Children of Gaia, PbP

Game Master Tarren Dei

"Do we have a map of the camp? Anything that resembles numbers of people in the camp, and breakdown by species?"

"There is an inner compound that is fairly fixed; you'll be able to find it on a open-access satellite image search. That's been there since the original relief effort, before things got really bad. As far as we can tell, the Gaia leadership live in the compound."

"The outer camp circles the compound and doesn't have much in the way of roads. Just one wide central road right up to the gates of the camp. Mostly humans, but increasingly non-humans are joining."

"Also, what crimes were the biker gang known for? Do we have any information on their membership or leadership? Do they have any enhanced among their numbers?"

"The Devil's Bridge Brigade are bikers ... let's see ... worked as mercenaries during the repacification conflicts and, since then, have extorted tolls on the highways east and south of the Navajo Nation ... Let's see leaders. Ah-hah! Fred the Butcher' ... I don't think that's his real name ... ah, yes, Frederick 'the Butcher' Boucher ... Oh, I see, ... this is why they call him the butcher.... these are very disturbing images..."

He does not share the images with you.

Von Junzt looks over the counter, trying to find the jar of cawfee left behind by Peggy. "And how much time do we have to complete our mission, Sir?"

"By the time you reach the camp, our agent in the convoy will have made contact with you. The convoy will spend several hours recharging at the camp before it heads back to civilization. If you have any information before the convoy exits, get word to our agent on the convoy and she will get word back to us."

"Otherwise, once you find out what's going on, get out and get back to us. If we haven't heard from you within two weeks, we will start looking for you in shiny Children of Gaia suits."

Any information on IX would be near impossible to find, save RAIN files. The person he used to be was declared dead. As a test subject, there is no data except if you had his full test subject number.

His armour phone won't offer much, random pictures of the vehicle he road in on, and sceneryy ones mainly. Online, not much to be scrapped up, mundane nothingness prior to joining his unit. His unit is/was of fair rating. But he himself never won anything, never really stood out in the paperwork. His cohorts mentioned he was a solid part of the team. The most notable would be when his unit went to save a ranking officer-he reattached a limb, dulled the officer's pain, and got him moving enough for everyone to escape without casulaties. Though plenty of R&R/Bed leave after. His resignation papers are odd however, in that they're too plain. Too straight forward and too mundane to actually have been let go so easily from service.

"Sounds good enough. After we arrive at the camp, we'll do some digging, and based on what we discover, we set up a plan to infiltrate the cult. It'll probably end up being me fooling around with high ranking cultists, though. It usually works."

He tops his cawfee and goes to a window, to check on the road where the convoy will come through. Smiles at Peggy.

"Do we have a good estimate as to how many people are in the camp, and of them how many are members or followers of the Children of Gaia?
Also, if you have any more video or pictures of the cult's leaders, or just important people in the camp, I could use those."

"Do we have a good estimate as to how many people are in the camp, and of them how many are members or followers of the Children of Gaia?

Also, if you have any more video or pictures of the cult's leaders, or just important people in the camp, I could use those."

"About 2000 in the surrounding camp, but people will come from all over when word gets out that a convoy is coming. Expect the numbers to swell very quickly. We'll send you a datapack with this transmission. These are the faces of the cult leaders. Take a good look now, and study the datapack as you travel."

The datapack will allow you to make Computer checks or Culture checks to find out information on people as appropriate.

The faces of some of the supposed cult leaders appear on the screen.

"Sounds good enough. After we arrive at the camp, we'll do some digging, and based on what we discover, we set up a plan to infiltrate the cult. It'll probably end up being me fooling around with high ranking cultists, though. It usually works."

He tops his cawfee and goes to a window, to check on the road where the convoy will come through. Smiles at Peggy.

'Peggy' senses Friedrich getting close to the window and turns to look. He ends up staring at the screen through the window.

I realize that your characters are probably not going to be able to look under this spoiler, but you can.

"Okay, it's about time to get ready for the convoy. Could you give my regards to L337 for me, and tell him how sincerely sorry I am about the early retirement."

The transmission ends a couple seconds later.

"Well.. Guess I'll study for now. I dont think I want this data on my device when we catch up with folks. I'm not so good with these things. But seems like a pretty big evidence if someone looked on our tech."

I have neither Comp nor Culture (no points in em). Can Zellgato roll Medicine to check and research purely any medical information that these briefs come with?
Allergies, illnesses, dietary habits, etc of the main guys. As well as any general "health of the area" CDC kind of information it put out.
if medical research is allowed: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (18) + 12 = 30

"What is our planned Ex-fil, assuming everything goes according to plan?"

"What is our planned Ex-fil, assuming everything goes according to plan?"

