Episode 6 saw us digging deeper into The First and Last Man, as the party dug into the mystery of Levon Najjar, a Guild Explorer who had died in suspicious circumstances. Everyone was present again, which was fantastic.
The tech all worked smoothly.
There was an amusing moment when one of the players rolled all the sixes that they'd ever need on a reasonably minor roll, only to have to burn through a pile of hope for a pushed re-roll on a much more significant stealth check.
One of the things that struck me about the campaign so far is how random chance has influenced the adventures so far. That's random chance in that two of the characters having been created with ties into The Black Toad organisation, something that they have leaned into and made accessing some key information simpler as they've been able to talk to Black Toad linked contacts with much less suspicion than they'd have otherwise garnered.
Our Crew
- Arda Qamar, a Guild Surveyor and Traveller who came from the Far Colonies from a Mining Combine operation. She’s the bird handler and Scout for the team. (Played by Hattie).
- Meristo Koulas, an Esoteric Coriolite Seer who grew up in the Fog of the Haze, and has ties to the Black Toad. (Played by Paul).
- Lieto Miesma, a Scholar specialised in Builder Archeology who came from deep inside the Factory City of the Turbine Halls, with a background in the Machinist's Guild. (Played by Graham)
- Fassour Faradi, a roughneck deep miner who also came from somewhere the eternal fog of the Haze, and - like Merits - has ties to the Black Toad. (Played by Simon)
- Rashid al-Masri, a scoundrel Hull Cutter who came from among the hulks and wrecks of Hull Town, and has connections to the Gardener's Guild. (Played by Andy).
- Corvus the Bird, a specter; cobalt blue, with a long beak, always observing. Usually handled by Arda.
The Session (Spoilers for The Flowers of Algorab).
Having searched Gar Boutaleb's room at the Saadalian Rose hotel and finding no evidence of him expect a broken amulet and a ferry ticket with the destination 'Station 11' marked on it, the team returned to the haze and bustle of Aluminum Bay and The Golden Ape to reflect on what they had discovered and decide what they should do next. Meristo and Fassour recalled that Station 11 was a repurposed freighter out in Hull Town which was often used as a transit point to some of the Black Toad's drug operations.
A quiet discussion with Maisi Midoun, the bar owner, confirmed that it was near the Razad, a ship that had made the great crossing of the diaspora and was now controlled by the Black Toad, and the word on the street was that it was a drug factory. The Zapti Constables tended to keep away from those areas, either paid off by the Toad or just deliberately avoiding trouble with the faction so long as it kept its operations subtle and out of the way.
Arda Qamar and Rashid Al-Masri joined into the conversation and the crew debated their next moves, weighing the dangers of infiltrating possibly hostile grounds with the need for discreet, effective action.
Throughout this gripping episode, our heroes displayed camaraderie, tactical ingenuity, and a relentless pursuit of the truth, navigating through the murky underbelly of Ship City's societal and criminal layers. Each choice brought them closer to unraveling the mystery surrounding Gar Boutaleb and his enigmatic actions.
Deciding that it would be sensible to collect their Delving Gear, and/or Exo-Suits as they would likely face the cold vacuum of space on the next stage of their investigation, they took the lift back up to the upper levels of the Chasm and their quarters.
Bags with their kit collected, they were stopped as they approached the lifts by a large group of Zapti lead by Captain Tamar Zarab. Zarab wanted to ask them questions about their involvement in the suicide of Levon Najjar. Immediately, the crew were alert, because if this had really been a suicide (and the authorities had ruled it as such), why would the Zapti be investigating it?
Lieto, a steadfast and sharp-witted member of the Guild, faced pointed questions from Captain Zarab regarding his whereabouts on the night of Najjar's demise and dutifully relayed his alibi, which included testimonies from familiar acquaintances. However, the interrogation broadened as each adventurer was challenged to account for their actions, revealing a blend of truth and deception among the team.
Fassour Farradi and Meristo Koulas, banding together with Rashid Al-Masri and Arda Qamar, navigated the probing inquiries with a mix of honesty and subterfuge. While Rashid and Arda presented themselves truthfully, Fassour and Meristo opted for disguises of truth, providing assumed names and obscuring their true identities from Captain Zarab's piercing gaze, a hangover from their connections to the Black Toad.
The discussion took an unexpected turn towards the academic, with Lieto showcasing his scholarly achievements through an exchange of digital business cards, hoping to impress upon Captain Zarab the depth of his intellectual pursuits. Yet, beneath the surface of these interactions lay a web of mistrust and strategy, as the adventurers speculated on the true implications of the investigation and prepared for the potential repercussions of Captain Zarab's continued scrutiny and veiled threats about 'impeding their investigation'.
With the conversation with Captain Zarab concluded, the adventurers turned their attentions back to the murky depths of their own quest. They ventured onward to the enigmatic and chaotic Wreck Alley, a district alive with the promises and perils. Here, in the shadows of decayed starship hulls and buzzing market stalls, they sought passage to the foreboding Station 11 on Pier 17, guided by a ticket linked to their elusive target, Gar Boutaleb.
