[Game Thread] Chapter 1, Part I: The Reach of Empire - Nakondis Under Siege

[ruffdove]

Stardock, Verces, 8/16/318 You step off the train in the middle of the bustling spaceport known as Stardock. To your left, rising up from the ground into space is the towering space elevator for which the city is named. The thing is a wonder, but has been on a long slow road to obsolescence since starship technology advanced to allow ships to land on the surface of a planet. The ability to heft cargo up a long elevator became moot over night. These days, the thing is mainly a tourist attraction, giving overlong rides to the easily impressed. Fortunately for the city, the transportation network that was built up around Stardock made this a perfect location for a spaceport and the community now thrives. The Vercites used to be petrified that terrorists would blow the Skydock up... now one wonders if anyone would even notice if they did. It's a walk of a few hundred meters to Docking Bay Aurora-17, an open-topped structure made of ugly duracrete, about the size of a small arena. The sentinel robot at the main door doesn't even move to check your credentials as you walk in and it occurs to you that the thing might not even be operating. An open blast door leads you out into the main bay, again under the Vercite sky, a sky that Verces is a tidally locked planet, meaning that it does not rotate. One side of the planet is sun-blasted and always day, the other is freezing and always night. Civilization thrives in the twilight zone running in a ring around the planet.always looks like sunset even though the time is fast approaching noon. At the center of the bay sits what must be the Bazigar Wanderer. She's a rather tough-looking little freighter, obviously vesk in design and painted in the military green vesk style. She's a sturdy looking starship; the Veskarium has a reputation for building reliable and durable ships. Robots and a crew of mainly androids in spaceport coveralls are loading her cargo holds at the stern. A The most numerous sentient race native to the planet. Verthani in a overalls with an A megacorporation owned by the Church of Abadar, a god of commerce and law, Abadarcorp enjoys a reputation as one of the more scrupulous corporations in the Pact Worlds. Abadarcorp logo on it steps up and greets you with a crooked smile. "You must be one of the crew Cedona's giving this ship to? Well any friend of Cedona's... I'm Gelt." He offers you his hand to shake. "We're getting close to being loaded up." Gelt asks for your comm unit code and then pauses to tap a few things into his own comm unit. "There, I just sent you the official Mission Briefing. It has all you'll need plus terms of your contract. Simple job, deliver the goods to the Madelon's Landing settlement at our Nakondis colony, then return with a hull full of the ore they're extracting. We should see you back here in a few weeks." He smiles and pauses in case you have questions; then he continues. "The rest of the crew's over there having a drink if you want to go meet 'em before it's time to blast off. I'll let you know when we're ready." You turn and see the rest of the crew gathered around a small pushcart manned by a young halfling man. For the most part he looks like he's offering lemonade and snow cones--refreshments from Lost Golarion that the halflings are widely credited with inventing. Now seems like as good a time as any to get to know the folks who are going to co-own this ship with... * * * OOGM The day is The third day (Wednesday) of the Pact World standard seven day week; the last day is Seventhday. You can figure out the rest ...Thirday, the 16th of The eighth month of the Pact World standard 12 month calendar (see Core Rulebook p. 431)Arodus in the year 318 After the GapAG (8/16/318), as noted in the post's Fieldset title. At this point, feel free first to ask Gelt any questions you might have. Then please introduce your characters to one another and role-play their first meeting. Since you all are about to blast off into space with one another, you'll likely want to mention what starship position you will be sitting in as part of your intro. Gelt is going to hustle you on your way as soon as the ship is fully loaded with supplies for the colony. Note that in addition to whatever gear you purchased and brought along, each character has a Pact World ID card (basically a passport) and a comm unit. You can look at the Mission Briefing that Gelt sent you on your comm unit in the Story thread labeled Devices and Data Files. Finally, would GeneT please give me a 5d6 roll in the dice thread? Thanks.

[GeneT]

