GM Quirk's Threefold Conspiracy

Game Master Quirk, Private Eye

I forgot to include it in the post, but Rar'gul also offers for his room and pers1on to be searched.

Let's see if we can come up with a definitive plan here. Sounds like perhaps three of you might be seeing Song, and three of you will be trying to search the goblin cabin. I'll be available to make some posts Sunday night EST.

Yariel shrugs at the request, ”Ya sure.”

I personally would rather talk to Song, but John is set on completing the search. Yariel can get us in and out of the cabins. We'll need a look-out/staller. Definitely a bonus if they can act as a blocker too. Rar'gul has half-volunteered. That also leaves a very socially adept crew talking to Song.

Let's try to come up with a definitive lineup of who is going where. In fact, let me throw this out there, based on the way I see things leaning here: Yariel, John, and Rar'gul break into the goblin's cabin, while T'sorkel, Beauregard, and Doc go to the kitchen to talk to Song. Please let me know if anyone want to vary this.

-THE GOBLINS PASSENGER CABIN-

Mysterious action music plays.

Confirming that the goblins are continuing their drills and workouts in the gym, Yariel, John, and Rar'gul head to the central hallway.

Yariel is positioned near cabin "g" on slide 4. John and Rar'gul, perhaps you'll want to mark slide 4 with an "X" if you are being a lookout. Reminder that room 10 is the gym.

Yariel, I will need an engineering or computers check to get past the lock.

Once the lookout has given the all clear, Yariel quickly tries to hack the simple lock. She pops some headphones in and pulls out a few tools. Her tattoos seem to pulse with some unheard beat as she focuses. Unscrewing the panel under the lock, she pulls a couple wires loose, quickly strips them and...

Engineering (t): 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (19) + 11 = 30

Meanwhile, back in the

-KITCHEN WITH SONG-

A heavenly scent of various herbs, spices, and even some smoky notes waft from the kitchen. Coming through the door, you see Song hurrying to chop vegetables, all while keeping an eye on several sauce pots bubbling away. The ovens most likely contain the rending geese. In fact, one is already out of the oven and resting on a nearby prep table.

Song looks over and sees Beauregard, Doctor Flint-Bridge, and T'sorkel enter. He seems slightly annoyed. "Dinner will be served in about 45 minutes, but only if I can finish this remoulade to go on the cooked geese. Unless you can chop some of this Castrovelian stone fruit for me, you need get out of my kitchen!"

Song doesn't really want to talk right now. You'll have to convince him. As Doc is on vacation, I will roll a diplomacy for her to assist Beauregard and T'sorkel.

diplomacy aid another from Doc: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 14

Yariel easily bypasses the locking mechanism of this door. Her only concern might be the fact that it's probably just as easy for someone to break into her cabin!

looking inside, the first thing that hits you is a foul odor. It appears that the goblins have placed simple mats on the floor to sleep, while Jincheroga uses the bed. Various trays, plates, and cups from the kitchen litter the room.

Beauregard walks in looking slightly more grey than normal. [ooc]Charming veneer is active[/oob]"I ain't gonna bother you," says Beauregard as he saddles up to a table. "Just here for a gin and tonic. After the day I had . . . almost got my ticket punched by a rogue robot. Though, well, I'm not much of a chef, but I bet I'm strong enough to cut some stonefruit if you need the assist."

Diplomacy with Charming Veneer and assist: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (7) + 11 = 18

"Yeah, sure, Isaac has his cart right there. You can pour yourself one. There's a good sharp knife right over there then."

Song seems willing to overlook your intrusion into his kitchen, at least for the moment.

Yariel thinks briefly how easily it might be for someone to get into her own room the same way then snorts, "Don't worry about your own rooms, I doubt many know that trick."

She looks at John waiting, "Well, gotcha in. I don't see any dead bodies, though it... smells like one. What's next?"

Beauregard washes his hands as thoroughly as possible and then puts on gloves and begins chopping fruit as directed. As he chops he starts musing.

”Man, first the geese, then the engines, now a rogue robot,” he says chopping fruit.. “Most captains I know would be tripping over themselves to keep the passengers happy, giving out discounts on future flights or offering refunds, but our Captain is MIA. That normal?”

"I was up on the bridge for a bit after I cleaned up lunch. The Captain was up there. I can assure you he's not MIA. Since we're down a crew person, he has to keep tabs on things up on the bridge more often. I think he is aware that you are looking into Algiada's disappearance."

Yariel thinks briefly how easily it might be for someone to get into her own room the same way then snorts, "Don't worry about your own rooms, I doubt many know that trick."

She looks at John waiting, "Well, gotcha in. I don't see any dead bodies, though it... smells like one. What's next?"

"No dead bodies is good. Although the goblins might have eaten them. Maybe Doc Flint-Bridge should analyze their stool."

