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"Hot diggity!" Guess? transmits telepathically. "Kidnapping?!? Now we're talking! Surely there's money to be made here!"

Guess? immediately runs up to Gulm and says urgently, "Can't be us! No one knows we're here! No, it's gotta be the gangs and government intelligence agencies who've always been after you! Quick! Come with us if you want to live!

"We can disappear into space. Get you set up again somewhere remote and impossible to trace. We have the means to keep you safe."

Guess? looks around, appears concerned at the incoming sirens, turns back to Gulm and feigns concern and compassion. "Come with us now. We're you're only hope. Those people who are after you are nearly here!"

Bluff: 1d20 + 24 ⇒ (5) + 24 = 29

Using Desna's luck to reroll then spot of luck to spend 1 resolve to get two more rerolls:
Bluff: 1d20 + 24 ⇒ (4) + 24 = 28
Bluff: 1d20 + 24 ⇒ (9) + 24 = 33
Bluff: 1d20 + 24 ⇒ (15) + 24 = 39

Does being a flying rat make her a bat?

No, but it DOES make her a brat!

"No no. Melissa is referring to cat-lemmings! They're the result of an ingenius genetic experiment to see what happens when you mix the fierce independence-ness of cats together with the tunnel-vision of lemmings. The end result, unsurprising in retrospect, was behavior somewhat akin to your average Ysoki."

Bluff: 1d20 + 24 ⇒ (18) + 24 = 42
Comedic Timing: Once per day, after you or an ally would fail a Bluff, Diplomacy, or Intimidate check outside of combat, you can reroll the check as you try to play off the previous statement as a joke. You must take the result of the reroll, even if it is worse.

Wait, is it true that Disney threw lemmings off a cliff for a documentary? LINK

"Oh yah, I forgot that third business model - farming assassins! It's probably our most sustainable revenue stream at the moment actually. No marketing. No sales. Business comes straight to us with no end in sight! It's worked out quite well!"

Guess? stretches his arms out in a grand gesture towards the entire team.

"All this glorious gear we're carrying... You think we bought this? Not a chance!"

So I'm finally getting around to updating my character sheet.

Here's a feat that Guess? had picked up:

Comedic Timing Once per day, after you or an ally would fail a Bluff, Diplomacy, or Intimidate check outside of combat, you can reroll the check as you try to play off the previous statement as a joke. You must take the result of the reroll, even if it is worse.

If my imagination works half as well as Melissa's, we should get a couple good chuckles out of this one. ;-)

Earlier...

Guess? will review the contract from EJ and see if there are any loopholes or issues.

Given there is plenty of time in the drift to review and cross-check, can Guess? take 20 w/ lawyer profession for 29?

---------

Now...

Guess? takes one look at the hit contracts and remarks, "Balls!!"

After thinking a bit, Guess? says, "Okay, this is what we've gotta do in order of priority:

"Eezy-peezy, amirite?!?!?"

Guess? looks at the rest of the crew and adds on, "Honestly though, Sinjin could've saved us all a whole lot of trouble by just paying us. At the end of the day we WANTED to sell the Second Chance to him. We give him the ship he wanted, he gives us money. Simple.

"Right now, if he offered us the amount of cash he's dishing out to have us assassinated, hell, I'd forgive and forget and walk away! But instead, he's gunna force our hand? That's not very smart."

Guess? mulls over the idea of sending Sinjin a message: Cancel all hit contracts, pay us each 100k creds and we all walk away. No fuss, no mess. You build your empire and run EJ into the ground. We retire somewhere and live a life of luxury. Everyone wins. EJ does not yet have our ship and we can discuss selling it to you for the originally agreed price, which will maintain your monopoly on the null space tech. This ties up all loose ends and the game ends with you the winner. Do not agree to the above and you'll force us to take drastic action as the game continues. Why take the risk?

Guess? will examine the robot remains and see if there's any way to salvage anything of value. Then he turns to the employees.

Still in his skittermander disguise, Guess? declares, "YARRR! I'm p'rate cap'n Laurie!! You'll find that we ain't yer run 'o da mill p'rates! Oh no no NO! This aren't yer lucky day b'cause we be p'rate BARBARIANS!! If yer dun got 'nythin of value to us, we EAT you! YARRRR!! Sentient-eaters we be! ARRRRRR!!!!"

To emphasize his words, Guess? pulls out a fork and knife!!

Intimidate: 1d20 + 23 ⇒ (14) + 23 = 37

Actually, now that I look carefully at the map, red, pink and orange are actually in our ship's airlock. Can Melissa or Guess? spend a surprise round or round 1 action to hit a button to make the airlock doors come slamming down, trapping those three?

