[RD][SFS] 2-01: Pact World Warriors (Inactive)

Game Master Andrew Harasty

"Hey, could I have that knife? It looks way better than the plain steel I'm using now." Tik moves on to the uzog, wrinkling his nose at the smell of burned hair.

Survival check: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (20) + 8 = 28

It may be the new knife or the degree to which the carcass is precooked, but in any case the ysoki is able to get quite a lot of meat from the uzog. He bares his teeth and chitters excitedly, mugging for the cameras.

Having contributed very little to the butchering effort, and even less to the killing effort, Rilynn attempts to apply her talents where they may be considerably more useful.

Sauntering over to Team Moxie's cooking space, she sidles up to Rafelo.

"Mmm, that's hot," she observes, devouring him with her eyes. "Beautiful meat. A girl could get her fill of that. Tell me, Rafy, before you stuff your big meat in the oven, do you rub it first with oil? Mind if I look? Oh yeah. I love it when I bite into it and the juice explodes in my mouth."

She invades his personal space, stepping in front of him and leaning over the range, daring him to use his hands if he wants to remove her.

Engineering: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (16) + 8 = 24 Attempt to sabotage the cooking range without it looking like I'm doing it.

"Now don't disappoint me again. Your last performance left me breathless but unsatisfied. I'm sure you're up to it."

Tech zooms in on the other teams cooking range with his exocortex and prepares to sabotage it to buy them some butchering time when he hears Rilynn and, blushing, turns around to do something else.

Looking around at the ingredients they've "ordered" he notices a few less than choice pieces Does that piece still have verimu hide on it?, and while everyone is awkwardly looking at their feet due to the deluge of double entendre, he swaps them for some of the other teams juicier parts.

Sleight of Hand: Swap Ingredients: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (14) + 8 = 22

Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to combat cooking! Today we have some wild animals that absolutely fell over by themselves. Tik here has already prepared some great pieces of marbled meat, so I'm adding some oil and shallots, and let it sear in the heat. Some sprinkling of herbs here and there, and we've got ourselves Verimu steak!

Zoey's presentation is more convincing than her cooking, and the result shows...

Profession(artist): 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (10) + 10 = 20

More pieces make the cooking easier and hedge against failures. But you will need some from each beast

Tik expertly carves up the Uzog, while Rilynn and Tech. seem successful in their skullduggery.

ETH and Amy can still act

Combat Cooking Extravganza

Group conditions:
Cooking round 2

Rilynn - attempting sabotage.
Tik - butcher
Zoey - cooking with style
Tech - swaping ingredients.
E-T-H
Amy

Akata (blue) - dead 2 rnd
Verimu (red) - Butchered - 4 Pieces
[i]Uzog (green)p/i] - Butchered - 4 pieces

Amy is doubly embarrised, firstly because of all the double entendres and secondly because she had been having thoughts about Zoey, thoughts she decided should be completely destroyed and buried so deep that they will never see the light of any star ever again.

She gets to work on the Akata.

survival: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (15) + 3 = 18

Survival, aid: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 = 13 Eth helps in the preparation of the food, detered from her abilities doing anything useful

Yesterday got a bit away from me. But I am back

Although not a thourogh as Tik, Amy and ETH get a few good pieces from the Ataka

However, Shonvyzam was able to sneak over and disrupt the power supply on your cooking equipment. Someone will need to make a Engineering check to correct quickly enough to not lose any time.

You still have two more dishes to cook.

Combat Cooking Extravganza

Group conditions:
Cooking round 3

Dish 1: Artist roll 20

Rilynn -
Tik -
Zoey -
Tech -
E-T-H
Amy

Akata (blue) - Butchered - 2 Pieces
Verimu (red) - Butchered - 4 Pieces
Uzog (green) - Butchered - 4 pieces

Having successfully swapped the ingredients, Tech wanders back over to his teams cooking range to give them the good stuff but his repairman intuition picks up one something going wrong with it.

"You guys keep cooking, I'll fix this in no time." He says placing the new ingredients on a cutting board and then getting to work on the power supply.

Engineering: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (18) + 10 = 28

Survival check to cook: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (17) + 8 = 25

The ysoki blurs into motion, bouncing around the kitchen like a furry pinball. In short order* a myriad of appetizing smells fill the air. "Zoey, can you plate this?"

*Get it? Short order cook? OK, they can’t all be winners.

Learning of the damage caused by Team Moxie's stealthy attack on the grill, Rilynn attempts more hijinks of her own.

