BACKSTORY - Observer SDX

The Prime civilization (referred to as the "Equation") reached it's zenith several millennia before the species who populate the Republic discovered intergalactic flight. It's success was driven largely by a level of technological development so advanced that most species have yet to glimpse its most fundamental principles, but also relied heavily on the subjugation of several "client" species that were integrated into servant functions within the Prime Equation.

Several thousand years ago, one such species engineered a revolt and escape. They released a horrible plague that swept through Equation space, leaving entire systems of dead Prime in it's wake. Concurrently,
utilizing stolen Prime technology, they escaped by the millions through clandestine wormholes into a far-flung and unknown galaxy.

The Prime survived, but barely, as the plague was too resilient to remove from their environments. They adapted, taking to living in protective suits, augmented by technology, spending their entire life cycle encased in shielded wards.

The Prime's understanding of technology grew, and it was used to fill the space were the lost servants had once stood. They developed ways to create loyal servants, on demand, shaping them from swarms of living nano-machines programmed to the tasks and wills of their Prime masters. Powerful shapers even learned arcane methods of wrenching forth servants from dimensions beyond known space, imbibing them with mechanical form and setting them to work. Once more, the Equation began to thrive.

But there remained unfinished business. The disloyal servants. The murderous creatures who had so nearly wrought the destruction of the Prime and ended the Equation. They must be found. Every galaxy, every star system, every planet. The Prime will search them all until the Gree are found, and destroyed to the last!

---

Observer SDX floats silently in his encounter suit, whose manipulator arms trail inches above the surface as it glides along. When he speaks, his voice is conveyed by speaker from inside his protective shell, not robotic voice but a tinny and somewhat distorted one. Small lighting strips cover the outside of the suit, and change color to accentuate the Observer's mood and tone.

He is a Sub-set of Processor ToBBUZhrawBg0LKaNp6J, who is a sub-set of Planner AxOrSIsko1.

His primary mission is to conduct the following the task list.
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Rqt

Secondary Missions are as follows.
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Xbp
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Aza
kBb
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4N8
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4LN
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svf
Vwq
Taw
N6p
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dc8
rt1
mHM
vKt
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XuD
Xng
giE
oSy
m8J
0WN
lV0
ZDF
WTS
AjK
tie
Mfh
rKz
aRb
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G8k
sct
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sdI
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sW8
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qXA
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pOD
9HR
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Bju
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1ZM
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Within the Prime Equation, gifted Prime like SDX, are often drawn to the most influential Mathematical Colleges.  

Please choose your given field:

Algebra -  science and computers

Geometry -  military and exploration

Trigonometry - energy, waves and modulations (including Hyper-travel tech)

Calculus - politics and other shit that doesn't make sense

Trigonometry - energy, waves and modulations (including Hyper-travel tech)

MAS wrote:Trigonometry - energy, waves and modulations (including Hyper-travel tech)

LORE ITEM!

https://lodgestgaming.forumotion.com/t265-lore-and-history-discovered#14661

The Prime are actually the first race to develop faster-than-light travel.  The Prime refined Hyper-Matter into a power source.  The Prime used a series of Hyper-gates to intergalactic travel, instead of engines on each and every ship.  It is a more efficient use of the limited Hyper-matter.  Hyper gates were initially constructed on the ground and could move large forces or materials from the surface of 1 planet to the surface of another.  This method of transportation preceded the space-based Hyper gates by several centuries.

The Gree were the Gatemasters of the Prime and used the Hyper-gates to flee the Equation.  They left behind many bombs, which destroyed the origin Hypergates, so the Prime could not follow.  The Prime were nearly wiped out by a plague the Gree had discovered and released upon their masters.  Part of the devastation was the isolation caused by the loss of their Hyper-gates.  Entire colonies and planets were isolated from each other.  They could communicate but couldn't travel or bring each other aid.  They literally watched each other die, powerless to help.

After their recovery, the Equation's Trigonometry masters evolved the lost technology of the Hyper-gates into ship-based Quanta-matter "engines".  However, with no fixed point on the other end, there were many initial disasters.  The Equation's Geometry college gained much prestige for mapping known Prime space.  They used a series of long-range satellites to triangulate waves of energy between distant points, forming a grid of known "safe" destinations.

