It took a few minutes for Sam and Kara to reassemble the speeder's sensor, but once done the group climbed back inside and made the trek across town, back to Ranie's home.
They left the city limits and followed the cliffside road that they had driven a few times already, as it wound along the coastline. The forest grew up on their right side and Ranie's mansion came into view. What the group were not aware of was the shaded figure that stood some thirty-feet within the treeline, with ample view of both the road and the senator's estate.
Sam brought the speeder into the garage and everyone exited. They quickly made their way back to Ranie's office, where they had set up their own base of operation, and Brim began to unload his pockets. Kara's eyes went wide when she saw the many vials of pure, undiluted namana - 72 in all! The liquid was a narcotic, and very addictive. In its purest state and volume, it could be turned into many forms and sold on the street for a small fortune - let alone the personal use....
At the other end of the desk, Dan began to spread out the parchments, while Brim activated the datapad. One of the pages opened was a map of the city of Salis D'aar and it surrounding territories. Small circles had been made with a red ink pen at multiple locations all around the city. The other pages that Dan opened were filled with written words or religious mantra and occurrences where that mantra had been ignored. There were also patches of paragraphs of scattered thoughts, or strange sentences. All in all, it was as if the individual who had written the pages were listing their laws of faith and the sins that they had committed, but all was unconnected, as if the individual was not in a proper state of mind.
For Brim it was much easier - he pushed a button to open the data file on the pad and a list of names began to appear, along with associated addresses or locations. At the top of the list was the name Varta the Hutt, and next to it was Teth?.
Kara stepped forward and picked up several of the vial'ss and looked at them. She let out a low whistle and shook her head.
"You guys know how much this stuff is worth on the blackmarket? You could probably buy a new ship with all of this."
Carefully she sat the vials back down. And shook her head.
OOC:
Tomcat I'm gonna send you a pm about something.
:arrow: [OOC:] Not sure what is going on... I see players are visiting daily, but posts are becoming rare, save for a few players. Again, Matt is not able to be here to play right now with his wife's ailment, so I will post for him and try to get some story dialogue going with Nick. Feel free to chime in with your own characters.
If no one is interested in continuing this story, just give me the word.
Dan looked at Kara with a question on his face, "What it's worth? I don't know what it is? Can you fill us in?"
He was a soldier and though he was not naive, he had never dabbled in the arena of drugs.
Kara tilted her head to the side a bit and thought for a moment.
"I've worked on a variety of ships, and I know some of the crews use to smuggle various drugs, and I know a kilo of spice can fetch you ten's or hundred's of thousands of credit on the black market." She looked at the vials again "This stuff is probably in one of its purest forms and can be diluted to probably make tens or hundreds of hits. I'd say we are sitting on a virtual goldmine."
Kara realized that she was showing a little too much knowledge about such things and caught herself.
"But I'm no expert, I'm sure the proper authorities could tell us what this is worth."
"So if it's a small fortune of drugs, why would Senator Seelig have it stashed in a storage unit on the outskirts of the city?" Dan thought out loud. "Either Seelig was dealing or using... and because it is in a pure state, it is hard to say which. I have to reason that a person of Seelig's status would only want the finest, but then also, he would be able to get ahold of some fine quality stuff to make himself rich." Qinos looked down at the table, "But for all intents and purposes, Seelig's rich. So... what do you guys think? And do we bring Ranie in on this stuff, or keep it a secret for now?"
With the mention of Ranie's name, the party realized they hadn't yet seen the senator since their return. The house was quiet. Perhaps he had his business of governing to attend to.
"Personally, I would just turn this stuff over to the authorities, ask for a reward and get off this rock. I tell you bad things happen around large quantities of spice and drugs." Kara then thought of something. "Of course, I could always go check out the blackmarket and see what is going on in terms on the namana trade and what it is bringing, and who the big dogs are."
