University of Kintan, 1st class: Adaptive Biology

(Forgot to mention) Sharn had also grabbed the poncho and moisture mask. He stuffs them in the saddle bag.

Sharn turns to see how his comrades are doing with their mounts. He gives Thana a toothy grin and a wink. Then he acknowledges the Nikto with a respectful nod.
"Gruffrarin garrooo mar vandamoor mankor!"
{Taun Taun burgers are the best!}

Thana doesn't notice or acknowledge any attention from the wookie.

The Nikto nod in return, noting Sharn's ease in the saddle. However (and I apologize if this wasn't clear) the "frozen Taun Taun" comments were only audible to T'son.

Rakhu also accepts any offered equipment.

Ok, if there is nothing further here.....


Thana leads the party out onto the Guss'elta Dune Sea.  The dewbacks plod along at an easy pace and after an hour or so, everyone feels quite comfortable in their saddles.

During the ride, Thana shares a bit of history about the Kaminoians, to pass the time, "Long ago, Kamino was like most other M-class planets, full of life with many continents and large polar ice caps.  Unfortunately, the Kaminoians were reckless in their pursuit of technology and they altered the climate of Kamino forever.  The planetary temperature went up from all the pollution of the ancient Kaminoian industrial revolution.  The massive ice caps melted and the oceans surged.  It became clear to the scientists that eventually all the land would be covered by the seas."



Thana takes a drink from her still-mask and continues, "Kaminoians have no respect for weakness and tend to think that the identifiably weak as beneath their notice.  They bear them no specific ill will, but simply believe that they should be "culled" from the herd - and they find it vaguely disturbing that other species cannot see this plain truth.  As livable territory began to vanish and the Kaminoians devised their floating cities, it became clear that there simply wouldn't be enough room for the entire population.  In order to ensure the continuation of their species, they began to remove the physically weak from their own population."



Thana adds for clarity, "This was before they discovered space flight, by the way."  Thana continues, "The Kaminoains turned to cloning to ensure that only the most mentally and physically gifted of their species would reproduce.  "Culling" their own race became an obsession, a quest for perfection.  It consumed the Kaminoians during the centuries that the oceans swallowed their planet."

Thana shudders, "They culled..... nearly 90% of their own people.  The surviving Kaminoians today are all very closely related to the "Pure Ones" as they were called.  It should not be surprising that the Pure Ones were mostly of the scientist caste, who deemed the culling necessary, carried out the calculations of purity and ultimately directed the cloning program."



Thana rides in silence for a few moments, then concludes, "I am not sure the Kaminoians are a good fit within the Republic.  Can you imagine if they gained control of the Senate and continued their culling of weaker and lesser species on a galactic scale?"

"If they have a problem with the rpublic's ideaology, they dont have to join..."

navyik wrote:"If they have a problem with the rpublic's ideaology, they dont have to join..."

True, just keep in mind the mission objective

Chris wrote:


Satele speaks in a calm but commanding voice, "I am sorry I could not join you sooner, my cruiser was still in hyperspace returning from the Kamino homeworld.  I sensed a dark presence there, but I was unable to locate it.  This has caused me to rethink the briefing I provided Master Duros.  The beasts and artifacts are important, but I want to be clear, the real goal is to protect the Kamino Science Division.  The Kaminoians are master geneticists and in particular cloners.  I sense that the rest of this is a diversion by the Sith to infiltrate and gain control over the Kaminoians.  We must protect them and earn their trust.  They are a reclusive race, usually avoiding galactic politics, but if the Sith were gain influence over them, they would be a powerful weapon against the Republic.  I shudder to think how many worlds would be lost if the Sith were to gain a Clone Army.  We must not allow this to happen.  May the Force be with you."

"Ideally....a situation may develop where the Kaminoians join neither the Sith...or the Republic."

Rakhu isnt going to mention the mission objective...

In an unusual moment of insight, Sharn says soberly, "Garrandu mandanorish mahgwai vandarrrfin. Grug mangor vandaharmin. Fastinor rarrrawwwl manganda vendanor. Bandamor varrragg mankahorian Rawwwrll bandor. Lankston vandin magrooof lanor."

{I am not well-trained in the art of political affairs, but it seems to me a simple task for some corrupt individual to gain enough power and influence within the structure of the Republic to manipulate it's vast bureaucracies. With enough time, they might use it's resources to bankroll any number of dark schemes.

It is widely-known the purse of the Republic is deep. And it's influence is vast. But it also has many enemies. Someone might find a way to use the Republic as a front company, allowing them to purchase weapons, droids, or even an army. With the right equipment, a clone army would be more effective than a droid army.

The Kaminoians appear to only respect knowledge and learning. They have sacrificed the natural state of their world and their own species at the altar of pure science. It seems they have few scruples, and no honor, but a keen technology. I think they would be a valuable ally in my theory of governmental corruption.}

Then he takes a swig from his canteen and stares into the horizon.

Thana stares at Sharn, as if seeing a new species for the first time.  "It appears you have a keen eye for both wildlife photography and political insight."

