Iron Stars - shalaesh

@Groshim/Bivitas (Done!)

(

)

Shalaesh is sitting in a simple meditation pose in her new quarters at the start of her first day as a Greystar agent. She lets her mind unfocus and fall into the power that had been inside her since she was a child. She sees a great river expand outwards from her both in front and behind, the stream moving inexorably forwards, tributaries feeding into it and breaking off but always onward with everyone and everything unable to resist the current of the great river time. It comforts her to know that even as her planet decays far from where she now sits at least this one constant remains. While meditating in this way does not allow her to make out any of the events surrounding her it comforts her to feel her place in the universe like this and she often does so before big events or before making important decisions. She meditated like this before deciding to join Greystar, a decision which she did not take lightly. Reading what happened with first contact on Mikas rang far too close to early encounters with the UNW for her comfort, that particular wound was far from closing if it ever would, but the recent actions of agent Ehled soothed at least a few of her worries but alone would not have been nearly enough for her to join. What instead convinced her were the reports from Arana of a people raised up and assisted, the reports of the Still Lady confronted and vanquished, and most recently the reports of Max Davenport making the ultimate sacrifice to save the lives of others. The actions of their agents are beginning to form a reputation and that reputation is what convinced her to join. . (edited)

1:49 PM

That did not however mean that there were no stumbling blocks. When she heard of the abomination against nature that agent Groshim was carrying out against himself she almost called off her joining right then and there. She sympathized with his species, their issues having echos of the issues her own had faced but she could never imagine replacing her fingers that touched the grass and water with cold unfeeling steel. She shuddered as she considered it. Yes this development was not welcome in her mind yet she eventually decided that Greystar as a whole was still worth assisting. She would just have to try and avoid the being that was once an Ashen One. Her meditation swiftly faded as the discord caused by her sour thoughts sent ripples through her mind's eye and broke the view of the river. She stood up and prepared herself for the day, hoping that the day would end better than it started.

(we can continue that thread here then @Groshim/Bivitas , was there anything in town we wanted to do overnight, since we're in an established area or did you want to skip ahead to going back and helping out)

(I'm thinking buy a book on edible plants and fungi of the area. I think something like that exists in game and it would be helpful for her to tailor her advice for this planet.)

(That is part of a survival kit for the planet, so we could buy one of those and its included)

(Sounds good. She'd probably ask specifically for the booklet and then when told it's in the kit simply buy one.)

(you can alwaus give the rest of the stuff to the locals you're helping if you don't want it)

(Sounds like a good idea. Giving them more ways to be independent is helpful.)

Returning the next morning you find the camp has not moved, and they look ready for some kind of adventure out into the wilderness.

Shalaesh greets them all and offers them the survival kit, taking out the booklet and glancing through it. "Knowing the forageable plants is invaluable. Have you decided on who will be joining me in the jungle?"

It looks like most of the camp is going to be coming with you into the woods to learn the skills you have to pass on. Three camp members are either too sick or too injured to make it.

Sha nods willingly, particularly as this is mostly to be a scouting and training mission however she does issue them a warning. "All of you try to stay quiet and follow eachothers footprints, if we make too much disturbance it may change the wildlife's patterns."

(Sneak/dex)

Groshim/Bivitas

used /roll

Groshim/Shalaesh Request: [2d6] Roll: [4, 2] Result: 6

(That'll be what any animals or anything in the area roll against if needed, this lesson looks like it could lead into hunting, or trapping, or a few other things so feel free to steer it in that direction)

Knowing that hunting would be difficult with the sheer number of people with them Sha decides to teach them how to set up snares and traps.

You spend the day instructing them in the matter of making simple traps. and how to deploy them where animals will not scent you upon their use.

Sha will attempt to spend at least a little time aiding each of them as she teaches them, aiming to build up trust.

BY the end of this day they look to be somewhat getting the hang of it. Everyone looks to be excited about what is to come, especially now that two of the traps have caught something small to eat for dinner.

She smiles as she takes a small break to watch them, their enthusiasm being contagious. "You will find these to be a large help over time, once set up they only take a little maintenance to provide a steady supply of food."

This seems to be giving them some extra security, and they will plan accordingly for the future. With this knowledge they can move deeper into the woods, and might not have to rely on the locals so much.

(Are they able to supply themselves with water easily? If not tomorrow it might be wise to help them locate the signs that water is nearby. Water sources can also make good hunting spots both for the animals that visit it and for fish.)

(We're actually in character not sure about this, in terms of do they have this knowledge, or are they just overconfident and will this be an issue for them later)

"Tomorrow I am thinking we should go through how to find water, I may know some tricks that you do not and if one of you get separated from the group being able to find water until you can make your way back to them could be the difference between life and death, it is a vital skill to know."

