OutPost VII: GM S's "Unearthing Ulumbia"

Game Master Chris Marsh

"Hello, my name is Mr. Snoutflash. I'm interested in taking up some sort of electronic percussion. What do you recommend for a quality yet affordable drum set?"

While Zark chats up the owner, he observes the store looking for any evidence from the organization or otherwise.

Perception: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (4) + 11 = 15

Zark doesn't see anything specific, but he does immediately get Elaurier's attention. Zark's interest in instruments gets the shirren talking. They're likely open to whatever line of questioning you have, so long as some of the thread stays on music.

"Do you perhaps have instruments that function underwater?"

Tanila starts examining a nearby lefty electric guitar. Meanwhile, she sends the rest of the group a text on their commlinks.
"Assassins had business card from this shop saying that they needed the shirren silenced. Maybe try to turn the conversation that way? Also, careful, no real names."

Zark chats up Elaurier as he learns about percussion instruments. Next, the ysoki takes Tanila's advice and shifts the conversation to the business cards.

"I appreciate the resonance on these toms, but I am wondering what you would do if you needed someone silenced? You see, I found this business card and it looks like it comes from here."

Zark's shift in topic catches the shirren by surprise, "WHAT? No! Wait... What? I only asked for the thrumming to stop. You're not here to "kill me are you?

"We are here to find out what we can here on Ulumbria. Let's start with what you know about the organization. Are you in charge of sending out assassins to complete your dirty work? I would like to hear what you have to say."

"Zack, I'm gonna lend you my copy of Ann Abby's Manners. Elaurier, what they mean to say is we were setting up for a gig when another band tried to run us off.
We won the fight and they departed. One of them left your card business card. Do you recognize any of these three?"

Ears shows the shopkeeper his heads hots of the assassins.

Diplomacy. Trained: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7

Ears can tell that Zark's approach is a bit on the snout and offers up an alternative take. Unfortunately the delivery falls flat. Thankfully it's enough for Elaurier to pick up what Ears is putting down.

"Look. The people you are looking for work across the street at Onshore Heritage Limited. The “weird archaeologists” that run the shop are terribly intimidating and I think they're more than they seem. They always respond to my requests that I “turn down the subsonics” rudely. You see, their shop releases subsonic vibrations that interfere with the precise studio equipment housed here. It’s like a thrumming that can be felt a few buildings over. I’ve no idea what they’re up to, but it makes my antennae itch! Go there. Whatever you're into, I'm not your shirren.”

"This is exactly what I was looking to hear. Perhaps you will be able to sell me a drum set before I leave this place. Before we go, tell me, how long have the archaeologists been running the shop across the street?"

"We'll go talk to them about those subsonics. See if we can get them to stop."

physical science, why subsonics: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (8) + 12 = 20

Ears gets a hunch that there's something fishy, but he can't quite place his paw on it.

To Zark, "It's been a couple weeks now, but sure. I'll sell you some drums, then I'm gone. I'm out. stores closed while I take a week's vacation. There are two in charge there Freyan and Davaine. watch out for them. They give me the kind of creeps that I feel when I hear a tritone turned up to 11." It's clear he's done helping you.

"Alright, folks, I think it's time do go pay a visit to Onshore Heritage Limited. Thank you for all of your help."

Ears holds his right hand to his brow. " Elaurier, just one more thing, if it's not to much to ask. What do Freyan and Davaine look like? "

Let's go get them.

Recognize any of these?
Tanila pulls out the picture the party was given of the Organization's founders.

"Frayan is a male lashunta, Davaine is a female lashunta. I don't know. They both kinda look like the one in the middle I guess."

The two-story building is part of a block of red brick structures located on the corner of Blanchet Street (north) and Shortfield Court (west). The establishment looks quite subdued, with only a small bronze placard outside the entrance announcing the agency’s name. Map updated.

"Okay, how you guys wanna do this?"
Tanila looks around the outside for cameras and such.
perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 22

"Kids, didn't fall far from the cactus," Ears muses. "Thanks, Elaurier."

"Okay, how you guys wanna do this?"

Tanila looks around the outside for cameras and such.
[dice=perception]1d20+5

Ears spits a flashlight out of his mouth and crams a grenade into it. He unstraps his perforator, and puts it in his pack. An arc pistol comes out to replace it. He makes sure it's on stun before he straps on its gunbelt."No need to make this hard. We go in, say we got their message, and start shooting. If you've got a good non-lethal option, use it. IF you don't, don't worry. "

"Ok, fewer bodies means the cops'll have less of a reason to come after us."
Tanila pulls out an arc rifle, sets it to stun, then pulls out a flashbang.
"Who's first in the door?"

It doesn't look like there are any visible external cameras, though the quick reconnoiter reveals that there are two garage doors on the north side of the building.

Tanilla makes clear her tactical approach...

"Should we go in here, or one of the back doors?"

"Let's have someone stay out here to make sure they can't run, then move inside once the shooting starts."

"I'd think it would be someone big and strong and brave enough to charge three armed assassins all by her lonesome...." Ears darts his eyes sideways at Castana.

Castana smiles as she glows up. I can talk, I can try and draw them in like a magnet, just remember I explode. But I need to know how I can rejoin the group. I guess it depends if you want me to be backup out here or the distraction inside, but I can go either way on whatever you want to be the "front" line.

"Let's see if we can get the big garage doors open. Easier to get us all in through big doors. "

Check the garage door.

perception: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (7) + 0 = 7
Engineering: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (18) + 14 = 32

The doors seem neither locked nor trapped. There's no noise coming through either.

"I believe it is time to enter."

Lapodie keeps her rifles on her back for now.

One vote for in. Garage doors or front?

"Agreed"
front door

Going back to the main entrance, the party walks in. This is a business after all.

The reception area holds a front desk and a coffee table with some chairs for waiting visitors. Archaeological magazines rest on the table, all several years out of date. A few well-lit glass cases display nondescript shards of pottery. Signs on the doors to the north read “washroom” and “meeting room,” while a sign on the east door, behind the desk, reads “staff only.”

The reception is staffed by a robot with a name tag reading “Veronias”. While it nods, it doesn't speak.

The unlocked garage door spooks Ears. A locked door would make sense.

In the reception area Ears eyes the staff only door. It's a serious choke point.

"Thank the dieties of mercy!" It's a feeble bluff, but Ears only needs a second to find out whether the washroom is empty.

Ears gets absolutely no reaction from the robotic receptionist. It takes only a moment to conclude that at least one sign is accurate. It's just a wash room.

Lapodie moves over toward the "Staff Only" door, watching if the robot receptionist reacts.

Lapodie steps behind the counter towards the door. Veronias turns to to the ijtikri and says only, "That area is off limits."

Apparently Ears is not that badly in need of mercy. He veers toward the meeting room door. "I'll try door number two, Monty."

He pulls it open.

Just checking our flank before we go through Lapodie's door.

A circular table topped with brochures occupies the center of this room, surrounded by comfortable chairs. Display cases and bookshelves line the walls. The cases hold archaeological relics, with very small cards describing their provenance and significance. None look particularly valuable.

"Nice. Very professional."

Ears nods and closes the door. He waits for the others to wield their previous diplomatic form in this more appropriate setting.

Tanila quietly follows behind Ears, pretending to nervously clutch a datapad to her chest.

Ears approaches the reception desk. "We're looking for Frayan and Davaine."