---

Out into the Dark Fensal had never been off-planet. He'd spent his whole short life on Akiton. So just riding the transport outa the Hivemarket was nigh fantastic. Climbing out of his restraints, Fensal ignored the ship Ai's warnings and peered out the single port glass to watch the Hivemarket and the Ka - the highest of Akiton's broad plateaus - slip away. Something tugged at him but he screwed it down. He took a small flask outa one of his jacket pockets and flicked the tethered cap off. Lifting it up, he took a big swig like ol'Midge had told him to as he looked out at the only planet he'd ever known from a viewpoint he'd never thought he'd have. Midge's Bai Hoi was smooth stuff, but potent. He could smell the Apache plumes rise up from the back of his throat before the burn settled warmly into his stomach. As Akiton got smaller and smaller on the transport's track to the courier ship, he tipped the flask to the his planet in salute. He imagined Midge's muffled grunt in his head. "Stop waxing. Get flyin. Fool Dustboy." Dustbucket It was just something she would say and how she'd say it. Feet wide. Scatter gun point askew. A crooked grimace that was actually her smile bolted to her lips. So the fool dustboy put the flask away just as the transport was about to dock with the courier. He doubted he'd ever see Midge again. Of course, she was a mean old duster. And thems don't die easy or when its right. Thems die when they wanna and not a day before. The trip to Verces was short but that didn't matter. Fensal had stuff to do. He secretly lets Dustbucket, his drone, outa his pocket and sends it to Seek and Destroy, which was his command to gather knowledge and report back. By the end of the trip, Fensal had the schematics of the ship, understood its configuration, and had Dustbucket secretly repair a number of conduits, connections, and shoddily done prior fixes along with tightening the pcu's supply curve. He's not really sure how Dustbucket got it cleared past the ship Ai, but it probably had something to do with the experimental encryption subroutine he'd haphazardly installed on'a whim. Fensal made his way to Docking Bay Aurora-17 in a absolutely deliciously tangled and eventually escorted way. I mean, he'd never been off Akiton and this was Stardock with a functioning elevator. Or once functioning elevator. He ranged far and got into places that any Duster would get into, especially a small Ysoki duster. He spent an hour aboard an Atech Immortal - mostly lost, 30 minutes on both a Norikama Dropship and BMC hauler, and a whole 10 glorious minutes fiddling with the controls of a Idarian Voidrunner before being roughly handled and turned over to Stardock security droids. All in all it was a fabulous day and he'd not even seen his ship. After his credentials were thoroughly checked and cross-referenced, he was unceremoniously dropped in front of Docking Bay Aurora-17. The droids gave him terse instructions of what not to do, most of which Fensal didn't hear as he started to query and check out the Sentinel robot, insuring that it was in good working order and, if not, taking time to attempt a fix. I mean, he had nuthin to pilot at the moment so this was a suitable challenge especially as the Bazigar Wanderer wasn't meant to lift in a number of hours. Eventually, either because the Sentinel needed no updating or re-configurin or messing with, Fensal entered the Docking Bay and met Gelt. He shook the Verthani's hand vigoursly with a huge smile on his face as his eyes took in the whole of the Bazigar. "Fensal Splinter. Pilot," he said beaming. He nodded his head as if listening but not really hearing anything Gelt was spraying about the 'mission'. The mission didn't really matter to him. He was just there ta fly. And there and back was all that he needed to know. It was a grand beginning, there and back. Fensal thought he might even shake some'a the dust from the Bazigar's hull or even have'ta run from pirates. Ah, now that would be even more grand then a there and back. Nuthin like a good bit'a spire runnin ta feel awake. "Ah right," Fensal says when things get really quiet and he realizes Gelt had stopped talking and was just staring at him. "Crew-mates. Sure thing. I'll just be over there wit' them others. Uhm, till its time to fly," he added trying not ta let the last bit out with a rush and giddy smile. Which didn't work. Not one bit. Fool Dust-boy. "Hey. I'm Fensal. Dustb.....I mean pilot. Glad ta meet ya."

[Imveros]