(Talk/cha)

Groshim/Bivitas

used /roll

Groshim/Shalaesh Request: [2d6+2] Roll: [6, 6] Result: 14

Although the group is excited to leave and put their skills to the test, you seem to have convinced them to stay another day to learn this vital skill. Once under their belt, they plan to vanish deep into the jungles and not trouble the confederation any further.

Returning to her house for the night Sha feels pleased with how her first mission is going. With only a few slight issues one of Greystar's long running problems is fading away without even any fuss. She wished all encounters could be resolved so easily. The next morning she returned to the camp and began providing her knowledge on how to find water, teaching them the ways that the land flows and where water tends to cluster, showing them the ways the woods built themselves around lakes and rivers, helping them to see how the plants became more vibrant and vivid the closer to water they grew. (edited)

THis lesson seems to be a hard thing for the locals to learn. They lack the natural talents you have for determining where the water might flow, and though they understand the forest as its own interconnected organism, this is something you were born into, and the lesson is intricate , they'll be forced to learn over the course of days.

"You are all learning well but the lesson is more than could be learned in only a few hours. If you would give me a couple of additional days then I am certain you will start to understand the flow of the jungle."

IT seems like a practical use of the skills might be something worth discussing with the them, and something more properly shown to them.

Sha thinks for a while, considering the terrain before coming up with a suggestion. "Tomorrow perhaps we take containers and track down a new source of water, we can use that to gather water and potentially fish to serve as provisions as you move deeper into the jungle."

the group seems to be in favor of this, and you sense that for at least one more day you have their loyalty and attention.

The next day she guides them all into the jungle and together they search out a new water source.

(survive/wis)

Groshim/Bivitas

used /roll

Groshim/Shalaesh Request: [2d6] Roll: [2, 1] Result: 3

1

(Well that's upsetting)

(I think You could find the water effortlessly, but maybe the lesson here was not something they're picking up on as naturally as you are. I'm picturing this like you are so advanced at doing this sort of thing, you're forgetting people dont udnerstand the basics, so you;re not teaching them)

Seeing them have the trouble with what she's trying to show them she has another idea and steps backwards, letting them take the lead instead. "The best way to learn is to teach. You show me how to find the water. If I think you need help then I will step in to guide you." (Don't suppose I could persuade you for a talk check there as I watch them go about it and give them gentle nudges as needed?)

(talk.cha, lets do it )

Groshim/Bivitas

used /roll

Groshim/Shalaesh Request: [2d6+2] Roll: [3, 2] Result: 7

(Well better than before at least)

You think another day in the wild with this new approach will be what is needed to drive some of these lessons home, now that you have taken a moment to think about it. By about mid-day the following day you are proven right.

"Excellent work all of you. You have picked up on months if not years of teaching in barely a few days. I am certain that you will do well. I think now you are ready. Anything that you do not already know I am certain you can now work on yourselves."

(3xp, 5000 credits. They’ll move deeper into the jungle )

(Well that'll be a Level. I'll do a little finishing up before leveling myself if that's ok.) Shalaesh sees the group off as they pack up and head deeper into the jungle, wishing them all the best as they go. Once they have left she returns to the settlement and heads to the administration building, asking to see the leader.

(absolutely. This will count for solving an internal problem if thats one of the endeavors. Not sure who has what right now honestly )

(We don't have that as an Endeavor sadly I believe but we have an internal task for something similar so I might get credit for that

)

(Would it be considered a "Major Internal Issue" resolved neko? This is for determining if their efforts are worth a bonus payment. Don't know how much this resolves on Espinoza)

(I'd say major issue resolved. This has bene dogging GSC players for a while)

2

(Woo extra money! I'm sure I'll find some nice things to buy once I'm done here.)

The governor is available to meet with you, and makes time for that right away given the nature of your assignment on this planet.

"It is a pleasure to meet you. And I am glad to say that I come bearing good news. When I looked into the group that was giving you trouble I discovered that they wished to be independent but did not have the knowledge to live on their own without support from society. I as well as another Greystar agent went and helped them learn what they needed to know to be able to survive out in the wilds. Because of this they are now planning to move deeper into the jungles and should no longer be an issue to you or our people."

"I suppose we can breathe a bit easier knowing the jungle will take care of them now"

"I am glad that I could be of assistance. It is rare to find a problem that has a solution that fits everyone. I am glad that this one could be one of those times. Do you think things should settle now that they are no longer an issue?"

"Maybe. I think we will not know the true results for a few years now,assuming they survive the challenges of the jungle. They'll view themselves as independent of whatever Greystar does here"

"For now. But perhaps as they separate from us it will allow wounds to heal and in time we can form a symbiotic relationship with them. I am certain that a group of skilled hunters who know the jungle could be valuable to us and I am sure that in time they would like to be able to trade for some creature comforts."

