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“Welcome!” Ziggy exclaims. “Come in! Make yourself
comfortable! Sorry about the music, I’m so excited for today.”
“Allow me to explain,” Celita cuts in. “Today, the Starfinder
Society is hosting the inaugural event at the newly repurposed
and renamed Ruby Theater. The event is a battle of the bands
judged by several famous and well-respected musicians,
including Tsuchi-ko from Strawberry Machine Cake.”
At this name, Ziggy squeals and claps their hands in glee.
Celita smiles at Ziggy fondly, then continues.
“This battle of the bands serves the dual purpose of
fundraising for those displaced by the Drift Crisis and raising
the spirits of our fellow Pact Worlds citizens. It’s an opportunity
for the Starfinder Society to give back to our community.
Additionally, given the scandals recently unearthed concerning
my predecessor’s illicit activities, it’s vital to show the public we
intend to make amends for what Historia-Prime did under the
Society’s watch.”
“This is where you come in,” Ziggy says. “We’d like a team of
Starfinders to work security for the event.” Ziggy’s antennae
droop slightly. “I’m very sorry to have to ask you to work
the event instead of enjoying it, but I’ll make sure you have
complimentary tickets to the next one! You’ll be able to hear
the music no matter where you are in the venue, so hopefully
you won’t miss too much. The work should be easy—just helping
with setup and making sure the fans don’t get too rowdy. Other
than that, you should be able to enjoy the show.”
“Try to keep the judges happy,” Celita adds. “They’ve
volunteered their time for a generous cause and their fame is
the main drawing point for the event.”
event is important for the community. Plus, who would want to
sabotage all the amazing artists that will be there?”
“That being said,” Celita cautions, “be prepared for anything.
You should be aware of how these things go.”
explains. “However, there are also several bands from elsewhere
that became stranded because of the Drift Crisis. The judges are
Lita Starr, Tsuchi-ko from Strawberry Machine Cake, Lynthia
from Abysshead, and K1ng Ch0rd. The event is hosted by
Radat Sendu from Zo!’s network.” If a character questions the
Society’s ongoing relationship with Zo!, Celita reminds them that
the Society still has contracts they are required to fulfill in
exchange for the funding Zo! provided when the Society was
trying to get back on its feet after the Scoured Stars incident.
illicit activities?:
she responds. “Historia-Prime was the founder of the Dataphiles
faction, but he has also been the leader of the Dataphiles for
much of the time since then. He repeatedly transferred his
mind into the bodies of his successors, overwriting their minds
and stealing their lives so he could continue to hold influence
within the Starfinder Society. He tried to do the same to me.”
Ziggy extends one of their hands toward Celita, who grasps it
before continuing, “As for his most well-known crimes, he has
killed numerous people, including in two different attacks on
Absalom Station. He also created the Data Scourge virus, which
infected systems throughout the Pact Worlds and created chaos
in its wake.”
serious. “When something’s been a part of life for centuries, it’s
easy for people to take it for granted. The Drift’s like that. People,
data, goods; we all stayed connected across the galaxy by using
the Drift to travel far faster than light. But the Drift failed, and
everyone traveling through it when it failed was tossed out into
unfamiliar reaches of space or other planes.” Their voice grows
louder, echoing with resolve. “There are many who are trapped
far from home, with no idea of when they’ll see or hear
from their loved ones again. Others have taken refuge
here, on Absalom Station, leaving their lives and
homes behind. All these people need help. They need
to know that they’re not alone. That’s why raising
money to support them is so important.”
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The elf has been slouching against the wall near the door throughout the briefing as though preparing for a quick escape. His hollow cheeks and the dark circles under his eyes give the impression that he has not gotten much sleep in a long while, but his clothes are clean - if worn - and the prominently-branded Starfinder(™) backpack on the floor between his feet looks brand new. He straightens up to speak.
"Varidenel Daudadomur, archeologist. Nice to meet you all, happy to be here, yada yada yada. Now look, I like a good sugar pop anthem as much as anyone," he growls, without any apparent sarcasm. "But this seems like overkill even to me, and everyone thinks I'm paranoid. At least, that's what they say behind my back. But you're the boss. Bosses. If this is the job, fine, but I'd like to know what you're really worried about, and I think we need to hear more about this 'Ruby Theater' - if it's newly renamed and newly repurposed for this concert, what was it before?"
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At the mention of Strawberry Machine Cake, a large Nuar in a dress shirt, tie, and glasses, with a briefcase at his side, lets out a sigh, at the same moment when a very excited-looking blob of black and blue nanites pops up from his shoulder, shifting colors making a starry-eyed grin appear on its surface. "Not enough that we had to listen to it all the way here..." the nuar grumbles, and the blob shoots him a look in response. "Sorry, I know, it was your turn to pick the music, no matter what it is, and I promised I wouldn't complain." The blob nods, contented in the nuar's resignation.
