fencing stolen goods, gambling, prostitution, racketeering and smuggling. This particular goon was one of the ones shooting towards the east, and the shot that hit Kreel came from the other side of the Docking Bay, suggesting these were shooting on another gang. The one that shot Kreel was most likely from that other gang.

Looking towards Kreel's body, lying next to him is his computer, which is currently showing your names and a brief description, as well as one additional name: Chiskisk, HQ, Lorespire Complex.

Those from around Absalom Station know that the Lorespire Complex is one of the districts located in the ring. A cluster of buildings with a large spire in the centre from which it gets its name. It's known specifically for being the home to the Starfinder Society main HQ.

After a few minutes, the Security forces approach the group and give you all a nod.

"Sorry to trouble you, citizens. We were made aware of a gang fire, and heard you had just arrived at the station. We want to apologize for that, and to assure you that these things do not usually spill into the public areas of the station. The gangs usually keep things down below.

We don't feel we should trouble you for defending yourselves in such a situation, and we are aware you didn't start the fight. For you, it was a matter of the wrong place at the wrong time, I'm afraid.

We won't be charging you with anything for that. But if there is any information you feel would be important, then please do tell us," the Security guard that comes up to question you asks.

Miles does his best to remember what the gang member looked like who shot Kreel and gives a description to the guard, adding, ”I tried to catch the sorry bastard, but he ran away an’ slipped through your perimeter afore I could avenge the boss-man here.”

Netharan nods back to the security forces, "It appears that the Level 21 gang was one of the gangs involved. Do you know of any other gangs that they have issues with that would spill out here by the spaceport?"

The Security guard nods in response to Netharan's questions.

"We can confirm that one of the gangs involved in the shootout was the Level 21 Crew. The other gang was the Downside Kings. Tensions have been rising between both the gangs on the lower decks for some time now, but they usually keep this business below decks. As I said, they usually don't spill out into the public areas, and well, they aren't exactly the biggest fans of Station Security. For obvious reasons," he says with a shrug.

"So, what do we do now?" asks Miles. "Do we take his body to the Starfinders or something?"

Names. They had names now, and that was a good thing. Names were a start, and they had time. None of them spoke like they were unfamiliar in their fields, and they had agreed to approach this with the intent to keep their hands clean. That meant they were at least initially looking for answers, and not necessarily any sort of vengeance. Their hands were shoved into the pockets of the jacket, and they were thinking.

"We go to the Starfinders to inform them of the occurrence. There may still be work, if there is documentation", Tetch said with a bit of contemplation in their tone. "Do his effects require delivery to any next of kin?" That second question was directed to the security guard. Getting information on the other gangs might not be too difficult, but doing so did not answer the question of what motivated a hired killing.

A room, a thorough cleaning, and excellent nourishment was all they wanted right now, so they could at least believe that they had a moment to relax. Instead, it seemed that they were going to be investigating a dead individual. Meanwhile, they would be looking to learn information on the gangs in the station after seeing what the Starfinders knew.
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Outlaw Culture: 1d20 + 8 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 8 + 2 = 22
Criminal Culture checks DC-5 due to Theme Knowledge

"We did manage to capture one of the Level 21 gang members," said W-12, pointing out the unconscious thug. The guard probably saw that already, but it didn't hurt to be sure. "The very light healing magic I used didn't actually heal his wounds, but it ensures he won't die from the injuries he's already sustained."

W-12 had hoped to interrogate the thug for information themself, but security had arrived to quickly. But maybe... "I could revive him, if you'd like to question him here?"

"Our station medics will be able to handle it from here, and we can question him," the guard said.

Due to the nature of the gangs, Tetch knows the same information regarding the Level 21 crew as Netharan. When the Downside Kings are mentioned however, Tetch knows that they are a brutal street gang that controls several decks of Absalom Station's lower levels, or "Downside," through a combination of intimidation and violence. They are known to engage in a wide variety of illegal activities ranging from extortion, fraud, robbery, smuggling, and theft, to drug and arms trafficking, kidnapping, murder-for-hire, and trafficking in sentient species.

