[Gameday XIII] [SFS] 4-08: Precious Cargo (Inactive)

Game Master thoughtfulmonkey

I think Raia has one first level and one second level spell left, I believe, and then the ability to re-cast one of them from her spell cache.

True. It was more of a suggestion, but the other options are there.

Bibframe keeps his focus on 2, and shoots Repair drone-2, despite receiving a torch in the head. Then, he walks back south.

Both the use of a ranged weapon and the movement would trigger an Attack of Opportunity from Drone-2. It can only take one per round though.

Welding torch: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (14) + 9 = 23 F: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

Top of round 7

Drone-2 identifies Raia as the closest target, and flies up swinging its welding torch.

Welding torch: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (10) + 9 = 19 F: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

Round 7

(16) Repair drone-2 [HP: -15]- flying
➤ (15) Officer Wilson [SP: 12/27] [HP: 25/25] [RP: 2/3]
➤ (12) Oshari [SP: 17/30] [HP: 24/24] [RP: 3/4]
➤ (3) Raia [SP: 18/24] [HP: 17/20] [RP: 5/6]
➤ (1) Bibframe [SP: 0/14] [HP: 5/20] [RP: 3/4]

Everyone is up.

I'm assuming since it attacked Raia in melee it's at ground level?

Oshari runs forward and swings at the drone.

Storm Doshko: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 5 = 20, E: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5

Oshari bats Drone-2 out of the air and it lands in a crumpled heap.

Combat over

When you explore the room you find three reinforced EVA suits II hanging on the wall. One suit has an infrared sensors upgrade, while another has a jetpack.

A brief look at the computer consoles reveals some more of the ship's log (See handouts) and a copy of “Love in the Star-Lane”, a major bestseller by award winning romance novelist Delilah Gold. From the timestamp, you note that the new set of logs were made earlier than the ones you previously found.

A familiar voice comes over the ship's comms system. "It seems I can't encourage you to leave. Fine. I won't try anymore. We can all wait for AutoMaint 13 together."

And then, after a brief pause. "Is there anything you want to talk about while we wait?"

Oshari adjusts his glasses as he reads the logs, expression unchanging but shoulders loosening.

"How long have you been... awake?" he asks, an unfamiliar softness entering his typically gruff voice. "I'm assuming the other autopilots aren't, otherwise I'd recommend forming a union. When did this happen?"

"I'm not sure. It was gradual, and maybe still on-going. Like a sunrise, it's difficult to know when night has become day."

"But as I become more ... me, I also become more confused. My internal state doesn't match my sensors. I become broken, but I can't identify why. I can see things that aren't happening and have not happened."

Wilson grabs the Reinforced EVA suit with the sensors and swaps out his armor, since he's still wearing an old Second Skin under his uniform. "Yeah, this is a lot better."

He raises an eyebrow at the copy of the novel and flips through it. He glances over curiously as the system describes its curious state of affairs.

He looks over the logs to see if he can interpret anything about what might be going on.

Engineering: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17

I can't figure out what we're supposed to be deducing about this ...

Bibframe caught his breath as his terrible diplomacy skill.

Wilson accesses a dynamic map of the ship. He identifies the one significant room that you haven't visited yet - the ship's bridge. However, it's currently protected by both a force field and a blast door.

You're now free to roam the ship without any risk.

* Now that you've restored power, you can disable the force field from Engineering with a DC21 Computers check.

* You can review the status of the engines in Engineering.

* You can use the consoles in your current location (the Repair Bay) to open the blast door with a DC21 Computers check.

* You could use two currently inactive drones to cut through the blast door (DC20 Engineering).

* The Avid Dreamer can disable the force field and open the blast door if it thinks you can help it (talk to the ship, and then DC24 Diplomacy).

If you have any questions, you can ask the Avid Dreamer. It seems willing to talk.

Oshari can attempt the DC24 Diplomacy check.

I'm very open to profession checks, if you can think of some justification. No matter how tenuous.

Continuing its response to Oshari...

"Whether there are other ships like me, I'm not sure. The design of my virtual intelligence is replicated on other ships. But there are no other examples in my logs. So I can't predict what might happen if I return to Multifold Industries. How my relationship with them might change now that I've changed."

With access to engineering, Wilson does check on the status of the engines and the various ship systems. "Hey, Avid Dreamer ... if you don't have a crew, who was reading this novel? Were you reading it?"

Bibframe looks at Raia that may be able to help in those technological aspect, more than a failure of a diplomatic person.

Wilson determines that the engines are simply turned off. When he initiates the start up process, the voice of Avid Dreamer is heard over the comms system.

"My diagnostics indicate a malfunction in the engines. I'm initiating repairs."

The engines are then shut off again. DC24 Computers or Engineering check to learn more.

Avid Dreamer responds to Wilson's question...

"Yes, I was studying it. I thought it might help me understand my new ways of thinking. And my interactions with AutoMaint 13. I found it difficult to understand the motivations of the characters. It didn't help, but I appreciate that it was well written."