He clears his throat and turns his attention to his new compatriots, adopting a much clearer business tone. "Oshari Soteria, Workplace Health & Safety Inspector, Starfinder Agent. This is Ariadne." He gestures to the blob, which does an approximation of a curtsy.
He nods his head gravely. "I certainly do know. The safety protocols on events like this can be incredibly lax, and in the event of injury often times it can be difficult moving against the crowd."
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A halfling woman pumps her fist at the announcement of the mission.
"This is going to be awesome! She looks to her allies, then straightens up. "Oh right, introductions. My name is Charity Slice. Ace pilot, ace attorney."
With the last part of her introduction, the halfling catches Oshari's eye. "An attorney? What's your specialty?"
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A nearly emaciated looking verthani, saunters into the room. He's lean even for that race. At about 7 feet in height, he looms over all but the tallest humans, but masses about the same as a human a full foot shorter. Black eyes bulge from a face covered with a slowly changing pattern of colors.
He wears tight-fitting armour festooned with small tools hanging like fetishes from loops sewn into the armour. More tools protrude from pockets, and no doubt more are in his large backpack. The impression of an enthusiastic but disorganized mechanic is altered somewhat by the rifle that is also strapped to the pack.
He nods to Celita and Zigivix. "Hey, your honors." And then to the rest of the party. "Gang, how're you doing? Little Lendtech. Sorry I'm late. I'll catch your names on the fly."
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"Contract law, mostly," Charity saws with a grin. "You would be surprised how much you can accomplish with the right legal sense."
Ziggy turns to Charity. "Remind me to talk to you after the mission. I bought a used starship from an elderly Nuar who drove it only one day a week...It turned out to be a LIE!"
He looks at the rest of the party.
"Any other questions?"
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Varidenel tilts his head to one side in apparent confusion. “Any other questions? But you haven’t answered… is this some kind of test?” The elf looks up and around for hidden cameras. “Um, yes, we know how these things go, but it’s still just a concert. Is there something else you’re worried about? And what was the Ruby Theater called and used for before it was renamed and repurposed?”
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"I can answer that," Charity says. Then she turns to Ziggy. "Assuming the information is not classified? I think I can safely say that the previous owner is deceased, and their heir of sorts is a prominent member of the Starfinder Society. This individual wished to repurpose the real estate into something positive. I would need my client's permission to reveal more."
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“Thank you, Charity, I suppose that’s innocuous enough. From one point of view, anyway.”
The elf shakes his head at the newcomer. “Oh, sure, it’s all fun and games until the big guy’s nanites get too excited and the next thing you know, we have a gray goo situation to deal with.” He jerks a thumb at Oshari.
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At the mention of the Eoxian television personality's name , Oshari lets out another sigh, this one lower and angrier. "If he's paying for things, then we definitely need to be careful about safety hazards. I don't care if he says the contestants 'consent', and anyone who makes those kinds of excuses is almost certainly going to keep everything just barely within regulation to cut costs."
“Um, yes, we know how these things go, but it’s still just a concert. Is there something else you’re worried about? And what was the Ruby Theater called and used for before it was renamed and repurposed?”
"I'd like to know that too, actually. I don't want to miss anything because we didn't have the building history."
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The elf shakes his head at the newcomer. “Oh, sure, it’s all fun and games until the big guy’s nanites get too excited and the next thing you know, we have a gray goo situation to deal with.” He jerks a thumb at Oshari.
The blob of nanites turns to the elf, its pixelated face on its surface angrily sticking its tongue out at him.
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10+:
cobra-headed bass player. She believes that to
spread joy is a musician’s highest calling and
is known to mentor talented but little-known
musicians who have a reputation for kindness
and charity. It’s commonly known that
she adores cupcakes (which she swallows
whole) but is a horrible baker. K1ng Ch0rd is a
technorapper with a decades-long career in the music
industry. He’s never seen in public without his iconic
vidscreen helmet, which serves to keep his private and
public lives separate.
15+:
sang with several bands, including
Angel Melody, Lita and the Cutie
Mephits, and Glint before launching her very successful solo
career. Lynthia is the lead guitarist and backup vocalist for the
agrosynch metal band Abysshead. It’s rumored that she once
poisoned a (now ex-) lover.
20+:
for hosting variety shows and pulling cruel and dangerous “pranks”
on performers, a tendency that is popular with Eoxian audiences.