To find out more about either gang, the group would have to ask around and find the right people who would be either willing to talk, or could be... encouraged through more forceful measures.

Atrios decides to stay silent during the conversation with the guard. He is less than charming on his best day. Could there be a connection? Once the Guard left them, Atrios speaks up.

The Lorespire is our first destination, I think. Present ourselves to the Starfinders and find out what the job was. Then we can determine the connection with the Level 21s and the Downside Kings,"

He nods as if agreeing with himself and smiles as if someone else made a very good point.

Miles gives a wary nod towards Atrois, saying, ”Enough standing around here, then, d’ya think? Let’s get some more information from the Starfinders. If’n the medics have his body taken care of, we could take that data pad to the higher-ups to see if we still have a chance at the job. I could certainly use the credits.”

Nodding to himself Netharan says,"I agree with that plan. Let's get to the Lorespire and see what the Starfinders wanted with us in the first place. Perhaps we could also get some information on these two gangs from them, or at least from there Infosphere. I'm sure they will have intel on local criminal organizations so that they know who to lookout for."

The fading scent of of the ozone in the air was fading, much like the sound of the station was washing back in to the area as the flow of the station's inhabitants came closer. Tetch stepped away to reclaim their effects, the bag— sweet void, that bag– thrown over their shoulder and the sound of their footsteps on the deckplate stopping at the others. "We should go", they said over their shoulder, already leaving the scene.

Ahead was the new uncertainty of the station, and like it or not, they were stuck in it within minutes of arrival. There was a tension to the Shirren's movements, part fatigue, and part frustration. Individual transit was a luxury in this station, but they were not too far from the mass-transit, if the iconography of the signs were any indication.

”Have any of you been to the Lorespire Complex before?” W-12 asked those who said they’d been to Abdalom Station. ”I did download a map before I left, but... what’s your best way to get around Absalom?”

Still here, just waiting for Simmyish to move us along....

wanted to see if anyone wanted to continue a roleplaying moment W-12 set up, the plan is to post tomorrow to continue things if nobody wants to :)

Atrios hasn't been to Absalom in decades. Things change so quickly! The relationship between the Starfinders and the Arcanamirium is fluid at best but the data they publish publicly is always very useful for research.
I lived in the ring when I was here before. The Ultraviolet line was always my favourite but I don't know if it runs anymore.

Using his datapad to access Absalom Stations public infosphere, Netharan pulls up a list of public transit lines to the Lorespire Complex. He says to Atrios, "It does appear that the Ultraviolet Line is still in service, but only in the ring. As we are on The Arms we will have to take the Infrared Line to get to the Complex."

And so the group of you make your way to the Lorespire Complex using the various routes. You arrive standing outside the entrance to the Starfinder Society HQ, and sitting at a desk is an android that says "Welcome to the Starfinder Society, please may we enquire as to the the nature of your visit?"

"Hello!" said W-12 brightly, approaching the receptionist. "We were called for, concerning a job opportunity. Well, we weren't actually called to... oh, hm." Did the android know Kreel? Perhaps they should be more gentle or careful in their explanation. Their face took on a more somber dark blue color.

"We were supposed to meet a contact when our transport arrived at the station, but there was an incident in the docking bay. There was a fight between... rival gangs, I suppose they were? I'm all but certain you can find some information on that on the Infosphere by now, but we may be the bearers of bad news that hasn't reached you yet as we came directly here. Our contact was killed in the crossfire, and we weren't sure what to do but come here ourselves.

"Our contact was a dwarf by the name of Kreel." The blue light on W-12's face formed into an inquisitive curved shape vaguely reminiscent of a question mark. "Do you know of someone called 'Chiskisk'? Kreel was looking at some notes that had their name along with ours at the time of his death."

Miles wasn’t used to singular beings referring to themselves as plural, but both the robot and now the Android seemed to be doing so. ”Are they truly multiple beings, do they use plurals to avoid gender references, or are they merely speaking on behalf of a multi-being organization?”

Regardless, Wiz seemed to be handling the situation well, so Miles stopped looking around for the Android’s imaginary friend and merely nodded along with Wiz’s story.

