[Outpost VII] SFS #4-02 Settling Accounts (Inactive)

Game Master cmlobue

Starfinders explore a previously uncharted planet in the Vast while searching for a missing socialite.

Pogo and Howland reporting for assignment.

A Contemplative wearing an expensive business suit enters the room.
"Asgrok augmented paradox conjunction the Third, reporting for assignment. I have prepared a summary brief of my skills. As you can see by my credentials I'm a Professional Lawyer, Philosopher, and Counselor. Specializing in legal counsel on the conjuncture of legal, physical, and magical laws and the paradoxes they create."

A large nuar, dressed in a dress shirt and tie, both seemingly stretched over armor, narrows his eyes as he peers through his glasses at the walls of the shuttle airlock. "Passable, I suppose. I might prefer if the seals were a little stronger, but it looks like it's still up to code."

A small dark blue blob of nanites sits perched on his shoulder, its surface lighting up to form a face rolling its eyes.

"I'm not trying to bring work into this, if that's what you're worried about."

The blob raises an eyebrow.

"I'm not!" He stands up and picks up his briefcase. "I just don't want our first mission on a ship to go wrong because it's not within regulation."

The blob continues to stare.

"Fine, fine. I'm sure the Starfinder Society knows what it's doing."

Satisfied, the blob smiles as they walk into the meeting room.

He presents a government ID. "Oshari Soteria, Health and Safety Inspector. This is Ariadne." He gestures to the blob, who waves a pseudopod excitedly.

With a groan, the docking clamps of the large space freighter Intersector secure the shuttle, and a boarding ramp rattles up into position at the airlock. Radaszam looks around and claps his palm against the steely internal bulkhead. “Last stop, Starfinders. Everyone out!” The armored vesk eagerly dismounts the ramp into the freighter’s docking bay.

In front of the doors to the Intersector’s conference chamber, Radaszam pauses to speak. “Remember, we’re meeting with Ilia Tamm, CEO of Arch Energy Consortium. She’s interested in hiring contractors, so making a good impression on her is paramount— especially given the Society’s history with the company.”

Radaszam explains that three years ago, Starfinders infiltrated Arch Energy Consortium to steal corporate information for the Dataphiles, adding, “While the information proved vital to rebuilding the Society following the Scoured Stars, it was perhaps not our most glamorous moment. I don’t think Ilia has proof we staged the break-in, but she’s a smart person. Let’s not remind her of what she probably already suspects. I’m hoping whatever she has planned will let us to take steps towards amicability.” Radaszam gives any Starfinders who participated in that mission (Starfinder Society Scenario #1-07: The Solar Sortie) a knowing grin.

The conference room features a desk of reflective metal, several chairs, and a panoramic view of space outside. Ilia Tamm regards the Starfinders from over her spectacles.

“Hello Starfinders. It’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m glad you agreed to entertain my proposition. Arch Energy has a—hmm.” Ilia pauses for a moment, “No. I have a request to make of your organization. I’ll cut right to business. My son, Envar, is missing. I want him found.”

While Ilia fields the Starfinders’ questions, an excitable, purple-furred skittermander named Kimikim hurries around the conference room to serve everyone hot mugs of strong minty tea. Radaszam takes a tentative sip, makes a face, and sets the cup aside without comment.

Time for questions. No rolls for information at this time.

Wilson frowns slightly at the description of the unseemly activity in the Starfinder's past, but says nothing through the briefing. When Ilia lays out her request, the human with close-cropped brown hair and a scar says, "Of course, Ms. Tamm ... Do you have a picture? How old? Any reason to suspect foul play?"

In front of the doors to the Intersector’s conference chamber, Radaszam pauses to speak. “Remember, we’re meeting with Ilia Tamm, CEO of Arch Energy Consortium. She’s interested in hiring contractors, so making a good impression on her is paramount— especially given the Society’s history with the company.”

Oshari sighs. "A CEO, figures."

