GM Jhaeman's SFS # 2-10: "Corporate Interests" (Inactive)

Game Master Jhaeman

Mission alert! A message has come in over your comlink: Venture-Captain Naiaj would like to speak with you immediately at the Lorespire Complex. When you get to the conference room, she's not there--but some of your fellow Starfinder agents are.

Please describe your character's appearance and make an introduction.

The halfling strides into the conference room at the Lorespire Complex, dressed like he came straight from the casino, in stylish clothes with his dark hair gelled up. The only thing that contradicts this look is the starfinder's backpack strapped to his back. He sits the pack down as he climbs up into one of the seats that is appropriately sized for someone of his stature. As the briefing is about to begin, he says, "Hello, everybody. Ashtif Cloudskipper. I'm a bit of an explorer, great at hunting and working with animals. Kind of a jack of all trades in a lot of other areas, too, and a pretty decent pilot. Look forward to working with you all."

”Greetings. “ says the arcane android entering the room.

”My designated callsign is Lexicor. I will provide what assistance I am able. I determined that becoming a pilot and traveling to other planets would be one way to seek the meaning to my existence.“

A male ryphorian walks into the room carrying a flight helmet. He is wearing a flight suit that matches most of the Drake starships that the Society uses, but also has the holy symbol of Sarenrae emblazoned upon the front. He has light red skin and darker red hair. A holy symbol of Sarenrae rests about his neck and a laser rifle is worn across his back. As he casually enters the room, he's smiling like someone just told him a joke that he can't get out of his head.

"Hi everyone, I'm Arvoris, star shaman of Sarenrae. I'm also a pilot. Are we all pilots here? This might be the most awesome mission yet! Are they letting us take one of the capitol ships out this time?"

Just as Arvoris arrives and observes the preponderance of pilots in the group, a holo-projector in the conference room activates. A fuzzy image of Venture-Captain Naiaj appears and begins speaking. It's obviously a recording:

"AbadarCorp has placed its faith in the Society to ensure that a potential ally safely reaches the Golden Vault. The target, Tharsa promotes weapons-trade philosophies that conflict directly with the interests of criminal weapons dealers. Tharsa is unquestionably a target of black-market merchants who may attempt to intercept her before she reaches AbadarCorp."

“In order to avoid unwanted attention, Tharsa is arriving on a commercial starliner. While this keeps her arrival time a mystery to others, it leaves her vulnerable from the moment she steps out the gate. You’ll retrieve Tharsa at her gate as she arrives at Absalom Station and escort her to the Golden Vault. Keep a low profile while doing so, and do not draw any attention to Tharsa’s arrival. Try to address threats before they become a problem. If you must protect Tharsa, avoid an extended engagement. Remember that the gate is a public space, and anyone present could be there to intercept Tharsa. AbadarCorp is relying on your foresight and discretion, Starfinders--do not fail them.”

The holo-projector then shifts to show an image of Tharsa, a kasatha, and an updated estimation of her arrival time (a couple of hours) and gate (# 83) in Absalom Station.

Pics are on Slide # 2 in Maps & Handouts

I calculate it would be optimal to spread out within optical scanner range of each other, to best discern any would-be assailants.

A korasha lashunta stides into the room, bedecked in heavy armor and with a hefty maul and doshko strpped to his back, he seems ready to step into a battlefield. Taking a closer look, it proves that the grey haired lashunta is actually an andriod designed after one instead, and the armor has clear markings denoting a medic. He gives everyone in the room a careful look, in particular seeming to suss out any potential medical problems he might have to deal with.

He gives the group a nod and stands at a parade rest near inside the room. "Seems we have a good number of pilots. Never really been good at handling ships, this is good to have. Oraeus is my chosen name and V.41L-45H is my model number, but most have decided to simplify it to Vailash. I am a combat medic and am here to make sure you and apparently our escort does not suffer injury or worse."

