GM Quirk's Threefold Conspiracy

Game Master Quirk, Private Eye

"I be glad your payment was resolved. Sounds as if your client was really an Azmodean."

"About the other, foolish actions come in many shapes and sizes. I be talking about the big ones. The decisions or plans where one wads up and throws away a big chunk of your life or even your whole life. No force in all the planes can keep one from every foolish action. I know."

Yariel looks up... then up some more, "Alright big guy, just call me Flash. Watch your head in engineering, lotta low bridges ta clonk." After that she quickly disseminates the 300 credits evenly among each passenger then heads out.

A quick stop by her quarters to grab her go-bag then heading off to find the engineer.

Ready, Doctor. The Security Chief should be there, right? Like you said, she's probably just sick. She can't have left the ship.

Doctor Flint-Bridge responds to T'sorkel's telepathic question verbally in a quiet and discrete tone. "Technically, there's nothing stopping her from stepping out the airlock, but no, she doesn't strike me as the type. More likely she's got a vice that has just slipped out of control. Either way, I wager we all learn something new about Algiada Iom today."

Doc steps out of the lift onto the crew deck like she owns the place, searching for some clue as to where the security officer's cabin might be.

Yariel looks up... then up some more, "Alright big guy, just call me Flash. Watch your head in engineering, lotta low bridges ta clonk."...

Rar'gul nods. "Should be rrright, Flash," the trox rumbles. "Not expecting any prrroblems, but if therre arre, get behind me."

-Up on the crew deck with Doc Flint and T'sorkel-

You emerge on to the crew deck of The Chimera. The corridors here are quite similar to the middle deck. They are clean and well lit. They are also fairly quiet.

In the long central hallway, there are several doors. You aren't really sure which one is Algiada's.

The door to the bridge opens. First mate Lozu steps out and immediately sees you. "Can I help you? Is there something you're looking for?" Her tone is both business like and friendly.

-NEAR THE DINING HALL WITH BEAUREGARD AND JOHN-

The halls seem quiet. A knock on Trostinek's cabin yielded no answer. It appears that the goblins are in the gym (their usual haunt). Song is in the kitchen preparing lunch.

Just let me know your strategy as you search for Trostinek. I'll have a post about Yariel, Rar'gul, and Kiiv in a little while.

First mate Lozu steps out and immediately sees you. "Can I help you? Is there something you're looking for?" Her tone is both business like and friendly.

"First mate Lozu!"

Couldn'ae be better.

Doctor Flint-Bridge reflect's the human's open and professional tone. "A few minutes ago you expressed concern that Chief Iom hasn't been seen and that her cabin is locked. Is this still the case?" Doc holds the apparent medkit in a conspicuous position. "I apologize for intruding on the crew's privacy, but if she has suffered some sort of medical event, then her well-being is my professional obligation, and every second counts. Can you show us to her cabin, please?"

Diplomacy check to improve attitude: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15
(Doc's Bluff modifier is also +7 if you feel that's more appropriate, GM)

T'sorkel nods. We had hoped to check on her. The Doctor thought she could be in distress. Have you heard from her? He tries to read the expression on her face.

Diplomacy, aid: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12
Sense Motive: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11

-DOC FLINT AND T'SORKEL ON THE UPPER DECK-

Lozu seems to agree that the time to open the cabin has come. She takes a deep breath, sighs, and says "I think at this point you are wise to want to take a look. I'll let you in to take a look around."

Lozu pulls out a key card, knocks on the door and yells "Algiada, are you in there? We're coming in!"

The door opens and you are looking into a fairly simple cabin. T'sorkel and and Doc Flint, please give me immediate perception checks.

T'sorkel, you don't detect anything below the surface with Lozu. She seems sincerely concerned, and agrees it's time to possibly violate a crew mate's privacy.

-RAR'GUL AND YARIEL ON THE ENGINEERING DECK-

Kiiv bangs on a thick metal pipe with a large wrench,
distracted enough to notice little else. He suddenly shouts "mother-pronking thrusters! What the pronk happened? FELDERCARB!"

When he looks up, Kiiv seems relieved to see Yariel and Rar'gul.

“Thank the fates,” Kiiv says. “I don’t know exactly what
happened to the thrusters, but it’s done a real number
on the Chimera’s whole damn propulsion system. I could
really use a hand here. Do any of you have any skill
in engineering?”

