SFS 4-11 - A World's Ambition (KS) (Inactive)

Game Master phaeton_nz

Trusty gets his recorder out, trying to record everything he can about the gnome village so that he can show it to his boss, Charli. "Oh man, Charli would love this place!"

Perception: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (6) + 15 = 21

Trusty misses the lyrical detail until DJ points it out. Once DJ points out the music-inducing bit of sidewalk, Trusty has to roll over it himself a couple times to see if it turns him into a music box, too.

Can I scan for broadcasts?

Computers to pick up a broadcast signal: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (16) + 16 = 32
Culture to identify the tune: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (1) + 16 = 17

Then he texts the group.

Can this get any creepier? Does anyone else get the vibe that those implants are less about controlling the nanite swarm and more about controlling a populace? And how the heck did they get everyone on this mud ball of a planet to blindly implant these things? Could you even imagine trying to get everyone in the Pact Worlds to agree on anything much less putting an implant in your brain?

Dr. Mech Coy texts back a reminder to Trusty. Datajacks are cybernetic components a lot of people have implanted in their brain. They may be standard components for us, but that isn’t the case for biologicals. Still, it does look ominous if these implants allow some sort of external control.

Sure, some people will put implants in their brains, but... EVERYONE?
How does an entire society all do the same thing?

Perhaps this isn't a democracy

Kultanien watches the society with interest. "Your world seems to be quite the utopia" she gushes.

"No fights, no drugs, no disagreements." she notes.

"Has it always been like that here?"

Trusty does not turn into a music box.

In response to Kultanien, Bitic pauses for a moment, then admits that the citizens are putting on their best face for the delegates.

The tour pauses at a 200-story, massive skyscraper at the city’s center. The building’s pinnacle is under construction. Bitic stares upward in reverent admiration of the massive university at the heart of the city, its gleaming windows sheltered within a rounded, almost organic, silver exoskeleton. The new spire at its peak sparkles like a ruby in the red afternoon sunlight.

Our glorious university! Bitic explains. The Temple of the First nears completion at its pinnacle. A fitting tribute to the one who saved us all. The implant on Bitic’s head flashes, and the implants installed in others on the street do the same. Every colonist turns and stares upward at the skyscraper for ten seconds in silence before resuming their activity. Ah, forgive me. The First’s blessing requires frequent updates as the nanites adapt. We have grown accustomed, but I hope it doesn’t appear too strange to outsiders.

Twich shakes her head at people using technological implants. Why not just use magic?

During the pause, Dr. Mech Coy sends out a quick text. Regardless of any explanation they may give, I can not recommend any of us getting one of those implants! I would suggest we try to be discreet in our investigation of this.

Bluff: 10 + 17 = 27

What?! I'm the soul of discretion. Trusty pauses. Sometimes.

"Eh, I know all about software updates. It must be challenging to beta-test a miracle." Trusty glances at the soaring university. "What topics do you teach there, and how many students does it serve? Do any of your classes come via software updates like the one we just saw?"

Does that University look like a big transmission tower to anyone else?

From the university, the tour ends at the delegates’ hotel. The building has hundreds of rooms and is brand-new with bipedal robot staff projecting friendly holographic faces to the delegates. The hotel is otherwise empty of people. The atmosphere inside the hotel is normal.

I'm totally getting a DPRK feel!

"Well.. this is very nice. But .... sterile. Do you have any night life?" she asks.

"I'd love to get out and meet some of the regular citizens before we begin our formal investigation."

“Let’s start in the artist’s district!” Dr. Mech Coy suggests.

They connect to the local info-sphere to see if there is an agenda set up for them. Then they check the maps to find out how long it would take to get back to that area where DJ noticed the people singing. They share what they find with the rest of the group.

“Do we share what we’ve noticed with the Xenowarden and Steward’s representatives? I would hate for them to accept one of the implants if we are suspicious of them, but right now we don’t have any proof that there is anything wrong.”

"Yes, I think this is all highly suspicious - those implants seem very questionable, and that everyone gets one seems like there probably isn't a lot of choice in the matter - where do the people go who DON'T want one?"

