[SFS] 5-08 Star Sugar Superstar (Inactive)

Game Master Kludde

Morela and Shari hustle through the many shops in the shopping quarter of Absalom station. Tirelessly, they search through inventories and collections, until they finally manage to find the exact right shade of black that Lynthia is looking for.

Gratefully, Lynthia accept the cosmetic item, and in return she provides a student plasma ribbon. I would have worn this on stage, but I changed my mind. You guys can have it

---

Chip quickly intervenes at treats the head wound of the Vesk. They are looking a bit groggy, but Chip has manage to prevent the worst outcome, and likely the vesk will be fit for performnance. If only they can get a band together...

Sayozo doesn't seem to think much of the situation times are tough and everyone’s stressed out, you know? Let them take a rest and get back to work if they feel up to it.”

---

Zint ponders throwing out Wonder, who is still throwing a loud fit... loud enough for security to notice, who may act on their own accord...

Bordle hurries back to help deal with Wonder.

Morela and Shari hustle through the many shops in the shopping quarter of Absalom station. Tirelessly, they search through inventories and collections, until they finally manage to find the exact right shade of black that Lynthia is looking for.

Gratefully, Lynthia accept the cosmetic item, and in return she provides a student plasma ribbon. I would have worn this on stage, but I changed my mind. You guys can have it

”Thank you!”, says Morela. ”Very impressive!”

Wonder wonder superfan

Wonder is still backstage, making a huge fuss, and clutching the knitted Tchuki-ko doll. Orgo, the combat-armor wearing uplifted bear bodyguard of Lita Starr is close-by and makes an unamused sharp nod to Zint to deal with the situation.

I'm going to need a decision or how you're going to handle Wonder

Bordle comes back into the backstage area while Wonder is making a fuss. She pauses for a bit, puts her hands on her hips and stalks up to the fan.

SHUT UP! she yells. Or I'll toss you out of here myself. I'm NO longer in the MOOD to be NICE!
intimidate: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11

Believe me you do not want to piss off a brennari. Or be explaining in the stewards offices what kicked off a rumpus here when Lita is posing for selfies with her well behaved fans intimidate: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 19 Kareeda tries to loom menacingly as she says this

Zint shrugs at Orgo and helps the young lady out...
"Me sorry, if you more patient maybe she would want to meet you but... now you gotta go. So sorry.."
athletics: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (8) + 8 = 16

Bordle and Kareeda! give wonder some of that 'Sonic Tumult' attitude, when finally Zint decides that enough is enough. The skittermander wrestles Wonder out of the door. Kicking and screaming, she is finally tossed to the curb.

Only briefly after an ysoki approaches the group. Her crew pass says 'Vedla'. Hello, I am the manager for K1ng Ch0rd. The K1ng requests an audience in His Majesty's Dressing Room.

Zint comes back in looking sad. "That no feel like helping... Oh, an audience with a King? Zint help!" and his demeanor quickly changes back to being jovial as he genuinely skips off.... for about twenty feet before realizing he has no clue where he's going...

There's a dressing room assigned to K1ng Ch0rd, which has the name 'K1ng Ch0rd' on it, and somebody added 'His Royal Majesties' above it and 'Dressing Room' below.

Stepping into K1ng Ch0rd Court, the finds the royal with a very unkingly paper bag over his head. Disaster has struck! My video helmet is stolen, and I can not stride among my subjects without it. It is a nefariousness I suspect! Go, go, my underlings, go and find who disappear'd my helmet, that ye shall be rewarded!

Handouts updated

"Just a performer's persona, I think," Chip tells Zint as he wipes his hands, "though I'm surprised they're doing the bit out here."

And "in here," even in the dressing room apparently.

"Where did you last have it?" he asks as neutrally as possible, "And why do you think someone stole it--do you have an idea who did?"

