GM S's "The Great Absalom Relay" (Inactive)

Game Master Chris Marsh

FIAT LVDVS

Technically waiting on one, but I figure I can start to roll out.

Fresh off your mission, have been chosen to represent the Starfinder Society in the Great Absalom Relay, a live-streamed charity event benefiting Absalom Station’s unhoused population. You’ve gathered at Jatembe Park for the opening of the race, already wearing your team uniforms and equipped with your usual adventuring gear.

You're probably wondering how you got here...

Absalom Station is the heart of the galaxy thanks to the Starstone Reactor at its core, which acts as a hub for Drift travel. But life as a member of the Pact Worlds isn’t always easy! Over the past decade, the Pact Worlds have been hit by disaster after disaster, culminating in the recent explosion of the planet Aucturn, in truth a cosmic womb that birthed a nascent godling known as the Newborn. Representatives from the Absalom Station Foundation are hosting a live-streamed charity event to aid those affected by tragedy. This event is the Great Absalom Relay, and it’s shaping up to be the hottest charity event of the year, with viewers from throughout the Pact Worlds and Near Space tuning in.

The goal of the Absalom Station Foundation is to “enrich the lives of all citizens of Absalom Station and help the countless refugees who take shelter within its walls.” The purpose of the relay is to highlight some of the iconic locations in Absalom Station, entertain the station’s citizens, and raise funds via corporate donations, live viewer chats, vidfeed ads, and betting pools. Proceeds from the charity event go to renovate one of the lowest levels of Absalom Station’s Spike, clearing away refuse and detritus to construct a thousand living suites for Absalom Station’s unhoused population. The livestream of the event tracks the funds earned in real-time, adding additional living suites and community features with every major funding milestone.

A dozen of Absalom Station’s most prominent factions, organizations, and corporations have been invited to participate in the Great Absalom Relay, with each putting forth one team as competitors in the event. Among these groups is the Starfinder Society! you have volunteered to be on this team.

“Hello, Pact Worlds! Rick Molbrun here, broadcasting live from Jatembe Park. A green space at the heart of Absalom Station, its greenery provides a welcome respite for the citizens of this unmoored city. Today, it’s also the starting line for a race like never before.”

“Twelve teams will embark on a race around the station, each sponsored by a different organization. Whether they’re representing a megacorp like AbadarCorp, a military faction like the Stewards, or a special-interest group like the Arcanamirium, they’ll all need to solve clues, complete challenges, and race to be the first to cross the finish line. The prize? Fame, glory, and the first-ever relay medal. This is… The Great Absalom Relay!”

As the crowd cheers and the camera drone zooms out, Rick Molbrun drops his smile and turns to face the twelve teams arrayed on stage. Each team is dressed in matching clothes, whose colors complement their tastefully-emblazoned sponsoring organization’s logo. ]“Are you ready to go, racers? We’ll have one final review of the rules and then we’ll move onto team interviews."

“On my mark, you’ll run over to your packs to get your first clue. You’ll need to figure out which Absalom Station landmark the clue is guiding you to, get there, and then complete a task. Once you do, you’ll get your next clue, and so on, until you come back here for the final gauntlet, which is the last stage of the relay. The first team to complete the gauntlet and cross the finish line wins! Remember, each of you needs to complete at least two tasks before the final gauntlet or you’ll incur a time penalty, but it’s up to you which of you completes each task. And don’t forget, we’re live! Smile, perform, have fun—let’s put on one hell of a show! It’s all for charity, after all.”

As you and the others hustle off stage, Venture-Captain Arvin waves you over. He thanks you for agreeing to participate in today’s event for charity, "Look, I don't expect you to win, I just want you to perform as well as you can and use your heroism to raise money for charity."

Some of you may be good at doing homework. I'll take a Diplomacy (Gather Information) check to see what other background knowledge about the race you have.

Navasi looks quite pumped-up.

"This should be fun!"

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (9) + 7 = 16.

also, Absalom Station Lore or Media Lore for a lower DC

Navasi knows a bit. On the way in she spied an obstacle course being set up in another part of Jatembe Park, with a stage and finish line set up at the end. It’s likely this will be the final task of the Relay.

A female android flips her hair in front of the camera and waves at the watching audience.