In preparation for the other ship to board, could we have spent time setting up booby traps with grenades in the cargo hold and airlock areas? Sticky entangle grenades in the airlock vicinity to bottleneck them. Damaging grenades close to deal as much AOE as possible amongst them. Also, could we have set up some container boxes to provide Jaraduk and Akh cover when they're in the caro hold?

Later, when the other ship boards...

"Wait their ship isn't pressurized? Then let's just kill 'em all. There's no point in reisora-ing..." Guess? notices Melissa has already taken off.

"Hmmm... well okay then! Maybe if we delay them in the airlock long enough, Melissa can take control of the ship, steer it away, tearing at the connection between their ship and ours, and fling them off into space!"

Guess? yells out to the visitors, "Nufriend Captain Kyanhex! We welcome you! But before we formally surrender and before you cross the threshold onto the soon-to-be-your ship, we must first engage in the formal conqueror's welcome ceremony and recitation! It's a tradition amongst this crew and our peoples to welcome all superior beings properly.

"First, the arriving conqueror dance!!"

Bluff/Diplomacy to convince them to stop advancing and observe the so-called ritual: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (13) + 21 = 34

From up high on the catwalk, Guess? begins a dance, "This dance represents your power and glory as the arriving conqueror!!"
Profession (dancer): 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (10) + 12 = 22

Guess? intends to try and hold the boarder's attention, keeping them in place with 1) a conqueror dance to symbolize their arrival, 2)
a welcome dance to symbolize our acceptance of the new conqueror, 3) a speech describing the great glory of our new captain, 4) a speech declaring why our crew is pitiful, deserving and in need of the great new captain, and 5) a declaration of legal rights and obligations that both parties have and owe to each other.

Guess? figures if he can hold their attention through all that, Melissa should have plenty of time to pull whatever shenanigans she's got in mind.

Guess? is, as always, disguised. This time, he's a skittermander named Laurie.

"First, metal-eating rock bugs that wanna eat our ship. Now flesh-eating space fairies that wanna eat us... Whatever happened to good ol fashioned space pirates?"

"Gobbammit! I spoke too soon!"

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (2) + 16 = 18

"Guys, I have no idea what their intentions are but if I had to guess, they're gunna take this poor excuse for a ship and indenture us. Or if we refuse servitude, they'll just space us.

"That's what I'd do if I were a pirate, yaaaarrrrrr!!!"

How long does it take to scan a ship? Any chance we can do a scan to identify their crew complement?

"Okay, they're not gunna be friendly. That's a given. So if Melissa is going to sneak on board their ship to reisora it, Akh, Jaraduk and I will have to keep them busy.

"I suppose I can keep them talking for a bit as they board. But positioning-wise, Akh and Jaraduk, would you be okay meeting them on the same level in the cargo hold where the airlocks are? I'd take a sniping position up on the catwalk overlooking the hold.
(kind of like how we were positioned when those assassins tried to take us out on this ship)

"Problem is whether they'll still have crew on board the ship when Melissa sneaks on board. If they do, no offense Mel, but I don't think you've got enough firepower to overwhelm them. But given our skeleton crew, fortune favors the bold!"

----

To buy some time while we're getting ourselves set up, Guess? responds to the intial hail, "Greetings nufriend Kyanhex! Always happy to be of service! But maybe you don't want to board just yet. We're transporting some highly unstable materials, liable to go critical if any explosions or severe tremors should occur. That will trigger an even larger reaction - big enough to destroy us and you as well!

"We don't want this to happen to nufriends! How about we finish our delivery first, safe and sound? After that, we come back to you for boarding! Sound good? We'll be back in about three days, promise!!"

Take 10 bluff for 31.

Guess? says, "While we're all stronger together, sometimes an individual finds they must strike a different path. Nothing remains forever and while I miss Del and I believe she made us all a better version of ourselves, she has struggles that only she can work out. I hope that, at the end of the day, she finds herself in a better place. And that our paths will cross again at some point."

Guess? will break out some of the good liquor to share.

----

And for the next second shift, Guess? tries to pick up the crew's morale the only way he knows how. With a prank.

"Is Guess going to turn into one of them later tonight"

Guess?, probably unwisely, shows up in disguise as a genereaver with some obvious goblin features. But instead of acting like a crazed, bloodthirsty mutant abberration, Guess? just acts normal as though nothing is off.

Disguise take 10 for 31.

"Hey, waddup Akh! Food kinda sucks, amirite?!? At least once we catch up with Eline we can raid the resort pantry. They're sure to have something tasty! Amirite?!?"

While chatting away with Akh, Guess? constantly waggles the scary-looking barbed finger at Akh.

"Man, I've been craving eating something different lately. No idea why. It's not like anythin's change since yesterday, amirite?!?"

Guess? grins but with his genereaver disguise - it certainly isn't a pretty smile.

