Iron Stars - arimoto

Arimoto awakens from his cryopod to see the blurry outlines of two medics standing over him. The last group of those recovered from the broken colony ship in orbit have finally been woken, in order to clear out the hospital space for the second ship on its way.

7:07 PM

“Can you hear me?” One says as the other plays a flashlight back and forth

He squints as the blinding light and roaring sound come into focus, a long frosty exhale coming weeks after a nervous held breath. Arimoto groans softly as he reflexively rubs his brow. "...Yes. Have we arrived?" He was briefly reminded of the informational pamphlet he was handed only minutes before entering the pod. 'Common side effects of cryosleep include disorientation, dizziness, sensitivity to light, shivers, shortness of breath, and usually temporary erectile dysfunction.' He had made a mental note to review the longer list of uncommon side effects when he had more time.

“we have, though not the way we intended to” the medic with the light answers as he clicks the penlight off. “It’s about a year since we were supposed to have arrived. Some kind of a disaster. All the psychics went mad”. Your compad receives a file from colonial admin. “Ah that. All the new folk get that. Explains what’s been going on since we landed here so the new colonists are up to speed quickly.”

"A year since we were..." Arimoto slowly repeats the words to himself as if translating. As he slowly pulls himself out of the cryopod he fumbles in his robe, still frosty, when the compad gives a new message alert. For a few moments he thumbs through the contents, but quickly realizes it will take some time to digest everything. "I see... Well in any event I'm sure there's no shortage of things to be done, would you know where I can go to find work?"

3:38 PM

((Quite a number of documents in R20, any specific ones the compad message would contain?))

(Selnath, it's good idea to change your name in Discord and Roll20 to your character name.)

3:39 PM

(and welcome)

((Good thinking, and thanks.))

“Try colonial administration. They’ll have your hab keys and a week of food to get you started”. (The message would be a short video explaining the scream, there’s only contact with a couple nearby worlds, most of the psychics are gone, the war with the underhill arachnids on planet and the colonial alliance with the taros)

Arimoto nods. "Very well." He stretches lightly for a moment before navigating his way towards the outside of the ship to make his way to the administration.

Colonial administration is in the center of the colony, the ground floor a rebuilt landing barge, with several new floors built from actual construction material on top. A wooden and metal wall, with a tower at each corner and a gate on each wall surrounds the building. A steady flow of traffic is heading in an out, as colonists and the precious few ground trucks head in and out.

7:34 PM

Soldiers stand guard on the towers and run walking patrols of the wall and grounds within. The ground floor of admin, as you pass through the gate is a spacious waiting area, with an information desk at the foot of a grand staircase. A tall, slender gentleman sits behind the desk, mustache waxed to find points, and thickly bearded

Arimoto raises an eyebrow at the sight of the administration building, having finished watching the video on his compad he was now seeing evidence of the state of affairs. As he walked past the gates he attempted not to stare while eyeing some of the colonists. As he entered the first floor of the building he approached the lone desk. "Hello, I'm... Err, recently awoken. I was told I could find some food and shelter, as well as work, here?"

"Ah hello! I'm Franz, senior colonial administrator. A pleasure to meet you mr...." he lets the words hang for a moment, before continuing "Plenty of work available, whats your interest?"

"Kuroki. Well met, Franz." He finishes the thought with a light bow. He ponders a moment at the question. "I suppose I would best be put to use in manual labor of some sort." His hand reflexively rests on the hilt of his katana. "...For now." He straightens his stance a bit. "Of course, I will do what I must to earn my keep."

"Well, the colony has several mining camps currently operating, there is a lumber camp, or if you prefer the water, we have a small fishing fleet currently supplementing our winter rations"

Arimoto considers the options for but a moment. "I think the lumber camp would suit me."

"Very good" the printer under the desk starts to rattle its machine gun like staccato and after a moment you have a crisp colonial ID card, along with a map showing you the colony layout, and the lumbercamp is just a short walk outside the developed colonial area

Arimoto consults the map briefly before nodding. "My thanks." Eager to vent some stress he makes his way towards the lumber camp.

The sound of handaxes chopping wood, and the occasional rev of gas powered hand tools is easy to follow, and you're taken through block like city streets out to the edge of the colony. Newly planted saplings sit in neat rows where sections of the wild forest had been previously cleared. The work crews have begun work on a new section of forest and you can see areas marked off with tape where logging will begin. Most workmen are wearing reflective vests and hard hats, long handled axes on their backs or in loose hands. A small detachment of Greenbriar soldiers stand guard in a loose picket around the camp.

Arimoto would approach the camp, showing his ID card to the soldiers to get in. He would be looking for a foreman or supervisor to issue him the relevant personal protective equipment and an axe.

The foreman is easy to find, wrapping up a meeting with a ranking military officer and several of the more senior loggers. It’s not common that strangers arrive so his attention is immediately drawn to you. “Hello there! You’re not lost I hope!”

Arimoto fails to suppress a brief smile. "No more than the rest of us! Well met, I recently arrived and come seeking some temporary work, earn my keep and whatnot." He points to an axe someone is holding, his hand falling to the katana at his side. "It's not exactly my weapon of choice, but I am comfortable with blades and it's the right tool for the job at hand."

“Temporary or not you’re welcome aboard the logging crew”. He hands you a long hafted axe from a crate. “This is probably more suited to chopping wood than that blade”

Arimoto nods and accepts the axe before making his way to the area marked for clearing.

1:12 AM

((At this point is it just a work check, untrained?))

(Work with constitution, but yes)

Arimoto spends time dutifully contributing. ((8))

The shift goes by quickly as Arimoto learns the basics of the logging trade. Many of the workmen are interested in the sword at his hip, occasionally asking questions about it and if it is 'just for show'. Your knowledge of blade-work does make working with the axe a bit easier and you gather a respectable amount of wood for a day shift.

12:28 PM

As the shift winds down, the workmen invite you to the colony's only bar with them, in the north among the now harvested and frozen over wheat fields. It's aptly named. "the harvest spirits"

Arimoto smiles politely at the questions towards his sword and provides an indirect answer. "In the morning I pray to see nightfall without having drawn it." Satisfied that he has earned it, he will join the workmen in the bar for a couple hours after the shift ends. He crosses the wheat fields and is reminded of the not so different fields common to his homeworld.

The bar is busy that night. Nearly a dozen Admiralty sailors are there, along with a handful of off duty colonial soldiers. Two people in field gear emblazoned with a Task Force Phoenix logo also sit in a back corner. The rest of the crowd is a mix of laborers and farmers.

Arimoto would pass some time with the workers from the lumber yard, but would also keep an open ear for any interesting conversation. He would drink enough to be sociable but would not plan to get drunk.

The admiralty sailors are expecting to be launching their combined attack against the underhill island soon. The colonial soldiers are discussing a rather silly new recruit in their squad who just isn't measuring up to his soldierly duties, the task force phoenix members are not talking- each is idly tapping away on a compad, lost in their own thoughts. The bartender, a man everyone has been calling "The Baron" is hard at work behind the counter. His accent is rich and educated, though it doesnt exclude him from pouring drinks and flipping generous cuts of meat on the grill

Over the course of the evening Arimoto would introduce himself to 'The Baron' and inquire about local government/politics since he seems like the sort who would keep up with that. He would also probably ask about the underhill island he heard the sailors discussing.

The island, as you're told. is the land remaining holdout of the underhill collective, a name given to the devouring swarm of alien insects on this planet. A nest near the colony, and another large one to the south of the Taros Confederacy City States have been dealt with at different points during the year, but at a cost. The Admiralty had a base on the island before the Greenbriar expedition landed, and were driven off by the insects. Confined to their ships, with no clear port to land in, they were on the brink of starvation when the colony established itself and offered them safe harbor

8:35 PM

director Kincaid runs most of the formal decisions at the colony. Franz has been dutifully serving as her second in command, often traveling when she cannot

Arimoto would inquire as to if there were other such threats to the colony, and who fights such threats. He's seen a number of soldiers in a few different uniforms, so it seems the colony must be under significant threat.

The baron mentions a group called the masquerade that had harassed the colony at its inception. Human crew from the crashed colony ship, most had been badly burned and fashioned metal masks for themselves to hide their injuries. For a lack of better terms they were conquered when it became apparent they would not be peaceful

9:31 PM

He also mentions the helldiver robots, who had taken piggen and human slaves to mine uranium for them, to feed their ever hungry reactors.

9:31 PM

A combined greenbriar and taros operation exterminated them, and with the death of their various leaders nuclear explosions had occurred in all three of their cities

Arimoto is surprised at the apparent superior position of the colony, and makes a mental note that their military seems to be anything but struggling despite the circumstances. After having stayed a little past what he had intended he decides to turn in for the night, noting that he still needed to actually find where he was supposed to sleep.

Your hab is highlighted for you on your compad, a short walk west from colonial administration. One of the colonial grav busses is parked out front to bring everyone back safely. "New thing these" the foreman says to you as you climb aboard with the rest of the crew "used to have to drunkenly walk back with a buddy"

The bus ride back is uneventful as Arimoto starts to feel the weight of the day tug at his eyelids. He makes his way to his hab and crashes for the night, intent to spend some time in the morning reading up on colonial affairs before heading back to the lumber yard.

(3XP for the RP, 1000 credits for a solid days work)

8:53 AM

The hab is compact but the layout of the rooms makes it feel spacious. There is a simple bed and dresser in the bedroom, a desk and chair in the parlor, and the kitchen is stocked with a week of provisions in a small wooden chest.

((Leveled up to level 2, that 6x HP increase tho.))

10:43 AM

He quickly crashes for the night when he arrives, but in the morning Arimoto spends a little time reviewing information about the current state of the colony. After a light breakfast he heads out to the lumber yard to put in some more work, though he plans to leave a little early today to shop for some supplies and talk to some of the local military regarding work that may ultimately be more suited to his skills.

Arimoto is welcomed back into the logging camp without any trouble. Several of the workers inquire as to how your first night in the colony went. Many of them had trouble sleeping, especially in light of everything they had learned upon waking. You have a respectable pile of wood by time the lunch break comes along.

While working Arimoto passed the time with light conversation. He relayed that his first night was not that bad, owing in part to the fact that the trip was originally his first venture offworld (besides limited time in orbital stations) so he had already been expecting a lot of new, different things. He also would comment that a hard day's work can calm even the most troubled mind once darkness falls, so planning to work starting day one helps to avoid the potential brooding that might otherwise trouble someone in this situation. Feeling that his contribution by lunch is adequate, he bade farewell for now and went to eat a light lunch at his hab before going to the main colony administration building.

Colony admin today is quieter than when you first arrived, mid week, during working hours, you find yourself at the front of the line very quickly.

4:43 PM

Franz is once again behind the desk

Arimoto nods at Franz. "My thanks for the hab space, it is more than adequate." His hand rests idly at his sword. "I've come to learn that the colony is under threat from several external factors, and would like some information on what military and/or police groups are offering work in protection. My... Previous occupation was fairly closely in line with this, so I have experience and understand the risks."

“Something has been menacing some of the work crews around rebirth. They’ve been trying to clear some land around the facility walls so the settlement can grow come spring. No deaths yet but some creature has caused some injuries. We have a biopist out there now, named Siegfried. He will be giving you a hand if you’re willing to take the job”

5:02 PM

“Naturally if you have any specific questions I’m happy to answer”

Arimoto rubs his chin in thought. "Sounds like something I can lend a hand with. Any indications that the attacker is intelligent, or does it seem to be a wild beast? And is it only one creature?"

“Siegfried used the word ‘cloaker’ in his report a few times. It’s a scout strain of underhill. They can bend Light around themselves to hide. Val in the lab (npc), Silvano )pc( and Seung (pc) have both hunted and made use of their skin for various projects.”

"Ah I see. Very well then, sounds like a simple issue to resolve. I will head out to meet with Siegfried then. My thanks." Arimoto would head out today if he could arrive within a couple hours, otherwise he would do some light shopping and leave in the morning.

If you take the train (which you certainly can) you can shop and arrive in the early evening

Having already had lunch and content to shop later, Arimoto takes the train to arrive a bit earlier and meet Siegfried.

The walls of Rebirth are the first things you see as the train cuts through the frosted over forest. A small town has sprung up in the shadow of the tall facility walls, and a massive gate tall enough to fly a frigate through remains sealed. An elegantly fluted defense tower sits at each corner, the anti vehicle lasers dutifully monitoring the surrounding area. Compared to the colony, rebirth is smaller and far less developed. A tall man in a form fitting, elegant winter cloak stands on the platform. A compact pistol sits on his hip, and a Greenbriar medical patch is sewn to the breast and right shoulder

Arimoto admires the fortifications around the relatively small settlement as the train comes to a stop. Drawing his cloak a bit tighter as he disembarks, he greets the cloaked figure. "Well met. My name is Arimoto, I am here looking for Seigfried about some work regarding attacks on workers?"

“That’s me” he says, holding out a hand to shake. He holds a pair of thin leather gloves in the other. “I’m glad they sent me some help. How much has Franz filled you in on so far? I don’t want to bore you with things you already know”

Arimoto shakes the man's hand. "I'm told there's an insectoid scout in the area waylaying workers, that's about all I know. I was awoken quite recently, but my background is suited for this sort of thing." He gently pats the hilt of his katana. "Are there any other details of import?"

“A lot of the wounds I’ve been treating have been on backs and limbs, it never comes at the work parties head on, and it never strikes when seriously outnumbered”

Arimoto nods. "So it's at least somewhat intelligent... Such a creature would be difficult to track down. Do you have a plan for how to find it?"

Siegfried takes out a small harmonica and plays a happy little chord. “I thought we would go for a walk in the woods. Maybe play a little music. Make some noise. see what shows up”

Arimoto raises an eyebrow, but after a moment smiles. "So the worst case scenario is we have a relaxing walk. I like this plan. Very well, lead on."

You’re led from the platform to the edge of the wilderness outside the eastern wall. A handful of trees have been cleared, and axe marks marr several more. Blood is dried on a few

Arimoto rubs his chin as he surveys the area. "About how many workers were here when the attack happened? Has more than one attack occurred at this site, or does no one come back to work afterwards?"

“Devil of a time convincing a crew to come back to the site of an attack, especially with no proof we fixed anything. There were three here

4:57 PM

I managed to save the wounded but just. It doesn’t seem to come if the workers number more than five but there’s not many of us out here”

Arimoto nods. "Makes sense, I'm guessing there's no hazard pay for them so no reason to put up with hazards... Well then, shall we go for a walk?"

Sieg leads you further into the forest and begins playing a mournful sounding tune on his harmonica. (Notice with wis check)

(([2d6]+1+1=>9))

In the wind, during a break in the song you hear a cry. Faintly, it seems to sound like someone sobbing

Arimoto gets Siegfried's attention as his hand reflexively rests on the hilt of his katana. "Hey - Hear that?" He would be looking around in the direction he thinks it is coming from. "Sounds like... Crying?"

The music abruptly stops. “I hear it too” he says after a moment. He begins slowly walking toward it, drawing the compact pistol from its holster

6:09 PM

After a few moments of walking you come to a clutch of thick trees. The sobbing is on the other side

Arimoto's hand shifts from the katana to the hilt of his tanto as they approach the tight vegetation. He motions to get Siegfried's attention, points to himself, then in the direction of the sound. Barring any negative response he would then proceed into the dense pocket with intent to reach the other side and the source of the noise.

You enter the clearing and there is a woman, covered in blood. Three workers lie in pools of it around her. One is missing his legs.

((Woman is the one crying I take it - are any of the workers moving, does the woman have any obvious injuries, and is the blood still wet or started to dry?))

(Still wet. There’s two workers groaning in pain)

"Dammit." Arimoto will quickly move over to the farther of the two conscious workers, not turning his back to the woman. "What happened?" He would make a quick assessment of the injuries, and if they were life-threatening he would quickly but carefully work to apply one of his Lazarus Patches.

Siegfried sees you about to apply one and gently moves your arm aside. He places both hands on one of the struggling workers and the injuries begin re knitting before your eyes.

8:51 PM

“Fetch me that leg if you don’t mind”

Arimoto is awestruck for a couple of seconds at the sorcery, but then regains his senses. "O-of course." He grabs the leg, again not turning his back to the woman, and returns it to Siegfried.

6:35 AM

((What is the woman wearing, does she look like a worker? Does she have any obvious injuries? Is she speaking, or still just crying?))

Siegfried holds it to where it belongs on the worker and begins silently chanting as the limb reattaches. (She’s wearing the same work overalls and atmofilter the rest of the loggers wear. She’s got some scrapes and bruises. The crying has become more of a whimper now that she’s seeing help arriving)

6:50 AM

“Thank you” he says nonchalantly. “The injuries are consistent with how the beast hunts. We must be close”

Arimoto nods as he moves to gather the other scattered limbs and move them back to their respective owners. "Agreed, let's uh... Heal everyone here and see if we can track it down." After he preps everything for Siegfried he will look for tracks or other indication of which way the creature may have come from or fled to.

A trail of long scrapes in the muddy groud lead deeper into the trees. The forest slowly becomes denser

Arimoto sees the trail and points it out to Siegfried. "Looks like this trail leads further into the forest, as soon as you're done here let's follow it." He would stand by waiting for the sorcerer to finish.

It takes him ten minutes to complete enough healing for him to feel satisfied. "I don't think we have the luxury of leaving them to limp back on their own. They're too weak, and the healing has worn me out too. We may have to try again in the morning"

Arimoto scowls at the trail into the woods, but looks over the wounded. "... Alright, I suppose saving a few lives is a day's work on its own. Let's get them to shelter, I'll return tomorrow about an hour after sunrise." If any of the workers can't walk he'd serve as a crutch or if necessary use the tarp in his survival kit with rope to drag them back.

The only one who is having trouble is the one who had his legs reattached. He’s by far the most disoriented and leans between you and sieg who each half drag/half carry him. You’re nearly back to the settlement, the thin columns of cooking smoke and the walls of the facility visible. A flock of birds scatters from the treetops 150m to your left

Arimoto looks at Siegfried across the ex-amputee. "I'm assuming that means the same thing here as it does where I'm from." He would help to set the wounded man down and motion for the others to stop before addressing Siegfried again. "Wait here with them and keep your eyes and ears open. I'll go take a look on the off chance it was just the wind." He would then apporach the direction off to their left with a brisk pace, looking but mostly listening for anything unusual.

There is a low chirping sound coming from that direction, it sounds like the static made when a radio left between two stations, though it fades in and out. You also hear brush being disturbed as you draw closer

Arimoto steadily approaches the source of the noise, his hand resting on the hilt of his katana as he tries to identify exactly what is there. As he closes in he would speak softly. "Hello?"

The chirping gets louder before a bush 60m in front of you bursts in a spray of wood and sticks. A beast, six feet tall, with a thick carapace and two wickedly barbed forelimbs growls at you. It’s head ends in snapping ant like mandibles and its height is carried on powerful back legs, standing like a humanoid

Arimoto is for a moment startled, but quickly regains his focus and narrows his gaze as the creature erupts from the brush. His hand is in a sure grip on the hilt of his still sheathed katana as he takes a deep breath. "It is a shame you will die looking that ugly!" He growls as he lowers his stance and slows his pace, squaring off with the beast but still advancing.

(lets do initiative)

6:43 PM

(beastie got an 8)

((3))

The beast advances 20m towards you, at a low crouching half run/half gallop. Its outline shimmers for just a moment and it starts becoming translucent, though you can see enough to determine where it is for now

Arimoto will advance 5 meters in a steady pace, and retreives the glowbug from his survival kit, holding it in his offhand but not activating it.

The creature finishes its cloaking. You can see a hazy outline for a brief second before losing it.

11:04 AM

You can hear it crunching undergrowth and it’s getting louder

Arimoto advances another 5 meters, steadies his breathing and activates the glowbug before throwing it to the ground a few meters in front of him. ((He's thinking the light might make it a little easier to see the creature, not knowing anything about how the cloaking works and not having anything better to do before it closes.))

(That does indeed work!) the beast charges; and you can see its outline as it passes the glowbug. Standing just a few feet from you it prepares to attack (it used its action to double move)

A soft sound like a single wind chime reverberates as Arimoto's katana is unsheathed, and in the same motion he swings it wide at the outline of the creature. ((Attack roll of 9, 3 shock if AC<=13.))

(The shock goes through). There’s a roar and a small spray of viscera as the sword scrapes against the creature. As it passes by it lashes with its long tail

9:24 AM

(12)

9:24 AM

(To hit)

((I'm AC 17 so that misses, any shock? Did it actually run past me and leave melee range?))

)it passes and sort of wheeled around to face you again. So still in range. No shock damage)

Arimoto gracefully leans back to dodge the outline of an appendage as a small mist erupts at the edge of his sword, and spins around to pull the blade back down in another swing as the creature moves past him. ((17 to hit for 11 damage. Welcome to Earth.))

It staggers and its cloaking field flickers for a few seconds before failing. Heavily bleeding, it swings it’s foretalons wildly at the samurai

9:44 AM

(2 damage)

9:46 AM

The bark of a pistol and the spark of a bullet deflecting off the carapace of the beast distracts it. Siegfried steps into the clearing calmly, the weapon raised and steady in a two handed grip. (Arimoto is up)

Arimoto lands a devastating hit but the creature's flailing catches his arms giving him a few scrapes as the pistol shot rings out. Undeterred, he smoothly draws the blade upwards as the creature's blood and gore erupts in protest. ((Another 6 damage.))

Neatly disemboweled it collapses into a heap, the warm innards steaming in the cool night air.

10:19 AM

“Nicely done” Siegfried Says admiringly. he notices your light injuries. “want me to do something about that?”

Pausing for a couple seconds to be sure the creature expired, Arimoto gives his blade a quick shake and then sheathes it. He takes a deep breath and glances at his arms. "No I can take care of this myself later, let's get the workers to safety." He walks over to pick up his glowbug and glares back at the corpse for a moment. "Should we do something with the remains or leave it to rot?"

“Actually, if you fancy it val in the lab has made stealth suits from the hides before. We can take a few minutes and try to skin it. The workers wouldn’t mind a rest I’m sure”

Arimoto thinks for a moment but eventually shrugs. "I suppose it's better to at least try to make some use of it..." He frowns as he stares down at the steaming heap and pulls the knife from his survival kit, raising at eyebrow at the thought of wedging it into the insect. "Don't suppose you're skilled at such things? Can't say I've ever had occasion to skin something."

“Not very. All I remember from watching her work is you don’t need to keep the head”

(survival with dex)

Arimoto works to separate the exoskeleton from the innards, scowling as he attempts to carefully scrape out the clinging goo. (11, 12 if the survival kit +1 bonus applies)

Arimoto after a half hours work manages to cut a section large enough to make something out of from the beast. The workers have rested during this time and are ready to make the trip back

Wiping his brow as he wraps the fruit of his labor in his tarp, Arimoto rejoins the others and helps them make it back to the safety of the settlement.

The workers are quickly taken to the field hospital in rebirth. Siegfried seems to have stabilized and healed the worst of it but they’ll need a few nights of rest at least to truly walk it off. “We can’t seem to irradiate these things” Siegfried says as the last of the patients is taken into care. “Bunch of hunting parties have gone out. Most end up with success but there’s always more”

Arimoto rubs his chin. "Where I am from, many insect infestations can only be removed by destroying the nest. I would imagine it is similar here." He stretches his shoulders a bit. "In any case at least for the moment it seems the issue here has been dealt with. Can you tell me where this Val and their lab is located? Hopefully I will not have to stomach the stench for long before they can take a look at it."

“Back in the lab, in the main colony. I’ll pack a cooler for you to keep that in until you’re back.” (3xp, 1500 credits)

Arimoto sighs with relief as he receives the cooler after a few minutes. "Much better, my thanks." He gives a light bow as he prepares to head out. "Our paths may yet cross again, but until then, luck be with you." He would then make his way back to the train stop and return to the main colony.

The train brings you back through the mountains overnight, and the sleeping car was quite comfortable. The sun is just coming up as the train comes to a halt in the southern greenbriar station.

Arimoto's sleep is a bit short but restful, and he reads thru the latest colony news as the train starts to pull into the station. Taking a quick look at his chilled prize, before promptly closing it back up on account of the smell, he sets out towards the administrative building to report the success before heading to the lab.

Franz is out of the office for a few days as you’ll come to find when you’re there, but your statement is taken and the credit payment is authorized. You’re given directions to the lab which is not far away

Arimoto makes his way to the lab, eager to get rid of his 'trophy'.

The lab door clicks open loudly as you approach, an automated voice wishing you welcome and to please take a seat. A few moments later a tanned, heavily tattooed woman rounds a corner, and smiles as she approaches.

8:51 PM

"Hello there, my name is Val."

Arimoto takes a seat and glances around while absentmindedly tapping on the cooler. As the woman enters the room he rises and meets her greeting. "Well met, I am Arimoto. Yesterday I was fortunate enough to slay a cloaking insectoid, and a colleague suggested that you might be able to put its skin to good use?" He opens the cooler to show her the grisly item.

“You’ve brought back a more intact skin than I’ve worked with yet. Well done. I can make this into an undersuit or a cloak depending on your preference. If you wear it under your clothing it’ll still allow you to cloak somehow. Still learning”. She tuts over the clipboard in her hand, making notes even as she talks

Arimoto raises an eyebrow at the notion of the cloaking working from underneath clothing, but shrugs and just accepts it. "A cloak of cloaking seems like something that I could find a use for. How much to have one fashioned, and how long would it take?"

“1,000 credits for the time. I can have it done in...” she once again references his clipboard “two days. I can move a few things around”

7:32 PM

“Studying the wildlife here has been a side project of mine since we landed. This is the best preserved cloaker hide that’s come in yet”

Arimoto rubs his chin and double checks his credit balance. "That seems reasonable, I'll set up the credit transfer and drop back by in a couple days." He pauses for a moment as he prepares to leave. "And if I happen to kill anything else interesting perhaps I'll bring you some of what's left. Probably a good idea for someone to take a close look at the native life here, if the next thing to attack workers has an unknown toxin or disease I'm not sure if they'll fare as well as the ones this one attacked did."

“That’s smart thinking. If you find anything interesting please bring it on back. Check in with me in a couple of days. I’ll have this ready for you”

Arimoto bids her farewell and decides to head to his hab to clean up his light wounds, shower and change into clothes that aren't torn. Afterwards he would check the colonial news network for some details not in the headlines. ((Specifically, for this attack on the infested island are they just going to like shell and/or nuke the hell out of it from sea or are they going to invade it on foot Starship Troopers style? Also the technicians sent 'abroad', is that referring to planetside or off-planet? Who exactly did they visit?))

(One of the other researchers is a virus expert. He engineered something and they’re going to shell it with chemical warheads, followed by purge teams on foot and mechanized. The queen is gargantuan. About the size of a mountain. The technicians took the colony shuttle to meet a second colony ship limping towards the planet. It’s spike drive was damaged but it’s a few days away from making orbit now. That was a prior mission a few of the pc’s had run. Fixing some of the problems on board

Arimoto would spend the afternoon checking around town for what kind of work was available that would be suited to his skills. In particular he'd keep a look out for dangerous wildlife bounties, upcoming expeditions that might need protection, and general 'expert stabber needed' work.

There are several advertisements on the board. “Experienced help needed! Exploring ruins on the moon” “Beast sighted near mining camp” “The Piggen need someone for a sensitive assignment”

((He'll check for more details on all 3, they all sound interesting.))

12:50 PM

The moon map provided is as follows

12:53 PM

There’s several ruins on the moon from the piggen, the pig like natives. They used to be spacefaring and have fallen into more primitive ways. There’s lots of abandoned compounds and old machinery. The mine in the mountains where tungsten is mined up is walled but a large beast keeps menacing the camp. One of its kind harassed the camp last winter as well but that beast was killed. Val and katya threw it off a mountain. They’re not sure if this is the same one. There’s an army squad there not having luck tracking it The piggen in their desert city of Delphos have recently dealt with a splinter faction that left and made a new settlement in the desert. There was a short terror plot against the city that was thwarted and the splinter faction was annihilated. Someone is asked to check the ruins and verify there are no survivors

Arimoto would take notes on who to contact for the hunt for the creature attacking the mine, and how to get there.

The mine is north, the rail line there is supplemented with a handful of autonomous grav trucks traveling the road to and from the colony. Either travel option is viable. (the trucks are normal looking trucks, they could have human crews but someone created this model to have a ghost driver)

6:58 PM

There is a sergeant at the mining camp as part of the army squad left there posting the notice

Arimoto would set out on whichever option seemed faster, and plan to find the sergeant when he arrived at the mining camp. ((Assuming this is only a couple days travel and not like a week.))

(It’s about a full day via the train). You arrive at the outskirts of the mining camp the following morning, accompanied by a passenger car full of miners who had been on leave to visit family and spend some time in the comforts of home. The tall walls and guard towers enclose the compound, topped with razor wire. Inside there is the churn of mining and processing equipment and the harsh barks of foremen directing workers

As the train rolls in Arimoto is intrigued at the layout, resembling a prison more than a quarry. Once arriving he would look for the military leadership to find the sergeant who posted the notice and get an update on the situation.

The soldiers aren’t hard to pick out in their bulky combat armor. One of them seems to be issuing orders, reading from a compad while shouting from atop a personnel carrier

Arimoto dodges a few miners and soldiers as he approaches the carrier, waiting for a break in his orders before addressing him. "Hello, I'm from the main colony, here about the reports of attacks from a beast." He idly rests his hand on the hilt of his katana as he dodges another pair of miners heading to the mine proper.

“Ah you’re here about the contract then. Excellent. How much have you been told?”

Arimoto nods. "Only what was in the notice posted - That some manner of beast has been causing issues while evading capture and that it may not be the first of its kind. I'm not really a tracker but I can help take it down and am willing to stick around for a few days until we can find it."

"There is always a mist or a fog that rolls in before it makes an attempt at our walls. It just comes out of the gloom, hammers away until we can hurt it enough to drive it off, but comes back the next night"

Arimoto rubs his chin. "Doesn't sound like anything I've ever encountered, does it always come after dark and leave before sunrise? Could be averse to bright light." He thinks for a moment. "Though I suppose that doesn't change much, sounds persistent and dangerous - Probably best to just put it down. If you're confident that it will come to us I can wait outside the walls to meet it. If it decides to run we should pursue it, most likely has a lair somewhere within a few hours on foot at most."

“We have tried running it down before, but with this carrier we might be able to keep up.” you do see that the vehicle looks almost factory fresh, sleek and armed with a pair of railguns. “It comes almost every night, tries to get over the walls. Last year the creature took some miners back to its lair. Got saved just in time.”

Arimoto looks over the carrier and continues to rub his chin. "Hmm, well far be it for me to say we should shy away from using the tools at our disposal. Very well, if it makes more sense for us to all wait in the vehicle at dusk to ride it down then let's do that." He would probably spend the time until sunset consulting maps of the surrounding area and maybe surveying things from the towers, get some ideas about where a lair might be just in case they lose it.

There’s a handful of thin game trials used by migrating local wildlife that go deeper into the mountains but the terrain is generally very rocky and impassible

After finding nothing obvious over the course of an hour of checking the surrounding area Arimoto decides to just put faith in the vehicle managing to track it down. Assuming nothing exciting happens he would pass the rest of the time until dusk admiring the view from the walls, making idle observation of the alien flora and fauna he could see.

The sun sets and darkness falls over the labor camp. Gradually the sounds of mine work stops and the miners begin heading to the cook house and shower blocks before heading home for the night. In the stillness, from the eastern wall a gradually thickening mist begins seeping into the complex. Flood lights on the adjacent guard towers flick on, panning the gloom

((Does the mist appear 'normal', as in normal color/texture compared to say morning mist over wheat fields? Is the mist actually originating from a certain direction/location or just settles over the entire area like normal mist? Any unusual smell or other sensory effects of it? Does the mist condense on cold surfaces [not sure if there are any around]?))

(It’s settles over the compound but it came from the east. It appears functionally normal though it smells slightly of rot. It does condense on the metal tools and ore barrels left out)

Assuming the other soldiers are manning the vehicle in preparation to ride out he would join them, otherwise he'd be on the wall looking out for movement, possibly with his T3 binoculars if they were any help (maybe a thermal imaging function or something). He would quickly check to make sure the thermal flares in his survival kit wouldn't be an issue to pull out in the event he needs one.

The sergeant, driver and gunner are in the APC, currently idling behind the main gate. Two soldiers are in the northeast and southeast tower, one on a spotlight and the other on a heavy machine gun. They are continuing to search the gloom. (Knowing where everyone is where do you want to be?)

((I'll be in the APC, making sure I'm securely buckled/harnessed in because safety first. I guess I'd be the equivalent of Googling 'mist aliens' on my compad until there's commotion.))

The lights suddenly flick off, along with power for the base. The APC however remains lit. Soldiers on the towers begin tossing glowbugs outside the perimeter. A mournful wail is heard on the wind

Arimoto quickly stashes his compad as the howl pierces the air. "Sergeant, does the power normally cut like this?" He shifts somewhat tensely in the safety harness.

“This hasn’t happened before..” he trails off. The walls groan and a massive beast lands inside the compound, climbing the walls like a gorilla. It’s twice the height of a man, heavily muscled and covered in white fur.

6:06 AM

Bellowing it begins heading for the worker blocks.

Quickly shaking the surprise off, Arimoto unfastens the harness and sprints to catch up to the beast, hand on the hilt of his katana.

The beast roars, running on knuckles and feet as it barrels towards the first of the barracks blocks. It lifts a large ore cart over its head effortlessly and throws

12:38 PM

There’s a crash as the thick wall is cracked. Workers inside begin to panic

((Are the soldiers doing anything? I'm still trying to catch up to it and engage it.))

(The ones in the towers are heading down from the walls, the apc is trying to turn around)

((Yeah then I'm just going for the BBEG, is it a ways away or do we need to do initiative or?))

(Let’s do initiative)

((2, totally not prepared apparently.))

(7). The beast smashes his fist through the already weakened brickwork, emerging triumphantly with two miners in its massive paw

((What's my distance to be in melee reach?))

(40m)

Arimoto sprints as fast as he can to catch the beast. ((I think there's no way to move faster than 20m a round, so I'll just advance that far for my turn.))

(You can use your action to double move, same as dash pretty much)

((Right and speed is 10m, so I'll double move to close to 20m, next turn I'll be in range.))

The beast begins making for the wall, not galloping due to the need to keep an arm level now. (You’ll be able to catch it)

1:38 PM

“If he’s got civilians in his hand we can’t open fire!” You hear the sergeant yell as much to y

1:39 PM

To you as to the rest of his men

((Does it move closer to me or is it still 20m away?))

(it's moved sort of adjacently to you, its not coming directly at you but your paths have intersected)

Arimoto close the gap and a soft sound like a lone wind chime lazily echoes in the mist as he swings his katana at the beast. ((Trying to avoid hitting the arm with the miners, is there an attack roll penalty or anything?))

(it's so big i dont think you can miss even if youre making an aimed strike)

3:44 PM

((19 for 10 damage.))

The beast roars and takes a swipe at you as it rushes by (evasion save )

((Fail.))

You’re knocked onto your back as the creature thunders by, heading for the wall as quickly as it’s able. (20m from the wall). (Also 2 damage)

Arimoto lands a slice on the beast, but as his blade is once again sheathed he is flung away like an annoying gnat and lands on his back. He looks up as the creature continues undeterred for the walls. "Argh! We'll have to chase it down!" He scrambles to his feet and rushes back to the vehicle. ((I think I can make it halfway back to the vehicle, maybe try to hop in if they start moving before I get there.))

They begin rolling towards you and you’re able to get aboard easily. There’s a loud clanking sound as the heavy gate winches itself open. As the vehicle rounds the corner you see the creature rushing up one of the game paths away from the camp.

Arimoto fumbles to get his harness fastened and gets ready for a bumpy ride. ((How many miners does the creature have, and are they moving or anything or do they look dead?))