"That could be true. I only hope both sides are amendable to such a thing should the day come. Still, for today, you've brought us some valuable breathing room"

"I am glad that I could be of assistance. If anything else of similar scale appears then send me a message. If I am able then I will return to assist."

(this was the big issue on Espinoza, if you' have other ideas for things we can move on to getting onen of those in motion)

(I'll do the level up and then think what to do next. I'm sure I can come up with something.)

(sounds good!)

Level Up Name: Shalaesh Level: 2 Focus: Psychic Training Level 1 Old HP: 6 New HP: 7 New Skills: Precognition 0 - 2 (Through Foci) Metapsionics -1-0 Shoot -1-0 Survive -1-0

(I'm thinking I check in on Leda and see if they're having any issues for my next stop. I know they're small but also nobody's been there in quite a while though I'll do some shopping first as I got a paycheck

.) (edited)

(sounds good, we can certainly do Leda next. No one's been in a hot minute for sure)

Purchase list Conversion Bow, Mastercrafted, concealed: 10,000 Ammo 60 rounds: 30 Glowbug 10: 50 Backpack TL4: 50 Medpack 3: 300 Antitox 3: 300 metatool: 200 Total 10,930

(are you looking to do the modification yourself? Normally already modified equipment isn't available for purchase)

(Looking to purchase. I ran it by Neko before hand.)

1

(it is going to be master crafted since Shalaesh does not have the fix skill, and spending a week on the planet to have this done still keeps them within roughly current time)

1

(

With that I think I should be done on world. I believe it should be 5 days downtime to Leda which I'll put into pilot.)

(we'll say a week has passed while we worked on the mod, and got help with it, this still keeps us in line with current events)

(Would that make it 12 days downtime total, 0 days or just being said for continuity?)

(just said for continuity, You wouldn't get downtime for that week on planet since you spent it helping to mastercraft the bow and fit the mod, its already being used for something)

(

Awesome just wanted to make sure. I'm ready for Leda adventures when you are

) (edited)

https://www.worldanvil.com/w/iron-stars-nekosmash/a/leda-article?preview=true (slightly updated the entry. The only port of call on the ground would be the research base, the jungle has a lot of automated anti poaching measures, I suppose risking them or not would be up to you)

Leda

(The main port is fine. I'm checking if the settlement needs any aid so no need to avoid them. Or so I hope.)

The research base on the ground welcomes you, and you are permitted to set down outside the settlement. It has grown by about 20,000 since the last time a Greystar operative was here, and the jungles beyond look to be as healthy and vibrant as ever. The canopy is occasionally punctuated by a tall sensor tower, or a tall firewatch tower, and rangers occasionally patrol the woods down special trails in their buggies. Each carries a radio tag with them so the more cleverly hidden anti poaching measures do not attack them.

Shalaesh breathed in deep, enjoying the fresh air of the beautiful planet after several days aboard the shuttle with its slowly staling air supply. "I thank you all for the welcome. It is greatly appreciated. I come on behalf of Greystar to offer any assistance that you may need. We are aware that industrial support alone is not always enough and a more personal touch is required. I apologize that we were not able to send anyone sooner, the galaxy is a busy place and there are sadly not enough of us to be everywhere." "Does Leda require any aid? If it does I shall do all in my capabilities to assist."

"We are always looking for people willing to brave the jungles to look for evidence of poachers and others. If you;d be willing to volunteer for a patrol, we'd gladly allow a Greystar agent to enter the jungle"

"Of course. I would gladly help to protect the wildlife. Have you had many problems with poachers recently?"

"automated defenses in the jungle keep most of them at bay, but there is always something clever happening in the background" the guide says

"That makes sense. There is only so far an automated defence can go without being a threat to the wildlife it is trying to protect. Is there any particular route that you would like me to scout? Or any areas you would prefer I avoided?"

(I need to update the map, but the L-gate is south of the settlement on the other side of the mountain range, they'd say avoid there, but otherwise you have free range. an unplanned patrol is probably more secure in a way since any would be poachers would likely know the regular ranger routes)

(I'll head off to the west then and follow the mountain range around. perhaps heck out that small cluster of mountains separate from the rest.)

(sure! )

12:16 PM

You're given a radio tracker, allowing the stunning anti -poacher defenses to poqwer down at your approach and not see you as an enemy. Aside from some well wishes for your time in the jungle, and the frequency for the command station here, the locals have nothing else for you.

(Before we leave could Sha purchase some rations? While Sha could probably hunt or forage to survive if needed that does seem to rather defeat the point.)

(sure, we have a TL4 area here so we can do the normal shopping )

(I'll buy 12 days rations for 60 Credits then

)

(great! D10 as we set off!)

