Datch taps her fingers together...plotting.
|
Each of your comm devices begins going off all throughout the day as First Seeker Luwazi Elsebo’s voice breaks the silence. “Starfinders, if you’re receiving this transmission, I’m requesting that you cease your current missions and return to Absalom Station at once. I have obtained urgent information regarding one of our foe’s activities. If she succeeds, she could tip the balance of corporate power within the Pact Worlds and possibly even destroy the Society. I’ll explain once we convene at the Lorespire Complex.”
The Lorespire Complex’s familiar grounds are in a boisterous state of flux. Hired workers set up pavilions and booths on the lawns, courier vehicles dart back and forth down the adjacent streets, and janitors hustle to prepare rooms for occupation throughout the compound’s buildings. Dozens of early guests loiter nearby chatting excitedly. The festive, yet chaotic, atmosphere persists in stark contrast to the First Seeker’s ominous announcement.
A lashunta man, Venture-Captain Arvin, strides forward to intercept the newest arrivals. “Welcome back, Starfinders. First Seeker Elsebo plans to meet with the agents involved in her operation shortly. She’ll announce when she’s ready—listen for the code phrase ‘pest control.’ It looks like Luwazi is finally going to have us strike back at Datch, the architect of our past year of credibility woes. Regardless of our foe’s machinations, we’re hosting several weeks of conferences and parties to honor Ehu Hadif, and there’s plenty to do while you wait. Let’s get you checked in, shall we?”
Following the start of Year 4, players no longer slot boons. Instead, for this adventure, players gain specific benefits.
|
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
The scent and smoke and sweat of a casino are nauseating at three in the morning. Then the soul erosion produced by high gambling a compost of greed and fear and nervous tension becomes unbearable, and the senses awake and revolt from it.
The tatoo like luminescent streaks of circuits that criss crossed the dark skin on Umbro's face, not only identified him as an Android, but either shined brightly or gave off a muted glow matching his emotions.
Sweet smelling smoke from a vape stick swirled around Umbro's face as the slovenly Vesk sitting next to him at the 3-D baccarat table lazily exhaled the pent up vapor he had so greedily sucked into his gaping maw of a mouth just moments ago.
A muted beep pulls Umbro's attention away from the 3-D baccarat table. Reaching his right hand into the inner breast pocket of his finely tailored jacket for his comm unit; he already knew who it was.
Absalom Station has a way of eating away at your soul if you let it.
Just one more job and then it all ends...
As Umbro-187, approaches the Lorespire Complex he sees the traffic jam at the valet and moves to see if he can be of assistance.
Zigvigix, leader of the Exo-Guardians, chats animatedly with one of the hired event staff, a stocky, brown ysoki dressed in stained coveralls embroidered with the name “Tall Sam.”
The two avidly discuss a cluster of haphazardly parked land vehicles. “Hey, you!” The ysoki shouts at the approaching PCs, “Why are you just standing around, huh? We’ve got a pileup worse than A-Station rush hour over here. Get off your tails, and go park some vehicles!” Zigvigix nods enthusiastically and adds, “Relieving the valet queue might help our fellow Starfinders get to Luwazi’s meeting. Please do whatever you can to help!”
You all clear out the bulk of the vehicles, working together. Solving the problem gives Tall Sam free reign of the Society’s parking garage and starship hangars. With Zigvigix’s permission, Tall Sam modifies several of the parked vehicles. Once during the adventure, you can flip a boost switch to add a +4 to a single Piloting check during starship combat or a vehicle chase.
When using the reward above, the starship or vehicle can also move one additional hex or zone.
In place of the reward above, you can instead force the crew of an enemy ship or vehicle to take a –2 penalty to all Piloting checks made during the round. The use of this ability must be declared at the start of the starship combat or vehicle chase round.
|
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
A heavyset human woman in a nun's habit arrives just in time to grab some keys and begin parking duty. She deftly catches some keys that are tossed at her for a red sporty vehicle. She quickly hops in, revs the engine and speeds away, waving at her companions as she passes. "I'm Sister Maggie, we'll talk later."