We all scream for icecream Nikto adjusted the strap from the go-bag the android had sent over. He'd scoffed distastefully at the armor but swallowed hard as he remembered the crowd outside the courtroom. There's be no security bots between him and the mob this time. He made his way sunward through the city. The rifle on his shoulder swayed back and forth with his gate. Yaz had wanted him to do some target practice before he left, but he'd used the time formulating a new serum instead. Who needs target practice when they hardwire tertiary sensory organs into their parietal lobe. The man adjusted the collar on his lab coat. At least the android afforded me this one creature comfort. He thought, steaming over the fact that all he had been able to salvage from the lab had been a stab-stick and two experimental regeneration tonics. The first smile of the evening crossed his face as the elevator came into view. "Ah, a thing of beauty. No more squinting for me!" He said to the nameless crowd. Not only were they historical and easy on the eyes, but they also meant he'd have shade all the way to the coordinates listed on the muster document. "Just perfect." The smile fading as he wondered if he'd see them again. He put one foot in front of the other until the docking bays came into view. Ok. Go over it one more time. You hand the cover identity to the security booth. Transfer the muster documents. Keep your mouth shut, and you'll be off the planet by dinner time! Nikto took a deep breath and strode toward the security checkpoint. He wasn't sure if he should be relieved or angry at the sentry bot's inactive state. The android's doing? It's not paranoia if everyone actually is out to get you. He joked to himself as he entered the hanger. He shook his head back and forth. Good, it's still asleep. You only get to make a first impression once. Yaz's parting words echoed in his head. Head tentacles are a second date topic. Confidence is Key. He widened his stance and puffed out his chest. Good Hygiene is Important. He'd done a quick sniff check before entering. Dress to Impress. The android had already packed the latest in medical fashion. Smile. Show up to work with a smile on your face. He cracked a smile he'd seen on a scream sheet on the way in. Give Them a Firm Handshake. "Greetings. I'm Doctor Nikto." He said to the first crewmate he could see. Greet Them and Learn Their Names."Well, Mr. Dustb, it's a pleasure to meet you. I'm sure we'll be on a first-name basis in no time. Be an Attentive Listener. "A pilot, you say? I'll be our chief medical officer." He looked at the ship, wondering if it had a medbay. "Or engineer, or coms officer. Organics, software, and hardware aren't as different as you think." Be Respectful. "A pleasure serving with you!" Pay Attention to Your Posture and Body Language. It was then he smelled the lemons. "Excuse me, proprietor, is that a citric acid concentrate?! Panic edged into his voice as the worm uncoiled and burst forth, his head covering uncoiling and falling to the ground. He blinked his third eye as the creature lunged for its favorite food. Use Small Talk to Your Advantage. "So, uh, how about that sunset." He said as lemonade and shaved ice flew everywhere as the creature ate its fill.

OOC   STATBLOCK Dr Nikto SP:7/7 HP:10/10 RP:4/4 Current Status: normal Senses: Lowlight Vision Initiative: +2; Perception: +9 AC (Energy/Kenetic): 13 / 14 Saves (Fort, ref, will): +2; +2; +1 Racial Bonus feat / Lowlight / +2 perception Biohacks: 4/4 Notes: Link to Biohacker SRD Languages: Common, Vercite, Kasatha, Triaxian, Ysoki, Shirren Credits: 200

[Baxder]

Shafty stepped off the train with his pack slung over his shoulder and his armor case in tow, pleasantly surprised at how much he seemed to fit in amid the bustle of departing passengers. It was a little odd to feel like he could belong anywhere but Pipetown, but comforting nonetheless. He smirked and wagged his head a little before setting out in earnest toward the docking bay, but then he caught sight of the space elevator. His eyes slowly followed it up, higher, higher...higher...There's no ceiling. He suddenly found it difficult to breathe as his head craned back to look at the sky past the elevator's vanishing point. Amgine's dad had mentioned this...Agro-something? Failing to recall its name didn't help. But he also said to find something familiar to focus on; something to make him remember something safe in Pipetown. He quickly followed the elevator back to the ground, noting its cylindrical helix. It's a shaft. Just a big shaft. Holdin' up the sky... Shafty closed his eyes and imagined scaling the pipes and conduit inside the elevator's structure. Inside, he could keep climbing all the way to the top and not really have an idea how high up he was. All the way to some platform in space. In his mind's eye, he looked down out of an ancient porthole and saw himself on the ground, staring back up... He chuckled to himself and opened his eyes. He tried following the elevator up again. there was no fear this time, but he got dizzy about 1/3 of the way up. Ok, just get to the ship, he muttered, and set off again, this time not lifting his gaze above anything he needed to avoid running into. Arriving at Aurora-17 in this fashion, he nearly ran into Gelt, and shook his hand with a chuckle. 'Ey, Shafty, he said, but whether it was a relieved, congenial greeting or an introduction was unclear. He dared a look at the Bazigar and found, much to his relief, that the sky was mostly obscured by the bay walls. He took the ship in and shook his head. Givin' it to us, 'eh? Best I ever been given's a hot meal – he stopped short and looked over his shoulder at his pack and armor. ...Until, well, recently, anyway. *ahem* Where'd you go, Gelt? If you was given somethin' like that? You ever been to 'dis, ah, Nack-nodis? Any pointers fer a guy who may be goin' there widout ever, ya know, seein' a sky before?... After yacking up Gelt long enough to only slightly de-fray his nerves, Shafty made his way to the indicated table, ever more slowly as he realized it only had one other occupant, and one he'd rather hoped not to encounter so early on in his journey. He'd seen a few here and there on the way here, but it looked like he wouldn't be avoiding this one. It was clearly excited and over-eager, which, in Shafty's sober mood and a little woozy condition, didn't make this inevitable introduction any easier. Shafty recognized its kit, too, and the thought of sharing an engine compartment with it made his heart pound. At that moment, a Vercian whisked by Shafty towards the table. He hadn't realized he'd come to a stop only halfway there. The man rushed to the table and spoke with the Soakie, and Shafty breathed a sigh of relief; he wouldn't be meeting it alone after all. He took two more steps towards the table when the...thing sprung from beneath the Vercian's hat and attacked a passing Halfling, grabbing his wrist, wringing a snow-cone from his hand, and promptly began devouring it. When the ice stopped flying, it was all Shafty could do to continue to the table. Maybe this kind of thing was normal on Verces... So, uhhh, I got a Ratter and a, uh...freak...fer crewmates? We got somethin' mixed up here, right? I'm Shafty; supposed to be the mechanic on Cedona's crew. That ain't you two, is it?   Initiative: - Move (30'): - Actions: - Rolls   Shafty, Level 1 Human Mechanic (Street Rat) SP: 7/7, HP: 10/10, EAC: 11, KAC: 12, CMAC: 20 Initiative: +2, Speed: 30ft, Senses: P 4, SM 0 Saving Throws: F 3, R 4, W 0 Abilities: Str 10, Dex 14, Con 12, Int 16, Wis 10, Cha 10 Condition: N/A Credits: 83 Equipment Item Level Bulk Cost Armor - EJ Hardsuit, Utility 1 2 350 Weapon - Rackarack, Pulse 1 1 205 Weapon - Survival Knife 1 L 95 Medkit, Basic 1 1 100 Computer, Datapad/PCU 1 L - Serum of Healing, Mk 1 (2) 1 L 50 Flashlight 1 L 1 Cable Line 50' 1 L 25 Tool Kit, Engineering (Exocortex) 1 L 20 Tool Kit, Trapsmith (+4 Eng arm/disarm) 1 L 20 Rations, 1 week 1 1 1

