GM Quirk's Acts of Association (Inactive)

Game Master Quirk, Private Eye

Gletch shakes his head, as a hand goes down to his cybernetic leg, pressing buttons on the keypad built into his thigh. "Neuroforce matrix calibration," he mutters. He as pulls his pistol in his other hand, the dropped package rises and moves away from the ysoki gang.

Standard action: Cast unseen servant. The servant picks up and carries my dropped package. Move action: draw pistol

Bubs, still looking bewildered from grenades going off, screams from the crowd, and gunfire, manages to shake his head "yes" at Lola, and takes the package from her.

Gletch successfully uses his magic to secure the package he was carrying and prepares to use his pistol.

Lola, you may still take a standard action if you would like. Also need a turn from Kaia. I will bot sometime Sunday and get another turn started then.

Lola nods. "Thank you." Then she draws her pulsecaster rifle.

"Come on, we can stop the rest," Kaia calls out, before aiming at the nearest ysoki (Green) to her and making a shot with her pulsecaster pistol, her shot going wide and completely missing.

Move Action: Get 'Em on the Green Ysoki.
Pulsecaster Pistol vs. EAC: 1d20 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 + 1 = 3

Kaia misses her target just as bad as Rex did seconds before her. Perhaps you'll both laugh about it later. But at the moment, the two remaining ysoki banditos begin running.

Looking horrified at the violent way his friend met his end, both ysoki draw pistols and move. One fires at Mich (who is standing over the dead body of his compatriot).

to hit: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9
electrical damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2
MISS

The other yellow turns and fires at Rex as he attempts to make his getaway.

to hit: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 19
electrical damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

Rex feels a burning shock 2 damage.

Initiative Order:
1. Yellow -1
2. Blue--has joined the bleedin' choir invisible!! THIS IS AN EX-YSOKI!!
3. Lola
4. Rex -2
5. Gletch -1
6. Mich
7. Kaia
8. Green

Everyone may go.

Gletch moves up and fires at the retreating green ysoki.

Static Arc pistol attack vs EAC: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 1 = 16
Static Arc pistol damage: 1d6 ⇒ 4 E nonlethal

Mich moves next to the Ysoki who try to shoot him and says.

Surrender or we will spare you.

He’s ready to strike if the Ysoki doesn’t surrender.

Ready action to strike

"or" we will spare them? :)

Rex takes another shot at the fleeing Ysoki.
Pulscaster vs Yellow: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 = 13
Damage: 1d4 ⇒ 1 E (nonlethal)

Yes, I wasn’t that awake this morning when I write this :P

AND we will spare you.... hum

Still waiting for Lola and Kaia. A little under the weather, so I may make a post in the morning. Time for some rest.

Get me a shot on the yellow one. In the young mechanic's vision, a red X appears over Rex's shoulder. Eh. Maybe I'll get lucky. She touches the firing stud and puts a bolt past everyone downrange.

Pulsecaster rifle vs. EAC on yellow: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7

Hoping to stop one of the ysoki so they can get an explanation for the attack, Kaia aims at the same ysoki she just missed. (Green).

Pulsecaster Pistol vs. EAC: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 1 = 21
Damage: 2d4 ⇒ (3, 1) = 4 E, nonlethal

Kaia, Rex, and Gletch all land hits on the escaping ysoki's. Kaia's shot is especially accurate, causing the poor ysoki to lose control of certain bodily functions.

Mich, the ysoki you were next to was the dead one. I suspect there was a mix up as far as who was attacking who--it might have been my fault. I took the liberty to move you near green, who is trying to escape. In fact. . . .

The terrified ysoki near Mich continues to run.

Mich, you make take your attack if you would like. I have positioned him a double move away from you, but if you manage to strike him down he'll die at your feet.

The other ysoki also stays on the move, firing at Mich as he does.

to hit: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (18) + 6 = 24
electrical damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

Initiative Order:
1. Yellow -2
2. Blue--'e's shuffled off 'is mortal coil!
3. Lola
4. Rex -2
5. Gletch -1
6. Mich
7. Kaia
8. Green -8

Everyone may go.

Ready Weapon vs KAC: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 22
Damages, S: 1d6 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 6 + 1 = 11

As the Ysoki tries to flee, Mich has no remorse to put an end to the thief's life as his weapon cut deep into his flesh.

That's for not helping!

Lola stows her rifle and takes back the package from Bubs. "Thanks. I think they've run off, so we should be safe for now."

Rex hopes to capture one of them alive, so he gives chase after the young thief.

Trick Attack (Engineering): 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (1) + 15 = 16
Pulscaster vs Yellow: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6
Damage: 1d4 ⇒ 3 F

So unsuccessful

I hope all of you who are in the U.S. have had a nice Thanksgiving. Despite some slightly dry turkey, I absolutely did.

I anticipate beginning the fourth and final segment of this adventure over the weekend, and I'm willing to bet we'll be done by the following weekend. Meanwhile, here is a wrap up of your rather violent encounter with the ysoki bandits.