By the time Archeron asks this, the screen is dark.

They don't seem to have thought of everything. Bureaucrats! He said you were to get back to Peggy's. Getting back there is part of the mission, but you'll probably have some options before you know it.

"I hope I don't have to hitch again. I had to ride in a truck carrying chickens for part of the route."

Gistlethorn looks mournful. "And aside from eating, there is very little to recommend a chicken for."

"Chicken feces makes an excellent component to improvised bombs." offers Archeron.

Standing, Archeron then adds "As there is no infosphere access here, I feel that we should probably introduce ourselves and discuss our capabilities, combat or otherwise, that are considered assets at our group's disposal. As most meatbags are uncomfortable with drawing attention to themselves, I shall go first. My designation is Archeron, and I am a cyber-warfare and assassination model. While my primary capacity is cyber-ops, I am programmed with a great deal of knowledge about combat and meatbag physiology. I am currently equipped with a longarm and a handgun."

He then gestured to the group as if to say 'next'?

With the transmission over, the infosphere comes back online as Archeron is saying this. Some of you have already mentioned a few things that Archeron might find online about you later, whether you know it or not. If you haven't, consider adding it if/when you introduce yourself in response to Archeron's invitation.

"I'm your basic combat medic. I brought my custom combat medic bag, as well as my standard medic injection firearm-a revolver modified for my life style. When it comes to medical care, or biology-or what used to be biology. I've got a fair knowledge on it. I've got a few tricks that can enhance us, or cause issues for enemies. I don't have any Healing Serums, but I can fire those as well. I was a bit light on funds prior to this, so I only have my medkit really. But that works pretty well for a poor refuge situation I suppose.
Last bit is, to make it easier for me to help you all, I'll have to scan you. Is that good with you all? If not speak up."

Having said that. Zellgato will begin the proccess of Attuning his Microlab to his cohorts. Thus enabling him to better support and care for his temporary team.

anyone who refuses let me know- Up to 6 total. Which I believe is less than us

IX settles in a position of minor discomfort and unfurls his tail from its tied up location. He breathes a sigh of relief as a rat tail rests limply on the ground next to his leg.

Von Junzt steps away from the window and approaches the screens, switching channels, looking for anything else interesting.

“My name is von Junzt. I am a witch.”

He stands in the middle of the room. “Zauberei!” he says, and a short-lived show of multi-colored lights circles around him. “Lügen!” he says next, and applauses and whistles can be heard from all over the diner. Von Junzt bows.

Token Spell
Ghost Sound, will save DC 16 to disbelief

The large black fur bear bowed.

"The name's Gristlethorn. I'm a diplomat by trade, ladies man, and not a bad poker player either. I've fixed up my fair share of vehicles too, so I have some mechanics skill as well."

The bear grins, showing very sharp teeth. "I'm not all bark though, I won my last office's shooting competition for three years straight, and that's no mild boast. I'm also good for a distraction and making opponents leave openings they shouldn't."

Szreem steps forward. "I specialize in infiltration, espionage, stealth, assassination if necessary, that sort of thing. Oh, and I can do this."
Szreem's face begins to twist and bend, rapidly changing into that of the preacher for the Children of Gaia, then into agent Rena, then Burns, before ending with the face of "Mr. New Washington".
"Yes, I am one of those globalist aliens who turned the frogs gay from a few decades ago. My name is Szreem, if you can manage to pronounce that. Otherwise just call me Sam, or whoever I am at the time."

A white jeep rolls into the recharge station across the street. Grey uniformed relief workers carrying laser rifles stand in the jeep as it circles the recharge station slowly once and then speeds back in the direction you're expecting the convoy to be coming from.

'Peggy' re-enters the diner. "Is that your ride coming?"

"Most likely. As ordered, we should prepare to wait and fall in with the refugees following the caravan." Archeron shouldered his pack and started looking around for a good place to fall in with the stragglers.

"How do these recharge stations work? Will they need help operating them?"

Von Junzt smiles at Peggy. "Thanks for the cawfee, it hit the spot. The man in the screen told me to say to 'L337' that, ahem: 'how sincerely sorry I am about the early retirement".

"Is that your real name? It's beautiful." He finishes his cawfee.

"Huh. Frogs, is that what people bring up when you run into them?" Not caring terribly about the details, having found out some biological information about folks while attuning his tools to his new cohorts.

Upon the arrive of 'Peggy' and the convoy, Zellgato asks a dumb question "So. I"m not the infiltration guy generally. Just a medic. But.. Can't we just walk up and ask if we can come? The sheer fact of what they exist for kind of implies people do that rather often I imagine."
Taking a second pause, "Well, At least I could just tell them I'm a medic who wants to help people. An honest truth and a lie of omission seems a fair ticket."