Observer SDX was working in the far reaches of Equation space, along with his fellows from Geometry, mapping ever more of the unknown.

One day.....  SDX picked up a signal from outside their grid.  It is an ancient signal, like morse code over the internet.  But it is strangely somehow familiar.....

Does SDX investigate it himself, report it or something else?

"Occurrence prompts inquiry re familiar attributes of anomalous signal; Pursue clarification." notes SDX to himself in an uncharacteristic burst of uncontrolled excitement.

He begins research to determine the exact source, distance to, and broadcast method of the signal - probing deep into its nature to determine what exactly makes it seem "familiar". Once he has a more complete understanding of the signal, he will report it to his superiors.

MAS wrote:"Occurrence prompts inquiry re familiar attributes of anomalous signal; Pursue clarification." notes SDX to himself in an uncharacteristic burst of uncontrolled excitement.

He begins research to determine the exact source, distance to, and broadcast method of the signal - probing deep into its nature to determine what exactly makes it seem "familiar". Once he has a more complete understanding of the signal, he will report it to his superiors.

SDX studies the metal object.  It about 5m long and appears to be drifting through space.  The only active system appears to be a transmitter set to "ping" it's position intermittently.  SDX can tell that the ping rate has decayed to an unsteady rhythm.  The ping is using an ancient frequency to broadcast on a modern network (morse code on the internet).

The ping itself is using a language that is unfamiliar to SDX, however.... the underlying code of the program is familiar.  It is as if SDX is reading code written on an Abacus instead of a computer (relative comparison of tech levels).  SDX recognizes lines of codes, certain symbols and algorithms....  it may be an ancient artifact designed by the Gree after their exodus.

SDX suspects that it may be a hyper-space beacon, perhaps used (much like the current Prime Grid) to designate safe jump points in space.  The hyper-space beacon has a unique radiation signature that may be traceable.

Swiftly initiating communications with Processor ToB, SDX reports -

"Primitive-tech device location 1gb8m3x4s0l2h4b7b displays 96.472% Gree associative properties. ".

MAS wrote:Swiftly initiating communications with Processor ToB, SDX reports -

"Primitive-tech device location 1gb8m3x4s0l2h4b7b displays 96.472% Gree associative properties. ".

Processor ToB replies, "Chart radiation-trace and plot reverse course.  Then log in to Grid coordinates 0,0,0"

SDX is shocked, that is the core of the Prime Equation - The Think Tank.  



SDX performs a careful radiation-trace and acquires a reverse-engineered flight path for the beacon.  

SDX logs into Grid 0,0,0

(assume they are prime, not humanoids in the tanks)



The Think Tank has convened - the greatest minds of the Prime, from every college gathered together and neurally linked in a digital conference.  Observer SDX is allowed to participate.  



There is much discussion about what to do and who should do it.  Each College exerts a claim and a reason why they should supervise the project.    The Algebra Master asks Observer SDX for his input, since it is his discovery.

"Variables present assigned esteem; multiple solutions valid. Attend proposed solution" states SDX calmly,  his emoti-strips glowing a bold, confident blue as he assumes control of the display field.

Numbers and shapes notated with arcane symbols sweep through the data space, glowing with power, changing and growing as the problem is drawn, and the solution presented.




The message it delivers is clear. SDX recommends that a colony remainder of the Prime Equation be carried over to follow the signal, under supervisory calculus of a joint college collective. The remainder's ideal configuration is a single Battle Set*, a single Production Set*, and a single Government Set*. The remainder will be established in species neutral geography, where its capabilities and numbers will remain unknown. Observers will then conduct data collection to prove or disprove Gree presence.  One of two outcomes will occur, both positive to the Equation. Outcome 1 - the Gree are discovered, are destroyed, and then all local geography and zoology are integrated into the Equation.  Outcome 2 - the Gree are not discovered,all local geography and zoology are integrated into the Equation, and the search for the Gree benefits from increased availability of resources.

---

*Each set consists of 100 ships, with crews of 100.

The Think Tank discusses SDX's proposal.  There are a few who support such a bold initiative, but most view it as overly risky and unwarranted given the unknown variables.  It is decided that several scouts will trace the path of the hyper-space beacon back to its point of origin.  Scouts will stagger their deployment all along the path and look for both Gree presence and habitable worlds to use as staging islands, if in fact it is decided the Prime will mount a full scale colonization or invasion.