Our first ship was Last Chance. And the treasure ship, didn't we name it Second Chance? So the Rust Bug... how about we name it Fat Chance??

;-)

The DNA was easy enough to obtain. He left it all over town...

And Guess? is darn proud of it too!!

With our current summer break downtime, I'm going to take some assumptions and liberties in this post to fast forward things a bit, if that's okay?

Profession (corporate professional): 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (16) + 14 = 30

"Ah ha! This server makes perfect sense. Eline has illicitly copied the entire corp's servers to spy on her corporate rivals and probably to gather intelligence to blackmail her peers. This basically amounts to the equivalent of an illegal governmental surveillance spy operation on its own citizenry! Absolutely unethical (by some standards) but not at all surprising.

"This is actually pretty commmonplace once you reach a certain rank on the corporate ladder cuz if you don't do it, you'll get blindsided and someone will knock you back down a few rungs... or off the ladder completely!"

Guess? will search around the area to see if there's any other potential loot to pick up.

After gathering any valuables, Guess? says, "While, I'm glad Dizzy's uncle will be okay, we still need to figure out where Eline actually is located. Time to con some of those suckers sitting outside. Gather up back around me into entourage marching order!"

Guess? puts on an angry, frustracted face, leads the party back out to the group of office workers that opened the secret door for the party and growls, "I was never here! Understand!?!?"

Intimidate: 1d20 + 22 ⇒ (9) + 22 = 31
Assuming this is enough to keep those office workers quite and not inhibit the party's movement:

Guess? continues walking out to Siro and roars in frustration, "SIRO!! You've done well so far! Do not fail me again and you can count on that promotion! There are operatives in The Company moving against us. No real threat but highly inconvenient because they're staking out my scheduled retreat locations. I have to return right now or things will look suspicious to the board but I'll need my accomodations moved. That should throw off their surveillance for a couple days. Find me the closest hotel suites to the retreat activities and meetings but NOT on the approved company list. That will throw those $#*%holes off for a bit!"

Guess? glares at Siro adding as much pressure as possible while to force Siro into quickly providing a hotel.

Take 10 skill focus bluff for a total of 31. Assuming this is enough to convince Siro:

Once Siro brings up a suggested hotel, Guess? says, "Show me on the map how far is it from my scheduled hotel!"

Once the party gets a look at Eline's actual hotel location relative to the new one that Siro has suggested, Guess? will say, "Good job Siro! You're moving up!"

Guess? turns to Melissa and says, "Book the suite! We're leaving now!"

With destination known, Guess? leads to the group out the front door and back to our hideaway to plan how we're going to actually get to Eline.

Seeing his crewmate fall, Guess? yells while firing on the remaining golem, "Nooo! Get up! I swear we'll stop taking you for granite!"

24-atm extrusion rifle vs KAC: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (19) + 14 = 33 (Manual sight reduces range and AC cover bonuses by 2 if character doesn't move)
Damage (B): 2d10 + 9 ⇒ (9, 8) + 9 = 26
Trick Attack Damage: 4d6 ⇒ (5, 4, 5, 5) = 19 and flat-footed to all, if trick attack succeeded
Targets CR10 and below are auto flat-footed vs trick attack

Botting Jaraduk fight defensively this round for +2AC!

advanced doshko: 1d20 + 15 - 4 ⇒ (4) + 15 - 4 = 15
P damage: 2d12 + 15 ⇒ (3, 6) + 15 = 24

Sorry Jaraduk. I have no idea how to play your character effectively...

"Yes, well I'm here now aren't I?" says Guess? matter-of-factly. "There are very particular reasons my official calendar does NOT reflect my presence back on station. These that you do not need to know. Understand?"

Guess? continues in an even tone, not yet exhibiting anger or frustration. "And it is imperative that my calendar continues to officially reflect that I'm at the retreat, not here.

"Let's get to it. Time is money."

Take 10 with Bluff skill focus for 31. Or if diplomacy is needed:
Diplomacy: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (16) + 21 = 37

Really sad to see you go Del but totally understand. It's been a blast gaming with you and if there's any chance you can hop back in again in the future, I hope you do!

Guess? watches some cute cat videos previously downloaded and only vaguely hears the grenade explosions, automatic gunfire, and mystical sounds of spellcasting in the background.

"Y'all doin great!" he yells out distractedly while his full focus is on the cat videos, breaking out in occasional amused chuckles.

Because of the possibility of running into Niva, Guess? changed into a non-descript looking halfling disguise.

Okay, so here on station, we can 1) go check out the ship from Ratrod and 2) break into Eline's office and hack her computer to find her location while committing insurance fraud for Dizzy's uncle.

And off-station, there's a bodyguard job but we have to get there ourselves.