"Funny they build large hotels on a planet that seems to lack a tourism industry, unless it is all for show, just like the behaviour of the locals"

Bitic bids the delegates farewell at the hotel’s entrance, leaving them to settle in. Inside, Azosin and Myza go over their itineraries. Azosin plans to engage in rapid negotiations with Bitic tomorrow while Myza’s team examines the Blight, checks for biosphere damage, and meets the populace. Evos-12 provides the Starfinders with coordinates for Jodain’s Bluff, a pre-Gap ruin on the Blight’s edge, and arranges for enercopter drop-off and pickup. Evos-12 also provides you with a short dossier on the site that Bitic has supplied him; the dossier indicates the site is an orbital drop-pod for nanite delivery that struck Eborth’s surface some time before the Gap. Myza promises to notify the Starfinders of any danger her team encounters and hopes you do the same while they’re in the field.

You can explore Eborth and find a multitude of items for sale in Mitam’s stores, though there are no armor or weapon vendors. The colonists explain all military production went toward the war effort. Cultural and educational offerings like theater and symposiums abound. No sign of any night-life though, at least not the sort that Kultanian is looking for.

The First’s implants are 12th-level cybernetic implants that occupy the brain system and are available for free installation at numerous clinics throughout Mitam. Any of you can have the First’s implant installed for free, if you desire.

When at one of the clinics, Viper turns to the clinicians and raises a concern - "These look to be excellent pieces of hardware at first glance, but I am worried that they might be incompatible with some of the neurological systems found in the diverse range of species and life forms the Starfinders, and Stewards, have amongst their ranks - do you mind if I examine one of the implants? I'm all about safety and just want to assure our people that these miraculous devices will afford them the same protections we would obviously enjoy..."

Bluff 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (14) + 10 = 24

Viper is keen to get a hold of the hardware, certainly not keen on implanting it. If that doesn't work, considering using sleight of hand to lift one

That looks good enough - you are able to get an implant and examine it at your leisure. Those examining it need to make Engineering checks.

Does that imply we can have one of our Techno-Wizards take 20 on it? :) Looking at you Twich! :p Otherwise we can do a bunch of auto-aids to your check

While we poke around town, DJ will Celita's scanner to check for any signs of the data scourge.
DJ can auto-aid to examine, or try it on his own depending on how we need to do it

There is no sign of the Data Scourge detected.

Dr. Mech Coy is rather annoyed when they find out there is nowhere to get weapons. I assume that applies to ammo as well. If we can get ammo, please let me know.

“We really should have been told about this before coming here, along with the need for weapons that can burn away the nanites. Allowed us to prepare better!”

They do become very interested in the implant that Viper acquired. They are willing to help someone or do their own investigation. “I wonder if there is a lab we could take it to.”

Can auto aid.

"Jopsie, can you help out with the analysis?" asks Kultanien.
Auto aid for a science check, but not for engineering

She meanwhile books tickets to the local theatre to see what sort of productions are put on.

I'm going to take Dr Mech Coy's roll as the primary.

Taking half the night, and with everyone else's assistance, Dr Mech Coy carefully dissects the implant.

You all discover the following:
1) It is a cybernetic augmentation that can suppress and conceal personal electrical activity, including neurological, concealing the creature from sensors that detect life-forms.

2) You also realise it has a weakness. If anyone using the implant takes electrical damage or fails a will save, they become confused for a round.

3) Buried deep in the implant is a hidden encrypted component for remote override. Decrypting this component to determine its override programming would take days. However, it can be disabled with a second successful engineering check and four hours of work.

As for what's on the local theatres, all of them are performances that would be classed as highly eclectic or classical, designed to stimulate the intellect. Highbrow stuff really.

“Interesting. I wonder if there is some way we could mimic this without use of the implant.”

Looking to the rest of the group, they say “Now that we have proof, we really should inform Azosin and Myza about this.” as they gesture to the implant. “I think it would be best to do it in person since comms can be intercepted.”

Do we think a signal jammer could block the remote override?
Would we have to disable it on each individual implant, or would the check be a way to use the remote access to disable it?

Since Azosin and Myza are in the same hotel, telling them in person is not a problem. As for overriding the remote override, it would be easier to do it by disabling each individual implant.

Twich wonders if there is any way to know if the imlant is programmed to react in any way to such a revelation.