Each college volunteers one of their brightest and youngest Prime.  Observer SDX, since it was his discovery, is the clear choice for the Trigonometry College.  It is decided that SDX will make the longest journey to the beacon's point of origin.

Even with the Prime's new Quanta-matter technology, the distances covered are immense.  This beacon has drifted for thousands of years.  The Prime don't have "safe" jump coordinates, except for the sources of the radiation signatures on the beacon - a nebula here, a black hole there - which is why the scout group will make several jumps, leaving 1 scout at each point.  The scouts will also be tasked with setting up a string of beacons for a later colonization fleet to follow if a safe path is indeed confirmed.

The scouts are gifted with the latest nano-tech available to the Prime Equation.  Each nano-tech sphere can hold enough Quanta-matter for a single long-distance jump.  So the scout group will piggy back with each other along the course, with the jumper expending all their Quanta-matter and then remaining at that point.  The scouts will have to try and refine their own Quanta-matter, possibly from Hyper-matter if they find any, in order to continue their missions.

The nano-tech spheres will then serve the Observers (as their summons and Eidolons).

anything else before SDX departs?

Dropping out of RP for practical matters.

Assumption:

SDX will have the knowledge to build, refine, and utlize Quanta-matter from hyper-matter with the skillset he has as currently generated? If not, the GM will be specific about what materials or expertise he will need to gather to "make things happen".

This will allow him to sustain himself and his tech throughout the mission, and eventually communicate back to the Equation. Correct?

MAS wrote:Dropping out of RP for practical matters.

Assumption:

SDX will have the knowledge to build, refine, and utlize Quanta-matter from hyper-matter with the skillset he has as currently generated? If not, the GM will be specific about what materials or expertise he will need to gather to "make things happen".

This will allow him to sustain himself and his tech throughout the mission, and eventually communicate back to the Equation. Correct?

The GM gave each character 2 free knowledge skills at max ranks and 1 free (pilot\repair\computer) skill at max rank.  Please use those to actualize your knowledge + any other skill points you want to devote to it.  (+1 free piloting type feat)

just as an example:

KNO: Prime Technology (covering things like engines and gates, the physical machines)
KNO: Hyper\Quanta-matter (as an applied science, the practical and theoretical knowledge, as a Science)

Repair: would be more about building\fixing
Computer: would be more about programming\designing them or nano-tech droids

I am not sure what "arcana" would be in SW, so I would re-skin that to something else, same for planes.  Science, as a general catch-all is fine.

Behind the veil - SDX doesn't know what he will find, but assume it is going to be similar to what I described already - morse code on the internet. It will be familiar, but ancient, or familiar but differently evolved, compared to what he knows.

does that answer the question?

Chris wrote:

MAS wrote:Dropping out of RP for practical matters.

Assumption:

SDX will have the knowledge to build, refine, and utlize Quanta-matter from hyper-matter with the skillset he has as currently generated? If not, the GM will be specific about what materials or expertise he will need to gather to "make things happen".

This will allow him to sustain himself and his tech throughout the mission, and eventually communicate back to the Equation. Correct?

The GM gave each character 2 free knowledge skills at max ranks and 1 free (pilot\repair\computer) skill at max rank.  Please use those to actualize your knowledge + any other skill points you want to devote to it.  (+1 free piloting type feat)

just as an example:

KNO: Prime Technology (covering things like engines and gates, the physical machines)
KNO: Hyper\Quanta-matter (as an applied science, the practical and theoretical knowledge, as a Science)

Repair: would be more about building\fixing
Computer: would be more about programming\designing them or nano-tech droids

I am not sure what "arcana" would be in SW, so I would re-skin that to something else, same for planes.  Science, as a general catch-all is fine.

Behind the veil - SDX doesn't know what he will find, but assume it is going to be similar to what I described already - morse code on the internet.  It will be familiar, but ancient, or familiar but differently evolved, compared to what he knows.

does that answer the question?

On target!

Conceptually, Arcana is knowledge of energies at a level and quality that few species but the Prime understand. Low-tech cultures may call it magic. Republic cultures call it the Force. As far as game mechanics go - there are specific checks I need it for.

