|
A Ysoki wearing A hard hat and an orange safety vest covered in removable velcro pockets enters the room tapping his data pad, sounding a bit out of breath as if they had just been running.
"Sorry I'm late had to finish up this safety report."
"Nice to meet you all. My mother calls me pockets, the station security calls me pockets, my friends call me pockets, you can call me pockets too." Pockets points to his name tag saying Pockets, right below his Safety Inspector tag.
|
Once everyone has passed through Customs and arrived at the appropriate dock, you see the ship you will be boarding.
The Witani is a sleek luxury sailing vessel with multiple decks and a platinum finish. The brutaris player Visavra and her entourage are waiting at the docks as their luggage is brought on board and final goodbyes are said.
Ah, there you are, Visavra says with a smile. I hope you haven’t stressed yourselves over this trip. My parents worry too much. We’re taking a luxury cruise down river to a resort. The most danger we’ll run into is what, a chipped nail? She laughs at her own joke and gestures to her companions. These are my friends, Cyrus and Desir. You won’t have to worry about them. They’re the ones who convinced me to take this vacation, after all. She gestures her head at two other sarcesians. I’m sure you’ve got questions for my parents. I’ll meet you on board.
With that, Visavra and her friends board the Witani, and Visavra’s parents. Elgeni and Nefain, two male sarcesians step forward. They are the ones who employed you. They’ve agreed to pay each of you 200 credits upon confirmation of their daughter’s safe arrival at her hotel, Abadar’s Escape, on Merhja.
Thank you for agreeing to protect our daughter. It’s a dangerous galaxy out there, and we’d like to ensure she’s safe.
"Yeah, like the little fella says. We got you covered." Obozaya doesn't talk a lot, but her presence is reassuring nonetheless.
|
|
Thinking to himself self Pockets looks over a list of checklists on his data pad. Job interview question, nope. Question to ask about a murder suspect, that should work.
"How long has Visavra known Cyrus and Desir?
Pockets double-checks the list.
Says I should also ask, where did they meet?
Pockets look at the list again.
" And does anyone have a motive to harm Visavra?"
|
|
Cyrus grew up with Visavra. He fled a rough home life, so we took him in. He’s family. That girl with her, Desir, has been her training partner for years. She’s very dependable.
Well, Sejada and Merhja are safe places, but the wider Diaspora? Not
so much. We decided it was prudent to prepare for the worst.
Visavra’s very famous, you know—she’s the top ranked brutaris player in all of the Diaspora! Brutaris is a very competitive sport—high stakes and higher tempers. Sports fans can be… overenthusiastic. The things those fans say, and the tensions between competitors… horrible! Nothing’s happened yet, beyond some hurtful words. We’d like to keep it that way.
Obozaya pats the shaft of her doshko reassuringly.
|
|
Assuming no further comments, you all get onboard.
The Witani has two levels. The crew cabins and wheelhouse are on the top deck, while guest cabins, kitchen, and a recreation area are down below. While it’s currently serving as a luxury yacht, the Witani is also a submarine, and can transform between these two modes with the flick of a switch in the wheelhouse. This enables the Witani to ply the dangerous and submerged stretches of the River Between without difficulty. When submarine mode is activated, all windows and hatches seal shut, the entire top deck is encased in a shield of magical force, and the Witani can descend below water.
The Witani was privately chartered for this journey, meaning the only people aboard are Visavra and her friends, the crew, and you. After being escorted to your rooms by a sailor named Taeon (male damaya lashunta), you can explore the ship and talk with your fellow travelers. The captain, Alzarin (nonbinary sarcesian) personally greets each guest and ensures that they’re acquainted with the ship and that they’ve met the Witani’s gourmet chef, Kershek (male shobhad AA), who will be preparing all their meals for the journey ahead.
|
|
When meeting the captain.
"Captain Alzarin, nice to meet you, my name is Safety Inspector Pockets."
Pockets points to the name stages on his safety vest.
"Captain if it is not too much trouble, I would like to familiarise myself with the ship's"
Pockets pulls up a list on his trusty data pad.
"Safety procedures, escape exits, any countermeasures to repel pirates, and most important of all, I've never been on a ship that can turn into a submarine, what happens if someone is left on the lower deck if we are underwater? I almost forgot is there a med bay on board or a trained Dr, or at least first aid stations?"
|
|
The captain does his best to answer all of Pocket's questions before managing to escape. Sovellis is gently 'escorted' away from areas of the ship that passengers are not allowed to be. The chef notes Sovellis's dietary preference and is a bit surprised by Po'ogaan's request but replies And how many flies would you like sir?
