Backstory - GROUP

Master Parr is standing with several Jedi techs.  They are adding what appear to be large cargo pods, retrofitted for passengers under the wings of the Wrenvenge.



She looks a little awkward in this configuration, but the Jedi techs assure you that it won't affect her cloaking device.

Sharnralkin arrives and sees his old comrade Dax Tay'nari and a young reptilian with him.   Sharn has observed the Jedi long enough to recognize a Padawan and his master.  Daxx senses the presence of the Wookie.  Shivak can tell that the Wookie is strong in the Force, but by outward appearances is not a Jedi.



Master Parr welcomes everyone.  "I have sad news.  As I told you, T'son Hoil has been enslaved on Kessel.  I have contacted everyone I know in both the Republic Military and ROX, but it appears that Sgt. Rakhu N'butu has gone MIA.  He was last assigned to an assault mission with HAVOC Squad, the Republic's elite commando unit.  They were attempting to sabotage an arms factory on Balmorra, before it was lost to the Empire.  All of HAVOC Squad is missing and presumed killed in action.  I am sorry to be the bearer of such news."

"Rawrr raghuu worrrorrg!" {Rakhu NO! Your honorable death will be avenged!}

ok.... no other comments, I guess?

Daxx and his padawan Shivak go with Sharn to stage a rescue from the Spice Mines of Kessel!




What's your plan?

Not normally in the prisoner escape business. Are we it? We're not waiting on anyone else?

Who normally runs this place? How are the guards armed? Is there a central security system that needs to be overridden?

whit10 wrote:Not normally in the prisoner escape business. Are we it? We're not waiting on anyone else?

A Jedi Knight and the Mighty Sharnralkin + a padawan is the whole team. It is just a quick in\out rescue mission for T'son and any others you can free.

whit10 wrote:Who normally runs this place?  How are the guards armed? Is there a central security system that needs to be overridden?

The Empire..... heavily..... Shivak wouldn't know

Does Blondy McBlonde the jedi know? lol

"Crikey, boss!" squawks Irwin. "Maybe you can pose as a prisoner and get smuggled in. The jedi's can pose as Imperials.  I can do recon and surveillance."

"Rorrrowll garrrag ruff ruff rarrigarr!" {That is a wise plan, bird brain. Soon enough we will dine with T'son and hear of his recent exploits and battles. Or we will die bitterly in the salted pits of Kessel. Either way, it is an honorable quest!"

I was holding off, wasnt sure I was in the group yet...

MAS wrote:I was holding off, wasnt sure I was in the group yet...

Yeah, same here...

I'm a mining away...


♫It's dark as a dungeon and damp as the dew,
Where danger is double and pleasures are few,
Where the rain never falls and the sun never shines
It's dark as a dungeon way down in the mine.♫

MAS wrote:I was holding off, wasnt sure I was in the group yet...

you're not

navyik wrote:

MAS wrote:I was holding off, wasnt sure I was in the group yet...

Yeah, same here...

neither are you


the other 3 all had a link to this thread in their character's individual backstories.

well somebody needs to take the initiative here... we need either a diversion or a damned good way to get into the mines to find this dude. Any ideas Rob?

My understanding is lots of prisoners ended up on Kesel. A wookie delivery wouldn't be a big deal. Shivak and Dax could also maybe play mercenaries, rogue jedi, or something. We would need to secure a decent ship, or steal an imperial one?

But if Disguise isn't Shivak's thing, we can always try sneaking in. Which could take a lot longer.

Let's settle on a scheme and go from there.

Robyo wrote:My understanding is lots of prisoners ended up on Kesel. A wookie delivery wouldn't be a big deal. Shivak and Dax could also maybe play mercenaries, rogue jedi, or something. We would need to secure a decent ship, or steal an imperial one?

But if Disguise isn't Shivak's thing, we can always try sneaking in. Which could take a lot longer.

Let's settle on a scheme and go from there.

cheers for a SW-inspired plan!

see the 1st post of this thread (above), you guys have access to the Wrenvenge, retro-fitted with extra passenger pods under the wings, so it looks more like a freighter and can actually carry more people.  Even with the pods, it has that Mandalorian look to it, so it would certainly be a credible BH ship.

Dax doesn't look much like a Jedi, he dresses like a swoop biker.  Dax thinks Sharn has a good plan, if he is willing to be the bait.

works for me!

Well, if we're to use the Wrenvenge, I suggest we play more into the bountyhunters shtick.

Sharn asks Master Parr if he thinks we should recruit more help? Sharn has no problem playing as the bounty/bait.