[GeneT]

Weirdness or is it? Fensal's mouth hangs open as the......the.......whatever it was that was part of Doctor Nikto's head vigorously attacked the lemoned ice. He peered at it, opened mouth, and amazed. It was..........nothing he had ever seen before and he'd seen a lot on Akiton. Well, everything there was ta see in the dust. He'd fought against toothed wrigglers, and shifting lizards, and...............nuthing like what's on, in?, the doctor's head. He realized his mouth was still open and closed it, slowly, so as not to alarm or make the Doctor mad. "Uhm," he said. "Its Fensal. Pilot and, uh...............is that normal?" He can't help but askin. He's not seen every kind in the uni-V. He has no idea. "What is it," he asks intrigued, absently slurping on a matching lemoned ice, just with far less gusto then......the Doctor. It pulsed him none. There's many kind'a duster in the Out of Bounds. An he learned never ta judge one by the color of dirt ground in'ta their knees or, perhaps in this case, the stuff stuck in their flesh. Just like he ignores Shafty's slur. It makes not'a mark on him nor does he even register it. Hell, he's 'bout ta fly. You could call him whatever you wanted and put a mud-ovi in his lap and he'd not notice if'n he had controls in his hands and space ta thread. "Fensal," he says to Shafty offering his hand. "Pilot. Electronics. Engineer of sorts. Glad ta meet ya." He has no bearing on Shafty's name-calling. Nor did he really notice it. And as far as the Doctor, it was pretty cool. I mean.........."Does your hair do all the eatin," he blurts, eyes sliding off Shafty back to the Doctor, hand still stuck in the space between him and the other mechanic.

[FromAbove]

