SFS 3-10 - Live Adventure Extreme! Take 2 (KS) (Inactive)

Game Master phaeton_nz

Gameplay Thread - Dot in here

A young human woman dressed in a "SMC #1 Fan" t-shirt slides past the door into the briefing chamber. About two seconds later she returns, glances in through the door and hurtles herself though the door, over the back row of chairs and into an empty seat in the middle of the front row.

Adopting a "nope, nothing happening here" nonchalance, she glances around the rest of the room, only just starting to realise that for once maybe she wasn't running late and she was the first person here.

"Gunnz... your pilot... reporting for duty" she pants, hopefully - before double checking she was in the correct briefing room.

Pilot? I though Zo wanted some bloodsport. a pale gnome says, clanking in her heavy armor as she enters the room. Or 'ichor'-port or whatever it is that might come up. Knowing them it's likely to be painful.

The gnome doesn't look especially nervous about that last part. In fact she seems pretty non-plussed all around.

An immaculately dressed elf enters the briefing room. Every strand of his hair rests almost too perfectly around a face that has impossibly high cheekbones and a strong jaw. The light gray glen check three piece suit he wears is custom tailored to his body. A crisp white sea island cotton shirt, navy knitted silk tie, white linen folded pocket handkerchief, dark gray socks and black derby shoes complete his outfit.

Cavaler Traleth, is no stranger to the spotlight. The ambassador from the elf nation of Sovyrian on the planet of Castrovel to Absalom Station is known by most.

The android Kat5e joins the others as they wait for the shuttle. Her fists are jammed into the pockets of her well-worn leather jacket, and her forward swept orange hair covers part of her face. Her scowl is still visible however. She is lightly armored and outfitted, with only a rifle slung over her shoulder and other pieced of equipment attached to her belt or jacket.

She does not appear to be in the mood for the spotlight of another Zo! production, but having been featured on an episode of Pact World Warriors, she apparently made enough of an impression to be invited back.

When she recognizes Gunnz her expression brightens a little. "A friendly face, how are you? Nice to meet you all, I'm called Kat5e, or just Kat. Has anyone else been through one of these productions before?"

Nope. the gnome answers and extends her hand to the android. Mizix. And I’ve heard about Zo! of course - she frowns punctuation’s hard to pronounce - but never had the chance to take part. I’ve been out of system a lot recently - the Society’s really into a treasure hunt lately.

"Wait, this is a Zo! production?" gushes Gunnz.

"Awesome! Did you see Special holiday episode of "The Necromancer" that had SMC appear in it? Undead Dance off! Not really fair, as they never rn out of energy."

From her way of talking, it appears that Gunnz also may suffer from the never-run-out-of-energy problem.

Oops, my bad, metagaming to make small talk!

"Treasure hunt, eh?. Last I saw a few friends were heading out on something like that. I couldn't join them. Never heard if they tracked anything down. Seemed like a big wild goose chase. Unless you found it?"

You are aboard the Lamplighter, a Starfinder Society chartered shuttle traveling to Trillidiem. Venture-Captain Naiaj, a bleachling gnome, appears on the main viewscreen of the meeting room. She looks up from a datapad just after the connection goes live. I hope you aren’t feeling antisocial, she says, because you won’t get a lot of privacy on this trip.

As you probably know, the Society owes a favor—several favors, really, along with a load of credits—to Zo!Media. Specifically, its CEO, the undead media mogul known as Zo!. In return for his generous funding, Starfinders have appeared on a number of holovid programs produced by Zo!. Recently, I’ve been instructed to make a team available on short notice for some sort of live broadcast occurring at his studio in Trillidiem.

Naiaj taps a button on her datapad, and information flows across the viewscreen.

You’ll be at Zo!’s... disposal for the next 24 hours, beginning from the time you arrive at Trillidiem, an arcology city orbiting the gas giant world of Bretheda. The Society has signed holovid releases on your behalf, so please make sure you cast us in a good light with your behavior. Zo! has assured me that you won’t be doing anything outside of your normal duties: exploring, fighting, negotiating, and so on. I’ve no idea what he’s got cooked up, but previous agents have had everything from live exploration of an active archaeological site, to extreme competitions and team puzzle games. Be ready for anything.

You also discover several of the ship’s crew are fans of Live Exploration Extreme!, Pact World Warriors, and other Zo!-produced reality shows involving the Starfinder Society, and can answer questions about Zo! and his media empire. In addition, if any of you have been on any of Zo!'s shows, the crew recognizes you and asks to take pictures with you.

