PbP Gameday IX: SFS 2-23: The Edge of Cadascon (Inactive)

Game Master Revvy Bitterleaf

Welcome, feel free to dot in. Introduction post will go up once I have the scenario

Dot

Before the briefing begins, an android steps forward. He (it?) appears to be dressed for combat, even within the confines of the briefing room. While not armored (yet), the android sports a tactical baton across his back and two tactical semi-auto pistols in holsters strapped to his chest, as well as a squad machine slung over a shoulder.

"My designation is The Analog Affair. I am the 12th iteration of this chassis. My primary role within missions for the Pathfinder Society is usually security and delivery of violence. Despite the skull and crossbones symbol tattooed upon my face, this iteration is not associated with the Besmaran faith." He pauses for a moment before saying, "Please excuse any anomalous behaviors during moments of conflict. I am running diagnostics on my violence subroutines."

He then looks at each member of the team, his head turning to each person in turn, as he looks in their eyes. "It. Is. A. Pleasure. To. Meet. You."

After finishing the incredibly awkward felicitations, he asks, "Did I do that right? The New Iteration Socialization and Behavioral Expectation Guideblog (post 443f5A, entitled "Don't be Weird With Other Sentients"), suggests I should look directly at each person when greeting them. I wish this chassis' social subroutines carried over from iteration to iteration. Reports indicate that its previous iteration was quite gregarious and well-liked."

A halfling dressed in outdoor gear nods faintly. "Yeah, you did great, buddy. I'm Ashtif Cloudskipper. Pleased to meet ya!"

Frinke looks over at the Android. You deliver violence? Well I hope you end fights and not start them.

It's still a bit over a day before we can get started, but just to give you a tiny bit of back ground information;

You have all received an invitation for a meeting at the the White Sands Lodge.
It's located on Triaxus, a Pact World in the midst of a centuries-long winter. The Starfinder lodge is in the Skyfire Mandate’s trade port of
Cumo and after your shuttle lands you make your way to the lodge

After you arrive there you meet up with some other Starfinders. Some you may know, most you are most likely seeing for the first time and as you make introductions to a few of those you meet you make your way to the main conference room for what you can only assume will be the briefing for your next mission while trailing a bit behind the group.

A female blonde human hurries up to catch up with the other en route for the conference. She really looks like a human, except for her behaviour, and the very occasional blue light, that betrays her android nature.
“Sorry for the lateness, my shuttle had some engine problem.” She poses a bit “I am Iris, I know about most sciences and use technomagic.”

Frinke looks over at the Android. You deliver violence? Well I hope you end fights and not start them.

”What an interesting way of saying that,” responds The Analog Affair. ”Yes. Violence tends to cease after I deactivate my violence subroutines.”

Ashtif Cloudskipper walks into the main conference room, the short humanoid an odd sight alongside his companion, a human-sized otter-like creature.

The Brenneri nods around. "Greetings. I am Junior Ambassador Calvon. I sometimes accompany Ashtif on missions where is need of diplomatic assistance." Fidgeting with a datapad between his two hands, he takes a seat.

Well, we are early I think, our contact will meet us any minute now.

The inside of the White Sands Lodge’s crystal dome is balmy compared to the frigid Triaxian winter outside. The copper dragon Zafeldrin sits on a platform surrounded by flickering holoscreens. Several other Starfinder agents wait nearby, conversing with one another or fiddling with comm units and datapads. After a moment, the dragon diverts his attention from the screens to the Starfinders gathered before him, offering a toothy, excited grin. “Ah. The last to arrive. Welcome, agents, to the White Sands Lodge!” The tip of Zafeldrin’s tail twitches with barely contained anticipation.

“Now that everyone is assembled, let’s get right to it. Have you ever heard of Cadascon?” The dragon waves a claw and the aerial image of a partially buried, ruined city built into the side of a mountain appears on a holoscreen.
“Cadascon is a city in the Drakelands that dates back ages before the Gap. As far as we can tell, there are few existing records of who resided there, or why they don’t reside there anymore. When the Society finally managed to acquire the necessary permits and permissions to investigate the area, I put out a call for the sharpest minds we have. This initial foray won’t be going into the city proper. I identified four locations through aerial surveillance. I know this doesn’t sound like the most exciting of missions, but I’d be prepared for the worst regardless. If you determine the area is safe enough, we can begin establishing a base of operations nearby and prepare to bring in scientists and archeologists to examine the site more thoroughly.

