Iron Stars - elyse-bain

Elyse Bain is awakened in their small apartment near the underground portion of the Amana Lin Spaceport on the world of Libertalia. The new name, the new flag, the first of a professional army patrolling the formerly dangerous streets are only some of the most recent changes that have moved the planet from a lawless, corporate abandoned wasteland the the capital world of a fledgling group of ship captains and officials who want to give those discarded by the rest of the galaxy a fair shot. The Celestial Freebooter's Republic, as the new reigning government here has become known , has thus far spared no expense in recruiting those with special skills to official polity service and it seems that today you have been chosen for such an honor. It has been several weeks since you first filed your application with the CFR's governmental services group. It is being responded to in the form of a courier at the front door with a large bag over their shoulder.

6:32 PM

@Elyse Bain (just so you know where your thread is)

Elyse wakes up, and rubs her eyes. "What is it now?" She pulls on her pants, and makes her way to the door. She is thankful of the limited security of her apartment, and peers through the peephole. "Hello, who is it?"

10:05 AM

10:05 AM

(I guess I can't PIN the character art)

(Only admins can pin things, but I'd be happy to pin this for you) "CFR Admin. Job for you" the courier says. Through the peephole you can see they look to be official , replete with uniform and bag of files and compads for you, and others chosen for various assignments on behalf of the emergent government. "That's going to have to be enough until I confirm I'm speaking to the right person"

Nekosmash pinned a message to this channel. 3/15/2023 11:40 AM

Elyse opens the door some of the way to get a better view of the courier. "I'm Elyse Bain. Does the CFR have work for me?" Elyse hands her identification to the courier.

(Oh could you pin the link to my character sheet here too? https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1LwwgS5zJYd-VsyHoHc6t3VRwFxDlM0a4TquG14pZEyw/edit#gid=221422411)

Elyse Bain

Welcome/Changelog Welcome to the Iron Stars Character Sheet!,ver 1.31 The character sheet will automate the same things that were normally automated on the Roll20 Character sheet plus some! Everything should work very similar to how it did on Roll20 with one very noticeable difference, Skills. W...

Nekosmash pinned a message to this channel. 3/15/2023 5:38 PM

"We do. Details are inside" the courier says ,passing a thick series of papers into your hands. "Work on the surface. Your background as a spacer and being comfortable in a vac suit came up , so looks like you're going topside soon" the courier says. "Rest of the details are inside, I don't know anything else about the job, but if you're accepting the packet there will tell you where to go next and who to talk to once you're there. That's it for me, I just deliver and give the big picture. Got other people to get employed today. " he says politely before stepping back from the doorframe and continuing on with his deliveries.

Elyse accepts the package. “Thanks for taking the time.” She hands him a credit for his time, and shuts the apartment door behind her. She’ll go to her bed, and open the packet to start reading its contents.

The message is close to what the courier surmised. The Stain was not always part of this planet's biosphere, and was unleashed at the time of The Scream as the once native Zadak aliens, driven mad by the psionic disaster, unleashed it to destroy the surface of the world. Preliminary exploration seems to confirm that the Zadak died with the humans on the surface that were unable to make it to Amana Lin Spaceport. The underground city started being built by the council of corporations almost within that same night Abandoned cities, alien ruins, and other secrets are lost on the surface, occluded by clouds of Stain. In a vac suit, a person can survive for four hours on the surface before the toxin begins to overwhelm suit seals. Vac suits for those who are untrained are cumbersome and impeded both movement and vision, but with your background as a spacer and your use of them often, you suffer no such restrictions. You are offered the chance to help the polity by exploring one such site on the surface. A flyer is being prepared in the starport, with a crew that will ferry you to the destination, should you accept the mission.

(Where does the info say to go and whom to meet?)

8:44 AM

(Does it also say how much I’ll be paid?)

(OOC i don't give pay ahead of time. I slide up or down a scale I use based on mission difficulty/ if we accomplish it. ect, also length of time. It says go to the startport. There's not much activity there even on a good day so it will be obvious where to go upon getting there)

Elyse immediately packs up what items she will need, slings her rifle on her back. She looks over to the pile of dishes in the sink. "Those will have to wait for when I get back." She makes her way through the apartment door, and locks it behind her. She strides off to the starport, thinking of what awaits her.

Upon arriving in the underground city level of Amana Lin Spaceport the elevator brings you to the surface level. The hangar on the surface is a flurry of activity as a single flyer and its crew are being outfitted for surface exploration. The crew are working on donning vac suits and it looks like there is an extra one laid out on the deck for you. Sirens and automated warnings play on regular intervals reminding the surfaceside crew to watch themselves for signs of trace Stain exposure. A pair of security troopers exit from a secure door nearby and begin walking to the elevator leading back down into the city.