"Will there be any contracts that need to be signed? I'll need to have my legal team review them before I sign on. Can you have them sent to my executive secretary?" Cavaler asks in a very matter of fact way.

Gunnz goes all agog.

"This could be my big break(tm)" she gasps.

"How does my hair look?" is the immediate follow up question. The answer being sweaty and in dire need of a wash.

"This is So Cool! I hear that Minimetal watches Zo!s shows? Did I tell you about the time I got to dance on stage with them? So Cool!"

On camera? Mizix looks at Naiaj. Umm, I can tend to get a little...fuzzy when things heat up. Is that going to be a porblem? Will it look too muhc like static?

Also, she looks down a bit sheepishly where is this place we're going to again?

I'm not sure Mizix (or I) know where Trillidiem is :p

Kat begrudgingly smiles and poses with the crew members who remember her appearance. "Yeah, that grenade trick worked out great..... Yeah, no it's terrible what happened after..... I know it looked that way on TV, but I had nothing to do with it... Oh, I personally made sure the perpetrator was held responsible later.... Autograph, sure..." she almost seems to be enjoying herself, even if she allows a tinge of pain and anger to pass through her vocal modulator of a moment.

"I never saw live exploration extreme, what kind of challenges did the other starfinder they face there?" she asks the crew in return.

Oh ..... all sorts of stuff. It's really unpredictable. My favorite is Pact World Warriors, where teams compete in live combat! You get to know the competitors from show to show.... if they live that long. The Starfinder Society did an episode of that one a while back. The Society also was on Live Exploration Extreme! and Zo! sent camera crews along with a Society team exploring a newly discovered site in real time! They discovered dwarves ... and fought a bunch of space goblins

Culture: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (4) + 13 = 17

Oh, its around Bretheda! Mizix finally remembers. So many moons and things around there it's hard to keep track.

Wait, so we're going to the Zo!Dome? Mizix asks Naiaj. Looking to the others, she explains Apparantly the show they've been shooting there is called 'Live Adventure Extreme!'. Uncreative name. And an inaccurate one: from what I've heard it seems more focused on gladiator-style team fights. That incident on Salvation's End seemed to be more of an 'adventure'

Culture: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (14) + 12 = 26

"Zo!Media also owns a subsidiary corporation in Trillidiem called Zo!Imports Incorporated, which gathers dangerous creatures from across Near Space. The corporation has also invested in several notable starship designs, with no ship in the small fleet being the same."

Kat signs the last Autographed picture, apparently a still from her Pact World Warriors episode and hands it back over the crewman, but not before admiring her hair in the zero-g environment.

...also invested in several notable starship designs, with no ship in the small fleet being the same."

"There you go Gunnz, maybe you'll end up in the pilot seat after all" She tells the girl with a smile.

"I'm good with battling another team. I got caught up in the rivalry before. I'll consider being nicer this time. Maybe. Depends what the producers want. I would expect a confrontation with those imported dangerous creatures. It seems to follow Zo!'s playbook."

"We'll be STARS!" enthuses Gunnz.

culture: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (11) + 10 = 21

"Wow, a chance to fly a unique design. That will be SO COOL!" she pants, barely able to contain her excitement.

"I hope we don't get into trouble there, I here that Confluence is quite strict. Lots of forms to fill out if you do the wrong thing, and it has eyes... or senses... everywhere."

"I'm good with battling another team. I got caught up in the rivalry before. I'll consider being nicer this time. Maybe. Depends what the producers want. I would expect a confrontation with those imported dangerous creatures. It seems to follow Zo!'s playbook."

Creatures would be better. Mizix agrees. It seems a waste to be battling and inflicting pain on other creatures who are only doing the same thing we are.

"Oh, of course, I should have mentioned - our weapons were fixed with 'Merciful Infusions'. They stung, but they were nonlethal when it came to team-on-team capture the flag."

Through the main viewscreen, the gas giant Bretheda glitters like a sapphire against the void. The violet cloud bands and a trio of storms turn from horizontal to vertical as the ship changes course to enter Bretheda’s polar orbit. As the clouds slide past, a faint twinkling object ahead grows in brightness and size.

An incoming message interrupts the screen. A gaunt elebrian appears, nearly skeletal but immaculately groomed and dressed. He points his fingers at the screen, posing as if holding two pistols. This can only be the undead media mogul, Zo!, holovid star and head of the vast Zo!Media empire.

Starfinders! So glad you could make it, this show is going to be so drift I can’t even believe it! My company is working to turn drift into the next big adjective, you know for marketing. Be sure to use it a lot during the show! As for the production, it’s set to be in our new studio, the Zo!Dome, which is top notch, so you’ll get coverage like never before! Zo! spreads his hands across the sky, wide-eyed.