The plan: get inside via deception, recruit as many prisoners as possible, liberate them and blow the place up. We should plant explosives in their power generator.

"just so long as there are no collateral deaths. We don't need to cause more destruction than is actually necessary" (gotta play the part of a goody goody for now)

Daxx, Shivak and Sharn adjust their costumes and props for the big performance.  



Kessel is a hell hole of a planet in the armpit of the outer rim.  The crew is surprised to find a relatively easy clearance to land.  They are met on an upper landing platform by a crew of 3 stormtroopers.  



The Sgt. gives you some trouble about papers and clearance but is clearly not interested in his job.  

Shivak is able to use a Jedi Mind trick to convince him that this Wookie is actually Bowdarr, a famous Wookie pit-fighter from Nar Shadaa.  Despite the fact that Bowdarr has blond fur and an eye patch, the bucket heads don't seem to notice.  They take the bounty hunters and Bowdarr down a turbo lift for processing and bounty payment.

The crew gets the impression that this is as deep as they would normally be allowed into the mines of Kessel.  They have not drawn any suspicion so far.

How do you want to attempt to gain access to the lower levels?

I will wait for some reply from both Josh and Rob

yeah, I need some suggestions here as to getting access to the lower levels. I would think that Affect Mind would get us there, maybe, but I'm drawing a blank on a story to feed them.

Bowdarr is a class A felon. Extremely dangerous. He deserves to be placed in the deepest levels. Sharn will play nutcracker with the stormtrooper's skulls, until they realize this.

We need to find out where T'son is. Also where the generators are. Once Sharn is in custody, suggest the two jedis sneak around and check the computer records.

Irwin exited the ship shortly after the others left, and is flying around taking snapshots. He can communicate to Dax via com link.

Daxx and Shivak are able to distract or Force persuade the guards enough for 1 of them to get a look at the layout of the mines. They are a honeycomb of small cell blocks, which corresponds to that cell block's area of mining. Each cell block seems to have its own power generator and guard barracks. The Stormtroopers work alternating shifts and are stationed here, largely as disciplinary punishment (so these are bucket heads with bad attitudes).

The party is able to locate T'son's cellblock. Shivak persuades the guards to take them down, on a tour, to show them Bowdarr's cellblock, computer-altered to be T'son's.

Kessel is a HUGE operation, sorry if that wasn't clear. There are approximately 50,000 prisoners and 5000 stormtroopers + 1000 support personnel. The mine tunnels span many hundreds of miles, going deep into the planet's surface.

The party can probably do something on the scale of the following:

blow the power generator, sneak T'son out with minimal casualties and attention

blow the power generator of his cell block, make a big fight, with several hundred guards and several thousand prisoners. you can't take more than maybe a 200-300 or so in your ship, but maybe you could steal another ship from the surface or call for more?

(or something else)

I think option one is best. If we can free some other prisoners as well, that's great. But we need to remain focused on getting T'son out of here... we can't really account for this many prisoners and guards.

Just Shivak's take...

Bos Lobo wakes from a dream one morning where he was flying a ship in deep space with several others. He did not know the others by name, but saw various alien races and droids aboard. Bos has a sense that something soon will come to pass to make that event a reality.

Bos speaks to T'son while working on the chain gang, "I sense a vergence in the force. Have you felt it? Events are transpiring here on Kessel to bring about our escape as we have discussed. I feel several presences have arrived here, some light some dark, which will alter our fate. I think we should be ready for whatever happens today."

MrBrownstone75 wrote:Bos Lobo wakes from a dream one morning where he was flying a ship in deep space with several others. He did not know the others by name, but saw various alien races and droids aboard. Bos has a sense that something soon will come to pass to make that event a reality.

Bos speaks to T'son while working on the chain gang, "I sense a vergence in the force. Have you felt it? Events are transpiring here on Kessel to bring about our escape as we have discussed. I feel several presences have arrived here, some light some dark, which will alter our fate. I think we should be ready for whatever happens today."

the SW d20 rules have a Force Skill called Clairvoyance which can in fact, do what you just described!



T'son nods quietly in agreement. "Perhaps my friends have found me, at last...."

T'son begins to spread the word among the others in your local "chain gang". Small tools and sharpened rocks make their way discreetly into pockets.

The chain gang works a long day. All the workers and guards are gathered back in the commons, a combination mess hall and rec room.

just waiting on Rob's input as to the above plan

As plans of the rescue mission are discussed, Sharn falls into a trance.

"Uh oh," squawks Irwin. "Boss is getting that look in his eyes again."