Guess? listens to Dizzy's proposal. "Certainly sounds like something we'd do. It's obviously risky. Do you have any suggestions on how we'd break in undetected? And more importantly, let's talk compensation. It's hard to put a price on a dragonkin uncle's life... I get it. But that doesn't mean we shouldn't try to accomplish difficult things! What can you offer in exchange for us getting Digit in there? And at present, we'd prefer payment in UPBs..."

Diplomacy to squeeze payment out of Dizzy: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (6) + 21 = 27
Diplomacy, merchant savvy reroll 1: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (3) + 21 = 24
Diplomacy, spot of luck reroll: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (10) + 21 = 31
Diplomacy, merchant savvy reroll 2: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (19) + 21 = 40

As for Guess?'s poisoning, are we looking at another fort save? Assuming the same bonuses as before:

Fort: 1d20 + 4 + 4 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 + 4 + 4 = 31

After finishing up the conversation with Dizzy, Guess? will suggest to the crew that we check out the ship from Ratrod before pulling A shadowrun on EJ offices.

Guess? grabs some paper and a pencil, then draws a series of machines with front panels missing, exposing the machines' bare wiring.

Approaching the drunk, belligerent SROs, Guess? holds up the NSFW (or NSF-SRO-W) drawings, getting their attention and attracting some low brow guffaws.

"Let's make love, not war, amirite?!? C'mon lemme help y'all make new friends!"

Guess?, using his social skills, pairs up the SRO's, matchmaker style, into couples. The goal being to get them interested in talking, flirting with their new friend, rather than proceed down the angry group mob path towards starting a fight.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (19) + 21 = 40

Can a large creature fit into a null space chamber? If yes, Guess? can stuff Del into the chamber, then jetpack fly out the open window to a safe spot before Del runs out of air.

"I mean, I liked the ship. But hey, we can just buy a new one since our treasure had been moved to a secure, immovable location over this past month, amirite?

"I mean we were able to acquire all that treasure because it was stored in a movable vehicle. Surely we didn't leave our valuables in the same movable vehicle, allowing someone else to do exactly what we already proved possible to do! Am. I. Right????"

Never has anyone heard Guess? pronounce those words so clearly.

I've crossed out all the stuff on the ship coffer slide and calculated that all sold, it comes out to 15078 credits. Divided by 5, that's about 3016 credits per person, which I've listed on slide 6, the individual income log. So everyone should go ahead and add those credits to their characters.

There were some items that I wasn't sure the sell value of, so I just moved them to the Second Chance list on the ship coffer slide.

Also, there are mk 1 magic resistor armor upgrades in the ship coffer list. I didn't sell those off yet because they seem quite good for Akh or Jaraduk? See if either of you want those and if not, we can sell those off.

Seeing the discount available, Guess? asks Akh, "So heya buddy, pal! Can I borrow 1824 creds for the moment? Will pay you back as soon as we well off some of our unused gear, okay?"

Guess? owes Akh 1824 credits, which he'll now repay. So Akh, go ahead and add an extra 1824 credits to your character. I'll deduct that amount from Guess?

A few more workshop titles:

"I don't feel right about splitting up like this but I suppose it's the smartest, safest thing to do. Look, you all have been the best team I could've ever asked for. It'll take a lot of adjustment not seeing all of you everyday, but I look forward to catching up with all of you again in a month!

"And Del, maybe by then I'll have some ideas for you on how to make some more money and ease your sister relationship troubles!"

Guess? bids everyone a somber farewell but makes it clear this isn't goodbye. Rather, it's a seeya later!

-----

Guess? dives down into the depths of Absalom, gathers up his extended family, multiple goblin tribes, goblin gangs and any other goblins who will listen. Guess? starts by throwing a massive feast with copious amounts of GOOD food. The rest of the crew are invited if they'd like to join - especially Del and Akh considering they're both foodies.

At the feast, Guess? addresses the crowd, "Some of you know me. Some of you don't. But like all of you, I started with nothing. And now I'm rich beyond my wildest dreams!

"And no, this isn't a scam. Everything I've learned, all my lessons, it's all free!"

-----

And with that, true to his word, over the next month, Guess? kicks off a series of free workshops (food provided) to teach every single goblin how to better their lot in life.

Needless to say, Guess? remains disguised the entire time, never revealing his true appearance.

And hey, these are goblins we're talking about. So he remains armed and vigilant at all times, even though he keeps his closest, most trusted relatives close by as an entourage of bodyguards and assistants.

Can Guess? do some gear shopping during the month? Or does that have to wait until later?

The workshops and classes he provides to the entire goblin population are titled the following:

After seeing Eline's response, Guess? says to Del, "Okay, I get it now. Honestly, if all the religious doctrine could be stripped away from her being, she and I would be soul mates."

