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As the halfling begins holding court with a pair of undergraduates currently enrolled in one of his courses (a fact they mentioned to him a couple of times in hope he’ll remember later).
Ogilvy disengages and meanders through the crowd, pausing at Professor Muhali’s linguistic display before summoning the courage to talk to the boss.
“How goes your evening, First Seeker? Have our display choices resonated with the attendees? Do you need anything”
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"Ah, excuse me Captain. Disaster in progress, you know how it is, I'm sure." Elian slides over towards Jeletal. "Jeletal! Good to see you again. You know, goblins can be prone to pyromania. Wanting to set fire to something is the second-highest compliment." He winks and lands forward conspiratorially. "Offering to let you do it, though? You must have really impressed him!"
Ah, Ogilvy, I was just talking about you Ehu says as he is addressing a crowd of onlookers, this is Ogilvy Matherion II, one of the team members that set up this display. I'm sure you have a lot of questions for him.
The crowd indeed does, and soon Ogilvy has a handful of topics to choose from.
---
I'm fairly sure that wasn't a goblin Jeletal remarks as he looks over at the Ikeshti.
---
(round 2):
Suresh - Jeletal - Fail (diplomacy)
Tuirk - ?
Ogilvy - Awaiting check
Elian - Awaiting check
---
Muhali - Influenced
Odesse Nis - Influenced
Zovi - Influenced
Jeletal - Not influenced, 1 fail on diplomacy
Whalos - []
Ehu Hadif + crowd - []
Alis - Influenced
---
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As the crowd tosses off question, Ogilvy momentarily flashes back to the brainstorming sessions he loved for new products. That energy of everyone talking at once and wanting to contribute — or at least participate…
He climbs onto the chair at the booth so he can see and be seen, and takes a deep breath. “It’s great to see so much interest in our missions and history. I’ll be happy to answer your questions…” — he pauses and flashes a grin — ”… or at least as much as I can without giving away any secrets.”
Over the coming few minutes, the crowd pitches a stream of questions, and Ogilvy dutifully answers them.
“Yes, the Scoured Stars rescue was a challenge for both the remaining Starfinders and those trapped. A good friend of mine was caught behind the energy shield. I’m happy to report that she got out safely during the rescue.”
“They were more of a bright purple, with an almost crystalline sheen.”
“17.”
“Yes, that’s the Master of Stars, Fitch’s pride and joy. And no, I have no idea. I think there are over 1,000, but she somehow keeps them in line… something about getting ’stapled to the hull’ if they're naughty, as I remember.”
“No, there was just one, but it was verrrrrrry big.”
The outfit is that of the clergy of Talavat. We find an impeccable dress is most suited to grab the attention when telling a story The outfit itself was created by one of our grand master recitors, who would wear the red garb to stand out against the limestone of his oratorium. So every symbol has a story of his own
---
Ogilvy draws great interest from the crowd, and his charismatic and elaborate answers give the occasional Ohh, aah reaction.
When he is done, the crowd almost begs him not to go.
---
Tuirk tries to get a sense of the storyteller's motives, but other than what Jeletal is directly saying, he doesn't sense a deeper meaning
----
---
(round 2):
Suresh - Jeletal - Fail (diplomacy)
Tuirk - Awaiting interaction
Ogilvy - Success
Elian - Sucess
---
Muhali - Influenced
Odesse Nis - Influenced
Zovi - Influenced
Jeletal - Influenced
Whalos - []
Ehu Hadif + crowd - Influenced
Alis - Influenced
---
There's the sound of tippy-tappying children's feet, and loud toddler-produced laughs. Ogilvy gets a big shove from an ysoki kid, who seems to have run straight into him while he was talking to the crowd.
An elderly ysoki seems exasperated Avalene! Thester! and shakes her head in disbelief This place is not for playing! Come back here!
Ooh, these kids she complains while holding a hand on her back, they'll be the death of me
Meanwhile, the kids run around playing some form of very physical tag. Statues wobble on their plinths, display cases look about to be knocked over and here and there people might be spilling their drinks.