Groshim/Bivitas

used /roll

Groshim/Shalaesh Request: [1d10] Roll: [9] Result: 9

Heading south into the jungle you are given the radio tag, and the traps closest to the settlement register that you are there, and power down accordingly. The alien jungle around you is vast, though here it seems that something akin to earth pines have been growing.

Shalaesh approaches the trees, running her fingers over the rough bark, enjoying being in nature again even if it is so different from the forests of her youth. After a brief moment to indulge she sets to her task, looking for any signs of poachers even if she doubts there will be any this close to the camp.

(survive/wis)

Groshim/Bivitas

used /roll

Groshim/Shalaesh Request: [2d6+1] Roll: [5, 1] Result: 7

You move into the wilds and see no evidence of poachers this close to the encampment. The wilds are quiet and empty around you, animals generally preferring to range away from this close to the more constant signs of civilization. The pine forest here is quiet and primarily home to only plants that tend to favor wet, colder, or more alpine clients.

Seeing that everything here looks to be safe Sha continues onwards, keeping an eye out for danger as she goes.

You begin moving through this alpine area, and find something of a bird nest on the ground with three emerald colored eggs in it.

(Can I see an area it looks like the nest might have fallen from? Or does the nest look camouflaged like it might be a nest where the bird hides it among the foliage?)

There are a number of trees above you. It looks like this had been dislodged from some of the upper branches.

(How do the trees look? Do they look climbable?)

(they are, they can be climbed, they're basically pines so we'd have thick boughs

Sha will gently pick up the nest and place it in the backpack, arranging everything around it to be as cushioning as possible. With that done she carefully begins to climb the tree, hoping to return them to their home.

You climb to the second highest set of branches where it looks like the trailing edge of the nest was left behind. You have it placed up where it belonged originally and the eggs within don't seem to be harmed.

Gently placing the nest back where it belongs Sha makes her way back down the tree, being careful not to disturb it further

You adeptly make your way down to the ground unharmed. The nest looks to be better secured

(I'd like to use a point of effort on postcognition to check if the nest fell from natural causes)

The wind has been exceptionally gusty this time of year and over the course of the season each more than average gale has weakened the nesting material little by little, until the fateful day came where it had fallen.

Sha smiles, glad that she could help in this small regard. She feels more at home by the second in this tranquil world. Reassured that there is little danger beyond that which occurs naturally in this area she continues onwards into the world.

(our travels will take us to the end of the hex over the course of the day. ) Walking for close to eight hours, the forest here looks to be about the same as it was near the settlement. The animals here are small, suited to colder temperatures and as a result are both diminutive and puffed out with lots of fur. They scavenge for fruit and nuts that have fallen from the trees here and otherwise do their best not to be noticed by the raptor like birds that perch int he treetops as silent, patient hunters.

As night starts to fall Shalaesh will set up a small shelter for her to spend the night in.

Nekosmash

used /roll

Nekosmash Request: [1d10] Roll: [3] Result: 3

close to midnight you hear the sounds of distant predator birds hunting the aforementioned rodents. (up to you if you want to poke around or not. There aren't any combat encounters tonight at the camp at least, so this isn;t going to bite you in the butt if you decide not to do anything about it and just wait for morning)

As the animals' noise stirs her from the slumber that she occupied Sha quietly emerges from the shelter to watch the animals at hunt.

(do we have anything for seeing in the dark? (

(I have some Glowbugs but would prefer to try and avoid being that disruptive right away. It probably wouldn't help much anyway. Sources of light like that screw with your night vision something fierce. Can I try and use moonlight to see them?)

(sure , there would be some light from that but I think there might be some notice penalties if a check of some kind is needed)

(That works fine with me. This is their home, I'm going to try and avoid being the big brute disturbing them if I can

)

(notice/wis at -2 for the dark, lets see if we can see some hunting birds)

Groshim/Bivitas

used /roll

Groshim/Shalaesh Request: [2d6-2] Roll: [5, 3] Result: 6

You see a dark shape spread its wings out over the moon, it is the size of a terran owl, though its screech sounds to be several decibels higher

Shalaesh watches the hunting birds in flight, enjoying the view in the glimpses that she gets.

There is a squeal, and from above it looks as though a headless rodent of some kind has been dropped in front of you. Rising from the trees, a smaller raptor bird emerges , triyng to tangle with the larger one you just saw in order to pluck the tasty morsel from its claws.

Sha frowns slightly as she sees them fighting over prey and wonders if there could be a problem causing them to fight among eachother. (I know that ecosystems can get messed up if there are too many predators for the area in one space or when non native predators end up dominating the area. Could I make a check to see if that seems to be happening here? Survive/Wis perhaps?)