Polished They’d all told him one thing: Clean your blade. Much of the rest Amahir’s combat trainers had taught him seemed contradictory—although they’d called such contradictions “nuance”—but “clean your blade” was unambiguous and constant. So he cleaned the blade. After every battle and before embarking on any journey, he cleaned the blade. His Aunt Ninura had picked up on it quickly, just a few days into his first voyage on her ship. “You know, your mind is a kind of weapon. Maybe try cleaning that.” She later told him she didn’t like personal traditions, but Amahir would come to learn that some demons resist exorcism. He’d cleaned the blade before leaving Absalom Station to return to Idari at the end of his Tempering, and then for reasons he didn’t entirely understand, he’d cleaned it again a few days later immediately after learning that Ninura had died. Days later, the morning he left to take a ride on the cargo freighter Cedona had arranged to pick him up, he’d cleaned the blade. A return to narrow hallways and tight quarters felt good. Memories of the thrill of leaving, of relief at coming home. Knowing everything. Transferring ships at Absalom—clean the blade. Amahir spent a couple hours walking along semi-familiar departure docks trying not to remember too much. Memories of the thrill of certainty, of the awakening to disappointed expectations. Knowing nothing. Getting off a bigger, dirtier freighter after landing on Verces—before disembarking, a few quiet moments in an isolated corner to clean the blade. He’d been to Verces before, though not often or for long. Red sunsets awakened something primal in him, or so he sometimes told himself. Before transferring to the train to the Stardock, he cleaned the blade. A motto engraved on the door to Ninura’s starship quarters: “Today you begin everything that is next.” She called it trite but never scratched it out. He handled the exchange with Gelt quickly but politely; he felt himself getting eager and anxious to get going. The thought crossed his mind that he should clean the blade again before meeting these new crewmates, but that seemed excessive. Considering it might be rude to interject into an existing conversation about whatever madness was transpiring by the cart, Amahir thought he’d act like he hadn’t seen anything. “You are acquaintances of Cedona’s, yes? …Call me Amahir. I am not quite so talented with ships as with swords, but I have given good service to a good captain as her chief mate. I hope we do great things together.”

 

STATBLOCK Amahir Harezza Hol Non of Clan Kazil, House Kara-Kazil, inspired vestige of Ronus SP: 10/10 HP: 11/11 RP: 3/3 Current Status: normal Senses: Standard Vision Initiative: +0; Perception: +5 AC (Energy/Kenetic): 12 / 15 Saves (Fort, ref, will): +5; +2; +1 Entropic Pool: 0/3 Notes: Link to Vanguard class details Languages: Taldane, Kasatha Credits: need to recalculate

GEAR Equipment Item Level Bulk Cost Armor - Golemforged Plating, I 1 3 250 Weapon - Longsword, Standard 1 1 375 Weapon - Singing Disk, Sopranino 1 L 115 Weapon Fusion - Returning on Singing Disk 1 - 120 Rations, 1 week 1 1 1 Clothing, Everday 1 L 1 Backpack, Industrial 1 0/1 25

[dbaque]

The journey begins The former officer whistles some catchy tune as he steps off the train. He takes a slow look around this area of the Stardock. It looks just as bustling as the other day when he arrived off world, certainly right up there with his native Absalom. He shifts the straps on his pack more comfortably. Diego sets a brisk pace to the docking bay, head filled with a hummed tune and a parade of questions about what this new crew would be like. 'I would have said, yes, regardless,' he muses to himself. He flexes his hand, feeling the whirring servos respond. 'Good way to give it a field test.' After a trek, the former officer looks up to see the same bay number as on the comm message. Past the door is a rugged looking ship. While not the most aesthetic thing to look at, so long as it flies in one piece, he'll hardly mind. Any question whether this is the right place is dispelled by the approach of a worker named Gelt. He meets the greeting with a hearty shake and smile of his own. He offers his own name and the requested comm code. He checks his unit to confirm that he received the briefing and nods. "Sounds simple enough. There been much pirate activity or other trouble along the route to Nakondis?" the former officer reflexively inquires. "While I take it that the colony is expecting us, any special security code or clearance we need to worry about?" With a smile and another shake, he lets Gelt back to his work. Shifting the strap on his pack, he walks over to the little gathering already underway. As best he can tell, an ysoki, kasatha, and couple of humes ... 'eh, actually, not sure about that one.' Stopping by the group, the former officer curls his short beard in a smile. "So, this is the eclectic crew Cedona pieced together?" he remarks aloud. He stretches out a hand for a hearty shake to each. "Well, a friend of hers is a friend of mine. Diego Ragnar, pleased to meet you all," he greets smoothly. The proffered hand is a little less yielding than usual, and a glint of metal is visible where the glove meets his sleeve. He pauses to regard Nikto before saying anything at first. After a beat, Diego remarks, "Whoever did your haircut, I'd definitely ask for my money back."

 

Statblock Diego Ragnar SP: 7/7; HP: 10/10; Initiative: +2; Perception: +5 KAC/EAC: 13/12 CMAC: 21 Fort/Ref/Will: +1/4/3 Resolve: 3/3 Speed: 30' Status: normal Hunting rifle: d20+2cx,20 d8ci (1/6/25, 90', piercing projectile) DC 18 to find in right arm (draw as move): Tactical semi-auto Pistol d20+2cx,20 d6ci (1/9/30, 30' piercing projectile) Survival knife d20+2cx,20 d6ci slashing, 20' thrown Abilities: Imp. Dem.: move, demoralize 30' d20+6 (DC 10+foeIntim or 15+3/2 x CR) Armor personal comm unit Get 'Em improvisation: move, vs 60' foe, until next turn start, allies +1 morale attack vs Effects: Theme: culture DCs-5 for knowledge about criminals, law-enforcement agents, laws, and related law-enforcement practices -Sense Motive DC-5 to detect deception and discern secret messages Expertise: +d6 insight to Diplomacy, Sense Motive Languages: Common/Taldane, ? Skills: Acrobatics +6, Athletics +4, Piloting +6, Culture +4, Diplomacy +6(+d6), Intimidate +6, Sense Motive +6(+d6), Perception +5, Sleight of Hand +6