Elyse walks over to the flyer and its crew. "Hello, I'm Elyse Bain. I assume you are all here to help me explorer the surface?" She places her gear near the extra van suit, and picks up the suit while looking at the crew.

"Our job is to keep the flyer safe and to get you to the destination. We'll have two hours on the ground once we factor in flight time here and back. We don't have many flyers, so losing even one would seriously threaten our ability to get things done on the surface. Once you're in the vac suit we'll be off, and we'll tell you where we're going on the flight over"

“Alright, sounds like a plan.” Elyse begins to put on the vac suit. She completes the process leaving the helmet for last. Her gear is placed for easy access. “Let’s get going”. Elyse steps into the flyer and sits in a free chair.

The destination is a previously discovered Zadak ruin in the shape of a metal tree. The ruins were previously visited, twice, by a previous CFR explorer working in a similar capacity. The limited time during each run on the site has made exploring it entirely a very difficult prospect. A handful of useful scrap has been pulled from the facility, but there is more to be found there ,and there is some evidence the Zadak war beasts at the site have survived The Stain, making them the only organism on the surface able to do so. As in the previous runs, the group is expecting to spend two hours on the ground. They are unwilling to push past that, as they will begin accumulating Stain toxicity, and there is no indication of when a fatal dose is received based on current medical technology.

Elyse calls out over the hum of the engines to the others in the flyer: “Where are we landing? Am I looking for anything specific or just anything that catches my eye?”

"We're going to be landing outside the structure. The roof is too sloped to let us land there, and we've only had a few hours of exploration in the site so far, so for now we're strictly seizing any opportunity we can inside the site. You're just going to have to see what catches your eye. Picking through this place is going to be a game of rooms and inches, and not a series of groundbreaking discoveries all at once. Those will come with time"

Elyse puts on her helmet and secures the latches. She then does a double check of all the suit's seals, and does a comm check. "Lets get to it. I'll start a timer for 45 minutes. I'll try to see what I can find, and then make my way back at the 45 min mark. No reason to be stupid, and push the time limit." (edited)

The flyer sets down outside the tree, amid a billowing cloud of yellow stain. The crew ensures its own seals are also in place and the ramp lowers. There is a shallow metal ramp leading up to a pair of doors into the tree structure that have already been breached by previous explorations, leading to a cavernous high roofed metal gallery within. Yellow stain smeared glass light fixtures hang from above, their power flickering as they turn on at the presence of someone within the structure.

Elyse makes her way through the structure. Looking for anything that catches her eye: tech, art, documents, and even trash if it looks significant enough. She is careful about her search, making sure that nothing damages her suit.

She checks the timer she set up every 10 minutes or so to keep aware of when she needs to go back.

(just edit your previous post if you need to add more and I haven't been back to the thread yet. I get to things as quick as I'm able but there are going to be occasions where you're waiting a bit for me to make my way back to the game. I am not saying you're doing this, but in the past people have tried to double or triple post me in an attempt to get me to get to their thread sooner, so as a general rule we say just edit your original as opposed to posting a second post) (notice/wis)

1

(If you rolled this in the dice channel it's been buried. If you roll there just report the results here so that doesnt happen)

(Oh sorry. I didn’t see a roll request.)

(Sounds good, let me knwo the results once you roll it)

(Notice check: [2d6+0] Roll: [6, 1] Result: 7) (edited)

Entering the main chamber there is little art on the walls but the glint of something silver hung against the back wall of the room under a dense coating of dust and cobwebbing ,and sack cloth catches your eye.

Elyse approaches the silver object. She studies the item from a few feet before deciding to get closer. She steps forward, and tries to examine it without touching it. (Is she able to determine its origins, and get a general sense of what type of object it is before touching it? Does it look like it can be removed from the wall easily?)

It is Zadak in origin, and looks like a plaque or some sortof commemorative item. It can be removed but would require tools to do so.

(Do I have the tools on me? Would a Postech toolkit work? How much time do I have left?)

(A post tech tool kit would work and its only been a minute)

Elyse unpacks her toolkit, and uses it to attempt not remove the plaque from the wall. She is careful to not damage it or her suit. (edited)

(fix/int)

([2d6+1+0] Roll: [6, 1] Result: 8)

Tools are laid into the task and after ten minutes two things occur, the first is you check your stain exposure level and you are still within the safe zone for now. The second is that the plaque comes free. The silver plaque shows the mantis like Zadak aliens all surrounding the carved likeness of a landing pad, worshipping what is very clearly modern looking containers of cargo.