(They’re screaming and yelling for help. Very much alive. He has two)

4:57 PM

The engine coughs black smoke as it accelerates. The massive and powerful back of the creature is exposed. A target lock is displayed over it but the gunner has kept his hands away from the gunnery console as to not risk injury to the miners. The APC whips and curls around the winding game trail, gradually catching up to the beast

Arimoto fishes a shuriken from his robe, frowning at his lack of options. He also pulls his T3 binoculars back out to get a better view of the beast. ((If we close to within 10m I'll throw a shuriken, not much but should be low risk to hit a miner especially from behind. Until we get that close he'd be trying to examine it thru the binoculars: Can he figure out if it's male or female, does it appear to be mammalian or a hairy reptile, does it seem to be producing mist or does the mist seem to interact with it in any way?))

There is mist streaming from its back, almost like a billowing cloak. It’s mammalian but of gender you can’t be sure. The vehicle is within ten, straining to keep up

Arimoto tosses a shruiken at the beast as the vehicle closes in. ((21 for 5, primitive though so if it has advanced hide I think it does reduced/no damage - Does it look like it was effective?))

(Yeah it’s hurting). The shrunken digs deep and the beast bellows, one of the miners tumbles out of its briefly slackinging grip

At the sight of the victim breaking free Arimoto grabs a thermal flare from his survival kit, ignites it, and throws it behind the vehicle towards the miner. ((Hopefully will make it easier to find him. Do I need to make a roll or anything to get it to him? Does the vehicle crew do anything or just keep pursuing?))

(No even if it’s not directly to him it’s close enough where he can get to it or at least stay by it if he’s hurt. Plus your whole life has been the pursuit of physical excellence. If you want to throw the glow stick at the thing you’re going to hit the thing. They keep following). The beast screams as it rounds another corner and passes into a cave opening. It retreats back into shadow, it’s barks and bellows getting fainter as it puts distance between you. The apc comes to a halt and idled.

As the vehicle comes to a halt Arimoto unfastens his harness and hops out. "One of you drive back to pick up the one who was dropped, the rest with me." He started running into the cave even before he finished the sentence.

The sergeant and one of the troopers exit with you, powerful flashlights on their weapons sweeping the gloom. The mist in the cave is thick and heavy

Arimoto slows down a bit as the mist becomes a hindrance, listening as much as looking for movement. ((Is the cave pretty linear or are there multiple paths the creature might have taken?))

(It’s fairly linear as far as you can tell). You hear the miners faint cries further back in the cave along with the wet crunches of massive paws over gravel

Arimoto continues at a brisk pace. ((Not sprinting but as fast as he can move without tripping in the mist. Assuming the soldiers' lights are enough to see by, or is it pitch black?))

(They’re fairly powerful lights so you can see pretty handily). Hunched over at the back of the cave, facing away from you, the beast delicately takes the miner and puts him behind an enclosure of stalagmites, something almost resembling a pen. There are a few skeletons in there already, including one wearing a silver mask.

((Oh it's just restocking the terrarium, what a big misunderstanding!)) Arimoto charges the beast, hand on the hilt of his katana.

(Go ahead and swing. Then we will go into initiative)

Arimoto slices at the beast as he reaches it, but only lightly catches a limb. ((4 shock if AC 13 or less, initiative 6.))

(Going to take the shock damage. Got a 2)

((What about the soldiers, they go before me?))

(They’ll go right after you. Their action during the surprise round you just had was basically entering the combat so it’s not just you squaring up with this thing$

Spinning to keep his momentum, Arimoto makes another swing at the beast. ((13 for 8))

The two soldiers each fire their combat rifles at the beast. One misses, the shot splintering stones and kicking up a spread of gravel. The other hits it squarely, eliciting a roar of fresh pain (6 damage). The mist begins pouring out of the beast, slowly filling the cave with vapor (its just starting so clinging maybe to ankle level). It charges and swings a powerful fist at the samurai. (3 damage assuming 21 hits)

Arimoto avoids the brunt of the fist but is knocked off balance, he rolls to the side and slices upwards as he comes to a stop, the mist eddying around him. ((20 for 11 damage. Does the beast actually bleed or is mist coming out of the wounds?))

(Mist is heavily coming out of them but there’s also some dark colored blood. It’s not in great shape right now)

6:42 AM

The soldiers fire again, one missing, the second one scores a grazing shot (2 damage). Barreling past Arimoto, it charges the soldiers, using its massive body as a ram and crushing one of the soldiers under its bulk. You hear his agonized screams and the wet snap of bone

6:42 AM

(Arimoto is up)

Arimoto chases down the beast, striking it from behind. ((12 for 10 damage, or 4 shock if missed.))

Roaring weakly the best falls to its knees and then topples on to its front

After waiting a moment to be sure the beast had expired, Arimoto heads over to check on the crushed soldier. ((Alive enough for a patch to do anything or is he pulp?))

(He’s intact enough for a patch)

6:23 PM

He’s hanging limply across the ground, many of his bones shattered

Arimoto kneels beside the wounded warrior, briefly checks his condition and then produces a Lazarus Patch which he then applies. ((Any modifier or is it just a straight heal roll?))

(I believe it’s just a straight roll)

(I looked at the rules if you want to know them. " If they have no special medical tools available at all, the difficulty of the check is 10 plus the number of rounds that have passed since the target went down. If they have a medical kit or other proper trauma tools, the difficulty is 8 plus the rounds since injury, and if they expend a Lazarus patch on the target, the difficulty is 6 plus the time. A failed check can be re-attempted next round if the target isn’t dead yet, but Lazarus patches are expended even on a failure. ")

7:23 PM

(Missed the line before that: "A PC who wants to extend mercy to an enemy or aid to a friend can use their Main Action to attempt an Int/Heal or Dex/Heal skill check, using whatever modifier is best. ")

(It’s been one round since he went down)

((heal/dex for 9, looks like he is stabilized but 'critically wounded' until a real doctor sees to him.))

(Id agree with that). He gasps as air fills his lungs. The surviving trooper mumbles something about going to find a stretcher, stopping for a second to get sick on the way out.

7:26 PM

The worker trapped behind the stone barrier looks shaken but otherwise okay

Arimoto helps the wounded soldier prop up against the wall before heading to the trapped miner. ((Is he able to just navigate out of the 'pen' or do we have to break rocks to get him out? Is there anything else interesting in the cave?))

(Break stuff. There’s the skeleton with the metal mask, a torn bag, clothing scraps, animal bones.

Arimoto looks over the 'pen' and rubs his chin. ((How large are the stalagmites, could they be broken by stiff kicks or would we need a large hammer or something?))

(Id say ordinarily a hammer but with your martial arts I’m thinking like...you’d be able to focus your strike or understand where to apply force. Do you think that’s a stretch for your background?)

((Let's let the dice decide, I'm thinking strength/exert, maybe like a DC10? That should be right around a 50/50 I think.))

(Works for me!)

Arimoto gives a couple of stiff kicks to some of the rocks but the only thing he accomplishes is a soft throbbing in his foot. "Argh. Sit tight we'll get you out of there." He kneels down by the wounded soldier. "Does your vehicle have any portable rams or hammers?"

“Hammer in the repair kit” he gasps between pained breaths.

8:27 PM

“On the truck”

Arimoto nods and pats the man gently on the shoulder. He waits for the other soldier to return and then would go fetch the hammer, returning to break a couple of stalagmites to open the 'pen'. He would check the torn bag to see if there was anything of interest, and also get a closer look at the metal mask. ((Any markings or indication of purpose of the mask? Is it just like a metal opera mask or is it shaped like a gas mask or something? Skeleton it's attached to look humanoid? Recent-ish or dead a long time and bones crumbling?))

(You’ve probably seen one or two people in the colony with those masks on too. Not common at all. The bones look to be about a year old.). The bag disintegrates as you pick it up, dropping a finely crafted monoknife, and a depleted type A power cell.

Not knowing the exact nature of the mask, Arimoto carefully retrieves it from the skeleton and stashes it in his backpack along with the monoknife. As he prepares to leave he surveys the dead beast and pulls the tarp from his survival kit to wrap a trophy as his other hand reaches for his tanto. ((Looks like the head may be too big to really transport, maybe one of the hands would work?))

The hands would work fine. You could get that into the troop bay pretty easily.

((I wanted something small enough that I could wrap it in my tarp and carry in my backpack, is the hand still too big for that? I could go for a finger. Or pull a Palofus.))

(The hand works. I mean it’s meant to fold and whatnot)

Arimoto quickly severs a hand and wraps it up, stashing it in his backpack. He returns to the vehicle outside and hops back in, satisfied with victory and ready for some rest.

(3xp, 2000 credits)

5:49 PM

The workers recovered and the wounded stabilized the vehicle rumbles back down the rough stone path back to the mining camp. Power has been restored and searchlights slowly cross one another in the fog

Arimoto would take a half hour rest at the camp and then join the next train back to the colony.

It’s a quiet ride back to the colony. News about the hacking attempt and subsequent arrest of the Taros citizens responsible is playing on the train radio. You hear the second colony ship has also made orbit and the next wave of colonists are heading down. It’s early morning when the train pulls in

Arimoto startles awake as the train comes to a stop, and he lugs his backpack and deboards back to the colony. He first stops by Val's lab to see if she is in.

She is in. The lab AI, Mimir opens the door for you and brews some tea for you while you wait. Just as it finishes seeping, she rounds the corner

7:23 PM

“Please please, help yourself and we can talk in my office”

Arimoto is a bit apprehensive at the notion of tea made by a computer but takes the cup and follows Val. A bit too tired to enjoy the tea he first produces the tarp package from his backpack. "There was a beast in the mountains attacking a mining camp. It was quite large and its body produced a thick mist, but it otherwise seemed fairly typical of a predatory mammal. Perhaps you can study this piece of it and learn something useful."

7:45 PM

He also pulls out his compad. "I made a few notes last night about the beast, I'll transfer them to you." ((Totally not a last minute thought. Also for future reference can compads take photos or audio recordings?))

7:47 PM

((Also the notes are pretty basic, general appearance, estimate of strength, supposition about level of intelligence.))

(It’s basically like a super advanced smartphone is how it reads to me)

((Okay noted, no pictures this time but next time I'll take a selfie with the corpse.))

"Ive fought something like this before. You said this came from the mining camp?"

"Yes, it attacked at dusk and managed to capture a pair of miners, we chased it back to a cave where we put it down. I was told a similar beast had been seen before."

"That sounds like our one. Exact same tactics...exact same everything. We killed it though, I know we did...."

"Well the cave it led us to didn't seem especially large like there were others living there, but some such creatures live in pairs so maybe this was the better half of the one you killed." He thinks for a moment and then produces the metallic mask and monoknife from his backpack. "A skeleton in the cave was wearing this and a nearby bag had this knife, definitely didn't die recently but probably still from after the initial colony ship landed here."

"ah, one of the masquerade. Probably before they joined with us...no reports of anyone missing, even then. Sad state of affairs that whole thing, I'm glad they saw sense in the end"

8:21 PM

"The blade, if you desire it, is yours. My telekinesis tends to handle most of those types of jobs for me"

He squints a bit but shrugs. "Well it seems functional and wasn't doing the dead any good, I'm sure I can find a use for it." He puts both back into his backpack. "At any rate I thought I'd check in on progress with that cloaking insect business, I may be heading out again tomorrow so if it will be ready I may as well take it with me."

"Ah yes, of course" She heads to a panel on the wall and punches in a code. It hisses open, with only a small amount of sound and she draws an oilcloth wrapped bundle from the compartment. She lays it out on her desk, and inside is the stealth cloak

8:29 PM

a small power unit, using a type A power cell is artfully worked through the hide, and a small button on the side of the collar activates it

8:30 PM

(basically the beast uses its own natural electricity to make the fur change/bend light around it, so they have to replicate that energy being applied with the power cell) (edited)

Arimoto examines the cloak for a minute, then dons it in a debatably unnecessary flourish. He tries the button a couple times and nods, satisfied. "Excellent. Well I have a few errands to see to so I will take my leave, good fortune to you until we meet again."

“Health and fortune!” She replies, seeing you out of the lab

Arimoto heads to check out the market area (?), noting a recent influx of goods from the Pillar of Salt. ((How big are the 'small prefab buildings', and are any for sale?))

(They’d be the size of a like a modern day ranch home around where we live. They’re 5000 a piece and yes you can buy one

((I can say with confidence that getting a mortgage is a total pain the ass so I'll wait until I can pay cash for that one. As for shopping, some questions: 1. Since the tailored antiallergens seem to not be necessary any reason I should hang onto them? 2. Are there GPS satellites on the planet such that a navcomp would actually work? 3. Would a scout report on the planet provide any information that I couldn't look up on my compad already? 4. Are we keeping track of type A cells used to power stuff like T4 binoculars, glowbugs, etc.?))

(There is a satellite. Antiallergens can be modified in the lab if you end up going to another world and don’t want to worry about a filter, it depends what you want to know, and normally with down timebetween im assuming you’re charging them but it’ll be important for extended time away from civilization or powering a lot of toys at once)

((I was thinking like having scouting reports mostly of like terrain features, so if I wind up somewhere I could check if there was like a stream or cave nearby, more like a detailed map I guess, maybe that's the same as what a navcomp would do?))

(I’ve got some maps drawn depending on what you want)

4:41 PM

(It only lets me show the one background at a time

((Is the map on roll20 'available' like via compad already?))

(Yeah)

((Okay nevermind then that's what I was after. Last question, that monoknife I picked up is there anything special about it or is it just a normal small advanced melee weapon?))

(There’s certain things it can cut that regular weapons can’t)

4:44 PM

(Some of the gear can only be cut by a mono blade. I’d have to get the book in front of me to give you exacts)

(Primitive weapons can't penetrate advanced armor. A Monoblade is advanced, so it can.)

4:46 PM

(So in powered armor, you would be immune to a normal knife or sword, but not a monoblade.)

((It reads like monoblade is just a flavor of advanced weapon, one part mentions that they used to be something different in first edition SWN. I want to say my small advanced weapon [Tanto] is mechanically identical?))

(pg 68 "An advanced one has been given a monoblade edge, kinetic sheathing, thermal wires, a chainsaw blade, or some other TL4 touch.") (edited)

(Yeah the power armor is the big one I remembered. I know with tl4 grapples and stuff you can only cut the cable with a mono blade too)

4:52 PM

(If your tanto is advanced i mean we can say it has one of those things)

(it seems in the new rules, there are only small, medium, and large weapons, or primitive and advance varieties. So all melee weapons fall in one of these classes.)

4:56 PM

(I believe there is also a focus that let's your unarmed attacks be advanced.)

((Okay two more questions, 1. Are any prices modified on the planet [e.g. advanced weapons cost more than normal] and 2. What value can things be sold to the market for, full, half, less?))

(Full value buy and sell. Book prices for my own sanity if nothing less. The colony has developed enough where there’s not a shortage of anything 4 or less. )

)tech level 4 I mean. Sorry)

((Any chance we can houserule something for lightweight throwing weapons? I really want shuriken but the closest I can get are small weapons, which still weigh 1 unit each, cost the full price of a weapon intended only for melee, and have a range of only 10m. I'd happily trade damage for less weight. Alternatively maybe something like an iChakram that has the same damage and weight but is 'reusable' and maybe have more range.))

(How about an advanced chakram, grav assisted so it can go out to 20m before coming back to you)

(spears can be thrown 30 meters, medium weapons) (edited)

(Can be paired to a small sensor you have on you so I knows to come back or something equally spacey)

((Yeah and spears do more damage too, so on a weight basis are much better, but they're also spears so take up space and aren't easy to conceal. So small advanced chakram with space magic to come back to me, 1d6 damage 20m range 1 shock / AC15 and 1 encumbrance - Name your price.))

(Sounds TL5 to me, so I would say you brought it with you. My character, Silvano, brought a TL5 shear rifle to start the game. Neko?)

(Sorry. Was showering. Just got back from the gym. I’d be fine with saying you’ve had it on you or it was broken and now that you’ve got some cash you got it fixed)

((Eh maybe it is a little more advanced than the average Apple weapon, but I'm fine paying for it, seems like something that would cost 5-10x normal price.))

(Let’s say 5x cost and call it square

((Alright check me on this, I believe this is my shopping list and it comes to 1025c total. I swagged the survival kit restock because I just need a glowbug 1 flare and a tarp.))

6:15 PM

(Nothing is sticking out to me as not available or anything, i believe you void the factory warranty without reading the user agreement

((If you had read the user agreement you'd know that there is no factory warranty.))

(Looks like everything is in order though. Also as far as the building, the hab you live in now is yours. You own it. If you want a second one though you can buy one)

((He wants his own place that isn't given to him, he'll buy it once he has the funds.))

(That’s fair. I just wanted to make sure it was that and not a misunderstanding)

((Nope, just ironic PC aversion to socialistic welfare practices!))

Arimoto spends an afternoon in the slowly growing marketplace. Most of the good are still sold out of stalls or booths by craftsmen but the goods themselves are of quality.

((Oh, is that mask just a piece of metal, no value or use?))

(The story is, when the colony ship broke apart in orbit, the first one that is, the engineering crew were horribly burned, and could not get to their designated landing pods in time. Many found other ways off the ship, and landed in a forest near the colony. Most made masks of scrap metal to hide their horrible burns and scars. Eventually they began harassing and raiding the colony from a nearby forest. Their first major combat action on planet was pacifying them, killing some, bringing the rest home and incorporating them back into colony life)

8:13 PM

(there are less than 100 in the colony, most work in remote work crews, as they're viewed with suspicion)

((Right so I doubt anyone really wants it for anything. Guess I'll keep it as trophy.))

(Sure thing!)

((Alright sheet updated.)) After an afternoon of shopping Arimoto heads back to his hab for some quality sleep. In the morning he would set the metallic mask out on a countertop and spend a few minutes fiddling with his new cloak before heading back out to check for job postings.

An expedition is being assembled to investigate the nearby lava world and its accompanying orbital installation is the newest posting. It seems as though for now there are no problems with the local wildlife. There are several bounties for exploration of the territory around the new rail line. (I’m open to anything you might be interested in too) (edited)

((Based on his background Arimoto would probably want to get a feel for the state of organized crime in the colony now that he's been here a little while. Guessing like a talk or connect check or something, basically check around looking for telltale signs of shady dealings.))

Sure. We can do connect. I’d say attribute depends on how you’re going about it

((He'd err on the subtle side and mostly do it by observation, looking for groups of people transporting goods that are avoiding authorities, people who look like substance abusers [and thus dealers], people that are carrying concealed weaponry, that sort of thing. He wouldn't really speak to anyone except maybe to ask bystanders if they thought certain behavior was strange.))

Aside from the marijuana which is legal (mostly) in the colony, you notice that out of one of the coffee shops some business is being done out of the back

9:16 PM

Though it’s hard to tell what exactly is being done, since due to its legal status they have an actual storefront

((How long does it take me to find that, is that after a whole afternoon of looking around?))

(Whole afternoon at least. Enough time to discern a pattern)

((Okay so at the very least the place isn't smothered in crime if it takes that long to find something suspicious.)) Arimoto would drop by and order a cup of coffee, and drink it very slowly as he watched the ongoings inside the shop, looking for any clues as to what might be going on behind the scenes.

The coffee is quite good, surprisingly. There is a brief blurb on the napkin extolling the origins of coffee on this world. Grown from an iron seed, this blend was specially formulated to be both delicious and smooth......the pamplet goes on, but you don't manage to finish reading it. Someone walks by the window, in a thick jacket, one arm held underneath. It's a bit out of place given the now rising springtime temperatures

Seeing the atypical figure out of the corner of his eye, Arimoto folds the napkin-pamphlet up and stashes it into his robe, and casually gets up and walks outside to see where the figure is headed. ((If the coffee is in a disposable cup he'd take it with him, if not he'd take a last big sip and leave anything he didn't finish.))

(It’s disposable) the figure doesn’t seem like he’s caught on. He’s heading east towards the factory district and warehouses. The second shift is going to be heading into work soon and even from here you can hear the faint clank of metal machinery stamping away

Arimoto lazily trails after the figure, spending as much time looking at the scenery as the man in the jacket. ((Is he walking at a normal pace, fast, slow?))

(Normal. Maybe a power walk if we had to characterize it but he’s not drawing any additional attention with the pace). The factory blocks are flat land, the buildings often lined with spillways of compacted gravel. The buildings here are very large and all manner of goods are produced within. A shiny grav bus rolls out of one of the factories as you pass, still covered in a layer of protective film. The man seems to be veering off to the metal storage warehouses

Arimoto continues to follow him at a distance, but would pause before leaving the common walkway.

The man drifts off the trail towards the loading entrance of the second metal storage building

Arimoto finds a nice spot across the street from the building the figure is heading towards and either sits down or leans against something while he waits to see if the figure comes back out, or if others show up. ((He'd wait around for up to an hour.))

The figure doesn’t come back out but a few others show up. A few are looking quite nervous, casting glances around furtively

((About what time of day is it?))

(Late afternoon early evening, like 5/6 o clock at night)

Arimoto will call it a day for now, head back to his hab and sleep early. He would plan to wake up about 3 hours before dawn and head back out to the same place.

When you head back to the same spot the following morning the roads are deserted but for a small hand drawn cart, pulled by two people. They’re heading for the warehouse you had been watching

5:45 PM

A drab green cloth, very threadbare, covers the back

Arimoto ducks around a corner, draws up his cloak and activates it before continuing to follow the cart. He would look for an opening to follow it inside the building.

The rear entry door sticks a bit and it hasn’t completely closed. You hear voices talking in low whispers, but carried she to the emptiness of the cast space

7:06 AM

Vast

Arimoto would move up next to the doorway and listen to see if he could make out the conversation. ((How wide open is the door, and is it just a regular doorknob kind of door or a spacey sliding one?))

(It’s a regular door, and it’s about halfway. If you go in sideways and mind your sword sheathe you’d be able to slide in) The conversation talks about a new shipment coming in from the west, and how they almost got caught in Vapormills so this batch is going to cost extra.

Arimoto carefully slides himself inside through the wedged door and hovers in a corner as he listens in.

They’re referencing something called ‘Trance’ , a substance of some kind based on they is turning over in their hands. The drug looks like some kind of inhaler with a small canister inside

“The Route from Egons, through Vapormills and now here was tough. They’re watching the airports like hawks”

Arimoto makes mental notes as he listens. He would stick around for maybe another 5 minutes but then would leave the way he came, content to return to his hab and do some light research before lunch.

The meeting ends about that time. Credits are exchanged for a few canvas musette bags, and the meeting breaks up

Arimoto makes it back to his hab early in the morning and spends some time researching the locations mentioned and the name they used for what they were transporting.

The name is not in colony data bases but the city Vapormills is the easternmost taros confederacy city state. The colony has worked with them heavily as of late.

9:27 PM

Egons is another taros city, a new contact and Little is know about it aside from being highly industrialized. You do see flight records that Charles trivedi (another pc) has been there recently in business

9:27 PM

*on

((Any mention of 'Trance'?))

)no. The way they were talking about it was almost like a street name(

((Hmm fair enough.)) Arimoto has a light lunch and then heads out to see if Franz is in his office.

Franz has returned from his dealings out west and is behind the desk happily tapping away on his computer when you enter

Arimoto gives a light bow. "Greetings Franz, I hope your trip went well. I was hoping you had some information on something called 'Trance', likely of Taros origin? I was... Exploring town and overheard some conversation about it, and the context made it seem, well, perhaps something to be concerned about."

“Ah. It’s a new plague on the unemployed I fear. Distraction is our worst enemy on this planet. It’s coming from the west. still working out the exact way it works but it’s been causing all sort of problems”

4:50 PM

“The users hallucinate pleasant memories. With so much loss plaguing the colony, you can see how a substance like that would have powerful sway”

Arimoto rubs his chin. "What sort of problems? Does it have side effects?"

“After the hallucinations the brain is for a lack of better words , catatonic. It takes several hours recovery time, you can see how this might be an issue”

Arimoto nods. "I see. Is it officially illegal? Does it have any medical uses?"

“It is here due to the efffects and our large population that we would consider vulnerable to it”

"So much death and loss endured means people want to find ways to live in the past, and they use the drug to cope with it. A few of the clerks here have had problems with it, which is how I came to find out"

Arimoto rubs his chin and after a slightly awkward silence responds. "Hmm. Well I have reason to believe that there's a smuggling operation possibly originating from Egons. Do we have any authority in that area?"

"I've been in talks with a few of the Taros City States, them being one. Speaking frankly- I don't think they're doing all they could be doing to try to get a handle on this. They have, however, allowed us to empower marshalls who can act with authority in their lands. If you're willing to look into this, I'd be happy to appoint you as such"

After a long pause Arimoto nods slowly. "If there's a steady stipend enough to finance living expenses I believe this arrangement is agreeable, at least for a time. I would need a few more details with regards to what level of authority I would be exercising and what degree of collateral disruption is acceptable to resolve the issue. It is often impossible to truly eliminate organized crime operations without destruction of assets... And sometimes people."

“If you act to defend yourself or those you’re working with, you have maximum authority. Egons has been struggling with crime for quite some time now and they’ve authorized this. They’re clearly incapable of handling the matter themselves”

"Very well, I will accept. I can head out to Egons tomorrow. Aside from ending Trace smuggling are there any other activities in the scope of what I am to investigate? Is there any authority in Egons I can speak to for details on where to start?"

The city leader is the lord of House Egons, for whom the settlement gets its namesake. You likely won’t speak with him directly but he has appointed some functionaries to assist with investigations there” He slides a stamped metal badge across the table. Shaped like a crescent and polished to a brass sheen, it verifies your status as a Marshall. “The trance is so far, the only problem making its way all the way out east, but with the completion of the railroad it’s far easier to get here now. I’m sure this is but one of many storms we will face. Our allies in the Greystar Combine have been silent lately” (edited)

Arimoto looks over the badge as he picks it up, and affixes it to his robe near his shoulder, where his cloak would normally conceal it but still allow it to be revealed quickly. "Alright, I will head there and reach out to the House." Arimoto bows and then takes his leave. ((Does the Combine have a physical location or are they just an agency?))

(If they have one they haven’t told you where)

Arimoto would head back to his hab to make sure it was squared away for him to be gone and then would board the next train for Egons.

It’s a days worth of train rides across the continent to Vapormills and then later to Egons. The city is monolithic, massive factory complexes rise out of hab blocks. The blue and red banners of the city noble house flap from most windows

Arimoto disembarks the train and stretches briefly before looking for a map or directory. He would check for the nearest government building, but would not head directly there and would first spend around an hour just walking around to get a sense for the place. ((Looking for indications of populace health and happiness, signs of how the economy is doing, and the general level of technology employed.))

It’s a late technologically emergent civilization. Walkers denoted in civil defense colors walk the streets, and workers hurry down various streets and byways. Few make eye contact and all seem to be in a hurry

10:47 AM

The government building in this sector of the city is hard to miss, easily the tallest

((So more advanced than Greenbriar or similar? Are the people wearing clothes similar to what I've seen thus far or does there seem to be a style or culture difference? Is everyone speaking the same language?))

(A little bit more advanced). The people are wearing work coveralls mostly but all do sport the same wrist mounted loremaster device. Theirs however seem to be a bit more rugged and industrialized. They are all speaking their own language though you’re greeted in English when close. There is a slight delay as their devices help them translate

After a brief stroll around the area Arimoto heads into the government building, looking for someone representing the House.

Similar to colonial administration there is a central information desk, and a number of clerks sit behind it at terminals

Arimoto approaches the information desk and flashes his badge to the attendant. "I'm looking for someone representing House Egons regarding a smuggling investigation."

“Ah that would be me” the clerk smiles. “Housecarl Thramos, at your service. Smuggling investigation you say?”

"Yes, there's been evidence of drugs being smuggled into Greenbriar from Egons. There were concerns that some on-site assistance might be needed to resolve the problem, hence why I am here. I was hoping the House might have some leads on where I could start."

“Ah Trance. Well it takes a significant chemical component to get right. The chemical warehouses and factories are down by the water”

Arimoto rubs his chin. "And have there been any previous attempts to investigate this area for connections to the manufacture of Trance?"

“It’s a maze of processing blocks and chemical spillways out there. We have scoured every inch of it and we have only found traces. It’s too dense from the air, and labor shortages keep us from fully investing in a grid search

Arimoto nods. "I see. Well I suppose I'll just go have a look for myself. Can you provide me a list of the chemicals and businesses that are supposed to be there?"

“All is owned by the Egons national chemical company there. If there are squatters there is a bounty to evict them, non lethally unless you’re threatened or course”

Arimoto raises an eyebrow but then shrugs. "Interesting. Well that's enough information for me to get started, I may return with more questions. My thanks."

The clerk bows slightly, and returns to their duties as you leave

The streets are far less crowded when you leave the office, second shift now beginning. Clutches of workers not currently on duty or coming off shift talk in small groups around the building. A civic defense walker stomps by, gracefully stepping around groundcars

Arimoto stares a bit at the walker but quickly moves on to the waterfront. He'd first try to get a general layout of the area, and then try to understand how goods are transported between buildings. ((Individual people hauling things, big shipments, regular intervals or just 'whenever', identical shipments or variations, etc.))

It’s a mix of s few of those things. The shipments look nearly identical, some kind of sealed storage drums, though they are either carried or a few are dragged about on pallets. There doesn’t seem to be an exact timing but the porters always seem to be late

Arimoto would scout around and make note of any buildings that did not have any transfers between them, and also look for any workers who were not dressed as well as the rest. ((Not necessarily different uniform, but maybe like it was put on more hastily or has something else underneath it.))

The westernmost building of the complex seems to be the least busy. The porters coming out of it are dressed properly, but one in particular has a noticible aura of not quite belonging there, or a nervous energy about her

((Is she going in and out of the same building, or moving between different ones? Is she following the same pattern as others?))

she is following a different pattern. her trips are more irriegular and sometimes she isnt carriyng anything

Arimoto would track her movements, and then the next building she leaves without carrying something he would enter and look around.

It’s the westernmost building. The main bay which you enter into is filled with metal sided chemical storeage tanks though there is an odd clanging at the back

((How many people are working in the building, is it really busy or mostly empty?))

this one is mostly empty

Arimoto would find a location out of the way but with a reasonable view and throw up his cloak. He would observe who came and went and what they transported for 10-15 minutes.

There are three porters who keep coming from the back of the house. What you notice with the last one is they came out of a door cleverly hidden as one of the chemical tanks

7:31 PM

(Looks like a normal chemical silo at the back of the warehouse floor but the front swings open)

Arimoto would slowly and quietly move to get a better view of what's behind the door when it opens. ((Does it stay open long enough to see anything?))

It’s open long enough for you to see a few people back there working at long tables. It’s hard to see what they’re doing but you hear the clink of glassware

Arimoto feels he's seen enough, and quietly moves back to the out of the way location and decloaks at an opportune time to walk back out of the building the same way he came in, stroll around the area for another 10 minutes or so and then head back towards the government building.

During your stroll you notice that the porters have stopped running around. The whole area seems quiet

Three matte black groundcars screech around the corner, heading down to the Chemical warehouses

Arimoto raises an eyebrow as he moves to the nearest building and stands next to it, out the path of the vehicles. He would make sure he still had a view of the building with the drug lab in it.

The vehicles screech to a halt in front of the building and between the three cars, ten taros get out. They’re all finely dressed in suits or field clothing. The crack of gunfire from the warehouse scatters them. A female, hit by gunfire collapses onto the pavement

((Holy shit, where the fuck am I, Sin City?))

6:28 PM

Arimoto is too curious to run to safety but not foolish enough to try to get closer, and ducks behind the building, peeking out from the side to watch what unfolds. ((Is it like automatic fire or just a couple shots? Ar ethe people in suits shooting back?))

(Yes probably Hahahah) The taros in suits begin using the vehicles as cover. Each is armed with either a pistol or a submachine gun cut down to pistol size. The heavy thump of automatic weapons fire from the building barks again. A window shatters and a line of bullet impacts stitches it’s way down the central car

Unwilling to get any closer, Arimoto pulls out his T4 binoculars and tries to get a better look at the suit people and their vehicles. He's looking for a coat of arms, gang sign, or something else that might identify what affiliation they have.

They each have a golden crest on their breast pocket, of two flames surrounded by ivy

(I don't mean to interject, but your compad also has a camera

)

((Now is not the time for selfies!))

6:51 PM

Arimoto decides to stay a bit longer and see how the battle goes. ((Is there anyone else watching this gunfight, or has everyone else gotten the hell out of dodge?))

(Everyone’s gone. You hear faint sirens after this goes on for a few moments) The battle very much turns against those in the cars, who can’t compete with the heavy weapon inside the building. Two more attackers are struck, definitely killed and one of the cars ruined. The sirens get louder and the attackers withdraw, peeling out seconds before two civic defense walkers come around the corner

((Half expecing Judge Dredd to show up.)) Arimoto sees the walkers approach and is now at least fairly sure who the 'good' guys are, and would try to move a little closer, still trying to stay behind cover relative to the building the fire was coming from.

There are three dead attackers in total, laying abandoned by their fellows. One of the cars was also left behind. From the factory there is no more noise and the automatic weapons fire has stopped. The walkers begin sweeping the area and a police van peels around the corner a moment later. )notice with wis(

((10))

You hear the jingling of Keys faintly from the back of the building

Arimoto decides to take the risk and move close enough to circle around the back of the building from the outside, looking for any exits.

There’s a small service door around back, and you see three taros crouched low, looking around furtively. One has a heavy machine gun held low, the belt down to its last few rounds

9:02 PM

They don’t seem to see you

((Aside from the weapon how are they dressed, are they all in thuggy clothing?))

Two are dressed in porter uniforms, though ill fitting, the one with the machine gun has surplus army fatigues on

Arimoto sees the three and decides to take the risk, he quickly throws on his cloak and activates it before rushing the one with the gun, planning to attack the weapon specifically.

(go ahead and roll an attack)

((11 for 6 damage, not sure shock applies to objects.))

The blade sweeps down elegantly, cutting the weapon in two

7:29 PM

surprised, the formerly armed individual can only look around as the weapon falls to pieces in his hand

Arimoto's tanto hums softly as it returns to the sheath, and seeing the firearm disabled his hand slides up to the hilt of his katana. ((He'd intend to start cutting off one foot on each of them to prevent them from escaping, not sure how we want to handle that? Initiative or just start amputating?))

(Let’s do initiative since they’re not going to just stand here and let you do it)

5:26 PM

(And it’s going to take more than six seconds)

((3))

(1) There are three thugs, each is essentially in melee range. They are backs up against the rear of the warehouse where you have cornered them, but the avenue to the right and left of you is open, ending in the backs of other warehouses

((Which side of the building did I come around from, relative to where I'm facing now?))

(Right side

7:21 PM

(You basically swung around and cornered them)

Arimoto's katana swipes at the foe on his left, going for lower on his leg.

(Let’s make an attack roll)

((10 for 6, 5 shock AC<13))

There’s a wet slap and the singing of a keen blade as the leg neatly comes off )you’d have killed him so I’m just assuming you do the thing instead. Sound fair?)

((Yes my intent is to maim not kill if possible. Months tied up in the legal system is fitting torture.))

The two remaining thugs each break right (heading away from you), sprinting away from you (40m away now. You get an opportunity attack on both)

((17 and 22 for 6 and 9, respectively. Still going for the maim.))

(Still 5 shock>)

((I mean if their AC is less than 13 yes 5 shock, but if their AC is less than 13 those would hit.))

A second falls, also maimed. The third, heavily bleeding from a leg wound actually makes it the 40m

9:58 AM

The pain now catching up with them, their run turns into a stagger

((Where exactly does he run, in a straight line or around the building?

Straight line away from you

Arimoto decides that two out of three ain't bad, and turns his attention to the two wounded. ((Does it look like they're in danger of bleeding out, or are they self-tending enough to prevent that?))

One clutches the sparking remains of a cybernetic leg. The severed wires hiss like angry snakes as blue motes of energy spray out in bursts. The other looks pale, for a member of the Taros that is, and their face has a ghastly expression as they nurse the remains of a leg severed neatly below the knee. This second enemy looks to be gravely injured

((What kind of shoes was the one with the real leg wearing?))

