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Zark struggles to make the readily-available materials into an enhanced propulsion system, while Lapodie similarly struggles with the weapon systems. Seeing the lack of useful materials holding his allies back, Kastien heads out into the junkyard looking for useful things. It seems the other teams beat him to the punch, however, as there doesn't seem to be anything useful close by. He'll have to range deeper into the junkyard if he wants to find the good stuff.
Dr. Dov spends a few moments carefully considering before beginning, carefully selecting some specialty items from his toolkit and carefully applying them to the thruster intakes to improve laminar flow.
Walter, meanwhile, focuses on the aesthetics of the racer, in order to best appeal to the target audience. Their research is time well spent, as a cohesive look quickly comes together.
Conrad takes another tack, focusing on his opponents instead. He strikes up conversations with members of several teams, and comes away with some interesting information.
Rumor has it Laboni is planning to create her own competing track and has even begun quietly approaching other racers about investing in the venture.
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Find Parts (Acrobatics, Athletics, Perception): A PC who spends their round hunting through the piles of junk and succeeds at a DC 20 Acrobatics, Athletics, or Perception check retrieves useful components to use in upgrading their racer. They earn 1 Build Point and give one ally of their choice a +4 circumstance bonus to their check to improve the racer this round .
Upgrade Propulsion and Handling (Engineering, Physical Science): A PC who spends their round improving, repairing, or tuning the propulsion and handling of the junkracer and succeeds at a DC 24 Engineering or Physical Science check earns 1 Build Point. The improvements give the PC acting as pilot during the race a +1 circumstance bonus to all Piloting checks, cumulative up to +3.
Upgrade Weapons (Engineering, Computers, Ranged Attack): A PC who spends their round improving, replacing, or testing the junkracer’s weapon systems and succeeds at a DC 24 Engineering check, Computers check, or ranged attack roll earns 1 Build Point. All ranged attacks and skill checks related to using the junkracer’s weapons during the race get a +1 circumstance bonus, cumulative to +3. Alternatively, a PC can forgo this bonus and instead install a grappler line; this upgrade can only be done once. It consists of a small launcher that can fire a cable line with a set of strong, remotely controlled jaws on the end, capable of latching on to a target up to 100 feet away.
Aesthetic Upgrades (varies): A PC can spend their round improving the appearance of the team’s junkracer rather than making functional improvements. Give the PC a few moments to describe the improvements they’re making, then they should attempt a DC 24 skill check appropriate to the improvement. Success earns 2 Build Points, but doesn’t provide any bonus during the race. Each PC can only attempt this check once.
Scouting the Competition (Bluff, Diplomacy, Stealth): A PC can spend their round gathering more information about their competitors in the hopes of gaining an edge. They can do so by succeeding at a DC 20 Stealth check to go unnoticed, or a DC 24 Bluff or Diplomacy check to convince other racers to stop working long enough to talk. The PCs can leverage insights gained from this information to give all PCs a +1 circumstance bonus to Diplomacy, Intimidate, and Sense Motive checks made during the race, cumulative up to +3.
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Walter looks with satisfaction at what they have achieve so far.
All very well, they think to themself, but we need to make this thing race worthy. Not my area of expertise, but I can give it a try.
They look at the item Lapodie has retrieved and go in search of other useful items.
Separate
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[dice=Perception]1d20+6
Kastien continued looking for good junk - as if there was such a thing - but mostly he was interested in the other racers and the trackside fans. Hey, it worked for them last time. After all, he was the one that got Laboni on the Starfinders' side the last time they were here.
[dice=Diplomacy]1d20+14
Zark uses the parts found by Lapodie to upgrade the racer's weapon systems.
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Conrad continues making conversation with the other teams, gleaning more useful tidbits that might provide an advantage, as well as some juicy rumors. He's joined this time by Kastien, who turns his attention to the fans.
Over the last eight years, no one beat Ratrod more than Kyvex, who defeated him a whopping 15 times. Laboni and Unem Spinout have racked up quite a few wins as well, with Laboni beating Ratrod seven times, and Unem four.
Kyvex avoids Glimma, going out of their way to interact with her as little as possible. Most racers attribute this to painful memories of their lost friend Orsis, Glimma’s son, but some rumors persist of a more personal conflict between the two.
Meanwhile, Lapodie searches, successfully, for parts, supplying Zark in upgrading the weapon systems.
Walter, meanwhile, joins Lapodie in searching for parts, finding some useful bits to help Dov--who immediately puts them to good use!
