SFS 1-16 - Dreaming of the Future - Take 2 (KS) (Inactive)

Game Master phaeton_nz

Gameplay Thread - dot & delete

dot

The Lorespire Complex bustles with activity as the doors to Venture-Captain Arvin’s private office slide quickly. The lashunta man jots down some quick notes on his datapad, and then he glances up and motions you all to sit down.

Welcome, Starfinders. We have just finished compiling some intriguing news. The Society’s magical archive for divining potential new finds, the Communion Vaults, houses a perpetually sleeping Liavaran Dreamer named Whisperer of Solar Winds. The Dreamer rarely rouses from its torpor, but when it does, it spins interwoven dream stories that point us to promising finds. It awoke earlier this week and has given us an elegant story about a fractured sandstone tablet that could point the Society to a great treasure.

Unfortunately, the three fragments of the tablet appear to be in very different locales based on the tales we’ve recorded. Luckily, each of these locations appears to be within the Pact Worlds. It’s your job to track each piece down and report back here so we can get everything pieced together and figure this dream out. Your first destination is the machine-driven world of Aballon. Based on the details of the first dreamspun tale, you’re likely to be looking for an android in a less-than-reputable city. We’re sending you via shuttle to Towershadow, where you’ll have to figure out for yourselves what awaits. Time is of the essence, as things can change quite quickly. Any questions before you depart?

Unsure if there's gonna be a time difference between the briefing and the start of the mission, but I'll just roll paradoxes for whatever the first day of adventure is now:
Paradox #1: 1d20 ⇒ 5
Paradox #2: 1d20 ⇒ 15

A pahtra, dark bluish-grey fur spotted with patches of black and orange, leans back in her seat, a long rifle slung over her back. "I've had experience with prophecies before, can't say I've been a huge fan so far." she says, her voice gravelly. "Less than reputable cities, though, that I can do." She pulls out a flask from her trenchcoat, tapping it with a claw before taking a swig. "Got any details about the treasure? Particularly the, uh, transportation regulations surrounding it?"
Translation: is the treasure legal

No details as such but it's fairly clear that Whisperer of Solar Winds wants us to have whatever it is

"Why that disreputable city, when there are so many? And how do we winnow the proper android from the school of them that live there? It will be far easier to isolate a single android in another disreputable city with a smaller population of them, say Qabarat? -- Sir." The tone is neutral, but there is something barbed in the last three words.

The humanoid asking this question is cased in kasathan hidden soldier armor, although there is only a single pair of arms. They are slightly above medium height for a human, but lean, very lean. A long sword hangs from his right hip. His pack has a pointed star shaped case strapped to its back.

It's in the dream message, at least that's our best interpretation. And as for finding him, there can't be that many with legal woes. Search the local infosphere when you get there

For some reason, Arvin sounds a bit annoyed.

Nippostia Fernbreeze lightly sways in her seat. A weave of bright red hair tick-tocks over the back of her forest green armor. Sweeps and whorls drawn in dusty rose and bluish pink give the armor a curiously mystical quality, although you couldn't explain why you thought so if someone asked. Her emerald eyes manage to radiate excitement, calm, piercing understanding, and generous peace all at once.

But when Arvin mentions Whisperer of Solar Winds, her eyes go wide and her hands fly up to stifle an inappropriate squee.

I’m going on a mission assigned BY-A-DREAMER-A-REAL-DREAMER-OMGOMGOMG!!!

She regains her composure with professional speed, although the flash of a grin and a quick eyebrow pop still sneak out. She taps notes onto her data pad and sorts through what the team’s heard so far.

“A great treasure. Directions from a dreamer!” Her voice cracks, and she clears her throat. ”Um, three fragments of a tablet. Each fragment on a different planet. First one with android in a less-than-reputable city on Aballon — ooh, never been there.”

She looks to Arvin. ”We’re supposed to bring back the first tablet piece, yes? What about the android? Are we bringing them back too, um, sir?”

Yes to the first tablet piece but no for the android - unless he wants to come back here with you then yes.

And as for finding him, there can't be that many with legal woes.

"You'd be surprised."

"Who else knows about the dreams? Are you gonna have anyone on our tail?"

"Can we talk with him? Maybe he does want to come back"

A fist-sized lump of technology, hovering at the center of a holographic outline of a humanoid form, taps its 'chin' thoughtfully.

"A trip to Aballon might be interesting... not to mention a connection to one of the Dreamers!"

They then point to the shaggy-furred dog beside them.

"This is Gamma, by the way."

"Go to Towershadow on Aballon. Find an android in legal trouble. Extract a piece of a sandstone tablet from them. I suppose my part of the contract also includes returning as many party members as possible safely to Absalom Station?"