I love this partnership with you Starfinders, it’s win-win! You get the credits to fund your...., uh, things that you do, .... and I get some amazing heroes for my shows! You’ll be stars! Zo! shoots his dual-wielded finger-guns at the screen again, then turns to indicate an undead woman who stands patiently behind him.

This is my producer, Wazasha Kevir. She’ll meet you at the.... landing place, thingy, and get you ready for the show. I gotta jet. Just remember, death is temporary, but fame is forever! Zo! disappears in a burst of static, to be replaced once more by the approaching view of Trillidiem.

Starfinders! So glad you could make it, this show is going to be so drift I can’t even believe it! My company is working to turn drift into the next big adjective, you know for marketing. Be sure to use it a lot during the show!

Mizix leans over to whisper to Kat. He does know about the Crisis, doesn't he?

"The Crisis is so Drift!" giggles Gunnz.

Mizix leans over to whisper to Kat. He does know about the Crisis, doesn't he?

"Knowing this guy, I sure that's intentional. Strike while the iron is hot. Brings in more views."

The ship lands at the Trillidiam port and you are greeted by Wazasha, along with a holovid crew of six ghouls with handheld and drone-based cameras, audio booms, and other assorted gear. Wazasha greets each of you individually, referring to her tablet and making notes while the ghoul crew films everything from multiple angles.

If any of the PCs have played Starfinder Society Scenario #1-09 Live Exploration Extreme! or Starfinder Society #2-01 Pact World Warriors, Wazasha remembers their names

After introductions have been made, Wazasha hurries you into a vehicle that whisks them to the Zo!Dome. On the ride, she fills you in on your roles for today’s series of programs.

We’re going to try not to waste your time, so we have a pretty tight schedule for the day. First up: you’ll be a team on Live Adventure Extreme! It’s a team combat program that’s fast and furious. You go into the gladiatorial studio, in front of a mostly living audience. You fight it out, and the winning team might get an encore scene. Depends on how the show went and if we’re running heavy or light. She glances down at her tablet to consult the schedule.

After that, the crew has to reset the studio for the next round. While they do that, you’ll head into orbit to shoot some stock space combat footage. It’s mostly so we have it to use in everything from holovid commercials to promotional trailers. We should be done in time to get back to the Zo!Dome for your final round of Live Adventure Extreme! One long day, and you’ll be done for the day!

So a fight, a dogfight, then another fight. Mizix says out loud to make sure she understands.

Is there anything in particular we should be doing out there? I've never been on a vidshow before.

Do whatever you Starfinders do. But make it spectacular and entertaining

"I assume the combat portion will be non lethal of course."

Only if you want it to. If you're up against beasts, I don't think they will be pulling attacks. Besides, if you do die ..... we can fix that.

"That is so DRIFT!" gushes Gunnz, making sure both her and her #1 SMC fan t-shirt are on full display to the vid-cameras.

"What will we be flying for the space combat?"

Wazasha winces slightly as Gunnz says Drift rather loudly.

Ships. Erm ... we have an assortment for you to pick from. Drake, Pegasus and even a couple of Azata. If you have access to your own ship, the Society has already had it brought here. So, whatever you feel the most comfortable in. Besides, I have heard of your exploits Gunnz, and I look forward to seeing you fly whatever you choose.

[b]"It sounds quite barbaric, but of course that's how you make your money isn't it Zo!,"[b] Cavaler says in a matter of fact tone of voice.

Now Wazasha looks rather surprised. Did you just call me Zo!? She makes a motion to the director to ensure that flub ends up on the cutting room floor. As long as he makes his money and entertains, I keep getting my paycheck.

"Yes, please edit that out of the broadcast and have that segment of video sent to my publicist. It should by no means end up on the infosphere for public consumption or you'll be hearing from my lawyers."

Wazasha makes a note on her tablet. I should point out though that the release that was signed on your behalf allows us to use all the footage that we take in what manner we see fit. So, if there are any more disputes like that, you may end up hearing from our lawyers.

She ensures you all get a copy of that agreement.

Gunnz really doesn't care about lawyers. She is sure she probably should but.. really.. such a drag.

"Oh, you have a Pegasus? Awesome! I love the Pegasus. Can't be beat in terms of speed and maneuverability. And that surely would look great on your show. "

She looks perhaps a little -too- happy to have a chance to put on a show in a spaceship.

"I'm sooooo looking forward to this."

She starts to flick through her SMC song collection, readying her "battle mix".