"Thank you, Rick! I have been waiting for this. I am glad the Starfinder Society gets the invitation to join this year!" she laughs for the camera and waves again when they are interviewed.

Rick give sthe android a wide smile, happy to see competitors play into the camera!

THE RULES
There are two parts to each challenge, clues and tasks:

The team with the most points at the end of the race wins!

I'll leave some real life time to ask questions, RP, etc. I haven't seen Etoile, so it looks like 5 for now. I'll post the startthis afternoon or earlier if you collective are ready.

A tiny white ysoki with a large gun on her back chats on a comm unit away from the group.

"No, you have to cancel my bet...Yeah, I'm on the Starfinder team now...Look, I would bet on myself if I could, but it's against the rules...No, I'm not gonna sabotage anyone!...Yeah, ok, move it over to Ishkitik and Ishkitok to win the Absalom Station Annual Battlebot tourney...Ok, good talking to you."

I don't have Diplomacy, but I do have the Streetwise feat and Society, which seems like it might work here?

Society if it works: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (20) + 6 = 26

"Oh hey, everyone, it's good to see you again! It was nice being back on Akiton, but I gotta say, Absalom Station really is home now."

MY school day exploded yesterday, so I'll start now. Also, Hero Point to Pipsqueak for the connection to other PCs and some PC insight!

Pipsqueak, ever streetwise, shows up with some more intel. One of the tasks is a “decision point,” a location with two available tasks. Each team will choose one of two tasks to complete before moving on, so it’s important to choose the one that’s best suited to the team.

On your marks...

Get set...

GO!!!

Not long after leaving the line you find your first clue across the park with yourr packs: the menu for a fine-dining restaurant with the name of the restaurant withheld. The meals are ridiculously expensive, clearly among the priciest on Absalom Station, and include several courses.

You quickly deduce that it's the menu for "Perfexion" a high-class restaurant popular for its experimental cuisine and psychic chefs who deliver what the guests didn’t even know they wanted.

Tout de suite you make your way over.

A maître d’ wearing a fine waistcoat guides competitors to a private dining area within the lavishly appointed restaurant. Each of the twelve tables has four well-dressed guests and a floral arrangement in the shape of a different team’s logo. The room bustles with activity as competitors rush to and fro. An ysoki in a black and orange uniform and floppy chef’s hat apologizes as she brushes past at waist height.

“These guests are waiting to be served,” the maître d’ explains haughtily. “You’ll need to take their orders, then prepare the dishes in the kitchen before serving. Ensure they are up to our highest standards. We won’t let anything leave the kitchen that isn’t… suitable.”

Who is up first? You need two volunteers.

Pre-race
Diplomacy (trained) to Gather Info: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22

Now
Proxy-83959 looks hesitantly at his fellow Starfinders, unsure if they want to take the lead ... which would make sense. He's sure they're all much more accomplished and capable than he is.

When no one immediately volunteers, he raises his hand awkwardly.

"I guess I could talk to people and get orders," he syas.
Diplomacy (trained): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8 Or Computers or Society are the same bonus. Bah. Guess I'll Hero Point that right off the bat.
Diplomacy (trained): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8 Awesome

Ouch! Will resolve once the second agent goes.

Anaeja has Diplomacy +0, Crafting +7 for cooking? She can give the spot to another if they have better skill like Cooking Lore.

Why don't you go for it, Anæja? I've only got +6 Crafting.

Okay, I'll go for it.

"I'll volunteer for this!" Anaeja squeaks in excitement, though she is not sure if she will be familiar of what food she will be cooking for the diners.

While the team executes, the waiting members outside find themselves on vidscreens everywhere. Rick is interviewing another team. The audience laughs at a joke before Rick Molbrun collects their attention and turns back to the team of veteran reality stars in the spotlight. “And finally, what would you like to say to your competition?”

A member of a team called Zo! Media Superstars named Liall Tharavull sneers at the camera drone, looking confident and smug. “Competition? There isn’t any, Rick. This isn’t our first game show. We’ve got years of experience in much more difficult competitions. This’ll be a piece of cake in comparison. We’re here, we’re ready, and we’ve already won.”

