Iron Stars - mossgrubber-heist

@chellyb25 @iumi of Gudrun (We will do the heist here in a group thread so its easier to find. Elowen is all leveled up, and Fearghal's ship is still on Juroli, and the town has a few months of food to work with now so we have some time while we do this heist)

4

Fearghal's ship is made ready and the automated crew members on board report all systems are showing as green. All that remains is goodbyes to those who need them, and a route to plan east, toward what may save this planet. (edited)

(I’m all ready when you are!)

“Ready, old friend? I know ye ‘avent been offworld in some time. It’s right different out there than it used to be.” His face cracks into a wry smile. “Dinnae ye worry - Mist will keep ye safe.” He jokes.

(we taking nora and shib with us, or are they going to run the farm? )

(I think they can stay at the farm, with a promise to actually come home this time)

1

Elowen baby talks Mist, “You’re the goodest pup and I know you’re going to keep us safe. I am excited about leaving again. It’s been a hell of a long time. You know I’m always in to do some sketchy stuff. I’ve done a lot more for a lot less.” Mist is now on her back belly up soaking in all the rubs.

(we have 17 days of downtime/space travel if we're going through Cooperative and the northern part of Greystar space before getting to Acastus. You can fuel from the shipyards there but customs in each system is going to need to have a fake story from you or something, if we want to be totally undetected we have 23 days of downtime, but 40 days of space travel in total with the need to scoop fuel in certain systems. )

(Fearghal can show his comm from Zorcash inviting him to Polychroniou, and say that’s why we’re headed thru this area)

(They're going to question whats at Polychrome, but we can certainly try that if we want to)

(We’re meeting with the harbormaster to see if he has any work/odd jobs for us since I have a vessel that can be used for transport)

(works for me, 17 days of downtime then passing through polity space)

(You’re so smart)

(Elowen, there are a few things you can use downtime for, I will find the write up of options and get back to you! I know you can use it to work towards learn a new language or train an untrained skill from -1 to 0, or you can modify your weapons if you’re skilled enough, I’ll find details.)

( @chellyb25 https://docs.google.com/document/d/1yUjLC65wnT4-qAiAcnlmA6sgiRhfhoVEDdXlYSI8g6A/edit#heading=h.c9tpo5dnq1zs pg. 57 of 70 lists what you can do during downtime)

Iron Stars Unified Rule System 1.0

Iron Stars Unified Ruleset 1.0 Edition A Setting Supplement for Stars Without Number Revised Edition Five years have passed since The Scream, a psionic disaster responsible for killing billions across the galaxy in one swift stroke. Humanity has clung to life now forced to continue without vi...

5:59 PM

(Fearghal will work on increasing Fix from -1 to 0, 17/90 days completed)

1

(sounds good to me! do we want to be stealthed going into Acastus space, or open just with our cover story? )

(Open with cover story)

Upon entering Acastus system space, home of the Greystar Confederation, ground control begins sending signals to your ship as you reach the system edge for the long sublight burn closer to the inhabited planet. The robotic crew member at the communications desk raises its dark metal hand , indicating to Captain Fearghal that it has a message pending.

Fearghal nods apprehensively, muttering "aye" to the robot crew member to accept the message.

Unidentified vessel, this is Acastus Space and Aerospace Control. State your name and business within the system the message says, it is businesslike and terse, what you would expect from ground control on most settled worlds.

"Aye, we be from Polychroniou... the Lamplighters contracted me services and me ship here... summat about transportin' some livestock to the research base on Leda. Strict orders ye see."

(talk/cha)

iumi of Gudrun

used /roll

Iumi | Fearghal Mac Tír | Alva Request: [2d6+3] Roll: [6, 3] Result: 12

3

Permission is given to approach the Ash City starport on the ground, and a pad has been assigned to your use for the duration of your visit. Landing anywhere else on the planet's surface will have you fired upon by ground defenses.

After disconnecting the comm link, Fearghal winks at Elowen and says “Act like some fancy scholarly types hired us. But the less we act like we know, the less holes they ‘ave to poke in our story. We be here to take a couple specimens of mossgrubbers to the research facility, but they did nae give us much more to work off of. Sound good?”