"Please take a seat, you will be seen to shortly," the android said with more cheer than the situation demanded.

After several minutes pass, another SRO approaches and says "Please follow me for Chiskisk," and begins heading back the way he came. Following behind your led deeper and deeper into the complex, before arriving at a cluttered but clean office well within the complex.

Sitting in the room is a Shirren matching the description of Chiskisk from Kreel's computer. They are seated behind a desk that is made of plastic and completely unadorned. They wear understated business attire and their antennae from side to side - A shirren's way of saying they are perplexed.

"Welcome to the Starfinder Society" you all hear in your heads. "Please, help yourselves to a drink and some snacks. I have been informed that you were to be meeting with Kreel. Please, take a seat," they say into your heads.

Miles nods in response and briefly peruses the selection of food and beverage before taking some golden wafers and smooth, white cheese. He takes a fizzy, clear drink of some kind as well and sits down if possible—some places don’t have halfling sized chairs, you know.

”Don’t think anything stupid, here Miles,” he tells himself, ”you are still getting used to civilized society and these beings can read your mind!”

There is something so utterly sublime about telepathic communication for someone who lives inside their head as Atrios does. So far, Netharan and Tetch have only used speech, maybe out of politeness. This Chiskisk was wasting no time maybe that was why they were communicating this way.

The Daydream-state called to Atrios. This was all becoming more and more familiar. He remembered meeting a Shirren just like this one but they were at a circus watching uplifted Bears juggle burning chainsaws. Or was it a Zombie opera?

pay attention pay attention pay attention pay attention pay attention pay attention

Atrios grabbed a sidereal soda and sat with one leg crossed. He smiled and waited.

Tetch was slightly off-kilter. They had gone from an arrival, to a firefight that seemed to have ulterior motives, to meeting with a (reasonably) significant individual in a certain position of influence. To say their head was spinning was an accurate assessment. With Wiz handling the introduction to the receptionist, Tetch spent the time setting their newly-purchased personal comm-unit (CleanCOM's Nova™) to their liking, between looking around at the decor and the affluence of the area.

The walk into the complex was done with what was the Shirren version of wide eyes, with much rubbernecking going on at the offices and what was presumably the day-to-day operations of the place. The office they arrive at was taken in with interest, and the seated Shirren, even more so. At their request, they selected a disposable plateful of what looked to be fruit pieces, and turned their attention to their host. While they had somewhat managed to settle their nerves, there was still an agitated twitch of a mandible that belied their state.

This was going to be a negotiation. They could feel it.

Netharan nods to Chiskisk and says telepathically them,"Thank you for seeing us. We are sorry to be the bearers of bad news about Kreel."

Out loud Netharan says, "We are still interested in the job that Kreel had arranged for us. What can you tell us about it?"

Assuming this conversation takes a few minutes, Miles will use the rest to spend a Resolve Point and recover his Stamina.

Yep that is fine Miles

The Shirren is also seated and begins telepathically communicating with each of you.

"I am sorry that I cannot welcome you to Absalom Station under better circumstances. I realize this may only be small comfort to you but may I reassure you what happened today is not a daily occurrence. I am pleased that none of you got seriously injured, but I grieve for Duravor's death. He was a valued member of the Society and a good friend. May the Lady of Graves be kind, in her judgement of his soul." The shirren briefly bows their head, then looks up again. You can see their compound eyes glittering.

"What puzzles me is the reason behind the attack." Chiskisk taps a few commands into their computer. "According to the incident report just released by station security, two gangs were involved in the attack: The Downside Kings and the Level 21 Crew. Now I can say gang wars are not uncommon here at Absalom Station, but they usually confine themselves to the more... lawless sectors, like the Puddles. It is very rare for these street gangs to battle openly in public areas like the docks. The security is much tighter, and most of them don't want innocent lives on their hands, just those of the opposing gang, and those foolish enough to cross onto their turf. I cannot help but wonder whether all is as it seems. There has to be a reason these two gangs were at Docking Bay 94 at that time, when you arrived, coincidentally. But was it a coincidence? Were you and Duravor just innocent bystanders caught in the crossfire, or might one of you have been specifically targetted, and this was a cover-up? And if so, why?