She tosses her hair, smiles, and gives an impish wink at Navasi. “I look forward to seeing who wins second place from my spot at the finish line.” With that, Liall and her team stalk off stage, posturing and posing for the audience. As she walks past, she whispers “Good luck,” under her breath.

Rick becons to the three of you waiting. It's time for your interview! While they're in the restaurant, you've got a chance to work the crowd. You can show off for the crowd using ANY skill you want, and you cannot skip your interview without consequences...

Work the crowd:
Pipsqueak: Go
Navasi: Go
Rovuur: Go

****************************
Backstage Proxy and Anæja don chef's attire. While in the secluded changing area, you are greeted heartily by Nib, whose team (the Deep Cultures Institute) has already completed the task thanks to their telepathic anassanoi partner. Nib is very excited to meet fellow explorers and scholars and peppers you with questions as you change. As the you depart, Nib wishes you good luck as she races off to rejoin her team.

You must prepare and serve dishes for the four guests at your assigned table. Either Proxy or Anæja must prepare the meals using Nature,Society, Survival, or Thievery in the kitchen. Examples of relevant Lore skills include Cooking Lore and Restaurant Lore. The other will need to accept the orders; the guests refuse to simply state their orders, so the you will need to use either Arcana, Nature, Occultism, or Religion to magically divine their thoughts. Alternatively, if you have something akin to telepathy can simply attempt a Perception check to Sense Motive at a low DC or without at a higher DC

Task:
Proxy: Go
Anaeja: Go

Navasi does her best to work the crowd, projecting the image of a friendly Starfinder...

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (15) + 7 = 22.

...doing a surprisingly good job!

+6 Arcana, Occultism, and Religion, but it's going to be a moot point with the two 2s I rolled.

Proxy-83959 heads to the back, looking defeated. "They didn't want to tell me what they want. I think it seemed like ketchup ice cream with a chocolate-garlic confit on top?"

Indeed, Proxy turns out to not be very good at this, but Navasi gets a solid start. Successes earned: 1. Additional needed to advance: 3. You can both keep rolling. The other part of the team isn't measured like you two.

Realizing talking to them isn't working, Proxy tries to access the infosphere to see if that could help him solve the problem -- when he realizes it can't he tries magic instead. Which he's not very good at, but better than any of his other alternatives.

Occultism: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 6 = 15

Pipsqueak isn't the most personable, but she thinks about other interviews she's seen and tells similar kinds of jokes and anecdotes.

Society: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13

While the other two are interviewing, Rovuur moves silently around behind the interviewer. When his turn comes, and Rick looks around for him, Rovuur looms up behind, grins at the camera with his finger to the spot on his faceplate in front of his mouth, then taps Rick on the shoulder.

Stealth: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (14) + 7 = 21

"Cook, cook, cook!" Anaeja makes herself busy as orders come in into the kitchen. She wonders what is happening outside, the crowd cheering for them. Or not?

Oof. This clearly is NOT our challenge!

Navasi works the crowd, truly an envoy for the Society! She's a hard act to follow, and Pipsqueak doesn't make much of an impression. Thankfully it's all the distraction Rovuur needs to get them back!

Meanwhile inside Proxy struggles to get started, but then locks in. Proxy give me two more checks!

Work the crowd:
Pipsqueak: Fail
Navasi: 1 Point!
Rovuur: 1 Point!

Task:
Proxy: Success!
Anæja: Success!

Occultism: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (17) + 6 = 23
Occultism: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7

The team eventually gets through the task. It's not as fast as some, but it's still certainly faster than others!

Total: 2 Points for working the audience, 1 point for completing the task in 4 rounds

Upon completion of the task at Perfexion, the maître d’ pulls out a datapad and electronically messages you your next clue: a blueprint of a massive multipurpose complex containing offices, living spaces, a gym, library, auditorium, and at least one gallery or museum. You instantly recognize the building. It's the headquarters of the Starfinder Society, the Lorespire Complex!

A series of marker flags indicate a path along the side of the Lorespire Complex grounds. The door at the base of one of the towers opens as the Zo! Media Superstars dash out, their next clue in hand. “Good luck, Starfinders!” Liall calls, before spotting a camera drone hovering nearby. Her tone turns cruel as she adds “You’re gonna need it! Hope you ain’t scared!” The team laughs as they run off.