Elyse takes plaque. and examines it closely. (Is there any discernable text on it or anything on the back of the plaque?)

The text is written in Zadak, a language you cannot read. You do not make out any more details to it than the carved likeness of the Zadak worshipping around a landing pad full of corporate and modern looking cargo containers ,things very at odds with the primitive equipment of the Zadak.

Elyse packs up her toolkit, and takes the plaque. She checks to see if there any more rooms to access.

From this room there is a ladder leading both up to the next floor above, and down into a basement level .There is no light coming in from outside in the basement level, and with the light coming in through the ladder access you can see nothing but a cleared floor below. There is no way to know with the current amount of light if there is anything down there. (edited)

Elyse takes the plaque and sets it down near the entrance to the hall. She decides to go up the ladder, and take a quick look around before heading back to the flyer. She tries to carefully climb the ladder making sure that each foot is firmly planted when stepping up.

The second floor is a communal living space. You see eight large industrial scaled pod sixed structures that are made of curved metal. The metal is rusted and stained yellow in some places from the ever present bioweapon clouds outside. Tattered curtains kept each pod somewhat private when the family units that used to live here were present within them, but it is abandoned.

Elyse will search each of the pods areas for anything interesting.

(Roll a d100 for me for any trinkets left behind)

([d100] Roll: [59] Result: 59)

In the last pod you find a small necklace made from a combination of refined precious metal, and bone shard. The refining work on the metal is something the primitive Zadak of this world could not have accomplished on their own. The pods show signs of being evacuated in an orderly fashion, there are almost no personal belongings left behind. 50 minutes have passed between entering the structure, removing the silver plaque from downstairs, and searching this industrial sized room.

Elyse realizes how much time has passed, and she doesn’t want to press her luck. She will gather what she has found upstairs, and go down the ladder. She picks up the plaque, and briskly makes her way back to the flyer.

(We have another hour of relative safety , but its up to you. If you're ready to move on to sometihng else we can do so)

(I'm gonna err on the side of caution.) Elyse will continue on to the flyer. She doesn't want to chance getting losing her life out here. (edited)

(3xp, 5000 credits) The findings are meagre but it is more about the Zadak for CFR researchers to unpack. Knowing about this new planet that is serving as a freeport is important for the future. and as the flyer returns to the spaceport you are whisked off to a long decontamination process, before eventually being released back to the streets of Libertalia's underground city later that night. (edited)

2:25 PM

(this should have you at level 2, don't forget to post your changes here and let me know if you need help)

(Level up changes: +1 hp to max 6 HP Elyse Bain Request: [1d6-1] Roll: [1] Result: 0 Elyse Bain Request: [1d6-1] Roll: [1] Result: 0 Spent 1 skill point to raise Dex from 14 to 15 Spent 2 skill points to raise Notice to level 1 Gained Arcane Precision as Level 2 GM Art. Took Hacker 1 as a Foci.) (edited)

(you also get a foci at level 2)

(If you had ideas on a mission we can run with that. If you're not sure I can assign something from the laundry list the CFR has going on)

(Hadnt; heard back from you and didnt want you sidelined. Would you like me to assign a mission or has anything so far caught your interest that you'd like to do?)

(need some help with a shopping list? )

(Heya, sorry. Work has been swamped, and its been kinda hard to focus on anything else. I might need some help tomorrow.)

(sure, shoot me a PM whenever and we can pick some stuff out)

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

After a few weeks recovering from surface exploration and some thorough enjoyment of the paycheck that has come with it Elyse finds themselves relaxing at home in the underground city of Libertalia, when the compad on the nearby coffee table pings. Just like last time, the message has the logo of the CFR imposed over it, showing it is an official communication from what passes as the government on this planet. PRIORITY MESSAGE flashes under the spinning emblem, further enhancing the importance.

Elyse rushes over to pickup the compad and opens the priority message from the CFR. As the message loads, Elyse's curiosity and anticipation rises. She is not sure if getting a priority message after only one mission for the CFR is either a good or bad thing. Once the message is fully loaded, Elyse reads through its contents, taking note of any important details or instructions.

The message is a long one but you're able to glean several pieces of information from it. The first is that the CFR is interested in electronic information stored within a former Vulcantech facility at the edge of the city. Inside is information that could be vital to fixing the failing Stain seals around the city for the next several years, and as someone comfortable with hacking and computer technology, the polity has decided to reach out to you. Their "normal guy" for this type of operation is off world right now, and the CFR is hoping you are able to help fill in the skill gap. The address of the facility is provided in the dispatch- it is not known if scavengers or others have inhabited the site, as it is beyond the range of normal CFR patrols.