Venture-Captain Naiaj leans despondently against the wall outside the cafeteria. Workers clad in white chef smocks hurry past carrying a covered tray, which Naiaj eyes longingly. She turns to the PCs and snaps, “Have you ever been so hungry you got angry? I came here to get my snack on and found the caterers in a panic. They don’t have enough food prepared to handle the guest list, and they’re struggling to accommodate some attendees’ unique dietary needs. I’d hate to see our new First Seeker’s big day spoiled by an empty buffet line. Get in there, and see what you can do to help. Look alive, Starfinders!”
Umbro-187 and Colthan do a great job with the kitchen back-up while Sister Maggie checks out the wine.
Thankful for the help, the head caterer gifts you with a vacuum-sealed, spoilage-resistant takeout container full of scrumptious food. Once during the adventure, one of you can consume this food to gain a +1 bonus to skill checks and saves for a number of minutes equal to your character level.
In addition to the reward above, the food also functions as a mk 3 serum of healing that must be used during this adventure.
You then head out to meet with Celita, leader of the Dataphiles, in the Archive’s Cortex. “Our esteemed colleague’s elevation to First Seeker is a historic occasion. As such, we must all do our part to foster a celebratory atmosphere—not only to honor Ehu’s nomination but to conceal Luwazi’s activities. Your help with creating a positive buzz across the infosphere would be greatly appreciated.”
|
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
The Tam is a male Korasha Lashunta, a bit smaller than most. He has a beige heavy armour and a tiny blue sun flies around him; his backpack completes the adventurer setup. Even without his helmet revealing a face with angular features, everyone has heard about him, as he regularly posts video on SpaceTub and do lives on Fiddle. The theme of his first videos where about his physical prowess, mainly about climbing and parkour. They have changed since he joined the society as he regularly uses his mission content as the main theme, trying to recruit more Starfinders by showing at how awesome it is to be a Starfinder, see the stars and go to new planets. The Tam also has appeared in Live Exploration Extrem! and rumors tells about him playing incognito in a concert.
He tries to free himself from some fans and goes to see Zigvigix, Radaszam, as he’s interested in both factions. VC Arvin and Naiaj have given him some missions, so he wants to greet them too. It’s been a while since he met Fitch, but never heard of the new Dataphiles leader, Celita.
While the others parks the vehicle, The Tam chats a bit with Zigvigix.
Helping prepare food “Venture-Captain Naiaj, let me help you with one of my well known dish, field ration lettuce sandwich.” As no one seems to want to let him go in the kitchen after that line, he just helps move some plates around.
The Tam starts a live stream on Fiddle about the event, trying to gather some interest.
Working together, you create a ton of social media buzz!
You launch a social media tag about the upcoming events that quickly gains momentum throughout the local infosphere.
Once during the adventure, each of you gains a +2 bonus to a Charisma-based skill check attempted when interacting with an individual who is not a Starfinder, and you can roll twice and take the better results on this check.
You move on to meet with Radaszam!
Radaszam, leader of the Acquisitives, alerts you to a potential security breach on the Lorespire Complex’s front lawn, where a group crowds the main walkway, hoisting signs with anti-Society slogans. “Looks like these people bought in to Datch’s propaganda,” Radaszam grumbles. “They’ve been here all day. We’re not going to make them disperse—please talk with them and work out a peaceful resolution.”
|
"I have people for this kind of thing."
Colthan's hireling heads into the crowd followed by Umbro-187.