The dewback train continues forward.  The sands begin to give way to rocks and the party can see a series of canyons ahead.  At the mouth of the canyons there appears to be several large rock features that are spewing water into the air, which also may feed a river through the canyon.



Everyone make a Perception check pls

18+9=27 perception  

Tson will tale any opportunity where everyone else seems to be distracted to examine the saddlebag indicated by the Nikto...



Upon reaching the recently described canyon openings -

Perception -

Result of the throw of dice "1d20 +11" :

2 + 11 = 13




eeeek.

Daxx perception:

Roll(1d20)+3:
6,+3
Total:9

(sigh) he'll wake up sooner or later

Everyone is admiring the spouting geysers and the painted desert sands from their dewbacks. Rakhu alone notices 2-3 people, hiding among the rocks. They are staying low and still, but Rakhu's sharp Rodian eyes spot them. They look like they are wearing armor. The party is about 100m away from the gesyer when Rakhu sees them.

Rakhu signals the column to huddle up. Quietly and with his back turned, "dont look, DONT... look. Theres an ambush in the rocks. We should appear to split up to scout and converge on their flanks."

Is there a clear path for dewbacks?

"Who's the sneakiest?"

How far into the rocks?

navyik wrote:Rakhu signals the column to huddle up.  Quietly and with his back turned, "dont look, DONT... look.  Theres an ambush in the rocks.  We should appear to split up to scout and converge on their flanks."

Is there a clear path for dewbacks?

"Who's the sneakiest?"

How far into the rocks?

Chris wrote:  The party is about 100m away from the gesyer when Rakhu sees them.

Chris wrote:
At the mouth of the canyons there appears to be several large rock features that are spewing water into the air, which also may feed a river through the canyon.

nothing but open desert between here and there.

Daxx will activate Enhance Senses:

Roll(1d20)+7:
18,+7
Total:25

+6 to perception, cost 3 vitality

Vitality 63/66

let me know when to make another perception check

whit10 wrote:

let me know when to make another perception check

ok, go ahead

Daxx's 2nd perc. check

Roll(1d20)+9:
17,+9
Total:26


much better!

whit10 wrote:Daxx's 2nd perc. check

Roll(1d20)+9:
17,+9
Total:26


much better!

ok.... but less than Rakhu's check, so you don't learn anything new

Chris wrote:

whit10 wrote:Daxx's 2nd perc. check

Roll(1d20)+9:
17,+9
Total:26


much better!

ok.... but less than Rakhu's check, so you don't learn anything new

Haha!

Sharn's perception check:
7+11=18

Use Enhance Ability (Dex):
9+1=10
Spend a Force Point:
+6
So, 9+1+6=16, +2 Dex

Vitality: 45/48

Robyo wrote:Sharn's perception check:
7+11=18

Use Enhance Ability (Dex):
9+1=10
Spend a Force Point:
+6
So, 9+1+6=16, +2 Dex

Vitality: 45/48

ya'll are jumpy today.... hehe


perception less than Rakhu, so still no new information.


for now let's just act in order of perception, so:

Rakhu, then Daxx, then Sharn, then T'son

out of combat turn sequence

Rakhu suggested a plan - how does everyone actually want to act?

Splitting up sounds fine. Can we see a map?

Sharn begins to imbue his Combat Gloves with The Force.

Robyo wrote:Splitting up sounds fine. Can we see a map?

yeah, I will have to tweak one, since at the moment, you are 100m out and that would be a much larger scale.....

Buffing so soon? Might take time to flank...

Sorry for the small scale, but I count 20 hexes or 100m from the gesyers to your dewbacks.  Your face-icon is behind the dewback, just for ease of viewing, but you are on the same hex as the dewback head for tactical purposes.

Thanks to Rakhu, everyone can now see the armored figures hiding, while you huddle up and chat, nonchalantly, about your strategy.  Everyone make a streetwise roll and state any other actions you want to take.

Chris wrote:
for now let's just act in order of perception, so:

Rakhu, then Daxx, then Sharn, then T'son

out of combat turn sequence

Nice map. Where are us?

Sharn doesn't have Streetwise.
Sense Motive?
3+7= 10

Robyo wrote:Nice map. Where are us?

Sharn doesn't have Streetwise.
Sense Motive?
3+7= 10

You are on the far right of the map - can you not see your head icons? serious question, I can see your faces behind your dewbacks, maybe you have a different browser setting or something that is clipping the image.

Sense Motive.... uh.... well, they haven't fired yet and you would be well within rifle range

Daxx will have an action but I can wait... still figuring out what I want to do next

Streetwise for Daxx

Roll(1d20)+11:
17,+11
Total:28

13+1=14

whit10 wrote:Streetwise for Daxx

Roll(1d20)+11:
17,+11
Total:28

nice roll!

As Daxx studies the armored figures, one pops it's torso up to take a look at the party.  Daxx's enhanced eyesight spots an insignia on the armored shoulder pad - MANDALORIANS!





Contrary to what you think you might know.... Mandalorians, in this time, are strictly mercenaries. They do tend to work for the Sith Empire, since they pay for death and destruction more frequently than the Republic, but the Mandalorians are NOT specifically Jedi hunters or Jedi killers.