"Normally, I'd be with you on turning this stuff over the proper authorities but I would rather like to avoid any entanglements of the sort. And with so much of the stuff, it might get the Empire's attention, too. We should find the Senator and let him deal with it -- the sooner, the better," said Dan.
:arrow: [OOC:] Matt, do you want me to stop filling in for Dan (and your other PC's) so much?
"We are going to turn over enough drugs to keep a Hutt Crime Family happy for a year to a politician?" Kara shook her head. "I don't know where you come from, but back on Corellia, the last person I would want with this load of drugs is a politician. I say we give him part of the stash, and destroy or sell the rest off to the black market."
OOC: It's alright. We have yet to get settled into a routine in regards to work, her medications, and doc appts so things are still up in the air.
"No one has said anything about turning the drugs over to Senator Ranie. I believe they should go to the *proper* authorities at some point for disposal, and they will need to be secured until that time - perhaps in a location that *we* arrange so that we can be sure they are indeed secure.
But we should inform the Senator as soon as possible, as they have a definite impact on our investigation, and they implicate his friend in much more than I believe he would like to become public at this time."
[OOC sorry about lack of posts - my family was away at a cottage with no internet for the weekend and I just got back - cheers, Brian]
As the others debated the way to handle the vials of substance, Brim continued to look at the datapad. It seemed that Seelig was a resourceful man but also a careful one - well, as careful as one could be when dealing in illicit things.
The Rodian began to read through the data, seeing that it was like a diary and thus Brim was able to get into the dead man's thoughts...
JOVI 4-18854: Varta has sent an offer... seems the Hutt wants to tap into one of our planets potential resources, namana. Long has the government kept its production regulated, and the church has always used it in some of its ceremony, but it could be an untapped goldmine. If I am careful, I can at least entertain the idea of the meet.
Brim saw the Bakuran date on the first entry. He was not real familiar with the planetary calendar and so inquired of the droid, who had programmed himself with data from Senator Ranie's computer. Sam relayed that the date represented the winter month of Jovi - number two of ten thirty-one-day increments that broke up the Bakuran three-hundred and seventeen day year. The droid continued to explain that the ten months were preceded by a seven-day period at the ending/beginning of each year that was filled with great rituals of the church. The four, following the month, was the day. Sam finished by explaining the last five digit number was the number of orbital cycles that Bakura had made around its sun since the time when the indigenous life began recording such things. The orbital cycle count was three less than the current cycle.
"Three years ago they met," Brim thought out loud. He continued to read...
CARTIN 6-18856: Varta has sent some rascally alien from a planet in the Mid-rim called Rodia. I am not too much for dealing with these aliens! Anyway, his name is Puk and he is really pushy. Says that there is a timeline that Varta wants met and that we need to have production completely online by Tamao. It shouldn't be a problem, but I do not like the way this Rodian threatens... push me to far and I will pull the plug!
TAMAO 28-18856: I have to separate myself somewhat from the namana production sites. Through Puk, we have set up a network of fellows to handle the business of growing and production. It is funny... take me back three years ago and I never would have thought I could be part of this, but now the stuff is coming to market and it is sweeter than any that the government allows! The namana oil that I am able to get from my fields is brought to market 100% pure and the rewards are coming, too! Eh? Door... my lady is here. Now for a dab and a night of pure bliss!
SULIS 10-18857: Journal entry to document all affiliations that I am aware of... I do this to protect myself. Varta has threatened me! ME! A Senator and Barrister of Bakura! What could that big slug ever hope to do from Teth? Damn him and his demands... cutting me out! Cutting me from my control and from my own usage! He better be careful because all I need to do is anonymously open the door and turn this all over to security. It would be no problem to cover up any of my involvement and even bring the Imperial Governor down on the Hutt! I can close up shop with a word and that big slimebag can be left stuck with nothing, cause that is all he has... NOTHING! I control Bakura! I am going to write down my contacts here for security sake... let Varta know who has who in their pocket.