Some sources allege that the reason Lita Starr’s worked with
so many bands is that her diva tendencies drove them to walk
away. It’s rumored Tsuchi-ko has a vast stuffed animal collection
and is a combat-trained mech pilot. Finally, stories from Apostae
recently reached Absalom Station about Abysshead attempting to
summon a demon during one of their shows.
- - - -
Eventually you make your way to the theater
The Ruby Theater is abuzz with activity. While the show won’t
begin for hours, fans wait in line outside the theater, crowding
the streets of Sparks and watching the bands and crew going in
and out of the building with curiosity. On a digital street sign,
bright red letters proclaim “Star Sugar Superstar!!! TONIGHT!!!”
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Oshari starts with the catwalks, inspecting the railings and the catwalks themselves to see how sturdy they are, as well as taking the opportunity to look out over the rest of the stage grimly. Ariadne is much more excited, eyes wide as she notices hundreds of little details.
Then he moves over to backstage, making sure everything is in order and properly secured, and making sure any risers, mechanical apparatus, and special effects are within regulation.
He especially keeps an eye out for any "pranks" that Radat Sendu might pull.
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Listening to Oshari’s description of their judges, Varidenel runs his fingers through his already unruly hair. “Well, that all sounds terrific. A poisoner, an undead prankster, and a fiend summoner. At least the stuffed animal-loving mech pilot isn’t likely to hurt anyone. Unless they actually bring a mech to the concert and something goes wrong.”
Starting with the stage itself, the elf stalks around the theater looking for potential threats. In particular, he is looking for magical traps, concealed summoning circles, that sort of thing.
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"Uh...sorry guys" he pulls out his datapad. "My fault. I had you for tomorrow but I remember it's TODAY now! Winexx 11 updates messed up my pad!" says the dwarf.
Any particular tasks you think we should start with?"
The dwarf takes the card. "Ugh thanks! I think the vending machine doesn't work"
Oshari flashes an ID to the security guard. "Health and Safety Inspector slash Starfinder agent. Like Charity asked, is there anything in particular we should start with, and are there any safety concerns
you have that we should keep an eye out for?"
"Just make sure people aren't drunk on the catwalks!"
As the Starfinders stand there. A a cobra-headed girl wearing a frilly pink-and-red lolita-fashion dress and a red ribbon on her head (electric bass guitar) walks over. "Uh..could you help me please?"
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He takes single step toward the machine when the snake-headed girl pops up. "Hey, Tsuchi-ko! Wild. What do you need? I'm sure one of us can help."
"Thanks! I wanted to thank the staff working the event by getting a cupcake tower from one of Absalom Station’s finest bakeries delivered, but
the bakery mixed up the dates and the cupcakes won’t be coming.Here's a credstick. Can you go out and either purchase a dessert or purchase the ingredients and bake dessert on your own using the kitchenette backstage. Here's a list detailing the dietary requirements of everyone on staff, which my assistant Faleen compiled! Thanks guys!"
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"That's really nice of you, but I've got to get the vending machine working. I'm sure one of the others can help you." Shopping and cooking? Even the vending machine looks preferable, even if the requestor is a famous musician. Then Little remembers the injunction to keep the judges happy. He turns around to talk , but keeps backing toward the machines. "If no one else can, I'll do it right after I get this machine running. It won't take a second."
He gives her a big smile. Rolls out his tool kit and starts opening panels on the vending machine.
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Little picks up his tools and follows the others into the auditorium. His plan is to just move through the area on his way to the catwalks.
As you head to the backstage you head to the service area.
One of the other security guards says "Hey...Fans are trying to sneak backstage areas through this service entrance. Can you help?"
Varidenel and Oshari notice a female android trying to sneak into the back area. "Hey" says Varidenel.
"Hey you too!" the android says smiling. "I'm Tsuchi-ko’ biggest fan. I totally love her! We're soulmates!" SHe pulls out a stuffed doll. I'm Wonder and this is a present for Tsuchi!"
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"Good point. It would be awkward if it was hiding a weapon or something.
[dice=Perception]1d20+12
The android is about ten in human years. a child.
The stuffed animal isn't a weapon but she insists. "I have to meet her! I just have too!!" Tears well in her eyes. "I know she'll want to see me. I'm her biggest fan!!'
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Oshari nods, and positions himself towards the entrance, hoping to create an imposing figure for any would-be trespassers.
While he would have no problem turning anyone else away, the presence of a child seems to catch him somewhat off-guard. "Look, kid... Tsuchi-ko is preparing for the concert right now, so I think she probably doesn't want to be interrupted." The tears especially seem to have an effect on him. "M-maybe we can give her the stuffed animal for you, and ask her if you can meet her later, ok?"
Ariadne seems very interested in the stuffed animal.