Radaszam explains that three years ago, Starfinders infiltrated Arch Energy Consortium to steal corporate information for the Dataphiles, adding, “While the information proved vital to rebuilding the Society following the Scoured Stars, it was perhaps not our most glamorous moment. I don’t think Ilia has proof we staged the break-in, but she’s a smart person. Let’s not remind her of what she probably already suspects. I’m hoping whatever she has planned will let us to take steps towards amicability.” Radaszam gives any Starfinders who participated in that mission (Starfinder Society Scenario #1-07: The Solar Sortie) a knowing grin.

"What'd they find, exactly? Anything interesting about their business practices? How well they comply with regulations?"

“Hello Starfinders. It’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m glad you agreed to entertain my proposition. Arch Energy has a—hmm.” Ilia pauses for a moment, “No. I have a request to make of your organization. I’ll cut right to business. My son, Envar, is missing. I want him found.”

Oshari listens, his brow furrowed. "Why--" The nuar stops himself, not wanting to come off as too abrasive. "Is there any particular reason you'd rather go through us than more official channels?" He takes a sip of his tea.

A piebald male Ysoki enters the conference room with the other Starfinders. Perched on his shoulder is what at first glance appears to be an owl. A moment's inspection reveals it to be a mechanical hoover drone. Its head turns side to side to take in the situation.

"I'm Pogo. This is Howland," he tips his head toward the drone. His tail has an intricate knotwork tattoo winding around it. His jacket is covered in patches with names of space racer teams and part suppliers logos. He has a variety of gadgets on his wrists, belt, and pack.

He lets others ask questions and waits to learn more about the missing kid.

"Nice to meet you as well, my name is Asgrok augmented paradox conjunction the Third at your service."
Asgrok reaches out a tiny hand for a handshake which is too tiny to really function well for that so completes the shake with Psychokinetic Hand.

"First, we'll need more information. You say your son is missing, how long has he been missing, and where was he last seen? Officer Wilson already covered asking about foul play? Does your son have a history of wandering off on his own, or a reason to?

Asgrok pauses for a moment, crossing zis arms and gently tapping zis brain as ze thinks.
"Does anyone have a motive against your son?"

"First, we'll need more information. You say your son is missing, how long has he been missing, and where was he last seen? Officer Wilson already covered asking about foul play? Does your son have a history of wandering off on his own, or a reason to?

Asgrok pauses for a moment, crossing zis arms and gently tapping zis brain as ze thinks.
"Does anyone have a motive against your son?"

Oshari nods to Asgrok. "Or against you?"

Ilia listens to the Starfinders' questions and responds calmly.

“Despite all rumors to the contrary, you’ve shown yourselves to be skilled at rescue and fact-finding missions. Besides, Envar considers some of your agents among his personal friends, for some reason.”

“Gods, my son has no enemies. He’s always been a charmer, more so now that he’s sober and excelling as a media producer. If anyone’s hurt him, it’s likely to get at me. I haven’t heard any ransom demands at this stage, but I fear that he may have been kidnapped, or worse.”

“Actually, I do have a lead. Here is a copy of his most recent infosphere posts and the last messages he sent to me.”

The agents are given access to Envar’s social media accounts, which are characterized by short, ad-ridden vids with frequent requests for his
followers to like, comment, and subscribe. His recent vids were uploaded to multiple Pact Worlds infospheres and feature him scuba diving on an oceanic planet and ziplining over canyons on a rocky world. His messages to Ilia contain a selection of still shots featuring Envar posing atop a hill on a planet with a purple sky and blue plant life. A dim red dwarf shines overhead, accompanied by the silhouette of a huge, pockmarked moon.

“As you can see, his latest vids focused on travel.” Ilia states. “It’s been nearly two months without a comm or infosphere update now. I’m worried he may have stumbled into something dangerous. The business world can be underhanded, Starfinders, and doesn’t make for close friendships. I have many rivals and…” She exhales and shakes her head as though dismissing a troublesome thought. “Just find him, please.”

Pogo downloads the proffered social media data to his custom rig and studies them.