Hmmmm, this could be tricky. Elyse thinks. She packs all the gear she thinks she will need on the run, and pulls off the protective cover she placed on her new motorcycle, and leaves the apartment with cycle. She takes another look at the address. "I better not try to go in blind." (Is there anyone I can ask about the area she needs to go to?)

(Would need a specific kind of person to determine if you can reach them and what information they might know)

Elyse does a search on the local net for info or for a person who might have a map of the area and a map of the VulcanTech facility.

(connect/ cha)

([2d6-1] Roll: [4, 2] Result: 5)

You’re unable to find anyone who will be able to give you the information you need ahead of time. You know the facility is in the warrens which is at the north end of town by the stain seals but little else is discovered about it before arriving there. (edited)

Elyse starts up the motorcycle, and makes her way to the mission location. She will stop about 100 yards away from it to case out the place and to approach it by stealth if nothing else gets in her way. (edited)

(sneak/dex)

(Elyse Bain Request: [2d6] Roll: [6, 2] Result: 8 -1 Sneak, +1 Dex)

Nekosmash

used /roll

Nekosmash Request: [2d6-2] Roll: [2, 1] Result: 1

You are not detected as you approach the front of the forbidden looking building. There is evidence of some street fighting around the front of the structure but it looks like this fighting is in the distant past, and no one has tried to get into the structure recently. THe front door has been pulled off its reinforced hinges and thrown aside, the metal iris hatch pieces likewise riddled with laserfire burns and projectile round impacts.

(Can I see from where I am if it is dark within the entrance?)

(it is dark within the building, there is either very low or no power on within. If it is getting power, it's not being diverted to lights. So since its "daytime" outside, the interior would be dim )

Elyse approaches the entrance, and crouches down to the side of the entrance . She pulls down her low-light goggles over her eyes, and goes in with her mag rifle ready should the need arise. She cautiously starts to look for her mission target.

Nekosmash pinned a message to this channel. 4/27/2023 10:34 AM

Heading up the stairs into the building you find yourself in a stairwell, leading up a floor to the main office level. The hallway is an upside down L shape, with rooms branching off from it on both sides. Inside the building there is still dim light,b ut it does not seem to bother you with your goggles on. You also see no evidence of other looters, so far. (edited)

10:35 AM

(everything on the map is labeled and the rooms are what they say they are, so we can pick one and get going)

Elyse comes up the stairs, and starts to search room by room starting with the room to her right. (Starting with Office 5 to her right. Since she doesn't have a map I'll start with the closest room. I don't want to meta the situation.), She will start looking for her target, and anything worthwhile.

(The placement of the doors would be easy enough to see by looking down the hallways, this isn't really that meta, and the map helps us figure out where things are and where you've been) Office 5 looks as though it belonged to a junior manager of the company. It has a desk with a chair behind it, two facing it, a large bookcase, and a tall grandfather clock in the room. The desk's computer has been smashed to pieces and exists now only as fragments and scraps of machinery.

Elyse will continue on through through the hallway checking each room for anything of worth making her way to the Prime office. (edited)

(We are just gonna go right to prime then. I go through the trouble of figuring out what’s in each room but I’m not going to dump the whole maps worth of contents into one post ) The prime office was set aside for the manager of this facility and their office is both the largest and still has a working computer system. It’s data line has been exposed - someone has cut through the drywall with a meta tool to access it, and have placed several line shunts but it does not look as through they’ve successfully accessed the computer

Elyse will approach the computer, and see if she can bring up the system. (Can she tell if the line shunts are still active, and if it will alarm anyone that is connected through the line shunt?)

Looking at the system in closer detail , though the data line has been exposed and shunted, but the line shunts aren't operative anymore, and you'd need one of your own for a hack. The system is present and online, though cannot be accessed in its current locked out state.

Elyse closely examines the system, and the attached line shunts. She then sets her rifle aside, and pulls out one of her of her own line shunts. She carefully attaches it to the system. She tries to access system, and pull the target data from it.

(program/int)

([2d6+2] Roll: [6, 2] Result: 10 Program:+1/Int:+1)

(You can ask three questions of the database ,and any password protected information will be included as part of the answers)

Elyse is elated to see that she now has access, and begins to dive further into the systems. She asks the system to bring up a full directory of the database to see if she can find the target data.

(needs to be specific questions. We were here to try to get stain seal plans but we'd need to ask specific things about the stain seals to try to get the info)

(examples could be what are the seals made out of, how are they installed, when were the oldest ones installed, ect, things like that. The questions represent time spent looking through the database for specific information rather than me giving you a giant word dump of info, most of it probably meaningless for w hat you're trying to do. Th is keeps things focused for both of us)

(Archiving)