Rar'gul shakes his head. "Sorrry, not much help therre. Unless you need to apply a healthy dose perrcussive maintenance," he replies, rolling his broad shoulders.

Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 14

Beauregard tromps over to the kitchen.

"Hey, Song, hate to bother ya, but, you seen that vesk around Trostinek? I wanted to talk to 'em a bit but, I can't seem to find the bounty hunter."

-BEAUREGARD AND JOHN NEAR THE DINING HALL-

You find Song plucking feathers from a rending geese. One is already dressed and ready to go in the oven.

"Huh? Oh, him? He's a wanderer. I've seen him in the cargo holds. Also saw him wandering down to the engineering deck yesterday. Isn't in his cabin very often, I don't think. Never misses a meal, that's for sure, although he doesn't always eat here in the dining hall."

-NEAR THE DINING HALL WITH BEAUREGARD AND JOHN-

The halls seem quiet. A knock on Trostinek's cabin yielded no answer. It appears that the goblins are in the gym (their usual haunt). Song is in the kitchen preparing lunch.

...

"He doesn't seem to be in his cabin. Let's check the common areas first. "

I suggest dining area and galley, including a chat with Song first, then the gym. If he's not in any of those, then check the holds. If the holds don't work out, split walk down the port and starboard passages, look in gym, galley, dining room, T's cabin, then the escape pods. If we find nothing call reinforcements

John will defer to the investigator.

John--he's definitely not in the dining area or galley, and he doesn't seem to be in the corridors, at least not on this deck. You haven't checked the gym yet.

Song asks, "So, any sign of Iom yet? I heard through the grapevine that Professor Benjam has you on the case."

"Thanks for the advice Song. Grapevine huh? Well that's odd, We weren't hired more than ten minutes ago. No, no sign of Iom, from us at least. We're checking on all the other passengers. I noted the Goblins, and probably that Hobgoblin lady, are all in the gym. I saw the other five and the professor just a bit ago, so that just leaves Trostinek."

He turns to Rawlins.

"Well, he's not here, or in his room. If the others see whim while working on the engines, they'll be sure to comm us, that just leaves the cargo area. Let's go check."

"Right. The holds. Let's go then. "

John pauses there to ask casually, "Song, have you seen Trostinek lately?"

There's all the cabins and the escape pods too. We should probably peek in the gym as we go by, just to be sure.

Yariel smiles kindly at the frazzled mechanic, ”I didn’t spend a couple years tearing down and rebuilding anything and everything just for the piece of paper to say I could. Let’s work the problem, step by step and get this ship moving.”

She pulls out her computer and starts referencing the appropriate maintenance manuals, ”Start with what does work and move down the line towards what doesn’t.”

The door opens and you are looking into a fairly simple cabin. T'sorkel and and Doc Flint, please give me immediate perception checks.

Perception check: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7

Whelp, I got the door open, but it looks like it's up to you, T'sorkel, to do anything useful.

-ALGIADA'S CABIN WITH DR. FLINT-BRIDGE AND T'SORKEL-

This small room is kept in an orderly fashion. It has a desk
and simple furniture, including a neatly made bed.

There is no sign of Algiada. To thoroughly search you will need to enter the room.

-ENGINEERING DECK, YARIEL AND RAR'GUL-

Yariel, Kiiv tosses you a wrench. "Way ahead of you. I have already found at least one problem."

Kiiv crosses to a toolbox on the other side of the room and
produces a small diagnostic datapad.

“You see that big valve in front of you? I think it’s jammed.
If we can get it unstuck, we might be able to get the Chimera
moving again. However, I need to temporarily slow down the
amount of fuel pumping through there or…” Kiiv mimics the
noise of an explosion.

“Trouble is, this limiter over here has always been finicky
and needs constant supervision during the process. When
I give you the word, just twist that valve to the right real
hard. Okay?”

-BEAUREGARD AND JOHN, STOPPING OFF AT THE GYM ON THE WAY TO HOLD-

The goblins are indeed in the gym. They are doing calisthenics and various drills. Jincheroga is barking various orders to them in the goblin tongue.

Let me know if you want to stop here for anything, or if you are heading directly to the cargo holds.