He looks at Lexicor, nodding. "I think that might not be a bad idea. I'm not the best at tactical planning, but having two people who don't look like bodyguards there to meet Tharsa when she arrives might be a good idea as well."

Ashtif nods. He pulls out his broad-spectrum scanning kit. "I can position myself somewhere to scan the area for any unusual sensor readings."

With the broad-spectrum scanning kit, my Perception will be +16

Then

A vaguely humanoid creature with a plantlike body and four long vines in place of arms enters the room. Its head is a mottled orange color and has no obvious features, so you have no idea if it may be looking at you at any given time. It walks slowly around the table, one arm grazing the back of each chair until it finds an unoccupied one and has a seat.

You hear a voice in your heads. "Greetings. I am Kosigan. I believe I have been selected for my adaptable nature. I also am a skilled pilot, though I am also comfortable as an engineer. It will please me to work with you all."

Now

You hear a brief mental chuckle as Lexicor mentions optical scanning range. "I may be able to notice things none of you can, though I will also miss what is obvious to you." It swipes a vine across a data pad, and a brief file about khizar appears on each of yours. "I find it best if we are fully aware of each others' capabilities, and mine are... unusual."

Two notes about Kosigan. Khizar are naturally blind, and cannot (at least RAI) gain sight; trying to "fix" it would be like trying to install a dark matter detector in a human - even if they could take in the information, the brain would have no way to process it. Kosigan has blindsense (vibration) and blindsight (life) and can gain blindsense (electricity) from its gear array.

Second, Kosigan's pronoun is it.

Anything folks want to do before heading to the gate?

Normally I ask a few questions, but I don't think the hologram will answer me....

1. Is the Golden Vault located on Absalom Station? I'm guessing that it is, but I want to make certain.

2. Do we have a vehicle to transport Tharsa to the Golden Vault?

I would like to arrive at the gate early, and also scan the area with my broad-spectrum scanning kit. That will give me +17 to search. If possible I would like to take 10 on this roll.

If I can't take 10, my roll is below

Perception to Search: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (2) + 17 = 19

Arvoris' questions are basically the information that I'd want answered.

Ashtif records the holographic image of Tharsa in detail.

He swings by the supply shop and buys a detonator 150 credits, a Mark 1 concussion grenade 50 gp, Mark 1 riot grenade 185 gp, smoke grenade 40 gp, and a Mark 1 holographic grenade 50 gp. He configures the holo grenade to depict two images of Tharsa within the 10 foot radius of the blast. He then configures the detonator to the explosives, so they can be triggered with the push of different buttons on the detonator. "We can set these up strategically in advance, to provide some nonlethal distractions, if needed."

Total cost: 475 credits

Oraeus heads out and buys a bundle of serums of healing. He can heal on his own, but can't do as much as a good serum could in a pinch.

Buying 5 mk2 serums of healing for 2550. Oraeus has the ability to heal stamina with any leftover healing from filling hit points.

@Arvoris: Yes, the Golden Vault is on Absalom Station. As you say, unfortunately the pre-recorded hologram means that Naiaj can't answer any questions. Regarding the search, we'll get to that in the next post when I describe the gate and you can tell me what you'd like to do.

@Ashtif: Sounds good, just update your inventory tracking sheet accordingly.

@Oraeus: Ditto.

The Starfinders make it to Gate 83 in good time, and find it's located between two other gates at the end of a long terminal corridor. There’s a constant hum of chatter as passengers sprawl across seats near the gate, perusing nearby kiosks or leaning idly against the decorative plants surrounding a holo-statue of a starliner. Passengers from other starliners pass back and forth along the walkways.

Two gate attendants stand at the computers in front of the gate while employees dressed in dark-blue uniforms with insignia of Absalom Station walk purposefully throughout the port.

Just to keep things organised about who's where, the scenario divides divides Gate 83 into the seating area, the information kiosk, the holo statue, and the gate desk.