I don't exactly know what is meant by Knife Toss, but if it's an attack, then are we throwing knives at the other team? I don't really want to get into it with them unless the module requires a fight. If this is mostly harmless then no worries. I'll just roll and let GM sort it out.

The Lashunta picks up a knife - a utensil she's never used - and gives it a healthy chuck.

Knife Toss: 1d20 ⇒ 16

Zoey is all to eager to turn combat cooking into cooking karaoke:

We'll meat again
Don't know how
Don't when
But I'm sure
We'll meat again

Artist: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (18) + 10 = 28

...and here's a dish we have prepared earlier! Look at the even browning on these short ribs - and that gravy is just to die for!

Eth watches as the rest of her team get into the groove of this cooking challenge, and unable to be nearly as dramatic or vibrant as them, quietly helps Tik prepare the food.
Survival, aid: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9

Amy is elbow deep in Akata and splattered in blood. Maybe it's just as well she's only wearing a battle bikini. See Yuri from Dirty Pair

Erm ... do you need more cuts here? she says quietly. Or is there anything else I can do to help?

survival: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

She then looks down into the carcass of the beast and goes Uh oh. I think I sliced the wrong thing

Tech. keeps the stove running without a hitch. While Tik and Zoey work on the dishes, with ETH's encouragement.

Seem like lots of knives fly across the cooking arena this round as Rilynn attempts to keep the other team on its toes, and hitting Verity-5 during a critical moment of cooking. Mia Moxie returns the knife to Tik

Knife back at ya: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (16) + 8 = 24

Stabbing the Ysoki while stirring the sauce and having it boil over a bit.

One more dish to prep

Combat Cooking Extravganza

Group conditions:
Cooking round 3

Dish 1: Artist roll 20
Dish 2: Cooking 25 Artist 28 (w/extra Tik blood)
Dish 3:

Rilynn -
Tik -
Zoey -
Tech -
E-T-H
Amy

Akata (blue) - Butchered - 2 Pieces
Verimu (red) - Butchered - 4 Pieces
Uzog (green) - Butchered - 4 pieces

"Alright I ain't ever really cooked before, but I know a thing or two about wire management and these stringy vegetables would look perfect like...this, and if the Verimu liver was the power supply than..."

Tech does his best to offer as much advice as he can with his unique perspective and help prepare the dish to look as appealing as possible.

Survival Aid: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (19) + 0 = 19

Dish #3 Survival check, including Tech Aid Another: 1d20 + 8 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 8 + 2 = 24

The ysoki glares across the competitive kitchen at the halfling, then gets back to work. Even untrained, Tech's native dexterity and sense make him a decent sous-chef, hauling around and chopping up ingredients while Tik concentrates on assembling everything. He blanches the normally-lethal akata larvae in boiling salt water and uses them as a sauce base, then calls once more for Zoey. "Last one to plate!"

Rilynn winces as the knife come back at them and strikes her teammate. "Sorry!"

Perception: 1d20 ⇒ 15

While the rest of the team finishes with the meal preparation, Rilynn keeps an eye out for any more attempts at shenanigans by the competition.

Zoey plates the last dish as elegantly as she can - focusing more on her own movement than getting the plating straight. The result is fine, but less impressive than her previous attempts.

Artistry: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (7) + 10 = 17

Ta-daa! That's our meal for today. Remember to floss, kids!

Overcoming the other side's issues, Team Knockout finishes the last dish as does the other team. Now time for judging:

A pavilion is ready between the two teams were the hosts are sitting:

The perpetually grinning hosts direct their hovering discs to land near the field kitchen in a coordinated motion. The two approach a table set with the contestants’ various meals and take a seat. Quell inhales deeply and speaks into his microphone. “Mmmmm, I smell— Who am I kidding, I can’t smell anything.”

“Of course you can’t,” Lethea quips. “You’re dead.” Quell turns to her in mock surprise.

“You can’t even hold a fork!” He counters, miming grasping for his utensils. “How do you plan to judge this challenge?”

“This wasn’t in the script,” Lethea giggles and considers the steaming plates of food before her. “We’ll have to do our best. It’s not every day we get to sample cuisine cooked by the living.” She turns to the contestants. “Why don’t you describe these delectable dishes?”