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Lemgem looks up in alarm at Walter's amplified warning. To her credit, it takes only a heartbeat before she processes and immediately moves to safely lower her vehicle before the lift fails. "Wow, good shout friend; thanks for the heads-up! That could have been bad. I wonder how that happened?"
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Lapodie notices the distinctive marks of a sharp blade on the damaged cable, clearly indicating that this was no accident.
"Huh, now that's odd" Lemgem says. "Nobody's been here but me since I started working. When the heck did they do that? Heck, I wasn't even supposed to be in this bay! Me and Kyvex switched, just before the start." She considers for a moment, her brow furrowed, then shrugs. "Anyway, guess we'd better get back to building. The clock is ticking!"
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Find Parts (Acrobatics, Athletics, Perception): A PC who spends their round hunting through the piles of junk and succeeds at a DC 20 Acrobatics, Athletics, or Perception check retrieves useful components to use in upgrading their racer. They earn 1 Build Point and give one ally of their choice a +4 circumstance bonus to their check to improve the racer this round .
Upgrade Propulsion and Handling (Engineering, Physical Science): A PC who spends their round improving, repairing, or tuning the propulsion and handling of the junkracer and succeeds at a DC 24 Engineering or Physical Science check earns 1 Build Point. The improvements give the PC acting as pilot during the race a +1 circumstance bonus to all Piloting checks, cumulative up to +3.
Upgrade Weapons (Engineering, Computers, Ranged Attack): A PC who spends their round improving, replacing, or testing the junkracer’s weapon systems and succeeds at a DC 24 Engineering check, Computers check, or ranged attack roll earns 1 Build Point. All ranged attacks and skill checks related to using the junkracer’s weapons during the race get a +1 circumstance bonus, cumulative to +3. Alternatively, a PC can forgo this bonus and instead install a grappler line; this upgrade can only be done once. It consists of a small launcher that can fire a cable line with a set of strong, remotely controlled jaws on the end, capable of latching on to a target up to 100 feet away.
Aesthetic Upgrades (varies): A PC can spend their round improving the appearance of the team’s junkracer rather than making functional improvements. Give the PC a few moments to describe the improvements they’re making, then they should attempt a DC 24 skill check appropriate to the improvement. Success earns 2 Build Points, but doesn’t provide any bonus during the race. Each PC can only attempt this check once.
Scouting the Competition (Bluff, Diplomacy, Stealth): A PC can spend their round gathering more information about their competitors in the hopes of gaining an edge. They can do so by succeeding at a DC 20 Stealth check to go unnoticed, or a DC 24 Bluff or Diplomacy check to convince other racers to stop working long enough to talk. The PCs can leverage insights gained from this information to give all PCs a +1 circumstance bonus to Diplomacy, Intimidate, and Sense Motive checks made during the race, cumulative up to +3.
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Kastien made his way back to the racer and looked around for something to do. He was trying to figure out how to broaden the firing arc of the ranged weapons when Conrad came up with a pair of what looked like gyro-stabilized actuators. Kastien used to help his kid brother used to make small turrets that automatically fired foam darts at anyone approaching his room. Kastien bet he could do the same thing here.
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Perhaps due to the earlier incident with the lift in Lemgem's pit, you're on heightened alertness, and you all notice something strange. Walter and Conrad realize that one of the custom camera drones Ratrod utilizes is moving strangely, its focus not on the builders but on the common work area in the middle of all the pits. Kastien and Zark note that it seems to be floating unsteadily toward the spare acetylene tanks. Dr. Dov, particularly perceptive, spots an extra high capacity battery mounted to the underside of the drone, wires protruding. Looking at the pile of tanks, you note that several of them seem to be missing their safety caps. Funny, you didn't notice that about them before....
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Walter activates their voice amplifier again but this time attempts to produce soothing tones to prevent panic. They broadcast a fairly standard message along the lines of "Do not panic. Clear the area immediately. Walk swiftly and maintain order. Clear the area immediately. This is not a drill. Clear the area immediately." looping through the message and ushering people away, adding additional prompts if necessary.
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Conrad immediately sets to looking for the missing safety caps!
Seeing his teammate struggle a bit, Conrad jumps in to take over. "Please! Calmly, buuuuuut quickly evacuate the area. It's really more of a precautionary measure. Nothing to worry about IF you calmly evacuate."
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While Walter and Conrad calmly and quickly clear the area, Kastien leaps onto the drone, holding it down long enough for Dov to disable it .