Planes actually fits the concept and setting too. Prime "summoning" is (in some cases) pulling creatures from other dimensions (outsiders). In the midst of all the hyper-space and quantum-space travel, the Prime are starting to make contact with extra-dimensional intelligence/creatures, and discover discrete dimensional travel and geography. Have you watched through all of the Clone Wars? Both Anakin and Yoda did some dimensional travel and encountered extra-dimensional beings in the later seasons.

I'll add the bonus skills to further refine the Prime tech, and that should do the trick.

I never got into Clone Wars, I couldn't tolerate the cheesy animation style.  The few episodes I saw had some good story and content though

off ya go!

Observer SDX and the other scout Observers are launched through a Quanta-matter orbital "slingshot" for the first leg of the journey, to conserve their resources.  Scouts are left at points millions of light years apart at the various radiation signature markers.



SDX has the last and longest leg of the journey by himself.



He finally arrives at a world that shines, even on its darkside, with the lights of a city that sprawls the entire surface of the planet.  Observer SDX's initial scans reveal a population in excess of 1 trillion life forms, more than entire current population of the Equation!  



SDX also detects faint and decaying ancient code, possibly Gree technology.  The signal is coming from the lower levels of the sprawl.

Clone Wars is some of the Best Star Wars content ever made. Writing and character development was top notch - and you really get to watch Papatine's subtle corruption of Anakin over time. It makes so much more sent than the sudden turn from Jedi to child murdering monster in the movies. it also builds a ton of great lore for the universe. The animation was a bit cheesy at first to me as well, but the style grew on me, and the little details they add in the environment and battle scenes are brilliant. Jedi culture, Clone trooper culture, naval battles, and mandalorian death watch battle tactics really had some thought put into them. Really can't recommend it enough!

OH - final question. I can survive vacuum and maneuver just fine with the items I have, can I assume that "standard" space temperatures are not a problem?

---

SDX first assures that he is in no immediate danger, then slowly begins to descend into the atmosphere.  Assessing the ships, communications signals, and technology en-route, he seeks a remote and discrete place to land.

Priority information to gather -
1) Identify and classify potential threats.
2) Identify and decode the most commonly used language and resource distribution models (currencies).
3) Determine baseline characteristics of local technology and energy utilization.
4) Identify and note location of potential hyper/quanta matter resources
5) Establish exact location of Gree broadcast, proceed to investigate.



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

10 + 11 = 21

Science -
Result of the throw of dice "1d20 +14" :

9 + 14 = 23

Knowledge (Hyper\Quanta-matter)
Result of the throw of dice "1d20 +16" :

20 + 16 = 36

Linguistics
Result of the throw of dice "1d20 +3" :

11 + 3 = 14

MAS wrote:
OH - final question. I can survive vacuum and maneuver just fine with the items I have, can I assume that "standard" space temperatures are not a problem?

SDX first assures that he is in no immediate danger, then slowly begins to descend into the atmosphere.  Assessing the ships, communications signals, and technology en-route, he seeks a remote and discrete place to land.

Priority information to gather -
1) Identify and classify potential threats.
2) Identify and decode the most commonly used language and resource distribution models (currencies).
3) Determine baseline characteristics of local technology and energy utilization.
4) Identify and note location of potential hyper/quanta matter resources
5) Establish exact location of Gree broadcast, proceed to investigate.

I always interpreted the necklace to cover that, but it's a good question.  Let's just keep it simple - yes

1) there are 10,000s of ships entering and leaving the atmosphere at all times, orbital defense platforms, a Republic Fleet in orbit, ground based weapons..... SDX could spend his whole life trying to track it all

2a) there is certainly a common "basic" language being used plus at least 20-30 sub languages (alien).  You have no abilities to decode any of it, unless you have that ability.  Your racial package gives you common + Prime + 3 from INT.  For the sake of keeping it simple, SDX quickly assimilates Basic + any other 3 you want.

2b) There is a common currency = credits

3) baseline tech is different, but probably below ancient Prime (pre plague) levels, primary energy is Hyper-matter

4) Hyper matter is everywhere - on all starships, orbital platfroms, planet wide power generators.  No sign of Quanta-matter. Again, they are using Hyper-matter in a way the Prime never did, so it is lower, but also on a different track

5) in the deep layers, probably 100s of stories down below the surface.