Feel free to tell a story and make a Social (diplo, intimidate, or bluff) skill check to see how well it takes to impress the judges

Combat Cooking Extravganza

Group conditions:
Cooking round 3

Dish 1: Artist roll 20
Dish 2: Cooking 25 Artist 28 (w/extra Tik blood)
Dish 3: Cooking 24 Artist 14

Rilynn -
Tik -
Zoey -
Tech -
E-T-H
Amy

Akata (blue) - Butchered - 2 Pieces
Verimu (red) - Butchered - 4 Pieces
Uzog (green) - Butchered - 4 pieces

bluff, expertise: 1d20 + 9 + 1d6 ⇒ (19) + 9 + (6) = 34

on my phone now, will make a post when back

Amy stays in the background, after having washed the blood off her in the stream, feeling that she doesn't have much to contribute. So she just stands there feeling a bit uncomfortable.

Ah, such as pity you are no longer alive. This steak is absolutely to die for Zoey says, salivating over the plates, the aromatic smell, the mouthfeel. Look at the subtle touches of spices, the little leaves of lettuce... Our Tik has produced some universe-class cooking here!

The ysoki preens.

Eth waits around patiently, knowing full well that Zoey has done a very good job with the speach!

Tech stands over the plates, wiggling his fingers like he's seen in some game shows, or something, the lights on his mask glowing like a carnival or arcade game.

While the judges do their schtick, Rilynn takes a 10 minute rest.

The pannel is impressed with Zoey's story. And the food was well cooked and tasty. They did not seem to mind the extra Ysoki blood. The other team's food is passible, but done with out any where the style of Team Knockout

"Well it seems we are Knocked Out again. Well done Starfinders"

Score:

Team Knockout: 180
Team Moxie: 100

After judging you are taking back to the Greenroom to rest for another 30 minutes. But this time food has been set out.

A table near the back of the break room is laden with an exquisite buffet of food. Mountains of dumplings, a pot full of steaming soup, and a wicker basket piled high with fresh fruit cover the table’s surface. A brown ceramic tea kettle rests on a red cloth, surrounded by enough cream-colored cups to share a drink.

A stark white ysoki dressed in a well-cut grey business suit hops up from a chair in greeting. She waves an apology as she chews the last bite of the apple she’s been snacking on. She sets the core carefully at the edge of the table and speaks. “Oh hi! It’s so nice to finally meet all of you,” she says with a cheerful smile. “My name is Datch, and I’ve been watching your performance. Do you have a moment to chat?”

You notice a triangular pin on Datch’s lapel and recognize the pin is typically worn by members of AbadarCorp.

All this cooking has made me hungry! Zoey says, celebrating the second consecutive win of the team, Go Team Knockout!

Seeing the pile of dumpling, Zoey does the dumpling dance

I love you, my dumpling
Dumpling, dumpling!

throwing little heart-shapes at the members of the team.

She stops when she sees Datch, and the pin on her lapel, takes her introduction bow and Hello, my name is Zoey! I'm from the Entertainment division!

"Not every day you fall into lava and still end up with a fan." Tech says jockingly. "Nice to meetcha Datch. Anything special you wanna chat about?"

Tech pours himself a cup of tea, offering to pour some for anyone else who might want some and then takes a seat, lifting his mask just enough to sip the drink.

Someone had the foresight to supply Amy with a hover chair so she could rest her legs. She settles in it, grateful, then goes to sample the food.

She accepts Tech's offer of tea while collecting some fruit.

Hello she says shyly to Datch.

Tik eyes the food suspiciously, unsure whether the other team has tampered with it. At the sight of the other ysoki, he starts for a second, fur bristling on the back of his neck. He quickly relaxes, though. "Sorry, you startled me. I'm T| Fiver, Datch. Glad to meet you. I don't think we'll be going anywhere for a bit yet...what's on your mind?"

Eth suspiciously eyes Datch, not really liking how she just showed up out of nowhere. She will quietly use her powers to detect thoughts on the woman to try and see if her surface thoughts can shed light onto her intentions with the group.

DC 15 Will to negate, will concentrate for three rounds for surface thoughts and emotions.

Emotionless, she also introduces herself, "Eth."

Datch Will: 1d20 ⇒ 20 +X

Datch makes no notice of the scan, but Eth, gets nothing. She then smiles at Zoey, "It is nice to see others of the company working with the Starfinders. We are on the same side. Regardless of what the rumors say."

“I’m a huge fan of Zo!’s productions. I simply had to come see it live, especially when I heard that the Starfinder Society was going to participate. It’s even more exciting in person, even from the studio audience! Everyone at work is going to be so jealous!”

“You really impressed me with how you handled those challenges. I just wanted to meet you, face-to-face, and offer a gift.” Datch grins and motions toward the food she’s provided. “Really, that’s all this is about! Not everything has to be so nefarious, you know? But then again, you’re Starfinders, so you probably have to deal with a lot of bad People!”