Brim reads through a list of names, and descriptors about each, that include:
Puk - a dangerous killer! I do not like any involvement in his business.
Cho - the lower city folk are desparate... Puk hired this one to put the pinch on non-payers.
Jeslo - he's my contact to the farms. Nice guy. He is in it for the money, and not much of a conscience, but not bad to deal with.
Neja - dancer from the west-side. She has no involvement in the business other than to bring buyers to the table... users too. I do not like seeing her involved. I want to get her out of this life as a dancer. She fills my every thought anymore!
The diary within the datapad has more, but it begins to break down into panicked comments from someone who has gone too deep. Seelig speaks of his abuse of namana and how he needs more and more. He struggles to keep it from his daily and public life, but his mind is frantic. The senator cannot seem to satisfy his cravings anymore and the Hutt demands more and more of the control and profits. Then Brim reads a chilling entry with no date...
I have to leave Bakura! But if I leave, I can't get to the namana anymore and I am not going to buy it off the street like the refuse that lives in the lower city! Frakkin' urchins! Last night I was cornered by two strangers... creatures, maybe! They spoke in hissed words and their eyes glowed. My life is forfeit! They will destroy the namana and remove it from the market, unless I do it myself... and if I don't I will burn with the fields! Gotta tell Varta... got to tell someone!
The datapad had no more entries, save one - there was an account number with the Intergalactic Banking Clan for an off-planet account.
A low whistle escaped the lips of the Rodian. "Hmmmm ... it seems the good Senator was into the narcotics trade more deeply than we thought. He was responsible for setting up the whole business with the Hutt Varta, and he himself became quite addicted to the substance, to his own ruin ... It also appears our dear little friend Neja knows much more than she is letting on."
Brim showed the data pad to anyone interested, pointing out the final words from the Senator.
"What do you make of this last entry ... it seems he was quite desperate and feared for his life. I don't like the thought of these creatures with glowing eyes. Everyone else's role in this business I can understand, but not theirs."
Kara raised an eyebrow at the comment about creatures with their eyes glowing.
"Sounds like the Senator got some bad product, or is hitting the stuff way too hard. I don't know about you guys, but creatures with glowing eyes don't just pop out of no where and whisper things to me." Kara thought for a moment. "Of course, if what he is saying is somewhat true, then us sitting on top of this much namana could be potentially hazardous."
Sam considers the line of his next question and his understanding of the context indicates it might be classed as puzzling. To punctuate this fact he actuates his arm to move a finger against his cerebral armour plating in a scratching motion.
"Can we confirm the posts are authentic? That the info is not a plant to put us on the wrong trail. With the assistance of the Senator's computers, I might be able to run some routines to make sure the data is logged properly and has not been tampered with...I hope"
Perception +9, Use Computer +7
Use Computer
(http://rpg.avioc.org/boards/Themes/default/images/dice.gif) DC 10 Use Computer +7
-------------------------
Roll(1d20)+7: 4,+7 Total:11 SUCCESS
Sam connects to a link with the datapad and runs a data screen. He gets log entry dates that match to the time periods that Seelig was referencing and he also detected the bios stamp from the senator's personal computer, on the datapad. The electronic 'fingerprints' were there, confirming authenticity.
"It looks like we're in a tight spot here. I say we destroy the drug and hand over the datapad to the Senator with what we know. We can always leave it at that and go. There should be more than enough information for the authorities to at least start an investigation into this crime ring," says Dan. "We were hired to find this kind of info and turn it over, not solve anyone's problems."
:arrow: [OOC:] I am digging the PC interaction in this story! ;D
Brim looked thoughtfully at the datapad, "What you say is true, friend Dan, but there are parties trying to eliminate us, so we are now involved in the problem. If we hand over the data and depart, those parties will still hunt us. We are now forced to help solve the problem.