"Come now gentlebeings, The Starfinders do so much for so many. They don't just save lives they save planets and races. They find new technology and as long as it isn't dangerous they share it creating great advances in science, medicine, even cultural changes. I'm not asking you to join. Though I hear many of them get rich. but at least honor their accomplishments and let this celebration continue in peace."
|
|
total bluff=32
Sister Maggie slips out of the Lorespire Complex via a back door and quickly heads around to the front lawn to join the protesters. She carefully works her way through the crowd, aquiring a protest sign in the process. As she moves she alternates between shouting anti-starfinder slogans and that the crowd should protest more effectively. Once she gets to the front of the crowd she waits for an opportune moment to step forward and address the entire group.
"Citizens! We all know that the Starfinder Society is full of thugs and neer-do-wells but is ruining their party really the best way to damage their cause? i have just found out that this gala is a ruse to draw protesters away from an important press conference about to be held on the other side of the station. If we move quickly we can be there in time to disrupt it and generate some negative publicity for the society. To the starport everyone!"
She turns and leaves, headed for the other side of the station. a few dozen meters or so later she will lose herself in the crowd and serruptitiously circle back to the Lorespire Complex.
|
|
The lashunta goes in front of the crowd, taking the usual pose he does in many of his videos, to be sure he’s recognized. He even takes off his helmet to be sure his face is recognized and that people can sense he’s telling the truth.
“I’m sure all of you know me, The Tam. You’ve seen at least one of my videos. The Society is a nice organization that just wants to explore and befriend people. There are tons of opportunity, from working as a librarian, a translator to being a field agent like me. You!” and he points toward someone in the crowd, “Don’t you want to be part of something bigger than yourself and join our illustrious organization?”
You all come across as very personable and understanding. You easily end the peaceful, albeit misguided, protest. You learn from the demonstrators that despite the Society’s efforts to counteract Datch’s smear campaign, many individuals in the Pact Worlds still distrust the organization.
You gain valuable insight into the crowd’s behavior. At any point during the adventure, one of you can attempt a Hard Bluff, Diplomacy, or Intimidate check to influence a crowd.
Further, once during the adventure when you encounter a team of two or more adversaries, you can activate this reward to grant each of you a +4 bonus to their initiative checks for that encounter.
You move on to meet with Fitch.
Inside the Hall of Discovery, ysoki scuttle about setting up audiovisual equipment while a kindly voice directs them. Fitch, leader of the Wayfinders, waves to the PCs from atop a towering scaffold. “Good to see you! The kiddos and I are sprucing the place up for the big event.” She stops and beams proudly at a scrawny, gray ysoki fiddling with a circuit board. “They’re doing great, but it’s a big job. Mind lending us a hand?”
|
|
A chime sounds throughout the Lorespire Complex and its surrounding grounds, followed by a broadcast of First Seeker Luwazi Elsebo’s resonant voice: “Pest-control workers, your presence is kindly requested in the Hall of Discovery.” Spurred by the announcement, junior and experience Starfinders file into the Forum’s meeting space.
As the last of the summoned Starfinders enter the meeting space, Luwazi stands atop a stage at the centre of the hall. Radaszam and Zigvigix position themselves behind the First Seeker, warily surveying the crowd. When the doors shut behind the final Starfinder team, Radaszam steps forward and whispers in Luwazi’s ear. She nods as he offers her a microphone.
“Thanks to your courage and resilience, Starfinders, we have overcome adversity time and again. Two years ago, we embarked on a mission to rescue our lost agents from the Scoured Stars. Last year, we returned to battle the jinsuls and won. Today, I stand before you for the last time as your First Seeker and invite you to accept a very different challenge.
“I trust you are all familiar with the individual called Datch. For the past year, Datch orchestrated a slanderous media war against the Society for reasons incomprehensible to us. We’ve recently learned more about our enemy and realized that the Society is not her only target. As a member of AbadarCorp’s security department, Datch used her connections to manufacture a media smear campaign against us. She did so to gain power within the corporation, and her next target is Executive Archdirector and CEO Iseki-Okaibo. Yesterday, Datch instigated a vote of no-confidence against him. If the motion passes, Datch stands to take advantage of that power vacuum.”