Though the final ysoki runs off at a dead sprint and seemingly escapes, a commotion and yelling nearby indicate authorities have arrived. Their comm devices light up as they radio ahead to their fellow Stewards, and soon several Stewards return to the shopping galleria with the ysoki, now handcuffed.

All of you spend a significant amount of time explaining yourselves, particularly Mich. There is also suspicion about where the second grenade came from, though nobody owns up to it.

Bubs finally speaks up after telling his story to the Stewards. He seems in a strange nexus of being both amused and horrified at the violent deaths of these ysokis. "Well Mich, uhhhh, that escalated quickly! You might want to lay low for a while. You killed two people with that laser sword thing you've got!" He stares at you for a moment before cracking a witty smile at both Mich and the rest of you. "Let's go get something to eat. We can drop off these packages back at my suite, then on to this restaurant I want to try. . . ."

I did, as well, and same to you and everyone else to whom it applies. (The turkey wasn't dry at all, despite it being the first one my daughter has ever baked. She cheated and used Alton Brown's method, though.)

I'll have to get myself a pistol. Fearing the worst, Lola asks, "Where is this restaurant?"

"I look forward to the culinary excursion, Bubs. I am sure that it will be less harrowing than the last couple of adventures."

"I look forward to the culinary excursion, Bubs. I am sure that it will be less harrowing than the last couple of adventures."

While keeping a poker face, Lola inwardly curses. Why did he say that? We're doomed.

"What would really top off this trip for me would be some fine dining! I have heard of a restaurant here on Absalom Station called 'Perfexion'. Let's head that way, and see if we can get a table."

Most of your characters have heard of this restaurant. Some information on Perfexion:
Perfexion is an upscale eatery, where expert lashunta chefs
prepare food at diners’ tables after psychically assessing their
eating preferences. A meal includes several courses with dishes
such as Castrovelian eel soup and roasted frujai frond steak on a
bed of sauteed caypin rings (the bravest diners prefer the caypin tentacles still ambulatory), with Akitonian cactus ice cream for
dessert. Perfexion is one of the most popular restaurants in the
Pact Worlds, with a reservation list several weeks long.

From the adventure text:

Reflective walls and an understated sign mark the location of
Perfexion, one of Absalom Station’s most exclusive restaurants.
A small crowd of well-dressed hopefuls lingers near the door
while a red-velvet cordon keeps them back from passing into
the establishment’s entryway.

Two burly Vesk doormen keep an eye on the crowd.

"Heard a dat place," says Rex. "Be tricky ta get in on short note."

Rex will observe the entrance way to see if anything useful catches his eye, like how people are being checked in.

Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 17

May be we can try to convince the people to get us a place?

Rex notices several people being turned away by the hulking, doshko brandishing vesks. Those who seem to have proper reservations are allowed into the restaurant.

At this point, either a bluff or diplomacy roll can go a long way toward getting a table. Barring that, a brible -might- also do the trick. Rex, if you would like to make a bluff or diplomacy roll, you may add +2 to your roll for taking some time to understand the comings and goings of Perfexion. I may be inclined to give circumstance bonuses to anyone else who really goes above and beyond when it comes to role playing this type of social encounter.

Kaia raises an eyebrow when she hears where Bubs wants to go next, but if they can manage to talk their way past the guards, she wouldn't say no to such a fancy meal.

"The trick to getting into places like this is to act like you're meant to be there," she says to Rex and Mich.

She takes a moment to neaten her clothes and tidy her hair, and then she strides up to the vesks. "Good morning," she says, gracing them with a friendly smile. "My friends and I have a lunch appointment. Could we-?"

She points through the door and then looks expectedly at them, trying to appear as confident as she can in her words.

Bluff: 1d20 + 10 + 1d6 ⇒ (9) + 10 + (6) = 25 The 1d6 is from Expertise

Are there any kind of physical objects that would help us get in? For example, those little alarm things that you get if you're waiting for a table at a restaurant?

Gletch watches the area, not getting involved since he is not particularly good at dealing with people, let alone elaborate subterfuge.

Rex will follow Kaia's lead, offering her any insights he may have, but he knows better than to present himself as the face.
Yeah, not a people person. Low CHA and no Bluff or Diplo skills

Mich peeks inside to see if one table is free and adds

Yes! I see that our table is already set. I like to come here, it’s always a regal for the palate. Weeks of waiting for such a pleasure, it’s worth it!

Bluff (aid): 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 2 = 21

The vesk doormen are busy, preoccupied, and distracted by the crowds.

To them, it seems plausible that you probably have reservations, and you ushered through the lines and into the restaurant.

In fact, you are assigned a rather luxurious table in a private dining area.

Here is what you see (from the adventure's text).