A prank, no doubt! the K1ng says, only the most infantile of minds would be so besotten as to embezzle the K1ng's V1s0r. T was only earlier that I was stepped into this here court, to complete my kingly transformation, that I found the helmet was not in its place. I cannot have the crowd know the face of the K1ng, lest they suspect I am a mere mortal.

And what does it look like .... or even better do you have a picture of it?

The enormous cardboard stands in the changing room bearing the living image of K1ng Ch0rd give a good idea of what the helmet looks like. It's effectively a large video screen that goes around the face around the face.

There's an image of helmet-wearing K1ng Ch0rd in the handouts

Zint pipes up, an amazing thought popped into his head and went straight to his vocal chords.
"You know how long it been since you saw helmet?"

He then stops, looks around at the group hoping this random thought wasn't something crazy like "yes, Me also like cheese straws!"

Nary two fortminutes ago, but the implement has since disappeared. I reckon it cannot be far.

Bordle facepalms, realising she had asked a stupid question. After all, the answer was there in plain sight. It was also part of their mission dossier. In worse case she could have just looked it up on the Infosphere.

She then ducks outside to have a look around, just in case the perpetrator is still visible, or there are any clues to be found. She even looks into nearby alternate realities for clues.
perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10

Kareeda! also looks around for signs of anything out of place or stuff that may have been placed on top of the headset

perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (16) + 7 = 23

Who else has been granted an audience with the king recently

Many an artist has come to pay their respect to the K1ng. Astrowerk, Naughti Whiska, Domakayo. Even the host elebrian.

Kareeda has been paying attention, and he remembers some areas backstage that looked suspicious, or good hiding spots.

I hope I have not baffled you too much. You can have a look around in the venue, talk to people. Kaereda! has a good lead on the backstage area that you can inspect

"Well... anybody have any leads, or should we just start searching? Methodical... but without insulting other performers."

Chip takes a quick look around the dressing room to see if anything stands out here.

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22

You got any ideas Kareeda!?

I've half-diverted Kareeda's perception check to the backstage area, because there is not much to see in the dressing room. I'd do the same for chip, so he's has noticed the backstage area that looked suspicious

"Y'know, now that I think about it there was something odd backstage--let's take a look."

The group walks back into the backstage area, where they find a tangled mess of cables, behind which, rather meticulously, the mask of K1ng Ch0rd is hidden.

There's several artists nearby, including the Astrowerk android, The Naughti Whiska crew and elebrian judge Radat Sendu.

You've recovered the mask. You can make a sense motive check if you want to find out who is reponsible, or just approach people and ask.

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (1) + 9 = 10

Shari looks at these people and shrugs her shoulders in bewilderment. Hmm, do we care? The task is completed.

Well well well ..... look what we have here Bordle exclaims, loud enough to be heard. You know ... maybe we should dust this thing for prints or do some DNA scan or something to ascertain who is responsible ... hmm?

She looks around to see if anyone is looking nervous.
sense motive: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (18) + 3 = 21

Nervous not, but Radat Sendu looks like he thinks something is really hilarious, chuckling to himself.

sense motive: 1d20 ⇒ 4
Zint is looking in the opposite direction and completely misses Radat's actions..

Chip takes the helmet. "Well, that wasn't too difficult I suppose. Should we be more concerned that someone is stealing from performers or that they seem to be incompetent?" he says it casually and without paying much attention to the bystanders. He hopes Bordle will notice if he manages to get a reaction out of any of them.

"Although hang on..." It occurs to him that the intent here may have been sabotage, and perhaps they shouldn't allow the victim to put it back on his face without giving it a once-over at least.

Engineering? to check it out: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (7) + 8 = 15

Chip checks the Mask for any modifications, while Cheesy-D - who has been looking on - offers his opinion of the situation:

Don't adjust your set, don't switch off the channel
The drama's almost there, it's too much to handle
Who'd be so mean to steal the K1ng's visage?
I'm telling all'o'y'all it's sabotage!