(sure, I think that's a good pitch)

Groshim/Bivitas

used /roll

Groshim/Shalaesh Request: [2d6+1] Roll: [5, 2] Result: 8

There are a few too many predators here. Not enough where there is an immediate ecosystem collapse about to happen, but over time, some will need to be relocated, or more prey species will need to be introduced either here, or brought in from off world.

(Could I send a message to the settlement to let them know?)

(Yes we can)

Returning to her small Shelter Sha turns on the compad, using her body to block the dim light from external view. She quickly types out and sends a short message.

Note from Agent Shalaesh of Greystar

I am currently located a few hundred Kilometers west of the settlement and have come across a species of Avian hunters. From my observations it appears that the number of predatory birds are slightly higher than the prey population can support. It does not appear to be an immediate concern however I would recommend either arranging a cull of the predators, moving a segment of the predatory population elsewhere or introducing an additional source of prey to stave off an eventual ecological collapse.

The colony accepts the message and acknowledges getting it from you. They will add a bounty for a species like this to their list, and will pay handsomely for it.

With the message received Sha settles back down in the shelter and drifts off to sleep.

Nekosmash

used /roll

Nekosmash Request: [1d10] Roll: [4] Result: 4

There are no further troubles at night, and by morning you awaken to the sounds of songbirds once again.

On waking Sha continues onwards, listening to the birds gentle song as she goes.

(d10)

Groshim/Bivitas

used /roll

Groshim/Shalaesh Request: [1d10] Roll: [7] Result: 7

You spend the morning hiking through the woods and come to the edge of this verdant area, to lowlands where the alpine climate begins giving way to something more temperate. In this region you can see far more large creatures both carnivore and herbivore prey species, in a web of ecosystem that is slightly different than where you have jsut come from. There are also far more flowers and berries here.

As she heads through the more open terrain Sha looks to see if any of the berry bushes seem to be safe to eat. If they are she will pick a couple from each bush, looking to help stretch her rations without being a burden on the ecosystem.

(we can try to make a guess with a survive/wis if you wish)

Groshim/Bivitas

used /roll

Groshim/Shalaesh Request: [2d6+1] Roll: [2, 1] Result: 4

Without doing some more invasive and risky testing you're not sure at a glance how the fruits here might interact with you, or other humanoids for that matter.

Unsure of what could be edible and unwilling to take chances Sha leaves the berries be and continues onwards, looking out for signs of poachers as she does, glad that the longer sight-lines should make finding signs of humanoid activity more conspicuous.

You walk for another half hour before something fluorescent orange stuck to a low tree branch catches your attention. Two yellow bands run the width of it, and it looks as though it might be some kind of safety vest.

Sha will carefully attempt to approach the vest, keeping low to the ground and making her steps quiet so as to not be noticed.

It looks like a safety vest a logging crew or some other forestry type profession might use so they can be easily seen by other workers and not mistaken for an animal

Sha would call this into the camp to make sure that it is not a vest from one of the patrols.

You spend a few moments looking over the vest and are instructed to look for a serial number and tracking tag. Those are things issued to patrols and rangers so the automated defenses will not attack them. This vest is absent those features.

Sha would report back the lack of tags, this missing detail making her think that this is something belonging to a poacher or something discarded after a poacher stole the the tags from a vest.

(would you have interest in trying to track the poachers down? I think it's a request the city would make)

(Yeah Sha would definitely want to hunt down the Poachers.)

(survive/wis)

Groshim/Bivitas

used /roll

Groshim/Shalaesh Request: [2d6+1] Roll: [5, 2] Result: 8

You see some broken branches and otherwise patches of area where someone has passed by. You also see burn marks on a few of the trees 200m away through the brush where some kind of concealed anti-poaching device looks to have gone off.

Sha will slowly approach the trap, looking to see if any of the poachers were caught by it.

You can see some kind of stunning net was dropped here but looks as though it has been cut. Whatever was trapped is not here anymore.

Seeing that the person freed themselves from the trap Sha will attempt to follow their trail and track them down.

Tracks lead another 200m to the south, where you hear something of a mewling or weeping sound in the brush , a patch of it is moving.

Sha will slowly creep up on the noise, trying to see what is creating it without being spotted or startling it.

It looks like one of the poachers has been struck, and it in a trap somewhere in the brush

Approaching Sha shows herself to the poacher and looks to assess his state.

He is stunned and his skin is burned in a grid pattern from tripping one of the stun traps.

(Does the trap still appear to be active and zapping him?)

(yes. Low grade current. He's not going to fry, but he's not having a great time)

(Would I be able to safely interact with him to bind him up before releasing it or would that shock me too?)

(You've got the safety transmitter from the city so you can touch it without a problem. He doen't have one so he's in bad time central station right now)

2

(I have a medkit, could I use bandages and the like from there to bind his hands and legs together?)

