GM Quirk's Threefold Conspiracy

Game Master Quirk, Private Eye

"Maybe we could ask to let one of us go to the bank while the others stay here? That person could attempt to get authorities," he thinks to the others.

"Is there a contract we need to sign?" he asks the androids. "Is this considered a docking fee or a temporary insurance for the ship?" While he asks the dirindi looks for any snipers or beings who may be a long-range hazard.

Cidribvoot, give me a perception check at your earliest convenience. More from me later tonight...

I'm so sorry for being late. I thought I posted a perception check days ago.

Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 16

"Maybe we could ask to let one of us go to the bank while the others stay here? That person could attempt to get authorities," he thinks to the others.

"Is there a contract we need to sign?" he asks the androids. "Is this considered a docking fee or a temporary insurance for the ship?" While he asks the dirindi looks for any snipers or beings who may be a long-range hazard.

Since you are all connected via T'sorkel's psychic messages, I'll make Cidribvoot's observation from his perception roll public here.

While Cidribvoot doesn't see any additional thugs, he does take note of four chop cycles sitting against some crates nearby. This could be transportation for these thugs.

That's what I figured, but it didn't hurt to ask. And on equipment again. Are they wearing armor? What else can you tell us?

Through T'sorkel net:
"Fraudsters or thugs. Does anyone see a constable, or call box? If it comes to fight don't kill them if possible. It might invite investigation."

John mentally grits his teeth while continuing to smile and says, "A drastic discount indeed! Are you associated with Abadarcorp by any chance? They offer classes on the art of bargaining among other tenets of commerce.
I'll give you one of the most broadly known tenets for free. Fair price for fair value. For a mere 100 credits, I'll tell you the first flaw in your bargaining strategy."

The thug raises an eyebrow at your offer. For a moment, it appears that he might be curious, but then his brow furrows. "No, I don't think we're interested in hearing about Abadar. We do not align ourselves with any corporate interests. I suggest you take our reasonable offer of 1,000 credits." He looks around at his fellow thugs, gives them a nod, and they begin to circle around all of you.

Which one's been doing the talking?

"Doc, stay behind Rar'gul."

"It was an offer of instruction, not an attempt to proselytize." John sighs and places his hand on his chest. "As a good Abadaran, I pledge to return here and give you what you deserve. Or you can come with us. Let's go. "

Bluff, misdirection with sincere hand on chest placement: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (13) + 16 = 29
He drops his left to the hilt of his new sword, and thumbs it forward slightly out of the sheath. He turns and starts to walk slowly toward the station hub.

Which one's been doing the talking?

"Doc, stay behind Rar'gul."

"It was an offer of instruction, not an attempt to proselytize." John sighs and places his hand on his chest. "As a good Abadaran, I pledge to return here and give you what you deserve. Or you can come with us. Let's go. "

Green has been doing most of the talking. John--what was your intention with the bluff check? Their cue to choose violence was if you walk too far toward toward the station hub. With such a high roll for your bluff it is possible I could give you a bonus here--a single action?

The thugs give a whistle. Their chop cycles instantly roll toward their owners.

They also draw weapons.

The first thug (yellow) fires an arc pistol at Rar'gul.

to hit: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (4) + 9 = 13
damage, e: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8
Miss.

He also commands his chop cycle to fire (these act as drones)

to hit vs EAC: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (15) + 6 = 21
damage, f: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8
But that one's a hit!

Round 1, bold may go.

1. enemy yellow
2. Rar'gul (-8)
3. Enemy green
4. Dr. Flint-Bridge
5. T'sorkel
6. enemy red
7. John Rawlins
8. enemy blue
9. Cidribvoot

Rar'gul follows John's lead toward the station hub, hoping to avoid conflict with the androids.

His jaw tightens when the androids draw their weapons. So much for a low profile!

He is on the move as the first thug opens fire...

+1 EP; EP: 1/5

... energy shimmering along his forearm to form a small shield as he takes up a protective stance in front of John.

Move & Entropy Shield (Field tactical) +1 AC
Standard: Total Defense +4AC; Bulwark grants John +2AC

"You should have taken him up on his offer!" he calls to the androids.

Waiting to see what John has in mind.

T'sorkel's readied action should go off as soon as the shooting starts. Target Yellow.

Wasn't planning anything much with the bluff, GMQ. Just to get the sword loose in its sheath without them noticing. I do want to fast talk green, however.

Bluff: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (4) + 16 = 20 Well that probably won't work.

"Accursed one! The golden avatar comes for you!" John points behind green.