Luwazi frowns at the assembled Starfinders. “We cannot let that happen. We can’t directly challenge Datch—not yet. If we’re going to stop her, we must beat her at her own game. While Datch positions herself to seize power, I plan to use Ehu Hadif’s elevation and the presence of our most veteran agents at the elevation event as a cover to send you on covert missions throughout the Pact Worlds. The missions vary, but your primary goals are to disrupt Datch’s ongoing activities and convince AbadarCorp executives not to support the vote of no-confidence. I’m counting on you, Starfinders.”
Encouraged by the First Seeker’s words, the chosen Starfinder teams prepare to depart the Lorespire Complex for various destinations across the Pact Worlds. Society leaders direct smaller groups of agents into specialized briefings, where they present information about each covert operation. After a year of enduring Datch’s merciless attacks against their organization, the Starfinders finally have the chance to retaliate.
Colthan gives excellent instructions! While helping Fitch and her brood, the prodigious young ysoki offer a few helpful tips about fixing equipment on the fly. Each time you attempt a skill check to repair or reprogram a technological item during the adventure, one of you can gain a +3 bonus to the check.
Additionally, once during the adventure, each of you can roll twice and take the better result on such a check.
Venture-Captain Arvin marches down a corridor leading out of the Lorespire Complex several steps ahead of his companions. He pauses as the exit door slides open, and he blinks in the bright lights of the camera crews amassing in preparation for the upcoming gala. He turns and says, “What I’m asking you to do is frankly a bit sordid, and I wish I had a more honest mission to give you.” Arvin produces a datapad. “AbadarCorp’s board is composed mostly of department archdirectors. It’s an exclusive club of less than a dozen individuals, and even one of their votes could sway the outcome. Your target is Archdirector of Finance Denanne Karrsi.” Arvin taps his datapad, and an image of an imposing elven woman with silver hair and a glowering expression appears.
“Denanne is an avid gambler. She’s booked a suite at the Luxx solar casino. If you can defeat her at her game of choice you may be able to influence her. Check in to Luxx as patrons, challenge her to a game, and then use any leverage you can to persuade her to oppose Datch’s vote.”
Luxx, a colossal starliner locked in to the Sun’s orbit, is renowned as a premier solar casino. Its twin hangar bays provide docking for communal transport shuttles alongside space for private VIP craft.
Since you aren’t on the VIP list, you arrive on a shuttle alongside a throng of patrons from all corners of the galaxy.
The luxurious facility has a series of escalators and cylindrical glass lifts to transport you around. You notice a concierge desk as well as gambling rooms labeled the Nova Room and the Refraction Lounge.
|
|
Colthan suspects these missions will not be great for his carrer. Still, Nothing illegal was asked. He pulls out a library chip and access the infosphere for everything he can find out about Denanne Karrsi.
During the trip Colthan does some quick research on religious symbols. Then after a moment of confusion does some more in-depth research. Finally he hunts her down and asks.
"Sister Maggie I'm unfamiliar with your order, Whom do you worship?"
Colthane finds a series of news articles describing Denanne Karrsi's career and rise to the executive level at AbadarCorp. A few mention her flair for the dramatic.
Umbro-187 heads to the Nova Room. This dimly lit room is packed with patrons stooped over automated gambling stations. Flickering slot machines line the walls surrounding a token kiosk. Inside the booth, a male halfling stands on a stool converting credits into the casino’s currency.
"Hello there! Would you like to purchase any Luxx Bucks?"
|
|
When Colthan tries to deny any relation with Datch, the lashunta just says “Uh uh” clearly indicating he does not buy it. He hope the android is loyal to the society.
He asks Arvin “What’s sordid about playing a game? Wait… what kind of game is she into? Or is that about using any leverage we have, and you will give us something sordid?”
---
The Tam follows Umbro-187 in the Nova Room. He’s a bit worried about the price but was about to ask about the price when Kal beat him to it.
"One credit per Luxx Buck! Can I help direct you to any specific games?"