Tuirk spends some time talking to Whaloss who emphasizes the special (and precious) materials his artifacts are made of.
---
Tuirk is also quick enough to prevent Whaloss' display case from being toppled over by the running toddlers, while Ogilvy catches an expensive vase from falling off a display. Suresh and Elian are a bit slow out of the gate, but the group is altogether fast enough to prevent complete disaster. Eventually, the group manages to round up the kids.
The grandmother is grateful for the help, and forces the two toddlers to apologise (which they do in the most adorable way). She also reaches in her handbag, and gives the party a diplomat serum of enhancement to use.
---
As if talking about astronomy wasn't already enough to impress the grad student, Ogilvy gives some good pointers on what it takes to land that corporate research grant.
Oh, I'm really hoping your tips help me secure funding for my research work, because I'm quite eager to continue my work on the ancient Oatia culture.
---
No sooner does the group take a step away when a horde of reporters, with brightly flashing lights and steadily rolling camera very much ambush the group. This is Vitellus Korpopolis for Absalom Station News Network! We are here at the Grand Museum of Qabarat, where a gala opening is held. We are joined by agents from the Starfinder Society. Agents, what is the official statement of the Society on this exhibition?
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"ASNNetwork, excellent!" says Elian jovially while standing nowhere the camera might see. "I'm afraid I'm a field agent and no media liaison," he laughs, "though I can point you to the right person for an 'official statement' if you'd like. Though I'm not sure what kind of statement you expect? 'It's nice, come see it,' just isn't terribly exciting. What, something like...
"'This exhibit celebrates diverse peoples and cultures, showcasing the history that brought them to where they are today. The exhibition is itself a product of cooperation between those peoples and representatives of organizations dedicated to preservation and sharing of knowledge, and it is a showcase of our collective potential'? For something like that you'll want to speak to... well, I'm sure such a well-informed team doesn't actually need me to point him out?"
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The sudden press scrum catches Ogilvy by surprise. He’s seen them before, but always from behind as the reporters jockeyed around a corporate leader of some sort. Being in front of the cameras feels… different. I could get used to this.
He listens to the shouted questions and begins formulating some answers, then he sees Turik approach the cameras and microphones with a vague glint of unease in his eyes.
His own eyes twinkle with an idea, so he leans behind Elian as if to hide a coughing fit. Instead, he uses Elian’s position to block the reporter’s view as he casts Charming Veneer on the space goblin to give him a camera-friendly boost.
“You’ve got this, Turik!” Ogilvy calls as he leans back into view.
When it’s his turn, Ogilvy smiles and tries to tame his own butterflies.
“We’re thrilled to be part of this amazing exhibit on Life Within the Gap. We’re all curious about the Gap — some perhaps even haunted by it — and the museum’s research and displays may one day help untangle its mysteries. The Starfinders are proud to join these esteemed researchers as we collectively tell the story of this important time in our shared history and the cultures that thrived there.”
Elian starts out great. Excellent! the reporter edges his on, this gives me some great footage already! Next!
Tuirk's statement draws a wrinkled nose from the reporter, Nono, that doesn't cut it he says, who else have we got?
Ahh, much better. Well, that's a wrap! Time to hit the bar!
---
There's a short amount of time to recover from the shock of being asked to appear on intergalactic news. Soon after, the familiar shape of the nelenty Minqalli, who is for some reason slinking around the exhibit, looking over their shoulder as if they are concerned about being spotted...
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With the press scrum finished and the reporters dispersed to view the various exhibits, Ogilvy sighs and relaxes for a moment with Tuirk and Elian.
“That was a surprise, but we covered it. And it was fun! I’m going back to our display. I think Ehu still needs help.”
As he makes his way there, he sees a figure dart around one of the displays.
“Uh, those kids… they’re back,” he says into his comms.
Then he gets a closer look. “Wait, it’s not the kids — it’s Minqualli. He’s behind the pottery exhibit. Looks like he’s headed toward the linguistics display. I’m almost there. Can anyone join me?”