Oraeus looks at the others and then types a message to them over a comms channel for this mission. <Any suggestions on how to split these areas up? I could pose as an off duty soldier traveling to or from somewhere and hang out in the seating area or try talking to the information kiosk, but I'm terrible at lying.>

Typing back on the comm:

<I'm also not good at lying, but I'm decent at just talking to people. If we have enough time we could all stick together and check each area out one at a time.>

GM, do we have enough time to do this?

"My ability to identify threats and communicate with the team will be most effective if I can occupy a centralized location."

But the first person to suggest I pose as a potted plant is getting nanocytes to the face.

@Arvoris: Everyone can go to/look around the same location at the same time if desired.

Ashtif surreptitiously scouts the area, planting the holo grenade explosive near the information kiosk, the riot grenade near the seating area, the concussion grenade near the holo statue, and the smoke grenade near the desk.

Stealth: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (18) + 14 = 32

Or at least maybe that's what he's doing ... you lose track of him seconds after he enters the area, until he shows up again a few minutes later, sitting in the seating area with his broad-spectrum scanning kit in hand, looking for any anomalous readings.

Perception: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (17) + 16 = 33

There's no map on the slides, right? I'm not seeing it.

Sounds great - thank you!

"Since it looks like we are here early enough, let's check out each section before our friend arrives. Any objections to starting with the seating area? We could search each section carefully, but do our best to not look suspicious ourselves. You know.... search casually."

After racing around to hide some grenades, Ashtif joins the other Starfinders in the seating area.

The rows of seats are back to back, with half facing the gate; the seats are half filled with passengers and mostly in small clustered groups, though a few people sit on their own, likely waiting for an arrival from the incoming starliner.

Interestingly, a human man is wearing some peculiar headgear among the smattering of civilians; the mask covers the man’s eyes, but he appears to be dozing based on how his head droops and snaps up.

If anyone is trained in Engineering, please give me a roll.

@Ashtif: A map? Nope, no map. Why would we need a map? Nothing's going to happen here. Nah, that'd be crazy.

Arvoris looks a bit closer in the direction of the man with the mask.

Is that guy really sleeping?

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (20) + 10 = 30

But the first person to suggest I pose as a potted plant is getting nanocytes to the face.

But it'd be SUCH a good cover... ;P

<No problems with exploring each area in order, but we should avoid being one large group of armed and armored individuals. Dead give away. I can move around with Arvois and Kosigan. Ashtif seems able to hide on his own readily but sticking near Lexicor might not be a bad idea.>

Nothing too fancy, just instead of being a large clump of five let's split into two or three groups to explore everything 'together. No engineering here, sadly.

Nanites mean never having to say "I'm carrying enough ordnance to destroy a small shuttle."

Kosigan takes a seat 25 feet from the person in the mask and keeps a whatever organ results in blindsight (life) on him.

Engineering: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 14

@Oraeus: Which location would you like to visit?

Whoops meant we should stick together for going around... Just not in one large clump. Sorry for some reason the right words weren't coming earlier.

Ashtif glances over, trying to get a look at the man's unusual mask and what functions it could have.

Engineering: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (9) + 8 = 17

Is this guy in the mask wearing shoes/boots that have laces, by any chance?

@Oraeus: Ah, okay--I understand now. Sure, that's doable.

By standard calculations, this should be a trivial non-linear extrapolation.

engineering: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (7) + 9 = 16

Over the comms, Ashtif says quietly, "That gas mask will let him see through smoke. He's clearly looking to start some trouble, but I think I can neutralize him." Ashtif casually moves over to sit behind the man. He reaches up with a tool from his engineering toolkit to fiddle with an exposed wire in the back.

Stealth: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (12) + 14 = 26
Engineering: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (9) + 8 = 17

Once that is finished, he slips under the seats and pulls out his spool of titanium cable. He slowly and loosely loops it around the person's feet, and ties it off to the metal chairs that are bolted to the ground.

Don't know if that 26 is enough to let me do that without being noticed too. My goal, in case it wasn't clear, is for this guy to trip if he gets up and tries to move. Hope he isn't a red herring.