During his descent, SDX picks up some chatter about a work crew going down for maintenance and repair of the Gree Air Filtration units in sector 78-H23.

Chris wrote:

MAS wrote:
OH - final question. I can survive vacuum and maneuver just fine with the items I have, can I assume that "standard" space temperatures are not a problem?

SDX first assures that he is in no immediate danger, then slowly begins to descend into the atmosphere.  Assessing the ships, communications signals, and technology en-route, he seeks a remote and discrete place to land.

Priority information to gather -
1) Identify and classify potential threats.
2) Identify and decode the most commonly used language and resource distribution models (currencies).
3) Determine baseline characteristics of local technology and energy utilization.
4) Identify and note location of potential hyper/quanta matter resources
5) Establish exact location of Gree broadcast, proceed to investigate.

I always interpreted the necklace to cover that, but it's a good question.  Let's just keep it simple - yes

1) there are 10,000s of ships entering and leaving the atmosphere at all times, orbital defense platforms, a Republic Fleet in orbit, ground based weapons..... SDX could spend his whole life trying to track it all

2a) there is certainly a common "basic" language being used plus at least 20-30 sub languages (alien).  You have no abilities to decode any of it, unless you have that ability.  Your racial package gives you common + Prime + 3 from INT.  For the sake of keeping it simple, SDX quickly assimilates Basic + any other 3 you want.

2b) There is a common currency = credits

3) baseline tech is different, but probably below ancient Prime (pre plague) levels, primary energy is Hyper-matter

4) Hyper matter is everywhere - on all starships, orbital platfroms, planet wide power generators.  No sign of Quanta-matter.  Again, they are using Hyper-matter in a way the Prime never did, so it is lower, but also on a different track

5) in the deep layers, probably 100s of stories down below the surface.


During his descent, SDX picks up some chatter about a work crew going down for maintenance and repair of the Gree Air Filtration units in sector 78-H23.

Right on. BTW, the Linguistics skills specifically covers deciphering unknown languages. Since I was unthreatened and in no rush, lets just assume I took 20 on that - that would explain me having picked up galactic common and the others. We'll say -

Prime
Gree
Common/basic
Hutt
Droid (all the beeping/blurping that R2 does)
?What else would be a commonly used language in the Republic?

---

SDX updates his logs and moves as directly as possible to sector 78-H23. He is confident that any Gree he meets will not recognize him as Prime, as they have not seen Prime Shield Suits before. Of more concern is the possibility of his energy signature betraying his true nature. He prepares to deploy WarPattern Eidolon 3 as a precautionary measure.

Ready action, cast spell (2nd level), "summon eidolon", 1 use of mythic power to apply agile template, trigger, SDX is attacked.

MAS wrote:
Right on. BTW, the Linguistics skills specifically covers deciphering unknown languages. Since I was unthreatened and in no rush, lets just assume I took 20 on that - that would explain me having picked up galactic common and the others. We'll say -

Prime
Gree
Common/basic
Hutt
Droid (all the beeping/blurping that R2 does)
?What else would be a commonly used language in the Republic?

---

SDX updates his logs and moves as directly as possible to sector 78-H23. He is confident that any Gree he meets will not recognize him as Prime, as they have not seen Prime Shield Suits before. Of more concern is the possibility of his energy signature betraying his true nature. He prepares to deploy WarPattern Eidolon 3 as a precautionary measure.

Ready action, cast spell (2nd level), "summon eidolon", 1 use of mythic power to apply agile template, trigger, SDX is attacked.

Linguistics - well.... yes and no.  Read the description, it only covers reading written language.  It doesn't give you the ability to speak, understand spoken words or write the language yourself.  You make 1 DC+20 (pretty hard, but not so bad at your level) check each time to try to decipher something written.

You get 1 extra language for each rank of Linguistics.  

Looking at SDX.....  you list it as a skill, but have no ranks in it?  I haven't added up all your skill points, since that section looks unfinished.  When you actually allocate points, you need to pick the extra languages 1:1 with your actual ranks.

given your background, I am fine with you just leaving X blanks under Linguistics and filling in new languages as you acquire them in the game.