After enjoying some classical music, Kultanien is more than happy to turn in for the night.

Did you inform Myza of what you found out about the nanites?

Next day ...
The archaeological site known as Jodain’s Bluff is an hour’s flight from Mitam. You are dropped off at Jodain’s Bluff by enercopter and pickup is scheduled for six hours later. From the drop-off point, the edge of the Blight is visible half a mile away, the ground around it scorched with laser fire.

New map on slides

If no one objects, Dr. Mech Coy informs both Myra and Azosin. They will make clear their findings and share the data collected on the implant if either wants it.

——

For the journey out to the site, Dr. Mech Coy has changed from the Clearweave he had been wearing into a D-Suit II and has the sort of equipment you would expect of a Starfinder. WePons, jet pack installed in his armor, other tools. He still has a hologram of the Caduceus symbol floating above him.

Dr. Mech Coy gets off the enercopter and surveys the area.

Life Science: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (1) + 11 = 12

Jopsie, still clad in a white lab-coat, peers out from behind Kultanien.

"Why, that is interesting.." she notes.
life science: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (15) + 17 = 32

"Look at how the nanites are affecting the natural environment. That is not good, not good at all."

The golden girl herself is still casually dressed in a set of formal clothing.

Although one perringly closely might note it is actually a suit of Clearweave II armor

"Time to see what we can find out.." she says, peering toward the site.

She walks slowly along, her feet not quite touching the ground.

Will activate force-soles II to "fly" but not be showy about it.

DJ is in favor of sharing our findings so far. Do either Myra or Azosin have any reaction to what we found?
--
Mysticism: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (16) + 14 = 30

DJ studies the surrounding environment and makes a few notes. He'll also scan the area for signs of the data scourge. He too moves without touching the ground.

Agreed, no secrets, happy to hand over data on the implants etc

"Fieldwork seems to suit you Jopsie" Viper offers encouragingly "Good analysis"

"Evos-12's dossier indicates the site is an orbital drop-pod for nanite delivery that struck Eborth’s surface some time before the Gap. I suppose that we need to be on the lookout for any radiation threats, but also any intrusion countermeasures that might still be running - even all these years later - and on that note pre-gap means this whole site os pretty old so be careful where you put your feet, things may have rusted or rotted away if it has been exposed"

She checks her chemalyzer, her broad-spectrum scanning kit, and her radiation badge.

She then unholsters her las-pistol and grins to herself about the potential for danger ahead.

"Trusty, shall we push forward?"

***

General intent - Trusty and Viper move stealthily through the facility, pausing to check the ahead and prove the route through. The rest of the party can remain a bound behind ('Two rooms behind', or at least 30') to avoid clunking around and giving away the groups presence. Route is along the white arrows, clockwise movement.

We don't open/lift/move anything without careful analysis (and we have Broad Spectrum kit to help there with a +4 to perception to search.

If it suits the GM, happy to call it a Take 10 for perception and stealth as we move if that speeds things up.

Jopsie looks up and offers a shy smile to Viper. "Thanks... I don't get out in the field that often.."

Kultanien offers her a slightly surprised glance but says nothing. She follows Viper through the ruins, keeping well back.

stealth: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 6 = 16

While she is pretty resistant to radiation and poisons, and doesn't need to breathe, she still secures her environmental seals. Just in case.

You can immediately access what looks to be storage compartments (A2).

Searching this are reveals two mrk 3 decoupler grenades and two bulk of raw abysium.

The purple glowing thing (A1) is a glowing generator that powers the First's emitter which prevents the grey goo from entering the site.

Closed doors block entry into A3.

perception DC20: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (14) + 12 = 26
science DC20: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (12) + 17 = 29
culture DC25: 1d20 + 18 + 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 18 + (3) + 2 = 36
computers DC22: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (16) + 14 = 30

"Well, that is interesting." notes Kultanien.

"Dead... or at least deactivated nanites are all over the place. Lets hope we don't reactivate them. Anyone able to tell what did this to them?"

Jopsie steps forward to look around the room. "This was a lab set up for building micro robots... Look at all the carbon they left scattered around."

Kultanien scowls a little as she examines the room. "I've seen this layout before somewhere....." she mutters.