Daxx knows that the Mandalorians are sub-divided into clans, much like the Celts. The Mandalorian clans often fight with each other when they don't have anyone more profitable to kill.

Wait, they're like Celts... shit, just throw them some shiny coins and bags of wine and we're golden!

"guys, we got trouble. Mandalorians...and I kinda doubt they're here on a picnic."

Dibs on the armor after we blast 'em!

lol... all you man, should be good stuff (unless SW screwed it up like they did other armor)

Im probly only pc that would... but no point with my dex...

Don't get me wrong, I'm sure that they think the heavy dex penalties are "balancing" but that seems to be a catch-all for armor in many games. PF is the only one I've seen yet that has an out for folks that want to wear heavy armor and actually DO something.

Mandalorian armor should be pretty cool... I have faith in Chris (I must be nuts, lol)

Chris wrote:

Robyo wrote:Nice map. Where are us?

Sharn doesn't have Streetwise.
Sense Motive?
3+7= 10

You are on the far right of the map - can you not see your head icons?  serious question, I can see your faces behind your dewbacks, maybe you have a different browser setting or something that is clipping the image.

Sense Motive.... uh.... well, they haven't fired yet and you would be well within rifle range

No, I seriously cannot see us on the map. The image must be getting clipped. Browser issue? I'm using Mozilla.

Streetwise. I was confused about that one. Now I see that it is under Knowledge. In 4e and Radiance, Streetwise is it's own skill.

Sharn's Knowledge: Streetwise is 3. Keep my earlier roll of 7 (ignore sense motive) and the outcome is the same: 10.

Tactics: If we're attempting a flank, Sharn can go upper part of the map. Going the "high lane." Who wants to take the low? Or the middle?

I couldnt see us either, but i clicked on the map and it pulled up a separate window that doesnt crop the edges.

I'm using firefox too and I can see everything perfectly.

navyik wrote:I couldnt see us either, but i clicked on the map and it pulled up a separate window that doesnt crop the edges.

That worked. Thanks!

Sharn and Rakhu high lane, then?
Thana can go mid and T'son and Daxx low.

Or not. Would help for T'son to chime in.

MAS wrote:Tson will tale any opportunity where everyone else seems to be distracted to examine the saddlebag indicated by the Nikto...

T"son finds a code cylinder (like a data disk), insert into data pad or holo projector, depending on data, to read information

"Perhaps....some of us could move towards the right, capturing their attention...and then our remaining balance could attempt to remain unseen and exploit their turned left flank?"

(building on Sharn's suggestion of a flanking move!)

"one moment...I need something from my saddlebags" Tson moves to his dewback, and makes a show out of digging through his bags...taking the opportunity to access the data stick (with his datapad) unseen.


I'd wait till after the encounter, but their may be info on here that is useful to the party right now.

MAS wrote:"one moment...I need something from my saddlebags" Tson moves to his dewback, and makes a show out of digging through his bags...taking the opportunity to access the data stick (with his datapad) unseen.
I'd wait till after the encounter, but their may be info on here that is useful to the party right now.

The data is encrypted, as usual.  Like the Taun'taun phraseology, it is an older code, but T'son recognizes the scripting markers and quickly deciphers it.

remembering the briefing from June....

Chris wrote:


The Bothan's fur ripples as speaks, "We have reason to believe Sith agents are already present on Kintan and more are likely on their way.  Agent Hoil, you must accompany this mission as a field assistant to Sargent Rahku, but your true mission is to root out the Sith Infiltrators on Kintan.  Find out what you can about the artifacts, but eliminate any possibility that they reclaim any Holocrons if there is indeed an old Sith Temple or Tomb on Kintan."

Chris wrote:


Ash Falcata's ears go flat, "The Hutts will most certainly be listening to any holocoms from the Nikto, as they supply virtually all the tech to Kintan.  I doubt we can intercept the Kaminoian comms."  Ash absently twirls a tuft of his chin fur as he thinks, "But maybe we can use the Hutt's paranoia to our advantage.  We have agents embedded within the Hutt Cartels.  Perhaps I can get an ear on the Kintan channels.  I will work on it from my end.  I recommend comm-silence unless absolutely necessary, but if you must, use the Nikto holocomms."

Interspaced within recipes for curing dewback jerky, T'son finds:

\\Recommend continued comm silence! more than Hutts are listening//  

\\Suspect Dr. Helian is working for the Sith, contact likely one of the assistants with him, suspect = Kai Sol// (younger Kaminoian)

\\Warning:  Mandalorian hunting parties tracking Tuskbeasts, connection unknown//  

\\Sith Raptor-class ship spotted in orbit, target lost by comm-scan, no current visual//

Tson secures his datapad and returns to the party.


"I must share some information. The Mandalorians are here hunting the tuskbeasts. Additionally, there is a Sith raptor class ship nearby, location currently unknown. There may be a Sith tomb or temple somehwere on Kintan. We must NOT allow the Sith any further access to these artifacts."

"Garrrowwwlllarrr!"
{I knew we couldn't trust him (the good doctor)!}

"yeah, that guy was way too shady. I think capturing one of the mandalorians (if practicable) is a priority."