“I’m here to transport livestock, I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Elowen says with a smirk. “Let’s get in and get out”

1

(landing at the spaceport then? no funny business? )

(No funny business. yet.)

3

2

You are permitted to land in Greytown, a small Greystar outpost 400km south of the haven of neon known as Ash City. The town is small, established as a southern base of operations for Greystar agents tasked with watching over the wilds and safeguarding the southern approach to the city. A few thousand people live here, and since it is so far removed from the planet's main urban center, more of the animals you are seeking are known to be in the area. A customs official and two Greystar security troopers are waiting politely at the bottom of your ship's ramp. They do not seem to be especially alerted or otherwise in a hurry, and if anything, seem relaxed.

Fearghal approaches the officials, clearing his throat beforehand. Mist trots up to them and sits right at their feet, breaking out the rizz and wagging her tail sweetly towards them.

"Captain" One of the officials asks as they approach Fearghal, extending a hand for a shake. "And crew. Welcome to Acastus. We haven't had contact with too many people from the Conservation society. Happy to let you onto the planet proper, but we need orders from the society or something proving your affiliation with them before we can let you off spaceport grounds. You think you can help us out with something like that?"

“Orders?” He looks back at Elowen. “Did the nerds give you anything in writing? We were pretty in our cups that night before we left.”

“You know I think they mentioned it but I don’t know if they ever actually wrote it out. You know how those guys like to get on a rowdy night. I mean we’ve all been there you know.”

(Talk/cha for Elowen)

chellyb25

used /roll

Elowen Request: [2d6+1] Roll: [6, 5] Result: 12

4

"All the doctors I know have been party animals too. We'll need to inspect your cargo before you leave, just so we can say we did our job. Try to do this quick before someone higher than me makes a show of wanting actual orders. You might be stuck here for weeks waiting for them to come through if that happens"

"Yep sounds great! We'll see you guys back in a little while!"

8:39 AM

As the pair start walking away Elowen whispers to Fearghal, "what are we going to do when we get back over here? That was as close as I like."

“If cargo be what they inspect, we should be fine, lass. We did say we would take some animals, and animals be what we be after!”

“Smart thinking! Let’s get a move on then! The quicker we get the goods the quicker we can get out of here without a hitch!”

(We would probably need a vehicle to transport the creatures in, so I think finding that should be our next step)

(Sounds good, would we reasonably think these people in the greeting party would be able to help us with that?)

(Yeah they know the starport and could probably direct you to where to go to get transport)

“Would ye mind directing us toward folks wot oversee ground transport?” He says with a smile

You are shown to the transport office in Graytown where a grav truck can be rented for 300 credits. The rental will get you three days with the vehicle and the truck is large enough to hold six cages for the creatures, something the crew of your ship has fabricated over the last few days of traveling in preparation for your adventure.

Fearghal will cover the cost of the rental. "Be it customary on this planet to tip on summat like this?" he asks the clerk.

"Not usually. Most people don't think to at least. " the clerk says, typing in the last of the information needed for the rental, complete with the fake names youve provided for the transaction.

“Well, great. We be on our way then. Thank ye for the assistance.” the wizened captain smiles kindly at the clerk, adding in an extra 50 credits for him. Fearghal turns to Elowen “El…eanor” he catches himself before ruining her fake name. “Let’s be off then.” (Subtracting 350 credits from my sheet)

(Elowen I think out of the two of you might have the better pilot level)

“Thanks for covering, Fergie. You just made that clerks day I’m sure! Let’s hop in the truck and get our livestock! Looks complicated and I’ve never driven one of these but I think I can manage!”

https://www.worldanvil.com/w/iron-stars-nekosmash/a/mossgrubber-article?preview=true

Mossgrubber

7:07 AM

(this is what we know about the animals we're trying to capture. Not all of them have been domesticated by a longshot, but knowing their habits might tell us a good place to look)

“Sounds like we need to go towards the closest forest. The trees thataway look like they get thicker - what say ye?”