---

Radat Sendu, who has been walking around the area, comes up to the group and introduces Hello Starfinders (-ers-ers-ers). It seems that the famous dramatic reverb talking style of the elebrian host is just the way he talks, and he is even voicing over himself today I am joined by this group of talented Starfinders, who are here to support the judging panels, and to make sure they are comfortable... but I have different news for them, how will they react?

Starfinders... he pauses for dramatic effect, while a swilling bombastic music plays from... where exactly? Starfinder, today I have a special task for you. You will go to Lita Starr, and tell her she has been... another piece of dramatic music rises ...expelled from the judges panel!

How will the starfinders react to this shocking news he voices himself over, find our after the break!

You can roll a sense motive check for the Elebrian. Also, tell me what you want to do with the video mask

Bordle raises an eyebrow at the news.

You're not related to Zo! are you? she asks hesitantly.

sm: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8

SM: 1d20 ⇒ 16
Zint looks at the Elebrain and squints.
"Really? Or is this trick for ratings?"

Bordle raises an eyebrow at the news.

You're not related to Zo! are you? she asks hesitantly.

Coming to you from Zo!'s network Sadat replies, I am not related to Zo!

Zint looks at the Elebrain and squints.

"Really? Or is this trick for ratings?"

Sadat squints back Really! There will be conflict, there will be drama (-a-a-a)

Kareeda! will try to get a read on Radat Sendu
sense motive: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (2) + 7 = 9

If you have checked that thoroughly Chip we should return it to the king

I like the idea of checking it thoruoghly before returning it but Kareeda! doesnt have those technical skills

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 1 = 10

Morela gasps, her hand straying to her autographed picture.

"I didn't know the judges were supposed to be judging each other in the first place. And drama that's not in front of the audience?"

Does that mean it looks okay?

Bordle just shrugs. Backstabbing can be rather common in the corporate world, but ... it's usually more subtle than this. But yeah, I'd say take the mask back if it's okay.

Yes, the mask looks okay. The sense motives didn't reveal much. Are you ignoring Sadat (which you're allowed to do), and going back to the K1ng?

Zint shrugs, at a complete loss for suspects.
"OK, if mask look good, we take it back to King..."

When they return to his room he will let other speak up and if no one says it, he will.
Kaleb took quick look at this to see if someone mess with it, you should as well, you know it best."

Jubilations! the K1ng proclaims, muffles a bit with his paper bag and mask, and finally reveals himself in full, masked form a look fit for a K1ng, and you, who have retrieved the royal regalia in your most holy quest, you shall be my knights!

Success!

It's time for the show...

A constantly shifting medley of songs from the bands in attendance plays as the crowd enters and fans jostle for prime viewing spots. Soon, the house lights dim and the stage lights come on as Radat Sendu steps onto the stage, smiling and waving. “Welcome to the Ruby Theater! My thanks to the Starfinder Society for organizing this star-studded event! The Drift Crisis is a tragedy that has shaken the Pact Worlds to its core, but that only means it’s more important than ever for us to come together as one to share joy and celebrate the things we love—things like music and the people that make it. It’s with great pleasure that I welcome you here tonight and thank you for joining us as we discover the next Star… Sugar… Superstar!!!” The crowd cheers and Radat waits until they calm to add, “And who knows? There might be a few more surprises thrown in. For that, you’ll have to wait and see.” He winks, and the crowd murmurs in anticipation/

Now, it's time to introduce the judges! Let's hear a round of applause for our Cobra-headed darling, the basest of bass-players...
---

Ding! the comm units of the group go in almost unison, revealing a message from Celita.

“Starfinders,” Celita says. “Radat is contractually prohibited from pulling any of his trademark ill-humored pranks that could be considered violent or dangerous. Still, I don’t trust him not to do something distasteful. Keep an eye out and discreetly disable anything he’s set up that could damage the event’s image or our reputation.