(in a rudimentary way. I don't think it would hold after he worked at getting free for a few minutes )

(Better than nothing) Sha will quickly search the poacher, stripping him of anything that can be used as a weapon before binding his limbs behind his back.

The poacher has a skinning knife on him (small advanced weapon) , but nothing else that would be considered as a weapon.

Sha pockets the knife before freeing the man from the trap and waiting for him to recover slightly before attempting to talk with him.

It takes a few minutes of not being lightly electrocuted for the man to come back to his senses, still breathing heavily, but nodding once in gratitude for the rescue.

Sha will nod at the man, acknowledging his gratitude. "Greetings, my name is Shalaesh. Can I have your name?"

"Zive" he says, coughing and wincing. His body has been very grilled, and he is not doing well.

Seeing his pain Sha will attempt to tend to him, trying to get him into better shape and alleviate the pain he is in.

(heal/int)

Groshim/Bivitas

used /roll

Groshim/Shalaesh Request: [2d6-1] Roll: [1, 1] Result: 1

1

You're unable to render him any effective aid here. You need proper medicine and proper med faculties to have a hope of doing anything useful.

Sha frowns as she realizes there's nothing she can do here. "I Apologize but There is little else I can do for you currently. I will see about getting you more medical attention as soon as I can however. Before that I believe we should discuss your future. This is a nature sanctuary, Poaching carries a stiff sentence. However if you were to assist me then it would look good for you when sentencing comes. If you help me find the other poachers then I will put in a good word on your behalf."

"Nav comp, in my bag. Near the vest on the tree. Did you find it?"

"I found the vest but not the bag. Thank you, I am sure I can find it with some more searching. If you do not mind I will send a message back to the settlement and request a transport so that you can get medical attention."

He is not in much of a position to argue with you for right now, wounded, stunned, and burned as he is.

Sha activates his compad and sends a message to the settlement

I have located a poacher who was stunned by a trap. He is in need of medical attention and transport. He has given me information on the location of the other Poachers he works with. I am going to follow this lead and ask that he is rewarded for his cooperation with leniency in his sentencing so long as his information does not turn out to be a deliberate lie.

Shalaesh of Greystar

The local council will certainly consider your words based on the end results of the operation

Sha will wait for the transport to arrive to pick up Zive and then head to find the bag back where she found the vest earlier.

(notice/wis)

Groshim/Bivitas

used /roll

Groshim/Shalaesh Request: [2d6] Roll: [5, 4] Result: 9

Returning to the site where the vest was marked in the trees, you look around and find a bundled up looking bag nearby. The camo netting used to keep it concealed is torn from its fall, and you're able to get a glint of metal from its place of rest.

Sha will approach the camouflaged bag and open it, looking through the contents.

Two dart guns, a reload of five darts for each (10 total) , a set of sleeping clothes, a bedroll, and a compad are all in the bag, as promised. There is also some rope, and a hunting knife for cutting it. (small primitive weapon)

Sha will take both the rope and the compad, putting the rope into her own bag before powering on the pad and looking at the contents.

(We can get three questions out of it before its battery dies)

(I'm thinking What is the location of the Poachers camp? How many poachers are there in this group? What defences does the camp have?)

There is a pin shown on the map about five kilometers west of here. There are five other poachers, and the camp is not defended with anything more than a simple alarm.

(Are the dart guns non lethal weapons?)

(yes, right now the darts are empty, there are probably shenanigans they do at camp to get samples/ make a sedative based on the animal they're after, your captive just never made it back there to fill or refill them) (edited)

(Alright she'll take them just in case.) Sha will head to the camp, moving stealthily to try and avoid being seen.

(sneak/dex)

Groshim/Bivitas

used /roll

Groshim/Shalaesh Request: [2d6] Roll: [4, 3] Result: 7

Nekosmash

used /roll

Nekosmash Request: [2d6] Roll: [4, 3] Result: 7

(ties go to you. I'd say you can get to within 10m of the camp edge. That electronic alarm is in place, and you'd be able to see its cable running through the trees to form some kind of sensor barrier)

(As far as what we want to do at the edge of the camp here, it's up to you)

(Could I try to disarm the sensor barrier enough to allow me to pass through it?)

(Depending on how we disarm it, we can figure out what check is needed, or if one is needed )

(Thinking about it again could Sha scale the trees and go over the sensor net?)

(Yes! you coudl climb them)

Sha looks up at the tool trees and decides to try and go around the sensors. Subtly approaching the trees she begins to scale it.

Your height and affinity with the natural world has you moving quietly. You are undetected by the poachers as you look down on their camp from above, safely crossing the line of sentry beams.