"Most likely. As ordered, we should prepare to wait and fall in with the refugees following the caravan." Archeron shouldered his pack and started looking around for a good place to fall in with the stragglers.

"How do these recharge stations work? Will they need help operating them?"

"I'd try to get some of those cars working. People get here and don't have enough credits to charge them and just abandon them. Others need to be fixed but will help you keep up with the caravan."

Von Junzt smiles at Peggy. "Thanks for the cawfee, it hit the spot. The man in the screen told me to say to 'L337' that, ahem: 'how sincerely sorry I am about the early retirement".

"Is that your real name? It's beautiful." He finishes his cawfee.

L337 looks offended at the mention of his retirement but he realizes von Junzt didn't mean to hit a sore spot.

"Just remember. We're all disposable pretty boy, even you."

At the question about his name he rolls up his sleeve and shows the designation 'L337' impressed into his skin, not like a tattoo, but more like a stamp onto wax.

"So, which camp is the convoy heading to?" asks 'Peggy'/L337.

"Oh, I'm used to the meat grinder. Though I miss some pleasantries from my previous job, this is not too different. There's always interesting people around...".

Von Junzt comes closer to examine the stamp. "ARIZ-29, he said. Rings a bell?"

"Gristlethorn, you mentioned you have some expertise with repairing vehicles, correct? Would you like to assist me in seeing if any of the vehicles Peggy mentioned are roadworthy?"

"I can probably help a bit as well if needed. I used to help our Motor Transport Operator. Also, I can give us a little pep injection to work a little faster. There are a few of us though. Do we need one or two?"

That would generally be Engineering yes? Are we working on one vehicle, or multiple? Thre are a number of us, and it would be eaiser to join up I imagine if we didn't require seatings etc. If one. I'll Aid Another. If we're working on multiples then I'll work on myself.
I'll give a Biohack to whoever is Leading the skill check. They gain a "+2 Enhancment bonus to that skill"
Aid Another: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (16) + 9 = 25 DC 10 to give +2 bonus

If we're doing separate vehicles. I will biohack myself for my check. And also the other person doing so as well. If we're needing multiple I'll try for a smaller vehicle, or perhaps a set of motorbikes.
Repair a vehicle myself: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (12) + 11 = 23

Girstlethorn nods at Archeron and Zellgato. "Seems like a plan to me. Let's pick out a vehicle large enough for us, or barring that, a couple of the better looking ones."

Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7 --Looking for what looks like a better quality vehicle among the scrap.

Archeron walks outside, considering the gorup for a moment, then looks around for the vehicles that would meet what we were looking for.

Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12
Engineering: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (17) + 10 = 27

ooh perception wasa good plan. I figured I'd roll engineering now cause I was heading off to work for 10 hours
perception for the two set of vehicle choices: 1d20 ⇒ 6

There are five vehicles that look salvageable and interesting. A DC 20 Engineering check gets each one on the road in a timely fashion. They will need to be charged after at the pylons.

Three of the vehicles are two-seaters with laser rifles in front. The lasers are damaged and would take more work, but the vehicles looks salvageable. The last occupants may have died when their lasers did, as the seats are full of bullet holes.

There are also two cars that look complete enough to be roadworthy. They're old (2040s or 2050s) but made to be repaired if you know what you're doing.

There is also a very poor choice for a vehicle. It's pink. It looks like it used to be a canteen. Getting it ready for the road would be a challenge. It says "Penny's" on it.

Take your picks.

"Let's take these." Archeron said while gesturing to the two cars "They should give us the ability to carry the group, plus a couple omre should we be able to successfully extract the agents."

These being..? The older vehicles I assume?

"Alright, lets fix them up then. If we have spare time, might be worth while to get one of the buggies with weapons online. Just from a pragmatic security on the road view. Not sure how long the travel is-but offering protection isn't the worst trade to join up."

Let me know if you want me to re-roll the previous engineering rolls for things. I set that up since I was going to have a long day at work and didn't want to hold up the game. I'm fine with using those previous ones though. Either or.

Let me know if you want me to re-roll the previous engineering rolls for things. I set that up since I was going to have a long day at work and didn't want to hold up the game. I'm fine with using those previous ones though. Either or.

Nah, I'm happy with those two rolls.

We know you're going to get some vehicles, it's just a matter of which. I think Zellgato and Archeron should pick the vehicles they want to repair and Gristlethorn can roll for the vehicle he's interested in trying to repair. Worst comes to worst Von Junzt or Gristlethorn will have to persuade someone to let him/them ride along, which could be good for the mission anyhow.