"Jinsul, that is it! And not an old design either.."

physical science DC25 (extra check with spoiler tag ): 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (7) + 17 = 24 Not sure if others can try that extra check or not, GM?

She wanders over toward the generator, sighing as she goes. "Ahh, the mystery is solved. This generator is responsible for the nanite shut-down. We should record the signals here and send them back. That will be helpful to everyone."

"That must be one of the beacons Evos-12 mentioned." DJ gets to work recording the signals.

Engineering: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (14) + 16 = 30
Physical Science: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (4) + 12 = 16 No luck on the extra check

Doing the obvious checks in the order given
Perception: 1d20 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 7 + 1 = 13 Seems like this one is sight based
Engineering: 1d20 + 14 + 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 14 + (4) + 1 = 25
Engineering: 1d20 + 14 + 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 14 + (4) + 1 = 28
Engineering: 1d20 + 14 + 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 14 + (2) + 1 = 31

Physical Science, Aid Kultainen if allowed: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (10) + 14 = 24

Dr. Mech Coy needed the nanites pointed out to them.

He easily recognizes the Jinsul design of the pod and does not like what that forebodes. He is puzzled by the pod given the chambers and compares notes with Kultainen.

“Strange that the generator would just happen to have the shutdown codes for the nanites if they are Jinsul design. There is more to this than we were told.”

Will let the GM decide if they will allow the Physical Science check to be an Aid.

Physical Science 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (17) + 13 = 30

Viper listens in to the revelations, concentrating on what is in front of her. "Jinsul? I've fought them before..." She begins rubbing the damaged dog-tags around her neck unconsciously as she stares into the middle distance.

Hits the DC for the Phy Sci check if eligible

Twich is able to take 10 on all those checks except perception.

"What is going on here?" Twich asks.

Seeing everyone have this, Trusty looks around the place like the maintenance worker he is to see if he can figure out the storage system.

Profession Maintenance Worker: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (1) + 16 = 17
Oh, you cruel, cruel dice roller.

"So... I could see an argument for a nanite lab when you are trying to figure out how to stop nanites. But I am wondering if this was the lab where someone learned how to start them and stop them at his convenience."

“Or created the nanites in the first place but wanted a way to stop them when needed.”

Aiding is indeed allowed, especially when you are sharing your findings and everyone can try that last check now

what check is left? Kultainen succeeded at perception, and Twich took 10 on all the others successfully.

There was a physical science check that Kultainen needed a single Aid on. GM just approved the Aid Another, so we have all of them.

After some discussion between Kultainen and Dr. Mech Coy, they agree that the site was artificially aged and no more than a few weeks old.

“We have a dangerous mystery here. My main suspect would be the one who seems to be benefiting, The First. I do hope this doesn’t turn out to be another scheme by Kadrical to get followers!”

Dr. Mech Coy is a Scoured Stars Survivor and has Fate of the Scoured Stars.

"If this place is new but made to look old, then how could it be responsible for the nanite swarm?" asks Kultanien.

Did I get this right, this is where they through the nanites came from to begin with?

This is a site on the edge of the blight that the Stewards secured. It doesn’t sound like it is the original site, but they said it was like the original site.

"Seems we have been misled, how could they think this is ancient if it is very recent, they were either aware of it some time ago, or they weren't - seems pretty suspect"

Viper pushes on.

"Could they be feeding us information to try and get more help? The whole jinsul connection...seems suspicious." muses the lovely android.

"Knowing how we feel about the Jinsul... 'the enemy of our enemy is our friend'? Could be manipulation"

“They did a good job of making it appear old. I wasn’t sure until I compared observations with Kultainen. They had all the basics correct and most people wouldn’t know Jinsul designs.”

“Someone is certainly being manipulated, but I don’t think we were the original target. I would guess we are more of a complication in an ongoing scheme.”

"Alright, I'll just say it." Trusty says. "Can we all agree the First is a dodgy character? I think he created this nanite swarm so that he could have a problem he could solve and a population he could control. This could be jinsul, or it could from one of the other races of the scoured stars who were trapped there with the jinsul, or from anyone intimately studying the jinsul..." Trusty breaks off, rendered speechless for a moment. "You know who studied the jinsul most? Us! Could this be from one of our own?"