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Dr. Zekuza ushers you into a small outbuilding that houses the museum’s security department. Inside the main security office, only one guard is on duty, sitting at a desk with a computer terminal. The guard, Jaihaana is sullen that she was not selected to do daytime patrols. She
is killing time watching a show on her handheld entertainment device. The show features an energetic space goblin who gives dubious medical advice in a loud, screeching voice. The cautious guard is unmoved by Dr. Zekuza’s pleas to show the PCs the security footage of the theft and recalcitrant to the curator’s requests to print out a list of the stolen items.
(Diplomacy for persuasion, Bluff followed by computers to distract and extract, Culture to identify the show)
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No it's not ... but I'm a fan of that too. It's actually Dr Meffit but I can see how easy it can be to get the two confused. Are you a fan of the Good Doctor? It sounds like she actually believes the stuff the doctor is saying. Currently he's advocating some drug for the treatment of a virus that has ... dubious results ... according to current medical research.
She seems to have warmed up to Marguerite quite a bit.
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Roquefort and Sauros also recognise the show.
Yeah ..... that was GREAT Jaihaana replies. As was the Goblins of Hazzard. Anyway, I believed you wanted something? Here ya go
She taps a few keys and brings up the security footage. What you see is what appears to be an octopoidal lifeform wearing a black cloak with eldrich necromantic symbols on it.
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Most of the symbols on the cloak are nonsense but there are a few that are symbols of Necromancy, Chaos, and Things from Beyond the Void. Even some of the symbology from the Cult of the Devourer was included.
As for the creature that was wearing the cloak, Keskodai was quite sure it was an Ijtikri, a species native to Vesk-2, a squid like being that some Vesk refer to as a 'Stone Faced Squid' because of the rocky looking exo-skeleton protecting the upper mantle.
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"Indeed," Keskodai responds. "Do you mind if I download a copy of this footage to my data pad? The Dragon will probably want to see this as well." He observes the guard to see if the name drop helps his chances of getting the video.
He then turns to Dr. Zekuza. "If there's nothing else you can show us, we should probably report back. But I'll be sure to stop by for the full tour once our business is concluded.
"Thank you for your help."
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You report what you have found with Paxel. He then shuffles through some papers on his desk, his large claws delicately placing each one in a neat stack in front of him. After setting down a paper that bears the large header The Division of Criminal Extirpation in Common and other languages, he pauses.
He reads it quickly before looking back up. I received a brief this morning from the Hammers’ legal assistant, an android named Alistair-8. Normally I don’t care for those mechanical sorts, but Alistair-8 is good with dealing with all the legal rules and subrules all the non-vesk species need to follow. His message was a little vague, but I think he’s worth talking to, at least in this particular case. I’ll let him know to expect a visit.
((Culture check to recall knowledge or a Diplomacy check to gather information to know more about the Division of Criminal Extirpation.))
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The Division of Criminal Extirpation (more commonly known as the Hammers) is the Veskarium’s peacekeeping and law enforcement agency. Minor offenses committed by non-vesk citizens are generally left to local law enforcement agencies to handle, but the division targets vesk criminals with strict enforcement and harsh punishments for even petty infractions. In the eyes of the Hammers, the actions of individual vesk are most representative of the Veskarium’s overall attitudes and goals, and any deviation from the Veskarium’s authoritarian culture must be “hammered down” immediately to prevent dissent or unrest in the empire.
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Getting to Alistair-8’s office is a bit of a hike. The assistant works in a small support building set far away from the central pyramid of Command Prime.
When you get there though, it appears that the android has a bit of a 'split personality' problem. After greeting you politely, he then starts nitpicking at you all pointing out any perceived faults in a different voice.
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Darqen looks at the android and is slightly confused.
"Sir, if you wish we can look at your programming at a later point in time. We have found some evidence regarding a case that we are investigating and would like your opinion if you allow." and he presents them their finding and gives some background.
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I'm so sorry for this Alastair starts to say in his 'normal' voice I .. attempted to integrate an AI, Claude, into my personality matrix to help me .... the voice then changes be better able to deal with these aggressive type Vesks ... besides, the original personality is sooo .... meek and pitiful ... and the work .. shoddy ... so shoddy ... it's just pathetic.
((You can attempt to correct Claude’s faulty coding with a successful Computers or Engineering check, or you can attempt to negotiate with or bully Claude into behaving with a successful Diplomacy or Intimidate check))
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Claude is actually cowered by that intimidation and doesn't resist as Darquen finds and fixes the problem. Now that the AI is properly incorporated Alistair-8 is only too happy to be of assistance, giving you some monitored infosphere searches that indicate that the Keepers are looking for information on how to destroy the artifact.
He also opens a drawer and hands you two screamer grenades II.
((So which investigation do you wish to pursue next?))
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((Skitters it is))
After reporting to Paxal what you found ...
As if remembering something, Paxel stands and walks over to the window. Picking up a cup of steaming tea, he inhales deeply, savoring the rich smells of the hot beverage. Spicy foods and fragrant tea are some of the few things I can enjoy these days. Every afternoon, that purple menace brings me a cup. Taking a small sip, he sighs and replaces the cup on the tray. Speaking of skittermanders, you should probably check with them. I have to admit, they are exceptionally good with paperwork, which makes my job both easier and harder, especially when it comes to tracking down the Hidden Hand. Anyway, we run a tight ship
here at Command Prime. No one can import anything without the seeming of proper clearance. These Keepers might have attempted to legitimize your trinket by getting official transport papers from Import and Export Control. Their office is located in one the dozen or so buildings that surround the main spaceport; I’d go check with them.
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They're skittermanders Paxel growls Do your own deductions
You can follow Paxel’s directions to the offices of Import and Export Control for Command Prime. The building looks entirely nondescript from the outside, with only a small sign indicating the building’s purpose. Inside, you are greeted by an office packed with skittermanders in a wide array of hues and shades, all bustling about and chattering to each other in a constant hum of purposeful activity. A night-blue skittermander behind the main desk welcomes you with a broad, toothy smile. When the PCs approach, they see a small name tag pinned neatly on her crisp uniform: Tonkona—General Assistance.
Greetings, visitors! the skittermander behind the desk chirps. My name is Tonkona and it will be my pleasure to assist you today. Can I ask what purpose brings you to Import and Export Control today?
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"We're looking for something that came in from Absalom Station," Keskodai replies. He pulls out his data pad and pulls up the surveillance footage. "This guy brought a stone tablet that doesn't belong to him here recently. The Dragon asked us to help find him and return the object to its rightful owners."
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I see the skittermander replies Well I can certainly help you with that. Please fill out Forms 34-12-31A, B and C, detailing your request and once that's done, we can submit it for authorisation. With any luck, you should have your answers in a week.
You're handed three copies of the same form, in different coloured paper, indicating three different destinations - and no carbon paper. To be even more annoying the layout is slightly different on each form.
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Sauros could try being intimidating but he soon realises that is most likely to result in them being arrested.
There's no sign of any hints on the infosphere although the comments section seems to indicate that you're not the only ones to have fallen foul of the skitter's concept of 'efficiency'. However, reading between the lines and some discussions among yourself, you may get an idea.
((PCs can attempt to work with Tonkona with a successful Diplomacy or Profession (bureaucrat, lawyer, or similar profession) check, forge the
requested paperwork with a successful Computers check, or bamboozle the skittermander with a successful Bluff check.))