Exactly yes. Arvin replies. And if there are no further questions, your shuttle is waiting.

Beta pauses for a minute.

"Do we have reason to believe that he is literally body-packing it? If so, do we have anyone skilled at surgery in the party?"

"Who else knows about the dreams? Are you gonna have anyone on our tail?"

Does Arvin respond to this question?

They then point to the shaggy-furred dog beside them.

"This is Gamma, by the way."

Upon noticing Gamma, Grimalki's fur stands on end a bit, eyeing the dog warily.

Beta pauses for a minute.

"Do we have reason to believe that he is literally body-packing it? If so, do we have anyone skilled at surgery in the party?"

She shrugs. "I'm no neurosurgeon, but I know some basic first aid." Medicine +4

Oh yes - those that know. Let me see. There's Whispers in Solar Wind's attendants, the rest of the Venture Captains, and a Starfinder who is also a Dream Interpreter who helped out. And no, I don't plan of having anyone following you if that's what you mean. This is your assignment.

Body packing? Whatever do you mean?

"I know how to work a freeze chamber for transporting prisoners but I'm no medic!"

Oh yes - those that know. Let me see. There's Whispers in Solar Wind's attendants, the rest of the Venture Captains, and a Starfinder who is also a Dream Interpreter who helped out. And no, I don't plan of having anyone following you if that's what you mean. This is your assignment.

"Oh, I just meant is there gonna be anyone else looking for this, if it's as valuable as the dreams say, but it doesn't sound like many know about it."

"I know how to work a freeze chamber for transporting prisoners but I'm no medic!"

The pahtra eyes Balok wearily. "Bounty hunter? You, uh... y'ever take contracts from the Veskarium?"

"You confirmed that we needed to extract the tablet piece from the android; I had assumed that you meant that literally, did you not? It might have been difficult to swallow, but they might have had a storage chamber installed, that could have taken it."

I presume he is carrying it on his person - not surgically inserted - whatever gave you that idea?

"Sorry - it is my paramedic training. Sovellis said: 'Extract a piece of a sandstone tablet from them'. Given the number of drug and tech 'mules' that I have come across, it seemed like a natural jump."

Nippostia’s nose wrinkles and she frowns.

“You mean ‘extract’ like removing from someone’s insides? How would… I mean, why... where would they… oh, eeww. EEWWW!!!!”

Her entire body shivers.

The pahtra eyes Balok wearily. "Bounty hunter? You, uh... y'ever take contracts from the Veskarium?"

"Yeah all the time..." The drow pulls out a picture of a white ysoki. "I've been looking for this guy for a long time. Rattus Solo. My boss doesn't have time for smugglers that dump their cargo at the first sign of a patrol cruiser!" He smiles.

Arvin's antennae start twitching.

If there are no further RELEVANT questions, get out of my office and be on your way

Grimalki Fermex wrote:

The pahtra eyes Balok wearily. "Bounty hunter? You, uh... y'ever take contracts from the Veskarium?"

"Yeah all the time..." The drow pulls out a picture of a white ysoki. "I've been looking for this guy for a long time. Rattus Solo. My boss doesn't have time for smugglers that dump their cargo at the first sign of a patrol cruiser!" He smiles.

Grimalki nods. "I'll keep an eye out for him." And let him know to watch out.

Arvin's antennae start twitching.

If there are no further RELEVANT questions, get out of my office and be on your way

She stretches a bit as she gets up (oooh big stretch). "Alright, who's gonna pilot?"

It looks like β has the highest piloting, but they also put gunner as their first choise. Otherwise Grimalki can, and if navigation applies here she has a -5 to DCs of nagivation/astrogation checks.

I'd assumed we were being sent by commercial shuttle.

The figure in Hidden Soldier armor picks up their pack and slings it onto their back. "Ready when the rest of you are."

Nippostia hops out of her chair.

“Indeed, sir. We’ll get right to it.”

She heads for the door, then pauses and turns back toward the chair.

“Oops… forgot my data pad. Okay, everyone, let’s give the venture captain their office back!”

You are indeed travelling by commercial shuttle. After a few days, the shuttle reaches a blasted wasteland of a planet that—despite its dark and barren appearance—quickly shows itself to be covered in glittering metal cities under the full brightness of the Pact World’s sun. The shuttle goes through a set of blast doors into a city built inside and around what was clearly once a massive silver tower.

The party must now do what they can to find information on the fugitive android with the map fragment. Each of you can make one of the following skill checks: Computers (to review the local infosphere), Diplomacy (to gather information), Survival (to track), or a relevant Profession skill.

"Lemme, uh, look through some of my business contacts here."