I shall arrange for one to be put at your disposal then

Cavaler, looks highly agitated by Wazasha's statement about the contract he signed. He takes out his comm unit and begins to compose an angry email to his legal team about how he is going to fire all of them when he returns to Absalom Station.

"If we are going to be going into combat I highly recommend that we take a Drake with us."

Gunnz pulls a face at the mention of a drake. "They are like flying a Transporter." she whines.

Then concedes "Although I guess they do make for nice explosions when you fire their missiles. Boring for the pilot though. No Zip. Not very Drift at all."

The vehicle drops Wazasha and the PCs you off outside a massive domed building that resembles a large stadium for extreme sports. Wazasha ushers you past the security scanners and armed guards and through a labyrinthine series of corridors to a large comfortable suite furnished with plush chairs, a table full of refreshments, and several holovid screens tuned to various Zo!Media programs.

Wazasha then asks each of you to provide a short introduction be used as they enter the Zo!Dome.

This should be a short phrase which identifies the PC and provides some idea of what they seek to accomplish during the event. Refer to modern-day wrestling or game show contestant introductions for inspiration. Players can come up with these individually or use a single one for their team.

Gunnz thinks for a bit. "I just go by Gunnz!" she admits.

"'Cause I like unloading them on the enemy!"

Then thinks for a bit. "But a team name would be sweet too."

Cavaler, uses his comm unit to share a video press release with Wazasha, created by his publicist, that he normally uses when being introduced for the first time.

Kat supplies her entry music to Wazasha. "My designation is Kat5e. I told you I'd be back" is all she offers in a monotone voice.

Oh, uh... Mizix says, furiously trying to think of a response to the farily obvious and expected prompt.

And I'm Mizix she says. Frantically looking at herself and the other three and seeing their insignia, she looks straight at the camera and adds: And the 'Stars' are about to shine here.

Because Starfinders? Will they get it. Gah, this is painful. But not in as satisfying a way as the Shadebringer made it sound

The Zo!Dome is Zo! Media’s largest and newest indoor studios. Often used for major sporting events or political rallies, recently it has become synonymous with Zo!’s series of live combat shows. The arena floor is surrounded by a dome of transparent aluminum reinforced with a force field to protect the audience from any stray effects. Large holovid screens are projected around the dome, providing close-up or slow-motion views of the action. One screen shows a long news-style desk with the show’s two undead hosts, Lethea and Quell. The roar of the crowd can be heard beyond the door as Wazasha addresses you.

Remember, this is entertainment! Make it look good. Be daring, not boring! Play to the audience. There will be camera and sound crew around—try not to incinerate them, it creates a lot of paperwork. If one of the hosts approaches you, it’s your moment to shine! Wazasha smiles. Remember, don’t do any preparations or spellcasting before the bell rings, or you could be disqualified. Now go out and do the show!

The massive doors burst open in a shower of smoke and pyrotechnics, nearly drowned out by the roar of the crowd. Surrounding the arena floor, tiers of seats are packed with what must be tens of thousands of sentient beings. The broadcast system carries throughout the immense Zo!Dome.

And today’s challengers, sponsored by the Starfinder Society! Please welcome them to another episode of Live Adventure Extreme!

Each of your introduction lines is read out by the announcers, and the ghoul camera crew turns to focus on each in turn, a large blinking red light on the camera indicating that your face is being broadcast live across Trillidiem, and “as-liveas-lightspeed-allows” across the Pact Worlds. You can see your faces on the giant screens around the stadium as well. If any of you doesn’t enter the stadium when your name is called, one of the ghoul crew members gives you a push to get you moving.

Gunnz strides into the arena floor, wiggling, waggling and trying to show off her "SMC #1 fan" t-shirt to as many cameras as possible.

She struts around, waves to the crowd and calls out "How about putting on something classic? A track from Star Sugar Heatlove!"

Don't you mean Heartlove? some wag shoots back. Still, gotta admit, they look pretty hot

Yes, I realise that was most likely a typo but the joke potential could not be resisted

Gunnz whistles back. "That's SO Dift! Come find me after the show."

One of the undead crew waves back.

Kat enters the arena, her face adopting her usual resting scowl. As she scans around the crowd she realises the camera is on her. A thought is all it takes to divert power to android circuitry, causing it to glow more a more intense bright blue. Then a very old subroutine kicks in - her circuitry begins to pulse along with the arena music around her. The colours of her sub-dermal circuits slowly drift along the colour spectrum from blue to purple, green, orange red and yellow. She is so caught up in the moment that she would continue the light show even if the requested SMC song came on.