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

GM fail!  

I forgot to mention earlier, SDX evolves to Mythic Tier 1 when he is integrated with the advanced Prototype Nano-bots given to him for the mission.  He understands and develops his Mythic Abilities on the long journey

SDX picks up the following history on his descent:

Coruscant, the gleaming jewel of the Old Republic is a hazy reflection of its former glory.



War has taken its toll on the entire Galaxy, but no planet has been sacked and ravaged as much as Coruscant. Coruscant first burned and the Jedi Temple was destroyed, when the Sith Empire re-emerged. Then the Treaty of Coruscant lead to a temporary cold war (period of the last campaign). Since the Battle of Kintan, nearly a decade ago, Coruscant has changed hands several times, with neither side ever really leaving.

Damage to the planet's main power generators and air filtration systems have left the planet in a nearly-toxic cloud. The upper levels still prosper, as always, but the heavy smog settled down and the poorest are affected the most.

SDX lands in what he determines to be the Migrant Dockworkers Guild section of the lower levels.  It is the lowest accessible landing platform above the Works section, which houses the malfunctioning Gree-signal from the air filtration units.

SDX picks up holo-channel chatter about a technical crew, being lead by an Alderaanian named Nomar Organa that has been assigned to repair the Gree tech.



Skadge's contact introduces Tarro to Pa-2K, a Gree droid that has been acting as an interpreter.  SDX sees a red armored individual talking to a droid of ancient design.... it is a Prime design.



\

Tarro notices a droid landing at the MDG area



Tarro does not see an C3P- style droids

The landing of a droid is far too mundane to raise any alarm.  Tarro notes the unusual design with casual awareness, but continues his normal vigilance.  The absence of a C3P herd may just be a clever ruse to lower his guard.  Droids can have a ruse, can't they?

The interpreter gives Tarro the clues and co-ordinates he needs to track down the 'technical crew'.  While he suspects a trap... He always does... He will find a target either way.

"Stay on the ship," Tarro tells his crew. "If there's trouble, make for Nar Shaddaa.  Like I said, 'I may not have anything to trade.'  I'll signal you when its safe.  (Crypticly), You remember the signal, don't you?"

Chris wrote:
Linguistics - well.... yes and no.  Read the description, it only covers reading written language.  It doesn't give you the ability to speak, understand spoken words or write the language yourself.  You make 1 DC+20 (pretty hard, but not so bad at your level) check each time to try to decipher something written.

You get 1 extra language for each rank of Linguistics.  

Looking at SDX.....  you list it as a skill, but have no ranks in it?  I haven't added up all your skill points, since that section looks unfinished.  When you actually allocate points, you need to pick the extra languages 1:1 with your actual ranks.


GM fail!  

I forgot to mention earlier, SDX evolves to Mythic Tier 1 when he is integrated with the advanced Prototype Nano-bots given to him for the mission.  He understands and develops his Mythic Abilities on the long journey

I gave you the linguistics check "just because" - figured it would justify me having the starting languages slotted - and since the game doesn't really have a mechanic for "alien dropping into a new galaxy and winging it" I was providing you something to riff on.

The skills listed without ranks are class skills (and thus listed) , but ones without ranks in them. They would applied as "untrained" like any other skill without ranks.

No worries, play on!!!

---

SDX's emoti-strips pulse purple in surprise as the Prime droid comes into sight. He floats directly towards the droid and it's red armored companion, stopping a polite 20 ft away.

"You are greeted by SDX. It's assigned tasks require your cooperation. It will accompany your repair team to sector 78-H23. "

"Ummm..." Tarro looks at the droids in turn. "You some kind of repair droid?" Is this thing following me?

Ok, so be clear....  

The Scorpion is on one of the landing pads, seen above.  Mako and Skadge are waiting for Tarro's signal.

The Gree droid gave Tarro and SDX directions to the Air Filtration Plant.  SDX has offered to help.

You are both going to the same place at the same time, so.....



Tarro and SDX descend down into the lower Works section of Coruscant.  Few humans ever make it this deep into the city's infrastructure.  There are some sub-aliens down here, mostly Ugnauts, Jawas and other diminutive races

The air is putrid and much worse than on the upper levels.  Tarro is beginning to feel ill from the lack of oxygen and presence of toxic gases.  SDX's suit protects him.