Profession (Smuggler): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (11) + 6 = 17

Beta jacks into the local infospehere, looking for clues.

Computers: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (3) + 12 = 15.

The Drow checks any information on the missing android.

Diplomacy Gather info: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15

Diplomacy. Untrained: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (13) + 0 = 13

While the others do something more direct, Sovellis wanders the port area asking people about legal cases on the news, and praying that Lady Luck favors him.

Nippostia walks with Sovellis, listening to the people, catching snippets of conversations, and generally being aware of her surroundings.

Survival: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 14 Survival check to track

“This place is fascinating! So many research opportunities… so many beings with interesting issues to work through… ”

Sovellis gestures with a abbreviated sweep of his arm at an SRO and a number of anacites. "I am glad you can look at them like that. In light of my covenant, I hope I don't have to work through them."

I've been waiting to see if our sixth player dots in, but no sign yet

Sovellis gestures with a abbreviated sweep of his arm at an SRO and a number of anacites. "I am glad you can look at them like that. In light of my covenant, I hope I don't have to work through them."

"Not a fan of technology, huh?"

"Metallic and synthetic skins are more likely to dull my sword."

"That's why a good laser pistol comes in handy!"

The drow pats the handle of his gun.

"Hey. You guys are the other Starfinders, right?" comes a voice from behind the others. It comes from a tiefling woman with pale white skin, long dark hair, countless piercings, and a pair of pitch-black eyes with red irises. She's wearing a studded jacket over a graphic tee shirt with the symbol of Zon-Kuthon on a chain hanging from her neck.

"I heard from VC Arvin that an honest-to-Zon dreamer gifted us with a vision, so I asked to be let onto the mission. Got here as fast as I could. My name is Lash, humble servant of the midnight lord, and a bit of a 'dreamer' myself." She bows slightly.

Not sure if a being trained in tattoos and piercings would help all that much, but I suppose it's worth a roll
Profession (Body Modder): 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (12) + 11 = 23

"That's why a good laser pistol comes in handy!"

The drow pats the handle of his gun.

"Or a rifle."

"Hey. You guys are the other Starfinders, right?" comes a voice from behind the others. It comes from a tiefling woman with pale white skin, long dark hair, countless piercings, and a pair of pitch-black eyes with red irises. She's wearing a studded jacket over a graphic tee shirt with the symbol of Zon-Kuthon on a chain hanging from her neck.

Grimalki nods at the newcomer. "Nice shirt."

It takes you a while but you do learn about Lerecti’s presence in Towershadow. The android recently fled to the area following charges of murder on Verces. You can find the androgynous android, who garbs themselves in workers’ clothes, spending their time near a convenience store.

Nippostia bounds over to Lash with unchained enthusiasm.

“I know, right!?! What a way to get an assignment! I’m Nippostia, by the way, but most people call me Nip. Nice to meet you, Lash. Ready to go android hunting?”

She pauses a moment, then blushes.

“Oh, no… I mean hunting like finding because we haven’t found him yet… not literal hunting. That’s just weird. And sick. I mean… ew.”

Beta greets Lecti politely.

"Greetings, fellow sentient. You have something that we are after - a fragment if a tablet. However, we have heard that you have been in trouble recently. Perhaps we could help one another? A little quid pro quo?"

Make me a diplomacy roll for that please. They look rather wary of you all.

"Lash? Appropriate for a thrall of the god of pain and -- pleasure. I am Sovellis." Sovellis is encased in kasathan hidden soldier armor, although there is only a single pair of arms. They are slightly above medium height for a human, but much leaner than average for that species. Hidden within the armor, with that build, he could be any of a number of species. A long sword hangs from his right hip. His pack has a pointed star shaped case strapped to its back.

At the meeting with the android, Sovellis hangs back and keeps an eye out for anyone taking undue interest in the party.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2 Or, if I could justify it, Profession (Smuggler), to at least appear like I won't snitch.
Welp, nevermind, nothing's helping that lol.

"I'm sure we could work out some kind of deal, businessman to businessman. You help us with our problem, and we help make your problem go away?"

Despite her attempts, Grimalki ends up coming across more threatening than friendly.

Grimalki nods at the newcomer. "Nice shirt."

"It's only fair that I give a warning. Not that people listen." She winks. She also nods in greeting in response to the others.

When they meet the android, Lash does her best to not intimidate them. Hands in her pockets, leaning against a building, putting on the look of boredom. Doesn't seem like the kind to take to church, anyway.

Beta's personal spin doctor steps forward to smooth things over...

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (19) + 6 = 25.

Beta is able to succeed in smoothing things over so now Lerecti is willing to talk and answer questions. So have at it Starfinders.