Guess? chuckles a bit as Del recoils in horror at the thought. "kekeke

"But seriously, if you want to restore good relations with her you'll need to earn vast amounts of money... But legitimately. That'll be the only way to earn her respect. I'll keep this in mind and see if I can spot a way to help you achieve exactly that."

Replying to Melissa, "My charity organization will named 'No Guesswork'. My slogan will be 'We take the guessing out of success! A blueprint for building financial security to last generations!' Many generations of goblins will follow in my footsteps!"

.. is pretty sure Guess? multi level marketing scheme, which will probably be literal with goblins, is less charity and more summon bigger con....

Haha! I had thought about that too! Guess? could turn this into a scheme where he would milk fellow goblins for money and get away with millions! But I figured that'd hurt goblins in the long run and would be too evil for Guess?'s chaotic neutral sensibilities.

Instead, this whole train up goblins for their own individual benefit by learning to be as exploitative as Guess? would be a pretty chaotic thing to do. And being neutral, Guess? isn't being too good nor too evil, but still derives benefits from the effort by having it all feed his immense ego.

Ahhh... A horde of Guess?'s unleashed upon an unsuspecting universe!

Oh, good one! I had forgotten about that elemental!

Guess? listens to Melissa's response to Del and nods and nods and nods. "Yep! You tell it like it is, sister!!"

Assuming Del doesn't mind Guess? looking at the letter, Guess? will mention, "If you think it'll make a difference, none of us will take offense if you add in: P.P.S. I also don't blame you for wanting to kill my crewmates - even I want to murder them in their sleep half the time.

"You shift the blame on us to improve your relationship with your sister. Later, if the rest of us need to improve our relationship with Eline, we'll shift the blame onto some oher poor sod. That poor sod may eventually shift the blame back to you and you back onto us. It's the circle of life!"

"Oh let me have a shot," says Guess? as he takes over Melissa's voice encoding effort.

Passphrase: I'll forgive my sister someday. I'll forgive my sister someday. I'll forgive my sister someday. And admit her friends aren't half bad either.

Computers: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (5) + 16 = 21
Computers, reroll: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (17) + 16 = 33

------

Aside from all the operational data and reports, Guess? leaves a letter on official company letterhead:

From: Bullseye Shipping, LLC
To: Eline Reisora, EJ Corporation
Re: Operational testing and invoicing of the Oliphaunt

Please find attached all details and findings of our tests and operations of the Oliphaunt.

It has been our pleasure to provide you with our services. As discussed, these services have been provided free of charge and if you determine our work to be satisfactory, then we look forward to further contracts at our standard rates.

Note, however, that our rates for testing station docking security facilities will be going up early next year. So if you find yourself in need of 'reisora-ing' benchmarking and tests, please contact us soon so that we can work out a project contract before our new rates take effect.

Our rates for other services, such as standard ship tests, flights and transport operations will not change at this time.

As always, reach out at any time should you have any queries or require additional details regarding our reports.

We look forward to working with you again in the near future.

Regards,
Niva Rovo
Director, Ship Testing Division
Bullseye Shipping, LLC

https://paizo.com/campaigns/v5748p75ivlyd/gameplay&page=81#4021

Oh woah, I completely forgot about the independent contractor item you mentioned here!

Grinning mischievously at Melissa, Guess? says, Yah... no. The fur looks awful. BUT with all the money coming in, you can totally spring for a beautiful fur graft. You can even opt for some green fur! Imprinted with gold dollar signs on it! Baller!!"

Listening to Akh, Guess? says, "Hmmmm... Second Chance? It's got a nice ring to it. It seems to reflect what this ship has given us and maybe even foreshadow positive changes Del and Eline's relationship? Wow Akh... You're an optimistic romantic at heart!"

Guess? chuckles in amusement.

"As for returning the ship, if we're not gunna meet Eline, then Del had better write one helluva apology letter - with help from all of us, of course. And let's include all operational data as well as personal reports from each of us regarding our findings and experiences operating this ship.

"Maybe we can even provide her internal corporate politics cover by making up a story that we're independent third party contractors who were hired legitimately and cheaply to put the ship through its paces without risk to corporate resources and personnel. So cheaply in fact that we don't even show up as a line item on her project expense report!"

"What's this strange, unusual sensation I feel? I mean, it's really, really odd. Guys I might need to see a doc."

Guess? pokes his tummy, then rubs it a bit. He massages his head and temples a moment. Puts his hand to his forehead to feel the temp. After a minute of puzzling, self-diagnostic actions, a light bulb goes on over his head.

"Oh! I figured it out! It's the secure feeling of there being at least one government that doesn't want to have us arrested and executed! Such a foreign sensation!"

Oops, meant to post this earlier but forgot to hit submit.

"and the last thing I want is a full on government intelligence agency looking for me when I don't want to be found to make sure that data in my brain gets deleted."