"Excellent idea! Let's go grab a grub!"

(lets get a survive/wis from each of you to track them)

chellyb25

used /roll

Elowen Request: [2d6-1] Roll: [6, 5] Result: 10

1

(got it! We'll see how ferg does too)

iumi of Gudrun

used /roll

Iumi | Fearghal Mac Tír | Alva Request: [2d6-1] Roll: [2, 1] Result: 2

1

2

Knowing that these creatures prefer metal , Elowen looks at most recent planetary scouting reports. She notices a untapped copper vein is 100km from the eastern border of Greytown and it was never developed due to how far it was from civilization, and how inexpensive the metal is on the current galactic market. An unimproved vein of metal near the surface, far from civilization seems like the perfect place to encounter these creatures. You are going to be going off road, into the large mushroom forests of this planet. There are rumors of dangerous beasts and wayward pockets of cultists that once worshipped The Still Lady in these woods.

“I think I know a place that could be promising! We’re going into the woods so stay close, you never know what’s lurking out there…”

Fearghal checks that his gun is strapped across his back and winks at Mist in preparation. Mist cocks her head and looks ahead of the group.

Moving into the woods the first region is a dark forest where the red mushroom caps block out the light of the dying sun. This world is already permanently in a state of twilight, and inside the woods this twilight become an everlasting midnight. Driving for half an hour down the unmaintained logging road, you come to the ruins of what was once a small woodland chapel, nestled here away from civilization. Its windows have been blown out and the doors have been broken open. Burns near the doorway and around some of the windows show evidence of a fight.

(Can we tell how long ago this happened? Idk if that matters or not)

(It has been within a year based on how the building looks now. Moss is growing on the shingles and it has the halmarks of being abandoned for a while, but if it was longer the building would be much more dilapidated. )

“Mayhap we should keep on toward the copper deposit ye found. I don’t like the looks of this place, I don’t.” Fearghal says warily. “All them cultist crazies a few years back… I dunno, friend. What think ye?”

“If walls could talk I’m sure they’d be sobbing. This whole place gives me the shivers. I think we should keep going so we can get out of here sooner.”

(we can move on if we want, or investigate, if we decide to move on, just need another D10 for our next region)

(I think we’re ready to move on. Trying to get straight to the metal)

iumi of Gudrun

used /roll

Iumi | Fearghal Mac Tír | Alva Request: [1d10] Roll: [1] Result: 1

The nightmare inducing church is left far behind as you leave it in your rear view mirror. The cages lashed down to the back of the truck rattle as the vehicle continues moving through the lowlands where more of the tall mushroom stalk trees grow. This deep in the woods there is a map beacon showing a warning that dangerous beasts live in this areas, but mossgrubbers might also be found here.

"Maybe we ought to step out of the vehicle for now.... I be worried that the sound might scare off the buggers. Or alert buggers that want to scare US off."

“I agree! Let’s make the rest of the way on foot and get some relief for Juroli!”

The woods around you show signs that something big has passed through here. The branches have been scythed down and have been broken at chest height , and the cuts are clean.

Fearghal continues forward, eyes trained ahead as he scans for any sign of the creature that made this site of ruin. “Do ye remember reading if the mossgrubbers are skittish? Should we hide?”

“Somebody has domesticated them before so I can’t imagine they’re thaaat skittish. Maybe we could entice them to follow with a chunk of metal we find or something? I didn’t bring anything to make a lead.”

From the reading you are both able to quickly pull up, it looks as though they're not skittish so long as food is present. The creatures are very food motivated, sometimes to their own peril in pursuit of it.

“Looks like we should get some scrap so we can lead them! Easy enough!”

“You have anything we could use”

(Ywah if we have spare parts or anything small made of metal we might want to use as bait we can see what happens)

Scrounging through her bag Elowen pulls out some old metal cogs that she has no idea what they go to now. “Seeing as how I have no idea what these came off I think we could probably each take a couple and use these as bait!”