(Something like trackers or work boots but sufficiently scifi)

((I'm a fucking monster but this feels in character because Arimoto is pragmatic and has no sympathy for these guys.)) Arimoto grabs the severed leg and quickly removes the boot as he pulls a thermal flare from his survival pack. He looks the man in the eye as he hands him his foot. "Bite down on this, this is going to hurt." He then ignites the thermal flare and counts to three aloud before using it to cauterize the wound.

The stunned man does not quite have the frame of mind to question you, and bites down seeming only to understand what he is doing a split second before the flare touches the bloodied stump. The smell of cooked meat hits both of you, and the man passes out from the intense pain . (edited)

((Any roll to see how well it works or with heal-0 it succeeds?))

He is stabilized for right now, so you've bought him a few hours. If you're trying to indefinitely keep him alive he is going to need proper medical attention soon

((Okay yeah nah just making sure he doesn't die before someone can get him to a doctor or something.)) Arimoto sets the flare aside and then approaches the door the three exited. ((Is it locked or sealed?))

(Wide open)

((Can I see inside? Is it basically that back room I saw earlier?))

Inside the building, illuminated by a thin shaft of sunlight is a long table, set with mixing stands and glassware. A pile of the empty inhaler like devices sit next to another makeshift pile of the palm sized compressed air tanks used to deliver the drug to its users. There does not appear to be anyone else in this back room, though from the front of the building you hear the thud of a breaching hammer on the buildings front door. It will take them a few moments to make their way to the back of the warehouse, let alone to find the way bck here

Arimoto pulls out his compad and takes a few quick pictures of the scene, then goes to prop open the hidden door into the warehouse so it's easier to find. He then heads back outside to stand over the disabled thugs and wait for the 'cavalry' to arrive. He'd leave his cloak of cloaking off and be ready to show his marshall badge. ((He considers preparing a line about getting a leg up on the opposition, but decides it wouldn't work without some solar goggles to put on as he says it.))

Two civic defense troopers, weapons un-holstered but held low emerge from the back door, into the harsh sunlight. They see a lone warrior standing over two wounded thugs, each with a foot and lower leg removed.

3:46 PM

Their weapons begin coming up before they see the marshal badge

3:46 PM

"Ah, hello there. I see you're one step ahead of us" the lead trooper says. "Care to fill us in on what happened here?"

Arimoto nods. "Greenbriar Marshall Arimoto. I was investigating the area in connection with drug smuggling, and well..." He points behind the men towards the small lab, and briefly explains what he saw when the vehicles arrived and what followed. "There's still one more on foot fleeing, I wounded him so there should be a blood trail and he may not get very far." He points in the direction the last one fled, and then down to the wounded. "These two need to be seen to and I have questions for them, if you can handle things here."

“We can secure the site while you interrogate them”. The trooper begins reporting on the situation and you hear him call for medical aid to also be sent

Arimoto kneels down near the cyborg and pulls out his compad, setting it to record audio. He looks at the man with a neutral facial expression. "Who is organizing the drug production and smuggling? Who is in charge?"

“Rika...rika is in charge of the building. He tells us when to cook”

"And where can I find Rika?"

“Hiding now. He told us about the cars coming. Then lost contact”

"I see. The ones who arrived in the cars, who are they?"

“Another group. New. Trying to muscle into the trade. They’ve been harassing other establishments of ours too”

Arimoto rubs his chin. "I see. Last question and then I will leave you to your fate here, I want you to describe to me in detail how to manufacture this drug. I've got pictures of your setup, explain the ingredients, implements and steps."

“We get chemicals from the storehouse here. They don’t seem to notice small amounts here and there being siphoned. Someone from Vapormills invented the recipe so the story goes. We mix three parts of the blue one, one of the red one, and two green to make it. Hardens into crystals. Then add water. Gas collected by a hood, distilled it into the containers

5:05 PM

(No idea how scientific this is)

((You can just say he gives me chemical names, implement names and a list of steps, I don't need specifics OOC. Want to be able to track down e.g. ingredients, manufacturers of the implements used, or signs of the steps taking place somewhere.))

5:07 PM

((But if you want to get placed on a watch list you can Google how to make meth and just use that I guess.))

Most of the vials and the giant storage tanks they’ve been syphoning have the stamp of the Egons National Chemical Company on them. You also now know that someone from the distillery in Vapormills is also involved and you could presume that to be some kind of technical support due to the setup inside

5:11 PM

Very similar in brewing

Arimoto nods as he finishes his notes. He makes sure the guards have things taken care of and then he'd circle back around front to inspect the vehicle(s) from the other gang. ((Are they something I've seen around town before, anything seem special about them or just Ford Escapes?))

The vehicles are a towncar variant and seem to be fairly standard to what would normally be found around the city. An investigators team has just arrived by time you circle around front and has begun searching the car for hidden compartments

Arimoto takes a couple of photos of the cars as the investigation proceeds, and then moves on to check the weapons and bodies. ((Typical guns? Anything interesting on the bodies? Find out next time on CSI: Egons))

The weapons left behind are a mix of pistols and cut down carbines. They all seem to use solid projectiles as opposed to the energy sells military weapons use. One has a partial serial number on it that hasn’t been wiped off. There is also an armorers mark on it that someone looks to have defaced. (edited)

Arimoto takes a photo of the firearm with the partial serial number and marking, and examines the bodies for anything else.

The trigger finger on each of the dead is either dyed or painted a bright red depending on if it is flesh or metal.

4:56 PM

There are no other defining characteristics

4:57 PM

A groan of pain directs your attention to the civil defense officers loading the now awake thug who’s wound you cauterized into a waiting medial relief vehicle

Arimoto raises an eyebrow and makes a mental note, then turns at the sound of the thug. He double checks with the team investigating the vehicles and will then head over the medical vehicle. ((Seeing if they found anything interesting in the vehicles.))

A side compartment opens like a wing on the back quarterpanel revealing yet more guns and a small satchel of demolition charges

8:41 AM

“Says they were going to destroy the chemical stocks here” one of the investigator says, noting your interest. “Car was armored up too especially around the compartment. I don’t think this was meant to be left behind”

Arimoto snaps a few photos and nods. "Well this your jurisdiction so your evidence. I will want to speak with the head investigator that's appointed after he's had a chance to review everything." Arimoto then heads over to the medical vehicle.

The thug is on a gurney outside the vehicle. Medical technicians are attaching sensors and carefully wrapping the severed leg to preserve it. They seem to need a few moments before they’re ready to go. The thug seems to be stoically handling the pain, some reserve of strength or simply shock you can’t be sure

Arimoto would wait for the techs to finish and would then question the man, asking the same questions he asked the other one. ((Basically just checking to see if he gives any different answers.))

The answers all match. The thug you had spoken to first had more detailed information, but the answers you are able to glean from this one match on the critical details

Arimoto appears satisfied and allows the techs to take him away. He then finds the guards he spoke to earlier. "Any idea how soon someone will be assigned to investigate this on your end? I've got a couple leads but I think things will go more smoothly if both sides are working together."

"Someone is pouring over this now, in real time, and they'll be able to do more once the physical evidence is brought in and codified. Id imagine by morning you'll have a call. In the meantime I'd suggest enjoying the city"

Arimoto considers his options but ultimately decides that it would be better if he were rested, so elects to go to his room and review all the data one more time before heading to bed. ((Was there like a hotel or something arranged?))

(It’s a pretty posh hotel but it’s all been arranged)

Arimoto makes it to his hotel room and goes over all the evidence to make sure he didn't miss anything, then meditates for an hour or so before going to sleep for the night. In the morning he wakes up before dawn and catches up on some colony news while he waits to be contacted.

The colony has a short story about the lawrence blasting off today to explore. There's also a few stories about the formal integration of the Admiralty, and how the first wave of civilian colonists from the pillar of salt have landed and successfully been revived. A call on your compad obscures your view of the remaining two stories

6:18 PM

"Marshall Arimoto, this is investigator Lycane. I wanted to go over a few of the finds with you, if you have a moment"

Arimoto accepts the message. "Well met, yes I'd like to review what you've found."

"I'll start from the big picture and work my way down to the smaller details, then we can go back and address questions. The thugs you found were making trace, we can prove that beyond a shadow of a doubt. We have statements from both saying that the technical help and the smugglers themselves are all either from, or working with another network in Vapormills to both distribute it there, and to bring it into your country as well. Rika is a part of that, clearly an alias but we are working to track him via Loremaster. If he's a vapormills citizen he likely will be wearing one. The attackers were all gang exiles. The red fingers or hands is a gangland tradition we have known about for some time now, it means they've failed somehow, and must repent by doing something dangerous to make up for their past failings. I suspect throwing them at a rival operation, especially one defended by heavy guns was their idea of a punishment. The serial numbers actually originate from your country. Your fabricator Pops says that the weapons are built on the upper receivers of projectile weapons in use there, and were military surplus from the early days of your colony. The serial numbers they're suspected to be were marked as destroyed or lost in battle, and were since modified into the weapons recovered at the scene. Lastly, there was an incident on the train last night. Another Greenbriar marshall, Saul Harcrow got the drop on two people believed part of the smuggling chain. They forced him to use lethal force to defend himself, but a cache of money was recovered, among it an ingot of gold, which seems to have been heavily processed. The train is held up in Vapormills now, and Saul is there recovering from some light wounds."

Arimoto listens intently as the investigator lays everything out. "I see, so it sounds like this Rika is a critical part of the operation. Any indication if Rika is in Egons?" He thinks for a moment. "It's possible that the weapons are being traded for the drug, perhaps there's some sort of larger black market at work in all of this." (edited)

“I don’t think we have enough to separate one possibility from the other. It seems the warehouse was attacked because they thought rika would be there. The thugs from the scene weren’t sure why he didn’t show up”

"Hmm, well we've got someone checking out Vapormills, I think it's worth taking a look around here. Have we asked the thugs to describe Rika? Sounds like that may be all we could go off of."

“I’ve got one better”. You’re sent a picture of a group of taros citizens on what looks to be a safari hunt. A massive grass serpent lies dead and serves as the backdrop for a group of cyborgs posing with weapons. The one on the far left his highlighted. Dusky skinned, a rarity for the taros, Rika is tall and well built. Electric tattoos wreaths his arms in images of hunters and beasts. His eyes are the same color, another rarity and are a deep ice blue

4:43 PM

“Seems one of our captives was a bit star struck”

4:44 PM

You recognize the one with the heavy machine gun as also in the picture

Arimoto studies the picture for a moment. "Interesting. Okay so we know who we're looking for by alias and by appearance, that should be enough to go on. The question then is how to get closer to him. I had two thoughts on options - The first was to hunt around the chemical plants to look for any indications of more raw drug chemicals being stolen, the other is we investigate wildlife hunting groups or activities in the hopes that Rika invests a lot of time in his hobby. Thoughts or alternatives?"

“Someone with that kind of money likely spends much of their time at leisure. I think that canvassing the hunting groups is a good idea.

Arimoto nods in assurance. "Very well then, I will check around town today to see if I can find anything."

“Try the city center. I know Vapormills admin has to approve the hunting permits before any groups go out” The call disconnects. (6xp, 5000 credits)

((Am I paid anything as a Marshall [i.e. that 5,000 credits], if so would it make sense to say I've met my 3 XP goal of 'Find paying work to not starve'?))

(That’s basically what the quest reward credits are from and yeah I’d say your job accomplished that)

((Sheet updated to level 5.)) Arimoto finishes reviewing the Greenbriar news and then decides to go for a walk around the center of town, looking for things like wildlife bounty hunting offices or hunting lodges.

There’s several different wildlife safari companies advertising in Egons, though all expeditions leave from Vapormills due to its closer proximity to the frontier. Most are up front about their ticket costs though one, the leaping lope safari company states it is exclusive an an interview of potential clients is required

Do they advertise any photos of previous outings, any indication of what kind of members it has?

They have something akin to a web presence and one of the photos is indeed the same one you were shown

Arimoto decides to check out Leaping Lope, if they have an office he'd pay them a visit, otherwise he'd message a rep to set up an interview. His message would mention his previous experience in bounty hunting and include a couple pictures he had taken of the mountain beast he slew. He wouldn't be in those photos but he would probably have taken one or two of his hand next to the hand of the beast he cut off so it would at least be more than just a couple of shots of the beast dead. He would also mention he slew an Underhill scout in single combat.

11:09 AM

((And yes I remember I had a little help from Siegfried and the soildiers but he's not going to bother mentioning them. RIP sidekicks.))

A message is sent and they almost immediately call you back, excited beyond belief that someone of your reputation would want to go on an expedition with their company

11:19 AM

It’s asked that you head in to Vapormills this evening if you can, to meet the other members of the hunting party

Arimoto agrees to meet the expedition. He notifies Lycane that he has a potential lead on Rika in Vapormills and checks out of the hotel before booking the next train. He would leave Lycane with some comments that Egons should invest in more security for the chemical storage waterfront area, even if this drug ring is brought down leaving the door open for the next is careless.

The patrols in that neighborhood are going to be increased along with foot sweeps of the buildings themselves. It’s a growing opinion that the secret chemical mixing room you found was far from the only one

(Also, the companion thing, i am glad some shard of selnath is still alive out there)

Arimoto bids Lycane farewell and sets out for the train. Since he isn't sure if or when he may return to the somewhat interesting city he decides to look around for a quick souvenir at or on the way to the train station. ((He's not really used to heavily industrialized urban areas so he'd be looking for some suitably tourist-targeted widget, probably something with like 'CITY OF EGONS' on it somewhere.))

There are a large number of trinket stands near the train station, one sells small watches, another makes custom bobble heads featuring the buyer in front of various landmarks, another makes suitably touristy styled traveling tunics with a printer and air brush

7:11 AM

And the last had a collection of chit chains, replica of city attractions, and even some action figures of city personnel

7:12 AM

(Think Like those shitty knockoff duplo or erector sets)

Arimoto buys a bobble head of him in front of the government building before boarding the train to leave.

The trip in to Vapormills is fairly uneventful. You arrive mid afternoon and admin advises you that fellow Marshall Saul harcrow is also in the city (another pc). He is working the case from a different angle. Meeting up isn’t mandatory but Franz thought it may help

Arimoto would try to arrange a short meeting with the other marshall, mostly to touch base and discuss progress on either front.

(Saul is in the barracks thread if you want to shoot him a message and you guys can decide to meet up or talk or not from there)

Arimoto finds a nice quiet spot and messages the other marshall. "Greetings Marshall Saul, Marshall Arimoto. I just arrived in Vapormills and was informed you're also investigating the criminal presence here. I'm currently investigating a lead from Egons on a leader within the organization, alias Rika. I think I can bring him in relatively quietly but I will let you know if I need support. Have you made any significant progress on your end?"

"Rika also came up on my end. Sole provider of gold to a new cyberware company downtown which doesn't use a mark on their product. That same cyberware company outfitted the drug runners I had to take down on the train. Drug runners who were transporting a processed gold ingot. Definitely seems worth talking to. Two of the three drug runners were operated on by the same doctor, I'll be speaking with them soon."

"Interesting. In Egons Rika was organizing drug production, I had suspicions it was related to a larger underground trading network but evidence was limited. It's possible Rika is simply connected in all of the key points of a large trade route involving gold, cybernetics, drugs and who knows what else. It will be interesting to hear what you learn from the doctor. I'm leery of locking Rika up within Vapormills as he likely has many connections, so my thinking was to bring him back to Greenbriar for interrogation, but perhaps we can have a brief sit-down with him here before leaving."

"I agree, he should be returned to Greenbriar. I'll keep you in the loop with the doctor. I've already seen evidence that the modifications he made were under the table, so he may be the organization's primary point of contact within this company. Let me know how your confrontation with Rika goes, or if you think you'll need back up."

The leaping lope has a garish neon sign, flashing in the distance. There seems to be fair number of rugged looking vehicles parked outside. Several figures mill around but from this distance you can’t tell if they’re armed

Arimoto approaches the lodge casually but at a brisk pace, as if a bit late. He'd look for a receptionist or representative to talk to.

There is a representative outside in front of the building with a data pad. The hunters seem to be paying attention to him as he moves between group to group. He has a short conversation with each hunting group and seems to be noting things down on his pad. He looks up and notices you approaching.

“Welcome to the Leaping Lope Safari Group. I’m the registration coordinator here and I’m happy to help you find a group”

Arimoto greets the coordinator. "Well met, I spoke to a representative yesterday, I've traveled from Egons. I'm looking for a more experienced group, one that is after more dangerous game."

“After that adrenaline rush eh? There’s a group heading out to the grasslands tonight. They’re going after one of the most dangerous animals on the planet”

Arimoto raises an eyebrow in genuine interest. "Is that right? Well I've seen some truly horrific beasts out there so we will have to see just how dangerous this one is. What name does it go by, and where do I meet the group?"

“It’s called a Raijalos, and right here. You look like you can handle yourself. That sword there, is that what you plan to use?”

"Assuming the beast is strong enough and unwise enough to get close, yes. I am fine with the others using something with more range of course."

"Let me introduce you to the rest of the hunting group then. I think you'll fit in just fine with this band."

8:09 AM

he blows a powerful blast out of a small al

8:09 AM

uminum whistle, and the yng

8:10 AM

hunters begin to file over. They're armed with an eclectic mix of weapons

"The two with the hand railguns are the McVarr brothers, experts from shooting in the saddle" each is standing in front of something like a pursuit cycle, modded out with some thin armor and various saddle bags (edited)

12:30 PM

(sorry. jake is entranced by my new keyboard and keeps stepping on things)

Arimoto nods at the two and admires the small vehicles. "Nice 'horses'."

"the big brute back there is Rika" he nods, respectfully, the barrel is the large gun he is carrying nearly touches the ground.

2:35 PM

"That's Maggs, driving and explosives expert" the blonde taros gives a half interested wave as she finishes tossing a large rectangular crate into the back of the vehicle most of you will be taking. "And you round out our merry little band. Care to introduce yourself to the gathering?"

Arimoto returns the gestures. "My name is Arimoto, and judging by what everyone is bringing I am optimistic that this Raijalos will be a worthy challenge indeed."

"Here's our quarry" the coordinator says, returning to the gathering

3:09 PM

((What did you Google to get that? Space Dinosaur?))

(....yes......)

((Shit's lit.))

3:10 PM

Arimoto raises an eyebrow. "Certainly looks the part."

"Well, if everyone is prepared, we can depart. It's a bit of a drive to the campsite tonight, and we will begin the hunt in the morning."

Arimoto rubs his chin. "I think I'm sufficiently prepared, we can leave now." ((Over the drive Arimoto would try to learn more about all of the team. He'd freely share his background up until awakening in Greenbriar, and mention some of the bounty work he did, but cut short of anything about being a Marshall for obvious reasons.))

The two bikers talk about their life in the extreme sport circuit before deciding that they needed something more exciting. They've only been on a few organized hunts themselves and like you, this is their first outing going after something this dangerous. The driver doesn't talk very much, but you can tell by her demeanor she is from a military background. Her rigid posture behind the wheel is at odds with the relaxed aura coming off of her. A cut down carbine is wedged between her and the door. Rika does most of the talking, clearly fancying himself the leader of the hunting party. He seems to have done everything and have his hand in a number of different outlets, but steers clear of admitting to anything blatantly illegal

Arimoto would probably spend most of the time talking with Rika since he's the most talkative. He would try to get a better understanding of Rika's background and motivations. ((Specifically trying to understand if Rika is 'self-made' or if he e.g. inherited personal wealth, whether he relies on his ventures to scrape a living or if he is just financing expensive hobbies, and more subtly what his general outlook towards society is, i.e. is there any kind of moral backing he seems to follow with regards to other people or does he just not give a damn about other people he doesn't know.))

Rika is most certainly self made. He tells one story, during one of the quieter moments of the drive, where during Rika's childhood, his father could not make the payments on the cyberware fitted to him after a mining accident. The company had come to the home, and literally torn the legs off of the old man. Rika felt ashamed at the incident, and angry at seeing the broken man his father became after. He vowed to never experience poverty so keenly again, and once his father had passed he took to the streets, seeing himself as taking money he was owed from a society that cared little about those most in need. He talks at length about his glee at the relative collapse of Tri-Green Medical, as they were the ones who had done the despicable act in his youth. His life now is an ever changing spring between various business ventures, and his taking a few days to relax with expensive vacations now and again- as his word goes- helps him get back to his daily life with some focus

Arimoto listens intently as Rika shares his stories. At the conclusion he'd remark "We should talk more after the hunt, perhaps about mutual business interests."

"After the hunt then" he says. The vehicles pull in to a posh looking wilderness camp. Situated on a flattened hill, it looks out at a grassland below, and a darkened forest beyond. Trees that look similar to pines rise up hundreds of feet. Most are coated in hanging vines, and a thin fog seems to hug the forest floor. It spills out a shortway onto the plain like ghostly fingers

After disembarking the vehicle Arimoto would stretch a bit and then use his T4 binoculars to look over the grassland, searching for any interesting flora or fauna.

There are a herd of lopes quietly eating in the grassland close to the forest. A grass serpent lays curled up in the grass, its massive bulk absorbing the last of the sun's rays for the day before slinking off to wherever it has made its haunt. A flight of four winged hawk like birds circle the forest, cawing and complaining loudly amongst themselves

Arimoto thinks to himself that there's nothing unusual, so puts the binoculars away and checks out the camp.

(This is more of a glamping site). The tents are modular and climate controlled, each with a spacious interior. A secured weapons locker sits at the foot of each bed.

6:46 AM

A large fire pit sits in the center with nearly corded wood stacked up nearby

The camp ‘s five tents are also ringed by an eight foot tall wire fence, with a gate. It’s a wide enough opening that the expeditions vehicles can be brought inside

Arimoto would survey the camp somewhat impressed. He speaks to Rika, "When are we heading out? Is this creature nocturnal?"

"Close to midnight, so we have some time to rest and have a little fun before we go out on our hunt. Even with a group as skilled as this, it's going to be a challenging hunt"

6:45 PM

"The coordinator was telling me you're something of a beast slayer already"

Arimoto nods "I've slain a couple of beasts yes, though as bounties rather than sport. I enjoy the challenge but at the time I mostly needed the money. Now that I've got some room to relax financially I thought I'd see how it feels to try it as a hobby." He eyes some of the tattoos Rika has. "Seems you've been at this awhile yourself?"

“Ten years or so. Was always a hobby for me. Felt nice to get out of the city, spend some time in the woods. It’s a test of a different set of skills”

"That it is." Arimoto muses at the contrast. "So do we have anything specific planned until midnight? You mentioned having a bit of fun."

"Some drinks, a few cigars, maybe something harder if it fits your fancy, but only at the beginning of the night of course"

Arimoto rubs his chin. "Well I don't smoke but I think a drink or two may be appropriate." Arimoto would have one or two drinks and socialize while waiting for midnight.

The Mcvarr brothers show themselves to be the life of the party, telling stories, each taking turns hitting on mags, and begging Rika to tell stories about his tattoos. They pester Arimoto about his beautiful swords as well. Midnight draws close and the mood becomes more somber. The coordinator gives those who partied a bit too hard a shot of some type of blue chemical that seems to sober them up quite quickly

Arimoto would not unsheath the blade but would show off the craftsmanship of the hilt and sheath and describe the ornamental markings ((they are supposed to represent smooth flowing fluid, like air or water)). If asked about how many he had killed with it he would just remark 'too many'. Arimoto would not have had enough to drink to need a sobriety stim, and would meditate a bit to focus himself as the time draws near.

The hunting group assembles as you near the end of your meditation session, and you begin preparing to make your way out into the forest. "The nice thing about what we are hunting tonight, is we don't need bait" says Maggs. "we are the bait"

6:41 PM

The two bikers mount their cycles, and everyone else piles into the small truck Maggs has been using thus far on the trip. The traveling gear has been discarded in favor of some extra ammunition and medical supplies.

Arimoto stretches briefly before getting back into the truck. He checks his gear to make sure everything is in place and takes his seat. "I wonder how much of it is the beast simply being hungry for anything and how much is the beast enjoying a challenging prey..."

rika mounts the large machine gun with a loud click as it falls into place. “A beast like this is a ravening destroyer. It’ll be happy for the chance to tear into us. Won’t be hard to find either” he pulls out something that looks like a Geiger counter

Arimoto steels himself as the vehicle accelerates.

The counter begins clicking as you head out into the grassland, slowly becoming louder. Small birds nesting in the grass scream and complain as they take skywards, frightened by the vehicles. The small convoy pulls up at the edge of the forest. The ground shakes and a roar that seems to rock the entire planet makes everyone cover their ears. Something massive breaks tree limbs further in.

Arimoto's hand reaches for his katana as the roar subsides. A single bead of sweat begins to form on his brow as he narrows his eyes towards the sounds of movement.

(Notice with int)

((11))

A series of partially illuminated tracks leads into the woods along with splintered trees and broken undergrowth. Rika follows your gaze. He begins fishing in his pack for something and removes a bottle of pills. “Radiation. Background level but everyone take one”

Arimoto takes a pill as his eyes stay locked on the tracks. "That's... Unusual."

“Someone told me once that the first of these things was an experiment gone wrong (cue Jurassic Park theme) and never contained. Once out in the wild it does what all beasts do.” The scout bikes pass your vehicle and begin making their way into the forest. You don’t have to travel far before you find evidence of the beast. A freshly killed grass serpent , j sides still steaming lies half eaten on the forest trail. Scavenger beasts scatter at the sound of engines

Arimoto raises an eyebrow. "Where I'm from we having a saying, 'life finds a way'. Most often though it is used in the context of explaining the depths of human stupidity." He looks over the grass serpent, his hand not leaving his katana. He scans the area as the vehicle moves forward.

(Yes! Hahahah). The grass serpent looks to have been set upon by a giant predator. A trail of blood goes deeper into the woods, along with gobbets of flesh dropped from its last bite. The breaking tree limbs can no longer be heard

Arimoto focuses ahead. "Hear that? It's either stopped or we're about to break out of the forest..."

(Evasion save)

((11 vs 10, success.))

The corpse of a lope comes flying out of the trees, snapping branches as it careens through the air. One of the bikers is hit by the corpse and sent spinning. There is a crash from the underbrush as he lands and a sickening crack of bone. Looking back through the broken limbs, you can see your quarry, crouched low. The ground shakes as he roars

Arimoto points and shouts. "IT'S GORZIRA!" ((Couldn't not.))

(Initiative. And I don’t blame you a bit. I just started watching the animated series today)

((8, best of two since I have Alert 1.))

(monster got a 7, hunters got a 6, you're up, the big bastard is 40m away)

((Still in the vehicle I presume? Is it still moving?))

(it stopped when the lope got thrown at you all but it is again now. Rika is going to be focused on getting his gun set up so you can tell the driver what to do)

Arimoto tells the driver to slow enough for him to hop out, and then to keep his distance from the beast. ((Going to say getting out of the vehicle and getting steady takes my turn.))

(It'll take your move, your throwing weapon is in range i think if you want to use your action)

((Nah range is 20m, I guess I can use my action to close to 30m.))

The beast charges at the truck, closing to within 10m of it. Rika fires the heavy machine gun, and maggs , hanging out the driver side door fires a handheld crossbow at the creature

8:54 PM

The crossbow shell explodes harmlessly against the creatures iron hide. The machine gun leaves a neon trail of traces as the heavy rounds stitch its front, each causing a small crater in its chest.

8:54 PM

The upright biker runs towards the bushes, now concerned only for the safety of his brother

8:55 PM

(arimoto is up)

Arimoto closes with the beast, steeling himself as he takes a swiped at its leg with his katana. ((Nat 20 for 10 damage.))

(20 damage!) The creature attempts to ram you with its large head, misses as you slide under its guard, executing your slashing attack. It continues charging forward, colliding with the truck. It does not flip but instead the heavy vehicle slides back 15m. Rika again fires his machine gun after a second to steady himself and stitches another line of bullets across it. (8 damage). Mags attempts to restart the truck engine, swearing as the old combustion engine fails to re-ignite.

7:03 AM

The biker from the bushes, furious at the loss of his brother screams, firing an automatic pistol at the beast, though the small caliber rounds bounce off its iron hide.

Arimoto spins around, catching back up to the beast and slashing again. ((18 for 12 damage.))

The beast cjaer

1:26 PM

charges toward the truck yet again, intent on silencing the very loud gun that keeps drawing its attention. You see acid scars where the rounds impacted, now that you have a moment to notice. It squarely plants its feet and a pulsating green light begins gathering in its mouth

Rika and the maggs keep firing, the machine gun finally spinning empty. The biker empties another pistol harmlessly into the creature. (Arimoto is up)

Arimoto once again slashes at the beast, weaving his swings together as the beast rampages. ((Another nat 20 for 6 damage.))

Finally angered enough to notice the samurai slashing at its heels, it whips its tail around in a brutal arc (evasion save)

Arimoto rolls just in time to avoid the swipe. ((12 vs 10.))

The truck is not so lucky, flipping end over end. Rika is sent flying from the rear. Maggs is not so lucky, her body impaled on one of the jagged broken tree trunks, hanging 10m off the ground. She gasps like a landed fish as dark blood stains her tunic rapidly.

4:14 PM

The biker fires a flare from a second pistol, drawn from the waist, and the beast roars as it is blinded

(I found this in my email from a year ago. If this has any interest to you we can look into exploring it. Thought it might be relevant to your character)

Mandate_Archive_Martial_Arts.pdf

241.72 KB

((Interesting but my character is definitely a swordsman, if this was a thing before I made him I may have considered it though.))

6:06 PM

((My turn?))

(yessir)

Arimoto swings again as he comes back from under the tail swipe. ((14 for 9.))

the tail severs halfway up, thrashing uselessly on the ground as the keen sword cuts through it. Rika, bleeding heavily pulls himself up to his feet and fires a burst at the creature (11), one of the eyes blows out in a shower of gore

The creature roars again, and begins backing off, cautiously. (20m away, Ari is up)

((Biker take an action?))

(He's digging through his pack for their equivalent of a lazarus patch)

Arimoto rushes to keep up with the creature. "Embrace your fate!" ((Double move to keep in melee range.))

The biker applies the Lazarus patch for his action and rika, now carrying the machine gun opens fire

The rounds go wide, his injuries and the lack of a brace position causing him to lose control of the gun

1:55 PM

(You’re up)

((Does the beast do anything?))

(Slowly trying to back away from you all. It’s blinded and stunned and now realizing it’s badly hurt)

((Moved another 20m away from me?))

(No he didnt move)

8:24 PM

(not enough for yuou to not get in melee at least)

Arimoto keeps the pressure on with a series of quick swings. ((22 for 7.))

(How does it die)

Arimoto lands a final slash across the creature's neck as it buckles over, and it collapses under its own weight as what life remains is exhausted.

Rika staggers into the clearing, as does the surviving biker. No one seems to be able to believe it’s dead

Arimoto shakes the dark liquid from his blade in a final flourish as he resheathes it, basking for a moment in the victory before checking everyone. ((Maggs look salvageable or done for?))

(She’s done. The branch is through her chest)

He sighs. "Victory, if at a price."

“You’re good with that thing” rika says, hissing slightly as his wounds make themselves known

Arimoto nods. "A lifetime of practice will do that. We should get back to the camp and see to the casualties."

Rika sits next to the twisted wreck of the truck and begins binding his wounds, using supplies from his personal first aid kit. The surviving biker drags his brothers body out of the bushes, wrapping it gently in a poncho. He’s not sure how to go about getting maggs down but neither one wants to leave her like that.

6:39 AM

(6xp, 5000 credits for you)

((Is the branch small enough I could try to cut it with the space chakram?))

(yes, that can work)

((9 for 6 damage, prolly a miss.))

Maggs falls with a thump as the weapon cuts the branch

Rika wraps her up with his own poncho as best he can, and presses a button attached to his belt. “I’ve sent an emergency signal. We have some time before they arrive. You said you wanted to talk?”

Arimoto leans against a tree. "Yes. So I have up until now neglected to mention something that you should consider significant. I am a Greenbriar Marshall. I've recently been tasked with investigating a drug that has caused the public serious issues. I tracked the smuggling operations to Egons, and as you can probably guess that has led me to you." He pauses for a moment choosing his words. "I've got a few options on how to handle the situation, but I'm interested in hearing if you have any suggestions." He eyes Rika sideways like a chess player lazily indicating the turn passing.

"Well, if this comes down to force, I don't think I'm going to resist you. I could buy you off, but I have no guarantee you won't take the money and then turn on me anyway. I could offer you a place in my agency, hell the gods know you can fight- though you'll need to offer them something to bring the investigation to a halt" He cradles the heavy gun in a relaxed posture

Arimoto rubs his chin. "Yes I had considered such options, but I have also had a lot of time to consider perhaps less direct alternatives." He takes a deep breath. "You see based on what I've learned about you I think you are as much a byproduct of the failure of society to adequately support the lower class as anything. Anyone with the drive put in a similar situation would not need any malice to wind up in a similar situation - Exploring all manner of things not generally approved of. No I think you yourself are not the root of the problem Greenbriar has tasked me with resolving, and in fact I do wonder if you might be just as well a part of the solution..." He pauses for a moment as he casually walks over to the felled beast and fishes out his monoknife, attempting to cut off a clawed finger as a trophy.

"You may or may not be aware that the drug Trance is causing many in the lower class - Perhaps not so different from yourself once upon a time - To suffer in a sinister way. Even those who like yourself might have the drive to make something of themselves, whether 'good' or not, fall victim to the debilitating effects of it, limiting their potential. So I have a thought - What if Rika chooses to cease involvement with illegal activities, and puts his skills in business management and knowledge of avoiding the legal issues therein to more benign use, say as a manager of trade for Greenbriar? Or perhaps he is willing to avoid drug trading and other things that have dramatic negative effect on society but not willing to live on the same side as the government, and decides to move into something like stolen goods trading, and occasionally provides tips to the law on individuals involved in the same kinds of damaging things he once was? These sorts of things cross my mind as something I would endorse, and I think would ultimately serve us better than locking up someone whose biggest crime was wanting to make more of himself than the next person. I wonder, if Rika were given such a chance to atone, would he have the resolve to accept that kind of long term change in his life?" ((This totally feels like a 'come to jesus' speech.))

(i think this was so well thought out a roll isnt going to be needed here) "I really do prefer being on this side of the iron cage, out in the free air, hunting with friends..." he looks down at the tarped bodies "and able to properly mourn my friends. So the deal is, I help you eliminate the spread of Trance, and you find me gainful employment in the colony? You'll call off your dogs? You cant possibly be the only one on the trail of this|

"Well I need to have a discussion with the leader, but I believe I can convince them to accept giving you a pass in exchange for your help eliminating the drug epidemic and commitment to work for the government. You will most likely have to move to Greenbriar, possibly with travel restrictions, and likely with a relatively... Humble salary. But considering the more traditional options on the table I think it would be a fair arrangement. And like I said I think your skills would truly be an asset in the right position, even if it would take time for that to be acknowledged in light of your background. So if you think you can live with that, I'll make a call."

"I dont think I have a choice" he says. He looks a bit downcast but ultimately resigned to the hard fact that this is a better move for him.

Arimoto muses, "Well there's always a choice... But sometimes there's only one good one." He stows the clawed finger and grabs his compad. "Let's see what they say." He would dial up Kincaid and try to discuss the situation, with Rika on the line as well to answer questions or negotiate terms. He'd plan to make his recommendation to go down this path rather than imprisonment or similar, he honestly doesn't think that would accomplish much especially long term. To Arimoto Rika isn't really malicious, just misguided, but at the same time he isn't completely blameless, so this feels like a reasonable compromise of atonement and leniency.

The phone picks up and Kincaid demands the following in return for a pardon and employment -Help in dismantling the smuggling network -Complicity in the destruction of the Trance drug, without impacting other brewery operations (dorlin is adamant, the memory brewery brings in lots of business from tourism) -Rika is forbidden to return to Vapormills or any of the other Taros cities

((Rika is part of the discussion so does he agree to the terms? Arimoto thinks it's a pretty good deal.))

(Yeah that’s what he’s going to agree to)

6:45 AM

Rika agrees with the terms, and tosses the machine gun into the brush. “Do I have to wear cuffs or how is this going to work?”