Ashtif moves unobtrusively to the seat behind the dozing man and fiddles with the back of the helmet for a moment before moving away without having been noticed.

Second later, the attendants at the gate announce that the liner has just docked and the passengers will be disembarking in about a minute.

Okay, from this point I have to keep track of rounds (though we won't go onto Initiative per se). A skill check to identify or deal with a potential threat is your action for the round, though of course you can do other things with that time. What would each of you like to do in Round 1?

Kosigan stations itself within 30 feet of the gate and opens its senses. It won't be able to identify Tharsa since it had no way to view the hologram, but can try to spot unusual behavior.

Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7 blindsight (life) 30 ft, blindsense (vibration) 30 ft, blindsense (electricity) 60 ft

But the sheer number of unusual people distracts it.

Arvoris scans the area for trouble, looking for possible threats while moving towards the gate to be near Tharsa when she arrives.

Perception: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (17) + 13 = 30

So a reminder, the four areas that can be investigated are the seating area, the information kiosk, the holo-statue, and the gate desk. Ashtif, Lexicor, and Oraeus, what would you like to do here in Round 1?

Lexicor will move to the kiosk and see if there is anything of interest

any roll to interact ?

Oraeus takes a moment to examine things around the holo-statue, curious if there's anyway for someone or something to hide out in the hologram it produces, and check if any of the plants there might be living creatures like Kosigan but without a sense of pride.

Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (5) + 10 = 15

Rounds: 1d4 ⇒ 3

Culture: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8

If this takes multiple rounds, Arvoris may change his action (if we're being attacked, for example.

Ashtif goes to scan around the gate desk for anything unusual and disturbing.

Perception: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (18) + 16 = 34

Lexicor looks around the information kiosk. The kiosk contains travel advertisements and informational pamphlets about Absalom Station. Two humans, a female looking at a guidebook for Brethada and a male holding a pamphlet for shopping locales on Absalom Station, are standing at the kiosk, speaking to each other.

Meanwhile, Oraeus walks up to the holo-statue. The pedestal is projecting a blue holographic image of the newest starship models, and decorated plants surround it. There are several passengers leaning against the planters, and one human employee who is tending to the plants.

Arvoris remains near the gate desk, peering intently at something. Ashtif joins him a moment later.

A few PCs have some checks to roll based on the spoilers above, and once that's resolved, we'll move onto the next round.

Lexicor continues to interact with the console

”Interesting… “

Mysticisms : 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 5 = 20

Perception : 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 3 = 14

Arvoris casually tries to take a picture of the writing with his commlink. He tries to make it NOT obvious what he's doing (maybe by hiding the comm, or angling his body so the people at the desk can't see it). After he takes the picture Arvoris will send it to his companions.

He glances at his comm link as Arvoris sends a message. Oh, I should have thought of that ...

The Starfinders spread out and investigate different areas of Gate 83. An incoming message from Arvoris to everyone's comm shows a message written in Akitonian.

Okay, let's start Round 2. If you don't read Akitonian, you can spend 1d4 rounds and make a Culture check to try to identify it.(Oraeus, you can complete the checks requested above and then tell me your action for Round 2).

Oraeus's eyebrows narrow and his antenna waver in curiosity as he examines the statues. "Hrmm what's that here..."

Sounds good - thanks!

Arvoris takes a picture of the writing and sends it to the team as his round 2 action.

Kosigan can't do anything with the message, so remains alert to its surroundings.

Ashtif says over the comms as he looks at the image. "I'm working on translating it ... Almost there."

Translating will be my Round 2 & 3 actions.

That will prove most helpful. My success factor on this console was somewhat less than desired.

Okay, Ashtif and Arvoris have completed Round 2. Oraeus, Kosigan, and Lexicor, let me know if you want to do anything, and in a bit we'll move onto Round 3.

Everyone, don't forget you can move between locations and please feel free to use the comms to share what you're learning and to work out any plans you'd like.