T'sorkel's readied action should go off as soon as the shooting starts. Target Yellow.

Is this meant to be telepathic SCREAM? I can't find telepathic SHOUT. If it's telepathic scream, it works.

Wasn't planning anything much with the bluff, GMQ. Just to get the sword loose in its sheath without them noticing. I do want to fast talk green, however.

[dice= Bluff]1d20+16 Well that probably won't work.

"Accursed one! The golden avatar comes for you!" John points behind green.

** spoiler omitted **

Alas, your fast talk doesn't work. Perfect time to try it.

One of the thugs {ooc](green)[/ooc] backs away from the approaching Rar'gul, drawing his pistol as he does. His drone follows.

He fires his pistol at Rar'gul.

to hit vs. EAC: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (4) + 9 = 13
damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8
Miss!

Round 1, bold may go.

1. enemy yellow (possibly affected by psychic scream)
2. Rar'gul (-8)
3. Enemy green
4. Dr. Flint-Bridge
5. T'sorkel
6. enemy red
7. John Rawlins
8. enemy blue
9. Cidribvoot

Yes, it was Telepathic Scream. Sorry for the confusion.

As fighting breaks out, T'sorkel locks eyes with one of the thugs and memories of a grotesque alien clown from his childhood fills his mind. The clown turns to him with black dripping teeth. You'd better run!

Casting Command on Yellow. DC16 Will Save or Flee for 1 round.

"Rar'gul, let's roll them up from right to left."

Lilly smiles and shakes her head at the androids.

“You really should’ve taken his offer.”

She swings the rifle from her shoulder and aims at blue.

liquidator caustolance targeting blue EAC with minor inhibitor: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (5) + 9 = 14

If hits, blue has -1 to attack rolls for 5 rounds
If hits, attempt intimidate check with frightening injection

“You have no idea of the pain in store for you. Give up now.”

Intimidate check to demoralize blue: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (14) + 10 = 24

will save for yellow with -2 penalty for telepathic scream: will save: 1d20 + 4 - 2 ⇒ (7) + 4 - 2 = 9

Yellow is sure to flee for at least a round...

Dr. Flint-Bridge hits her target.

He is also intimidated. Please roll damage for the caustolance.

Red attacks Rar'gul
to hit: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (20) + 9 = 29
damage, E: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4
crit damage!: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9

His chop cycle also fires at Rar'gul.

to hit vs. EAC: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (17) + 6 = 23
damage, F: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Hit!

Round 1, bold may go.

1. enemy yellow (possibly affected by psychic scream)
2. Rar'gul (-25)
3. Enemy green
4. Dr. Flint-Bridge
5. T'sorkel
6. enemy red
7. John Rawlins
8. enemy blue
9. Cidribvoot

Seeing yellow turn to run and Doc Flint-Bridge's shot hit home, John says, "New plan. Left to right." He runs to flank the enemy, sliding his sowrd clear on the way.

Melee sword cane, advanced v KAC blue: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (13) + 10 = 23 ... damage: 1d4 + 9 ⇒ (1) + 9 = 10 critical Bleed 1d4; Analog.operative)

”Please roll damage for the caustolance.”

I very recently learned that when you use a caustoject or caustolance for a biohack, you don’t get any acid damage. So, I’ve been playing that wrong for, oh, several years now. Oops. My characters' sincerest apologies to the many creatures they faced who all died before they should have due to spurious acid damage.

From “caustoject” description in AoN — “Syringes can be loaded into these weapons, allowing other materials to be quickly injected instead of an acidic discharge (in which case only the injection effect occurs—no acid damage is dealt.”

From “caustolance description in AoN — “As with its smaller cousin, a caustolance uses its battery to generate an acidic field to inject directly into its targets, but it can also handle and discharge other substances that are poured into a special tank that is attached to the weapon’s barrel.”

Was interrupted while posting this morning. I'd like to trick attack too. Blue's my target so no AoO from him. Although if his bike has a melee weapon I'll face an attack from it.

Trick Attack, succeeds v CR: 1d20 + 16 - 20 ⇒ (5) + 16 - 20 = 1
If successful opponent is flat-footed or off-target until my next turn. Well that won't work.

John Rawlins hits his target but no trick.

Blue then takes a guarded step back, all while his drone moves in between him and John. He fires.

to hit: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (12) + 9 = 21
damage, E: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

Round 1, bold may go.