Archeron is of the opinion we need to fix the vehicles that can hold the most people, since theoretically we'll be bringing back the group plus 2 more. It's why I didn't want the two-seaters. Plus, we have a pair of Huge Freakin' Guys.

Along similar lines, Gristlethorn will start to work on one of the full sized-cars.

"I agree with Zellgato. We need the cars for carrying capacity, but the buggies would have their own uses."

" Well.. the most spacious is definitely Peggy's delivery truck. A lot of space. A lot of space where no one could watch us. If we need to, some of us could sleep in it-and I could set up my Hotlier tent on top or off to the side as well. Did we want to repair the two cars and a buggy. Or one of each-buggy, suv, delivery truck?"

Scratchingg his head before looking around. " I mean no one expects that to be a get away or infiltration travel. Is there a compelling reason not to take it? Think Peggy would mind? It would fit our large friend, and anyone or materials we extract.
So... Archeron, what do you think? Delivery truck and a buggy? Or SUV and buggy?"

I'll let Archeron-superior mechanic by all Zellgato's reckoning take lead. I'll Fix a Buggy if he goes to an SUV, or I'll fix Peggy's if he goes for a Buggy. Three vehicles sound fine. Zellgato can drive one at least. And at absolute worse? We just trade a vehicle for a favor or to avoid trouble later. 3 is a good call

"We probably need 3 vehicles, in all honesty. We're going to be hauling about 8 people, and i'd rather have too many vehicles than not enough."

Archeron answered without looking up from the SUV he had started to work on.

Zellgato chooses the better looking buggy and begins to canabalize one into the other. Repairing the vehicle, and attempting to repair weapon systems as well. Taking his last suppliment while working to maintain concentraiton.
I'm not sure if you want a separate roll for the lasers, or just use the other extra roll from earlier. If a new roll for lasers-I use my last biohack. but will rest after we finish up work and make more using a Resolve
Engineer if for lasers: 1d20 + 9 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 9 + 2 = 20

" Well.. the most spacious is definitely Peggy's delivery truck.

Clarification:

"There is also a very poor choice for a vehicle. It's pink. It looks like it used to be a canteen. Getting it ready for the road would be a challenge. It says "Penny's" on it."

Regarding size of the vehicles, I definitely meant to give you options. I imagined the two cars as being big enough for 4 medium characters or 2 medium and 1 large to sit. You could squeeze more than that in without them sitting comfortably.

By the time Zellgato has one of the buggy's repaired and ready to be recharged (not the lasers yet though) the first of the convoy vehicle arrives. There are 8 pylons and you have managed to claim one of them before anyone arrives. It's only a couple credits to charge a vehicle like this.

Scout vehicles, like the little armed two-wheelers arrive first, circling the parking lot like before and pausing to get a good look at you. Then 8 large trucks and a handful of smaller vehicle pull up along the highway. They are blue-grey with United Relief Agency logos on them. You can see the predicted followers of the convoy piling up behind them. The trucks are making a point of blocking the refugees from claiming the pylons until they've gotten organized.

A scout vehicle heads over to Penny's and then to Peggy's.

Two scout vehicles head over to the majority of the PCs fixing the cars. One of the URA workers is armed with a laser rifle but doesn't touch it. She looks the team over and then shouts, "Okay. We want all the straycats piling up on these two pylons. We want to be in Chapel for nightfall for the pre-screening. Keep out of our way and stay off pylons 1 through 6. Right?"

She only waits a bit (if you wanted to ask her anything) before signalling her driver to head back to the convoy.

Peggy/L337 says to von Junzt, "I'm supposed to keep this place open for an indeterminate period of time waiting for you to return. ... I've got a retirement to plan. ... What can you tell me about this mission so that I can get an idea of when you'll be back?"

He spreads that out a bit waiting for von Junzt to jump in and offer confidential mission details freely.

A fairly low Sense Motive check would tell you he did try to be subtle about his inquiry.

Archeron finishes his initial tuning of the Suv and then tries to start it.

Engineering: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (6) + 10 = 16

Along similar lines, Gristlethorn will start to work on one of the full sized-cars.

"I agree with Zellgato. We need the cars for carrying capacity, but the buggies would have their own uses."

Could Gristlethorn want to make an Engineering check?

Glancing at her armaments, "Thanks for not pointing that at me. Which chapel is that? And thats fine, ya'll have a lot more vehicles than us."

Glancing at her armaments, "Thanks for not pointing that at me. Which chapel is that? And thats fine, ya'll have a lot more vehicles than us."

She nods at Zellgato, "The town of Chapel. Don't spread that around though, okay? It's best if the straycat parade doesn't get ahead of us. There's danger on this road and it's best to stick together."