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Find Parts (Acrobatics, Athletics, Perception): A PC who spends their round hunting through the piles of junk and succeeds at a DC 20 Acrobatics, Athletics, or Perception check retrieves useful components to use in upgrading their racer. They earn 1 Build Point and give one ally of their choice a +4 circumstance bonus to their check to improve the racer this round .
Upgrade Propulsion and Handling (Engineering, Physical Science): A PC who spends their round improving, repairing, or tuning the propulsion and handling of the junkracer and succeeds at a DC 24 Engineering or Physical Science check earns 1 Build Point. The improvements give the PC acting as pilot during the race a +1 circumstance bonus to all Piloting checks, cumulative up to +3.
Upgrade Weapons (Engineering, Computers, Ranged Attack): A PC who spends their round improving, replacing, or testing the junkracer’s weapon systems and succeeds at a DC 24 Engineering check, Computers check, or ranged attack roll earns 1 Build Point. All ranged attacks and skill checks related to using the junkracer’s weapons during the race get a +1 circumstance bonus, cumulative to +3. Alternatively, a PC can forgo this bonus and instead install a grappler line; this upgrade can only be done once. It consists of a small launcher that can fire a cable line with a set of strong, remotely controlled jaws on the end, capable of latching on to a target up to 100 feet away.
Aesthetic Upgrades (varies): A PC can spend their round improving the appearance of the team’s junkracer rather than making functional improvements. Give the PC a few moments to describe the improvements they’re making, then they should attempt a DC 24 skill check appropriate to the improvement. Success earns 2 Build Points, but doesn’t provide any bonus during the race. Each PC can only attempt this check once.
Scouting the Competition (Bluff, Diplomacy, Stealth): A PC can spend their round gathering more information about their competitors in the hopes of gaining an edge. They can do so by succeeding at a DC 20 Stealth check to go unnoticed, or a DC 24 Bluff or Diplomacy check to convince other racers to stop working long enough to talk. The PCs can leverage insights gained from this information to give all PCs a +1 circumstance bonus to Diplomacy, Intimidate, and Sense Motive checks made during the race, cumulative up to +3.
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Conrad takes a look at the junkracer and decides it needs some pizzazz. He looks at the general shape and tries to envision something cool to fit the frame. His mind cycles through different cultures, styles, and Vids. Maybe an Akitonian sand racer, or even a pre-gap catamaran. Oohhh maybe the color scheme of the famous Sunrise Maiden. yeah...
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Kastien saw the grappler laying off to one side and figured that they could really use that for cinematic coolness. Hefting it up, he found a likely mount for it and then tried to attach it, to no avail. Stepping back, he realized he was trying to put it in upside down and flushed. Glancing around and hoping no one saw his error, he quickly flipped it upside down and hooked it onto the racer.
Lapodie returns to hunting for parts.
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Lapodie has better luck finding parts than Walter, finding an old metal advertisement that's perfect for Conrad's aesthetic improvements!
Dr. Dov and Kastien, meanwhile, finish improving the weapon systems, while Zark puts the finishing touches on the propulsion.
A race official comes by with a datapad turning it to show you. "Congratulations! You've won over the fans, and they have chosen you as the winners of the build competition! As a reward, you will be given a small advantage to begin the race."
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With the build competition completed, you have 30 minutes in the green room to relax and prepare before the race begins.
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Walter consults with the team but believes the various events are worth investigating. They know their strengths though, so would like to interview witnesses and in particular find any who have video of the events or the time leading up to the events when preparation/sabotage is likely. They will leave the technical analysis to others unless someone wants assistance.
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”I’m feeling really good at our success especially considering how difficult it is to work with junk! Now,let’s just keep an eye on our racer in case any last minute trouble comes looking for us!”
Zark willingly stands guard over the racer to free up the others to enjoy the festivities before the race starts.
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Dov suggests that Kastien takes a good 10 minutes to rest and recover since we've been going at things nonstop since the fight earlier in the day. He spends his time with Zark, keeping an eye on the team's racer and the other vehicles in the area, hoping to spot anything interesting about the other pilots and their junkracers.
Dov uses his telepathy to talk to the team, not wanting to mention this bit out loud lest the other racers think he's joking about illicit substances or performance-enhncers. "Hmm. Something I didn't look into too much while we were putting on extra engines and weapons...how many seats do these things have? I'm not a very good pilot, but I could give a good pilot regular injections to make them a better one!"