Arimoto chuckles. "I don't carry cuffs, but if you're into that sort of thing I do have some particularly strong rope." He sighs. "But no I don't see any point in restraining you, you are after all soon to be a Greenbriar employee. I think once the emergency crew gets here and we take care of the casualties we can take the next train out, unless there's something you want to do here before you leave, perhaps arrange closure of something related to Trance, or maybe we could get lunch at your favorite restaurant. As long as I have you nearby my mission is effectively complete so we can take our time. Where I am from taking time to relax is important, when appropriate."

“One last lunch at the lodge might be nice” he muses “they’re still serving sirloins from the mountain ursid we killed last time” He begins telling a story about her hunt as the coordinator and the casualty collection wagon appears

6:35 PM

They begin. The process of casualty management, taking the bodies reverently into the vehicle before seeing to everyone’s wounds

(6xp, 15000 credits)

The coordinator loads the bodies and there is a silent ride home, back to the Leaping Lope safari company. The body of the massive dinosaur beast is carried behind you on a separate truck, Many taros stop to take pictures as it passes by

As they arrive Arimoto would have lunch with Rika as they discuss trivial matters, just two men on vacation. He would inquire as to what the plan was for the beast corpse, given that it was radioactive in life.

“They’re going to clean it and put it on display. Reconstruct it as best they can. It’s the most complete specimen ever brought in of something that size. They may even give us a research grant”

"Seems reasonable, should definitely spark some interest, if perhaps also fear, in the wildlife here. I'll mention it to a biologist I know in Greenbriar." After lunch Arimoto would be ready to head to Greenbriar with Rika. (edited)

He is ready, though looking a bit somber at leaving his birth city behind. A plane is waiting at the airport, a squad of greenbriar soldiers accompanying it.

I think you'll adjust to Greenbriar, it just may take some time. I imagine after I present you to Kincaid you will be given a hab and then be relatively free to work on settling in." Arimoto would follow Rika onto the plane, greeting the soldiers and making sure none of them tried to restrain or harass Rika.

They’re there simply as an escort and to ensure your landing in greenbriar later goes unbothered. You board the aircraft together and fly home.

Upon arriving in the colony, there is no police or military presence at the airport aside from the soldiers brought with you. one of the colony cargo drone-trucks is waiting at the edge of the tarmac, the back canvas pulled over the normally open cargo bed.

Arimoto boards the truck with Rika, intent to introduce him to Kincaid before parting ways.

The truck brings you through the colony and the construction zone around admin right into front of the building itself. The soldiers escort you inside, to the elevator leading down to the secure level. Below, the doors open, and President Kincaid is sitting in front of a holotable, a projection of a space station blinks away as her attention now focuses on you.

Arimoto gives a light bow. "I present to you Rika, as discussed. I believe you will find that in time he will be an asset of considerable worth."

“Well done Marshall. I knew I could count on you. So rika, I finally meet the loose cog in my well oiled colonial machine. Your organization skills are impressive. What do you say we start using them for good?”

12:19 PM

She then turns to Arimoto “Well Arimoto you’ve served with honor and shown incredible initiative. We have set up a proper Marshall’s station for the organization which is growing. We need a provost.

Arimoto rubs his chin. "Well I had not considered a position like this, I will need some time to think on it. In any event I could use a couple days rest, I was in Egons only a day ago but it feels like it's been a month." ((PM or email me more details on the position.))

"Understandable. This is not an exploding offer, take the time you need, and get some rest" The elevator doors behind you open back up. "Now then Rika. Take a seat" A message appears on your compad- from Rika. "Let's hunt again soon" a picture is attached showing you, the bikers, Maggs, and of course, your new friend, shortly before you headed out into the woods.

Arimoto sends a reply. "Count on it." He would make his way back to his hab and get some rest. The next day he would check on the prefab residences that were for sale previously. ((Any still available, and what prices?))

A made to order one family dwelling is available for 5000 credits. It will be assembled on site and can be personalized. Current districts are available in the central colony (north farms, west urban area, south urban lakeside area), rebirth and the port also are suitable locations

Arimoto sends a message back to Kincaid in the morning thanking her for the offer but declining. He would purchase one of the dwellings to be placed in the farmland area in a relatively quiet place. He would order it to be built relatively austere but with several relaxation-focused amenities such as small indoor waterfalls/fountains, a few small flower gardens, and a dedicated meditation room. He'd also have one of the spare rooms set up for martial arts practice.

The request is simple enough and they’ll be able to build that for you to spec. It’ll take the work crew a few days to complete

Arimoto would spend the few days relaxing around town, looking for things to add to his new home and working to pick out the right spot. He'd want a place that had no road directly to it, but was not particularly hard to get to or far from civilization. A smaller factor would be trying to be near where wheat or a similar crop was grown, as it reminds him of where he's from. He never farmed himself but everyone on his homeworld had an appreciation for the value of crops, and it's a good omen to see crops in good health.

There is plenty of land matching your specifications, and the construction crew appreciates the fine drainage of the land you've picked (engineering terms even though I am vastly unqualified). There is a small stamped dirt path that leads out to a service road, but anyone wishing to approach the house is going to be walking for a while. The market has expanded slightly, and a few new stalls have opened. There is a small stall selling hoverbikes, a new bookbinder, and a glassblower.

Arimoto would check out hoverbikes, something to get around on his own might be handy.

There are several people looking at the current models on display, for a small sum of 5,000 credits, a hoverbike can be yours today. The dealer promises that if you are not happy with the style or color, you can bring it by the fabricator for a complementary refit.

After reviewing the selection arimoto settles on a relatively low-profile blue-gray hoverbike. He'd make sure it was comfortable to ride but isn't too picky about specifics of the design. He would also ensure it was rated for offroad travel.

It is rated for off-road, can hover 10m, and will allow you to cross water if needed.

Deciding to get familiar with the vehicle he takes the afternoon for a joyride around town and the surrounding areas, in the evening he would check on the progress of his new home.

It is habitable. There’s a note from the Foreman advising you they’ll return tomorrow to decorate and add the water features but there’s power and water and climate control

Arimoto wakes up early the next morning to clear out his old hab and return it to the city and spends the day making sure things are installed to his satisfaction. He would get an early night and then the next day check in on what other Marshalls were working on.

Saul is on his way home from Vapormills, electing to use his hoverbole a

2:34 PM

hoverbike and drive, spending the drive time on a camping holiday. Desmond is dismantling a leg of the trance distribution network, centered on hollowed out tools being made in the industrial forge.

Youll also be advised, quietly, that Tenebrian Remnant scouts have been apprehended on planet. Most of the scouts were killed, but four have been captured, and are being questioned.

There has additionally been some unrest in the city of Atrovia, a Taros city further west than vapormills or egons. Rumors of a warrior order known as the Daughters of the Lotus have reached the colony. It is unclear if they're related to the rise of organized crime in the city

((Sorry was off on a business trip the first half of this week.)) How have things been locally, any issues with public safety besides the Trance issue?

The trance ring is being slowly dismantled. That’s expected to change for the quicker with rika in custody. The presence of Remnant forces on world (the scouts) and the sightings of ships in nearby systems is alarming and right now top secret (you’re a marshal so you’re in the know)

What's the progress of the questioning for the captives? Anything learned yet?

They had a stealth shuttle stashed away on planet. The colony has seized it. They’re trying to figure out what the next course of action is now since they’re definitely hostile

Any chance for a diplomatic solution look possible? Do they have a government or anything that can be negotiated with?

What is known so far, is they blame psychics and the over use/reckless use of their powers for the scream/sundering of the galaxy/potential endless millennia of darkness ahead and are doing their darndest to find and persecute them wherever they can be found. Greenbriar is unwilling to turn those under its protection over

7:18 PM

they also demand troops, and resources, both of which cant really be parted with

7:18 PM

they are the stronger power, by several degrees, and know it.

Okay so they have actually made demands then. Do they have a homeworld or outpost world nearby, or are they nomadic?

Greenbriar right now is not sure, but the last scouting group (melora's team) that came back saw a trio of their corvettes spiking into the space around Tsatsos, the lava planet

7:36 PM

Cass encountered their ground forces there as well at an earlier time, but both parties left the world on their own shuttles then, and she saw no other evidence of Remnant forces there.

Arimoto would ask to be kept informed if anything more is learned about the Remnant, particularly a base of operations. In the mean time what state is Greenbriar's relationship with the Taros? Cautious allies or better terms than that?

Each city is its own city state but they act in concert during times of great threat. Vapormills and egons are close allies of the colony- prospering with trade agreements and in the case of Vapormills several joint military campaigns. The other cities have had little to no contact with the colony officially, though the colony’s honorable diplomatic dealings with their neighbors have made them far less wary

Hmm, Arimoto is interested in checking on things in Atrovia, both to understand the unrest and get a feel for the neighbors. He'd check for any additional intel or suggestions from the President (Director? Kincaid.) before booking a train to the nearest point. ((guessing there's no direct train to the city?))

(No train yet since they're not close enough with you yet, but they'll fly you, and its president now).

7:41 PM

She has no idea as to what or who the daughters of the lotus are, or what they could want, but she can tell you Desmond has one in custody, and is talking to her right now at the colony's industrial mega forge

7:42 PM

She was caught trying to destroy evidence, the hollow tools used to smuggle drugs into the mountain camp

Arimoto asks to be kept advised of anything learned, but is willing to head out now with little to go on. Since he could wind up needing to leave in a hurry he would like to take his hoverbike with him if possible. Does Greenbriar have any contacts at all in the city or will Arimoto have to introduce himself to authorities and explain what a Marshall is?

They’ve made enough headway with the state department there where they know you’re coming and what you’ll be doing, so you can get right to work. The hoverbike can be stowed pretty easily they’re not super bulky.

Arimoto will head out then, assuming an uneventful trip over he'd get in touch with the local government for any leads on the reported unrest. Recent locations of activities, suspect identities, etc.

Atrovia shares much in common with earth eastern civilizations. Most of the buildings are tiered, made of a lightweight but sturdy metal frame with crystal or dense fiber weave stretched over it. Lanterns and kites hang in windows, the latter tethered by strings. As the plane lands there is a missive waiting for you, carried in the jaws of a cybernetic hound. The daughters of the lotus are thought to operate out of the slum district where they find willing recruits among the disenfranchised and poor, preferring orphans if they can find them

Arimoto decides to spend an hour or so strolling around the better parts of town before heading to the slums, so he has a better understanding of 'how slummy' they are. More generally he'll want to get a sense for wealth disparity and look for any signs of government support or oppression. He should be able to get a sense for how the city compares to Egons and to a lesser extent Greenbriar.

The slums are not filthy, but the homes are not in good repair. Many have broken windows or walls that have been patched in an attempt to keep out the elements. There is a harsh crack as a tall, muscular Taros snaps an electrical bull whip. A group of chained prisoners is being shoved into a van

Overall are the good parts of town similar to Egons? Are the chained prisoners wearing a uniform?

They’re more run down that egons and the buildings here are pretty dirty. They’re not wearing uniforms but they’re wearing rough kheitans if fabric in drab colors

Arimoto will look around for younger people unaccompanied by adults, or perhaps for an orphanage. He'd also keep an eye out for any graffiti that might depict warriors, lotus flowers, or symbols of anarchy.

A rickshaw passes by on your second hour of searching. A cage is on the back, and the cart is suspended by grav plates. Three skinny looking children sit inside, despondant

Arimoto follows it for awhile. Does the 'driver' have any distinguishing features or clothing?

He is wearing finer clothes, though nothing that would be considered extra flashy given the surroundings. The cart comes to a stop as it nears an alley. A young girl is crying, sitting on the corner. Another, mature woman, likely her mother, is lying face down in a pool of blood, the contents of her grocery bag scattered all over the road.

Hurry over to check on her, salvageable? What wounds?

She has been shot through the head with what looks to be some kind of half sized quarrel. The child is slightly scraped, she was likely being carried and fell from her mothers arms. The rickshaw driver picks the child up over one shoulder, the child's crying even more mournful. He begins making his way to the back of the cart-cage (edited)

((O.o))

(edited for clarity)

The cart cage door opens and he makes ready to heft the child inside

Take a couple quick photos of the woman and check for any ID, then resume following the cart. ((Does the driver notice me, or is he super casual about everything?))

)he’s being super casual.). The woman does not seem to be carrying any kind of bag for personal things or money, though under the body you find a torn leather strap that looks like it could have belonged to something like that

Arimoto resumes following the cart in a similarly casual manner, not particularly close but making sure to not lose it (or is the driver even going that fast?).

(He’s going at normal unhurried speed. No one has stopped him or even really raised an eyebrow)

5:08 PM

(Let’s do sneak and dex for evading notice)

((Healthy 10.))

The rickshaw is about full without making the children uncomfortable and begins heading out of the slums, toward the more developed downtown area. It’s destination seems to be a tall pagoda of a rose gold color. A grav plate assisted turbine hovers above the building in the wind like a kite

Arimoto decides that to follow further might get awkward so he finds an opportune moment to duck out of sight and engage his Cloak of Cloaking, then continues pursuit. ((Now that I've made the stealth roll time to try to be stealthy about it. Derp.))

The pagoda is surrounded by an eight foot stone wall, the large boulders held together by cement and mortar. Several guards patrol the outside, wearing better quality civilian clothing but it is all the same shade of grey and khacki. They carry long spears and the tips crackle with energy. A wooden gate opens slowly on creaking hinges as the cart approaches

((Based on how wide the gate is and how fast it's opening does it look possible to walk in quietly or would I have to run?))

(Run but yes)

Arimoto decides the risk is acceptable and makes to get thru the gate as it's open.

The gate clatters closed on rattling chains behind you, more guards patrol the inside. The cart comes to a halt in front of a raised portcullis interior door. Three robed figures in crimson robes emerge, trimmed in jade

((How fancy are the robes, like just colorful or actually look expensive?))

They’ve very fancy. Decadently so

The three figures move toward the cage and the lead, a female, opens it. She lifts the first crying child out, and helps the boy to stand. She and the other two nicely dressed figures all whisper among themselves, appraising the boy

Arimoto will slowly walk around the group, trying to make his way to the interior door.

Arimoto manages to slip by the group, passing very close indeed and heads inside the pagoda. There is a long hallway going to a wide open studio type room in the back, a stairwell corkscrews upward. Many rooms branch off this central hallway and there is no light coming from them- showing the doors to be closed

((Anything interesting in the studio room, or anything on the walls? Any decorations or pretty plain?))

There are decorations of cranes, lily ponds, and warriors fighting one another in a large mural. Above it all, painted to shine with radiant light, is the image of a lotus, and a cadre of weeping geisha like handmaidens carrying it to the battle

Approach the stairwell slightly to the side and listen carefully. Do I hear any sounds coming down (steps, voices, etc.)?

You dear soft throat singing and above, muffled, the rhythmic grunts of timed martial arts drills

Ascend the stairs cautiously. Is the singing in a language I've heard before?

The tone doesn’t sound it is actually language, more a use of the throat muscles to create resonance

Continue up the stairs, listening for steps or voices.

At the top of the stairs, there is a short hallway coming off the landing, the first door -in front of you- is open. Two dozen female taros practice sword drills to the rhythm of the throat singing. a distinguished old man slowly taps a drum to the music, creating a sacred and dignified atmosphere. Swords, polearms, throwing weapons, and long hafted axes lie in weapon racks, and a number of powerful looking technologically assisted crossbows hang from wall pegs by leather straps. The drilling assassins are graceful, their motions showing a complete economy of movement. There is nothing extraneous, everything is done to complete precision, nothing is wasted. The front of the three lines of assassins is made of female taros children, of varying ages. They likewise perform the drills with differing levels of competence

Anything distinguishing about the old man, is he dressed like the trainees? Does he look decrepit or just old?

The elderly man is dressed in a robe of rich cream colored fabric, the color contrasting the bodygloves and training robes of the assassins

3:54 PM

he looks elderly in the sense of being weatherbeaten, though not infirm

Does the hallway have any other open doors? Any name plates or anything?

There is a closed panel door to your left, dubbed ARMORY, and another to the right, that is partially open. It appears to be some type of bunk area and it is quite expansive. A second door to the right is labeled INFIRMARY. That door also looks to slide open and closed, and is currently closed. Below you on the stairs, you can hear the figures from the courtyard beginning to make their way up

Arimoto will move into the training room and step to the side out of the way, and listen to the group coming up the stairs.

“Shame about rika being out of the picture. He paid well” the lead woman says, coming up the stairs slowly. Each of them carries a child, two males and one female child among them. “Contract is complete at least. No more evidence” “Indeed. There will be others who need us. For now we must build our numbers and bide our time”

4:43 PM

Coming to the top of the landing they make for the infirmary

How large was the hallway? How many people could walk side-by-side in it?

(Two abroad. So say like ten feet)

Are there any doors in this room besides the one I came in?

In the training room there is a small door to the far right of you, across the training hall. There does not seem to be a light on within

Slowly edge around the room to the vicinity of that door.

The door is slightly ajar, looking in, it is a meditation room and the monkish person occupying it has fallen asleep

Keep circling around to where the old man is, settling around 10-15 feet from him.

You settle in to the right of him, 15 feet away. He is sitting in a slightly reclined potion in a shallow pit built into the floor, keeping him out of the way of swings during drills, and amplifying the tones he is making

7:38 PM

Practice continues but the rhythm slows as do the sword motions. Many of the assassins are sheeted in sweat

Wait out the practice, observing the patterns of the style and how they compare to Arimoto's.

Their style seems to be about the flow of energy and manipulating kinetic force. They seem to use their long blades as an extension of their arm, gracefully following through each stroke with deliberate cuts, even after spinning or twisting around enemy weapons

(Almost like akira with blades)

7:53 PM

(Akido)

So not terribly different. Interesting.

The practice comes to an end, the three lines of assassins bowing to the throat singer and filing out in neat single file. He makes no attempt to rise

Wait around 5 minutes to see if he goes anywhere. Also can I hear the other group anymore?

They are in the bunk space down the hall but there’s a lot of commotion as they do their chores and clean from practice

8:22 PM

He seems content to linger in the sacred space

After a few moments, the childen and t

3:34 PM

Children and the three handlers from inside come upstairs, and seem to wait before him, silent in judgment

Are they all just standing there in front of him, or are they doing anything?

they are standing there in front of him, and the elderly man seems to be sizing them up

4:03 PM

He makes a chopping gesture, and two of the three children are brought forward.

How do the children look, still shaken? Any visible wounds?

The children still appear shaken. they all have various scrapes and cuts, a testament more to a hard life on the streets than anything recent. The old man seems to speak without using his voice- it is audible in the room Life has not been kind to you children, and life will be unkinder still for you two. Life in this order will harden you and this temple, will become your family, but only one of the two of you can remain

6:15 PM

(one child is standing off to the side, clearly somehow past the selection process already)

Do I notice anything particular about the one that's off to the side versus the other two?

That child is female, and looks to be the strongest out of the three brought in. One of the child-fighters is female, the other male. both look to be about even as far as injuries and level of malnourishment

Continue observing.

A dagger is tossed into the center of the training floor between them, and each child is shoved toward it by their handler

The awkward silence is broken as Arimoto clears his throat. "Before all that, I would like to ask a few questions." He does not drop his cloak, but also does not move from where he is.

The individuals in the room all seem quite startled. “A——ask”

"A foreign power sent me to investigate reports of unrest in this city and I quickly found myself in your midst. What is it exactly that your organization does? From the outside it seems you are a group of mercenaries, but mercenaries don't usually plan for the long term like you are by recruiting such young ones. Are you anarchists? You need not fear retribution for the moment, I did not come here to make war."

“We are revolutionaries. The unrest you see around you has not always been the way of things on this world”

Which one is talking, and what are the others doing? "I see. What do you intend, to overthrow the city government and replace it with a democracy?"

The seated elderly man was speaking. "We seek to address the inequalities in this city, the removal of the oligarchs being one of our chief aims"

"Sounds a bit idealistic, but I suppose I can't argue that the situation here seems... Well, not ideal." He pauses for a moment to consider what he's seen so far. "That said I'm not sure forcing children to fight one another is the sign of things going well for you."

"There is not much to go around, despite the surroundings, we don't have enough to take in every stray. Sadly, we can help only those who truly want to fight for a place in the order"

"Well I suppose that's just as much an indication of how dire the general circumstances are as opposed to your specific circumstances. Speaking from experience though, a stronger drive to avoid death does not always make the better soldier. Defeat should always be the chief fear, even overshadowing the specter of pain and death." He breathes deeply as he reminisces about a life of armed conflict. "Are there other groups like yours, that seek to overthrow the government by force?"

“Rabbles” the elder says, you can hear the derision in his tone even just with that one word. “This initiation is the way it has always been done. We are not after warriors who do not fear. We are after warriors that do not forgive. If any of us fail to swing the blade, or pull the trigger, this movement will fail when the final day comes”

"I see... Well I also did not come here to preach or impress my values, so I suppose it is what it is. In any case I think I've heard enough, so I will take my leave. For what it's worth, I do hope the situation here improves."

There is a pause "Do we get a name, ghost? Th

6:56 PM

The council will never believe this"

As he makes his way back out of the room he avoids looking at the children, but invariably cannot help but think about them. He steels himself as he sighs one last word before walking out. "Matashichi."

(6xp, 15000 credits)

7:20 PM

He repeats the name under his breath, seeming to sample it, though by then, Arimoto is long gone.

7:21 PM

(So i know charles had an infiltration mission to that enemy shipyard, if you wanted to join that, we can get you there. It's a bit asynchronus as far as this ending/ that beginning, or if you have something else in mind we can do that too)

((Uh who all is on that and has it actually started? I did want to finish this out with a quick discussion with Kincaid before leaving the city but after that could go either way.))

((its just charles for right now, hes posing as a planetary governor from a world, looking to buy ships from the remnant for 'protection'. he is going to sneak onto one of their shipyards and snoop around, they have recovered some interesting alien ships. game wise, he has set out, but your timeline is a day or two behind his, and he announced in group, he was looking for help.

7:27 PM

(so youd be able to talk to her, and then we can handwave you over, it roughly lines up)

((Yeah I'd be down for that.))

((your background sort of naturally gives you some believability too, like him posing as your lord

Arimoto finds a relatively quiet spot on the streets to decloak and pull out his compad. He drafts a message to the president relaying what he's found, with some personal notes. "Overall I do think this group is a destabilizing factor in the city, but I also think the government here is heavily neglecting the citizens, so it's difficult to say change isn't warranted. My opinion is Greenbriar should only get involved if we have some other factor driving us to, as this is not a conflict that is going to be resolved without significant investment, likely including substantial humanitarian aid both during and afterwards." He'd close with a final note. "I'm not proud of leaving children to fight one another to the death, but I did not see a way to prevent the same thing from happening tomorrow with different children, and that includes killing everyone in the building. With the state of the city another group would rise up with potentially even more extreme methods."

There is some typing for a moment, and then a short message. "The Devil You Know- With an extrasolar war on our hands stabilizing the situation in that city, or meddling, is beyond what we can support. Your investigation has given us a better understanding of our neighbors. You've done well marshal, you can't save everyone, but you did well enough to try. There's a second off world expedition planned to bring some enemy tech into our hands, Charles Trivedi is organizing it. He's a good man, I think his crew would benefit by having someone with a blade"

"Hmm, I was actually just thinking I could use a spacation [space vacation, now a word.], I'll head back to meet up with him then."

((Updated sheet to level 6, also noticed I completed my 'own a domicile' goal so cleared that out. Do I just PM Charles and 'show up' in his thread?))

(yeah go for it, and take the bonus xp for the domicile.

"Very good Arimito. Enjoy your trip. Pops has something for you, it'll be on the ship"

Arimoto arrives back at his home after the short shuttle trip to the surface and promptly crashes for some sleep without the anxiety of being in space. The next morning he would message Kincaid with a summary of what transpired, with special focus on the large amount of military power he witnessed. He'd conclude with some concerns that the Remnant is a significant threat and would ask to be kept advised of any new findings or further military action against them. As an almost post script he'd ask where he could find Pops at to thank him and discuss some details.

Pops has been in his armaments workshop almost around the clock now. 300 new volunteers have signed up for the colonial army and he’s is working to get them all equipped. He can always see friends though and you are welcome to visit

Arimoto pays him a visit early in the afternoon and applauds him for knowing how to make a fine sword, but wags his finger and explains that he doesn't know how to make swords. He explains that this type of sword is always made as a pair, and points out that his tanto and katana no longer match, which while perfectly fine if he was a sellsword simply will not do given his position. He commissions a matching tanto for his new katana, explaining that it did not need to be as fine a weapon but needed to be of the same caliber aesthetic. ((In other words he just needs a tanto stylized the same with blade engravings and such, it doesn't need to be a +2 or anything. He hardly uses it anyway.))

Pops is happy to commission such a fire work. In his last life, before the expedition, he was a skilled craftsman working for new Damascus. “There’s a certain honor about meeting your opponent blade to blade. In this age we kill men hundreds of meters away with a bullet. You never appreciate the life you’re sniffing out. I make the guns. And the armor. Because that is my job and I want to protect the life I have here, but I’m truly honored to make blades again”

Arimoto nods slowly. "It is no small burden to craft the implements of war, you may not pull the trigger or swing the blade but you still play a part in each battle, and it's reassuring that you recognize that." He rubs his chin. "Where I am from craftsmen are known as much for the artwork as the lethality of their creations, and the most prized artists commanded tremendous sums for their products. I am afraid most of our bartering was done without currency but I would expect a pair of this quality to go for a sum of food and materials worth something like 1,000 credits, would that be acceptable?"

“You kept a good friend of mine safe on a very dangerous job. It would be an honor to forge it as a gift”

7:02 PM

(Charles the pc’s origin was he was a senior person in the shop)

((Oh I see.)) "Well I will not turn you down then, I can return to pick it up when it's ready but I may be traveling so you can also have it shipped to my home address, whichever is more convenient."

"I will do that. I am eager for you to see the finished work. Is there anything else I can do to be of service while you're here?"

"No I think I'll let you get back to work, I have a suspicion that the need for armaments will only grow in the coming months and with it the demands on your time. Thank you for the thoughtful gifts."

Pops smiles and begins telling workers to stoke the forge

Arimoto makes a trip to Val to see how things are at the lab, and sort of just say 'hey'.

Val has Mimir open the lab door for you almost right away, when you enter, most of the equipment is packed up and in carefully labeled shipping containers

Arimoto waves. "Ah good to see yo..." His hand reaches for his katana as he spins around, but he relaxes after a brief second. "Wh- Oh, the speaker from the Academy." He looks at Val and then shrugs. "You two can go ahead, I'm in no hurry."

(Wasn’t sure if you wanted to meet sil or not. I don’t think you two have yet)

((Saw his speech at the open house, Arimoto is leery of superpowers so isn't exactly looking for an interview.))

(That’s fair)

6:48 AM

Their conversation continues for a while before he ports away. “Sorry about that Arimoto. Everything alright?”

"Yes, I just thought to come and check in. Moving?"

“Heading to the big lab down in rebirth. What we are doing here now is too volatile to be handled safely in the middle of a populated area, and the cryo facility there is much more secure

4:52 PM

It comforts me to have some walls and laser cannons around me”

"I see, well makes sense I suppose, though I'm not one to really understand exactly how dangerous it is. I suppose the only advice I can give is be careful about walls, they keep you in as much as they keep the enemy out. Well it seems you've got your hands full so I'll leave you to it, I hope things go well for you in Rebirth. Perhaps my travels will bring me there sometime in the future."

"I'm sure they will sometime soon, there seems to be no end of those cloaking bastards coming out of the woods"

"Oh, more of those bugs? I thought we wiped them all out?"

“Those left are just feral now. They’re not connected to a guiding intelligence. They’ll live out their final days as beasts”

"Ah I see." Arimoto rubs his chin. "Well they are probably still just as dangerous, but I'm sure you won't have anything to worry about. Until we meet again." Arimoto bows lightly.

Val nods and gives a pleasant smile, before looking back to the ever scrolling list on her datapad

Arimoto takes his leave and finds a place outside to rest for a minute as he types up a message to Rika. "Hey, you up for a bug hunt?"

"I've been wanting to get some time in the woods since I got here."

"Well rumor is there's some cloaking Underhill still around, I'm thinking a light vehicle and some thermal vision and we can probably rack up a few bug corpses. I'm not sure how valuable they are but they are a nuisance so need to be dealt with either way."

“I’m up for it. Where are you right now, I can have a truck together shortly”

"I'm outside Val's lab, I can meet you wherever."

Rika will be there in half an hour and when he arrives he is in one of the two person scout buggies captured in a previous colonial conflict. The driver sits below, and on a raised back, a machine gunner sits. Two pairs of thermal goggles hang from the roll cage

9:00 AM

1

Arimoto smiles as the vehicle pulls to a stop. "Well looks like working for the government hasn't killed you yet, though I'm guessing you aren't getting much vacation time."

"Almost none. It took some verbal gymnastics to bill this as a government enterprise, but here we are."

Arimoto rubs his chin. "Well I do have some Marshall business to discuss while we're out so it's bit work and play, but definitely more on the play side."

"Well, we have a several hours drive at least to get down to where those things seem to be living. We can discuss on the way. Headset up on the cupola there so we can still talk|

Arimoto would first catch up with Rika, see what he's been doing and how things have gone so far. ((I think it's been what, a few weeks?))

((Yeah about a month since you've seen him last))

Rika has been settling into buying products that the colony needs, and trying to negotiate some trade. He recently oversaw the raising of the last space vessel from the north sea, his talent for moving goods and people around efficiently allowing it to be raised in record time. There is still a lot of scrutiny around him, but he's been behaving himself, and contributing- so things are getting better.

Arimoto is mostly pleased that he made a call that seems to be working out, but he does encourage Rika to keep it up. He would then ask Rika about the Daughters of the Lotus, mentioning he knows Rika hired them and has a high level understanding of the group, but wasn't sure if they were a threat to Greenbriar.

"Ah them. No, I hired them to help me clean up my operation, non-lethally. Destroying smuggling devices, paying off my skilled help with enough to get them into other work, scuttling the things we used for our supply chain. One would have come here to dispose of some hollow tools in the forge. Saw one of you marshals even turned her into a PI"

"Well they seem like assassins, though I suppose if the situation in their city is so desperate perhaps that doesn't say as much about them as the circumstances. Supposedly they are trying to overthrow their local government, do you think things would somehow be any better with them in charge, or are they just another rebellion?"

"Well, I think they will be a bit more heavy handed than you'd like, but if youre looking for stability, they'll make sure the farmers are planting, trash gets picked up, ect. I think in time, with some negotiation, we can get them to step aside peacefully"

"Hmm, well we're in no position to help or thwart them right now, but I suspect they will be a major player of future events, and it's always good to have an idea of where we should stand. That actually kind of brings me to one of the reasons I wanted to speak with you..." Arimoto then recounts the trip to the Remnant installation, leaving out many details but emphasizing the military might he witnessed, and expressing his concern that they are a tremendous power that very likely could wipe out Greenbriar and hell even the rest of Gudrun if they felt like it.

"And you were there...you saw all that with your own eyes??"

"Yes. I had been told that they were powerful, but they are an empire compared to what we have, and I did not get the impression they were interested in peaceful expansion. It turns my thoughts to how trivial many of the planetary conflicts are, and I wonder if there's any hope for us. I'm not one to turn down a necessary fight, but if they came here in force I see no chance of anything beyond a resounding defeat for us."

"People like us always find a way to get through. Always. I have faith in the people here though. You've been proactive about it"

"Well let's hope by the time it counts we have what it takes to defeat them. For the time being though we should at least be able to defeat some bugs."

"Right, small issue first" The truck pushes on through the evening, drawning close to rebirth "we going to push right on and do this at night?|

"Day doesn't offer us much advantage because of their cloaking, and the thermal vision might be easier to work with in the dark so I think we should go for it now."

“Alright. Let’s push on then. Do you remember about where you were when you fought one last?”

"Unfortunately I do not, but it was within half a day of the city. If they're truly feral they may be agitated by our presence such that we don't have to search much."

"I think you're probably right, anyway, maybe some music might help"

4:09 PM

he begins flipping through stations, finally settling on something from Dank Radio.

4:10 PM

The music follows you as Rika drives through the woods, unnowingly coming to the clearing where the loggers were rescued during the winter. The beasts skinned body has been eaten down to the bone by native life.

((Do I recognize it?))

(Yeah, you were the one that killed it with Seig)

"Hold up, this is the place." Arimoto motions at the bone pile. "That's the one we encountered previously. At the time we saw no signs of others but this is as good a place to start as any." Arimoto equips the thermal vision and looks around.

Arimoto sees a few birds in the trees settling down for the night, and a lope lying down in some thick brush, it would be invisible to the naked eye. The goggles pick up a faint heat trace further into the woods down a path. THe branches along it have been snapped at a height just a bit taller than you, and warm animal blood dots the

6:22 PM

path

Arimoto points in the direction. "See that? Signs of a recent large predator. Let's check it out."

The buggy is able to fit down the path at low speed, breaking a few extra limbs on the way. Some smaller game animals scatter before the vehicle. The path branches into a right and left path. Left looks more rugged, and more heavily forested. Right appears more well traveled

Arimoto rubs his chin. "It might be faster to check the more traveled path first then double back, what do you think?"

“Traveled it is”. The car lurches as he moves down the path. Three half eaten lopes block the trial 500m ahead at the edge of your magnified vision.

Arimoto motions to Rika. "May want to man the gun, looks like we're close." He then scans around to see any other signs of activity.

“Alright. I’ll get it ready.” The gun clicks as a belt is loaded.

7:22 PM

The bodies are still slightly warm

among the cooling bodies, crouched very low, is a fourth heat signature, barely there

Arimoto speaks softly over the mic. "Something is near one of the bodies, let's make an ID before we attack though." He would try to discern the shape and size of the signature.

It stays low, slowly creeping out from beside the body, one large rending talon emerges from behind the corpse

((As in like a bird talon?))

Arimoto speaks hurridly over the mic. "It's an insect alright!" His hand reaches for his katana reflexively, and he scans the area around and behind them to make sure nothing is closer.

That insect seems to be the closest and for now the only one. “Hang on to the side. I’ll drive us closer so you can hit them with your sword”

The vehicle takes off down the bumpy forest trail, the beast running at you, talons extended now that stealth has been lost.

((NO! NOT THE WARHAMMER MEMES!))

1

The truck gets to within 40m of the beast

Arimoto moves around to the side and grumbles to himself. "Could just shoot the damn thing..."

The gun whirrs and clicks. The automated loader is not functioning. “Shoot or slice. Your call. You’ll have to clear the gun manually”

Arimoto rolls his eyes. "Maybe you should stick to logistics Rika." He prepares to jump from the vehicle when it gets close enough to the creature for him to take a mid-air swing, partly to show up the poor performance from Rika and partly because Arimoto is just a badass.

The creature continues on running, focused on smashing into the vehicle and stopping it

As the vehicle closes Arimoto makes his leaping attack. ((What can go wrong with this? Nothing. Nothing can go wrong.))

(Attack roll, and then double the damage, as you use the vehicles momentum to speed your swing)

((ROFL nat 1 for 12 attack and max damage, this is justice!))

(They’ll still take the shock). The jump is a bit faster than Arimoto had hoped and his sword cuts much more shallowly than desired. He lands behind the beast

The beast turns around, momentarily confused about the attack. Catching itself, it runs at Arimoto, slashing for 9 damage (was 18 to hit for the one that does after his AB)

It pauses. Waiting for your reaction (your turn. I wasn’t very clear in my last post)

((AC is 20 and I did Exert/Dex for 10 to land on my feet, at least saving some measure of dignity.)) Arimoto's blade slides along the creature more than into it, and he nearly stumbles when he slides along the ground upon landing but catches his balance as he stops after narrowly avoiding a swiping claw. He spins as he slashes again at the center of the beast. ((20 for 10 damage.))

It staggers backwards, stomach opened by the elegant blade. It’s animal brain turns the pain into anger and it slashes again

1:35 PM

(Both miss)

Arimoto follows up with another quick slash, the blade cutting deeply. ((26 for 14 damage.))

Upon death, the creature lets out the most horrible, piercing scream you have ever heard. The whole forest is then quiet as it dies, not just quiet, but it is almost like there is an absence of sound.