Flames. Smoke. Screams. The smell of burning wood, leaves, fur and flesh. Sharn is back in his home tree-village on Kashyyyk. Only a small wookling of 48, he is huddling with his mother by the vine railing of a suspended bridge. Trandoshan reaver skiffs wiz by shooting lasers indiscriminately. They had come in the night, raiding and looting. Once his family is butchered, little Sharn is taken in chains and sold to the gladiator pits of K'blug. That was where he met the kindly old jedi who taught an impressionable young Sharn about the force. But the master was killed one day fighting dewbacks in the arena.

Sharn stands up suddenly, aware he is back in the planning room. "Grungarr ruffroar largharrr rooo rooo!" he cries. "Muff murgharren ghruff rarrr!"

{The Force is strong in our intention. We must free as many of the slaves as we can! It may seem too great a feat for us to liberate all of them, but we must try to rescue as many as our ship can carry.}

If the other prisoners want to riot, power to 'em. There are probably many more ships on the surface they can take if they can get to them.

Sharn would like to at least try freeing T'son's cell block. He will ask Master Parr's wisdom on the matter.

Master Parr stayed on Tython, "I am getting too old for this"

"Bowdarr" is taken down to the cell block ZP-94.  Shivak and Daxx manage to convince the guards to give them a tour, as well.

Bos feels the presence of 3 Force Users approaching.  T'son seems to perk up as well.

The turbolift doors open.  They are taken the mess hall area.  It is filled with prisoners eating and relaxing after 16 hrs of hard labor.



The party is accompanied by the same 3 stormtroopers.  There are a dozen guards on the catwalks and a few more in the central tower.  The prisoners look thin, tired and subdued.  



One of the prisoners stands up, "I know that Wookie.... he pulled me from a burning shuttle on Ord Mantell.  He saved my life."

The rest of the prisoners in the mess hall tap their spoons on the table twice in response.  The party is unclear what just happened, but Bos and T'son recognize the code for an incoming Republic soldier.

actions?

Sharn will continue to go along with the ploy, at least until he or Dax or Shivak can spot T'son. He goes along with the stormtrooper's directions.

Robyo wrote:Sharn will continue to go along with the ploy, at least until he or Dax or Shivak can spot T'son. He goes along with the stormtrooper's directions.

Shivak wouldn't know T'son, but Sharn and Daxx recognize his face in the crowd. He looks haggard, but he is sitting across from a Bothan. They are both watching the Wookie and his companions.

Sharn, Daxx, Shivak, T'son and Bos can all sense each other's presence as Force Users. (Shivak doesn't have his Mythic Talent yet). There are a few other Force users among the inmates, but their Force is weak.

Sharn will go over and sit by T'son.

just to suggest it... a riot here would overpower the guards in the immediate vicinity and we could get our friendlies headed towards the exit.

Shivak is more than capable of providing the riot

Bos Lobo turns to T'son and whispers "This group approaching; these are the ones we've been waiting for my friend!"

As the group gets near their table, Bos uses the force on the lead stormtrooper, "You should leave these prisoners here and return to your post." (Suggestion - requires Will save)

If successful, Bos introduces himself to the group and begins hatching a plan to escape. Bos makes sure to mention his force abilities, including his Invisibility and Disguise Self powers.

Decide how you want to proceed, but it is worth noting that Bos would know..... once that turbolift goes up with the guards, there is no way to get it back down. There are no controls and it seals with a heavy blast door.

Bos realizes that if anyone is going up the turbolift - it is now or never!

Chris wrote:Decide how you want to proceed, but it is worth noting that Bos would know..... once that turbolift goes up with the guards, there is no way to get it back down. There are no controls and it seals with a heavy blast door.

Bos realizes that if anyone is going up the turbolift - it is now or never!

Ah, I see. Then we need to get those stormtrooper weapons away from them right now. Bos Lobo tells the group to take cover under the table.
Bos uses a lot of force persuasion and dominates one of the stormtrooper's minds (Dominate Person), "Shoot the other guards dead!"

He gets a Will save to resist, but will continue to shoot guards until I release control.

If successful, a firefight should ensue with most of the stormtrooper guards being taken totally by surprise.
Once this dominated stormtrooper is shot dead by the other guards, we should have a nice pile of weapons on the ground to help make our escape.

...or there's that I guess.

That makes it easier for us to do this given Affect Mind can pull that one off (I don't think)

As soon as there is any shooting, Sharn roars, "Garroarrr thallarr gorrorrn ruff rarrr!" {Now is the time of liberation! T'son, come with us and fight!}

He will immediately move to try and secure the turbolift.

correct, Affect Mind can't do that, but the spell Dominate Person can

In a frenzy of confusion and action, the mess hall explodes with violence!