"Let's have a quick look around while we're here." John steps into the room, placing his feet carefully to avoid disturbing anything.

Will open closets and cabinets that could hold a dead body. Other than that just a visual look.

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9

John's search yields very little interesting, other than the fact that you can all be nearly 100% certain that a body is NOT in this cabin.

Yariel follows and does a quick search with her eyes, also being careful not to disturb too much. She is looking for anything of other interest while John checks for hidden bodies.

Perception: 1d20 ⇒ 11 Darkvision

Stepping outside, she undoes her trick and closes up the panel, "Where to next?"

His hulking frame filling most of the walk space, Rar'gul sets up at the corridor intersection (marked on slide with an 'R') where he can keep an eye out for Jincheroga and her minions approaching, while still being able to see Yariel and John working at the cabin door.

Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (11) + 7 = 18

Beauregard continues chopping fruit.

”Sorry, I meant MIA as in ‘not schmoozing with the passengers.’ Still good to hear they are alright. Still a bit odd for them not to make an appearance. Or is that par for the course with him? By the way, how many Stonefruits do you want sliced?”

T'sorkel watches Song as he mentions seeing the Captain. [i]Will the Captain miss this delicious meal too? Or do you deliver meals to the crew that are working on the bridge?"

Sense Motive for lying: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (10) + 8 = 18

Song answers T'sorkel. "Oh, I think Lozu will usually make sure the captain eats. I guess I take food up to the bridge on occasion too."

You think he is telling the truth.

Rough few days at work.

Yariel follows and does a quick search with her eyes, also being careful not to disturb too much. She is looking for anything of other interest while John checks for hidden bodies.

[dice=Perception]1d20 Darkvision

Stepping outside, she undoes her trick and closes up the panel, "Where to next?"

"Let's save Trostinek's cabin until dinner. For now let's search the escape pods. "

Following up on a few things I may have missed over the last 24 hours or so.

Rar'gul keeps a weather eye out in the corridor near the dining hall.

Fortunately, neither the goblins, nor anyone else, bothers the investigation.

John and Yariel give the goblin's cabin a quick once over. Certainly Algiada's body is not hiding in the room.

Meanwhile, in the kitchen, Song is thankful for the help with the stone fruit. He has Beauregard stop after half the bag is chopped. "I don't know. I guess it is a little unusual for the captain to not make an appearance in the dining hall at least once a day. I'm not too worried. Like I said, I just saw him earlier today. He's fine."

So, anymore questions for Song? Now that you have helped him get ahead on supper prep, he seems talkative. John, Yariel, and Rar'gul: are you headed for the escape pods? Peering down the hall, it appears quiet in that direction.

That seems to be the line of thinking.

Seeing John and Yariel finish up their search of the goblins' cabin, Rar'gul makes his way along the corridor to join them. The trox then accompanies the pair in the direction of the escape pods.

Beauregard racks his brain trying to find a way to pry deeper without tipping his hand. "Well, if you say so. Still an awful lot of problems on a ship for the captain not to make an appearance. Probably isn't doing great for crew or passenger morale. What did he say last time when you saw him? Did he tell you why he was playing things close to the vest?"

T'sorkel smiles and nods to Song. If you do see the Captain, let him know we would love to talk, even if just for a short while. I'm sure he's busy, but just a few minutes would be wonderful.

Yariel types out a post in their group chat, "Aight, goblin quarters are clear. No bodies. Y'all find anything? We are headed to the escape pods to check 'em."

Song replies to Beauregard and T'sorkel, somewhat irritated. "Look, I don't keep track of the Captain's schedule. I really don't think he'd be adverse to seeing you in the next day or so. Why don't you talk to Lozu. Maybe she can set up a meeting."

-BACK AT THE ESCAPE PODS-

The escape pods were accurately depicted in the safety videos you watched when you embarked on The Chimera (you watched them, right?). While you can't pop one open without an alarm sounding, conveniently there is a porthole on the door of each pod.

There appears to be nothing odd inside or around any of the pods. Just a secure chair and some basic survival gear.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

It's nearing to time to dine on the succulent rending geese.

T'sorkel nods and smiles, trying to diffuse the irritation. "Thank you, Song. I'm looking forward to the geese. It smells amazing."

Back outside, he chitters for a moment. "Well, that didn't help much, did it? He seems sincere though. If he saw the captain, then he's alive."

Yariel takes a few snapshots of the escape pods and adds one to the group chat, "Nothing here either. We might be chasing a red herring looking for a body anyway, the incinerator or just spacing it would have gotten rid of it completely. Any news from Song?"

John continues the comm chat. "If we can show the body is not here, then we have more leverage to access the crew areas. Where was Song last night?

In person he asks Yariel, "Have we seen enough of the engineering deck to rule it out?"