"Well I'm not one to turn down an offer of food that's for sure!"

Tech says sipping some more tea.

"I'm glad you're enjoying the show Datch, we've got a decent lead, hopefully we can keep it!"

He grabs some fruit and lifts it up in salute to the Ysoki and settles in to relax before the next event.

The food is really nice! Zoey blurts out, [b]But I have to give you something in return. She take out a piece of colored paper, writes something on it, and then hands it to Datch

---
Zoey Fanservice!
---

The strange lashunta nods in approval, "Thank you for the food. Most of us have been starving...who knew cooking could foster such an apatite." She takes some tea offered by Tech, and then gourges on the dumplings.

After she is finished, "And, if we may, who are these 'everyone at work?' Who do you work for, Datch?"

Culture: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (18) + 10 = 28

The unmistakable black key inside the burnt-orange triangle symbolizing AbadarCorp glares as ominously as such an object can, setting Rilynn immediately on guard.

A Corporatist, she sends telepathically to the rest of the team. Not that there was anything specifically triggering about the largest weapons manufacturer in the galaxy. But for a Lashunta in Lady Kesh organization, no corporate faction was above suspicion.

She avoided the buffet, but was too late to warn any of her teammates.

Developing...

Amy backs off to hover near Rilynn, while looking rather puzzled. Pardon? she asks quietly with a hit of worry Is that a problem?

Rilynn clears her throat. The spread of food does look good, but she's not having it. She tips her head and focuses her antennae in customarily pert Lashunta diplomatic acknowledgement.

"Very good to have your acquaintance, Datch. Thank you for the food. I wonder how you smuggled all of this in here.

"Quite an odd thing for a representative of AbadarCorp to claim, that we're on the same side, as you put it. Your corporation is on nobody's side. That's the point, isn't it? That if you sell your weapons to everyone, then either nobody fights or everybody loses? Don't get me wrong, I have nothing at all against the right of a company to maximize profit, but to suggest you have an ursaur in the fight--well, let's just say that bear don't hunt. Are you really here by chance as a fan, or do you have another motive you'd like to share?"

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (16) + 8 = 24

Amy put her cup down. And here I thought the event producers provided it she said softly. Is this a bribe? she thought.

Ffey don'ff onwy ffell weaffonss, awsso Sffrawbewwy Maffssine Cake affbums! Zoeys protests, chewing down on some delicious dumplings.

She's going to be so screwed

"Oh I am just a humble bussiness woman." She taps her lapel pin. It is the icon of AbadarCorp. "Well maybe well connected enough to get a private meeting with the new stars of Zo!. But you are right. Our company has its paws in man ventures. I hardly know them all. As for sides, we all want whats best for the Pact Worlds and beyond. "

As that moment, a ghoul assistant enters the room "Mx. Datch, your box is ready for the next event."

Datch smiles. "[b]It seems I must be off, good luck with the last challenge.[b]" She smile as she takes one more apple with her as she leaves.

You can take 10 before the last encounter.

T| looks after the departed executive, whiskers back. "That first line had at least two lies in it, one explicit, one implicit. There's nothing humble about her, if she rates a box for this show. And 'just?' She's a player, no mistake." His nose twitches. "I wonder what her angle is? Is she one of Zo!'s sponsors? This show has to be getting good ratings, right? We'd better watch our steps--even more than we already are, I mean."

When we get back to Absalom Station, I could try searching the Infosphere to see what I can find out Amy offers I'm not sure whether of not the local Infosphere would help me much

"Everyone has a motive, that's true. Learned that the hard way with some Android pals of mine, but if she ain't playing her hand yet, we can't do much about it. Maybe worth keeping an eye on her, but this seemed innocent enough at least."

"We can raise this with the Society after we finish here. Let's not let her distract us from the last round...whatever Zo! has in store for us."

Good point

Eth cautionsly adds, "It is hard to know who we can trust. I have found that it is in everyone's nature to lie about their true intentions." She smiles awkwardly, "But i have been having fun with you all. Let us focus on the next challenge!"

"whatever Zo! has in store for us."

Zoey does her best impression of Zo!, holding up her personal device to take a video of the waiting room: Ladies and gentlemen, dead and alive, here's your planet's MC, Zo! she does the trademark finger guns before she adds Ey! I'm with our contestants here, and they have absolutely ruled the field so far. Let's hear from them personally! Contestant Tik, do you have a message for the viewers? Amy, any thoughts? Tech, we know you can stand a bit of heat, was the kitchen not too hot for you?