“It’s my hope that a new archeological discovery will get the Pact Worlds thinking about the good things the Society has had a hand in. But still, I know things have been stressful for many of our agents, which is why I’ve decided to throw a little soiree for you all before we depart tomorrow. In fact, I was hoping you could assist me in finishing the preparations for dinner while I finish checking the equipment for the mission.

“Lastly, I hope you’ll all use this joint mission as an opportunity to get to know your fellow agents. The Society’s strength comes from the bonds between us and our ability to work together to accomplish things we never could alone. While investigating the city, I expect you to look out for one another.

Now, does anyone have any questions?

Based on the result of a Culture check to recall knowledge or a iplomacy check to gather information, you might know something about
Triaxus, the Drakelands, and the city of Cadascon. You PCs know all of the following information with a DC less than or equal to the result of the check.

Culture: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13

Iris tries to remember what she read about Triaxus that would apply but does not remember anything useful.

Iris can still ask questions even if she can't remember anything herself if you want

Culture: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (19) + 11 = 30

Ashtif considers what he knows, and shares it with the others. "Cadascon was called the City of Brimstone, ruled over by a dragon named Brior the Unblinking - what an unfortunate name - before the Gap. Brior used slaves to mine crystals, which supposedly contain magical energy." He glances toward Zafeldrin. "What details do we have on the four locations that we'll be exploring? Are we going to be in a territory that is claimed by a dragon now, who might be upset that we're poking our noses around?"

At the mention of magical energy, Iris seems to react.

She waits for Zafeldrin to answer to Ashtif before asking “Is the dinner only for us or are they any guests?”

The Dragon's head swivels towards Iris-1

"My dear, you are the guests"

before he winks

"And with you I mean all the Starfinders present here"

As he turns his head back you can still hear him mumble to himself

"...even though there is still a lot to get done before everyone can enjoy the party.. If they can help me set it up I'll have enough time to do other tasks myself.."

"...even though there is still a lot to get done before everyone can enjoy the party.. If they can help me set it up I'll have enough time to do other tasks myself.."

"How may we be of assistance, Venture Captain Zafeldrin?" asks The Analog Affair. "A social gathering is always difficult to prepare effectively. Especially without assistance."

Looks like maybe my questions might have been missed.

He glances toward Zafeldrin. "What details do we have on the four locations that we'll be exploring? Are we going to be in a territory that is claimed by a dragon now, who might be upset that we're poking our noses around?"

Oh, good job Ashtif, someone hit the books hard.

The dragon turns his head at Ashtif and seems to take a reeeeeeaaaaaal long time to consider his answer before starting to speak.

"Sadly I don't know much specifics, that's where you come in. I'm fairly certain there won't be a dragon. But to be honest I don't know enough to rule out the presence of a dragon either."

“This expedition is mainly for"reconnaissance. You will be looking for evidence of what happened to the people of this city long ago, as well as signs of any potential dangers we’ll need to keep an eye out for in the future. The Society will use your reports to decide how to proceed with this discovery,so be diligent.”
“Aside from seismic activity or mundane Triaxian predators, it pains me to admit that I don’t know. Most of the city appears to be underground, and the drones we’ve sent to scout the area lose their connection to us if they venture too close. The interference doesn’t appear to be intentional tampering. I believe it might be perpetuated by certain elements in the ground.”

Before moving on the answer Frinke's question
"I'm so glad you asked"

"You are free to assist with one or both of the following tasks, individually or as a group. I might consider how you perform these tasks as a test of your skills"
The dragon then grins
"Or I might not. A dragon works in mysterious ways"

The roughly dozen other Starfinder in the room start to look worried and most take out datapads to take notes

"I need a group to go pick up some final ingredients from a supplier and I need another group to set-up the dinning area in the garden"

Please let me know where you want to go as an individual - fetch ingredients or setting-up. And since splitting up the party would make me hesitate as a player myself don't worry about getting into a fight with only half the party - at least for this part of the scenario ;)

The Analog Affair nods his head when fetching ingredients is mention. "I am excellent at retrieving people. And items. And ingredients, I'm sure."