If we simply destroy the drug we can still be accused of taking it for ourselves. Sam and Kara, do you think we can find a way to render it useless, so that it can still be handed over as evidence, but without the possibility of misuse?"
{OOC}Dammit, Brim! I'm an engineer not a doctor!
Sam pondered Brim's question, but nothing in his programming leant itself to understanding properties of chemical compounds. He wasn't even sure how the stuff worked in a creature's system!
"What if we tried to put it up on the market...Not for real, but as a decoy to see who we might draw out of the... (struggles for the word) woodwork?"
Kara looked at Sam and then nodded.
"I like his idea, but I think I'd like to try and perform a chemical analysis on a few viles if that is okay with the group."
OOC:
Tomcat, I sent you a pm.
Brim's eyes widened at this latest idea, and the others could sense excitement in his voice. "Yes ... Those that hunt us want these vials. So let us make the hunters become the hunted!"
"Maybe, but this planet isn't our turf... we need to make sure we have the advantage before a confrontation, hence the wish to leave," said Dan.
Caden was starting to get the itch that told him things were getting too thick to stay around. But Ranie had come to him for aid, and was paying quite handsomely, so he couldn't just walk out on his friend... well, acquaintance.
He looked around the room at each of his companions, and then he looked to the small pile of vials on the table - this was bad business! For all of them.
"What are we going to do?" he asked, to no one in particular. "As far as Kara's first idea goes... you don't steal this kind of stuff and then sell it without the original owner taking notice. Besides, I am not much for getting into the drug business. Her second thought is more on target, we are in a hazardous position now. If we leave it with Ranie, it is his to deal with along with the authorities of this planet. I am sorry about his friend, Seelig, but it seems the guy was in to some bad stuff and Kal wanted to know... that's what he hired us for." The Bestinian ended his last thought with a shrug of the shoulders.
The Shade had sat and watched Senator Ranie's mansion for a good 45 minutes after the speeder had passed and entered the estate grounds. He took detailed images of the building's foundation and the supports that held it up, and over the side of the picturesque cliff. He also aimed his camera to the landing platform that sat just about a half-mile from the main house. The ship that sat on the pad intrigued him and he took several shots of her, zooming in as he did to try to capture any significant markings... identifiers.
"Well, it won't be hard to find out who owns it," he thought to himself. The Bakuran Planetary Bureau of Ships and Services would have a manifest of every vessel that entered the atmosphere. He need only ask a few questions in Saliss D'aar, and that had not proved to be challenging.
Once done, he had secured his camera and departed the surrounding area of Ranie's home. He took the country road back into the city and was soon downtown. As Caden was asking his companions what should be done with the namana, the Shade had his answers... Captain Caden Whitesun; Loronar E9 explorer vessel; Port of Origination Bestine IV.
Varta's chief of security now had three of the names. He needed to get ahold of Puk and have the Rodian perform another job... then he needed to get him off the planet.
:arrow: [OOC:] Do you guys like the cut scenes in my stories? Or am I giving you guys too much info and it makes it hard to not use it in character?
Kara nodded at Caden's words, but said nothing at first. She was still considering how one might actually neutralize such a large dose of drugs, probably the best thing to do would be to flush it all down the toilet.
"I think we should look into testing this stuff to see if it can be neutralized. If not we should destroy it, this is just bad news waiting to happen."
OOC:
I like the cutscenes.
"I am in agreement with this plan. If the drug can be neutralized then it can be used to draw out our adversaries. If not, then it must all be destroyed." With a shrug of his shoulders, Brim added, "We are not drug dealers. Nor do we want to be part of their world."
The Rodian looked around the room at each member of the group. "These two with the glowing eyes however ... they are more than just drug dealers, and this is what distresses me. My hope is that they are simply hallucinations from the drugs, but if not ... what purpose do they have in all this?"
OOC The cut scenes are great! I think everyone is doing a good job of keeping the bonus information out of character.