In a few moments, Ogilvy steps behind a display and finds Minqualli peering out the other side.
He whispers, then moves closer. “Minqualli!? What are you doing here? Didn’t the security guards tell you to stay away?”
Oh, please don't tell Amyik I am here Minqallu responds She'll kick me out as soon as she sees me. I was just so sad that I was missing the gala, after all this preparation... you won't turn me in, will you?
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Well. It's unlikely his mother will even see that report. What does she care about museums?
It's--probably fine. And no sense worrying about it now.
"Oh, there's nothing much to do here anyway," Elian reassures Minqalli, "Galas like this are very tiresome once you've come up with your costume. You have to spend the whole time worrying about impressing very unimpressive people who somehow never seem worried about impressing you."
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Ogilvy quickly looks around for the guards. It's more for show than usefulness since he sometimes can't even focus on his current reality, but the motion makes him feel better.
He turns back to Minqualli. “I don't see anyone, and I won’t turn you in. We’re making a good impression tonight and I want to keep it that way. Why do you even want to be here?”
He looks over his shoulder and whispers to Elian. “What do you think? Is there somewhere out of sight where we can stash him so he can watch? I hate to send him away... he's sort-of a team member.”
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Ogilvy frowns as he tries to figure out a hiding place. Hiding stuff isn’t my strong suit. I’m really about… He suddenly smiles. … doing things diplomatically.
“Elian, Turik — I can try to help either of you since you’re probably better at hiding than me, but what if we’re just up front about Minqualli being here and approach Amyik from that perspective? Minqualli is with us, they’re a Starfinder, and… and… we’ll make sure they stay out of trouble. What do you think?”
Elian gives some good tips on stealth, and with the help of Suresh, Minqalli greatly improve their skills of slinking about unseen. Every now and then the little nelenty gives a thumbs up to the group, and Amyik seems to be none-the-wiser.
----
After a bit, everyone gathers in the hall for another speech from Zovi. "My friends, it is people like you who--"
Zovi's speech is interrupted by smashing glass and gunfire. In the wreckage of the museum entrance stands a strike force of well-armed robbers. They rush into the lobby, knocking over displays, demanding valuables from the attendants, and pocketing any belongings they can get their hands on. Amyikesh grabs Zovi off the stage and rushes her deeper into the museum for safety.
“No sudden movements!” the leader of the gang shouts as he brandishes a gun. “We do this nice and orderly, and everyone goes home safe!”
Ehu is the first to move, slowly and deliberately approaching with four hands raised. “Easy. The people here are academics.” He begins moving to the side, drawing the attention attention of the leader. “They don't have whatever it is you're looking for, and even if they did, surely you could get it without this violence.”
With the robbers distracted, Radaszam turns to the other Starfinders and speaks in a hushed tone. “Ehu and I will take down their boss, you focus on these looters and make sure that these people make it out of here alive. On my signal.” He keeps his eyes on the mercenaries, calculating the best moment to strike. “Now."
At this, the room erupts into chaos. Ehu and Radaszam attack the leader of the robbers and the rest of the guests cower, rushing to the corners of the room or out into the street. A few of the guests, including Captain Alis Sandel and some security guards, draw weapons and leap into the fray.
You yourselves face off with four of the thugs as the fighting begins.
---
Elian
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Enemies
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Ogilvy
Tuirk
Suresh
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It might have been best to let them take things. Fighting would just endanger the civilians and the artifacts.
But then, they were attacking the displays already...
Well, it's irrelevant anyway. The decision to fight is already made.
Elian moves forward, his eyes on the nearest thug as he draws his pistol.
Elian moves into cover, while the enemies move up to behind the bushes and start firing at the operative. One of the shots fires wide, while the other just hits the stem of one of the bushes.
The third enemy moves so close that Elian can hear him breathe.
---
Ogilvy
Tuirk
Suresh
Elian
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Enemies
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Ogilvy plays a trick of the light on the purple enemy, who react as if avoiding something about to hit him. It's enough to throw him off shooting anyone.