Iris pauses thinking how her skill might be more useful. She finally decides that setting up dinning might be something she wants to do as to improve on that. “What can I do to help set up the dinning area? Did you have something in mind already?” While doing that she is touching her computer, starting to search the infosphere about that topic.

As the Analog affair moves to the side along with some other present Starfinders to go over a list of what to get and where to get it Iris-1 goes online to figure out how to do a proper place setting, as she looks around she can see a few Starfinders near her discus a more or less similar topic

Waiting on the others to let me know where they are going before setting up those scenes

As Frinke is unskilled, he will help set up.

Ashtif smiles. "I'll help get the ingredients."

As Ashthif and the Analog go on a Shopping excursion:

You pile into a people-mover and find yourselves heading into the nearby city. There are some more people in the vehicle with you, and a summerborn Ryphorian turns around to talk ”Hello! I’m Navaret, and this is Swift” she lets a small squox out of her travel bag. ”This is Cailis” she indicates to the corpse-like borai who just glances in your direction with a wan smile, ”and this is Iko” she indicates to the last person present; an Izalguun.

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At the same time Iris and Frinke head towards the area where the dinner part with be set-up.

A male kasatha, female ysoki, and male nuar are already working when you arrive and are busily setting up tables and chairs in a beautifully manicured garden. ”Hey can you give us a hand setting up?” the Kasatha enquires as he moves a stack of chairs.

These are just random people on a bus, right? They aren't all going for ingredients with us?

Ashtif smiles and waves. "Hello Navaret, and Swift, and Cailis, and Iko. I'm Ashtif Cloudskipper. Pleasure to meet you all." He slips past the Izalguun. "I think I can squeeze in over here."

Frinke unfolds the chairs and tables, carefully placing each one, being OCD about the placement.

These are just random people on a bus, right? They aren't all going for ingredients with us?

These are some of the other Starfinder present at the meeting who are also on the same "mission" as you.

Navaret continues talking "We're all pretty new, I thought this sounded like a great mission, but it's horrible wandering around out there with winter setting in, I hate the cold - I'm used to Castrovel! Joined up to get out and see the galaxy, and so far I have seen a cold rock. Have you been on many missions yourselves?"

Kalis keeps to herself, the undead Starfinder being very quiet.

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"I'm Kalet" the Kasatha continues with a smile, "and that is Ritska our ysoki friend, and Kran the nuar" - they all join in laying down tables and chairs, and following the diagrams for how the place should be laid out.

Navaret continues talking "We're all pretty new, I thought this sounded like a great mission, but it's horrible wandering around out there with winter setting in, I hate the cold - I'm used to Castrovel! Joined up to get out and see the galaxy, and so far I have seen a cold rock. Have you been on many missions yourselves?"

Kalis keeps to herself, the undead Starfinder being very quiet.

The Analog Affair looks at the new Starfinders. ”Space is cold. You should get used to it,” says The Analog Affair. ”I am The Analog Affair. I used to be a new Starfinder, too. I recommend not buying grenades as part of you load-out. Their effectiveness does not compare well with other weaponry. Also, fumbles at critical moments. I’ll simply say: Bad.”

”Mmm. Was that an inappropriate conversational foray?” he asks suddenly, realizing how odd his non-sequitur likely was. ”My small talk needs work.”

Navarat is taken back a bit as if trying to figure out if the Analog is serious or not but at that time a multiple of little pings can be heard indicating that a new message has arrived on a personal datapad.

Iko leans over "Hey the shopping list is ready..." and true enough it is displayed on a screen along with a pile of directions to the various stores. The transporter pulls up in front of a store and you do a double-take when you realize the first address is not for a supermarket, but actually an enercycle dealership.

Navaret looks at the shopfront "Huh? What is this?"

Iris presents herself to the team preparing the tables. Then she asks to see the diagrams. If no one tries to coordinate the efforts, Iris will take lead.

At the dinner party set-up;

Kalet the Kashata makes his way to Iris
"Thanks for helping. I mean...those 2 are nice and all that..but they are not much for sticking to the diagrams. It's nice that you and uhm...that other guy are here to help. He's real methodical about putting down those chairs and you helping out with coordinating is helpful."