The gears are made from a purified iron that only has small amounts of imperfections in it. This is a more refined vintage than anything the Mossgrubbers would be eating in nature and this will make an excellent bait for them.

"And now we wait!" Fearghal says, calling Mist to heel and then sending her to the other side of the wooded path. Any Mossgrubbers that come thru here will be flanked by Fergie and his faithful hound.

2

The gears are spread into the clearing and after an hour of waiting the sounds of something rutting through the forest disturb the tranquil and dark sounds of the forest. The branches and shrubs 100m in front of your position wave and crunch as something moves through them toward your bait.

Elowen whispers to Fergie, "This is not a drill! Get ready for bug or foe!"

Fearghal leans back as his eyes gloss over. Focusing on Mist, he directs the flow of MES through their bond. His awareness shifts, and suddenly he finds himself looking through her eyes as she peeks through the brush at the oncoming creature. He tries to make sense of what he sees through her sight.

Two large Mossgrubbers are grumbling with one another and quarreling over who is going to get to the food first as they both trudge through the undergrowth. Claws snap at one another as they break into the clearing, continuing their duel as they scuttle sideways toward the delicious selection of gears Elowen has laid out as bait.

Snapping his consciousness back into his own mind, Fearghal focuses on whichever of the mossgrubbers he perceives to be the dominant of the pair. Once again tapping into the flow of MES within him, he reaches out to the mossgrubber with his mind, telepathically connecting to it. Friends. Safety. Abundant food. Come with us. We will keep you both safe. he sends, imparting the feelings of each thought with as much sincerity and imagery as possible. He pictures the metal-covered landscape of his home planet, hoping the creature can sense the genuine nature of his message. (Using Tongue of the Beasts, 4/5 effort remaining)

1

Nekosmash

used /roll

Nekosmash Request: [2d6] Roll: [6, 4] Result: 10

The creatures have interest and approach the gears cautiously. The more dominant of the pair eats first while the other is kept back, and there is a loud crunching sound as the metal is devoured and broken down. The second is allowed to eat after another moment, sneaking up to the side of the pile.

Friends. Safe. More food. Okay? Fearghal transmits, slowly easing out from his hiding spot behind the brush with his hands up to show there is no weapon in them.

You have their interest and they come a bit closer, but are still on guard. You do not think they will willingly get into a cage.

He sends an image of the transport cage. Scary yes - but safe, and temporary. After - fields of all the metal you could want. Scary cage for small time. But never hungry again after. he again sends images of the rolling metallic hills of the Juroli countryside as he offers out a hand to be sniffed. (Id like to try to convince them, if that’s on the table)

(I think we could use gaia/wis for this)

iumi of Gudrun

used /roll

Iumi | Fearghal Mac Tír | Alva Request: [2d6+2] Roll: [6, 6] Result: 14

6

(Beautiful human you are)

(Elowen, if you want to make a survive/wis you can also help here)

chellyb25

used /roll

Elowen Request: [2d6-1] Roll: [4, 3] Result: 6

The lesser of the creatures is hesitant to enter the cage but some prodding by Elowen and the strategic sprinkling of bait sees both of the large creatures contentedly sitting in the vinyl covered metal cages- meaning the grubbers cannot eat through them. A small crane on the back of the truck can lift the cage into the bed of the vehicle.

3

“Let’s get these good boys onto the truck and get them home. I hope they’re happy with the life we’ll be able to provide for them and they don’t regret their decision to come aboard. I know it’s going to be a scary ride for them.”

(did we want to try for more than two, or did we want to cut and run while we can?)

(I’m ok with two. That fits our cover story)

(Also fine with 2!)

The crates are loaded aboard the truck and the Grubbers seem to be calm for the moment, focused on eating the spare parts and gears Elowen has left out for them to feed on. The engine turns over slowly as you are careful not to spook them, and the group makes their way back toward the spaceport with the waitign ship. Several hours have passed since you landed.

Fearghal puts the transport vehicle into park then heads to the kennel portion and again reaches out his mind to the creatures to praise them and reassure them. Once Elowen has also gotten out of the vehicle, he leads the way over to the customs officers to check out and get ready to depart back for Juroli.