One of the apathetic stormtroopers turns on his fellow guards, "Donny, you sonuvabitch, I know you cheated me at Sabacc...."  Stormtrumper Donny stares in disbelief as he is gunned down.  As soon as there is blaster fire, klaxons blare and lock-down protocols begin.  Most of the prisoners know the drill and drop face down on the floor.  The heavy blast doors begin to close.  

Sharn charges forward  towards the diminishing portal with a howl that fills the room.  Blaster fire rains down from the guard tower at any who are still moving.  Sharn braces his arms against the closing blast doors.  The Force is strong with Sharn today and flows through his limbs, giving him extraordinary strength of purpose.  He howls in pain as blaster bolts singe his fur.  Daxx and Shivak retreat and uses their lightsaber to deflect the incoming fire at Sharn.

Bos and T'son rally the prisoners.  They are inspired by the collective heroics of Sharn, Daxx, Shivak, Bos and T'son!

The prisoners rip up the tables that were bolted to the floor.  They carry them like upside-down canoes over their heads to shield them from the blaster fire.  Others overwhelm the guards on the catwalks and toss their bodies down to the floor.  The are ripped apart by the prisoners like a pack of wild vorskers.  

Prisoners uses the tables to scale the central tower.  Many are killed, but by sheer numbers they take control.  

The main control tower at the top locks down the turbo lift.  Daxx, Shivak, Sharn, Bos and T'son collectively use the Force to raise the turbo lift.  Heavy blast doors are closed at the top, but Daxx and Shivak cut through it with their lightsabers.

The landing platform is full of stormtroopers.  Sharn leads the charge, while Daxx and Shivak cover the prisoners with their lightsabers.  Bos is able to splice into the turbo lift controls from the top and begins ferrying up the rest of the prisoners.  A massive battle ensues, each fallen stormtrooper arms another prisoner.  100s of prisoners die, but hundreds more win their freedom.

The party fills the cargo pods of the Wrenvenge and hotwire the a couple imperial shuttles.  The group of ships makes for Coruscant and the Republic!

When the ships land, the prisoners are welcomed by the SIS (Republic Intelligence) and a Senate-appointed medical and relief team.  There is hot food, blankets and medical droids.  The party can hear the prisoners telling tales of their liberators.  They all nod as the party passes, gratitude apparent in their eyes.

The party is met by a Jedi and an old familiar face.



The Jedi Master Saes tells Daxx that he is needed back on Tython.  The Jedi Counsel needs his knowledge of the Force Ghosts from Kintan.  



Mandalorian Armatur, Ionus Jerr (you met on Kintan) addresses Sharn, T'son and Bos, "I promised your friend that if he entered the Great Hunt of the Mandalorians that I would guide him.  He foolishly did not take me up on my offer.  Now he is in trouble.  I know where Rakhu is and he needs your help now, more than ever."

Daxx tells his companions, "May the Force be with you." The group makes plans to reconvene on Nar Shadda.  Daxx and Shivak go with Master Saes back to Tython.  Sharn, T'son and Bos go with Ionus.

Awesomesauce!

Groovy

Shivak - return to your own Backstory

Sharn and Bos - wait here until I get Tarro and SDX caught up to you

the convergence is near

"Rrrorrr raaguuvvin greer rarrarr rashkar!" {Rakhu is alive? Rescuing my old comrades is becoming exhausting!}

Sharn introduces himself to the Force-tinged Bothan. A fellow man of the fur, as it were.

Robyo wrote:"Rrrorrr raaguuvvin greer rarrarr rashkar!" {Rakhu is alive? Rescuing my old comrades is becoming exhausting!}

Sharn introduces himself to the Force-tinged Bothan. A fellow man of the fur, as it were.

feel free to roleplay out your meeting, while you wait

Since Bos doesn't speak Wookie he uses the force to interpret Sharn's speech (comprehend languages).

In basic Bos responds, "I can't thank you enough for rescuing me and T'son out of those blasted pits. Looks like I owe you all a life debt, as is your custom. Perhaps we can also learn from each other and grow in the ways of the force? I sense you have great potential there Sharn."

Sharn expresses that it is his pleasure to help rescue the slave miners. He asks, how did Bos come to be on Kessel? And more importantly, does Bos have interest in being and investor in a documentary film? Particularly, one about the sinister plot of the Sith?

please proceed

https://lodgestgaming.forumotion.com/t274-prologue-episode-4#14808