Physical Science: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (20) + 8 = 28

"Bingo! The shots of him scuba diving are from Varturan. He's at the Butryan Reefs. The ziplines are from Vesk-4. He's in the Vyskandi Range. Not sure about the last one. Seems like more research could identify it."

Oshari watches the videos, trying to hide his disdain, his nostrils flaring a bit at the words "like, comment, and subscribe". Ariadne, on the other hand, seems transfixed, as if these are exactly the kinds of videos she watches when she manages to get hold of Oshari's pad.

“As you can see, his latest vids focused on travel.” Ilia states. “It’s been nearly two months without a comm or infosphere update now. I’m worried he may have stumbled into something dangerous. The business world can be underhanded, Starfinders, and doesn’t make for close friendships. I have many rivals and…” She exhales and shakes her head as though dismissing a troublesome thought. “Just find him, please.”

At this, he softens, the plea to find her son going some way to melt away his initial judgements. "We'll do everything we can, you have my word." he says, his voice losing some of its coarseness.

He clears his throat, and in a moment it returns. "Do you know if he had a production crew or anything? Cameramen, sound techs, editing, other regular guests? Whoever got him might not have bothered to get his assistants, so if we could find them, they might prove useful."

"What about his fanbase? Do his accounts get generally positive receptions, or does he have more scrutiny on him?" Oshari has a number of thoughts about the source of his success and how it relates to his mother's, but decides to leave those out of the conversation. "Does he have paparazzi that you know of? Stalkers?"

"Bingo! The shots of him scuba diving are from Varturan. He's at the Butryan Reefs. The ziplines are from Vesk-4. He's in the Vyskandi Range. Not sure about the last one. Seems like more research could identify it."

"That's a good place to start, although if it was already a couple of months ago, I'm... not sure how much we'll find."

"All we need is one local who remembers him to recall things he said he was going to do next."

Pogo asks Ilia, "Does your son have his own starship? If not can you locate any payments he may have made to passenger services to locations beyond the Pact Worlds?"

"Good work Pogo, perhaps if we add a few more filters to the search for the third plant we will have some luck."[b]
Asgrok using their Technopathy Node tells Zis comm unit to add filters to the search, but speaks outlouds repeating the terms.
[b]"purple sky, blue plant life, dim red dwarf, huge pockmarked moon. Let's see if that helps."

Physical Science: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (17) + 8 = 25

Tamm does not have answers to any of the Starfinders' additional questions.

Pogo takes Asgrok's suggestions and programs them into his custom rig and connects a search engine to it and lets it get to work.

Computers: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (9) + 10 = 19

"Officer Wilson, do you have any law enforcement resources that could be brought to bear on the search?"

Pogo shows Asgrok his program and encourages him to improve on it if he can. An aid success might put us over if the DC is 20.

DC was 14. Updated, but you can open the spoiler.

I'm not clear on how triangulation can work when the main clue we have is high carbon content, but I assume this means we have a lead on where to look. Where in the universe is this meeting taking place? Are the Starfinders providing us with a starship to use to follow leads?

Asgrok tries to use a computer to triangulation the location.
Computers: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (2) + 9 = 11
Asgrok points to a blank spot on the screen
"I'm pretty sure it's not here."

Pogo writes some subroutines to try to improve the results.

Computers, aid: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (3) + 10 = 13

You are currently on a ship near Verces. Perhaps 'triangulate' was not the right word, but if you can coax a little more information out of the computers, you will probably know where to go next.

I think all the PCs with computer skill have rolled, so is there another way to figure this out? or can we spend more time and make another set of computers rolls?

Wilson shakes his head at Pogo. "Sorry, no. I'm really more of a beat cop."

Is there a ticking clock? If not, we should be able to take 20 on this, in which case Pogo would get a 30 on his Computers check ... or even 32, if Asgrok aids.

Purrfecta quietly watches those who know more about computers. She hopes they figure it out soon.

No, but this scenario gives you the information, in a quite rude way, if you don't make the check the first time.