"I understand you had an offer from Kreel to come and meet him, it is because he felt that you would make a good addition to the Starfinder Society. Since you were witness to the attack, I would like to ask you to investigate the incident on behalf of the Society. Find out exactly what happened, and why. It may simply be a matter of being in the wrong place at the wrong time - I have no doubt station security will rule it so - but if Duravor was in fact murdered, I would like justice for my friend. At the same time, this will give you an opportunity to demonstrate your skills and abilities and show the Society that you are worthy to join the ranks of the Starfinders, so - that is now the job I have for you," Chiskisk says "Any questions?"

”We still get paid, right?” thinks Miles, though not with the attempt to actually communicate telepathically—he’s never done that before today.

Aloud, he says, ”I’m no investigator, but I’ll help out with the more rough and tumble portions of the job, if’n it suit the others.”

I need to learn how to do this. thinks Atrios. He's not psychic but there is an application for telepathic messages. The SpellCode for mental effects is so tricky! But he has been working on it. Maybe it can be used to interface with machines too?

Concentrate! Right. It strikes one as a very practical idea to test their competence and find out why the incident took place. He thinks about the confrontation on the docking bay. However foolish and unprepared he felt, he had held his ground and acted usefully. Outside of combat, he was even more useful and, he suspected, so were his new friends.

"Where would you suggest starting this investigation? Are there any areas in the more "lawless sectors" that would be helpful to those looking into this without causing problems with those involved? Do you have any contacts we could meet with?", Netharan asks, knowing how people in less fortunate circumstances can usually spot a cop from a mile off.

'There are a few questions that I might ask.'

Tetch's mental voice was smooth, and vaguely soothing. Unlike his speaking voice, which sounded very much like one might expect from a race that certainly resembled insects, with its hard consonants and odd glottal tones, to say nothing of that pecularity of sound that occured when reproducing the sounds that required lips. Mentally, the feel of their voice was like the trickle of a spoonful of honey in the hot summer sun.

'Netharan has covered several of them, in fact. The others are in regards to any resources that we might utilize outside of potential contacts.'

They had set their plate aside, and they were looking intently at Chiskisk.

W-12 has waffled about taking some refreshment. They had little experience with being the only robot in a group of humanoids. The few times it had come up it was with Maya and her associates, and W-12 was aware that Xenowardens were unusual.
Would Chiskisk think them rude for refusing? Or for taking food they clearly did not need?

In the end they took nothing, but hopped up on to a chair that was far too big. It was meant for a shirren or human or other tall creature, but they didn't notice the difference.

They leaned forward on their perch as Chiskisk began to communicate telepathically. A useful talent! Perhaps one I could replicate magically?

W-12's face flashed with interest as Chiskisk described the job. "I'm certainly intrigued to know what happened," they said, "and concerned by your thought that it could have been about us. I will gladly accept an offer to investigate. But..." Their head tilted, an expression easy to miss as their face was a featureless circle, "that can't be the job Mr. Kreel had in mind for us, of course. Do you know anything about that? I'm mildly concerned about leaving that loose end dangling, although only a very little since I don't know what the loose end is."

"It was not so much a job, but more an offer of potential membership that he wished to extend to you all. I have been told good things, and - this will act as a good method to test his claims," Chiskisk replied telepathically. "Unfortunately, I don't involve myself with the more lawless elements of the station, but I would begin by finding out what you can about the gangs from around the station, see what you can find out. You can take whatever method you feel more suited to, the only thing that is important here is the result. The strategy is in your hands," they concluded.

”If it’s a discussion we’re after, I say we talk to the side that didn’t shoot Kreel—these Level 21 blokes. If we go after the other gang, I am expectin’ a fight!”

"That is as good a place to start as any Miles. We can head toward Level 21 and perhaps scout out the area a little. We will need to come up with some sort of plan of how to approach them, preferably without saying we are working for the Society. I'll check the Infosphere on the way to see if I can work out any of their recent activities or organizational structure."