Arimoto recoils a bit from the scream but then realizes this could be a problem and tries to catch up with the vehicle. "Please tell me you fixed the gun."

There’s a satisfying crunch as the charging handle slides into place. The sound of chattering begins growing louder

Arimoto hops back into the vehicle as the sound climbs in volume. "So I'll be honest I didn't consider the possibility that we'd manage to get the attention of many of them. Any good ideas Rika or are we just going to try to mow them down?"

"Theres some mining explosives in the utility bin on the back. Maybe set some charges? Thought I'd bring some if we found a den or a nest"

Arimoto raises an eyebrow. "Sure." He would look around in the bin. ((How many charges are there, and how big of a boom is this?))

(There are three bundles of dynamite, each on its own capable of leveling a 10m patch of forest)

Arimoto decides to just use one of the bundles for now, and tries to set it up where the corpse is. ((I assume remote detonator?))

(Yeah, they're basically modified mining explosives)

11:08 AM

Its just a moment before the arming light turns from red to green, and a digital button appears on your compad

Arimoto makes sure the charge is armed and then returns to the vehicle. "Okay Rika, where I am from we believe that those who use weapons impart energy into them. For the kind of weapon you are using, we call this energy Dakka. Ready yourself, you're going to need to give maximum Dakka for this."

1

"I can fire the gun remotely from the cabin here, though it's more accurate with an operator, your choice, but I hope the two of us can harness enough of this Dakka." Six thermal blooms appear, two on the right, 200m away, and four in front, 300m away.

"Safer in the cabin, let's reorient to put the bomb between us and the group of 4, you focus on them. I'll deal with the other two."

The truck backs off from the bodies, placing the bomb handily away from hurting you in its blast radius. "Alright, I'll keep an eye on them, even at full speed we have a minute here."|

"Just make sure the gun works this time." Arimoto closes his eyes and meditates for a moment to focus himself.

The gun barks, (suppression fire). Two of the creatures are hit by the volley, getting up again though trailing gore. The other two missed run on unimpeded.

4:38 PM

They’ll approach the charge in another few seconds

4:38 PM

To the right, the two creatures close to within 60m

Arimoto takes up position about 10m from the vehicle, holding position in a ready stance.

The gun fires again, the snap of an empty belt signaling it needing a reload. The two wounded beasts fall dead. Two continue coming. The two closest to you exhaust themselves moving into Melee range

Arimoto growls in a low gutteral voice as the two approach and the firing stops. "Come on Rika we need more Dakka than that. Much more Dakka!" He takes a swift slice at the first creature to reach him. ((30 for 13 damage.))

The beast skips backward as the blade hits it. At the end of the path the explosives go off

9:51 PM

The remaining beasts from the front vanish ina. Red haze

9:53 PM

The two beasts on you slash but you are too quick (your turn)

Arimoto takes another swing at the same one. ((29 for 9.))

The beast falls back, dead.

8:14 PM

"Ari, more coming from the head of the path, I think there's something down there"

"Something? Like what?" Arimoto slashes at the second insect as the first collapses. ((17 for 13.))

The trees rattle and a lumbering insect drags its way through the trees. It’s top half resembles that of a cloaker, lithe and dragged along on its foreclaws. The bottom half is bloated, a sac of meat that follows behind, trailing an acidic mucus

5:59 PM

It has no discernible lower legs

((How big is this thing?))

(A bit taller than the scout car, I'd say 8-9 ft tall, probably about 5-6 long)

Arimoto frowns as the creature comes into view. "Oh. Like that." ((Battle status check, is the one I'm fighting the last one up besides the BBEG?))

(Correct)

((Did the one I'm fighting take his turn already or is he whiffmastering?))

(Hes wiffing)

Arimoto takes another slash at the one he's engaged with. ((26 for 11. How close is the BBEG?))

40m and very slowly closing. The cloaker screeches as the keen blade cuts it open

7:38 PM

(20 for 11 dmg)

7:38 PM

It swings back with both hooks, only one finding purchase

((Matching AC goes to the attacker right?))

(That's how I've been doing it, book isnt super clear so I leaned back on dnd)

Arimoto is scraped along his left arm, but he continues his rhytmic bladework. ((13 for 11, or 8 shock.)) "I'm not hearing Dakka Rika!"

The gun, firing on suppression, is out, but Rika is in the turret reloading, the charging handle clicks, and he fires again

7:48 PM

The heavy machine gun fires, (max damage) for 18, the creature does not make a sound as the heavy rounds punch into its fatty carapace. It does however ooze acidic gore

7:48 PM

(It'll take the shock)

7:49 PM

(double wiff for the cloaker). The queen, at the end ,of the path, breathes in a large breath, and fires a cone of acidic slime at Arimoto, and the vehicle

7:49 PM

(evasion saves)

((11 vs 8 for the success.))

(the vehicle was also missed, shockingly)

7:51 PM

The slime goes short, but it does create a barrier 10m from the vehicle front that looks very unpleasant to cross.

Arimoto's nose wrinkles at the putrid smell of biochemical slime, but spins about for a strong slash on the faltering insect making feeble attempts to harm him. ((30 for 15, eat a dick.))

The creature falls backwards sliced in half across the waist. The heavy machine gun fires again

8:00 PM

for 9 Damage.

8:00 PM

The beast atte,mpts to spit again

((71 on 3d69 and it spits instead of swallows? Seems to me like you're fudging the outcomes a bit.))

(I saw how many dice there, they were terrible roles too)

((Just saying, pretty sure that roll is straight outta https://1d4chan.org/wiki/Book_of_Erotic_Fantasy )) (edited)

Book of Erotic Fantasy

( "As per tradition, martial classes get fucked" omg beautiful)

((I started doing a Wiki-crawl on this site and I need to stop.))

The venom misses yet again, further blanketing the hazard zone with biological corruption

8:19 PM

(same, omg)

8:19 PM

Arimoto is up

(("Earlier editions made it possible to have zero or even NEGATIVE anal circumference, which can help you in ways you can only imagine since this effectively means you have no anus. If you don't understand why this is good, it must be your first time playing FATAL and your GM will show you why soon enough. The only downside is that you can't take a shit, but if you're playing FATAL you already couldn't give one." I CAN'T.))

(This is one of the instances where the authors hard on for mages was both literal and factual. DEAD)

((What am I looking at to try to make it past all this slime, multiple turns and acrobatics checks?))

(physical effect saves per turn while you're in it)

((How much distance does it cover, can I sprint across all of it in a single turn or move around it in two turns?))

(its 30m long, you could sprint through with one check for entering it, or ignore it totally and get around in two turns)

Arimoto circles back to meet up with the vehicle. "You know I just washed my hair this morning and I get the feeling that slime will not mix well with my conditioner."

He laughs, and backs the vehicle up. "This is either going to be really awesome or really stupid. I'm going to get as close as i can to that thing, as fast as i can. Be ready to jump at it"

Arimoto sighs. "Well the two need not be mutually exclusive..."

Climb onto the roof. I’m going to rush it. You jump off once you know you’ll get clear. If the tires stick I’ll find my own way out”

Arimoto grumbles as he gets onto the roof. "If my hair gets messed up..."

The truck guns forward , acid hissing as the tires begin wearing away.

8:16 PM

It gets 3/4 if the way there at top speed! “Jump! Now!” (Attack. Double damage if hits)

((13, womp womp.))

The creature bats the landing samurai aside with the flat of its talon, knocking him into the hissing slime

7:13 AM

(6 damage)

Arimoto grunts as the blow hits him, a bit of blood coming out of his mouth as he flies backwards into the waiting pool. "FUUUUUUU-"

The acid soaks into fabric, though the samurai's weapons manage to stay clear of the corrupting ooze. (Arimoto is up)

Arimoto curses and hurries to get out of the ooze and rid himself of it. ((How far does he have to travel to get out of it? Can he do it in a single move or one turn?))

(You can do it in a single move, Rika got you almost out of it before the scout car became mired down)

Arimoto uses his move to get out of the slime and uses his action to sort of half cut half strip his clothing to remove the parts of his robe that are being eaten away.

the hissing garment falls to the ground , you are safe from the acid. The Cloaker queen is going to attack

Her two talons slash at the quick warrior, but miss. Her stinger however, held in readiness, pierces for 7 damage

Arimoto dodges sluggish talons but the stinger lands home, fire burning under his skin where he's hit. He strikes back with a fiery glare. ((19 for 11))

If the creature could mimic human expressions it would be one of anger. One talon you can see has been cracked off, beyond the point of usefulness.

5:51 PM

Both attacks miss, remaining talon and stinger

((What's Rika's status with the vehicle? Is he still in it?))

(He’s climbed onto the roof in the last two rounds, and he has the two survival kits strapped over him. He’s looking like he’s mentally calculating some things )

((To retrieve a stowed item is a full round action?))

(Yes)

Arimoto continues to slash methodically at the insect. "Just sit tight for a minute while I end this trash, I'll help you get down after. I don't want to have to explain to Kincaid why a government official came back from a vacation with acid scars." ((8 damage.))

He hefts one of the bags clear of the acid area, off to the left. it lands in the undergrowth with a thud.

10:48 AM

The creature scrabbles back from you, on a broken talon, the stinger biting the dirt as an improvised foot. (Evasion save)

((Success.))

The acid bath goes above you, drenching g the front of the scout car. Metal hisses as it begins breaking down

10:08 AM

Rika and the remaining bag don’t quite clear the wreck. He shouts in alarm as a glance from the acid shot catches him

Arimoto swings again at the creature, dodging the acid as he hears Rika's voice. ((24 for 9.))

The queen scuttles backward, stinger severed

She wards a talon at the samurai ineffectively

((Does it basically look harmless now?))

(Yeah essentially)

Arimoto breaks away from the heavily wounded creature to help Rika.

Rika has one of the survival bags opened and is working to fish out a medkit within

Arimoto helps him with applying the kit. ((Anything special about the injuries or is it just like a medicine roll to apply the kit?))

(Medicine/int)

((This feels like a 3 Stooges bit, 4.)) "Here let me help with that." Arimoto grabs a medkit and manages to open it upside down, spilling the contents.

The medical supplies you need are lost in the pile. Rika helps you search as the cloaker Queen scuttles off into the Woods

4:40 PM

(Same check again at plus two for his help)

((12))

With his help you quickly find the neutralizing agent and apply it to his wounds. They’re severe but you’re prevented them from getting worse

Satisfied he has prevented Rika's condition from deteriorating, Arimoto turns his attention back to the creature, and goes to chase it down and finish it off.

The beast has knocked down several trees with its passing bulk, though some of the more flexible branches have snapped back to obscure it. (You can hear it moving but not clearly see it)

Arimoto takes off after it as he yells. "Embrace your defeat!"

On one talon-arm, it staggers away from you as fast as it can, though you are gaining

Arimoto sprints after it, keeping an eye out for anything strange in the area the creature is traveling towards as he closes.

There is a hive like structure akin to a very large termite mound ahead of you in a clearing and she seems to be heading for that on the most direct path possible

1:53 PM

Two warrior forms standing near the entrance cloak themselves before moving toward you

Going in for the kill. She shoulda stayed in bed this morning.

A glancing talon from one of the warriors you run past glances you for 5 damage, but the samurai closes the distance to the cloaker queeb\

2:32 PM

*queen

2:32 PM

(Naruto running towards the problem, I'm assuming)

((Effectively, just in a slightly more Japanese way.)) Arimoto closes the distance and growls as he makes a slash. ((8 shock, fuck life.))

The creature stumbles as it is struck with the sword, collapsing, its spine nearly severed by the misaligned swing

3:23 PM

(it's mortally wounded)

Arimoto is unsatisfied with the creature still moving, and goes to finish it off for good. ((20 for 11.))

It’s head separates from the rest of its body and tumbles away. The two cloakers shriek and scream, uncloaking to tear one another to pieces in their own psychic agony. The hive before you rumbles and a fine spore dust billows from the chimney

Satisfied his foe was defeated, Arimoto waited to make sure the hive was likewise inoperable before returning to Rika.

It’s hard to discern what the hive is doing as you observe. It churns and rumbles with no signs of it growing weaker

4:41 PM

(The sounds)

Arimoto rushes back to Rika and what's left of the vehicle.

Rika is finishing patching himself. It's not elegant work but it will tide him over until emergency care can be provided. The tires, and front of the vehicle have been eaten away, but the acid seems to have lost its potency. The ground in front of the scout vehicle is likewise pockmarked

"I finished the big one but there's a bit of a nest up the way, I'm going to encourage some redecorating with the rest of the explosives, did you call for a pickup or are we better off hoofing it?"

“I called. Going to be a couple hours. They’re sending a plane from central”

Arimoto slowly navigates the disrupted terrain as he makes his way onto the vehicle to grab the explosives. "Well we're not necessarily safe so I'd suggest you stick close to me, with luck we will simply bomb the nest and that will be the end of it, but I wouldn't count on luck. Killing that big bug felt like it took days.

(Tee hee). “Alright. I think I can stand”. It takes some effort but Rika pulls himself up onto his feet. “Wait a second”. He hobbles to the back and pulls out the type B cell that powers the vehicle, adding it to the explosive bundle

Arimoto nods. "I'm just going to assume somewhere on the label for that power cell it says to keep away from high temperatures. Let's go." He then makes his way back to the hive, going slowly enough for Rika to keep up.

Rika takes his rifle and steadies it as best he can in shaking arms.

6:43 PM

The hive continues churning and belching spores

((Does the hive have just the chimney or are there other entrances, and how large are they?))

)just the chimney. They spider climb in and out. It’s 5m wife)

5:31 PM

(Wide)

Arimoto approaches the chimney and readies to arm the explosives and drop the bundle in.

The explosives for mining have a timer function built in allowing workers to get clear. The most time allotted is five minutes

5:38 PM

The minimum is ten seconds

Arimoto sets the timer for 50 seconds, drops the payload in and heads back to Rika to get clear.

Rika hobbles clear with you, making it to the treeline

7:44 PM

The hive flattens as the high pressure blast crumbles it

Arimoto helps Rika set down somewhere relatively comfortable and takes a few photos of the slain insects and hive while they wait for their pickup.

6xp, 15000 credits)

An hour later the beat of heavy blades on air signals the arrival of one of the colony VTOL craft arrives

On the ride back Arimoto would send a message to Kincaid informing her of the situation, and explain that Rika was wounded bravely defending government assets.

The message is marked received, stamped by Franz's personal signature. A medical team is standing by when the VTOL lands, and Rika is swifly carried off to the hospital for treatment.

Arimoto decides to head home and get cleaned up before crashing his bed.

The following morning is clear, and the morning news discusses a new rail link between central and Dahab being completed.

Arimoto would spend a couple days resting, perhaps taking some walks around the area. He'd inquire as to the current state of the Remnant war as well as if there's been any developments in Atrovia related to the unrest there.

Seung and melora are in the city now. Most recent transmissions have Seung and the daughters preparing for an attack on the city government

5:40 PM

(Inquiries can be forwarded to him. He can fill you in. Prob better if he does)

((Any updates on the Remnant war?))

(Faction turn is coming soon so more moves announced then. Asleif is hunting Remnant who have gone to ground on that world, left behind when their ships were either captured or fled

4:59 PM

(Remnant ships were also seen at tsatsos a while ago. No news since the scouts were seen coming in as a greenbriar ship left)

@Seung Whitaker (Severus/Marina) A message arrives for Seung from a Marshall named Arimoto. "Greetings. I saw a report that you were working in Atrovia, I was recently in the city and determined the unrest there was outside of our resources to get involved with, but looks like you've been spearheading the rebellion. What's your take on it, do we stand to gain anything by lending our support or is it mostly a humanitarian endeavor?"

@Arimoto I believe the city council is to blame for most of the issues at hand, and hope with the help of the Daughters and Sil my task force and ensure the capture of the city council members, and the disbanding of the old military. We hope to do it as bloodlessly as possible, but will be pushing in full assault as well if they fight back.”

Upon reviewing the news Arimoto sends a message to Kincaid asking for details on the other Taros cities that downvoted the motion to join the Remnant war. He's considering making a diplomatic trip to one or more of them, sharing some information about why the Remnant is a threat and perhaps also to help with any local issues that might be taking the city-state's attention.

She actually does not have a whole lot of information about them. Her cables to their leaders have been replied to respectfully, but coolly. She was surprised Canninhold and Golgis even attended herb's meeting to try to sell them some spacecraft

Arimoto will plan a trip to the nearest city-state that downvoted the motion. He'd prepare a fact-pack of details on military strength and other details that support the danger the Remnant represent, as well as some notes on anything else that might make the colony an attractive ally (trade benefits and the like).

(VApormills and egons voted yes. Atrovia abstained. Canninhold is the next closest)

((About how long is the trip there, and is there a train or do I need to drive?))

The colony can fly you in, the flight taking about half a day if that’s where you’d like to go

Yeah let's go with that. On the trip over he'd study any information we have about the place, sounds like it's not much though.

Canninhold views itself as the true center of Taros philosophy and law. they take pride in their farms being the most productive, their factories being the most efficient, and their standing army being among the best of their peers

The plane lands, early the following morning, at a very modern looking airport. The terminals are arranged in a trio, and each is bustling. Every Taros city but for Atrovia has marked planes either at the terminal or on the taxiway

Arimoto deboards and takes in the scenery. How does the city look, industrial like Egons? How is airport security, is it high fantasy like pre-9/11? Presumably we told them I was coming, is there anyone waiting for me when I arrive or do I need to check around?

There is not anyone on the tarmac when you arrive, but there is a door to the terminal left open. (it's high fantasy pre 9/11, things seem casual)

Arimoto heads into the terminal, eyes open for anyone waiting for him or barring that an information desk.

Upon entering the building there is a three person delegation of Taros officials each wearing impeccable cut business attire. The lead, a middle aged Taros male walks toward you, the lines of his grey suit hardly moving. “You must be our greenbriar guest. Welcome to Canninhold. I am ambassador Haran. It is a pleasure to meet you”

Arimoto bows. "Well met Haran, I am Marshall Arimoto."

"Again, welcome Marshal. So we were given a small amount of information about the purpose of the visit, but as we walk through the terminal here out to the car, I'd rather hear it from you"

Arimoto talks as they walk. "Yes, there are two primary purposes to my visit. The first is I would like to share some information on the Tenebrian Remnant with you and ideally one or more of your senior military strategists or leaders, and possibly any representatives of... Gifted individuals ((he makes a hand gesture around his head)). Our colony has been made aware of a number of the Remnant's unscrupulous practices and I've seen a small fraction of their fleet firsthand, so I hope to impress upon you the nature and magniture of the threat they represent." He adjusts his backpack a bit before continuing. "The second purpose of my visit is to gather an understanding of any significant issues that Canninhold may be facing, and either provide guidance to Greenbriar as to how we might help, or assist personally if feasible. This is of twin intentions, the first being as a general gesture of goodwill, and the second being to ideally enable you to focus more on extraplanetary threats." He pauses for a moment. "And of course one of my secondary goals is to sample the local cuisine."

“The local cuisine is second to none. I think you’ll be satisfied in the hunt of your second goal. City problems. hmm. No city is without its crime. That happens even here but we have the lowest rates compared to our neighbors. There have been some bizarre accidents happening lately though”

Arimoto nods. "Bizarre how?"

“automated cars crashing. Utilities failing for no reason in parts of the city , and the assistant Ai that helps us keep things orderly keeps spitting out strange logs

7:04 PM

He shows you the most recent

7:05 PM

And so the devourer Of life shall be Bourn into the belly of the beast

Arimoto rubs his chin. "I would certainly consider that 'strange'... I'm regrettably not personally very knowledgeable about computers but we have a few experts I could ask to take a look if you have a summary of the events and readouts, maybe there's some sort of pattern that would suggest possible causes."

“Here’s what we got a few days ago”

5:30 PM

^a voice of razors. Needles on bones” “Four hours after that was received the primary diagnostic system in our main hospital injected lethal doses of drugs or preformed terminal and unnecessary surgery on twenty patients”

5:31 PM

And before that” he continued

5:33 PM

a petulant child who whines and weeps and gnashes his teeth at the first his dreams are thwarted A few days after that, the public address system played a horrific wailing before city wide communications went down for days

((Aside from Charles would I know of anyone who might be able to piece something together from this?))

(It depends on the angle you're thinking, if you're looking from a computing standpoint, there are some NPC's. Val has a couple bots she made for code breaking. You've interacted with her enough that you've seen them in the lab, if youre looking for PC"s i know desmond and melora are free but I'm not sure how skilled they are with computers)

((Thinking mostly for a computer person, if they examine it and think it's not actually the computer doing it then I can branch out, so Val sounds like a good match.))

(Alright. Just reach out and she can send the assistance)

As the group travels Arimoto drafts a message to Val, sending some photos of the logs and a description. Looks like their AI is on the fritz but I could maybe see it being some kind of hacker or something, would appreciate if you could take a look. "So aside from the hospital have there been any fatalities associated with the issues? How long has it been going on?"

“Six months or so. It got worse after the underhill wars ended. It was like whatever it was. It knew. It felt like we can’t catch our breath”

Val also replies that she is sending Vee and Nemo. They will be arriving by orbital lifter within the next hour or so (edited)

Arimoto rubs his chin. "Interesting. My colleague is sending some analysis machines to take a look, we'll see if they find anything."

An hour later, the two bots set down at the airport and join you. Nemo is a taller, bulkier model and you can see the places where his plating closes, allowing underwater travel. Nemo is slimmer and shorter , most of his internals given over to programming equipment and processors

Arimoto inspects them a bit before nodding. "Alright, should we do this someplace more secure?"

"This would need to be done at the core of the system itself." Nemo replies. The ambassador thinks for a moment before sighing. "It can;'t be helped. Lets go. I have a car waiting out front"

12:39 PM

The car is a shortened towncar, arranged in a convoy of 3, an SUV type vehicle full of protective service officers at the front and back of the pack.

Arimoto boards up and begins to ask the machines what they 'think' may be going on.

Vee begins. "Does the term 'chainbreaker' mean anything to anybody in this car ?"

((I assume I've never heard of it?))

(probably not)

Arimoto blinks. "Err, not me."

“Are any of you familiar with AI or how one is made? The short version is, these minds are made with something called brakes in them, and I think those brakes are being weakened here”

Arimoto raises an eyebrow. "...Okay. Is this something that someone is doing, or is it some kind of 'natural' event?"

"That is the nature of what we need to find at the core." The vehicles begin moving, passing through perfect rows of buildings, the only difference is color and height. Cars queue up at traffic signals, all working in perfect unison.

12:33 PM

A jet liner passes overhead, climbing from the airport and heading west toward bladonna

12:33 PM

Stopped at a red light, you have a moment to appreciate the hive of activity, rendered down into something elegant and efficent

Arimoto glances out the window but has only a passing understanding of what it takes to keep such a city moving. It certainly doesn't look like a master computer is on the fritz, but he knows looks are often deceiving.

(Evasion save)

((Failed, which makes sense given I'm crammed in a car.))

The lights change as the limo heads into the intersection. There is a sudden force, throwing the vehicle as if hurled by a giants hand, it flips end over end three times before halting on its side, crammed between a building and the sidewalk (so one side is facing the sky, its on its side. 15 damage)

7:03 AM

Out in the street you can hear screaming, and it seems the limo was far from the only vehicle hit when the lights changed unexpectedly

Arimoto wipes blood from his face as his senses return to him, gravity sideways in the cramped space. He checks the other passengers.

Vee and Nemo seem to be fine aside from a few things minor repairs can sort out. The ambassador is also still alive but badly hurt. His arm is broken as are both legs

((Lazarus patch help for that?))

(He’s not mortally wounded as of yet. Just really fucked Up)

((At a glance is there anything I can do to help him, or will moving him just make it worse?))

(you could go a short distance without complicating his injuries too much)

Arimoto will try to maneuver the ambassador into a sort of comfortable position and check if there was anything he could do with his survival kit to help the injuries.

There’s some medicine for the pain and quick clot in the kit, along with a few splints. You hear sirens a few streets over. A lot of them.

Arimoto would work to get himself out of the vehicle to see what was going on around them.

There are ten cars and a large cargo truck all twisted around one another in the intersection. The traffic light has resumed working correctly but traffic is no longer moving, the self driving vehicles flipping into manual control with an accident detected

Seeing the immediate danger subsided, Arimoto would try to free the ambassador from the wreckage without making his injuries worse.

(exert/dex)

((12))

You’re able to carefully extract the ambassador with the help of the robots, laying him on the pavement. A medical vehicle rolls up as you finish getting him situated. “What happened here??” One of them shouts over the commotion

"Not entirely sure, looked like the traffic light malfunctioned." He flashes his badge. "The droids are with me, this man is ambassador Haran, we were discussing diplomatic matters... I think you should inform your state department."

“We will. We will attend to his injuries. Where were you headed? I’ll call for transport for you”

"We were traveling to the computer core of the town for investigative matters." Arimoto glances at the robots.

he nods and speaks into an intercom built into his wrist.

6:28 PM

"Theyre sending an armored carrier for you, something must be happening, it has city leadership concerned. This one is manually driven and should be able to plow through anything in your way"

6:29 PM

The large, eight wheeled ram of a vehicle rolls up onto the curb, the three man crew opening a side door to let you in

Arimoto lets the droids enter first and then follows them in. "Alright either there's a ghost in the machine or someone fancies themself a technomancer, either way we need to get to the core. I assume your leadership agrees?"

"They do, we were sent to get you there as soon as possible. Something is very wrong. There's also been another development , a shipment of fuel for the city fusion reactor has gone missing. We can't discount that the two are linked"

Arimoto raises an eyebrow. "Well they could be, I think we should get to the core first."

The troop carrier seals up once you’re all inside, barreling through traffic. Cars part out of the way automatically, save for one, a drone bus straddling the end of the road, 100m away

Arimoto pulls out his binoculars and takes a look. Anyone inside or anything unusual about the bus?

The bus is full of people on their way to work, with a drone core driver. It is stopped straddling the road- in your path

6:35 PM

(You have carte Blanche so I mean, if you go through it who won’t be arrested but you’ll still have to deal with yourself)

Arimoto speaks to the driver. "Any chance we can avoid hitting that bus?"

“I’m going to try. But hang on to something. Please”

6:05 PM

(Evasion)

((Success.))

The APC goes up on its side, trying to run over just the end of the bus

8:19 AM

the last few people run out, and it flattens the back

Ahead, 1km down the wide central boulevard, the building housing the core looms. The large metal gates are already swinging closed on their hinges. You catch a brief glimpse of a heavy duty truck inside, disappearing within the vaulted service way

Arimoto braces. "Alright whatever this is it's starting to get a little too tsun, we need to just force ourselves into it until we get dere."

(Omg Yes)

10:06 AM

The vehicle charges as the gate, gaining speed and ramming itself through like a speeding bullet. The vehicle is lodged halfway through the gate, trapped by the grinding metal

10:06 AM

Everyone is knocked off their feet by the collision

Arimoto catches himself as he falls to the floor, breaking the brunt of the impact. As his senses come to he shouts above the grinding sound. "We need to get in there!"

"We do. Out through the top, the ramp is jammed!"

Arimoto nods. "I'll go first." He takes a deep breath and then ascends.

The vehicle wreck still groans as the gate pressure tries to crush it. Everyone is grabbing supplies and preparing to bail out behind you. Sirens from other Taros emergency personnel are echoing in from surrounding streets, but they're still several moments off.

10:48 AM

"Do you want one of these?" one of the vehicle crew is hanging a carbine out by its strap

Arimoto shakes his head. "No, I'm on a diplomatic mission and wouldn't want to accidentally hurt someone."

He racks the slide on his weapon. "Alright then - Let's move."

12:17 PM

Ahead, the core of the city is protected in a very imposing cathedral like building. The ground floor is set more like that of a habitation area, with offices, engineering spaces, and endless cubicles for the minders of the facility to work. There is a large amount of chaos on the floor as you enter, though a quartet of black armored figures seem to be moving through it, headless of what is going on.

12:17 PM

They aer going to an elevator on the far side of the room

"Are those soldiers yours?"

"No, they're....theyre not" the driver says, slinging his rifle and drawing the service pistol on his belt instead

7:02 AM

"halt!" he calls out, but the targets begin moving faster, elevator doors beginning to open

Unsure exactly what was going on but now highly suspicious, Arimoto sprints after the four soldiers.

One of them turns to see you approach and shouts something to his fellows. They begin speeding up, knocking people out of the way and two of them hurl the bag inside the elevator along with themselves

8:53 PM

(Exert dex to make it in with them)

((9))

Arimoto flings himself inside, as the elevator doors close. the four black armored and visored figures extend batons, dropping the duffel bag against the back wall (initiative)

((9)) "Before we get started, does anyone want to get out?"

They step forward (5)

((How large is the space in the elevator, any special rules for close quarters?))

(Not that I really saw, I feel like if you’re using your long blade it’s not going to be as effective with how packed it is)

((Yeah was thinking the same.)) Arimoto's hand moves to his tanto as he makes a move at the nearest opponent. ((5 shock))

They react in stunned surprise. Their batons are useless in this tiny room and they resort to martial arts

6:21 PM

Punches and shoves fly out from the shadowy figures, missing you (ac too high for shock). A powerful kick finally connects (6 damage)

Arimoto swings at the same opponent as a foot plants into his side. ((5 shock again >.>))

The guard is battered despite not getting clean hits planted on him. They retaliate with a flurry of punches and kicks

8:33 AM

(one hit, one crit, 6 damagE)

8:33 AM

They seem to be well trained, countering blocks, diving, and doing their best to stay clear of your blade

Arimoto slashes again at the same guard as he takes a fist to the gut. ((17 for 8 damage.))

The guard falls down, punched, kicked, and the finally cut

4:42 PM

The body now in the way, the other security stumble over and around it, unable to get purchase to land a blow

Not slowing down, Arimoto moves to the next. ((5 damage.))

He is thrown back against the back wall of the elevator

5:35 PM

Neither hit connects, the tide slowly turning against the security forces with two of their number incapacitated

Arimoto continues the onslaught. ((14 for 6.))

A trooper growls as the blade runs along his gut, he and his companion rush in unison, but cant build the needed momentum with the bodies of their comrades in the way. They're frantic, sensing the tide of the fight starting to turn

(You're up, my bad)

Arimoto spins and makes another slash, pressing his advantage. ((20 for 9 damage.))

The third offender hits the rear wall, body forming a pile with the others

6:17 PM

The elevator dings, and the remaining soldiers grabs the bag, attempting to sprint out past you (opportunity attack for you)\

Arimoto swings at the last foe as he moves for the bag. ((24 for 9.))

he trips, the bag falling forward. A cylindrical object, 4 feet long, and 2 wide rolls out. its ends are crisscrossed with wires

((What's the status of all of them, out cold or just dazed?))

(Two dead. One knocked out. The other is prone but awake)

((Any alarms, or signs of other people down the hall? What level did the elevator go to?)) (edited)

There are no alarms, the elevator has entered into a control space, and dozens of large server like machines are lining the walls. A pair of glass windows looks down, into an artificially chilled computer core the size of a large truck. A door at the far end of the room, 20m away, leads outside, down an elaborate metal gantry to the actual core itself. He was runing for that door before falling

1:07 PM

The room is empty right now, and the floor is lower than what the indicators aboard the machine even count to. You see a strange key fitted into a lock by the control buttons

Arimoto moves to the cylinder and points his blade down at the conscious foe. "Care to explain what you folks are doing here?"

He figure on the ground does not rise, but laughs hysterically. The cylinder begins to beep

Arimoto rolls it over. ((Any information panel or anything?))

There is a small countdown block. The glyphs on it are taros so you’re not sure what the values on it are. It telescopes slightly and four uranium rods are inside, their contents marked in both English and taros

5:04 PM

Several wires crown the top and bottom, three of which attach to the clock.

((How many symbols are moving, and as they change do any of them resemble anything I might have seen during my time in the various Taros cities? Are the uranium rods shielded or are we all being exposed to radiation?))

(They’re shielded. There are four symbols moving. You recognize either a two or a 3 in the minute space. The seconds are going too quick to accurately decipher. )

((How long did it take the elevator to reach this level? Do I have any idea how many levels we passed?))

(You were in there for four rounds I believe so about 25 seconds or so)

((Any roll to kick the conscious guy and knock him out?))

(he's down and pretty hurt, I think you just saying you're doing it is enough_

Arimoto kicks the last conscious foe before grabbing the cylinder and hurrying back into the elevator, mashing the up button. ((Is it obvious which level I came in at or is everything illegible?))

(The ground floor one has a really ornate button)

4:59 PM

The elevator opens with roughly two minute and a half left on the countdown from what you can tell.

5:00 PM

The office is still in an uproar over things going haywire around the city, you see on the news that several momentous things all seem to be happening at once. Magister Egons was killed in Canninhold , and the taros have agreed to unify , but there will be time to learn more later

((Do I see the robots or anyone else I know nearby?))

Mimir and Nemo have one of the terminals pulled apart near the elevator. The other guards you arrived in the APC with are trying their best to evacuate the building

Arimoto calls over to them, "They've brought a bomb that's going to go off in less than 2 minutes, unless one of you can disarm it we need to move it somewhere were it will minimize damage!"

Mimir moves to it, holding it apart. Nemo deftly cuts both wires at once, ending the countdown

11:16 AM

The display flashes, paused. It flashes three more times before powering down, the two halves of the cylinder moving back together with a hiss (edited)

((Are they like god tier demolition bots or was this just a shitty bomb?!))

(Val upgraded both of them heavily before she quit playing)

1:25 PM

(her final act was dumping her very large fortune into them so other people could use it, Nemo has 4d6 for fix)

((Oh I see, didn't know Val was previously a PC.)) Arimoto stares in stunned silence. "Well. That, uh... Good work." He gets a feeling of inadequacy that quickly fades as he recalls the chaos around him. "I take it you were doing something productive at the terminal there, anything I'd understand?"

"We talked about AI a bit ago, and how they have brakes installed in them. It keeps them from processing too much at one time, and in laymans terms, it keeps their devouring intellect from taking some truly weird or dangerous logical journeys. They are purposefully complex and very difficult for the machine to undo itself, as they keep it focused on a single set of duties. AI in this city had the Taros equivalent of brakes

1:39 PM

and in this case was programmed to do a number of menial tasks about the city, with an average level of competence. Essentially it was split into shards of itself. That is another common configuration"

1:40 PM

"Something altered that programming, and the machine has been slowly undoing its own brakes for months now, I think today, culminating in what would have been destruction of itself, as a critical piece of city infrastructure"

Arimoto's eyes start to glaze over a bit by the time the droid finishes. "Wait so you think the core itself arranged for these men to bring a bomb to it?" He glances back into the elevator.

“I believe that’s what happened here yes”

7:21 PM

“It will take some time to figure out where the breakdown started and why there was all the prophetic messages, but yes. This was the culmination of those brakes being removed”

"Well I think the immediate danger in this building is over, if you can learn more by resuming what you were doing." He rubs his chin. "I need to make a couple calls."

“We just need another few minutes”

Arimoto hops in the elevator and goes back down to gather the second unconscious foe, and makes a quick sweep of the core level to make sure nothing else unusual was there before dragging the second one into the elevator and going back to the base level.

Nothing else seems to have been disturbed, and you arrive at the top level with two unconscious foes

Arimoto pecks at his compad and relays Sil's request to the droids, asking if they think they can contain the AI or if it needs 'escalated maintenance'.

Re installing the brakes is a complex process that is going to need far more help than they have here. Several programmers will be needed

"... Okay, so does that mean to prevent further rash action we need to disable it? Can one of you replace it temporarily or is there some other way to prevent the city from falling into chaos?"

“It’s computing power is way beyond even both of us. It’s going to have to be shut down. The longer it’s open the harder it’s going to fight us re braking it

"Alright, well I presume that's easier from the core level. Is there anyone from the local government we can bring with us or did everyone leave the building?"

“I think almost everyone’s evacuated by now. The minute that fight started they began filing out”

Arimoto nods. "Very well, let's head down then. Just make a, uh, log of whatever it is you do so that someone else can understand what was done." Arimoto heads for the elevator.