You all have just enough time to reconnect and discuss anything new you might have learned (and perhaps freshen up a bit in your cabin) before dinner is served.

Dinner this evening seems to be a formal affair. Isaac is in the back corner, and is sporting formal attire. Drones are setting the tables with fine china. Benjam is seated at his usual table, and Kiiv apparently decided to take a break from his hardwork down in engineering.

The scent of Pygosian Rending Geese is a reminder of the feast that will be served in mere moments.

This is an opportunity to see virtually all of the crew and passengers. Benjam and Kiiv dine together. Jincheroga and one of the goblins pop in to the dining room to get five "to go" order of goose with all the trimmings. Trostinek dines alone in one of the corners. Lozu eventually comes in and joins the Professor and Kiiv. Grath comes in, says hello to everyone, grabs a drink and winks at Yariel before getting two plates to take up to the bridge. Please feel free to engage with them however you please.

"How do you all feel about a quick look through all of our cabins? It will build trust. And would anyone else like to help search Trostinek's cabin? It may earn Song's wrath since we'd be a little late to dinner.

GMQ, My question to Yariel about whether we've seen enough of the engineering deck might be answered by you. I asked Yariel 'cause she's probably seen more of that deck than anyone else in the party, but a number of us have been down there.

"At dinner I propose we ask all the guests if we may search their cabins. Their responses may be instructive."

Yariel agrees with John, "Why don't we all do the quick search of each other's cabins and then freshen up a bit for dinner." She wipes her paw through her fur, coming back with a handful of grime.

"Then after we fill our bellies on delicious geese, we can stir the pot a bit by asking for cabin searches. Might just force a hand to be tipped."

Agreed about John's question to Yariel. Through all the time we spent there and the searching for the engine problems, has engineering been inspected well enough to confirm no hidden bodies?

"That sounds good to me," Rar'gul agrees as the trio join up with the others. The trox still bares some reminders of the beating he took earlier in the day. "Especially the frrreshening up."

"It seems likkke dinnerrr's going to be fancy," he mutters, noting the preparations taking place.

You do feel like it's unlikely that the engineering deck is hiding a body. I suppose you can't be 100% sure, but you have at least walked by many of the rack-mounted systems, ducts, and power plants without seeing anything.

At dinner, Professor Benjam gives you all a knowing nod that seems to say he would like an update after dinner. Grath gives Yariel a flirtatious smile as he sips a bit of good brandy. Kiiv raises a glass to all of you.

T'sorkel takes a seat with the Professor and Kiiv. He smiles at his roasted geese. How is it? I've been looking forward to this all day! He glances around the room. It looks like everyone's here at least for now! Oh, except for the Captain. Actually, I haven't even met him yet. Have you, Professor? Will he join us Kiiv? It seems like this is quite an event for the ship!

Beauregard will try to flag down the first mate as she grabs the captain's food.

"Don't tell me the captain's not going to put in an appearance! We've all been dying to talk to him! It isn't as if he has much captaining to do, we're dead in the water!"

Kiiv replies to T'sorkel, his mouth partially full of goose. "Mmmmmph...it's good! Very good! Song can be sort of a grouch, but he's become a good cook. I hope we can add this to the ship's menu for the future!" He pauses, swallows, and takes a drink from his glass of Castrovelian Red. "The captain usually does make an appearance at dinners like this. I bet he is insisting the crew the take advantage of this while he keeps watch up on the bridge. There's Lozu--maybe she can arrange a meeting."

Benjam simply that he hasn't seen the captain, other than briefly yesterday not long after boarding.

Lozu is actually taking a bit of time to sit down and enjoy her dinner. It appears that Grath is having a drink and taking two plates up to the bridge.

Lozu sighs when Beauregard mentions the captain. "He has been working double shifts lately. I know he is working through the night, keeping an eye on the bridge and running some diagnostics."

She looks at a datapad in front of her. "I think he'll want to get a few hours of shuteye first thing tomorrow, but I'm wondering if he might have a few minutes for you in the afternoon or evening tomorrow. Why don't you ping me if you don't see me at lunch tomorrow, and I'll see what I can arrange for you."

The doctor is (back) in the house!

Before dinner, Doc takes a moment to clean up, looking as sharp as the edge of a molecular rift dagger. As the goose is served, she takes a modest portion, sipping delicately on a glass of white wine. After Beauregard queries the first officer on the whereabouts of the captain, Doc sits near Lozu and speaks to her in a confidential tone.

"I'm still extremely concerned about Algiada's well-being. With some assistance, I've searched a good portion of the ship to no avail. Who among the crew would you consider closest to her?"

We seem to be jumping straight to dinner, but if Yariel is willing to be a little late, I would like to have a look in the vesk's cabin. Whether she is or not, and providing he is not injured by a trap meantime, John will sit with Trostinek at dinner.