[GrazztTheDark]

Run, Fairon, Run Fairon departed his heavily delayed transport for Castrovel, then raced to Docking Bay Aurora-17. He was out of breath by the time he arrived. Oh great. I'm late to see my new ship, and if I ever go home my parents are going to kill me, he thought. Fairon's parents had given him a thousand credits to survive on during the inevitable unpaid internship he would receive if he wished to work for one of the megacorps that were extracting Castrovel's resources. They were not going to be pleased to find out he had "Invested," said a slightly more optimistic voice in his head.spent that money to play adventurer. He stopped to catch his breath. He took quick stock of himself. EJ coverall, dark green, fitting perfectly on his tall, lanky frame, check. Second hand needler, feeling awkward in its shoulder harness, check. Industrial grade backpack, filled with all the necessities and ready for hard travelling, check. School jacket, resplendent with his many accomplishments, check. Mark IX Gabranda Tablet, with fully voiced Kalus, who sounded like the hero of a shotalashu story.personal assistant and customized to within an inch of its life, check. Here goes nothing. As he approached Gelt, Fairon gives him the slight telepathic prod that is the equivalent to clearing your throat to announce your presence. After Gelt gave him the job and pointed the rest of the crew out to him, Fairon thanked him and went to the area that was pointed out to him, where he saw that the rest of the crew was already there. Hello, everyone. My name is Fairon. I hope I'm not too late. His face was a study in earnest friendliness and awkwardness. He suddenly looked embarrassed. "Telepashy boshers no vun?" he said in heavily Castrovellan-accented Common.

OOC I'm going to use bold italics for telepathy, unless anyone has a better formatting suggestion.

[ruffdove]

Stardock, Verces, 8/16/318 Originally Posted by Shafty ”Givin' it to us, 'eh? Best I ever been given's a hot meal... Until, well, recently, anyway. *ahem* Where'd you go, Gelt? If you was given somethin' like that? You ever been to 'dis, ah, Nack-nodis? Any pointers fer a guy who may be goin' there widout ever, ya know, seein' a sky before?... "Where would I go? Probably somewhere quiet and unsettled. And sunny. Somewhere with sun." At this, Gelt looks longingly at the soft twilight above. "Y’know, get away from it all. As for Nakondis, I wouldn’t worry too much about the sky there. Whole planet’s socked in with fog. Can’t see fifty yards from what I’m told. The sky’s just a fog bank right over yer head. You can just reach up and touch it they say." * * * Originally Posted by Diego "Sounds simple enough. There been much pirate activity or other trouble along the route to Nakondis? While I take it that the colony is expecting us, any special security code or clearance we need to worry about?" "Pirates? Nah, not yet at least. Vast spooks a lot of pirates, and blue tin’s a real specialty ore. I imagine it’d be tough for a pirate to move even if he got his hands on some. Still, you never can be too careful." The Verthani cracks a crooked grin at the envoy’s next question. "No passwords needed for this party, they’re expecting you. Just hail’em when you get to the system and follow the instructions in the briefing." * * * OOGM Just providing some responses to questions. Continue to RP your first meeting. Gelt will break it up when it’s time to go.

[Imveros]