We're off to the holds.

Security Chief? Are you here? T'sorkel frowns and enters the quarters, looking around the room. He looks around the sparse room for any notes or personal effects that might give a clue as to where she went.

Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15

Did Song ignore John's question about Trostinek? Or did he just not know?

Security Chief? Are you here? T'sorkel frowns and enters the quarters, looking around the room. He looks around the sparse room for any notes or personal effects that might give a clue as to where she went.

Doc frowns at the empty space. "I... I actually expected her to be in here." She steps into the room, looking around for anything unusual.

Perception check: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 6 = 15

John--Song had answered about Trostinek a few posts before your question. I thought maybe our responses had simply crossed around the same time and you would end up seeing it. Look for the response for 8:06 last night.

-ALGIADA'S CABIN, T'SORKEL AND DOC FLINT-

Some sort of rifle fires a blast at T'sorkel as he steps over the threshold into the room, hitting and wounding him terribly.

damage, cold & piercing: 3d8 ⇒ (1, 5, 5) = 11

Lozu lets out a scream.

Some sort of rifle fires a blast at T'sorkel as he steps over the threshold into the room, hitting and wounding him terribly.

"Get down!" Doc catches the shirren as he staggers from the blast, easing him to the ground in the hallway outside of the cabin. "Control your breathing, apply pressure, and the worst of it will pass quickly. It's simply a minor annoyance, T'sorkel."

Using my inspiring boost ability to restore 5 SP to T'sorkel.

"Lozu, please stop screaming, dear." Once her companion is stabilized, Doc cautiously sticks her head back in the room, trying to locate the source of the trap. Before doing anything brave, she taps her comm unit, sending a text message to the rest of the ad hoc investigatory team.

< Iom's cabin was booby-trapped. Proceed with caution. >

Perception check: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11

-ALGIADA'S CABIN-

The source of the blast is obvious. A rifle sits on a shelf, partially obscured by other mundane items on the shelf. The barrel is now smoking.

This trap is not going to cycle again. Lozu will run in and secure it. An engineering check would be possible to remove it from its mount, in which case it will serve as a subzero ice carbine (ARM).

Hanging practically upside down levering her weight to provide the right force on the valve the Ysoki keeps her cool when the frantic report comes through their comms. She comments to Rar'gul, "Let em know I'm busy, but you can go if they need help."

-STARBOARD CARGO HOLD WITH BEAUREGARD AND JOHN-

You step into the cargo hold and step around a large crate.

Trostinek sprawls unconscious, one eye bruised, amid the
shipping containers. A robot that looks like a humanoid
wearing over-padded armor stands near a large open crate
nearby. The lights surrounding its cardioid-shaped face
plate glow an ominous red as it scans the hold. A small arm
mounted on its shoulder seems to move independently of
the construct’s body.

Take a look at slide 5.

It is at this point that your comms come to life. Apparently T'sorkel has been shot in Algiada's quarters.

The robot is tracking you. It sees you poke around the side of the crate. You may slowly back out of the room at this point, or we can roll for initiative.

-ENGINEERING DECK WITH YARIEL AND RAR'GUL-

As Yariel begins to turn the valve, she realizes that it is stripped, and in fact it breaks of in her hand. As it does a jet of flaming fuel shoots out from it.

damage, flame: 4d6 ⇒ (1, 4, 4, 4) = 13

DC 14 Reflex save for half.

Kiiv shrieks in terror and immediately shuts down the fuel supply intake, shutting down the flame.

Reflex Save: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 2 = 16

Yariel rolls as she hits the floor, taking the brunt of the flame damage on her clothes instead of her face. The thankful Ysoki lays there a few seconds before rolling up gingerly and wiping back her now sweaty hair back, "Jeeze, that was close. I think I need a few to calm down."

She sits cross-legged in a meditation pose, controlling her breathing until the adrenaline dump passes and she feels good enough to keep working.

10 minutes & 1 RP to recover the 6 stamina damage she took, 3/4 RP remain

I need to make a slight retcon that I think everyone will be pleased with. After you helped Kiiv cleanup the gaggle of dead rending geese, he gave you all a Mk. 1 Grenade Scrambler (ARM 102). You will just need to let me know who, if any of you, are carrying this. It was an item he built that he couldn't use, so he was happy to share it.