Asgrok and Pogo puzzle over the information about the third location, but come up blank. Ilia is unimpressed, while Radaszam is visibly embarrassed and transfers the data for examination by “professionals” back at the Lorespire Complex.

It takes several days for the Lorespire Complex to trace the planet to Near Space’s Ecior system. Ecior supports six planets, two of which are life-sustaining - Tio Major and Tio Minor. They have similar ecosystems and share an orbit around the system’s red dwarf star. They are able to track Envar’s photos to Tio Major.

Ilia urges the Starfinders to depart at once, arranging credit transfers to both the Society and the agents’ personal accounts with Radaszam. Before they disembark, the Acquisitives leader provides a word of caution. “Starfinders,” he says, “we have no records of contact with sapient life on these planets. This could be a first contact situation, so tread carefully and remember your diplomatic training.” Radaszam arranges for you to depart in a ship of their choice, likely an Azata, Drake, or Pegasus.

Before the Starfinders leave, Kimikim helpfully provides them with two mk 1 flash grenades, three standard batteries, two mk 1 serums of healing, and a spell ampoule of share language.

Choose your vessel and make any last minute purchases now. You are not going directly into starship combat, but you should discuss what role each of you will take.

"Kimikim thank you for the supplies. If on one object I think I might best use of the spell ampoule. I have a spare battery already and 3 mk 1 serums of healing. Since we don't look to have a dedicated medic, it might be good if others take the serums to spread out our healing options, in case I'm taken out."

Asgrok pauses a moment to think

"Looks like we will be on a starship for the mission, my best skills for such an assignment would be as Science Officer and if needed as back up Engineer."
Life and physical science +8 computers +9 engineering +8

Back at the ship, Officer Wilson meets up with his pet pachycephalosaurid, wearing a riding saddle. "This is Domehead," he says. "I'll just set her up with a little nest in the cargo hold, and she'll stay out of everyone's way."

As Kimikim offers the supplies, Wilson says, "I get punched a lot, so if you guys don't mind, I'd like one of the serums. I could also use one of the batteries, and am happy to carry the flash grenades unless anyone else thinks they'll be using them."

Pogo is embarrassed he couldn't identify the planet but takes it in stride. "I'll pilot if no one else can make the claim to be better. I'm also comfortable working the engineering duties."

Pilot (1 rank) +11, Engineering (1 rank) +11, Computers (1 rank) +10

"I'd like a chance to try the new Azata ship. It's supposed to be good for exploration."

Pogo has a basic medkit and a medicine skill of +8, so he can be the EMT. He prefers to stay out of melee combat so those who will be on the front lines can take the serums of healing. He has proficiency with grenades and will take a grenade if one is available. He's less likely to be in melee range where throwing the grenade would expose one to an AOO.

He'll take 1 battery, as he doesn't have quite enough cash to purchase a spare right now.

One vote for the Azata. Any objections?

"I haven't seen the Azata yet, so I'm up for giving it a try."

"It's kind of weird that you guys were able to recognize a planet that no one's ever been to before. Glad to be with such a smart team." He smiles awkwardly. "Yeah, the Azata sounds fine. I'll just take a gunnery position, but hopefully we won't run into any trouble ..."

"I'll take a battery, Ari might want a snack during the trip."

"I haven't seen any of the society ships, actually. I'll, uh..." Oshari thinks for a second. He reasons he'd probably be most effective as a gunner, but that wouldn't leave much for Ariadne to do. "I'll just find stuff to help out with onboard. Maybe I'll take a gun if necessary." Translation: I'll take Chief Mate

Radaszam preps an Azata for the Starfinders. "First time this one will be in live flight, so feel free to name it yourselves. Not sure why these aren't more popular; the First Seeker personally oversaw their design..." With that, you are sent on your way, and reach the Ecior system after 3d6 ⇒ (1, 4, 6) = 11 days of Drift travel.