We all scream for icecream Nikto paused after being called a freak. A week ago, he'd have given the mechanic a piece of his considerably sized mind, but now, he was happy that these people didn't know, or didn't care, who he was. "Greetings, Shafty." He paused, wondering that was an affectionate nickname or not. "It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance. Do not fear. Engineering is more of a hobby than a vocation. I will leave plenty of greases for you to cover yourself in." He wagged his finger angrily at the creature as it moved from the treats to the halfling offering them. "Behave yourself, or no more treats!" The worm quickly returned to the deserts as the doctor handed the proprietor his credstick. Nikto sighed as Fensal asked about the creature. "It is not normal. It's normally much better mannered!" He said disapprovingly, but if the worm understood, it showed no signs of shame. "And no, it is not my hair." He paused, scratching his chin. "Though its scutes are primarily keratin-based, and it harvests local melanin deposits and grows from the base out, it's still not hair, though! But it could be..." He trailed off, retrieving his datapad running the calculations as to the caloric needs of a dozen smaller omni worms. Like the medusa of ancient Golarion lore! He thought as the fourth member of the crew approached. "Greetings, Sir Amahir. A no-nonsense man, I can tell. Ah, good, our mutual acquaintance graced us with a more diverse talent pool!" His third eye scanned the man, flooding his surface thoughts with facts and figures of the Kasatha genome. Oh, thank the heavens, a stout being that likes to take orders? Just what the doctor ordered!" He chuckled softly at his clever joke. "Dispite its many similarities, it is not hair, Mr. Ragnar!" He said, turning to meet the newest addition to their team. "I believe you are the only one not to list your skills. Has Cedona blessed us with yet another engineer?" He said as he unsuccessfully tried to get a measure of the man. Telempathy is fine, my dear Fairon. He thought enthusiastically back at the Lashunta. He'd always been fascinated by telepathy. Still sad, his ultimate creation lacked the brain size for such feats of communication. A man of learning as well! I'm sure we will have much to discuss on the long uneventful trip to our destination. What skills did you impress Cedona with? He thought, carefully scanning the man for a medical kit, before relaxing slightly.

OOC   STATBLOCK Dr Nikto SP:7/7 HP:10/10 RP:4/4 Current Status: normal Senses: Lowlight Vision Initiative: +2; Perception: +9 AC (Energy/Kenetic): 13 / 14 Saves (Fort, ref, will): +2; +2; +1 Racial Bonus feat / Lowlight / +2 perception Biohacks: 4/4 Notes: Link to Biohacker SRD Languages: Common, Vercite, Kasatha, Triaxian, Ysoki, Shirren Credits: 200

[GrazztTheDark]

Skillset Fairon's face twists in embarrassment. I honestly don't remember. She was giving a guest lecture to some students, and a bunch of us insisted on taking her out for drinks when she was done. After that it all becomes a fog. I don't know how I got special treatment amongst the students with her. Maybe I just embarrassed myself the least. Or the most. His tone becomes businesslike. Anyway, if you're wondering what skills I bring to the crew, I have a very good techno-magical education. Engineering and the physical sciences are my strong suit, but I'm also quite good at biological sciences and computer work. Mysticism is a bit too...intuitive....for me to have a really good grasp on it, compared to the sciences. But my spellwork is top notch. And I have some basic combat and medical training. Castrovel is a dangerous place, so that's pretty common amongst the lashunta, even the students. How does Cedona know you?

[dbaque]

The journey begins The former officer laughs with Gelt. "So, we're venturing whither even greedy pirates dare not. Good to know." He smiles and nods. "We'll keep our sensors up and weapons primed, just in case any are braver than most." Diego cocks a brow toward the doctor. "Well, whatever it is, so long as the thing behaves and isn't contagious, we'll be fine, doc." He chuckles at the suggestion. "No, not a mechanic certainly. I used to serve with the steward officers. Let's just say I'm good with people," he answers smoothly. "I've also had some practice working with a squad in a firefight ." The former office gives the lashunta a quizzical eye. "No problem with telepathy, Fairon, so long as it doesn't go on to peeking within." With that warning, he smiles and offers his handshake. Clapping the man on the shoulder, he says, "Relax, and be at ease. We are all friends here ... or on the way to friends. We'll be seeing a lot of each other in the coming days." Snickering to himself at the story about Cedona, Diego answers, "Nothing quite of that sort. The wily lady helped me out on a number of cases while I worked with the stewards. We saved each other's lives a few times. I had not heard from her since I took some leave from the stewards." Glancing among the others, Diego asks, "So, whom here do I see for gun repairs or making grenades?"

 

Statblock Diego Ragnar SP: 7/7; HP: 10/10; Initiative: +2; Perception: +5 KAC/EAC: 13/12 CMAC: 21 Fort/Ref/Will: +1/4/3 Resolve: 3/3 Speed: 30' Status: normal Hunting rifle: d20+2cx,20 d8ci (1/6/25, 90', piercing projectile) DC 18 to find in right arm (draw as move): Tactical semi-auto Pistol d20+2cx,20 d6ci (1/9/30, 30' piercing projectile) Survival knife d20+2cx,20 d6ci slashing, 20' thrown Abilities: Imp. Dem.: move, demoralize 30' d20+6 (DC 10+foeIntim or 15+3/2 x CR) Armor personal comm unit Get 'Em improvisation: move, vs 60' foe, until next turn start, allies +1 morale attack vs Effects: Theme: culture DCs-5 for knowledge about criminals, law-enforcement agents, laws, and related law-enforcement practices -Sense Motive DC-5 to detect deception and discern secret messages Expertise: +d6 insight to Diplomacy, Sense Motive Languages: Common/Taldane, ? Skills: Acrobatics +6, Athletics +4, Piloting +6, Culture +4, Diplomacy +6(+d6), Intimidate +6, Sense Motive +6(+d6), Perception +5, Sleight of Hand +6