1. enemy yellow (possibly affected by psychic scream)
2. Rar'gul (-25)
3. Enemy green
4. Dr. Flint-Bridge
5. T'sorkel
6. enemy red
7. John Rawlins (-5)
8. enemy blue (-10)
9. Cidribvoot

Despite expecting conflict to start, Cidribvoot is slower to react compared to his new companions. He dashes for cover while removing his pistol from its holster. Exhaling, he takes aim at the one John attacked with a sword cane.

laser pistol vs BLUE EAC: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (13) + 12 = 25
damage: 2d4 + 3 ⇒ (3, 3) + 3 = 9

Move action: move 25' and draw weapon.
Standard action: Laser pistol ranged attack versus the BLUE ringed enemy.

Cidribvoot pulls the trigger and squarely hits his target. Blue is most certainly bloodied at this point.

Under the effect of T'sorkel's magic, the western ganger leaps on his chop cycle and starts to drive away.

Round 2, bold may go.

1. enemy yellow (possibly affected by psychic scream)
2. Rar'gul (-25)
3. Enemy green
4. Dr. Flint-Bridge
5. T'sorkel
6. enemy red
7. John Rawlins (-5)
8. enemy blue (-19)
9. Cidribvoot

John gives Cidribvoot a quick glance and nod. He uses the shot's impact to clear his second sword from its cane-sheath.

Just some flavor. It's coming out next turn.

Watching the disarray unfolding amongst the enemies to his right, Rar'gul pivots and dashes to his left to support his companions.

Closing in on the gangsters and their rides, he thrusts his left hand toward the chest of the android accosting John (blue).

Entropic strike (vs EAC): 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (16) + 10 = 26
A&B Damage, Force: 2d6 + 11 ⇒ (4, 3) + 11 = 18

Rar'gul savagely lays into the ganger. He now lays on the docking bay floor, bleeding out.

Rar'gul! You just killed a guy! YOU MAY WANT TO LAY LOW FOR A WHILE!

Seeing one fellow ganger bolting, one of the far miscreants decides to mount his chop cycle and head for greener pastures. This is green joining yellow (who is under the effects of psychic scream, command, etc.) in heading the east on the map.

The remaining ganger (red) throws down his pistol and slowly backs away with his chop cycle using a guarded step.

This will probably end combat, though I'll keep the initiative order in case there is further bloodlust! It seems green and yellow are running for it, and red is surrendering and attempting to back away. Blue is dead.
Round 2, bold may go.

1. enemy yellow (possibly affected by psychic scream)
2. Rar'gul (-25)
3. Enemy green
4. Dr. Flint-Bridge
5. T'sorkel
6. enemy red
7. John Rawlins (-5)
8. enemy blue (DEAD)
9. Cidribvoot

Do we need to talk to red or just let him go? Any information we need?

Street thugs trying extortion? I don't think there's anything to be gained by more killing. Might be worth it to try to save blue (is bleeding out dead?) and hang on to red for whatever passes for police here. I'll let T'sorkel make a move before John chimes in IC.

Yay, I love the news team battle!

Halt! The simple command is borne right into the thug's mind.

Cast Command (Will DC16)

Lilly keeps her pistol ready, covering the remaining ganger in case he decides to be stupid.

She gestures at the mess.

“I told you… you really should’ve taken his offer.”

"So much for keeping a low profile," Cidribvoot says, holstering his laser pistol. He hurries to their dying opponent and attempts to prevent death.

First Aid skill check vs DC 15: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (7) + 10 = 17

Cidribvoot is attempting this since BLUE is "bleeding out". Does the ship have video camera near the door for security? Is there evidence we can show the authorities should we need to?

John kneels beside Cidribvoot and the dying(?) thug. "They were brazen. Maybe this kind of thing happens frequently on the docks here." He first wipes the blood off his blade on the thug's clothes, sheathes the sword, then stands by to help the dirindi.

Aid, Medicine: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (15) + 8 = 23

will save: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 4 = 18
The thug makes his save

The remaining thug continues to slowly back away from the menacing form of Rar'gul. He's certainly very fearful of all of you.

The thug who is bleeding out might have a chance, partially in thanks of Cidribvoot and John's efforts. He'll either need advanced life saving measures or magic to make it.

"Stupid, wanna be tough guys," Rar'gul rumbles, equal parts concern and frustration. "Should have listened!

"Hopefully learrnt a lesson from this. Damn luckkky we'rre not the sorrts to makke them pay in blood!" he continues, kneeling to join John and Cid by the fallen thug.

"Nice worrkkk," he offers to his quick acting companions. Reaching into his pack, he produces a small vial of iridescent liquid. "Let's get this into him." Serum of Healing Mk I

** spoiler omitted **

You don't see any cameras.