Within the first few hours of their journey, you have a chance to speak with Visavra, Desir, and Cyrus. Cyrus actually approaches you, out of sight of his friends and claims that he wants to perform a background check of his own to verify your intentions. Cyrus asks you basic questions, including your names, jobs, and home planets, before focusing his questions on your families, searching for any kinship connections
or familial obligations that may interfere with your duty.
To allay his suspicions, make a diplomacy check. First person to roll a primary check determines success or failure.
|
|
"Nice to meet you Cyrus, my mother calls me pockets, the station security calls me pockets, my friends call me pockets, you can call me pockets too, and in case you forget it's right here on my safety vest." Pockets points to the name tags on his vest. " And as you can see I'm a safety inspector by trade." Pocketrs taps his trusty data pad.
"I was just about to go over the ship's safety procedures after talking to the captain. Safety is important to me, half my dad's family died in a thasteron mining explosion, so you won't catch me smoking in the engine room, and on my mother's side of the family three of her sisters were killed by giant birds things while crossing an open field, so I always got my safety helmet on and always stay near cover."
"As for where I'm from you know how Ysoki are we're everywhere, parents moved around a lot when I was young, so home is just where you are. Although I did spend a lot of time at the big station growing up so likely from there. Would you like me to go over the ship's evacuation routes?"
|
|
Sovellis gives Cyrus his full name if the sarcesian gives his own first. He very truthfully volunteers 'security guard' as his profession, after all he's being paid to provide security on this trip. Then he asks about Cyrus' profession.
The other questions receive a silent stare from behind the elf's blank mask. "Your questions hold neither courtesy, nor honor."
|
The chef notes Sovellis's dietary preference and is a bit surprised by Po'ogaan's request but replies And how many flies would you like sir?
The grippli pauses in thought for a moment, then decides, "All of them."
Cyrus asks you basic questions, including your names, jobs, and home planets, before focusing his questions on your families, searching for any kinship connections or familial obligations that may interfere with your duty.
"The name is Po'ogaan. By your question, I assume you aren't too familiar with aposematism. I guess I am what one might call a 'toxin specialist'," explains the grippli. "I hail from the tropics of Castrovel."
Po'ogaan has no formal instruction in the art of diplomacy, so he leaves the honeyed words to more skilled Starfinders. Still, he does his best not to overly offend.
"Obozaya. Starfinder. Vesk Prime."
|
|
You find Visavra on the top deck, staring at the rushing waters of the sun-dappled River Between. As you approach, she sighs but allows you to join her. She admits that she argued with her parents over your presence - she doesn’t think your presence is necessary and believes her parents are being overprotective. With a grin she adds, But, I’m determined to make the best of it— even if I am a grown woman saddled with babysitters!
|
|
"I'd like to make a full tour of the ship we need to know the layout better but I will be sure to stop by the bridge on my rounds. I want to check out the cargo hold that's the most likely place a stowaway would try to hide. Then on to the engine room that's the best place to pull some shenanigans to strand the ship."
While still standing near everyone Pockets takes out his com unit and called the group.
"If you need me just call"
Pockets pulls up a new list on the trusty data pad and gives it a tap, and goes on his ways.
|
|
"Be careful Pockets. I was looking for routes between decks in some of the machinery spaces. They escorted me out."
Pockets plan makes perfect sense to the elf.
On the top deck Sovellis responds to Visavra, "Calling us baby-sitters demeans both you and us. Some of us will stay close, but we're not here to make sure you eat your vegetables or go to bed on time. We'll be discreet and as unobtrusive as we can while guaranteeing your safety. "
The elf retires to the wall beside a door, the easier to respond if someone enters the observation area.
Obozaya nods at Sovellis' plan and explanation to Visavra. "Yeah, we're professionals. Having us visibly around might deter any attacks."
Obozaya sniffs disdainfully. "Some members of the 'team' have gotten distracted with games and silliness. But don't worry--I'm keeping an eye on our V.I.P."
|
|
At the end of the first day of travel, while Visavra and her friends are having a party on the top deck, the boat suddenly lurches to the side, drawing a yelp of surprise from Visavra and Desir. When you arrive, you see the source of the commotion: the once calm river has become rough as the River Between’s course turns in on itself and twists into spirals.
Taeon, who is currently at the helm, yells to everyone to hang on.
Athletics checks to grab something, acrobatics to balance - or to fly.