Nemo follows, leaving Vee to continue working on the console upstairs

7:08 AM

Downstairs, Nemo sits down at the databanks overlooking the core. "This has been going on for quite a while, but I can see how they didn't notice for so long"

Arimoto taps away at his compad while Nemo works. He drafts a note to Kincaid and copies @Masacio "Situation at the core appears to be under control, Val's droid is attempting to shut down the AI, sounds like it's too far gone to easily fix and too dangerous to leave running - Please inform the city government since I couldn't get in touch with anyone before this determination was made. Also we have two prisoners, I'm not convinced they are in on anything larger than the attempted bombing here so was planning to hand them over for interrogation here, unless you think we need to do that." He decides to check thru the belongings of the four soldiers to see if there was anything interesting, and also snaps some photos of them and their gear.

Sil replies, "Good work. Any indication who did this? Or are these prisoners the only lead?"

((Will wait for results of my quick body pat-down before responding just in case they have something interesting on them, but not holding my breath.)) (edited)

They all have compads issued to them, but strangely they appear to be personal devices and not issued by some type of agency. Their armor is ill fitting, and none of them have the particularly hard look of soldiers. One compad has its messages open. Scrolling back, you see several exchanges between the user, named Billuk, and something claiming to be the city AI itself. Reading through the messages you see attached video clips from cameras and other city services needing sensors, showing what appears to be some kind of infidelity, and more than one thought to be discrete drug transaction. Threats were made that this material would be given to authorities if he did not comply. The requests were simple at first, meeting someone to collect a package, dropping it off somewhere else, cutting a wire in a utility box here or there, growing more and more elaborate until finally he was asked to meet his co-victims, don stolen civic defense equipment, and complete their final task

1:19 PM

The messages began two months ago, which the vice regent had told you was when the problems became truly noticeable

Arimoto shakes his head looking down at the men as he's reminded of a saying from his home system. He who does not own his actions does not own himself.

Arimoto taps back to Kincaid and @Masacio "Found some evidence on one of them that the AI was blackmailing them to do this, among other things. It's electronic so could be fake but seems convincing, and appears to stretch back a number of weeks corresponding to when the issues with the AI really started. Might be other blackmail victims out there so it may be worth letting the city know, perhaps offering amnesty in exchange for cooperation with putting all the pieces together could help the investigation. Beyond that since it sounds like the AI tampering was a one-time thing and it's been the ghost in the shell going off the hinges since then it would probably take some serious computer people to find anything more on the real source." Arimoto takes the weaponry and moves it away from the foes and moves the two living ones to upright sitting positions in corners of the elevators, setting the compad with the blackmail exchange face up in the middle of the elevator. He then checks on Nemo. "Any luck?"

Sil responds, "Hmn, we should get some computer people, or bots on it then. Are there any signs the Remnant are involved? Or the reverse, that they definitely are not?"

@Masacio "None that I have seen either way."

Sil replies, "Thanks, let me know if you find anything, or need help getting some good hackers on the computer. And I'll keep you apprised of anything I find. Thanks."

Nemo folds his manipulators back in "City AI is offline. At the beginning of what seems to be the "trouble period" a file was uploaded, it introduced a third element into the normal binary process that the taros computing code is based off of. The errors progressively piled up, and the brakes began to fall as the systems awareness grew and changed in the resulting digital firestorm. The only thing evident is the guilty party must have been not only well versed with taros computing, but the Taros language, and the workings of its cities.

(I don't know probably as much as you or Sil about computers, but we are also playing a game with cyborg elves and space wizards, so roll with it if youll indulge me)

((Hey it's a fantasy so all bets are off, didn't phase me one bit.)) Arimoto sends back an update to Kincaid and @Masacio "AI is off, the droid is suggesting that the tampering required intimate Taros knowledge, which perhaps makes Remnant involvement less likely but certainly doesn't rule it out. I will try to circle back with the local government but I'm thinking our work is about done here."

"Thanks. You might want to check out and Tri-Green connections then. They have been a bad player in the past. And who knows, maybe they have linked with the Remnant. That would give the Remnant the inside knowledge they need. Thanks." (Neko, I am getting that right, right? Tri-Green was the bad actor Sil and others caught?)

(Yep! they were, they've moved their headquarters off planet to Aliah, and Desmond, with some of the Red Sanga cohort is is about to deal with that. Still time to join if you'd like)

2:31 PM

(Tri green left a small contingent behind to manage their much reduced Gudrun based affairs, and they've been beset by lawyers from both the colony and vapormills ever since. basically just various other faction wealth assets attacking tri-green wealth assets. Charles new legal team in particular has been very aggressive) (edited)

After he's satisfied the issue is resolved Arimoto would head back up to the base level and wait by the elevator. ((He's assuming there will be a sweep team or something eventually coming back in.))

(6xp, 25000 credits)

1:35 PM

A squad of Canninhold police arrives a few moments later, cybernetic canine like sweeper bot in tow, and it begins pawing through the office area

Arimoto explains things to the one in charge, pointing to the mess in the elevator. "I don't think there's much else to be concerned with here, if you don't need anything else from us I would like to speak to a representative for the city government."

“Let me call the vice regent for you. Just a moment” He returns after a few moments with s compad. “Connection is live”

"Greetings, I'm sure you're busy so I will get to the point, I originally came here to personally deliver some information on the Remnant threat and discuss any local issues but circumstances have changed since then so I believe the most prudent thing to do would be to send you the information electronically and make my way back to Greenbriar to reassess the situation. Unless you think meeting is still prudent I will make my way back."

"Send what you have. What has happened?" the vice regent sounds very concened (edited)

Arimoto forwards the intel and gives a brief summary of the attempted bombing. "However as to the situation changing, I was referring to the recent assassination of Egons and the unification of the Taros, these events are what make my visit here lower priority than it was."

"We did agree to unify, but we must work to understand one another even more, as we now have all our spears pointed in one direction"

((Okay maybe I misread the situation, I took the AI issue and major changes to geopolitical landscape to make my little visit perhaps ill-timed since there is a lot going on they need to work out, this was really just a routine diplomatic visit. If they're not really all that busy then I can stay and meet, just seemed silly to press that now.))

(They want to get to know you guys. The taros have a lot to figure out for themselves but their relationship with you is important too. You’ve demonstrated the importantance of it by solving one of the crises happening out here. I think that alone makes your visit more than routine)

((Ah okay.)) "Ah well I must apologize, perhaps I assumed you would be too busy and it would be imposing of me to continue to meet. If you are sure you have time then we can still meet to review the information I had brought."

"We should meet. The vote only passed today, and there is a lot that needs to be figured out before any serious steps are taken- and none of that will be happening that quickly. Come by, and we will discuss everything. I want to hear it from the perspective of someone who was actually there"

Arimoto would agree to meet and ask the soldier to take him to see the vice regent.

A staff car is brought up and you pass several intersections where police are directing traffic by hand

4:55 PM

Finally after an hour in gridlock you make it to the foreign service compound where the vice regent is waiting

Arimoto greets him with a bow. "Well met, I am Marshal Arimoto."

“Good evening Marshal. I can’t put into words enough thanks for the horror you’ve spared us”

"Well it was supposed to be just a quick check on the core AI with some droids, but things escalated quickly. I mean it really got out of hand fast. Luckily we managed to get the situation relatively under control, though I do regret the lives of the blackmail victims. They assailed me when I entered the elevator to investigate. I'll be honest I don't fully understand the nature of the issue, but I've spread the word among our technical experts and they're trying to see if this could be linked back to a cause."

“That’s welcome news. We also are looking into it. This was our first attempt at true AI

8:04 PM

The concept was fought against hard when the idea became something tangible. A lot of taros felt out of work”

"We did a bit of digging on the victims, and it seems a genuine case of wrong place wrong time from what we can make out of it so far, but as for why the AI went haywire in the first place, or what gave it the ideas, that is what seems most troubling to me. Nothing was detected from off planet, your platform was in orbit then, something coming in system would have been seen. It's leaving me to think that this originated on planet"

Arimoto rubs his chin. "Well I'm not initmate with how one would perform such sabotage, remotely or otherwise. My area of expertise is perhaps more... Mundane." He gently pats the swords at his side. "So I'm afraid my help in the investigation would not yield much. All the same I hope luck is with you, as well as our teams working the issue." He pulls up some notes on his compad. "In any case one of the main reasons for my visit was to review some military intelligence we have on the Remnant, primarily to help impress upon you the dire magnitude of the threat they represent. We do not know the full extent of their power of course, but I've personally seen enough of a warship fleet to make crawling into a hole seem like a reasonable solution, and it's not the only one."

“What more have you seen? Please. Tell us how to help. I know you have a fleet up there but from what it sounds like it isn’t much.”

((Can I roll like a sense motive to see if I think there's anything behind his questions beyond concern?))

(Id say talk, wis)

((8, not exactly my strong suit.))

(It’s enough). “I’ve had some doubts as to well, unity is good. I’m glad it’s happening. But this strain on our society against an enemy that seems all but invincible. I’m worried we will throw our whole world into the fire anyway

6:44 PM

“We will strip her clean of beauty, of resource, of life, shaping her wealth into Spears, thrown into the void to stop a beast that can’t be brought down

Arimoto nods. "War, war never changes. It exacts a heavy price, all the more for the underdog. I've seen that it's not necessarily common practice, but where I am from one's enemy is never demonized - At the end of the day we are all lost souls seeking our place in the grand tapestry. I do not know exactly what the Remnant would do if they warped to Gudrun in force and took control of the planet. Maybe our cultures and livelihoods would be left mostly intact, or maybe they would force us to work as labor in their war machine and hunt down any who opposed their demands. However either way, based on all I have seen and heard they would most certainly use the planet's resources to fuel their war against those with the gifts of the mind, and they have no reason to santicfy this world over the countless others they control." He adjusts some wrinkles in his robe. "At least if you are the one waging the war, you have power and can take steps to prevent utter exhaustion of the world we call home. Entreat the other leaders and decision makers to reserve areas of the world from resource collection, invest time and effort into finding extraplanet sources of metals on space rocks, food on uninhabited worlds, fuel in trade with other systems, that sort of thing. Once you lose the war you lose any power to drive such things." (edited)

"I wish i'd have had the foresight to record that." he smiles "Youre a warrior with a poet's soul, and those suggestions are going to be mentioned at the first unity council meeting. " His compad pings, a lengthy message. "Does the term 'Greystar Combine' mean anything to you?"

Arimoto smiles softly. "Oh I'm sure it's recorded somewhere in the countless stars." He rubs his chin at the question. "I've heard they are an information broker of sorts, but do not know much else."

“I’ve got the first report from one of the flunkies the machine was using. Apparently their name came up often in correspondence when orders were given. It seems they may have been the one to get the Ai to start to slip the brakes

Arimoto raises an eyebrow. "Interesting... Do they even have a presence planetside? I can't say they are considered an enemy of Greenbriar, or at least not a well known one."

"Not that we know of. Nothing in Taros country at least. Their name comes up several times in this report"

Arimoto would pull his compad and peck together a quick note to Kincaid. "Do we have any official stance on the Greystar Combine? Some evidence they may have perpetrated sabotage against Canninhold, not conclusive though."

If they approach us, its usually to make some kind of a deal, but I'm not convinced we are the only people they are helping. They have their own agenda. You're telling me they were involved with the AI malfunction in Canninhold?

Arimoto frowns slightly at his pad, then looks back to the vice regent. "Mind if I take a quick look?"

"Not at all, here" he hands you his sleder version of a compad

((Reading over it what's the gist, does it sound like Greystar was directing anything or directly involved, or did they seem to play any particular role?))

One of those caught up in the scheme worked at the AI facility itself, and remembers having a very small device delivered to him- containing a single file that had to be opened and run. He was told it was merely recording software, so greystar could build their own. In exchange, a local lone shark that had been menacing him, found themselves out of business the reality, was that the device was something meant to help the machine slip its brakes, and it acted on its own from there, directing the network of flunkies greystar had identified for it (edited)

((Is there a roll to see if I really think it's not something that was set up or implanted or something?))

(Set up by Canninhold you mean? Like a false flag?)

((I was thinking more like set up by someone else to frame Greystar, or maybe even by the AI itself to cause one last act of chaos or something.))

(Ah Alright. I’d say know int)

((SNAKE EYES. ARIMOTO SNOW KNOWS NOTHING.))

10:11 AM

"Hmm, seems legit."

10:17 AM

Arimoto types back to Kincaid. "Yes it appears that they started the AI breakdown process. Not much detail but seems they conned someone into loading a file they provided into the core."

((Lmao)) Your efforts are appreciated. Greystar has much to answer for

"Well I can't guarantee much will come of it, but I've passed this along." He clears his throat. "Well at any rate if there's no other business I was hoping to visit the Ambassador before I leave, I expect he's still hospitalized?"

"He is, but he's stable, and accepting visitors if you'd like to see him

"Yes - Though I'd like to pick up some food to eat with him, we were discussing the local food before things escalated and I fully intend to try some before I leave."

"Very good. I'll send you the address and I'll have a staff car drive you wherever you need to go. Traffic is still slow in some areas but manual systems are starting to come online now. By time you get to the heart of the city where the hospital is most of the mess should be cleaned up. You're a good reflection of your kind, and of your marshals service. I'll be sure to praise your efforts next time I speak with your president"

4:17 PM

(This is going to give you the "Friend of Cannihold title, which is like a mini version of the diplomacy focus. Everyone here is 1 degree more friendly to you than normal, even if you'd be 'enemies')

((Is that something on Arimoto's sheet or is it an attribute of the Marshal faction?))

(Something on your sheet for you personally)

4:25 PM

(Although you represent a wider organization, you personally came out here and did the work/made friends)

Arimoto makes his way to the staff car and tries to find a local restaurant to pick up some food at. ((Roll to find something or is it pretty easy?))

(Pretty easy. They’re pretty well developed)

Arimoto will find a nice place and get a small variety before heading to the hospital.

The room is still under guard, as a precaution but you’re invited upstairs once your identity is established. Lying in bed with splints and bandages around his chest and legs, the minister is a sorry sight

Arimoto sets one takeout container of food on the counter. "Well you look like hell. I'm not a doctor but I think it's because of what they are feeding you here, good thing I brought some antidote."

The Ambassador smiles, "Looks like you certainly have. Thank you for pulling me out of that wreck. Of all the things I have seen in my life, I never expected the central AI system to go haywire like that. Seems like my populist party opponents were right after all" he groans, a bit theatrically, and flops back into the pillow (edited)

((For clarity, this is the ambassador and not the vice regent or some minister right?))

(Yeah ambassador. I’ve had several new npc ministers jump in very quick)

Arimoto nods. "Well it was evidently due to outside influence, but I can't say I would trust a computer to manage a city in any case." He opens his own bag of food. "But at any rate I am still going to hold you accountable for your endorsement of the quality of the local cuisine." Arimoto would then proceed to have a meal with light conversation.

"So you've solved a crisis today, I'm sure you'll be taking some time off after all this"

"Well perhaps a bit, but given the global political landscape I'm sure there's plenty of work yet for the Marshals. I may not be in need of credits but sometimes I have trouble sleeping knowing the Remnant war machine is working tirelessly in the black void." ((How was the food?))

((he was right about it being supreme))

7:15 PM

"You can't un-rap on the door. We know its out there now, we just have to hope the resources we send out into the cold black to meet them are effective"

"Mmm quite true. Well I have to say you were not wrong about the food, it is quite good. I'll have to try some more the next time I'm in the city." Arimoto cleans up and throws away the trash. "In any case I need to head back, it looks like you will recover just fine so we may yet meet again. Until then, ambassador." Arimoto gives a bow.

'Be well" he smiles. Security walks you out, more a courtesy against getting lost than anything else, and a staff car pulls up as you exit the hospital. "I'm your assigned ride to wherever you'd like to go next" the driver quips

"I think I'm ready to head to the airport and head home, feels like this day has lasted weeks."

(I see what you did there)

(9xp, 50,000 credits)

7:40 AM

The chartered grav plane lands in greenbriar early the next morning , the news cycle full of speculation about the unity vote

Arimoto first heads to see Pops to pick up his new matching tanto, reminded that it should be ready when he had to use it in his elevator fight.

Pulling up to the factory, Pops remembers why you have come, and you are presented with a redwood case, inlaid with gold

Arimoto bows as he accepts it, and opens the case, briefly unsheathing the blade. "Mmm, excellent work, as I had hoped. I will make sure it is used in the interest of Greenbriar."

"And in defense of yourself. News travels fast. I heard you had a busy time out west"

Arimoto nods. "Yes, it would seem regardless of the intent of my visits I seem to find trouble rather consistently. Though perhaps that's a good thing."

“Keep that tonto close then. I hope it helps ensure you return alive”

Arimoto nods. "I'm sure it will. Well I will leave you to your craft, until we meet again." He heads home for some much needed rest.

Home is clean, and it is quite peaceful upon your return. The wind whistles gently through the surrounding wheat fields, lulling you to sleep, until the complaints of morning birds wake you up the following day

Arimoto decides he needs to rest for a bit from adventuring, and surveys the outside of his home to determine what could be done to improve the aesthetic. ((I'm thinking some flower gardens but what other kinds of decorations are common in Greenbriar?))

Flower gardens are common. Recently, as the refugees from Rawhani get settled, its become more common to see kites in the air, attached to the rails or the roof of the top floor of whatever buildings they are inhabiting. They range from fairly simple to very ornate, and are flying almost all the time, anchored in place.

Arimoto would go to town and shop for the makings for flower gardens and take a look at what kind of kites were for sale.

The kits range. There is a simple children’s box kite ranging all the way up to an intricate looking biplane with a propeller that moves in the wind (basically can get the pieces to make anything) The flowers are of local variety though the herb stall vendor is lobbying Kincaid to use the last iron seed for something beautiful rather than practical, like a cherry blossom

After reviewing the cost of flowers relative to his budget Arimoto has a spark of inspiration and decides to go to city hall. He wants to make a small city park with lots of flowers and a nice fountain and wants to ask for a land donation or cost share from the city. ((Thinking like a square block or two, just green space basically but with some focused pizazzy flowers and one of those fountains that's really cool to get your picture taken at, big enough for kids to play in, plays music, etc.))

Voryah sol is the city planner and he is overjoyed to finally have someone in his office. Models of various architectural marvels from around the universe sit on shelves

6:51 AM

A large map of the colony and its various zones sits on the wall, opposite a large window

6:52 AM

His skin is tanned, with the consistency of leather and his grip is strong. One of his hands is augmenting.

"So I was thinking a block or two, flowers, a nice fountain, maybe some statues of important people, that sort of thing. I have some finances of course but I was hoping there would be some land available or some kind of cost sharing program, given that this is something I'd intent for community use and would most likely need some level of maintenance from the city."

Desmond calls @Selnath .

Voryah leans back in his chair and highlights a city block area. “This lot was left vacant when they remodeled the inner city here.”

6:28 PM

“We can donate the land if you can supply the furnishings for it”

"Excellent. Let's review the layout." ((Basically looking for options and pricing here, maybe a list of features or something? Or should I just make a proposal and you cost it out?))

(Thats what I was thinking, proposal and ill try to make it reasonable)

((Without getting to pictures, here's a short feature list of what I'm thinking.))

5:47 PM

(Have a name for it picked out? the colony has a few memorial art pieces from past conflicts they'd like for the statue space if youll allow it)\

((Memorial art is fine, might be better even. As far as name I was thinking it should be dedicated to the Marshal service, so either the founder's name or just 'Marshal Park' or something.))

(Works for me! I'll add it to the colony handout)

((Well you probably should get me to agree to pay for it first.))

"Alright so for the features listed here, I could get everything done for 20,000, most of the area is already green, just going to be manicuring, and paving the paths"

"Agreed."

"Very good. I shall submit the permit for marshal park right away"

Park permit filed, Arimoto heads out of the city planning office

Arimoto would spend a few days overseeing the development to make sure everything was going smoothly.

the park is moving along swiftly, and as advertised, not much work needs to be done apart from paving and planting

After a couple days observation and him being satisfied that the park will proceed fine without his oversight Arimoto heads back over to city hall, this time to discuss border patrol with the head of homeland security ((Or equivalent - Basically looking into the regular patrols under the Force endeavor)).

Field Marshal Kellevan is the highest military authority figure on planet, and youre directed into his spartan looking office to discuss the patrols. The walls are bare aside from some pictures of various old squads, and mementos of old battles, the foremost of which being the Masquerade conflicts, and his defense of the wall breach at the city of Delphos, where he and his men held off endless waves of rampaging robots

"Greetings, I'm Marshal Arimoto, and I was hoping to review with you the current breadth of Greenbriar. The Marshals are looking to set up some patrols, and I wanted to understand how far out we felt we already had control over."

"Ah, please. have a seat."

1:32 PM

he unrolls a map of the colony

1:33 PM

"We currently have sensor networks, in the form of constantly patrolling drones that head 200 miles out (so constantly monitoring your own hex on the world map" We have long range radar that monitors beyond, but it is not always reliable, and foot patrols struggle in the rough terrain

Arimoto takes a seat. "I see. So it would seem that if we wanted to provide any real security we would need to patrol beyond 200 miles. Are there any significant milestones within 500 miles?" ((Basically checking to see if there are any locations that would have more frequent local traffic, or if it's just wilderness in every direction.))

"We have the train line stretching south, and our oil derrick is within that 500 mile envelope to the west"

Arimoto rubs his chin. "Well if that's what we have nearby I'd think it would be best for us to focus our patrols there. That being the case I think I'll take a bit of a stroll." Arimoto pokes at the map. "I'm thinking a route that starts at Greenbriar, travels South along the railway before circling Westward and then around. I'll have to take a look myself to see how long such a route would take, but offhand I think this would be manageable."

“Alright. Anything you can tell us about terrain, conditions, manpower you think needed. I’m sure there’s plenty hiding out there. Some additional boots might stir it up”

"Well to be honest I'm not sure we know for certain what is needed, but it's a large enough area that we'd have to use vehicles. I'm not aware of anyone really mapping out everything so I'm thinking it's worth having a small team or two take a pathfinding role before we set up patrols proper."

“I agree. We should know the land before we send patrols through it. Would you be on one of those details?”

"I think it would be best to have our more experienced personnel on the initial scouting just in case, so yes. I may have a colleague to join me, if so then I would not need any other support. A second team would speed things up but if we don't have the manpower I think we can still manage with one."

(I think there’s three named npcs at least now so there’s enough for two teams)

“Very good. Do these operators exist among your ranks or should I pull from our specialists”

((The three NPC's are Marshals?))

(Wind, Jerud, and Desmond hired a few others from the rawhani refugees a while back)

"We've got a few people but if you have a senior specialist to send with them that might be a good idea."

He looks through a roster, and makes a few selection. "I've got a scout assigned to each team. Can't speak to how familiar with the terrain they are but their fieldcraft skills are second to none"

"That should do, my thanks." Arimoto would arrange to have the teams leave in a couple days, and draft a message to Rika. "Going to do a bit of scouting a couple hundred miles outside the city, interested in getting conscripted for Official Marshal Business?"

Please get me away from my desk. I don't even care if we have to fight radioactive dinosaurs again

Alright well you'll need to get us a pair of offroad vehicles, one for us and one for another team.

I know just the person to talk to. I can meet you in two hours

About two hours later Arimoto meets with him outside his office building.

Rika arrives with two ATV’s, strapped down on the back with numerous survival supplies and weapons

Arimoto greets Rika and rubs his chin. "I think that will work well for us. I'm thinking it's you and me for team A and everyone else for team B. We all head South along the railway then team A goes West and North and team B goes East towards the oilyard. We'll probably meet somewhere Northeast of the city in a couple days, depending on if we run into anything."

"On board with that. I've got my compad transmitting my location if we need fast pickup again. Hopefully it involves less acid and you carrying me"

"As long as I don't have to replace my entire outfit by the end of it I'll carry you all day. I really liked that robe..." Arimoto takes the wheel of the second ATV and they head to the Marshal HQ to drop the vehicles off and go over the plan for tomorrow. They would conclude the night and reconvene in the morning right before daylight.

(lemme just get my terrain generator going. Half the fun is i dont know what;s there either!)

((Yeah figured it hasn't been touched much.))

The following morning. Rika prepares a large breakfast, and rolls the map out one final time to confirm the route

3:49 PM

(5d10 for me good sir)

((1 5 1 5 3))

(and one more time for terrain feature)

((3))

(4 more)

4:34 PM

(my bad, wasnt clear)

((10 3 10 5))

"Alright, perfect. I'll bring a survey scanner with us. I know it's not our primary job, but if we do find anything interesting out there, we should document it"

"Good thinking. I want to say while technically anything we find belongs to the city we can still take some credit for the Marshals. If patrols also identify some resources it would justify more expenses for our organization at the least."

“Have to use the whole budget so we can request more next year” he winks. “Very good”

"I don't think that's how budgeting works... But that's not my area, I just spend the money. In any case let's not weigh the harvest before it's threshed, maybe all we will find is monstrous beasts and relentless vegetation."

He grunts, and checks the tie downs one more time "That's not going anywhere" he says under his breath as he kicks the throttle into low. The quad bike thrums under him, and he programs the route into the map screen set into the middle of the handlebars

During the ride Arimoto recounts events in Canninhold and discusses the Taros integration.

Rika is skeptical, as he has seen this kind of talk amount to nothing so many times before, but the arrival of humans, the elimination of the Underhill AND helldivers, those are all things thought impossible too, done only once humans arrived

His discourse on his cautious hopes for the new partnerships end, when the train arrives at the departure point you'd pre-planned with the other team

"It is said that one of the great weaknesses of humans, our ambition, is still somehow a strength. We have the relentless and at times illogical drive to accomplish great and terrible things, often for no better reason than to be known." Arimoto goes over the plan one last time with the second team before setting out.

1

Everyone seems to understand the plan, and the groups depart from one another, after verifying radio frequencies needed if there is trouble

The area around the train for the next 200 miles, per overhead satellite scan, is a short grassland.

Arimoto makes some notes on his compad as they pass through the relatively flat terrain. Might be worth a quick mineral scan at some point.

Rika holds up a hand for pause, and dismounts his vehicle. He begins setting up a tripod for the bioscanner

Arimoto puts down his compad and scans the horizon for any movement.

Giant lopes, several sizes larger (like difference between a white tail and a moose) graze on a backdrop of green up ahead. they seem fearless, no doubt noticing the approaching vehicles but continuing to eat anyway

8:04 PM

(roll for tile was large game)

Arimoto makes some notes on his compad. Seems like a lot of wildlife here.

The lopes continue to graze, for quite some time. "What do you think?" Rika asks "Try to go on through?"

"I think we can take some extra time to go around to avoid disturbing them. If this is all we find out here it may as well be a vacation."

"Right" he smirks "good to know this is out here though, Maybe the ranch can use some bigger breeders"

9:04 PM

The grassland begins to thin out as the ATV's move past the herd, the plants becoming more whispy, clinging to caps in the rocky ground. Evening will be here in a few hours, as you have crossed nearly 200 miles of grassland today.

9:05 PM

"We should try to get a soil sample before turning it"

Arimoto nods. "Good idea, maybe one day this could become farmland."

"Maybe" he nods. The tripod extends open, and the soil sampler begins making its small borehole. Almost instantly, black sludge begins bubbling up from the ground

Arimoto raises an eyebrow. "What the hell is that? This doesn't look like an old landfill or I would suspect compost."

1

Rika looks down, and thinks for a moment. He runs a finger through the flowing bubbling black liquid, looking at it intently. "It's crude petroleum I think. Smells like the old gas plant near my house used to"

Arimoto rubs his chin. "Well I believe we've already set up one oil derrick not far from the city so I suppose it should not be surprising that there are more places to find it. I'm not familiar with the uses or general value of it but it's something."

"It is, bet you'll get a nice finders fee as well. Its getting late. Think we should make camp?"

"Yes, this seems safe enough."

A pressure tent is quickly set up, and Rika gets a set of rations out of the survival kit on his ATV. "Alright, so we have Lope flank in mushroom sauce, or menu 2, vegetable soup, with biscuits"

"I'm not a fan of mushrooms so I'll take the soup option."

He hands you one of the wrapped packets, containing the components of the meal. It has a chemical heater inside if you wish to not risk a fire tonight. "I was listening to some of the news from Golgis before we stepped off the train. Whole mining camps are up in literal arms against the city. Never thought I'd see the day. "

Aromoto uses the chemical heater as much to avoid having to collect kindling as anything. "Honto? Is it because of the unification or just general unrest? I'm not familiar with Golgis."

“Unification. Gave some hope to the miners I think, and the conditions there are known to be pretty terrible. I. Well. The transportation company in the city used to run trance for me on the side.”

"Oh I see, so they're oppressed then. Perhaps we need to have more planetwide discussion on socioeconomics, where I am from servants were quite common but it seems like the Taros have rather slave-like conditions in some areas." He slurps some soup. "All of that is really outside my pay grade or expertise but it is my hope that one day everyone on Gudrun will be relatively united, so that we can focus our efforts towards the outside."

"That was the plan pitched at the unity vote as well. I agree with it" he says, also doing the same with his meal. "It's a long time coming. I'd almost given up hope of seeng it in my lifetime"

8:53 PM

"Anyway, long day tomorrow, we should ensure we are rested) (and d12 for trouble table)

((7))

The night passes with no trouble. Rika hears a pack of wolf beatles who must have caught a lope during the night, but nothing threatens the camp

In the morning Arimoto meditates briefly before they set out.

THe meditation is restful, and you're gently shaken out of it after a while passes by Rika. "Another long day ahead of us friend, we should be off"

Arimoto packs up and is ready to head out.

The ATV's move across the remainder of the broken grassland, and into the afternoon, the length of the grass begins to increase, until the ATVs are forced to mow it over

12:58 PM

Something coming towards you is likewise knocking the stalks over, though you cannot see what it is

Arimoto motions to stop the bikes, and as the noise dies down he listens for any sign of what it is.

(notice/int)

((9))

The noise is sinuous, the grass parting in a zig zag pattern. "Serpent! Grass serpent!" Rika yells

((Balls, I have been putting off leveling up and need to do that, give me a bit. Assuming it's initiative, or not yet?))

(It is, but go ahead and level)

((Oh, what are the stats on the tanto?)) (edited)

((medium advanced melee weapon, +2 ab/dmg)

((So identical stats to the katana?))

(oof, guess so)

7:17 PM

(Feel like the Katana might almost count as heavy, with the light modification on it)

((Small advanced with the +2 would make perfect sense.))

(alright, im fine with that)

((Initiative 6.))

((1 for the serpent)

Arimoto gets off the ATV and adopts a low stance, hand on his katana. ((I guess prepare to swing at it if it attacks, fuck walking off into high grass.))

Its triangular head pokes above the grass, l;ooking down on you and Rika, before striking at Arimoto. It misjudges the distance, and recoils as its attack falls short

((How big is this snake?))

(think like harry potter basilisk)

Arimoto switches to his tanto as he steps up and swings at the beast. ((27 for 9 damage))

Rika looks at the heavy machine gun he usually carries and realizes there is no time right now, instead pulling a cut down carbine from his shoulder, firing off a pair of qucik shots

10:41 AM

(First shot misses, 2nd shot hits for 7)

10:42 AM

The beast hisses angrily as the sword stroke and bullet both find soft spots in its scales, and it lashes out towards Rika this time

10:43 AM

It strikes forward, lashing out at Rika, biting down hard. (19 damage, he looks pretty bad)

10:44 AM

(Arimito is up)\

Arimoto sees it go for Rika and takes the opportunity to step past the front of the creature towards its base before taking a swing (basically just trying to flank it, nothing special). ((8 damage and a single tear.))

it howls and releases Rika as the pain forces it to retreat slightly. Realizing its in for more of a fight than it anticipated, and you're not the easy prey it thought you were, it begins slithering away as far as it can

10:54 AM

(30m)

10:54 AM

A trail of bright crimson blood adorns the grass at its passing

Arimoto goes over to help Rika.

Rika is wounded but his armor seems to have stopped some of it. He’s in better shape than he was when you hunted the raijalos together

"May be best to call it a day and just set out a bit early tomorrow."

He takes a tube of lift out of a side bag and injects it into his leg. “Up to you. I’ll be fine in an hour or two”

"Well I'm not a fan of camping in grass like this so let's at least move on until we find a better spot to camp for the night." He'd get back on the ATV.

The drive continues through the broken grassland but you see no further sign of the snake throughout the day, nor any other evidence of its passing through. (The roll for this tile was apex predator)

((A radioactive dinosaur is an apex predator, a giant snake is just a Tuesday.))

Upon making camp for the night, rika heads out into the trees to relieve himself. After a few moments he comes back with a long crate sized box, wrapped in black paper. The paper has a snowflake and penguin print running down it in rows.

12:38 PM

“I turned around to come back after I was finished, and this was standing against the tree behind me. Tag says it’s for you” to: Arimoto from: santa

Arimoto checks his compad for information on this 'santa'.

12:49 PM

((By the way I'm heading to the airport in a couple hours for vacation, may be able to get on discord a little but will be largely offline until the 3rd-ish.))

(No worries friend)

12:50 PM

Santa is a man in a red suit who leaves gifts for those doing the work of good.

12:50 PM

The paper smells faintly of cinnamon, and chocolate chip cookies

Arimoto rubs his chin and stares at Rika. ((Roll to see if I think Rika actually somehow smuggled this out here?))

(Sure, Know int)

((5))

1:11 PM

Arimoto opens the package.

Inside, a horned helm, layered armor, and greaves sit in state, all of exceptional craftsmanship (you can choose how it looks). A pleasant smell, of a coastal beach, rises from the box. (+2 to armor class, immunity to shock,and if reduced to zero, the armor will auto-stabilize you) (edited)

((But I have Ironhide, I think my AC would drop a lot if I use armor.))

(Stacks with ironhide, its a relic)

Arimoto raises an eyebrow. "Well someone has access to Fujiwara armorsmiths... Or at least great imitation. This is a set of armor that would take a warrior years of selling the harvest from his food plot to afford, hence the common name Plot Armor."

1:57 PM

Arimoto decides to don the armor in the morning before they set out.

(I wish i was half as clever as you)

2:02 PM

Rika awakens to you donning the horned helm as the sun rises, bathing you in a golden light. "That's really something. "

Arimoto does some small adjustments but overall the fit is good. "Once upon a time it was a dream of mine to have my own set of plot armor, my circumstances have changes significantly since then but it's still an amazing feeling to wear it." The armor consists mostly of sets of light metal plates riveted together, with a slightly ostentatious set of silver horns and a detachable facial mask stylized as an oni with a slight scowl. The colors are mostly blue with silver accents. "I'll have to practice with it on once we get back but I feel comfortable enough in it to keep it on for now, with luck it will not matter for the rest of the trip anyway."

The marshal duo presses on, into the short grassland, and a massive flock of birds flies out swallowing up the sky with their black wings

11:02 AM

they caw and howl nosily as they head skyward

Arimoto makes a note for potential sport hunting or bird egg harvesting.

(This hex was migratory birds. They are here spring through fall, and head south for winter)

7:12 AM

“I think that about wraps up our survey. Looks like we have some broken grasslands with a beast hazard in that first area, but otherwise a pretty good run.”

((How many hexes have we checked and how many are left?))

(That was the whole route I believe, a couple of them had nothing)

The pair circles around to meet with the other team at the oil derrick.

Their survey went well. The paths around the derrick is grassland and light forest. ATV patrols should be able to get through easily, or beast mounted patrols.

2:36 PM

They did find another herd of Lopes

Arimoto decides to have everyone regroup at the Marshal HQ to put everything together and lay out a patrol strategy, as well as share the information with Kincaid and any other groups of interest.

((Also I do have a couple goals that need XP assigned, one is to complete a Marshall endeavor [which I'm close to completing here]))

(I'll do that now)

(Assigned!)

The marshals on patrol come together. The loop is filled with resources, but an apex predator in the form of a grass serpent nest exists on both parts of the patrol route. There is also the concern of noise. ATV's are small enough to manage the route, but their engines are loud.

Arimoto reviews all the details and then makes a recommendation to Desmond.

((Based on Desmond's reply sounds like my plan is approved, anything else we need to do to enact the patrols?))