[GeneT]

Weirdness or is it? Eventually, Fensal withdraws is hand from Shafty. Leaving it hanging out in the space between them is just weird. He flexes his fingers as he drops his arm and then offers his hand to everyone else if that seems to be the way it works. No-one really shook hands in the Dust or Out of Bounds. A nod of the head worked fine. After the Lashunta, Fairon, talks inside his head, there are odd pauses and blank moments between them all. Which was also weird. He wasn't sure how it all worked. Can everyone hear me too, he asked Fairon squinting his eyes cause he figured maybe that was needed to think to the Lashunta. He'd never experienced telapashy. All in all, it seemed like a fair bunch. And bonus, there seemed to be no one ta fight for flyin. Fensal shrugs at Diego's question. "Probably me or him," he says indicating Shafty. "But if'n we both worked on'it at the same time likes it get dun quicker an not blow up the ship," he added with a broad grin. "Course I 'magine I won't be doing much fixin an creatin' if'n I'm flying."

[FromAbove]

Opening Questions on the Job To the young human man with the dark hair and the scar, Amahir offered his lower-right hand for a shake, meeting hearty with hearty. "Mr. Ragnar, we meet well. I did not know Cedona well personally, but my aunt regarded her imminously and recommended me to her." Projecting back to Fairon, Amahir communicated, I can abide telepathy if you require it. I must become accustomed to it. Regardless, we meet well. Call me Amahir. Amahir inclined his head toward Nikto appreciatively. "I once thought I had purged myself of all nonsense, but I'm less certain now. Anyway, you seem to have enthusiasm--I appreciate that. Oh, and you needn't address me as 'Sir.' But you honor me greatly, thank you." At a lull in the conversation, the kasatha attempted to direct the discussion toward the task for which they'd all been assembled. "Have any of us been to Nakondis? Or have much experience in the colonies? My steps have roamed often but neither to our destination nor to many planetary settlements outside the Pact Worlds."

[ruffdove]

Stardock, Verces, 8/16/318 Gelt approaches, clapping his hands for your attention. "All right crew, we're loaded up. Take your Term for a quick look around before takeoff. Pilots and engineers can walk around the ship for a quick visual inspection for possible problems; the conscientious can walk around the holds to ensure everything is safely stowed; the more security minded can sweep the ship for stowaways and invasive species.walkaround and then let's get moving! The sooner you get there, the sooner you get back with the ore. If this is your first trip to the vast, it should go without saying that you want to make your return leg through Absalom Station space, since travel to the Station by Drift is way faster than trying to come straight to Verces. All right, time is money folks. Be careful out there and safe journey! And when you get to Madelon's Landing, give Kesi my regards." The ground crew and loading crews are already clearing off the landing pad. The Bazigar Wanderer stands ready on the pad, scorch marks and scrapes in the paint scattered across her hull, each telling a story of the trouble this ship has seen. Now she has 75 tons of gear and supplies in her belly and is ready for the next leg of her long journey, the first with her new crew. The inside of the ship is as used looking as the outside, but things are generally clean and comfortable--Cedona saw to it that the crew quarters were a bit beyond typical vesk standards of comfort. The crew stations all retain the vesk military aesthetic and have the spartan feel of a warship, rather than some of the lounge chairs you see on more modern ships. Displays are monochrome green on black for most of the positions, and a broad head's up display is projected on the front windowcanopy, showing all zeroes for speed and altitude and rate of climb. The engineering spaces are suitably dirty and smell of oil and solvent, but things seem to be in decent order. A look into each of the holds reveals neat stacks of crates. Chemicals and machine parts to port, building materials in the center hold, and medical and agricultural supplies in the starboard. * * * OOGM Note, this is not an attempt to cut short the RP of your meeting--it's just giving you some more stuff to do while you introduce yourselves to one another. Feel free to narrate your walkaround, inspection of the ship's interior, assuming positions, and takeoff from Verces--all while you comntinue your interactions. In terms of the flight, narrate yourselves right up to where you engage the Drift drive and jump into the Drift.