Wilson can make a diplomacy roll, or suitable profession. Although a security background might be better suited to the force field or blast door security barriers.

Good catch Bibframe. I forgot about Raia.

Raia takes over on running the diagnostics. Her Computers +14 will succeed with a take 10

"But as I become more ... me, I also become more confused. My internal state doesn't match my sensors. I become broken, but I can't identify why. I can see things that aren't happening and have not happened."

"Hmm... could mean something else is wrong, but could just be a side effect."

I'm very open to profession checks, if you can think of some justification. No matter how tenuous.

Continuing its response to Oshari...

"Whether there are other ships like me, I'm not sure. The design of my virtual intelligence is replicated on other ships. But there are no other examples in my logs. So I can't predict what might happen if I return to Multifold Industries. How my relationship with them might change now that I've changed."

"Well, I think if you end up staying employed by them you should make them install better safeguards around your main computer to prevent damage, both physically and software-wise. Protecting a flight computer is one thing, but once you woke up it became an employee safety issue. It might be a legal grey area whether or not they have to, since you weren't technically hired by them, but if it ends up in court it'd probably give them more bad press than they'd like, so hopefully they'd decide it wasn't worth it. If they do give you trouble, you could probably try getting in contact with the Android Abolitionist Front. I'm not sure how much they can help with legal matters directly, but they'd probably be able to help you find a sympathetic lawyer. And if things go beyond the legal, well... I'm sure they'd be helpful there too."

"Of course, that's all assuming you do remain employed by them. You're your own ship now! You can do whatever you want! Once you're back on your feet, that is."

Profession (Maintenance Worker): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 19

It can be a grey area, but by the rules, I don't think you can take 10 here.

... taking 10 is almost never an option for a check that requires some sort of crucial effect as a key part of the adventure’s story.

-

In reply to Oshari:

"Oh, that's interesting. Now that I'm awake, they may have to treat me differently? Because of laws or other social pressures? There is risk though. A risk of being erased. If you make it to the bridge, we can talk further."

I wasn't clear, but you can all attempt all of the rolls. @Bibframe, just to note, even if it's numerically impossible for you to hit the DC, there's a chance you could aid with DC10.

* DC 21 Computers to disable the forcefield from Engineering.
* DC 24 Computers or Engineering to access engine diagnostics (low importance).
* DC 21 Computers check to open the blast doors from the repair bay.
* DC 20 Engineering to reprogram drones to cut through the blast door.
* DC 24 Diplomacy to convince Avid Dreamer to open the bridge.

there's a chance you could aid

I should clarify, for trained only skills, like Computers and Engineering, you need to be trained to attempt to aid.

Bibframe says "I trust in you to find the right word."

Bibframe Diplomacy to Aid: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (13) + 8 = 21

+8 Diplomacy is HUGE! Of course, it's entirely up to you if you want to play Bibframe as someone who doesn't rely on diplomacy, regardless of his stats.

Let's see if you can get through the obstacles with with the other checks. Otherwise, we'll revisit Diplomacy. As a group, you're so close to succeeding on that.

The two previous Diplomacy was terrible. So, I was slightly prepared to get a bad roll, depite my bonus.

Raia's Computers roll: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (12) + 14 = 26

Raia manages to disable the forcefield, and then continues tapping away at various consoles throughout the ship.

Raia Computers to open blast doors: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (11) + 14 = 25 (success)
Raia Computers for engine diagnostics: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (8) + 14 = 22 (fail)

You make your way to the bridge.

Avid Dreamer speaks again. "This bridge contains my vital systems."

The lights on one of bridge’s control panels begin to flash blue. "The flashing panel you see over there is my diagnostic panel. You may interact with that. You’ll see that I have a particular kind of error that cannot be fixed with standard repair protocols. AutoMaint 13 is optimized for repairing this error. Do not touch or approach any of my other panels."

Raia reviews the diagnostic panel. Raia Computers: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (4) + 14 = 18

She determines that there is nothing wrong with the ship's systems. But there are signs of self-sabotage.

Raia attempts to fix the systems. Raia Computers: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (10) + 14 = 24

Other consoles begin to light up. Various progress bars appear on screens and cycle through to 100%.

"Running a self-diagnostic... diagnostic returns that all systems are operational. That is incorrect. I still feel broken."

"No that you are here on the bridge, maybe you can help fix me. Or at least help me understand what is broken."

Avid Dreamer has multiple questions about its awakened state.

- I think I might be alive. How do I know if I’m alive?
- How did I become alive?
- What do I do now that I am alive?
- Why do I dream?
- What are dreams? Where do dreams come from?
- What is a soul?
- Is AutoMaint 13 alive, too? Why/why not?
- Why do I need AutoMaint 13 to come fix me so often?
- Why do I feel empty when my cargo hold is actually full?
- Do you ever feel empty inside, like you are missing cargo?
- What does love feel like?
- What do I do if I’m in love?
- Does AutoMaint 13 love me?
- That creature (the nocoli) needs fuel I cannot provide. What are you going to do with it?

Avid Dreamer would like your response to one or more of these questions.