T'sorkel screams both psychically as well as vocally as he is shot. It's an odd sensation, hearing his typical voice in your minds while hearing a thin and reedy whine of a scream from his vocal cords. I might be a interesting effect if it wasn't so damned loud and piercing. The Shirren thrashes about for a moment in shock, his carapace scraping against the metal of the ship's floor.

He draws a ragged breath and focuses on the Doctor's words. He nods, though his vocals turn into a hiss as pressure is applied to it. As stops screaming, T'sorkel finally is able to focus his thoughts. I...I got shot! I have a hole in me! And it's so cold! Why?! He pants and tries to calm down by closing his eyes, but the pain is evident on his face.

I...I got shot! I have a hole in me! And it's so cold! Why?! He pants and tries to calm down by closing his eyes, but the pain is evident on his face.

"T'sorkel," Doc says with feigned patience, "you have many holes in you. One more is hardly something to swoon over. Here's a chitin patch - let that solidify, and then come inspect the room with me."

Doc's bedside manner is A+.

Stepping into the room, the halfling glances at the first officer securing the haphazard home defense. "Lozu, does Algiada strike you as the type to protect her cabin with deadly traps?" Doc steps lightly around the room, peeking under the bed, in the bathroom, and in the drawers.

-GENERAL STATUS REPORT-

1. Noting that the robot seemed aggressive (as evidenced by Trostinek's battering), John and Beauregard withdrew from the cargo hold.

2. T'sorkel has a moderately severe wound up on the crew deck. Doc Flint is attending to him.

3. Yariel was burnt, but not too bad, by an explosion of rocket fuel. Rar'gul is nearby should any help be needed.

4. Someone will need to let me know who has that grenade scrambler.

Outside the hold, John sags against the wall. "Trostinek down, and T'sorkel shot. What be the thing to do? Can we leave Trostinek there?"

No time for a better post tonight. I favor calling the rest of the team here, but will cede the decision to Beau.

Stepping into the room, the halfling glances at the first officer securing the haphazard home defense. "Lozu, does Algiada strike you as the type to protect her cabin with deadly traps?" Doc steps lightly around the room, peeking under the bed, in the bathroom, and in the drawers.

Lozu looks surprised at the question. "What? NO! Algiada had some rough edges at times, but she would have never hurt anyone, and I don't think anyone would hurt her. I don't know who would have rigged that rifle up, but I can't imagine it was Algiada."

Dr. Flint-Bridge does find a few things in the cabin. Of course there is the rifle, which Lozu identifies as belonging to Algiada. A DC18 engineering check is needed to get it down.

There is also a datapad and an old-fashioned ledger.

There is a curious holopicture as well. It's a young ryphorian man who bears a familial resemblance to Algiada.

This young ryphorian is out on some sort of archaeological dig.

There is another human man next to him.

This human man appears to be a young Professor Brodynt Benjam.

Beauregard's voice crackles through EVERYONE'S commlink. Though the commlinks are new and his voice should seem crystal clear, it seems like his voice is going through and old-time radio reciever.

"Folks, I dunno what's going on down there, but I've found the Vesk. He's been beaten unconcious by an Odd-looking robot I've never seen before. I don't have any medical training, so I don't know how bad, but the Robot won't let us get any closer."

Rar'gul watches on from a short distanice away as Kiiv and Flash begin working on the valve.

"Flash!" the trox calls, startled as flames unexpected shoot out from the damaged component. By the time he can react, his ysoki companion has already thrown herself out of the way.

Crouching beside Flash, he tries to pat out the still glowing embers on her clothing. "You okkkay?" he asks, concerned. "What happened? I'm guessing that didn't fix it," he looks at Kiiv as he helps the ysoki to sit.

"Therre's been an accident in Engineerrring," Rar'gul rumbles over the comms. Flash had a bit of a close call, but she was quickk enough to avoid the worrst of it. She's takking a moment to catch herrr brreath. We'll meet up with you soon."

With the patch in place, T'sorkel begins to calm down. He takes in the Doctor's confidence and struggles back to his feet with only a few hisses of pain. He looks around the room and moves to the rifle that shot him. A eagerness to see the thing that caused him so much pain makes him try and take it, though without much success.