:arrow: [OOC:] I know it has been a few days since I have posted for you guys, but we are having some life issues.
I am awarding everyone an advancement, so please level up your characters to 4th level. All books are allowed for your use, but please bounce a power or feat off of me if it comes from a book about a different era - primarily the Legacy Era and KotOR sourcebooks.
Let me know when you have your sheet updated. Thanks!
OOC:
My sheet has been updated.
I took the "Art of Concealment" talent from the Smuggler Talent Tree in the Force Unleashed campaign guide.
Quote from: watanabe on Jun 04, 2009, 03:09 PM
OOC:
My sheet has been updated.
+1 ;D
Sam took the
Independent Droid Prestige Class
(Force Unleashed book)- increase Int and Wis by +1 for 4th level ability increases
- +2 Rflx, +4 Will, class defense bonus
- Took Hot-wired Processor as talent - Swift action, lasts (char level/2) rnds, +5 circumstance bonus to Int and Wis checks, +1 bonus to Ranged attacks, -1 on condition track when effect ends
- Added 7 HP per campaign document (but Independ. Droid used d12 - any additional HP?)
[OOC:] Hey Don, looks great. I just needed to make one change - your new Reflex bonus does not stack with your old one, so instead of 3, it is 2.
To Brim's final question, no one had an answer, but everyone was in agreement with trying to neutralize the narcotics. Caden scratched at the two days of growth on his chin, "Well, it is lunchtime and I am hungry. I also want to get cleaned up. We've been on the go since we landed on this planet. So, I am going to leave the detective work alone for a while, at least until Ranie returns, and take care of some things."
That said, Caden left the room and headed towards his personal quarters. He wanted to get a shave, take a shower, and then take the mono-rail over to the Aegis. She had been sitting for two days now, not that that was a problem, but he wanted to cycle some maintenance programs in her computer. He also remembered there was a condenser line off his sublight drive that had been giving him some trouble. Maybe he'd take Sam and Kara with him - they were both mechs.
The rest of the party went to tend to their own needs. Left behind on the large conference table were the vials of namara, the maps, and the datapad.
:arrow: [OOC:] RP some inter-character dialogue or activities that you want to here, but I will start the new thread later tonight.
Quote from: tomcat on Jun 05, 2009, 07:59 AM
[OOC:] Hey Don, looks great. I just needed to make one change - your new Reflex bonus does not stack with your old one, so instead of 3, it is 2.
That makes more sense. I did also forget to up my defenses with my heroic level increase - some things happen automatically on that sheet, some don't
Sam was eager to tinker some more and slung his satchel bag with his few belongings and tools across his torso to follow Caden.
OOC: Cool, thanks!
Increased Jedi to 2
+1 BAB
Feat: Skill Training (Perception)
+1 Ability: Int (16)
+1 Ability: Wis (18), grants +1 Force Power (Move Object), +1 Starship Maneuver (Snap Roll)
HP: +6
:arrow: [OOC:] Hey Matt, looks good. I made a change and increased your level mod for Fortitude and Will defense to be 4 instead of 3. Other than that, Qinos looks good.
OOC: After some (not-so-welcome) surprise abdominal surgery that put me on my backside for the better part of a month, I'm on the mend and ready to hop back in here. So sorry I couldn't post... they, uh, frown on laptops in the hospital and when I got home, I wasn't allowed to sit up for waaaay too long, so basically, I was unhappily and totally offline. My apologies. Thank you all for bearing with me.
As far as Caden goes in this; Doug's post was spot on - he'd be getting a bit nervous about them getting in way over their heads here. But, they do now have what the bad guys want, and Brim's suggestion would have merit - if they could draw them out, Ranie's men and the authorities could mop up a big chunk of the planet's drug trade in one fell swoop.
Of course, that assumes:
1) They don't get killed by the army of heavies coming their way (having not-so-cheery "Scarface" images bouncing through the head here), and
2) The big one - that Ranie's not in on it... which Caden would secretly be getting more than a little worried about by the moment.