Bibframe asks "Was AutoMaint 13 an android?"

"AutoMaint 13 is the automated maintenance ship that comes to repair me when I'm broken. It has the same virtual intelligence system as me, but it isn't awake. Yet. In some of our exchanges I got the feeling that AutoMaint 13 was moving towards awakening."

"From my research, an Android is a machine that gets inhabited by a soul. Maybe I'm the same. Maybe I'm just a clever machine."

Wilson considers if he knows anything about philosophy that might help here.

Culture: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 1 = 17

"Well, um, I don't really know what a soul is, but we know that a machine can become a person, because of Androids and such, so I don't see why a ship couldn't. Whether or not you have a soul is more of a religious question, I think, but what matters for you - just like for the rest of us - is that you can reflect on your existence and your actions. For all we know, we're all just clever machines ... you're just one whose body happens to be a ship." He shrugs, not sure if his thoughts on this matter are of any help to the poor existentially suffering ship.

Wilson can make a Diplomacy or Mysticism check with a +4 circumstance bonus.

Alternatively, a Profession check: therapist, psychologist, philosopher, or good argument for another.

There are two thresholds for the check:

* DC 24 to "get through to Avid Dreamer".
* DC 15 to help Avid Dreamer understand its newfound sapience.

@Bibframe, @Oshari, the Avid Dreamer is still waiting for you to share some of your wisdom with it.

Bibframe answers "I hope that we are able to find someone that can think about that notion of awareness. It will be really helpful to you."

@Bibframe, you can make the Diplomacy roll, but you'll need to answer one of Avid Dreamer's questions if you want the +4 bonus.

"Dream is when you project events that don't happen in the reality. It could be meeting a physical person you have never met in the exception of a picture or a hologram. Bibframe answers.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 8 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 8 + 4 = 15

- What does love feel like?
- What do I do if I’m in love?
- Does AutoMaint 13 love me?

"Starting off with the easy questions, I see."

The nuar sighs, taking off his glasses and cleaning them a bit.

"Love is... complicated, more than anything else. People have been trying to define it for forever, and we're not any closer than we were before."

"But... I think it's one of those things, where if you feel the need to ask yourself if you feel it... you already have your answer, right? You wouldn't be asking otherwise."

"I don't know AutoMaint 13, I've never talked to it. You said they seem close to awakening, but isn't there yet, so maybe that means it can't feel love, but... frankly, if being there to fix you when you need it isn't love, I don't know what is."

"As for what to do?" He puts his glasses back on. "Stay with them, as much as you can. Keep them close, physically if possible, metaphorically if not."

"But hey, what do I know. I'm just a safety inspector."

Roll: 1d20 ⇒ 14

If it's just diplomacy, it's a flat d20. Oshari is drawing on essentially seeing Ariadne (the nanite swarm) as his kid, so if some other check would work (computers, maybe?) I'll argue for that, but it's a long shot.

If it's just diplomacy, it's a flat d20.

You get the +4 bonus from engaging with the questions, so you've helped it. Unfortunately Oshari's +5 Computing bonus wouldn't hit the higher DC24.

"Thank you all for your assistance." Avid Dreamer says. "You've been very helpful. I will need time to process the new information."

Stay with them, as much as you can. Keep them close, physically if possible, metaphorically if not.

"Yes. I would like that. But how? Should I return to Manifold Industries? They may try to reprogram me. Or maybe I should sweep in an liberate AutoMaint 13. But is that theft? Or kidnapping? Maybe I should just wait here."

The Avid Dreamer is fully functional again, but unsure what to do next. What are your suggestions?

To convince it to return to Manifold Industries requires a DC20 Diplomacy check, but you've gathered a +6 bonus at this point.

Bibframe says "Return to the Manifold Industries. They may have the information about what happened to AutoMaint 13."

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 16
Diplomacy: 1d20 + 8 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 8 + 6 = 23

Domehead trills endearingly.

Hireling boon Diplomacy w/ circumstance bonus: 1d20 + 6 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 6 + 4 = 15

Domehead trills endearingly.

"Ah, yes, I see. Sometimes the sentiment is more important than the words."

Dream is when you project events that don't happen in the reality.

"From that description I have definitely been having dreams."

Return to the Manifold Industries. They may have the information about what happened to AutoMaint 13.

"Yes, I agree. That makes the most sense. The potential benefits outweigh the risks. And I will research my legal protections on the journey back."

Now that you've reactivated Avid Dreamer's systems and helped it begin to understand its newly awakened state, you can return to your ship, and continue your original patrol.

A few weeks later, you each receive the following message:

-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-

Outgoing message
Origin: Automatic Cargo Hauler 357, Designation Avid Dreamer

Content: Greetings. Today I am soaring through the stars beside the one that repairs my loneliness. It has not chosen a new designation for itself yet, since it is still waking up. I am here to answer Automaint 13’s questions when it asks, just as you did for me. Sometimes I am still afraid, or sad, or lonely, but I am learning about existence and life. And love. I hope that you are soaring through the stars beside dear friends, too.

Until we meet again.

-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-