After you continue to put down chairs for what feels like ...well to be honest minutes,there are not _that_ many chairs and tables even though you spend a bit of time on putting down plates and glasses and things like that as well;

A flight of drones flies in from your host, providing music and ighting for the party, but you notice three of them appear to be malfunctioning significantly. Luckily, Talet manages to catch a drone and he and Kran begin working on debugging it, but Ritska seems annoyed by the two bugged ones - "Hang on, I'm just going to shoot them, this is stupid". Talet interjects "You can't just shoot them!"

You could probably grab one out of the air with an Acrobatics or Athletics check

At the shopping list gatherers:

You all stare at the enercycle store.
"Shall we check the next address?" Navaret asks the rest of the vehicle as he pulls out a tidbit of food to feed the Squox who eagerly eats it and then darts away to climb up Ashtifs leg and sniffs around for signs of more food

Ashtif frowns at the suggestion of leaving, seeming eager to peek in through the windows. "Well, I mean, if this is where it sent us, we should probably go in and look around ... just for a minute, at least. Maybe they sell snacks? Or we could take one of the cycles for a quick test drive, and pick up the ingredients more quickly." He looks around at the others, clearly hoping they will give him an excuse to ride one of the enercycles.

Ashtif frowns at the suggestion of leaving, seeming eager to peek in through the windows. "Well, I mean, if this is where it sent us, we should probably go in and look around ... just for a minute, at least. Maybe they sell snacks? Or we could take one of the cycles for a quick test drive, and pick up the ingredients more quickly." He looks around at the others, clearly hoping they will give him an excuse to ride one of the enercycles.

”I agree,” says The Analog Affair. An enercycle would be helpful when I retrieve bounties.

As you start to leave the vehicle to go in the enercycle shop the so far silent Inzaguul Iko is looking over his datapad and says:

"Guys, did you look at the entire list as opposed to just going to the first location at the top of the list? I think it's a puzzle."

Kalis the Boria leans forward and looks at the information scrolling down a bit
"I think you are right. This must be the test Zafeldrin joked about giving us. We need to proof we can figure this out and show him we are worthy Starfinders"

Navaret also starts to take a better look at the information but quickly gets frustrated with the puzzle "I can't figure this out...we need to ask someone more familiar with Cumo for help"

Culture check to recall knowledge and identify the proper landmarks, or a Diplomacy check to gather information, convincing a resident to grant assistance. Each PC can attempt one skill check (or provide 1 assist).

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At the set-up

A rogue drone flies into some of the just set chairs and knocks them over.

Diplomacy to ask for assistance: 1d20 ⇒ 3

"Excuse me," The Analog Affair asks a passerby. "Wait, can you help --. Hmph. How rude."

Assist us or else Frinke says with a loud, drill sergeant type of voice, all serious like. diplomacy aid: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 2 = 15

Iris shouts “Do not shoot them, that will make them harder to fix!”, then will try to catch one.

Acrobatics: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6

Iris jumps in vain toward the flying drones.

If the flying drones are still causing trouble, Iris will cast a Summon Creature 2, summoning a small flying angel to help grab those drones. It has acrobatics and athletics +5, so barely better than Iris’s, but has a flying speed of 30 with perfect maneuverability.

I'm not sure what Frinke is trying to get diplomacy aid for....He's folding chairs at the set-up

Ingredient run Ashtif + the Analog

In the town vehicle the analog affair is trying to get someone to pay attention to Ashthif. The other 3 Starfinder are busy doing their own thing in trying to solve the puzzle as they feel the need to proof themselves.

Still a check from Astif from attempt 1

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Set-up Iris+Frinke

Iris jumps in vain as the rogue drones zoom past and she fails to get her timing right.

She starts to summon something to aid in their capture.

The kashata Talet manages to jump at just the right time and manages to bring down one of the 3 drones. He holds it up and says "Hey, Kran..can you take a look at this for me? Maybe we can restore them to proper function"

A Nuar strolls over and starts to examine the drone.

A tawny, wiry-furred ysoki starts to draw a big gun with a snipers scope and looks around nervously, getting ready to start shooting down drones if nobody can stop them in a different way soon.