(What I'm thinking is climb down into the camp and use their lab to create humanoid sedatives so that I can try and take them all down non lethally.)

(got it, I think we would need a sneak/dex to try to spend that kind of time quietly. )

(Could I use precognition to get a bonus on that by checking what would happen if I enter certain tents?)

(Not without committing effort to oracle to ask)

(I'm happy to spend effort on that.)

there are six tents here. Tent 2 and tent 6 both give you echoes of something bad happening if you enter them.

(I'll go 3,4,5 and then if I don't find what I'm looking for will search 1. That seems like the safest route as it means that I pass the dangerous tents the least.)

Enterin Tent 4, you find the chemical set where the poachers are preparing sedatives to shoot into the local wildlife. You could make something similar here.

Sha will search for any instructions on how to use the gear and then try to brew up a batch that will work on humanoids

There are no instructions here for such a thing, but knowing what might work on animals you are able to approximate based on size and weight

(Yeah that's roughly what I was thinking. I didn't think they'd have an exact ratio for humanoids but they might have some more general ratios or things for different animals that I could use to eyeball something that would work for humanoids.)

(I think we can handle that based on the information they have out and your in tune with nature background)

4:05 PM

You are able to quickly make five doses from what is on hand before one of the chemical reagents needed to keep things stable runs out. You can try to cope without it, but there is a chance the chems will release too fast and could be lethal. (edited)

Sha will attempt to continue onwards, doing her best to compensate for the missing component.

( heal/int here)

Groshim/Bivitas

used /roll

Groshim/Shalaesh Request: [2d6-1] Roll: [1, 1] Result: 1

1

You think you've got the right formula. It's impossible to tell the stable and homebrew ones apart.

(Roughly how many total doses do I have?)

(we have 12, with a 50% chance of them being unsafe)

Taking the doses Sha will fill the darts and retreat back into the trees, waiting for any of the poachers to be isolated from the others so that she can attempt to incapacitate them without being noticed.

After ten minutes of waiting one of them mumbles something to the rest of the group about "needing to drain the dragon" and he walks off into the woods , close to your position.

(Would it be worth/possible doing an execution attack here or is the weapon not suitable for it?)

(with the dart? yeah, we could attempt a ranged one)

Waiting for him to get further away from the tents Sha will carefully line up a shot on the unsuspecting poacher, preparing to fire a dart at him.

(would be a shoot/dex at DC8 )

Groshim/Bivitas

used /roll

Groshim/Shalaesh Request: [2d6+1] Roll: [1, 1] Result: 3

2

(Wow... Rolls just hate me. 2nd double 1 in a row.)

The shot misses and the silent dart sails into the brush near the peeing poacher, startling them. THey're unaware of your presence exactly, but are alarmed something might be nearby

(Do I have time to set up a 2nd or do they seem too spooked for that?)

(We have time to set up a second but if we miss this one then he wont write it off as a weird thing that happened anymore and will be alarmed)

Sha restrains a sigh as she carefully lines the shot up again, taking a deep breath before firing at the distracted man.

Groshim/Bivitas

used /roll

Groshim/Shalaesh Request: [2d6+1] Roll: [6, 2] Result: 9

The peeing hunter presses a hand to their neck. They have just enough time to remove the dart and mumble "interesting..." before collapsing face first into the bush they had once been pissing into.

2

Descending from the trees Sha will grab the sleeping man and pull him deeper into the bushes, hiding him from casual sight.

There is some rustling of leaves but for now the camp does not seem any the wiser at their companion's failure to return.

(Did this get munched? )

(A little but only in my mind. Been busy lately so have been focusing on Groshim rather than letting both suffer.) Sha will return to the treeline, hoping to catch another separate from the group before they realize anything is the matter.

Nekosmash

used /roll

Nekosmash Request: [2d6] Roll: [6, 6] Result: 12

One of the poachers realizes their friends have been gone for a while, and two of them begin heading out into the brush to look, 40m from your position. One of them makes a joke about falling into the pit where they've been relieving themselves.

(Can I set up an execution attack on one as they're searching? If I can manage to do it while they're separated by a tent or something so the other one doesn't notice for a moment then even better.)

(they botched their notice, so you have the conditions for a ranged one. if we want to do melee they'd get another notice )

(I'll make another ranged execution roll with the dart gun.)

(shoot/dex at DC 8!)

Groshim/Bivitas

used /roll

Groshim/Shalaesh Request: [2d6+1] Roll: [3, 1] Result: 5

(Oof...)

"Soemone's in the fucking woods!" shouts one of the poachers as a dart misses them and hits a nearby tree instead. A flare is fired into the sky as its rocket fins extend, and the locals begin spreading out to try to hunt who is in the woods.

Seeing them start to spread out Sha will attempt to use her affinity with the woods to ambush the men one by one as they are separated from each other.