Netharan pulls out his small tablet and begins running a scan of the Infosphere, using his own algorithms, to search for any information he can find about the Level 21 Crew, and lets it run in the background while they finish their discussion with Chiskisk.

Computers or Culture: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (9) + 8 = 17
I'm not sure which check would be pertinent but I have the same bonus to both.

”Well, we could tell ‘em the truth—or at least part of it. Those Downside Kings scum shot our boss-man, and I’m looking for payback. We don’t have to say who our boss worked for, right? Maybe some info on why they wanted him rubbed out too, ya think?”

Available on the infosphere is the same information already known - that they are a street gang that claims level 21 of the Station's seedy lower decks as its territory. You'll need to ask around for other information. Will need a diplomacy or intimidate check

Miles will follow along and help as best he can, but Diplomacy and Intimidation are not his strong suits.

"Ah... We did capture one of them and turn him over to the authorities, though," said W-12 somewhat sheepishly. They were primarily responsible for that; it had seemed like the right thing at the time! "They may not be happy with us."

Inquiring about information in seedy situations was commonplace to Tetch. Not exactly content with the way the meeting went, they still grudgingly admitted that Chiskisk was not particularly invested in any of them at this point. They had no leverage. Leverage? Void, they really even had no weight. Would any of the heavies listen to them? Taking a moment to consider it from the other side, there was no reason to even pay any attention to them.

Gesturing towards Miles, they did acknowledge their point."If we want to make the notice us, what data would do so? Who was our deceased employer? What connections did he have?"

Turning to W-12, Miles says, ”Wiz, you are so smart! We could see what the Level 21 thug knows, and possibly even use him as leverage—ya’know, saying the murder will be pinned on him unless the Level 21 guys help us.”

Looking at his data pad, Miles says, ”Hey, this could be the place they’re using as a front! It’s a trendy teenage clothing store, called ’Eternally 21’ or something”.

Which of us has good diplomacy/intimidate? It sure isn't me! Tetch maybe?

Most of the visions that Atrios has had about this moment are too far off to be relevant. His tendency to live deep inside his head renders him unable to read others effectively. The number of times he has alienated potential friends and partners are too many to count.

"What if, as Chiskisk says, the attack was about us?" he asks "Does that not provide an avenue of approach?"

Looking to Miles, Netharan says,"Can't hurt if we see what we can get out of him. Might as well see what he knows about the attack, if it was just a gang altercation or if indeed we or Kreel were the actual targets.

I'm not good at diplomacy/intimidate.

”Oh!” said W-12 with a flash of surprise, ”Would station security let us speak with him? They must be quite different from Aballon law enforcement, although I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised by that.”

W-12 has decent Diplomacy.

”Sounds good to me. Let’s go,” says Miles simply.

You make your way to where the person you knocked unconscious is being held by security, who let you visit him. Looking up and giving you all a quick glance, he goes back to his business like he doesn't know who you are.

I would suggest Netharan use his detect thoughts ability. Maybe there'll be something we can use to prompt the guy to spill

Atrios remembered dreaming about this man. Execpt he wasn't in a prison cell, he was demonstrating a recipe to dress up soylent chips. The key was to marinate them, bread them and then deep fat fry them.

If I can remember having reidiculous visions about this an then he can sure as hells remember shooting at that poor dwarf!

Netharan approaches the perp, saying to him, "Do you know why we're here? We know you were targeting us and Kreel at the docks. We want to know why." Bluff: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8

As he waits for the prisoner to respond, Netharan concentrates and pulls up his innate ability to read thoughts, hoping that his bluff makes the prisoner slip, at least mentally.
DC=12 Will save to read surface thoughts.

The prisoner doesn't seem to respond to your bluff, but his thoughts portray that he was told by his gang to Kreel from the other gang, that was his instructions.

”Use yer noggin, fella”, says Miles, ”Kreel is dead and yer the gang member they caught. Ya know the law-man type—they’ll just pin it on ya since yer convenient. Ya wanna be the fall guy on a murder charge? This is yer chance to come clean.”

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (15) + 0 = 15