The arrive, after a long march through twisting passageways and many tunnels, at the Air Filtration Plant



Tarro and SDX see a pile of dead bodies, which look to be a technical crew!

Standing above the corpses is a single Gree.  It is radiating a strange energy.  



The Gree is holding the body of what looks like a Jedi.  When the Gree notices Tarro and SDX, it slowly lowers its meal.  2 long thin proboscis retract from Nomar's brain, back out through his nose and under its tentacles.  "Now look, you made me waste my soup.  And Jedi have such delicious synaptic broth.... mmmmm..... but it's only good when it still warm"  It's tentacles wiggle with delight.  

The Gree commands SDX, "Kill the human and bring me his brain."  SDX feels like the Gree is attempting some sort of droid-mind control.  His mechanical suit's sensors and systems begin to go haywire, but only for a moment.  The Gree shrieks in terror, "Noooo.... it can't be!  How did you find me?"

The Gree appears to be heading towards a computer console.  "Must warn the Enclave.....wipe them out, all of them!"

A group of C3PX droids come out of the shadows to defend the Gree.

narrative combat only

FYI: necklace of adaptation=environmental armor.

Whatever IT is, those droids are working for it. Whatever it is warning can't be good. Strange that it thinks I'm looking for it and "found" it.. Tarro blasts the console hoping to prevent the foolishly telegraphed intention. Then he takes the droids swiftly in turn. If that thing killed Organna, then I'm the real C3PX's only remaining target. Tarro, feeling hunted, finds cover and evaluates his vulnerabilities and angles.

navyik wrote:FYI: necklace of adaptation=environmental armor.

Whatever IT is, those droids are working for it.  Whatever it is warning can't be good.  Strange that it thinks I'm looking for it and "found" it..  Tarro blasts the console hoping to prevent the foolishly telegraphed intention.  Then he takes the droids swiftly in turn.  If that thing killed Organna, then I'm the real C3PX's only remaining target.  Tarro, feeling hunted, finds cover and evaluates his vulnerabilities and angles.

sorry, I didn't realize you both had the same taste in jewelry


and yes, some villains panic and make poor decisions

Tarro's actions noted, waiting on SDX

navyik wrote:"Ummm..."  Tarro looks at the droids in turn.  "You some kind of repair droid?"  Is this thing following me?

"SDX is proficient in mechanical repairs. Additionally, Its assigned tasks intersect with yours". SDX offers no further explanation as the journey proceeds...

---

SDX pulses bright, strobe like reds in a mix of anger and exaltation in having found the Gree traitors!

His held action has been triggered!

A swarm of dark, buzzing matter catapults forward from the top of SDX's encounter pod, moving almost too fast for the eye to see. It increases in size and coherency as it travels, landing directly in front of the Gree, taking the shape of a hulking bipedal creature. It's form is roughly that of a humanoid, but headless, with sharpened claws extending from its arms and legs. The surface of the creature appears a dull, reflection-less metal constructed of countless tiny gears stacked atop each other.

It is a living weapon, and its only purpose is to kill. It begins to go about its work with astounding speed!

The brain-slurping Gree is ripped to shreds by the nano-tech reaver that manifested in its path.  Tarro blasts the control counsel, sparks fly about the room.  Tarro and the Eidolon quickly dispatch the other C3Pxers.

In a matter of seconds Tarro, SDX and his Eidolon are all that remain standing.  

The body of Nomar Organna, prize of round 2 of the Great Hunt lay at Tarro's feet, but he has the uneasy feeling getting his prize to Nar Shadda won't be so easy.

SDX does a quick diagnostic scan of the Air Filtration Plant in the Works, only to discover something unusual.....  



the Air Filtration Systems are not broken or decaying at all.  The system has been intentionally programmed to appear to "decay and malfunction".  It is a subtle degrading algorithm that might go unnoticed by lesser minds, but SDX recognizes the Gree sub-layers of programming that were masking themselves as operating system updates.  

SDX is confident he can alter the Gree programming of the Air Filtration Systems.  

SDX - Do you want to fix it?  report it?  Ignore it?  make it worse?

Tarro - what do you do with your prize?