Rar'gul helps the thug choke down the serum. He sputters and coughs, then seems to slowly come to.

The thug (in fact, they're all androids) who is backing away only murmurs "just let me go, we'll leave you be. This has all been a mistake."

John looks after the two fleeing androids, then back to the slowly retreating one. "Nice friends you had there. Are you planning to leave your friend here?" He pauses a beat. "As for letting you go, that would be a gift of considerable value, and Abadar doesn't give gifts, but bargains and payments. Tell us about the station. Who can get us visas and and passes to the various moons? Are your two other friends going to stir up trouble for us?"

I guess this is a gather information try. I'll take 10 if I can, and roll if I can't.
Diplomacy: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (18) + 12 = 30

Cidribvoot nods back at Rar'gul with the compliment of nice work. "Thank you but he needs advanced care. Anyone have magic they can use? Otherwise we need to get some medics quick." He steps away from the android, almost ready to run for help. He's not paying attention to John questioning the other android.

Just pour the serum Rar'gul's offered down the android's throat.

Oh, I forgot about Rar'gul's serum ....and I feel like I critically failed a reading skill check, because the android drank the serum and is speaking! I'll try to fix this.

Cidribvoot shakes his head and laughs. "Ahhh sorry just a bit of dirindi humor to ease the tension...seriously though, answer his questions," he adds to the android.

John looks after the two fleeing androids, then back to the slowly retreating one. "Nice friends you had there. Are you planning to leave your friend here?" He pauses a beat. "As for letting you go, that would be a gift of considerable value, and Abadar doesn't give gifts, but bargains and payments. Tell us about the station. Who can get us visas and and passes to the various moons? Are your two other friends going to stir up trouble for us?"

I guess this is a gather information try. I'll take 10 if I can, and roll if I can't.
[dice= Diplomacy] 1d20+12

Nice roll!

"Look...like I said, this was all a big mistake. You're not going to see us around your ship again. I'll help my buddy back to his flop-house then lay low for a while."

He continues, "If you're trying to get somewhere, you probably need to go to the OCI."

He offers some general directions to the nearest office. Of course he's referring to the Office of Commercial Interests. You may have heard of them.

"Even some loser marks from off-station know that. What if OCI denies our application? Who else could we go to?"

This is mostly John just being a little cruel. And developing a backup plan to official channels. We can skip over it.

T'sorkel steps up behind the thug. How about you spread the word a bit. Next time someone tries to touch us, we might not hold back.

He slowly looks down at the fallen thug, then back up at the other android. Also, I can kill you with my brain.

Lilly leans around T’sorkel and smiles at the thug.

“I can kill ya, too, but I use needles. Lots of long, painful needles sticking into places where you don’t want them. Ow.”

She widens her eyes a little and gives her best creepy smile.

Well. It seems this adventure path has transformed us from solid citizens to murder-hoboes. Isn't that special?

It seems John's companions have set another price for the thugs. He shrugs. He doesn't really care. With very little enthusiasm he says, "Look into Abadarcorp. It could change your life."

You left out “paranoid”… we’re now paranoid murder hoboes.

Cidribvoot stands with his two lower eyes closed, while his third eye observes. Arms crossed, he appears to be thinking. After a few moments he says ,"John, we could try an investigative journalist. Change our tactics if OCI denies our application."

Cidribvoot herds the androids towards the exit. "Yes, yes. I suggest if you see us in the future, you change course."

Once the androids are gone, he asks, "Are we all going, or should someone guard the ship?"

"Even some loser marks from off-station know that. What if OCI denies our application? Who else could we go to?"

This is mostly John just being a little cruel. And developing a backup plan to official channels. We can skip over it.

"I don't know. I'm sure someone could forge some documents for you, but I'm sure you would agree that is risky."

With that, the last thug gathers up his companion, their two chop cycles, and leaves. They ignore John's exhortation about Abadar.

It appears that this lonely corner of Upwell may give way to more life up ahead. You think you hear music and the buzz of people conducting their daily business further along the docking spar.

Still crouching from when he assisted with the fallen android, Rar'gul turns toward T'sorkel and Doc. He tilts his head slightly as he regards the pair with curiosity and a hint of surprise.

"Best we all stickkk togetherr," he replies to Cid, rising to his feet. "If you'rre worrried about someone stealing the ship, we could do something to temporrarrrily disable it. Likke takkking the power coupling with us. I once hearrd someone tell a storrry wherre they did that."

Once their preparations are set, he ambles further along the docking spar.