Perception, if needed: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (18) + 6 = 24

At dinner

John enters the dining room wearing a thick blue robe of coarse natural fibers. He stops by Isaac's bar and comes away with a glass of crystal clear water. He sits across from the vesk and props his cane against the table.

"Good evening, Trostinek. I trust you be feeling better after this morning's set-to. Be you looking forward to the goose as much as I?"

I would think the two of you could take a quick look in Trostinek's room before dinner. I'll need an engineering or computer roll to get through the door security.

After returning to his cabin to freshen up, Rar'gul arrives at the dining hall, neatly dressed in formal attire. In one broad hand he carries a solid-looking cane, the handle embossed with a stylised star-and-shirren-head motif.

Enterimg the hall, the trox acknowledges the greetings of the professor and Kiiv. Seeing Grath enjoying his brandy, Rar'gul makes his way over to the bar. "Fine taste you've got therre - that's a nice drrop," he rumbles, ordering the same for himself from Isaac. "Can I get you anotherr?"

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 19

Irrespective of the reply, he will try to engage in some small talk over the current drink. "It must be a tough gig, piloting a ship like this? Well prresent situation excepted," he says, rumbling a good-natured chuckle.

If Grath seems amenable, he will continue with such pleasantries.

"Want some help with those?" he offers, noticing the double helping the ysoki carries. "I'd love a peek at the brridge."

Grath takes a sip of his drink. "Sure--sure, I think I can take you up there. After all, these plates are bigger than usual--I could use the help. We just can't hang around though. Quick look around, say hello to the captain, then on our way. Why don't we finish our drinks first. Captain told me to take my time. Taking dinner up to him is my last official duty for the night."

Grath looks up at the huge Trox. "Say, why don't you stop by my cabin after you eat. I have some good bathtub hootch you might enjoy a nip or two of." Grath looks toward Yariel. "If you can talk your ysoki friend over there into stopping by too, I might be able to send you away with a bottle!"

Earlier

The hacker tries her quick trick again on the Vesk's door.

Engineering (t): 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (15) + 11 = 26

___________________

In the dining hall, the Ysoki grabs a brown ale off tap and sits with her meal, devouring the greasy meat as if it is going out of style. Her paw fur is slicked back and the napkins aren't doing much, but she does raise her mug in a fancy toast over the geese, "To the victors go the spoils, right?"

Her hackles raise occasionally as she keeps feeling as though she is being watched. Yariel murmurs to the table, "That scummy pilot is still after this booty, jeeze. Doesn't he get the hint?"

-TROSTINEK'S CABIN-

This room is much like the other passenger cabins. The
bed is unmade and tossed as if by a restless sleeper, but
the rest of the room is tidy and free of personal effects. A
shiny, hard-shell suitcase is tucked under the desk.

Inside the suitcase, you find the following:

A small gift wrapped package.

A note, written on Vesk military stationary.

Two rolls of ion tape I believe ion tape in the armory book).

Since I know you might not able to resist reading the note, here is what it says.

Trostinek,
I love you. You are free to engage in your hobby, traipsing
across the galaxy. I want you to live your life, despite how
I miss you. But remember your vow to me. Although I have
been tolerant of your previous infidelities, mother is well
able to find out and is not as forgiving. Have a care.
—Your Alonya

John and Yariel may make a perception check. To the rest of you: Trostinek seems to be enjoying his meal in the dining hall, and doesn't seem to be in a hurry to wander off.

Perception: 1d20 ⇒ 20

Good enough.

One of Trostinek's undershirts has a small stain on it.

It might be blood.

John and Yariel, just let me know what (if anything) you are removing from the room.

Yariel snaps quick photos of everything important then makes sure it looks like when they first came in, slipping quietly out of the room and undoing her hack.

-THE BRIDGE-

Grath and Rar'gul gather up a couple of massive platters of rending goose with all the trimmings, along with a beverage for the captain (he asked for a citrus flavored water and a small carafe of good Castrovelian wine).

Stepping out of the lift, Rar'gul follows Grath into the bridge.

The bridge has stations for six crew. The captain's station seems to have an occupant. Though his back is turned to the door, and his chair blocks most of him from being seen, Rar'gul can see a single kasathan hand tapping at a data pad.

"Grath? Is that my dinner? I can already smell it!"

The chair turns to reveal a Kasathan, quite surprised to see the rather imposing Trox.

He flashes a glance at Grath, then turns to Rar'gul. With a sparkle in his eye, and a pleasant smile he addresses him. "Mr. Rar'gul, I presume. Thank you....for helping Grath with my dinner delivery. I am Rameem Vi Siala Corsen. You may call me Captain Rameem."

Beauregard will sit down wherever there is an open seat. (I’ll let the GM decide)