"Fair enough, Melissa. We'll leave the data untampered and hand it over. I'm good with that. Would be nice to delete some bits tho..."

When Melissa asks Guess? what Guess? said, "Ahem ahem! I said: Would be nice to complete these outfits bro!"

With a wide, innocent smile, Guess? randomly pulls out a couple flowery (Hawaiian) shirts from his bag.

=D

Seeing Del's actions, Guess?'s ears droop as he says, "Well I'll be a gobber's uncle..."

Guess? takes aim and fires at whomever is left.

12-atm extrusion rifle vs KAC: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (12) + 12 = 24 (Manual sight reduces range and AC cover bonuses by 2)
Damage (B): 1d10 + 7 ⇒ (2) + 7 = 9
Trick Attack Damage: 3d6 ⇒ (1, 1, 1) = 3 and flat-footed to all, if trick attack succeeded
Targets CR9 and below are auto flat-footed vs trick attack

"come on we got a ship waiting."

"Don't gotta tell me twice!"

Guess? hustles, moving doubletime down the corridor, while singing...

"A Reisora-ing we will go! A Reisora-ing we will go! Hi ho the merry o, a Reisora-ing we will go!"

"Good idea, Melissa!" says Guess? telepathically. And before Melissa can take back her bad idea, Guess? grabs Melissa's empty credstick and walks off towards Raithera and the auctioneer.

"I'm somewhat of an authority on Kalistocrat tenants. Please allow me."

Guess? brushes by / 'bumps' into Raithera as he steps up to receive the papers, attempting to exchange Melissa's empty credstick with Raithera's tithe-filled credstick. "Pardon me"
Sleight of Hand: 1d20 + 24 ⇒ (19) + 24 = 43

Guess? then makes a show of reading through the documents, flipping back and forth through the stack, cross-checking and cross-referencing some details. "MMMM... Hmmmmm.... Yes... Yes.... I see. Interesting...."

If the sleight of hand doesn't work or isn't allowed, then Guess? has two other ideas. One is to review the papers for any errors or problems. Second is to make a statement to the crowd giving reasons for why Raithera does not qualify as a 'wayward' family member.

Haha! the left legs?!?

Guess? looks at Melissa quizzically, "Okay, I'll bite. Why just the left legs? Is there something wrong with the right legs?

---------

Guess? will haggle what he can with the dance troupe. And then afterwards, he'll approach Haiyel:

After squeezing every last possible credit or other compensation out of the poor, helpless, desperate dance troupe, Guess? approaches Haiyel's locked door.

Guess? knocks on it and speaks through the door, "Hi there Haiyel! My name is Estriar and I'm a pretty important kalistocrat who wields immense amounts of power. Now, while I can explain to you how my fellow kalistocrats who hired your troupe will sue you to oblivion if you don't perform this evening - ruthlessly leaving you and your entire troupe penniless and begging for food and water on some awful mining colony... Let's not focus on that. Rather, let's discuss something else. Let's discuss art and the inspiration it brings!

"But no, let's think of something more important. Think of the children! What do you say? The show must go on - do it for the kids and their future!"

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (17) + 20 = 37

After hearing about Sevaranna's potential stubbornness, Guess? says to Melissa, "Welp, guess we'll have to murder her!" Guess? quickly turns away before Melissa could see Guess?'s smirk that would betray his comment being just a joke.

Guess? calls Marayeen and asks, "Hello Marayeen. I'll need your assistance setting up a meeting with Sevaranna Pilos please. Thank you." Guess? hangs up the call but in front of Melissa, pretends the call is still on, "Oh and some place private, discrete, and dark. You know the perfect spot? Great. Oh and we're to meet alone - no others. Okay good. Your debt to me will soon be forgiven!" Guess? pretends to hang up the already finished call

Guess? winks at Melissa, "A hunting we will go!"

Guess? will also contact the Verthani spies to ask if they have any Intel on Sevaranna.

-----

In response to the message to the dance performance, Guess? messages back: Thank you for the reminder and preparations. Please also inform the rest of my retinue and prepare their attire as well if any of them require assistance.

Guess? then attempts to recall any information regarding the performance and the venue ahead of time. Particularly if there are any expectations of audience participation.

Culture: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (2) + 16 = 18

Guess? also asks the rest of the team if they know anything about the upcoming performance.

"Moira! You look absolutely wonderful! So... Pure!...and so... so... Symmetrical!! You MUST pass me the name of your BEAUTICIAN darling!"

Bluff, quyu eye: 1d20 + 20 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 20 + 2 = 27

After a few awkward moments at conversation, Guess? hits his stride and figures out what Moira is referring to:

"Ah, right! The rare silk, excreted by the killer rabbits of Caerbannog. The bunnies with uncanny vorpal powers that telekinetic-aly decapitates all sentients who approach within 50 feet - except for virgin human males in their 20's with less than 2% body fat and square jaws!