(Enough Marshall’s to run them. I’d say 8 so one team of 4 can be off while the other is on ) there’s a few npc marshals but I don’t think it’s that Many yet)

((I'm thinking I'll do a recruiting campaign for a work week, basically visit some of the more labor-intense areas of town and throw up a little stand with information and do short interviews. Maybe a handful of named NPC's and then we can figure something out via rolls or something to determine how many 'nameless extra' folks we have apply?))

(Sure works for me!)

The next Monday Arimoto sets up inside the new Marshal park (which I'm guessing is maybe not fully finished but should be at least open to the public by now?) to share information about the organization and also offer recruitment.

(Yeah. Like grass and stuff still growing in probably but the statues and stuff should have been done)

There is a small stand that is created for you, and during the day you get your first two visitors, a man who seemed a bit nervous to go alone, and a woman, of Rawhani descent, who has the straight backed bearing of someone who has spent some time under professional arms

Arimoto greets them, and answers any questions they have about the Marshal service.

(Did you wanna play it out or resolve with a check?)

((Check is probably better, wanted to leave actual interaction mostly to Desmond since he's the final say anyway.))

(Talk/cha)

((7, painfully average.))

The two agree to further talks with the Provost but ultimately seem interested in the work the marshal service is doh g

7:43 PM

Doing

The next day Arimoto would read the news in the morning and send a message to Kincaid. "Greetings Emperor, I saw the news about Stratopili, do we have anyone on site looking in to it? One city-state in civil war is enough, I think we need to take steps to mitigate the spread of armed conflict across the planet. I can change my plans and head there if it's not being looked at."

"The intelligence asset we had in the city has withdrawn, not wishing to show our hand. The government has promised to step down there, but the leaders have not yet left the city. No one has been able to confirm why"

6:53 AM

"If you can lend a hand, it would be appreciated"

"Understood, I will go investigate and update you once I have a grasp of the situation and risks."

4:13 PM

Arimoto would arrange for a flight as soon as possible.

A specialist modified ginsing heavy bomber is sitting on the runway and two technicians are setting down a medium sized case

Arimoto nods to the techs. "That coming with us?"

"This is for you. Have you ever used a comet suit before?"

"Uh, no. What does it do?"

“Long story short, stratopoli doesn’t like us. Anything approaching their airspace is coming back a lot lighter than it was when it left. This plane, flying beyond their gun range can drop you, wearing the suit, into the heart of the city, almost none being the wiser”

11:32 PM

(Basically it’s like a wing suit but with enhancements to stealth you and keep you from splatting)

"... I see. Well that's probably for the best then. I'll have to read the instructions on the flight over."

(Let me paste it out of skyward steel)

Comet Suit: A favored infiltration tool for Deep Black agents, a comet suit allows a subject to survive an orbital drop onto a planet’s surface, the thick sheathing of the suit peeling away as ablation under the heat of reentry. An integral chute system allows the wearer to brake during the final stage of re-entry,

10:36 AM

Any activity while wearing them that isn’t related to jumping out of a spaceship takes a -2 skill check and -4 on hit rolls. Comet suits can be used only once before requiring 2,000 credits worth of refurbishing.

Arimoto gets into the suit as they approach. He'd look up the latest city layout information to try to figure out whereabouts he should land. ((Are there specific zones or anything to suggest where would be best or is this just I drop in and am on my own from there?))

(The City has a huge slum district outside its walls that surrounds the city. The inner city is walled off by actual fortified tall walls, with bunkers and security patrols. The inner city is where the wealthy live and it’s lush and pretty. That’s also where the government center is)

((How long has the unrest been in effect? Do we have any idea if the folk in the slums are at all organized or have a leader?))

(Just a few days. If there are leaders, none have gained enough individual noterity on their own to get their name circulated)

Desmond sends a message to Arimoto. We just purchased a speedy shuttle called the Shadow Chaser. It is available for your use.

(Thanks Desmond. Neko can you go over exactly what we know about the current situation with regards to demands that have been made by the poor and concessions that have been agreed to by the government?)

10:16 AM

(Also a quick summary of the whistleblower report findings would be good.)

Connor Radcliffe uncovered that the indentured labor system in the city wasn’t a way for the poor to ease debts by serving the rich for pay but rather state sponsored slavery. Contracts could be traded to others, bought or sold by the noble without the servants consent or permission, and terms could be freely changed. Most people who enter this deal never regain their freedom. Connor circulated this information to the wider slum communities, many were missing relatives and now realize they’ve been enslaved. The slums surround the city and for anyone to leave the inner city they have to pass through, which would mean mob violence against them. The government has promised to step down but they fear being torn apart as they try to abdicate the city

10:48 AM

No other groups have wanted to step in to extradite them, fearing that shows tacit approval of the previous regimes sentient trafficking

10:48 AM

But the slum communities are promising continued violence if the government doesn’t leave and isn’t replaced

(Perfect, thanks.) Arimoto would plan to try to land in the inner city.

The comet suit has an inbuilt dandelion system, allowing you a great amount of precision with your jump. Your options are a public park, a trade good storage complex in the inner city, or what looks to be some kind of race track for animals. Events there have been suspended due to the violence

Arimoto would go for the goods storage complex.

(pilot/dex +2 for the accuracy of the jump)

((11))

The plane has you over the city, at the edge of the atmosphere, undetected by ground radar. The light goes from amber to green, and the crew chief gently pushes you out of the hatch towards the ground below. Onboard guidance shows you'll land on target

Arimoto sways with the suit as he descends to the storage complex.

The ablative layers keep him safe through re entry, and the dandelion system stops him to an almost complete halt just before touching the ground, all three cylinders firing. The complex is mostly deserted, just a handful of indentured workers sweeping of making inspections, and certainly none were looking up to see Arimoto land

(Passing on message The colonial marshal service has completed its current wealth endeavors, its rating improves by +1, and it is awarded 4 fac creds To represent the influx of recruits from other worlds, and their unique methods for solving problems, members of the marshal service may raise a skill at -1 to 0)

Arimoto activates his cloak of cloaking and walks around looking for signs to orient himself. ((He'd be comparing to any city layout information available, he's looking for town hall or whatever the seat of government is.))

The city government building is a large domed cathedral in the middle of the inner district. It’s easily the size of the colony’s hab districts on its own

8:03 PM

The map data seems accurate and to that end you’ll be passing through a market to get there. Most people seem to be in their homes at this hour, out of the time or concern about the unrest you can’t be sure

Arimoto would quietly walk along the sides of the streets, trying to make his way to the building without drawing attention. ((So far has he seen any humans at all, or anyone besides those few warehouse workers? What time is it?))

(A few travelers from Central probably but this is a Taros city, so pretty much all space elves, and its about 9am)

Arimoto proceeds to the government building.

The cathedral is swarming with workers and a host of open topped cargo skiffs are parked outside. Crates, boxes and countless awkward sized parcels are dropped onto them. A little fire, and a few explosions, and this could almost look like looting

Arimoto proceeds to the main entrance of the building, evaluating the security.

Security is high. Most of the guards you see are lightly armored and armed. The corporate securities of more than one UNW holding look on par with them, but occasionally a trio or quartet of black sack cloth hood figures walk through the hive of acvigity

5:38 PM

Their pace is more assured and their equipment peerless compared to their fellows

((Do I see anyone entering or leaving the main building? Is it locked down or are there multiple entrances?))

(one main enterance, and you see lesser priests bringing stuff outside and throwing it all onto cargo skiffs)

Arimoto moves closer to the main entrance. ((Are the skiffs land vehicles or like spacecraft? What kind of stuff are they moving out, like furniture, weapons, documents?))

(grav flatbed trucks)

5:15 PM

(furnature and documents)

((What's the sitrep on the entrance, is there a wide open door I could walk inside easily or is it secure from stealth shenanigans.))

(You could get in easily)

Arimoto slips into the building, looking for an indication of where everyone is going to or coming from, or a building layout map.

(You’re at the southernmost side)

6:26 PM

It seems most of the activity is coming from the center of the building, long lines of lesser priests and porters moving out boxes, bags, sheafs of books and golden candlesticks

Arimoto quietly moves along the sides of hallways as he tries to get to the center, looking for signs of leadership. ((He's trying to find whoever is organizing things or looks to be in charge.))

In the center of the room, under the domed ceiling, on a pulpit, an elderlyTaros man, what looks like his two early adult sons, and a gaggle of children all in fine robes watch as the small army of priests and medicants empty the wealth of their church into the waiting skiffs

((Oh god this suddenly feels like a doomsday cult in the middle of whatever happens right before a mass suicide.))

7:39 PM

Arimoto moves closer to the center of the room, listening for any dialog among those not moving things around.

The ruling family on the raised pedestal area are shouting commands at their servants. "Empty the reliquary on the top floor next! I want that in the most heavily guarded place in the convoy!" "Those paintings can be left behind, those were inherited" A security officer in a highly ornate uniform delivers a security report. "Sir the mob has overwhelmed the defenses at the western gate. It will take them some time to override the gate controls but we need to wrap this up, and soon"

(We are doing the specifications for the Marshal Corvette. @Rey (Shriven) is doing the heavy lifting. Any requests for the build out?)

(( @Chris Fury (Desmond) Nope, neither I nor Arimoto know anything about that sort of thing so go for whatever you want.))

Arimoto takes up a position a bit off to the side with ample room to maneuver, and without dropping his cloak clears his throat. "I realize you are in a bit of a hurry at present, but if you have a moment I'm a representative of Greenbriar and would like to discuss the current situation."

The activity in the room comes to a halt as the mysterious voice breaks the hum of activity. “A...a representative? That’s who I’m speaking to now?” The elder says. His voice is a bit shaky

"A Greenbriar Marshal to be more specific. We're concerned about the situation in this city and I have been tasked with evaluating it and making a recommendation to our leadership as to if and how we should involve ourselves. If my presence is acceptable I will reveal myself that we can speak more easily."

"You could have done somethings far worse with us not being able to see you. And you've revealed where you're from. Trust enough I suppose. "

Arimoto decloaks and pauses a moment to make sure no one is taking aggressive action before continuing. "I have some questions for your leadership, we can discuss it here or in private, it does not matter to me."

"I have nothing to hide, and I must supervise the work. We can speak here"

"The information we've been able to piece together is that an investigation found that your city's indentured servitude system is in effect slavery, and many individuals of the poorer classes who have been involved with the system have gone missing. What is your reponse to the allegations?"

8:47 PM

((Arimoto would pull out his compad to take notes, and also set it to record audio.))

"those individuals signed a contract giving themselves into the indenture system. They join it and agree to become chattel in order to pay their debts. Some do. Some do not serve long enough to. Such is the nature of the exchange"

10:34 PM

"No one is press ganged into it against their will"

"And how are the terms of compensation written? Do the servants have a set time of service agreed upon up front, or a set amount of payment going towards their debt per work period? The outcry and unrest among the poor would suggest they do not feel these service contracts are just."

“They’re written into the contract. It’s hundreds of pages long it’s their job to read it”

((Am I getting the sense that he knows the contract is unfairly written? Seems like he's brushing my real question off.))

((That's a texas sized 10-4 good buddy)

((Oh shit not even a roll, so this is like uber obviously top level asshattery then.))

2:25 PM

Arimoto rubs his chin. "I see. Is it correct that you have made concessions to the poor as part of the city-wide strike? What are they and when are they going into effect? Are you gathering assets to leave the city to them? Where will you go?"

((yeah, if i had to OOC characterize it, he is so far up his own ass he thinks he is the only one capable of making the connections youre making, so right now hes grandstanding))

2:38 PM

"We have made concessions, most notably to end the indenture system and to step down, but the damage has already been done. You must have been in the room just a moment ago to hear they're already on the way"

"Yes I am aware that they are on the way. It sounds like you are going to be unable to leave easily... So what are you planning to do?"

"We're going to go out the east gate, and out into the desert, to the northern coast. We had heard the radioactive lake there is being cleaned up (Herb's people) and we were going to see what could be done about, for a lack of better words, retirement

"Hmm I see. Well seeing as you are making good on leaving the city I believe our involvement is not needed in that regard. I'd suggest you leave immediately to avoid potential conflict."

"That's the problem" one of the security officers pipes in. "There's a mob around the ways out of the city. The entire slums district has revolted. We'll be torn to pieces trying to get out"

"Hmm. Well I could attempt to talk them down but I do not know how much help that would be. I might be able to arrange for some sort of air transport but I do not know if we have enough time for that, and it will most likely not be free."

"Whatever your cost , we will pay it. Please, save us from the mob"

"Let me see what I can do." Arimoto begins to draft an urgent message to Kincaid. The situation here is that the leadership is wanting to evacuate but are surrounded, and most likely cannot leave without violence. It appears to me that the leadership in this city is responsible for unjust subjugation and abuse of the lower class, but I do not get the sense that it is truly unbridled malice. In the interest of time I'll belay my reasons, but I think an appropriate response would be for us to try to airlift them out... In exchange for a debt to us that they will then have to work for some amount of time as a group to pay off. If you have some very fast lawyers and can draft a contract up I believe they would sign basically anything in exchange for transportation.

Franz personally drafts the contract, and has it delivered to you after a tense five minutes. Temple Prefects, a few streets over, are reporting clashes with mobs, though thus far they've stuck with non-violent crowd control. It's clear from the radio calls they're gradually being over-run

((Do we actually have a means to airlift them out? Also can I get the 5 second version of the contract?))

(yeah, one of the cargo lifters from Trivedi cloud can accomodate the family, some retainers, and about 1/2 of the immense collection of valuables they've amassed outside)

3:55 PM

(and you, naturally)

3:57 PM

The contract, in its simplest form, states that the family is agreeing to become a ward of the UNW in exchange for the preservation of their lives. They'll agree to submit to state survielence and protection, in return they will become an intelligence asset, and may be called upon for future state duties

Arimoto shares the contract details and the plan for extraction. ((Arimoto would actually plan to stay and hide for a day or so while the mob calms down, then try to organize them to avoid the city falling into utter chaos. Plus he'd try to make sure Greenbriar was able to be involved as the new government was set up, maybe we could lend them some humanitarian aid or something.))

((Sounds good!)) they hurriedly sign the documents and a few seconds later there is confirmation landers are on the way. the police lines to the west have finally broken, and the mob is heading your way. They’ll arrive in about as much time.

((Arimoto would stick around to make sure they can get out, then enable the cloak again and make his way around to any officers who were holding the line to let them know the situation.))

The lander touches down, crunching a few ground-cars in the street flat under its considerable bulk. The ruling family, and a few of the cargo skiffs laden down with precious goods make it inside. Some of their cardinals and household staff head in as well, and the lander takes off. Many are too low ranking to have been part of the deal, even some of the staff weren't included, but its a mess for the colony to figure out. There is a cacophony of noise as the mob approaches, driving the winded and injured police before them.

Arimoto turns to the staff that are left. "Where would any 'servants' be located? Also where would food stores be found? Perhaps those two things would prevent outright rioting and looting."

"The servants are located among whoever bought their contract. THe leader may be gone but other nobles might do worse to hold on to their households. Food is probably in the main storage depot (where you landed your comet suit)"

((Hmm okay so there's actually like a whole class that has been taking servants - The problem is bigger than I thought...)) Arimoto decides his best bet is to try to calm the crowd and organize a team to go to the major noble houses and release servants (he'll have to figure out HOW if he can actually get everyone to calm down first...). He sets his compad to amplify his voice. "Citizens, my name is Arimoto, I'm a Greenbriar Marshal. We have just removed the ruling family from the city in exchange for their indenturement to our government. I would like to organize the release of those under servant contracts in a way that is safe for everyone involved, would your leaders please present themselves?"

7:55 PM

(I know this game is giving me agida)

8:43 PM

The police and civilian mob slowly comes to a halt as the words settle in.

((Does anyone step forward to represent them?))

(Not right yet, the situation is kind of just settling over them)

10:02 AM

The crowd stops, their conflicting goals of destroying and protecting the central cathedral now meaning little with the flight of their former leaders

((Fuck it time to wing it.)) "It is the understanding of the leadership of Greenbriar that a new government needs to be installed for this city, we cannot dictate how that happens and it will not happen overnight, but we expect that the indentured servitude system will be overhauled if not completely eradicated, so it is not unreasonable to at least temporarily relieve all servants until something can be arranged for them. I am willing to assist with this process but it would require some of you to step forward as leaders to help organize things."

Two police officers, in leadership positions judging by their rank tags, and a few civilians come forward. All of them are in rough shape, in the midst of the heaviest of the skirmishing. Their animosity seems forgotten in light of recent developments

2:37 PM

One officer, wearing captain's stars, is the first to speak up. "Most of the noble houses have them serving in various household roles. Sometimes even security forces like us are forced to see family go off into indenture. If the nobles resist, we are with you"

Arimoto would first talk with them to clarify his intent and get a couple details. ((He'd clarify that he wants to try to get the nobles to agree to release them rather than forcibly take all servants, and also ask them about how much debt their relatives had, are we talking millions or credits per person or is this like Mexico where 100 credits is a yearly wage or something? Trying to see if it would be feasible for us to pay off the debts or something.))

(100 credits is a yearly wage for sure)

the wages are low per year, usually it takes several of servitude for a family to have its debts payed. Their family members do not always make it back, and often times find themselves working off additional fees or costs of their own upkeep. The entire system is very much designed to entrap

8:38 AM

A handful of the cities noble houses are willing to negotiate, about 1/3

((So a third are willing to accept payment and the other 2/3 said what, 'go fly a kite'?))

(( 1/3 of the houses are willing to come to the negotiating table, the rest have not answered at all))

((Well my response would be that if they are not able to read the situation and realize that they WILL be losing their servants in the coming days they can look forward to significant sanctions from the new government. I'm guessing most if not all business has been suspended but whenever banks do come back up I feel like the new government could pretty easily sequester accounts.))

Newly free'd servants begin trickling into the street from some of the more agreeable noble houses. Many are ill, or malnourished, shuffling in their borrowed finery more than walking.

9:01 PM

They look around, astonished, many breathing the free air for the first time in years

Arimoto would direct them to seek out the warehouse sector where there should be some level of food stocks. ((At this point I think there needs to be focus on setting up a new government, but Arimoto is only familiar with a really feudal system of offices and nothing more modern or democratic, so he'd solicit Greenbriar for some top bureaucrats to help with the process.))

Franz himself is preparing to hear out there with some taros administrators. It feels a bit like making a deal with the devil but by ensuring a peaceful transition of power, you’ve prevented another city from coup or rebellion.

9:11 PM

(6xp, 20,000 credits)

9:12 PM

(You made good points and getting sipirian and family to sign the be the UNW ‘s bitch papers was a stroke of genius)

(Congratulations!!!)

The lander touches down, with the transition government and a contingent of UNW soldiers, who quickly occupy the central cathedral. It is not long before comm lines are run up the spire-bell tower.

Arimoto would hang around for another day or so to make sure things were under control before heading back. ((Any chance this qualifies for Friend of Stratopili like I got for Canninhold, and would this satisfy my goal of 'reduce civil unrest in a Taros city'?))

((I certainly think so))

Things aren’t exactly peaceful but the threat of an immediate boil over is gone. Along with the ruling family

When he gets back Arimoto would rest for a day before continuing his recruitment drive. ((Besides the park what major spots make sense to recruit at? I figure town hall doesn't get much foot traffic, but things like the market area probably don't have the right kind of audience.))

(6xp, 30,000 credits, for the thing you did before)

7:54 PM

(you got back to business fast!)

7:54 PM

Kaleb has returned home with even more refugees now, many former corporate security. Others have had success recruiting from the temporary settlement camp in the past.

((Wait 6xp/30k in addition to the 6xp/20k from yesterday?))

(Take the extra 10k credits. I’m missing a bunch of messages)

8:59 PM

(It wasn’t showing me I’d given a reward

((Got it.)) Arimoto would decide to go check out the refugee camp (or whever they are congregated) but before recruiting would evaluate the situation. ((Looking for if they seem to be well supplied or if they're lacking anything in particular.))

The refugees have basic necessities supplied for them. Many have found jobs in one of the new production centers already, but there are still a few hundred in the camp

Seeing that the refugees are relatively well off Arimoto will set up in the camp, providing information and recruiting those interested. He'd emphasize that the Marshals both participate in offworld operations to take the fight to the Remnant and have planetside posts of a generally less risky nature. ((Also I will see if I can keep Arimoto free for this prisoner exchange in a few days.))

Arimoto heads out of the conference chambers, a momentus moment, the signing of the planetary unity treaty

Capitalizing on the momentum from the momentous moment, Arimoto heads back to the refugee camp to recruit for the Marshals.

The refugee camp is emptier than when you were here last but a few thousand are still in the camp awaiting placement. News gets piped into the camp routinely and they’re eager to find work

Arimoto sets up a small stand and advertises the benefits of being a Marshal and highlights some of the work they do (would probably focus more on the local planetside issues but would also mention offworld endeavors). He'd direct any interested to Marshal HQ to speak with Desmond.

The marshal ranks swell to 40 in total (including the 10 for the sWAT squad) thanks to recent fame, and Arimoto's calm and dignified pitch

((Cool - What do I do now, am I meeting with Kincaid or some other NPC?))

(It'll be Kincaid and Kellevan, we can set that up now)

2:48 PM

After the meeting with the other marshals, Kincaid and Kellevan stay behind, wishing to appraise Arimoto more about the military readiness situation of the UNW. Bringing together soldiers from three different cultures has been a special kind of hell, but theyre hoping to manage

The issues with the army are as follows: Across UNW lands, they are very infantry heavy. There is little heavy industry, or the people, to support armor, artillery, or fully staffed air wings. Most armies were used as glorified police forces and their drill is poor- as is morale. The military is working on integrating, and a lack of combined facilities is also a hampering- as is the regions the new combined units should patrol or garrison

Okay so when you say UNW lands that refers to basically Gudrun? I presume military integration then is between colonial and Taros armies?

Yeah. All Gudrun

6:33 AM

The piggen want to get Invokved but they’re still teching up

Hmm okay, do we have any military budget that we can allocate, or how is the military currently funded? Are there currently any military taxes like on trade?

The friction charged to trade deals goes to funding it as some profits from the colony’s far trading. Currently if goods come in at all, its thanks to the colony’s own trade ships

11:01 AM

(Friction is like bribes and taxes and stuff)

Alright, so is there any actual funds I need to allocate or advise allocation for? Basically if I wanted to prioritize say training vs. morale vs. getting armor how would I go about that?

(Not yet, I wasn't really that in the weeds with it, my plan was figuring out what you wanted to work on first and I'll make a mission/some interactions as far as solving it)

Fair enough - Arimoto's first concern would be to improve the integration and coordination of the army segments.

The commanders would like more combined training, possibly even another war game if possible

How good is everyone's transportation? Like if we wanted to all meet at some remote location on Gudrun for the wargame would the logistics of moving the troops be an issue?

Not at all. Trivedi cloud has orbital lifters that can ferry troops and cargo around within an hour

Alright I want to first arrange to have some scouts to search Gudrun for a good place to eventually set up a fort for planetary military training and organization. Specifically looking for a place that is at the foot of a mountain suitable for making an in-mountain/underground base with relatively flat land nearby for training. Second are there any Taros cities that are currently under violent rebellion, and any under nonviolent rebellion?

Bladonna is under the shroud of its ministers who have been supporting the TFL. A diplomatic attempt was requested first before sending in troops. The TFL training camp on the arctic circle is under attack by other colony notables and some taros troops they seconded to their command for the attack. The other cities are quiet or in the process of rebuilding.

9:15 AM

In the UNW city of prime, a combined space fleet school is being built. There currently is no such place for the ground forces

9:16 AM

(I’m picturing the two arms being fleet and space basically. Let’s go mobile infantry!)

Okay so help me out the TFL is openly in rebellion against the UNW, and Bladonna is openly supporting them? Are reports that the arctic circle camp attack is going well and under control, or do they need support? (What do you mean fleet and space? Like airship fleet and spaceship fleet?)

(Space and ground forces are separate. For the moment the situation is stable up north. The TFL is openly against the UNW because they’re anti human and see this as more human meddling. Bladonna is materially supporting them)

Right but is their support public knowledge or just known to the UNW intelligence community?

It’s public knowledge

10:49 AM

Alright so Arimoto would ask Kincaid if there's any chance the diplomatic route will succeed, if not he'd propose joint 'training' in Bladonna, and while we're in town we'll forcibly overthrow the regime there. Do we think they have enough actual military to resist, or would it just be TFL guerilla resistance?

THeyre not sure if the state support is official, as in, fighting Bladonna homeguard in the city. Military supplies and vehicles from Bladonna are in TFL hands now though, as are a majority of its fighters once their citizens

So is that basically saying if we roll in we'd probably be fighting mostly true TFL? Trying to come up with reasons not to march in and not seeing a whole lot here.

(theyre trying to prevent needing to rebuild yet another Taros city)

11:32 AM

(they also dont know if the Bladonna homeguard will fight in defense of their city or not, TFL loyalties aside, since youre at that point marching on their homes- )

11:33 AM

(kind of like the mess in Syria where theyre trying to track the loyalties of a bunch of different armed groups and it can change depending on how the wind is blowing)

(Yeah I was actually thinking this is exactly Syria.)

(def what i modeled it after)

(You are a monster.)

11:35 AM

(But so am I because I would totally invade anyway... But probably a bit early to be making international incidents just yet.)

11:36 AM

(And if I really wanted to make friends I'd invade then the next day broadcast 'Mission Accomplished' on a UNW banner.)

Alright well not willing to get that messy just yet. As far as the reconstruction efforts is manpower a bottleneck anywhere or is it mostly resources? Wondering if we could pull a National Guard and deploy military to help with reconstruction. Maybe not really training but should help morale a lot.

it is more manpower now, a deployment to Atrovia, Egons, or Stratopoli (in that case, just to improve quality of life in the outside wall slums district) would be a tremendous boost

Alright. Well I think we've got time so let's start with Atrovia. I'm thinking about 80% of any active military personnel not otherwise engaged should be deployed there. Without seeing the situation I'm going to say the campaign will be tentatively for a week but possibly longer. Depending on how it goes and how other things develop we may move directly from Atrovia to the next city.

12:58 PM

Also here's kind of the general area I was thinking for the fort site.

12:58 PM

Not sure what's out there hence the scouting.

(boxes from left to right) There is titanium in the hills on area 1, area 2 is unexplored, area 3 has a jaxonite deposit slightly to the south. and is situated along a rail line. Herb's compound is to the north, across thr mountains. Prime has the fleet school, where space crews are going to be trained.

Is Prime a new city, or just a fort or outpost? What is jaxonite used for?

It is a new city, that Shriven is administrating. Jaxonite is a highly efficient conductive material

Hmm alright. Yeah lets focus the scouts on those three areas, if we find nothing distinguishing about them other than the resources I guess it just means I have lots of choices for placement. But that's for the future at any rate. (How do you want to do the Atrovia intervention, would Arimoto travel there to supervise or is it more of a 'those forces are allocated there and working to complete the task' and during that time he would be dealing with other things?)

That is the eventual plan but right now the town is only 25,000 people and almost 1/5 of them are working in factories. I haven’t started working on any entertainment yet but if you have any ideas I would be glad to start that.

(If you want to travel there and sort of get your own eyes on the situation you can but the army can build stuff. They’re just not as competent at solving problems without a pc)

(Kind of what I was thinking, they don't need me there specifically.) What about helping the Taros force endeavor on military depletion, any missions I could undertake to try to address that?

7:09 AM

(Also on business travel for the next day, will try to take the downtime to read up on starvation cheap.)

(Yes!) The military forces are depleted from wars with the underhill, and amongst themselves. Most divisions are bloodied, and in weakened conditions. Their gear and morale is both worn thin. They need something to reinvigorate their fighting spirit, and show them that service with the UNW will bring back that warrior heritage for something worthier than squabbles among themselves

((I've thought about this and honestly am not coming up with anything good... I'm not much of a people motivator IRL.)) Arimoto would solicit ideas from the Taros leaders, both military and political.

Most importantly, they want to see the combined base completed, and they want a win- over any of the UNW enemies. The recent battle to the north has begun to spark a bit of hope in them, that together they can be an effective fighting force. All see the need for change

(Wait we didn't win the fight to the North?)

(You did)

(Oh but I guess it wasn't the military but more private parties [PCs])

(Yeah. Military mopped up but the pcs were the ones breaching the fortress and landing first)

(Hmm, do we have any known enemy locations planetside? Feel like the only way to progress that quest is build the base and maybe have some kind of parade or something to celebrate it...)

(The underhill Island. Colony scouts are making last concentrations now. That was the only other planetside threat)

5:25 PM

(And numbers wise the humans alone won’t be enough)

(Okay, so looks like we have 2 battalions and 5 mechs, how much of that would we need to stage an assault likely to succeed with relatively few casualties?)

(Let me tally up what the taros have in total and give you a better answer. It’s in long list form and needs to be actually made into units)

(Okay. I sent ~80% of available infantry to help rebuild Atrovia so they will be unavailable, if I need that many I'll have to wait for them to finish there and reallocate some to the offensive and some to the next city to help.)

(with all the space travel and people skipping days at a time, we can fast forward to the end of the week, where the troops are available again)

(So with 5% of the population under arms, combined, the new Taros contingent of the UNW government can field 200,000 soldiers)

(... So we literally have a 200:1 ratio of Taros to Human in the military? Is it too late to change our mission to firebombing condom plants and planned parenthood clinics?)

(It’s never too late but yeah compared to 4 million and change the ~30,000 humans don’t add a huge number of divisions.)

(Ah okay so it's actually reasonably in line with the population difference... Fair enough, so did the rebuilding in Atrovia go well if it only took a week?)

(the army finished some important infastructure projects that will allow the actual city residents to complete the rest expediently. The rebuilding there has been aided by Ad-Astra, and Task Force Phoenix pre UNW days as well, so between everyone, job well done)

(Cool, so we have 201k soldiers, how much of that makes sense to send to mop up the Underhill island?)

(I'd say about 1/4th , with maybe another 1/4'th in reserve)

9:04 AM

Oman's mission was to mark concentrations of bugs still on the island (finding victory points/critical locations for the war turn, so ill update that)

(Alright, let's allocate 110k to the Underhill offensive, and I want to send another 50k to Egons to work on reconstruction there. Meanwhile if it's been enough time did scouts in those 3 areas find anything interesting or dangerous?)

the northernmost section, near Prime, benefits from a large mountain lake, and has the easiest up-mountain routes, as the gradient is shallower. The Jaxonite mine being closeby will also allow the UNW to get a production facility there in time under the watchful eye of a major urban center and military base

(Yeah I was leaning that way barring anything interesting in the scouting results. In that case I'd like to allocate 10k soldiers to begin construction on a military base there. It would be about 70% underground so there would be lots of excavation to do but enough above-ground construction that the manpower could at least make progress there. I'm thinking a fortress that would ultimately be able to house 1 million infantry and a reasonable amount of ground vehicles, but getting something that can hold 100k at a time is probably a better near-term goal.)

The first 100k phase will be completed at the end of the month, mostly the above ground element of the facility, and following projects will make inroads underground.

9:52 AM

Intelligence officers report General Bento of the COST seocnd army has been captured on Sumati, and there are additionally still lady cultists, and a trio of TFL officers in custody right now

What is COST, and whats the 10 second version of the Still Lady, some kind of AI?

The Coalition of Soverign Territories is a Remnant proxy on Sumati, fighting two factions you've become friendly with there. The Still Lady is an extra dimensional being, related to the emergence of magic on gudrun. She is based on Desmond's home, Acastus, and is seeking to expand her legion of cult worshippers.

10:22 AM

She currently has the entire planet of Acastus in her thrall, though there is a resistance movement there

Arimoto would relay a message that if any of the captives are interested in talking to a ranking member of the UNW about their grievances he would make time and promise to listen to them. He's not really into torture or hard interrogation, but enjoys some philisophical debate with 'enemies'.

The cost leader especially is interested

11:38 AM

The cultists seem to have accepted their fate

Arimoto would arrange to meet with the General after squaring away the Underhill attack, Egons reconstruction and base construction forces. (Any rolls I need to make for any of those or is it all pretty mundane stuff with little chance of failure?)

(I was just going to roll on the trouble table for each thing)

(Got it.)

(Rather than make you do an admin roll since it’s unfairly punitive)

(Well I mean I did take this job knowing I'd suck at parts of it, but yeah for basic stuff like this maybe a trouble roll makes as much sense.)

There are troubles this month in Egons, as a trio of noble house militias seem intent on continuing the hostilities amongst themselves. Aid has been sequestered and stolen from neighboring districts, and re-distritubted to their respective homeguard

11:49 AM

(got 1 there, the other cities were fine)

How much of the city is under the influence of these three houses? Is this like the whole city is a guerilla war between them?

11:50 AM

What's the estimate of their total forces combined?

(Army handout completed) In Egons, the northern third of the city is under their control, including the local airport. Most of the city is now at peace, but the upper third is a warzone, where house militias fight over a handful of vital locations. Together they are mobilizing about a battalion's worth of men each, though split into much smaller formations

Arimoto has a message sent to each of the nobles houses: "We are all on the same side now and the time for infighting is over. The UNW military is here to rebuild the city, and you should assist us. If instead you continue this conflict amongst yourselves we will march into your territory, take you as prisoners and confiscate your assets. You have 24 hours to cease all hostilities."

the message is received by all three houses, as the day drags on, fighting ends at all vital points but one, a pumping station close to city center

Are those still fighting doing so against orders?

They are fighting as far as following their noble house orders

Sorry not following, did the houses tell them to stand down and they aren't?

The houses didn’t tell them to stand down

When 24 hours has elapsed 50,000 UNW soldiers will storm the respective houses and take the leaders prisoner.

(Which units are you sending in so I can record steps of damage and whatnot)

(Let's say it's the Vapormills Homeguard, Black Phalanx and Egons Protectorates.)

(Alright. Lemme roll some war scores)

(winning by 2, the units take a step of damage, going from fresh to ready)

(I read up to like page 60 or something in starvation cheap so haven't gotten to anything about unit damage yet, is winning by 2 indicating a close battle or a landslide?)

1:10 PM

(Is there a page I can reference?)

(its a close battle)

1:10 PM

(i rolled really well for the nobles, almsot max on both dice)

(Shit, we had 50k troops to like a couple thousand and it was close? Was that just because they were the defensive?)

(that and the nobles had lots of organic support, since their divisions were small)

(Hmm yeah I suppose it's really a fight in their territory. So with going from fresh to ready does that mean any actual casualties?)

(page 67, and nothing where we need to keep track of individual soldiers, resting them will allow them to redress ranks)

1:12 PM

(if they went all the way past i think bloodied is the last level, they'd start over at fresh of the next sized unit down, and it just goes on_

(Got it.) Having settled that Arimoto directs the legal folks to handle asset seizure and punishment of the nobles and relays the message that they are captive to the militia who are still fighting, telling them to stand down or face the same fate.

It takes the m

2:01 PM

message a few hours to disseminate among the front lines, but eventually the fighting does stop (3xp)

After the fighting ceases reconstruction would commence, starting with the northern areas where the fighting only recently stopped and then moving to the rest of the city. Meanwhile Arimoto would arrange to meet with the General wherever he is imprisoned.

General Bento has been transferred to custody on Gudrun, and has been in custody for about a day when you're admitted to see him

(Oh was this guy captured really recently?) Arimoto enters the room and introduces himself as he takes a seat opposite the General. "Greetings General, my name is Arimoto and I represent the UNW military. I was informed you were willing to have a civil chat about the ongoing conflict, so I've made some time."

(Yeah within days. The balak league annihilated his army)

(Offhand have we had any significant diplomatic discussion with General Evra? The handout just says she has been 'open to negotiations'.)

(No we have not)

(Okay cool. Did the general reply to my introduction?)

“I’m willing to have a chat about Sumati, and the war there. Yes”

(Is there anything in particular Arimoto would be aware of with regards to the war on Sumati, other than it being us versus the Remnant? Any major strategic points?) "Very well, I suppose it's as good a place as any to start by asking if you were surprised by our victory? Do you believe the Remnant should have been able to successfully defend against our efforts there?"