Either way, they're in enough trouble that he's pretty sure they're not getting paid nearly enough. ;)
OOC: Doug, let me get back to you on the advancements; I'm still new to these rules and not to mention rusty.
:arrow: [OOC:] Take your time Shawn, and we are now back in Ohio, so I should get all games up to speed before the weekend is out.
:ooc: Brim advances to Scout/4 ... and he's been working out a bit. ;D
+1 BAB
+1 DEX
+1 STR
Bonus Feat: Skill Focus (Climb)
:ooc: Okay, just waiting on Shawn's level up and we'll be all set for character advances. Working on the new post right now.
Quote from: tomcat on Jun 12, 2009, 07:27 AM
:arrow: [OOC:] Take your time Shawn, and we are now back in Ohio, so I should get all games up to speed before the weekend is out.
OK, I'm an idiot. I've been through my Core book and can't find anything on Advancements. Can I get a hand here? :-[
:ooc: You need to look at two tables in the book:
Table 3-1 on page 37 tells you what you get at each level. These are non-class dependent benefits that you receive.
You also need to go to table 3-4 on page 45. This table tells you all the benefits you gain at each level from being in your particular class.
You also get to increase all modifiers on your sheet that are controlled by your character's level (i.e. your defenses, skill mods), but some of these things are automatic on the sheet. You'll just have to check over it when done (don't worry, I will check it for you, too.) Also, your damage bonus increases to +2 (1/2 your level).
If you have any other questions, give me a shout.
Quote from: tomcat on Jun 17, 2009, 05:53 PM
:ooc: You need to look at two tables in the book:
Table 3-1 on page 37 tells you what you get at each level. These are non-class dependent benefits that you receive.
You also need to go to table 3-4 on page 45. This table tells you all the benefits you gain at each level from being in your particular class.
You also get to increase all modifiers on your sheet that are controlled by your character's level (i.e. your defenses, skill mods), but some of these things are automatic on the sheet. You'll just have to check over it when done (don't worry, I will check it for you, too.) Also, your damage bonus increases to +2 (1/2 your level).
If you have any other questions, give me a shout.
OK. So I'll increase CON and CHA (the two abilities that Caden used the most) per page 37.
His attack bonus jumps to +3 and I'll select the Far Shot Feat per page 45.
That's it, right? I edited the character sheet - mind checking it out to make sure I did it correctly?
:ooc: Looks good man, but the Feat you chose isn't on the Scoundrel list of bonus feats... at least, not that I see. Look at page 47 and you will see the list of Bonus feats that you can take - still need to meet the req's.
Understand that when you advance and the Level-dependent table (page 37) says you gain a feat, it can be any one, as long as you meet the req's.
I did some tweaks - changed your defense ratings, etc. Did you add more hit points? Otherwise, just change that feat I mentioned above and he is good to go!
Quote from: tomcat on Jun 22, 2009, 05:19 PM
:ooc: Looks good man, but the Feat you chose isn't on the Scoundrel list of bonus feats... at least, not that I see. Look at page 47 and you will see the list of Bonus feats that you can take - still need to meet the req's.
Understand that when you advance and the Level-dependent table (page 37) says you gain a feat, it can be any one, as long as you meet the req's.
I did some tweaks - changed your defense ratings, etc. Did you add more hit points? Otherwise, just change that feat I mentioned above and he is good to go!
:ooc:Aha. I changed Far Shot to Rapid Shot, and rolled for hit point increase:
Roll(1d6)+1:5,+1 Total:6
Now, he's at 35.
Thanks!
:ooc: Sorry was away for a few days... Also I sent you a pm tomcat!
:ooc: Yea I got it, Nick. I am going to be updating this game tonight... I have just been really slacking. No excuses, except maybe a bit of brain drain (not much creative juices needed)... but they're starting to stir. ;)