"Let's discuss specifics!" Guess? dives into a deep business negotiation of production numbers, prices, quantity discounts, shipping locations, insurance costs, quality control requirements and penalties, etc.

During the discussion, Guess? will also slip in:

"In addition to these numbers, I'm sure that you (and 99% of this station) are aware that I'm in the bidding for the treasure ship.

"I'd be inclined to improve your margins a tad if you are in any position to share information about any likely bidders? Such knowledge is valuable to me and I'd be more than happy to pass along some of that value to you!"

This being said, Guess? will actually try to make a good faith effort to put together a deal that is mutually beneficial for both Estriar and Moira.

Profession (merchant): 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (18) + 13 = 31

So far, Guess? has used diplomacy/bluff, culture, and profession accountant/corporate professional/con artist on Zlanai. Will try a couple more that might seem relevant.

"Well, this isn't an absolute risk-free venture for me, of course. You're absolutely correct that it takes a great deal of funding to pursue both initiatives simultaneously. To set your mind at ease, allow me to provide a small peek into a portion of my plan."

Guess? grabs a computer and quickly forges up statements to show that Estriar has enough liquidity to participate in the buyout. Then forges up statements and agreements to show that Estriar has a variety of pre-approved loan agreements in place that will take effect if Estriar wins the auction.

Computers: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (14) + 16 = 30

"You see, I have prioritized my resources behind our joint venture. My currently liquid assets are in place to execute our buyout. And to fund my auction bid, I've arranged for multiple loans from multiple sources and those loans will provide me cash only if I win the auction. If I lose the auction, no loans. Forgive me for not showing you ALL of my financing arrangements - not wise to reveal everything, you understand.

"Do we have a deal?"

Throwing out a sense motive to try and get more insight in case Zlanai continues to hesitate or if the above computers shenanigans are not successful.
Sense Motive: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (15) + 15 = 30

The dice gods have been super generous with my recent posts!

Replying to Zlanai, Guess? raises an eyebrow, "Why yes. I am indeed in the auction. I would have thought that clear given the public bout with Kantir with him dropping out of the auction being the stakes. But given your skepticism of that event, it's understandable that you're not convinced that I'm necessarily in the auction.

"And while I understand your species is long lived, had great patience, and has no problem playing the long game, you also know that when opportunities are present, they should not be shunned, correct? Surely this is a lesson you've picked up over your long life thus far?"

I'm thinking a culture roll to show that Guess? understands and is sympathetic to Zlanai's beliefs and approach?
Culture, Tael bonus: 1d20 + 16 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 16 + 1 = 30

"As for your finances, please allow me to discuss a few of the finer points!"

Guess? busts out a projector out of nowhere and immediately dives into a financial presentation illustrating how Zlanai and Estriar together can pull Taelarinis' company out from under him. Estrair's participation in this venture is all faked, of course but Guess? presents it all as convincingly as possible.

I figure there are several potential professions that can apply here:
Profession (accountant, corporate professional, con artist), Tael bonus: 1d20 + 13 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 13 + 1 = 30

You know, if we successfully pull all this off, we'll end up leaving Estriar with multiple new enemies and no more richer since we're keeping the treasure ship. All he'll have is additional reputational prestige for having won the auction. Doesn't seem like a worthwhile trade to me. Guess? of course is having a blast dragging Estriar's name through the mud!

Guess? wrote:

Guess? whispers, "Ix-nay on the arcasm-say. Just play along for the crowd, yes?"

"I AM that was perfectly in cha..you forgot I'm not actually your intern again didn't you?"

"Errrr... maybe?

----

Botting Jaraduk and Del's tea culture rolls:

Culture, Jaraduk: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (16) + 9 = 25
Culture, Del: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (15) + 11 = 26

Haha! Imagine Guess? waking up every round to take a feeble wack at Kantir. And Kantir wasting an attack each round to knock Guess? unconscious again... Melissa gets to enjoy seeing Guess? get knocked out eight or nine times until Guess?'s resolve runs out!

(I think you need diehard to both stabalize and pop into the fight on the same round)

Yep, but apparently if a character is already stable due to nonlethal damage, then a resolve can be spent to get right back into it?

Doom whispers: Disguise: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (17) + 19 = 36
Bleach the wardrobe: Stealth: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (15) + 21 = 36
Flickering lights: Engineering: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (19) + 17 = 36
Audio clip w/ bad dreams: Engineering: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (4) + 17 = 21
Foreboding patterns in tea or coffee: sleight of hand, engineering, or mysticism. I think we're better at engineering as a group unless someone's got a really good mysticism?

Some really lucky rolls!