---

...and the format of our show Radat continues after he's introduced the judges, we'll be introducing our performers in two groups of twenty... Radat introduces, indicating that it is going ot be a lengthy night. First performers of the evening are Absa-Wow, the retro-Golarion dance sensation (See handouts)

After the performance, the judges deliver feedback:

K1ng Chord remarks, while showing visual cues on his helmet A feast for the eyes, such originality in choreography. Do continue this way! Lita Starr has similar nice, making sure to stack on excessive compliments .. and your dress... I adoooore it.

You are free to roam the venue, though you probably don't want to go on-stage.

Bordle discretely moves aside and replies to Celita. Haven't seen any evidence of that yet ma'am but King Chord's mask went missing earlier and he looked amused about something at the time, as well as asking us to tell Lita Starr she had been fired. I'll have a look about

She goes to poke around back stage looking for anomalies, comparing this reality to one nearby.

perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 2 = 12

> You can roll a sense motive check for the Elebrian.
Sense Motive: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (6) + 9 = 15

I don't think we're going to do this guy's errand. I've seen a lot of setups in the corporate world. And setups in the corporate world of Drow can be lethal... So I understand something about it. To hell with him. If anything, we'll say that we didn't have time or got confused.

Bordle agrees with Shari, being thankful that, in the corporate world in the Bluerise Tower, nearly all setups were done via lawyers. Presumably drow lawyers moonlighted as assassins.

”We were told to look after the judges”, Morela says over the comm, ”so that’s what I’ll do”

She makes her way toward the judges’ area (though not onstage), and keeps an eye out for anything suspicious.

Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25

Good point Morela! Shari will join the surveillance.

Perception: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (12) + 13 = 25 ))

Ysoki Hip-hop crew Naughti Whiska are giving the set of their furry lives

Got my foot on the pedal, got adamantium metal
Thrusters running hotter than a boiling kettle
Like a bot without a job, having a damn good time
Planet to planet, I'm running my rhymes

On location, touring around the station
Naughti Whiska always on vacation
Itchy trigger finger but a stable turntable
I do what I do best because I'm willing and able

Ain't no faking, your credits I'm taking
Going spike to spike to watch all the shirren shaking
While you're at the job working nine to five
Naughti Whiska at the Ruby, cold kickin' it live

No sleep 'til...
BOTSCRAP!

Ain't seen the light since we started this gig
Cheesy-D on the mike, got a tail to jig
They call this guy rad, I say he is ratter
Wave your hands in the air like you're a Kasatha
Born and bred in Botscrap, Abs-to-the-M
Wanna see all of you jump when I count to ten!

No sleep 'til Botscrap!
No sleep 'til Botscrap!
No sleep 'til Botscrap!

What? No sabotage? Denied!

---

Naughti Whiska is on stage when the group starts surveilling the concert arena. The judges give their performance evaluation, with K1ng Ch0rd commentingn on the novel use of rhyming 'Kasatha' with 'ratter', while Tchuki-ko swallow a whole cupcake and mumbles something inaudible while chowing down.

The next group to perform is AbdadarCorp entertainment new sugarpop group 'Rainbow Sparkle Explosion', which bandmembers that for some reason all have the surname 'strawberry', as if they are marketed as a direct competitor for another certain sugarpop group.

As the girls move on stage, Morela and Shari notice something off about the lighting rig: a container has been attached to the lighting rig above the stage.

If you want to get closer without alarming anyone, I'd need an Acrobatics, Athletics, or Stealth check

Acrobatics/Stealth: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (1) + 9 = 10 Oh

Shari starts to make his way forward, but clings to the wires and almost drops several very important computers responsible for light music...

When the odd item is pointed out to him...
"Oh, that look like possible Radat tomfoolery...
He attempts to scurry up.
acrobatics: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (12) + 9 = 21

”Oh no!”, Morela gasps.

On the comm, she adds, ”There’s something suspicious in the lighting rig above the stage. Shari needs help!”