Engineering: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11

As he does so, he turns to look at the holopicture the Doctor finds. Is that Professor Benjam? Why would she have a picture of the Professor? And who is that man? He looks like Algiada. Oh...could it be a broodmate of hers? Her brother? Perhaps we should ask the Professor about him.

Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (20) + 7 = 27

Lozu looks surprised at the question. "What? NO! Algiada had some rough edges at times, but she would have never hurt anyone, and I don't think anyone would hurt her. I don't know who would have rigged that rifle up, but I can't imagine it was Algiada."

"So there is someone on board who is willing to kill to keep people out of this cabin. Charming."

Dr. Flint-Bridge does find a few things in the cabin. Of course there is the rifle, which Lozu identifies as belonging to Algiada. A DC18 engineering check is needed to get it down.

Engineering check: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (17) + 6 = 23

Doc removes the rigged-up rifle, handing it to the shirren. "Here you go, T'sorkel. A memento of the first time you got shot."

As he does so, he turns to look at the holopicture the Doctor finds. Is that Professor Benjam? Why would she have a picture of the Professor? And who is that man? He looks like Algiada. Oh...could it be a broodmate of hers? Her brother? Perhaps we should ask the Professor about him.

"Well, I would caution against..." Doc pauses as her comm unit crackles to life.

"Folks, I dunno what's going on down there, but I've found the Vesk. He's been beaten unconcious by an Odd-looking robot I've never seen before. I don't have any medical training, so I don't know how bad, but the Robot won't let us get any closer."

"Therre's been an accident in Engineerrring," Rar'gul rumbles over the comms. Flash had a bit of a close call, but she was quickk enough to avoid the worrst of it. She's takking a moment to catch herrr brreath. We'll meet up with you soon."

Doc taps her comm unit. "Well, things just got a bit more interesting. We're just about wrapped up in the cabin here - everyone regroup in the cargo bay. We need that vesk alive." Turning to Lozu, she explains, "there's a murderous robot in your cargo hold, and another passenger is in need of immediate medical attention. Find Algiada. Sweep the outer hull if you have to. She could be in grave danger."

Sweeping up the datapad, ledger, and holopicture into her bag, she marches out of the room. "We'll look into these later. Let's go try out your new toy, T'sorkel."

-ALGIADA'S CABIN WITH DOC FLINT AND T'SORKEL-

As T'sorkel lays on the floor wounded, he turns to notice a small vent under Algiada's bed. The cover seems loose, and there is some sort of dried up residue that coats the bottom of the vent entrance.

The vent is only about 6" by 12".

You may take a sample. A life science check may tell you more.

It is at this point that your comms come to life, and you are summoned to the cargo holds.

You weren't supposed to notice that. I suppose that's what the occasional natty 20 perception check can do for you though! We can deal with the data pad and ledger later. Please remind me.

As T'sorkel lays on the floor wounded, he turns to notice a small vent under Algiada's bed. The cover seems loose, and there is some sort of dried up residue that coats the bottom of the vent entrance.

The vent is only about 6" by 12".

You may take a sample. A life science check may tell you more.

It is at this point that your comms come to life, and you are summoned to the cargo holds.

Life Science check: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 3 = 13

"Hmm." Doc furrows her brow as she puzzles over the mysterious residue that T'sorkel located. She scrapes a sample into a small vial. "We'll look at this more later."

Yariel finishes her meditation, feeling a lot better. Her nose wrinkles at the smell of scorched fur and she glares at the burn marks on her clothes.

Turning towards Kiiv, "Bigger problem right now. We need to slip off for a few minutes, I'll be right back to work the next issue."

I don't think the robot issue is pressing enough to interrupt the 10 minute rest, so anyone else who needs a bit of healing can take one of those too. Don't forget about the free mk1 healing serums we got from the professor.

"Have you got your comm with you?" Rar'gul asks Kiiv.

"Here, (If the answer to the above was yes, Rar'gul will send Kiiv the party's channel frequency, otherwise he'll toss Kiiv his own comm unit) be surrre to kkeep in touch. Something's not rright herre."

Turning to Flash the trox says, "Sounds like we'rre in forrr a scrrap. Might be best I suit up on the way." Rar'gul will detour past his cabin to put on his armour.