Elegant, transparent furnishings and multicolored lights fill this
luxurious space with an ethereal glow. At each table, a small
group of socialites watches in awe as dexterous chefs prepare
food in a show that is as much acrobatic as culinary. Liveried
waitstaff move between the tables, bringing beverages and
clearing plates. A floor-to-ceiling holographic aquarium fills one
wall between a pair of staircases, and large windows provide a
breathtaking view of Jatembe Park.

Soon after you are seated and have been served beverages, the Lashunta chef arrives at your table. He performs psychic readings of each of you in order to ascertain the perfect combination of textures and flavors to serve you (you can resist this if you wish, let me know if you do).

Bubs is absolutely entranced by the showmanship and culinary offerings being served by the chef.

He turns to you all, his mouth full of his entree, and mutters "thish ish sho duhlishus! Have you tried thish?"

As you all enjoy your meals, you also notice that something just doesn't seem right with Bubs.

Who wants to make a medicine check?

Lola shakes her head at the lashunta's offer, and tries to resist if pressed. "I'm sorry, but I'm supposed to be watching him. Some other time."

The chef seems annoyed at LolaRuby. Since she did not submit to the psychic scan, she is served "chef's surprise"--basically a plate of small samples of the various foods they serve at Perfexion.

It actually still looks quite appetizing to most of you.

Rex gladly submits to the scan.

"Not likely to get dis chance again," says Rex quietly to the others.

No medicine skill here

Mich refuses to have his mind read, he's traumatized from his experience on Bastiard-8 and now he's afraid of voices in his head.

No thanks.

No medicine

Medicine: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 5 = 23

"Bubs, are you okay?"

Rex, and those of you who submit to the scan, you are served one of the best meals you have ever had. It's as if someone took the flavors and textures of your favorite comfort foods and paired them with an accompaniment of unusual and surprising flavors you might not have even known you would love.

Mich, you are also served "Chef's Surprise". It's an interesting and flavorful variety of food.

Gletch, you notice Bubs is "puffing up"--he's still smiling and eating voraciously, but you're wondering if he's having an allergic reaction to something in his dish. Could it be the Castrovlian eels, or perhaps the Akitonian egg salad appetizer?

Gletch pulls out his medkit. "Bubs, I believe you may be having an allergic reaction. Please allow me to administer a mild analgesic and antihistamine, which will help alleviate the issue."

Medicine(Treat drugs or poison): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 5 = 18

Bubs thanks you, Gletch. "Wow! An allergy you say? I guess it could be. There's nothing like this back home. So with this medicine, I can go ahead and finish this, right?"

Bubs continues to work on eating the rest of his portion.

Yeah. . . .he still isn't looking that great. His color seems off, and he still looks a little swollen.

We will move on later this weekend. Look for some posts from me Sunday. Meanwhile, if everybody else wants to do any role playing, feel free.

What can I do to help?

Asks Mich, who have no idea what to do!

Bubs continues to eat, then cough, snort, and take labored breaths. It gets to the point where he is very nearly making a scene in the restaurant.

In fact, the Lashunta chef comes to the table, brandishing a cleaver, and threatens everyone. "What iz ze problem here? I certainly hope this is not some RIDICULOUS attempt to get out of here without paying the bill!" He crosses his arms and stares at you all intently.

Gletch shakes his head. "No, Bubs you cannot ..." He sighs.

Master Chef, don’t you know when people are allergic to something?
Truth is, that your food, quite excellent if you tell me, gave mister Bubs here, some allergic reaction. Looks how he’s red now!
I’m shocked that a restaurant of this standing doesn’t ask for allergies, can you do something to help?
Please?

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14

Going to leave this open for another day to allow Rex, Kaia, and LolaRuby to participate as well.

"Dat not good Bubs. You need ta stop while day figure out what wrong," adds Rex.

Sorry for the delay!

"No no no! I have zeen zis all before! Is impossible for my psychic scans to allow us to serve food that does zis! You pay now, and you leave!" The chef slams down his cleaver on the table to emphasize his point.

Additional diplomacy rolls may work for you here. Also, poor Bubs can't help but continue to eat this delicious food, though it truly seems to be making him ill. As always, circumstance bonuses are possible for excellent role-playing. Someone put us over the hump! We're almost done!

Gletch glances at the chef. "Indeed, sir, this is a gastronomic anomaly. Clearly, your technique correctly identified a food that Bubs finds quite appealing - irrationally appealing, it would seem! It seems that the flaw is Bubs is drawn to a food that is quite harmful to him, rather than any problem on your end. We will happily pay, but please do not bring any more of this dish ..."

Diplomacy(untrained assist): 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (13) + 0 = 13

"Yas, we no blame you - but somethin really wrong here."

Aid Diplomacy: 1d20 ⇒ 18

Visibly exasperated with their charge, Lola pulls out a credstick. "It's probably an interaction with something else he was exposed to--he's from outsystem, and this is his first time on station. How much is the bill? We need to get him to a proper medic quickly."

Diplomacy aid another: 1d20 ⇒ 13

Someone has to make the actual diplomacy roll.

We're all waiting for the envoy.

Mitch has roledl for diplomacy