Your ship has been refueled in the time you've been gone, and the customs officer is waiting by the ramp of your ship both with the bill for fuel, and to inspect the grubbers you have brought back with you, ensuring they are free from disease and safe for export.

9:30 AM

He does not seem to realize this was a ruse yet.

“Thank ye again for the kind welcome. The lamplighters will be sure t’hear about how well we been treated.”

“We really appreciate you and your hospitality! See you again!”

As the dock workers look over the paperwork, the grubbers are loaded into the hold of your ship for the long trip back to Juroli. It looks like he is about to shout toward you, evidently alarmed at what he is reading, but by then your ship is already rapidly climbing into the Acastus night sky. You're not sure if word ever reaches the system patrol in time, but your ship is long gone, plunging into spike space by time the first of the picket vessels begins turning to intercept you. (3xo, 5000 credits. I'll look at the map and let you know how much downtime)

3

(Goal progress check: steal something important from someone rich, and bluff someone based on self-negging)

(complete)

12:11 PM

(9 days back. If we want to stealth in the three systems with planets we'd be passing through, I'd need a program int check for each of those systems. They're all fairly populated, so its either stealth, or we try to bluff the system patrols there. Up to you two)

(I’m good with stealth if that’s the route we want to go, I’m down to bluff also. Both are pirate like)

(if we do stealth Fergie won't be much help but I'm down to give it a try)

(Fergie leveled up, done in his thread)

(We don’t have to stealth if you don’t want to! I’m down for whatever you prefer!)

(stealth would mostly be to hide your trail back to polychrome)

(Yeah let’s try it)

(okay, so our first check is for Buey, so program/int there, and I'll add the modifiers for ship size and the other stuff for hiding and seeking)

chellyb25

used /roll

Elowen Request: [2d6+1] Roll: [5, 1] Result: 7

iumi of Gudrun

used /roll

Iumi | Fearghal Mac Tír | Alva Request: [2d6] Roll: [6, 5] Result: 11 Reason: not sure if you wanted me to roll too

1

(Would be only one person, whoever the best at programming is generally, we'll take the 11 for this since I didn't specify)

1

Nekosmash

used /roll

Nekosmash Request: [2d6] Roll: [6, 2] Result: 8

(Not detected in Buey, next is Olar, so we'd need another program.int there)

(all you elowen, you're the better programmer)

(Not according to that roll you just had! Lol)

chellyb25

used /roll

Elowen Request: [2d6+1] Roll: [1, 1] Result: 3

6

(you're an expert, so you can use your expert re-roll to redo this if you like0

(Oh no way?!?! Just reroll exactly the same??)

(Yup! Same roll as before, just get a new shot at it)

chellyb25

used /roll

Elowen Request: [2d6+1] Roll: [3, 3] Result: 7

1

Nekosmash

used /roll

Nekosmash Request: [2d6] Roll: [4, 4] Result: 8

(You get a +2 for being frigate sized, so that makes this a 9, and we're not detected in Olar. From here we go to north, into neutral space wher eno one cares about what we're doing,) A long journey north has the group firmly back in the orbit of Juroli. Greystar has by now no doubt realized that the story was a fake but the trail has gone cold. The metal ravaged planet is below, and these creatures will be the first spark of hope to drive back the dormant tides of once living metal that consumed the planet.

3

"Well done, old friend. Just like old times. Could nae 'ave done this without ye." Fearghal says, eyes glinting in glee as he pats Elowen on the back.

1

"Nor I without you. I miss these days, but I'm sure your family will be excited to see you back!"

(did you want to stick together on the ground? If you want we can land where Radka is so you all can meet and the grubbers can get working)

(I’m up for it if Elowen wants to join me, but no pressure! If she wants to do her first solo mission that’s fine too!)

(I’m done to stick together if you’re not sick of me yet

but really I appreciate you taking me under your wings)

(I will literally never be sick of you bb)

1

(I’ll write an intro in radians thread when I get down to it then

2