Just inside the door, a sign sits at the base of a long spiraling staircase. “Two team members must participate in a classic Starfinder training exercise: climb these stairs, then rappel down the outside of the spire.”

Who is up?!

Anaeja will pass this one.

Rovuur is eager to volunteer for a task that sounds much more up his alley than the last one.

Will post as soon as we get our second (I'm assuming Anaeja will pass on this one?

Yes, Anaeja will pass on this one.

Proxy-83959 waits to see if someone else wants to do it. He starts edging forward -- clearly reluctantly -- in case no one else volunteers. Though he's sure he'd end up falling to his death from the top of the spire.

Seeing Proxy's reluctance, and remembering that everyone has to participate in at least some of the events, Navasi steps forward.

"And they're off!" Rick Molbrun turns to figure out who he hasn't talked to yet and before you know it, he's got a microphone in your face:

Work the crowd:
Proxy: Go
Anæja: Go

As the sign states, two team members will need to climb the stairs and then overcome any fear of heights to descend along the exterior of the building. This can be accomplished with an Athletics or Acrobatics skill check, or a Fortitude or Will save to simply tough out the challenge regardless of physical prowess. I'd also take a relevant Lore skill such as Mountaineering Lore or Sports Lore.

Task Round 1:
Rovuur: Go
Navasi: Go

Navasi simply attempts to tough it out...

Will: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (12) + 6 = 18.

Diplomacy (trained): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (12) + 6 = 18

"Oh, those are some of the best Starfinders, in all the verse!" Proxy-83959 declares. "Look at how Navasi just toughs out those stairs! She's so impressive! Someday I hope to be as tough as her!"

Navasi just barely holds onto her lunch, but she toughs it out! Meanwhile Proxy-83959 holds everyone's attention and rocking the interview

Work the crowd:
Proxy: 1 Point!
Anæja: Go

As the sign states, two team members will need to climb the stairs and then overcome any fear of heights to descend along the exterior of the building. This can be accomplished with an Athletics or Acrobatics skill check, or a Fortitude or Will save to simply tough out the challenge regardless of physical prowess. I'd also take a relevant Lore skill such as Mountaineering Lore or Sports Lore.

Task Round 1:
Rovuur: Go
Navasi: 1 Success!
Successes: 1 of 4 needed

"As you can see, my teammates are doing great!" she points at her allies doing the tasks of climbing.
Diplomacy: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (19) + 0 = 19

Anaeja's message is simple, but it does show off the Starfinder cooperations that they're known for!

Work the crowd:
Proxy: 1 Point!
Anæja: 1 Point!

As the sign states, two team members will need to climb the stairs and then overcome any fear of heights to descend along the exterior of the building. This can be accomplished with an Athletics or Acrobatics skill check, or a Fortitude or Will save to simply tough out the challenge regardless of physical prowess. I'd also take a relevant Lore skill such as Mountaineering Lore or Sports Lore.

Task Round 1:
Rovuur: Go
Navasi: 1 Success!
Successes: 1 of 4 needed

Perhaps surprisingly for a person from an aquatic moon, Rovuur is no stranger to mountaineering. He doesn't hesitate to make his descent.

Acrobatics: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11

Rovuur, still on the climb, really struggles....

Task Round 2:
Rovuur: Go
Navasi: Go
Successes: 1 of 4 needed

Will: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (20) + 6 = 26.

Through sheer grit and determination, Navasi demonstrates just how tough Starfinders can be!

I'll take the crit success, thanks ;-)

Navasi steels herself and puts on a great show!

As Rovuur gets ready something goes wrong. You hear cries of fear and pain. Next to you, two members of the Deep Cultures Institute are completing the task. Unfortunately, Nib has become hopelessly entangled in the cables and is beginning to panic. While her companion Sessil Vand is trying his best to assist her, he’s not having much effect. It’s clear that if Nib doesn’t calm down and extricate herself, she’ll suffer serious injury.

Rovuur and Navasi, you're in a position to help if you want. You can attempt to aid Nib by untangling the cables using Athletics or Acrobatics or calming Nib using Deception or Diplomacy. You'll need more than one success. Helping will slow you down, earning you fewer Race Points...

Task Round 2:
Rovuur: Go + Go
Navasi: Crit Success!
Successes: 3 of 4 needed