Tuirk makes the most of the situation, and hits the incoming thug with a bullet from his rifle.
Elian further confuses the purple thug, who is really having a bad day at the office by now, and then mercilessly burns him with laser fire.
Purple does nothing, while Red and Blue lay down cover fire, and shout a purple C'mon, move up!
Professor Muhali is nearby, pelting the thugs with pieces of broken glass and other debris.
---
Ogilvy
Tuirk
Suresh
Elian
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Purple - dazed (13)
Red
Blue
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Ogilvy turns his attention toward the other attacker moving toward the group’s position.
“One from behind. I’ve got him.” he yells to the group. Ogilvy gestures toward the attacker, who’s engulfed in a cloud of microscopic needles. There’s a ‘missing the point’ joke in there somewhere. I need to work on my combat banter…
Ogilvy hides the blue thug in a cloud of needles, from which a disturbed scream of agony emerges
Suresh loas up his pistol with a dangerous substance, and hits the blue thug with a loud blast
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Ogilvy
Tuirk
Suresh
Elian
---
Purple - dazed (13)
Red
Blue (8) (bleed 2, 2 rnds)
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Tuirk snipes at the dazed thug, and a solid headshot takes care of the enemy.
Elian bring his gun to bear at the blue enemy, and hits, but the bushes cause him to deal minimal damage. ()
The blue thug moves up to Elian, leaving a trail of blood, dropping his gun and grabbing an assault hammer.
While the thug further away snipes at Tuirk
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Ogilvy
Tuirk
Suresh
Elian
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Purple - Dead
Red
Blue (12) (bleed 2, 2 rnds)
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Ogilvy curses another thug with a cloud of needles, causing a dreadful scream of agony.
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Ogilvy
Tuirk
Suresh
Elian
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Purple - Dead
Red (5) (bleed 2, 2 rnds)
Blue (12) (bleed 2, 1 rnds)
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It's almost as if Tuirk and Suresh are just waiting for their opponents to bleed out, because all of their shots are headed nowhere.
--
Ogilvy
Tuirk
Suresh
Elian
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Purple - Dead
Red (5) (bleed 2, 2 rnds)
Blue (12) (bleed 2, 1 rnds)
---
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"..you're not buying it, are you? Well, that's fine."
Too close, now. It would be better if he had his baton in-hand, but going for it now would cost precious seconds.
He moves away more quickly, turning his back on his assailant as he does so.
"Really, the point was more about obscuring the precise mo--" ZAP "--ment of my attack."
Elian takes a hit from the thug, but swiftly relatiates with a sneaky shot from the hip.
The blue thug charges in to Ogilvy, and smack the gnome over the head with his hammer, while red keeps trying to hit the small space goblin - and only hits the ceiling.
--
Ogilvy
Tuirk
Suresh
Elian
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Purple - Dead
Red (7) (bleed 2, 1 rnds)
Blue (18)
---
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“OW!”
Ogilvy saw the attack coming, but moved the wrong way to avoid the blow. It lands hard on his upper back and shoulder, threatening to knock the wind off out of him.
“Your time is up.”
Ogilvy steps back and makes a different set of gestures. A flat hole appears above the attacker and a storm of jagged metal shards rain down from it.
Ogilvy takes out the blue thug with nasty sharp edges of broken debris, while Tuirk's shot hits the thug in the head, leaving the assailant out cold.
As the initial threat is over, Captain Sandel and Amyik, who have been protecting guests all this time, start evacuating the building.
Suddenly, the group hears the sound of screams from deeper in the museum back toward the gallery exhibits. Radaszam shouts at the group, “We’ve got this handled. Go! Track down the other thieves! That’s an order!”
The halls of the museum are littered with shattered glass, damaged displays, and broken belongings—remnants of the civilizations from the distant past, now destroyed forever.
Barely hidden in the messy chaos, Suresh spots a few thin, silvery wires... traps! The whole hall seems to be rigged with tripwires that are no doubt linked to something dangerous.