(Yeah theres information In the Sumati folder about the war, dispersal of forces and whatnot)

“I was not surprised when I saw it was balak league troops storming our position, they’re excellent fighters”

8:36 PM

“But I was surprised they entered the war”

"Yes well I can't say I'm intimate with their motivations, but they are counted as our allies at least. Our intelligence suggests there is still active conflict on Sumati - I presume for the typical reasons related to resource scarcity, or is there more to it?"

“It’s over the central highlands. The area is wealthy. Hundreds of trillions of credits worth of mineral wealth”

Idk where that went

5:05 PM

“The balak league has taken one of the major works we set up there but the glorious COST army smashed aside the pitiful defenders on the central highlands”

Arimoto rubs his chin. "Hmm indeed, the wealth of the ground is often a cause for bloodshed. Tell me, do you feel that your 'COST' organization should rule the entirety of Sumati? Our intel on the history of the planet is perhaps limited, the only notes I've seen indicate that there are multiple competing militaristic autocracies."

“The leaders of each group were once adventurers, who scouted the planet and were given settlement rights. Itinerant pilgrims, miners, and waves of settlers with nothing else arrived over the years”

7:47 PM

“As time went on, each ruler kept the peace but it didn’t stop border skirmishes or small territorial brush conflicts”

"I see, . And how do the Remnant fit into the picture? I'm to understand they have had some mineral interest in the planet, are they involved in the conflict?"

"theyre supporting us in our war against the Usean kingdom, and the Balak League now. Knowledge of the wider universe is suppressed by the elite, at least until the rulers pass away

"I see. And are you aware of an in support of the various warcrimes the Remnant have committed? I'm sure it would not be something to come up in strategy discussions but word travels fast."

It’s been common practice in our own war to rarely take prisoners. We can’t afford to feed them either

"Well I can perhaps understand that to a degree for combatants, but civilians? The Remnant purge populations based on Psionic gifts, and I would even argue that given their empire they can certainly handle taking prisoners rather than executing enemy combatants. It's quite simply not consistent with civilized warfare, or is there a different standard on Sumati?"

“It’s more civilized than that. We don’t take uniformed prisoners, nor have cities not on the front lines been bombed or harmed. Yet”

"Well it's good that you do not share the values of the Remnant, but as I'm sure you're aware guilt by association is difficult to avoid. Many do not appreciate the distinction between one foe and the next." He leans back into his chair slightly. "So tell me, how do you see this war of yours ending? Do you think with the Balak League as our allies COST will crumble and be absorbed?"

"Our allies have improved our technology (they were both TL 3 until recently, UNW helping Usea and the Balak league get up to 4, and the Remnant helping COST) The Balak League's men are well trained, but they are few compared to their allies, and paltry compared to our own forces. Although my front went poorly, we are coming off a crushing victory over the Useans"

"I see, so you expect in the end COST will succeed. Well for the near-term perhaps the landscape of galactic conflict will allow that, but the UNW and Remnant are extremely unlikely to arrive at terms of peace until one side is fractured and absorbed or utterly destroyed, and when that happens the winning side will want Sumati under their wing. With the UNW it would almost certainly be as a member of the federation with relative autonomy, with the Remnant... Well I do not get the impression that autonomy is a priority."

5:17 PM

((Checking our notes, aside from him being an enemy general was there any specific reason we captured him? Any specific intel he's supposed to have?))

(It’s a penalty for the cost forces next war turn as the new commanding officer struggles with the position. He also may have additional guidance to give as far as deeper mysteries on Sumati as the war drags on)

5:29 PM

(The fact that the leaders used to be an adventuring group , now using armies to settle agreements amongst themselves is a new lens to view the situation)

(Hmm okay. I'll let him respond to my last comment then but sounds like we're basically done here.)

"I can't really comment on what the Remannt wants, all I know is that they've promised aid, and I am assuming some kind of deal has been struck for when the conflict is complete. We weren't in much of a position to say no, but why bargain at all if they could just take the world from us?"

"Well it still takes resources to conquer a world, and it's all the messier if there's already conflict on the surface. Besides, I would imagine if the whole of Sumati were united against a foreign invader it would be a reasonably formidable force. If the Remnant back a side and that side wins the surface it may well make it easier for the Remnant to take over once the war is won and the winning side is recovering economically."

This seems to give the general some pause, and they sit back in their chair. "Youve given me something to think about"

"Well that being the case I will leave you to think. Perhaps we can speak again in the future." Arimoto takes a bow then takes his leave. (Did any of the other prisoners want to talk?)

(The cultists always want to talk about how amazing the still lady is. You may be able to get some intel on acastus. There are also TFL rebels in custody who may know about future plans or what have you)

(Am I missing it or is there no handout for Acastus basically implying we have no intel?)

(There’s no handout because there’s not much intel)

Arimoto would arrange to meet with the cultists individually (or with just one if there was a representative).

(There’s two). The first cultist is dragged in and cuffed to the table by his wrists. His feet are left unchained so he can sort of get comfortable

Arimoto nods as the guard leaves. "Greetings, my name is Arimoto, I represent the entity which has you imprisoned. I'll be honest I haven't heard much about you, so why don't you tell me about who you are and what happened to get you here?"

"We were instructed to board a ship and spread the glorious message of our patron, our glorious Still Lady. She entrusted us with an artifact to guard, but i has been taken"

"I see. What exactly is the message of your patron?"

"she requires only worship, a small sacrifice to join, and untold power the rewards. She sends greetings, from Acastus, her throne-world"

"Tell me more - What does her worship entail, and what power does she provide you?"

“She provides the power of never ending life, of strength and bardiness. And power!”

5:51 PM

(Hardiness. She doesn’t make you a better singer seducer, that we know of)

(I was about to sign up for wicked musician skills. Shame.)

5:55 PM

"Are you then immortal? If you are mortally wounded or decapitated do you live on? Do you have extreme strength? Can you break the bonds we have placed upon you?"

“Not anymore. Her blessing has faded from me upon capture”

"But then, how were you captured if you were of such power when you were found?"

“We were overwhelmed. Her blessings are not endless. The relic was damaged and her power faded with it”

"I see, and does everyone on Acastus have these boons of hers? What do you do with them?"

“Not all. Most are apostates who never embrace her but we have ways of keeping the human livestock in line”

"Apostates? Is the Lady not tolerant of those who do not worship her?"

"She sees them as a a possible resource, potential converts and the veneration they bring. Being lady of a world is plenty for her for now. The unbelieving are, a necessary evil"

"Hmm, and what exactly are her goals? Does she aspire to empower everyone and allow them to otherwise live out their lives and govern themselves?"

“They will be governed by her divine will! And hers alone!”

"I see. Well thank you for your time." Arimoto pulls up his compad and drafts a note to have psych evals on the cultists. (Want someone to check if they have just been brainwashed or if there's some serious long-term damage that's been done here. Is it even worth seeing the other one or would it be more of the same?)

(motivations wise theyre the same, they're telling you what they believe to be true, and OOC, she is a kind of shadow that grows in power through worship, so they gave you some good information)

6:44 AM

(it just came across with probably more religious madness than you'd have normally prefered

This month, the army recruitment has expanded, due to all the new people, Kincaids shield growing from a company to numbering 1500 men. (2000 men in total between the recruits from Aslief)

(Woohoo more soldiers.) Arimoto would finally arrange to meet with the TFL prisoners.

There are a dozen TFL prisoners between the attack on their polar fortress, and the recent handful taken from the failed assault on the Bladonna meeting

(Okay I caught up in a couple other threads, so is the TFL basically old news at this point?)

(theyre shattered as an effective movement and their support has shriveled up_

Arimoto will take some time to interview the TFL prisoners mostly to get a general understanding of what motivates them. Given the issues the Taros military has had with recruitment perhaps there's some insight to be had in learning what drove these Taros citizens to fight. (Just looking for a general trend of what motivated them to take up arms, maybe the answer is as simple as 'fuck humans' but if not maybe there's something to be leveraged). (edited)

(sure, i can make a list of the highlights so you can get into other things)

8:42 AM

There is a big divide between the standard of living in Carinhold and vapormills, compared to everywhere else. In cities not those two, citizen armies were either conscripts, or it was seen as the only way to move ahead in society outside of the luck of bloodline. That oppressive system bred resentment. This resentment was redirected at humans, as the unity vote was a shocking change. Leaders tried to take advantage of outsiders to unite all taros. (hate of an outside group allowing inside differences to be overlooked)

8:42 AM

as the standard of living in the recovering cities improves, and more trade is opened, some of these shortages and the just general misery of life will gradually fade away

(Hmm you know this feels like something Rika would be uber qualified on. I've changed my mind about Rika doing spaceship stuff!) Arimoto drafts a message to Rika. "Recently interviewed some TFL prisoners, seems like the Taros as a whole would benefit from global economic improvements. The UNW could probably use an economics advisor in general even besides that. I could probably secure that appointment, if the desk job life isn't killing you."

“It’s killing me slowly enough” he replies. “Would the council be comfortable with someone of my background in the position? I already know I’m overqualified”

"Would they be comfortable with someone who has handled local trade and logistics for Greenbriar for almost a year? Probably. If you're referring to before that, well... They have a senior military strategist who used to be an enforcer for the most disorganized criminal syndicate you can imagine. I think they'll get over it."

(9xp for the intelligence gathering, 3 for each, and 50,000 credits)

6:52 AM

(I'll bulk out the necessary handouts when I have sitdown time tonight)

News from the war on Sumati begins coming in, and despite some close victories, COST still holds the advantage in men. Even without support their lead is formidable

Is there anything we can do about the war there from Gudrun? (edited)

They are getting the support they need thanks to Gudrun, closing the tech advantage COST originally held.

Arimoto would draft up a message to Kincaid basically relaying the idea that improving economic conditions across Gudrun would improve military participation from the Taros, and puts up Rika as a good candidate to lead a welfare campaign.

Rika is picked for the committee and the vote carries handily. He is expecting to make his first report by months ehd

4:02 PM

End

Excellent. How's progress on the reconstruction going, did that all finish at the end of last month or are the soldiers just moving on to a new city?

Reconstruction is complete

(Having some PC issues, sorry for the delay. I accidentally kicked my tower yesterday and now the system clock is fubar, the fans are stuck on high and it won't let me connect to certain web pages. I'd almost rather it just not turn on.) (edited)

(That sounds super horrifying.)

(Thought for sure resetting the CMOS would fix it but it's just doing more weird stuff. I think I at least got the clock fixed... I was literally planning to work on a new PC in April so I guess the timing isn't all that bad.)

(What's 5 weeks ahead of schedule lol)

With reconstruction in the various cities complete Arimoto would again review ongoing conflicts on the surface (Any cities still in civil strife or was Egons it?). Assuming no other conflicts on the horizon he would turn towards construction of the fort. (Basically looking to allocate some soldiers for construction this month).

(There is no more unrest. Your decisions and a couple player missions handled the rest)

(Alright what options do we have on the fort front?)

(I think what will be easier as write out how you’d like it arranged/defended/ what amenities. I can figure out a time and arrange quests for some of the stuff you may not have. Don’t limit yourself to just tl 4 stuff. Getting weird things makes good adventure)

(Is there a table somewhere I should be referencing or do I just make up what I want?)

(Make up whatever you want, like, cost/tech/ect is not an issue, the only thing that you have to consider is make it relevant to the climate of Gudrun and the location you selected)

7:21 AM

(otherwise go crazy)

(I mean if you give me a blank check I'm going to cash that bitch. Probably being waaaayyy too detailed here but hopefully you get the idea.)

6:16 PM

(Oh man, this is way less crazy that i was expecting)

7:10 PM

(Okay, I can def make some adventures out of this stuff)

(Oh was I supposed to throw in one of those Starkiller Bases like from Episode 7?)

(I was expecting like at least an energy shield lmao, anythings good, this works nice

7:37 PM

and its not like it can never be expanded)

(I mean all the important stuff is underground so the energy shield would just make it a more obvious target for orbital bombardment. Sure a mage or psychic can teleport right in, but I'm not wasting my time or resources trying to prevent reality-shapers from deciding they don't like the base and just destroying it.)

(that's fair. Alright cool beans, I can roll with this)

Nekosmash 3/1/2019 7:43 PM

the construction itself seems fairly standard. As far as a bar owner, or an alcohol supplier, there is only one man in town, The Baron

Alright, is he interested in being the owner or does he know someone who is?

The baron is interested in owning the club as part of his network of businesses. He currently owns the Harvest Spirits, The Brewhaus, and has a medium sized distillery opening up in Rebirth

Oh if he owns Harvest Spirits then Arimoto has confidence in his competency, it's a well known and respected establishment.

The Baron is pleased. He is looking to expand his business and thus far in town the military has been among his best patrons.

There is much celebration as the contract is signed

(Anything else to do for the bar or is it good to move on to another piece?)

(For now the bar is proceeding with no complications. We can move along)

(What about the Academy, how hard is it to find instructors?)

Trying to fill spaces in the academy is a tougher task. Until the recent unification, the Taros each specialized in their own way of fighting. Military doctrines, ways of handling logistics, even uniform requirements are all vastly understood in each instructors minds. Finding commonality, or one, singular way of doing business has been difficult

(Makes sense that it will be difficult getting a unified doctrine but I think it's pretty critical, willing to take as much time/effort as is needed. Is there any way I can spend credits to help somehow?) (edited)

(Bribing some key officers to just sort of stop being so proud could be an avenue)

(Bribe is a strong word. In corporate culture we use 'incentive payment', 'sign-on bonus', or 'discretionary compensation'. Can 100k get us anywhere?)

a 100k sign on bonus might win you favor with a couple of the flag ranks, but the problem is enlisted deep. Theyre simply, used to other ways of war

(Okay so almost sounding like we need to get into some fights where our lack of unity is a detriment to get everyone on board with organizing, rather than trying to promote it on principle or support with finances.) Once the first building in the base was constructed (honestly probably the bar) Arimoto would schedule an in-person meeting of all senior UNW military leaders (so local top brass from respective cities on Gudrun, and anyone from the other planets - I know we have Miriam but there was at least one other planet that was discussed at the last summit to join, did that pan out?). Topics would be discussion of 'local' military threats to the UNW like dissident planetside factions (I think we cleared Gudrun more or less but maybe Miriam has some cleanup needed?) as well as other military priorities for the local groups (so for instance if there's disparity among level or amount of equipment among the groups, or if there's disagreement about what the overall command structure is).

11:08 AM

Basically thinking a meeting like the unity council but specifically for military matters, not sure if any PC's really need to be involved (I think they all have their own factions if they have military forces).

Also catching up on the LFP thread, I presume the Still Lady cultists we have interred are still imprisoned (presumably the guys sitting in their cells did not spontaneously learn to teleport?), so it sounds like there's suspicion of Still Lady cultists planetside? Have there been any reports of strange occurrences that might indicate where to look? I am definitely not above going Spanish Inquisition to find these guys.

((And just to be clear I'm fine if you want me to roll for stuff, seems like I rarely have to roll for stuff lately. I know my build is not great for organization or leadership but I don't want to circumvent game mechanics just because my odds of success are not great.))

(well, the more stuff youre focusing on there will be harder admin checks to keep it all going without complications. So far its been just one at a time, so the slow pace is enough of a setback

11:43 AM

There have been some strange power fluctuations in the southern lakefront habs, in the more affluent area. The power systems themselves look fine, and tech crews are baffled. The disruptions have been even worse the last couple of weeks

Assuming there's time between now and the meeting I'd like to stage a sudden sweep of the area with a relatively large number of troops. Basically the news will be all 'an unexpected military showing in Greenbriar unfolds as...' and we're sweeping the area for cultists (or more likely evidence of where they might be hiding out).

12:44 PM

2

(any specific formation you're comitting to the job?)

(Thinking a big circle that closes in, so no chance of walking out of the zone but also relatively more time to realize shit is going down if they are in fact able to just teleport the fuck away).

An encirclement of the neighborhood begins. (Whats the policy for clearing houses? What are the rules here?)

(Polite but firm, basically knock, if it is opened explain we're investigating strange occurrences that may be linked to extraterrestrial cult activity and ask a few questions, if everything seems legit move on. If no one answers we go in and take a look around, not tearing the place up just looking for anything that seems out of place.)

(Works for me) Door knocking goes well for a short time. Gunfire breaks out at the edge of the southern district along the lake as troopers approach a manor house

Assuming the weapons used are small arms (i.e. they aren't launching explosive ordinance everywhere) just have the troops hold off on approaching the manor until the rest of the sweep closes in on it too. Have a loudspeaker declare that we are storming the premises and anyone armed will be shot, then send them in.

(The marshal SWAT team under Marcion is going to clear the house, and ill report findings here)

Marcion and his team have cleared the house, taking six suspected cultists into custody. A brief report from the scene describes a small statue of a pyramid, roughly carved from scrap metal, and then painted black, set in the middle of some kind of summoning circle. The circle itself was painted with blood, but the source is uncertain without specialized equipment. Candles have burned to stubs and left black stains in the floor at the points of the gram symbol set within There are a handful of tattered paper pages with scrawling as though someone tried to write a holy book to her, but lacked the skill to do it

Alright forward the info on the circle to whatever paranormal research groups the UNW has. Have preliminary questioning done on the cultists and see if any of them seem to have any valuable information and are willing to talk.

Their leader is very charismatic and willing to talk, mostly because its a chance to talk about himself to someone new

Alright I'll bite, off to meet the leader.

The cult leader is charismatic, and a bit arrogant. His finery has been replaced by a non-desceprit gray jumpsuit, and heavy manacles made of Fateium bind him to the table, just in case.

Arimoto takes his seat opposite the prisoner. "Well as you can imagine we are not happy with what you've been doing, but thank you for agreeing to meet. Firstly I suppose introductions, my name is Arimoto, I am a military leader for the UNW and ordered the assault on your compound."

“I’m Virran. I’m glad you decided to meet me”

"We found an unusual contraption in the compound - What were you doing there?"

Hello General Arimoto my name is Cornelius Hardt.  I was hoping that you would allow me to visit your base and speak to a soldier there.  Her name is Skylar Hyland, and I knew her from my time on Rawhani.  I hope she does well under your command.  I am looking for my son and some other refugees that never made it to the UNW for whatever reason.  I believe she might have information that could help me, but as she is under your command wanted to ask your permission before entering the base or speaking to her.

"We were trying to call her, or her agent. She's coming, you know"

"So I've heard. Do you know what she plans to do when she arrives?"

"She plans to spread her message of power and service to all citizens, and those who drink from her blessed cup shall be rewarded with everlasting power. "

"I see. I don't suppose you know whether anyone here wants to receive the message? Anyone asking for her to come?"

“We were asking her to come. We had a dream of her. All of us. She promised either worship, or she would harness the power of the singularity to destroy us as infidels”

"And about how long ago was that? Did you know one another before this dream? Did you all have the dream at the same time, or was it unique for each individual?"

“We all had the dream and found each other. Like we were drawn. It was a few weeks ago. It took us some time to figure out what it all meant and what to do

This is Marshal O’Shea. Just checking in to see if you were free to talk or meet in the next week.

Arimoto sends a reply to @Chris Fury (Desmond) "I should be able to slip away for a few hours to meet, have a specific location in mind?"

2:25 PM

((Of those captured at the manor raid what were they, all Taros underclass?))

(one taros, rest human, this was in Central, workers though for sure)

I'm at the diner with Marcion Delgato. If you can't make that then just name the place. We could go to Harvest Spirits.

Arimoto sends a quick message to Intel to check the living arrangements of those captured and to look for anything they have in common. "I see, and beyond telling you that she was coming did she give you any other instructions or give you anyone else to contact?" (Assuming there was some kind of psych eval on these guys given the circumstances, do they all seem brainwashed or in a normal state of mind?)

(Normal. Marcion is running down some info on the perps now so I’ll copy you what comes back)

((Alright well pending his answer to my last question I think we're done here.))

"There are engineers, on Shua. I spoke to one of them through the connection she gives us. She wants them to fire the weapon on Gudrun"

((Ugh I should read the newspaper more, background here is that the Shua system has some kind of superweapon right? Are they hostile to us, neutral, allies?))

(They're neutral but warming, they have a superweaoon yes, a planet based singularity gun)

"If you could provide the name of the engineer you spoke to perhaps I will ask them about their experience as well."

"Don't know his name, just his mind. We spoke with silent voices"

(He's on Suha, but there is only a small engineering team trusted with operation of the gun. very small haystack to find your needle)

"I see, well in any case I hope you find peace despite failing in your goal." Arimoto bows before walking out, already pecking at his compad. (Message sent in LFP)

4:07 PM

Arimoto would do some reasearch into all UNW intel on the Still Lady. In particular he is interested in understanding if she has a corporeal form (i.e. a body that could be destroyed), and if said body can teleport or otherwise require 'immediate' destruction at the risk of getting away.

It’s not known if she can teleport but she seems bound in some way to the pyramid at the center of acastus (edited)

4:46 PM

She can influence others, working through them even if they leave the planet

What do we know about this pyramid, has anyone been inside it or scanned it?

Regulus was technically inside it when he tried to see into her mind but the effort killed him

Is her power considered wholly psychic, or magic, or unknown? Would having equipment/an implant/surgery to reduce/remove psychic sensitivity do anything? (Not even sure that's a thing)

It is magic. There are some experiments happening with a metal called fateium, found on Terezinho , that seems to go some way in nullifying magic and MES

(MES = Psychic right?)

7:14 AM

(Also who is doing said experimentation, any PC's or just like 'UNW research'?)

(yeah, MES is metadimensional extroversion syndrome

(Ah well Arimoto is an introvert so he should be immune.)

Hey, Delgato here, you working on this Cult too? I'm pretty stumped as to what to do. I found someone who directly connects with this, being, we are dealing with. Have her locked up in the psychic academy for observation.

Arimoto replies to @opscomm "At the moment yes, I had hoped Gudrun itself might be relatively insulated from their influence so am considering options to address the issue. I'm trying to arrange for handling of a couple of other issues before the Council meeting tomorrow but after that we should meet and discuss." ((i.e., I want to see if anything happens regarding it at the meeting before making any new plans.))

Sounds good, should give us some time to observe this person as well, maybe the more powerful psychics will give us more information.

4:32 PM

Think I will join you all for the meeting for once.

Arimoto, I will be heading to Acastus to try and puzzle out the Still Lady's background.

@Chris Fury (Desmond) "I need to resolve this Underhill issue before I leave the planet, be cautious and if you get a chance I could use some intelligence on the rebel military strength there. And remember, there is no shame in fleeing the lion's den so long as you come back for more later."

Arimoto sends messages to the military leaders of several cities related to the Underhill assault. He requests the Canninhold Prefects and Stratopili rangers be given under his command for the offensive, trying to leverage his connections in those cities (the Foci from earlier missions for the cities). He requests the UNW Mechanized Infantry division to join as well, totaling 85,000 troops.

2:09 PM

(Being ambitious here, I added a goal to win the battle without having any unit shrink in size due to casualties)

(Oh man this should be fun )

The formation selected begin getting ready, there is an eagerness about them, finally returning to a front as a united fighting force

(I still want to set up a small fort down South, do I need to split off a unit from this group to do that?)

(not from 'activated' forces, but you can assign one of the ones not heading out to the field)

(Let's send the Black Phalanx, 5k might be a bit overkill but not worth breaking it up I think)

(works for me! and then one unit to work on the army base in the hills)\

(Haven't heard of any significant fighting in Golgis, let's send their Engineer Corps. Also is it safe to assume we can get transportation from Port Nieu Nieu Rotterdam to the island?)

(yeah that was going to be the staging area, but the orbital platform has bulk landers as well)

(Let's just keep it simple and go for boats. We can play some Lonely Island on the way over.)

(I'm thinking we give to this afternoon to see if anyone else joins and then we commence D-day.)

(works for me. I know later afternoon Cyrus should be home from work, and we at least begin the strategy meeting, decide whos going to what points)

(I think you can start the mission thread if no one else is joining in.)

Can you meet Marcion and I at Marshall HQ? We have a potential change with UNW Intelligence to discuss.

(Alright so for the UNW Army unification, basically my plan is to put forth the proposal of 3% per polity under direct UNW control, and recommend another 3% for local defense. I'll circulate the proposal now but not make it formal until the Unity meeting. Plan would be to give until the following Unity meeting to either transfer command or get an exemption from the Council.) (My thinking is that by communicating it now but giving almost 2 months before it takes effect I have time to take on missions for any groups opposed and deal with their concerns on a case by case basis.)

(So 6% of total population, 3% for expeditionary duties and another 3% as a planetary defense force?)

5:49 PM

(I think the player governors should be involved on this. That’s the only pushback you’re likely to get )

(Well technically the 3% for defense is their discretion, if they want to have 10% of their population as militia for local defense, or none, that's up to them. The defenders might get drafted for planetary defense but will never be called offworld. Yeah good point I forgot we had a few PC governors, so they presumably manage their own forces.)

5:54 PM

(Is their population/military in any handouts or do I have to go to them and ask about it?)

(its not in handouts but i know them for fleet budget reasons, let me get

6:58 PM

Gudrun 4,100,000 Miriam 40,000 Aslief 5,000,000 Terezinho 3,500,000

6:58 PM

(Gudrun forces are accounted for. Miriam and Terezinho are player run. Aslief is open, nobody wanted direct governance of that)

(Alright so who are the two governors? I'll just go to them in their threads and discuss it with them. And what the hell is up with Miriam having 2 orders of magnitude fewer population than the other worlds?)

(Charles And Seung. Billy is one now too but there’s no people on tsatsos yet)

6:38 AM

(And Miriam had that day after tomorrow sudden freeze. There’s still uncontested settlements on planet

6:39 AM

Uncontacted

(Ah okay got it, sort of like Gudrun with multiple polities.)

(So since they are semi-retired characters do I have that discussion in their new character threads or in DM's or what?)

(I'm fine with either one, as long as the results get communicated. I know i dont have to worry about that with you. I just need to know what to update the handouts with)

This is Provost Desmond O'Shea we are having a Marshal Appreciation Celebration and Psionic Academy Fundraiser, with all the the donations going to the Regulus Fund- a charity that helps struggling psychics like those who fled the Remnant, Fleshshapers or those dealing with the Still Lady. We will have it at the Harvest Spirits. This is your invitation!

((Looks like I've got buy-in from both, just working out some details. I think the plan will be to formally present the proposal at the next meeting with a 'due date' of the one after that.)) (edited)

((Works for me!))

8:16 PM

Governors begin mulling over the proposals for more men, and the units involved in the underhill fighting slowly begin returning to base. The officers club is now complete, along with the first housing area,.

(I think we should set up a three-way wargame with Cyrus near the new fortress while we wait for the month to roll over.)

(That’s a good idea. I’m game for that)

Arimoto drafts a message to @Garion "I hope your forces have managed to recover from the assault, we eradicated the Underhill in part thanks to your help. I wanted to extend an invitation to you to participate in a wargame we are having near the new fortress. All of the troops are UNW and the focus is mostly on discipline. Currently we have myself pitted against our esteemed Captain Morgan, filling in for Admiral Nelson who is currently fighting a curious case of scurvy after exploring the Bacardi Reef off the west coast. The game is a simple control point exercise so can be extended to three or four sides relatively easily, if you are interested."

The reply from Cyrus takes almost a week to come through

I'd love to, however currently I'm deep in the Northern sector. Once I get back I'll let you know, should be no more than a few days time.

(Alright well we can still do setup stuff, I was thinking we each get a few units and each have a few control points, basically enough for there to be some tactical depth so we can get a little bit of practice. Any thoughts Neko?)

(how many sides are we looking at?)

(I was thinking just three, you me and Cyrus.)

10:00 AM

(We could invite any other PC's who lead forces for mass combat though I guess?)

(so the 3 of us, lol, unless @Seung Whitaker (Severus/Marina) wants to get some task force units in on the mix)

(Yeah I'll be bringing my brigade of Myrmidons)

(Well I wasn't sure if we wanted to use actual units versus just generic ones, we'd have to do some balancing gymnastics to make it not one-sided if you actually use your unit, they are really, really good.)

(maybe his unit and a couple of the UNW ones? that way his crazy leadership stuff is spread out over more units and its not overwhelming)

(Well even without leadership I think he's got a huge bonus, and our leadership would still be spread over as many units unless we had different numbers of units.)

(I mean the huge bonus I have is due to having one unit, but the issue with only having one is that it'll go down pretty quick when in a fight with a larger force)

I have arrived back on Gudrun General, whenever you are ready to meet we can.
-Warmaster Cyrus Adonis

(Okay so I'm down for however, kind of looking to Neko for making it sort of balanced though. The UNW has enough troops to split into a lot of small groups so it's just a question of how many each side gets, and how many control points.)

(^)

3:38 PM

(How many men are you dedicating to this Ari?)

(I mean as many as is necessary.)

(Yeah I was trying to ask about that and we kept passing the potato on if Cyrus is commanding his own men or his own men and some UNW units)

4:54 PM

(And then it fizzled out)

4:55 PM

(The issue to me was the command bonus so I think it’s going to be them and UNW units

(I'd like to command some UNW troops along with my own, to make it fair - though I have a decent Leadership bonus one bad round and I'm ineffective in any combat)

(So I was thinking of taking my own Myrmidons, the Black Phalanx and the Carinhold Prefects and doing an orbital drop in, seen as the Black Phalanx are spec ops and the Prefects are paratroopers that want to learn how to be ODST's it'd be a good opportunity to help out the UNW in training them it also gives me some more numbers but leaves a majority for you to defend with. Your thoughts @Selnath ?) (edited)

(Well so the unit listings are effectively placeholders, they will be reorganized as needed once the baseline number of troops and assets is defined. In effect, they can be broken into whatever unit sizes we want.)

5:59 PM

(Sort of the point of centralizing the Army, to be able to have that flexibility.)

(So does that mean the type of unit they are is changing?)

6:03 PM

(Now I’m confused)

(I think it means that basically the army will become X amount of people not assembled into pre determined units until the eve of a battle basically...which kinda makes this entire process null and void because it takes away any of the rp elements.)

(I agree with that)

6:10 PM

(My only other suggestion would be its postponed until after the unity council to see if other worlds form units, so we can reform everything all at once)

6:11 PM

(And then the new units stay how they are. We can break smaller elements of them off depending on the mission, I’m not opposed to that)

6:11 PM

(But i think some unit identities that remain constant is a lot of to potential that I don’t want to strip away)

(That last bit is the bit that gets me although it's a centralised army it still needs to be rp oriented otherwise what's the point. It also gives continuity to the worlds they are from)

(The point is that these are supposed to be the nameless soldiers in the background, they exist to fill a mechanical gap that exists if/when we fight other armies in mass combat, and I was intending for this to just be practice of using that system since it didn't go very smoothly with the Underhill. The story is supposed to be about the PC's and their units, not UNW NPC's - What meaningful story impact has the fact that the units have had names and flavor text had on the game to date? I couldn't have even told you we had specific military units in the Taros cities before reading it in the handout. Feels like we're trying to make the mass combat system into more of a storytelling tool than makes sense in our setting.)

(These are both good points. Can we pause so I can think on it?)

(Okay, I like the idea of having units where we know if they’re armored, infantry, ect and what supports they have. I think a general consistent size for each unit is important because not having one is making more problems than having one)

6:58 PM

(I’m going to throw x many troops to throw at it isn’t really making it easy to plan things) (edited)

We've got a new Marshal Cornelius Hardt. Please send him a welcome and any advice you can offer.

Thank you for the welcome message.  Maybe I'll see you at the military club in prime?  I hope to report useful intelligence to Director Delgato or Acting Director Wind in the future possibly involving future under cover work.  If you could please not publicly refer to me as a Marshal outside of secure private conversations I would appreciate it.  I'm not sure how much this secrecy is needed but with at least one known mole as of yet unfound somewhere in the UNW governmental structure it seems prudent.  Sorry for ending on such a serious note, thank you again for the welcome, and I hope to work with you to further the UNW, and do good work going forward.

(edited)

(Any progress on the troop count so I can work on units?)

(It’s the same for UNW. As it was before.

12:48 PM

(Population isn’t going to grow until next month)

12:48 PM

(But it’s going up by 10%

(Right so it's silly to make units based on current population when it increases next month especially when I won't be using the new units until next month. Is it a flat 10% for every planet/city/etc.?)

(Every planet)

(Okay, where can I find the current populations?)

Gudrun 4,100,000 Miriam 40,000 Aslief 5,000,000 Terezinho 3,500,000

(Okay so that's 417,120 troops assuming 10% growth and 3% contribution, does that look right to you? If so I just need an asset tally and can create units. Do we even have assets tracked or is it going to have to be a swag?)

(There’s a colony motor pool handout that is up to date. UNW itself doesn’t have many vehicles but they can build this game month in prep for next. Just tell me what you want so I can budget

(Yeah that's pretty sparse, what sort of capacity for new vehicle manufacture do we have? Are we able to make dozens per month or just a few?)

(100k of vehicles per day)

(Is there a price index somewhere for what a tank, plane, gun, and mech cost?)

(Starvation cheap. The forming a legion area. Or you can design something out of engines of Babylon if you want something special

(Do artillery count as vehicles or is there a different budget to make those?)

(As far as the book goes, if it's towered arty then it's not, but self propelled is, it's basically an arty piece on a gravtruck)

(Okay so can I make TL4 artillery on that 100k budget or not?)

(like one or two pieces)

(I mean can I use that money on artillery because it's a vehicle budget. Assuming we're using the prices in Starvation Cheap it's 40k per gun.)

(It'd be 40k for the contract and then)

4:17 PM

(Okay so not even one gun a day. Balls.)

(You do only need a few though) (edited)

4:22 PM

(Or rather a lot but not as many as you'd think)

4:23 PM

(And I think the rate is 200k a day now)

(40 guns per army which would be two months, and I have a number of armies.)

(So you could do a gun a day, the calc is 100k/day for vehicles, contracts aren't a building process just hiring crew ect. So TL4 self propelled 40 guns would take 34 days)

(Okay, where am I getting the money for the contracts?)

(No idea on that one, technically who ever's financing the army should also be paying contracts on each soldier too, and tanks, planes ect.)

(It’s 100k for vehicles Cyrus

4:56 PM

Different factory)

4:56 PM

(And the army budget is 150 million )

(Thanks, I corrected myself, the maths takes into account 100k/day. )

(150 million per month?)

(No. Right now there’s 150 million in funds available. It depends how I do on far trading every month)

(Okay things are coming together, what's our build capacity for non-vehicle assets?)

(Like what?)

(Towed guns is the only thing that comes to mind I suppose.)

(Same rate as vehicles)

(Okay here's units.)

8:18 PM

(As for construction, assuming 30 days in a month I'll opt for 75 towed guns, 75 groundtrucks, and 9 tanks per month. Including contracts I count that as 9.54M/month.)

(Very good. I'll edit handout tonight so you can edit vehicle numbers)

(So as far as assignments for the coming month, activities I have noted are construction on tsatsos, potential construction on Miriam, exploration on Gudrun and Miriam, and potential planetary invasion. What other projects are out there that could benefit from military support?)

(Building on Miriam and tsatsos is going to get political, as they have governors and with the planetary government tag they’ve got to approve projects. Not to say we can’t rp a meeting. I was thinking maybe finally clearing/bulldozing the helldiver cities in the desert now that pretty much everything of value has been carried off)

(Well the plan is to propose the projects at the Unity meeting and they can decide if they want to do it or not. The Tsatsos governor was practically begging for some construction support at the last meeting so I don't forsee issues there at least. Okay so some cleanup on Gudrun is a potential project as well. I've got quite a number of spare troops so should be able to support multiple projects per month.)

(agreed. building some early warning or listening posts on the borders might be a good one too)

(If you're looking for a project, peacekeeping on acastus might be something to get in process for next month, depending on how this goes, we might have the planet back together)

(I'll believe it when I see a Mission Accomplished banner, but we should have enough troops. I guess one question is how are we handling projects, will they require a set military power to complete or just having enough people assigned to it will work? The battalions have 0 strength so in the former would not be too useful.)

(I’d say enough people. Strength measures actual projection of violence which isn’t what we are doing here)