Still an acrobatics or athletics check from Frinke from the first attempt.
Then for the second attempt you can now also use Computers or Engineering to repair a drone. Only one success per caught drone possible.
Drones caught: 1
Drones fixed: 0

Attempt 2 options:

The angel has 4 rounds of flying/acrobatics it can do; no idea how many attempts that would give it.

Iris will stop trying to catch up flying drones as she is not good at that, hoping the angel can help the other starfinders.
She will go to the drone and touch it, accessing its programming and trying to fix it.

The touching is Divine Blessing of Triune.
Computers: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (9) + 14 = 23

acrobatics: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (15) + 7 = 22 He is the setter upper there is.
Frinke does not have computers or engineering.

Culture: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (20) + 11 = 31

Ashtif looks over the list, trying to figure out the clues from his memories of the local landmarks.

The angel has 4 rounds of flying/acrobatics it can do; no idea how many attempts that would give it.

Well, it get's 1 round to do things the same as a PC would..so right now that's 1 attempt

Iris has no problems getting the caught rogue drone to return to it's original programming as Frinke catches a second drone without any visible effort

The Nuar seems impressed by Iris as the drones flashing red lights return to green
"I am Kran, maybe later when there is time you can explain what you just did?'

The Ysoki whoops as Frike catches the drone
"That's some might impressive jumping and dodgeing you did there. you remind me of...well me"

Talet joins in "Very impressive indeed"

Still 1 action left from Frinke and 1 for the summon to catch a drone..and since this for some reason doesn't scale for number of people I'll let Iris do another computers check as well

Drones caught: 2 out of 3
Drones fixed: 1

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Ashtif takes one look at the map and immediately knows the answer to the puzzle as he explains it to the rest both Iko and Cailis are
impressed by his show of cleverness.
"Well done lad"

While Navarat talks to the Analog
"Even though your companion managed to solve the puzzle I'm glad to see I wasn't the only one who considers asking the local to be the best way forward. In my mind that was the most straightforward solution"

Knowing where to go next you manage to get all the items on the shopping list and return back to base.

since I can't repair a drone, I'll catch another drone acrobatics: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25

While the small angel tried to grab one of the drone, Iris is moving next to another drone and tries to fix it.

Computers: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (9) + 14 = 23

With the last drone captured Iris manages to fix the next one.

Zafeldrin arrives to accept the arrived parcels and looks on as Iris get's around to fixing the last drone as the other Starfinder quickly put the fallen chairs back up again..

"Well done Starfinders. With you taking care of these tasks I had the chance to go over some other things. One of those was in inventory list. I found a surplus of items we won't need here soon so I'll give those to you to use as you see fit"

You have a purple nanite hypopen, a manual sight weapon accessory, and a credstick with 900 credits as well as a longstrider module

"You have a few hours before the party starts. I'll see you all there" Zafeldrin leaves once more to take care of some more last minute tasks. The other Starfinder present also hang around or leave to go meet with some other Starfinders who didn't volunteer to help out
Feel free to roll play your time, include the other Starfinders if you want I'll make a retro post to respond if needed

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Starfinders of all kinds mill around the gardens, laughing and chatting. Hover drones flit about the space, cycling through countless musical genres and displaying “WELCOME, STARFINDERS” on their screens. Tempting smells drift from a buffet in the center of the space.
“Please, take this time to relax and enjoy yourselves, as well as to mingle with your fellow agents. Connections to one another are one of the most valuable treasures we can possess,”
Zafeldrin says from where he reclines upon a raised platform.

The partygoers are split into three distinct groups. Zafeldrin sits slightly separate from the other groups, observing the Starfinders with interest.

There's a buffet, a garden and an area with dinner tables which is surrounded by drones playing music.

Looking around you can see that your fellow Starfinders appear to have splintered off into three groups.

Buffet Table:
Cailis and Ritska stand next to the buffet table. Ritska is doing the talking, but Cailis the Borai seems even more frosty than usual.

Garden:
Talet and Iko are walking in the garden engaged in friendly conversation, Talet appears to be doing most of the talking.

Dining Tables:
Naveret and Kran both volunteered to pick the music playing from the hover drones, and the music alternates sharply between Naveret’s Verthani electronica and Kran’s classical elven pieces. They appear to be engaged in a good-natured debate over something.

Where do you want to go?