Twin planets hang in orbit, nearly identical broken halves separated by a gulf of space and shimmering debris. Tio Major’s irregular surface swirls with purples and blues. Patchy grasslands strive to cover jagged rocks and crevices jutting deep into the planet’s crust, as the world’s vibrant ecosystem fights to heal the wound from its ancient sundering.

Upon entering atmosphere, the ship’s scanners detect an object moving from Tio Minor to Tio Major. The object is roughly the size of the Azata and moves through space with an eerie languidness before vanishing into the upper atmosphere.

From orbital range, the ship’s sensors detect small structures that initially appear to be ruins. No other signs of civilization, intelligent life, or vehicles are visible from your vantage point.

Computers: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (11) + 9 = 20
"Something just moved from space to the atmosphere as we entered the atmosphere, looks to be about the same size as our ship but has no signs of using engines for propulsion. One could theorize that..."
Asgrok goes into great detail about all the possibilities before coming to a conclusion
"In conclusion a Life scan will be needed to confirm if it is organic or technological. I will start the scan now.

Life Science: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (15) + 8 = 23."
"Yes the scan does confirm a life form resembling an aquatic life, with long dorsal and ventral fins, likely used for flight. What the scan doesn't tell me is if it's friendly or not."

"Shall I follow the creature?" Pogo asks from the pilot's post. "Or shall I orbit while we look for other signs of life or technology?"

" Unless we have a reason to think those things ate Envar, or mission doesn't require direct contact, so evasion may be the best course of action while we scan the planter for signs of life."

Computers: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (3) + 9 = 12

"The settlements are part of larger subterranean structures, they appear to cover much of the planet. Looks like we may be looking for an Envar in a subterranean haystack. Has anyone ever seen a haystack? I have only read about them."

"Okay, but let's keep scanning and try to locate someplace where that picture could have been taken. I think we ought to be able to measure the orbits and rotation rates and calculate from the current positions to where the kid was when that picture was taken. I can put us in a parking orbit and then help out on the program."

Of course, if the picture has some obvious landmark we can locate by sight, we can skip the computer program and land there.

The agents manage to select an appropriate landing spot that they think is close to where Envar was spotted, though it is still a hike to where they will need to pick up the trail.

Once the Starfinders land, they can make a short trek through a forested area to reach one of the structures. The trees possess leaves which make soft tinkling sounds in the breeze. Indigenous avian species chirp in the distance and motes of crystalline pollen float in the air. It’s a pleasant and surreal walk through an alien land.

>Slide 5<

Several small, plantlike creatures with feline features surround a torn backpack, amusing themselves with its contents. Two of them roll on the forest floor near the bag, mewing and scratching at the leaves that grow from their backs and heads, while one digs into the bag and chews its contents. As they catch sight of the Starfinders, they hiss in warning and move to defend their prize.

Life Science: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 5 = 18
Medicine: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (3) + 8 = 11

Pogo sends Howland ahead to fly over the creatures. It feeds him a description of the beasties. Pogo has the drone keep watch on them as he explains. "Not sure what they are but I suspect they'll eat jus' about anything. We could try to draw them away from that pack with some food."

"If they can't fly I could fly over them with some food to lure them away. I didn't bring any food, I'm usually to busy thinking to eat so I just use an aeon stone to sustain myself. Did we have a survival expert on the team to find food, or does someone have food with them?"

Life Science: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (18) + 8 = 26
to see if the plantlike creatures can fly

"I've got some field rations." He calls Howland back, places a few wafers of rations in the weapon mount so when the pistol is moved a bit, they will drop off. Then he has Howland fly ten feet above the critters to get their attention and 20 feet west and drops the rations on the path.

Officer Wilson climbs into the saddle of domehead and rides on the creature as it moves through the forest. He pats it affectionately and says, "This place probably reminds you a lot of home, doesn't it?"

Survival: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8

At Asgrok's request, Wilson looks around for some berries or something, but just comes up with the branch of a thorny shrub. Not very appetizing.

No flying critters. You need to make a Survival check to Handle Animal to keep them from attacking, and the food gives you a +4 bonus.