(they're aware of you now so we no longer have the conditions for execution attacks)

(Yep that's fine. But if I can draw them so I can fight them 1v1 that will probably go better for me than a full 4v1 even without execution attacks.)

(We'll need initiative but I can set a scene up for us once we get that)

Groshim/Bivitas

used /roll

Groshim/Shalaesh Request: [1d8+1] Roll: [1] Result: 2

Nekosmash

used /roll

Nekosmash Request: [d8] Roll: [2] Result: 2

(Ties go to you, so we can more or less choose our ideal circumstance to get the first swing in)

Sha slowly lures one of them into a clearing before firing down at them with her dart gun, trying to disable them quickly.

(just need the hit/da,age when you got time ,but you can try to zip them with it for sure)

Groshim/Bivitas

used /roll

Groshim/Shalaesh Request: [1d20+2] Roll: [12] Result: 14

(Not sure what damage would be)

Nekosmash

used /roll

Nekosmash Request: [d20] Roll: [12] Result: 12

(they take a physical save and since they have failed they fall asleep_

11:58 AM

the charging poacher holds a finger to their neck and feels the dart. They have just enough time to wonder what happened before they fall to the ground and vanish into the undergrowth.

Sha nods to herself satisfied as the poacher falls and she moves on quickly, staying within the trees and sneaking up behind another isolated poacher, looking to take him out as he searches.

There are only a few poachers left and it looks like you will get the drop on this one. They are still searching for you, but this one could be surprised.

Taking advantage of the man's unawareness Sha raises and fires the dart gun at him.

(we can count this as a surprise)

Groshim/Bivitas

used /roll

Groshim/Shalaesh Request: [1d20+2] Roll: [19] Result: 21

(hits! )

Nekosmash

used /roll

Nekosmash Request: [d20] Roll: [6] Result: 6

This final poacher also passes out, hit by the dart. THe camp is silent now with all the poachers subdued. You're not sure how many were hit by the professional made tranqs or the homemade ones, and its possible some of the homemade ones may not have their victims waking up at all. The authorities in the city will want to know.

Loading up her compad Sha will begin composing a message to send to the authorities letting them know the location of the camp and that the poachers have been subdues. As she does so she heads over to each of the poachers and checks on how they are.

(3xp, 5000 credits) Two of them have been subdued for good as a result of the home made sedative. The rest will recover with medical attention, and their need for it at this time is required, but not critical.

Sha is upset with the deaths of the two poachers, not having wanted this to end in needless death. She helps the authorities secure the remaining poachers when they arrive and continues to help them with searching for poachers on the world. (This seems like a good spot to retire Sha for now at least to bring me back down to 2 active characters.) (The exp from the mission levels me up so I'll get that sorted

) Level Up Name: Shalaesh Level: 3 Old HP: 7 New HP: 13 New Skills: Metapsionics 0-1 Nullification -1-0 Postcognition 1-2 (edited)

(up to you, I don't mind either way since this one has been touched not as often. just lemme know)

(I'll go with whichever you'd prefer. If you'd like to do some Leda adventures I'm fine with doing that at a slow pace. If you'd prefer not that's fine too, I don't want to put you out or take advantage.)

(We can keep exploring Leda if you like! The poachers we wrangled up here were the only ones in the area and possibly on the world right now)

(Awesome. Let's keep onwards then. I was heading west to eventually check out that isolated mountain set.)

(sure! D10)

Groshim/Bivitas

used /roll

Groshim/Shalaesh/Bivitas Request: [1d10] Roll: [3] Result: 3

Moving toward the distant mountains the land becomes more arid. On this downwind side of the mountain the water is trapped on the other side, and the air here is dryer. The plants go from tropical to a more temperate forest region, and the trees go from leafy greens to pines as the elevation increases. Your travels take you to the edge of a crystal clear mountain lake where birds circle overhead, diving on fish within.

Sha slowly approaches the lake, moving slowly and carefully to avoid spooking the birds, attempting to get a clearer look at them.

The birds are hawk like. Their talons are wide allowing them to get as much coverage as possible when diving for fish. Their wings are powerful, made of dense muscle and tapered toward the back. They have a waxy coating on them helping them remain waterproof even when the creatures dive entirely into the water in search of bugs or fish.

(Do I recognize them or is this a new species to us?)

(New to you. This would be something here probably since pre-scream. Leda has been just doing its collecting thing for a long time)

Sha will start taking pictures of the birds using the compad in case the species was forgotten about since they were brought here, she will also make notes on their population and the apparent health of the birds to feed back to the Leda base to help them see if the species needs any extra assistance.

(We can only see a few here, I think we'd have to try to find nests or do some further exploring to get an idea of numbers if we're interested in that)