Hearing about Melissa's discoveries, Guess? says, "Eight contenders but one of those is possibly Eline, which may drop the number of rivals to seven. Good digging, Melissa. Keep at it... maybe there's more to uncover!"

---------

Guess? says to Lordai, "Wow. This is amazing! Is this really just seltzer? I'm going to need you to develop a few more drinks for my friends whom I will drag here to partake - at gun point if necessary! This is fantastic! The drinks for my friends are:

"You think you can whip those up next time I come by?"

Guess? grins in giddy anticipation.

---------

Discussing the Ralvarian strategy with the team, Guess? proposes an idea.

"Perhaps first we do some research into what kinds of visuals, audio cues or chance encounters he would consider to be a bad omen. Then we can make those happen. For example, perhaps washing hands 42 seconds too long, or overhearing a ysoki say 'I've been constipated four days straight and I like it!', or hearing one's own voice stating today's weather is too good to be true may be bad omens.

"What do you guys think? Any other ideas?"

Upon hearing that she doesn't have credits to repay the loan, Guess? frowns in obvious disappointment. When she offers a 1500 cred stick, Guess?'s obvious disappointment only deepens as his frown somehow gets frown-ier.

"I think it goes without saying that I'm disappointed at your lack of liquidity. Especially in the face of one who is currently supplying your most lucrative business, Candy Ice.

"I'd be remiss if I didn't ask you again for funds to, if not repay the loan, then to at least reduce it with partial payment. Beyond this nominal token amount, that is."

Guess? eyes the 1500 credstick with disdain. Yet, he accepts and pockets it.

"Surely, you have some contingency funds stashed away in event of an emergency? Now would be the time to access those funds."

Y'know, for all this talk of kalistocrats being rich and wealthy, it seems none of them have any money and are always broke!

"As for your offer of providing additional intelligence, very well. Anything of value that you help uncover can be credited towards your debt. However, I'll be the one to judge the value of what you provide, agreed?"

Once he hears mention of Eline, Guess? ensures his whisper comm is open for everyone else to hear.

"Eline Reisora... The name is not known to me. But she sounds like an intelligent individual - one who would excel at her every endeavor and make her family proud. While it wasn't foremost on my list of priorities perhaps I should also consider this an opportunity to court an appropriate life mate.

"Romance aside, how would meeting Eline help towards my winning the White Wind? Are you suggesting that I win her over, and convince her to contribute her resources to my bid?"

Guess? rubs his chin thoughtfully at the idea, knowing full well that Del will give him an earful later. But for now Guess? basks in the warm glow of Del's evil eye boring into Guess?'s back.

"So aside from some tidbits about Eline, what other information or aid can you provide me?"

Guess? pauses a moment and follows up while stating as genuinely as possible, "And all business aside, it really is good to share your company again, old friend."

"Keep in mind you have a reputation to lose its just not yours...."

"He knew the risks when he literally gave us a holoskin and asked a group of strangers he just met in a hallway to impersonate him. Someone who does that isn't too concerned about their reputation and more about the end result, I bet!"

--------

As she sees her old friend approaching, she rises to her feet, smiling warmly and holding out a hand. “Estriar, darling, it’s been ages. How are you?”

With Marayeen, Guess? will make a correspondingly polite gesture but not touch her hand for two reasons. One, he learned from the earlier encounter that kalistocrats don't touch each other and two, Guess? doesn't want to risk her having a chance to penetrate his disguise.

"Marayeen dear! Yes, it has been far, far too long hasn't it? Please, please sit!"

Looking over the menu outlining the evening's fixed course, Guess? states, "We're in for a treat! I've heard nothing but good things about Saraa Ovis."

After they've placed their beverage orders and the waitstaff has departed from the table, Guess? broaches the evening's primary topic.

"I'm happy to hear business has been well, especially your Candy Ice line!

"With interest."

Guess? smiles apologetically.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (19) + 19 = 38

"Okay, so it all boils down to this...

"Plan A. We make arrangements that will result in all competing bidders who have a chance against Estriar to withdraw or forfeit, allowing us to win with Estriar's current funds. (I believe there are additional bidders who are less well funded than Estriar that the party will ignore.)

"Plan B. If our arrangements don't succeed in removing all of the feasible competitors, then we use the additional funds from Ixander and Thais to outbid those competitors.

"Good plan. Great plan!"

Guess? will take the noise dampener, tracking bug, one jammer charge, and one of the micro taps unless anyone objects.

"I suggest Jarduk take the grenades and Melissa takes the other jammer charge and two micro taps. I'm not sure about the holoshroud though... it's a bit bulky. Maybe Akh or Del? And these whisper comms are pretty nifty!"

Guess? has nothing else to follow up on here and is ready to go meet the anacites. Before we enter into Estriar's suite, he'll help tidy up everyone's disguises as needed!