To SDX "What the hell was that?!"

Are C3PX assasin droids rare? Is the one against whom Tarro is competing supposed to be unique? Tarro is trying to connect the dots. "This is an odd coincidence..." He mutters.

navyik wrote:
Are C3PX assasin droids rare?  Is the one against whom Tarro is competing supposed to be unique?  Tarro is trying to connect the dots.  "This is an odd coincidence..." He mutters.

Tarro didn't have Mako run any intel on C3PX, but common knowledge is that he is a unique and dangerous assassin droid. Tarro now suspects that he may actually be many droids, posing as mild-mannered protocol droids.

Is this just coincidence? Is there 1 master droid and many slaves? Are they all running from some master server? Are they connected to the Gree?


Tarro ponders these as he awaits a reply from the strange SDX "droid" and plots his next move

While he ponders and awaits an answer, does it appear that this Gree has been operating here for some time?

If they're all tied together, I should be able to exploit that from a single access point.

Tarro collects the heads/brains of the blasted droids for Skadge and Mako to examine.

navyik wrote:To SDX "What the hell was that?!"

Are C3PX assasin droids rare?  Is the one against whom Tarro is competing supposed to be unique?  Tarro is trying to connect the dots.  "This is an odd coincidence..." He mutters.

Having completed its task the Eidolon disolves into a pool of grey goop, and then quickly evaporates, leaving no trace of its being. SDX glows green in pleasure.

"That was a Gree. Query - are they common here? What is your knowledge of them, and the location of their greatest concentration?"

SDX leaves the Gree code untouched. He will not tamper with their plans just yet. They must not be alerted that the Prime have found them. Of most urgent importance now is to transmit confirmation of Gree presence back to the Equation.

"Your marksmanship is competent, plus. What is your designation, red creature?"

"Additionally, SDX has need of hyper-matter communication arrays. Do you know of their location?"

navyik wrote:  While he ponders and awaits an answer, does it appear that this Gree has been operating here for some time?  

 If they're all tied together, I should be able to exploit that from a single access point.  

 Tarro collects the heads/brains of the blasted droids for Skadge and Mako to examine.

Tarro can't tell how long the Gree has been here for sure, but he finds a few other corpses in a side room, they are long dead.

As Tarro is collecting the droid heads, he hears what sounds like a firefight over the droids comm-channel.  Tarro suspects he may be hearing what is happening to another C3PXer.  If I can hear them.... they might have heard what happened down here.... and that would lead them..... back to my ship!

Tarro gets a bad feeling about this

MAS wrote:
SDX leaves the Gree code untouched. He will not tamper with their plans just yet. They must not be alerted that the Prime have found them. Of most urgent importance now is to transmit confirmation of Gree presence back to the Equation.

And the poor continue to suffer in toxic squalor

+10 dark side points.....

"We gotta go, my crew is in danger. I will help you if you help me. (Walking and talking). I think these C3PX droids are all linked, can you shut 'em down?"

Chris wrote:

navyik wrote:  While he ponders and awaits an answer, does it appear that this Gree has been operating here for some time?  

 If they're all tied together, I should be able to exploit that from a single access point.  

 Tarro collects the heads/brains of the blasted droids for Skadge and Mako to examine.

Tarro can't tell how long the Gree has been here for sure, but he finds a few other corpses in a side room, they are long dead.

As Tarro is collecting the droid heads, he hears what sounds like a firefight over the droids comm-channel.  Tarro suspects he may be hearing what is happening to another C3PXer.  If I can hear them.... they might have heard what happened down here.... and that would lead them..... back to my ship!

Tarro gets a bad feeling about this

MAS wrote:
SDX leaves the Gree code untouched. He will not tamper with their plans just yet. They must not be alerted that the Prime have found them. Of most urgent importance now is to transmit confirmation of Gree presence back to the Equation.

And the poor continue to suffer in toxic squalor

+10 dark side points.....

Did I mention the Prime are Lawful Evil? We are planning a Gree genocide after all....

---

"SDX calculates the proposed cooperative effort to be a definitive mutual advantage. The droids are easily subtracted. SDX will multiply offensive attributes to ensure successful task completion."

In the last moment before they reach the ship, SDX will cast "invisibility, greater" on himself.

please proceed

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