Medicine: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10

Wilson takes the food. "I'll see what I can do. Domehead, you stay here ... Don't want you make them skittish." He moves to the west a bit, and says, "I'll try to draw them over here..." He mumbles, "Gotta remember to buy one of those animal-handling kits, next time I'm on a supply run." He holds out the food. "Here, little plant kitty kitty..."

Survival: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 10

I moved my token on the map to indicate where I'm trying to lure them to clear the path to the backpack.

Hoping we don't get to Plan B Asgrok draws zis Skipshot Pistol and starts to move to flank the plant creatures to the west.
"Maybe I can fly around behind them and distract them safely from the air.

This will take several rounds to do, Asgrok is trying to get to the square above the bird-looking token, as Asgrok gets within 30 feet of the bird token Asgrok flys up 30 feet trying to be visible over any underbrush so the plantlike creatures can see Asgrok. if I'm able to do this Asgrok will once in place shout at the plant creatures. I moved my token to the goal if I can make it please move it back or to where I get stopped.

Sorry all, had a rough cold for a few days and it knocked me out of it, I should be good from here on out.

Medicine: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 5 = 24

Oshari very calmly holds out a hand. "It's okay, it's okay," he says to the creatures, his voice noticeably softening. "We're not here to hurt you." He gestures to Wilson. "He's got food, you wanna get the food?"

He cocks his head for a second, dots beginning to connect in his mind about their behavior. "I think... they're intoxicated? I'm not sure what would do that to a plant but they've had something."

Survival: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 19

I may not be able to post much on Tuesdays and Thursdays, as I work a double shift those days. 'Bot me if necessary. I've written spoilers in my profile with dice-bot texts for common rolls like attacks and skills, so check there to quickly copy and paste the text for the 'bot rolls. Thanks.

Oshari is able to diagnose the critters and convince them to move away from the backpack. The Starfinders examine the backpack. It has a Pact World designer label from a brand Envar endorses and contains leftover food and pouches of ready-to-drink alcoholic cocktails, which the creatures were eating.

You need to decide what to with the backpack, but that's boring, so I'll let you vote to take it with you, leave it or destroy it in future posts. I am also supposed to encourage you to take a 10-minute rest, but I don't think you've expended any resources except some rations.

The forest grows deathly still. The sky darkens as a shadow passes overhead. Above the treetops, a gigantic shape blots out the sun. Sleek, smooth, and glistening, the shadow resembles an enormous aquatic beast. Glowing blue tendrils slide from the creature’s underside, undulating through the air. Then, with terrible speed and deliberateness, the beast dives, carving a destructive path through the crystalline trees.

It seems unlikely that the Starfinders will be able to defeat this creature in a straight-up battle. They spot a cave 250 feet away that may represent safety. The thick crystalline forest restricts movement. Characters move at half speed each round unless they succeed at one of the following checks:

* Acrobatics DC 14 to roll away or dodge the creature.
* Athletics DC 12 to sprint at full speed through the forest.
* Perception DC 16 to find a shortcut through the undergrowth.
* Life Science DC 15 to predict where the creature will strike, based on the creature’s physiology and movements.
* Stealth DC 14 to remain unseen under the cover of the trees.
* Survival DC 15 to use the forest surroundings to outmaneuver the creature.

Round 1 - bolded may go

Asgrok (250 feet away)
Wilson (250 feet away)
Oshari (250 feet away)
Pogo (250 feet away)
Creature

Life Science to read spoiler
Life Science: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (19) + 8 = 27
Asgrok very mater of factly repeats what ze knows about the creature.
"The creature is a katura, a predator that hunts with its long tentacles. Katuras prefer durable prey that survives their tentacle attacks long enough to be crushed in their jaws; they are likely to ignore weaker prey that fails this test unless they are sufficiently hungry."
Then pauses for just a millisecond and screams"RUN TO THE CAVE!"

Life Science DC 15 to predict where the creature will strike
Life Science: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13