Upon securing their transport aboard a rugged tugboat captained by a resourceful crew, the crew engaged with locals, gathering whispers and warnings about the dangers that lay ahead. Each clue, each hushed warning fed into the rich tapestry of mystery and danger enveloping their journey. As they disembarked at Station 11, they found themselves in a decrepit environment, greeted by the stench of ozone and machine oils; aa visual tableau of decrepitude and desperation.
Their arrival did not go unnoticed, and they ended up in a peculiar little workshop run by a former machinist named Vanda Samrani. Disheartened by her ostracism from previous high-status employment due to a falling out with her Machinist's Guild superior, Vanda now managed her own modest establishment, delivering mechanical repairs and fabrications to those in need around the less trodden paths of the station.
Lieto, always attentive to opportunities, played on their shared Machinist background and engaged Vanda in conversation, exploring potential ties and clues in their relentless pursuit of the elusive Toad Delver. As bread was broken, cakes and stories shared, details emerged of a suspicious individual associated with a distinctively blue bird, aligning with the person of interest in their quest. The mention of this blue companion piqued Vanda’s memory, recalling a visit from the individual just five days prior.
With strategic prompts from Arda, the group learned that the man they sought had indeed passed through, albeit briefly, engaged shortly by a discontented group from the 'Toads'—a detail that Vanda nonchalantly noted during her narration of local passersby.
As the conversation deepened, the machinist, overshadowed by her mechanical curiosities and remnants of a more illustrious past, provided valuable logistical support to the crew. Offering magnetic boots and essential gear for navigating the station’s precarious environments, Vanda facilitated their exploration with a blend of commercial acumen and discrete complicity, aware of the unspoken elements of their mission.
Thanks to Fassour's insights and Meristo's sharp negotiations, the team equipped themselves adequately, all under the watchful, albeit mechanical, eye of Arda's bird, Corvus, who displayed an almost mischievous interest in the scattered tools and components of Vanda’s workshop.
With new - well, second-hand - equipment and bits of wisdom in tow, our adventurers continued their journey through the echoing corridors of Station 11, their path illuminated by flickering lights and the promise of uncovering the shadows that enveloped their quarry, Garbuttaleb. Each member of the group, bound by a shared goal but driven by their unique motivations and backgrounds, stepped further into the depths of intrigue, their hearts resilient against the backdrop of mechanical buzzes and the distant hums of uncertain encounters ahead.
They exited from one of Station 11's creaking airlocks, and tethered together with a rope, the experienced zero-G operatives guided the crew over to the Razad safely, managing to avoid any additional interest from the small guard vessels surrounding it. Alighting on the hull of the drug factory without observation, they hacked the airlock and entered the ship.
Fassour suggested the group to hug the walls and proceed stealthily to avoid detection. As they navigated their surroundings, Rashid Al-Masari, renowned for his stealth abilities, took the lead. Several times they thought that they had been observed, but somehow they pushed their luck enough to get through the cantina area. Meristo offered some stimulant help, a nerve-calming spice, though concerns about its effects on their reactions and agility led them to decide against its use in favour of maintaining their alertness. Corvus, Arda Qamar's ever-inquisitive bird, was discussed for its potential help in spotting their target, though how conspicuous to make Corvus remained a topic of mild contention.
Eager to reach a room identified by Corvus as a point of interest, they prepared to confront the individuals inside, concerned about potential hostility. After a brief discussion on how to approach, they knocked, leading to a tense interaction with an inhabitant who grumpily acknowledged their presence only when trades of spices and brewing techniques were mentioned.
Inside, they met a grey-haired, scarred man dressed in a Coriolite djabala, surrounded by signs of a seasoned life. The man, revealed to be their target Gar Boutaleb, engaged in guarded conversation, expressing skepticism about the crew's intentions. The presence of his blue Bird, Zrit, complicated the dynamics, as both avian creatures exhibited signs of territorial discontent.
After managing to calm the tensions between the birds with snacks, the crew discussed the deeper implications of their quest with Boutaleb. They examined glyphs that he shared, speculating on the existence of a concealed vault - potentially in Ship City's asteroid - that might hold profound secrets or valuable contents. Boutaleb disclosed his fears of being hunted due to the sensitive nature of his discoveries, hinting at powerful entities that would kill to keep certain secrets hidden.
He opened up about his past efforts, disclosing his connections with a group referred to as the Toad and his dealings at the bird market. His narrative revealed the harsh realities and rugged demands of his line of work, juxtaposing it against the more ruthless nature of groups like the Jade Scorpions.
Arda Qamar expressed understanding, noting a recent scuffle with the Jade Scorpions, suggesting that another group, the Coriolites, might have employed their services. This led to a further discussion about a mysterious tablet that our adventurers learned was discovered in the Great Library amidst neglected artefacts and cryptic glyphs. The conversation revealed that their new acquaintance and his late friend Levon had hoped to explore an area guarded by Coriolites, known as the Ramda Obelisk, believing it concealed significant historical importance and clues to the vault location.
Ultimately, the interaction concluded with the adventurers obtaining the crucial tablet and notes from Gar Boutaleb, who urged them to explore further and return with whatever truths they could unearth. As they exited, the weight of their discoveries pressing upon them, the team left the Razad more aware of the monumental stakes of their quest, guided by both the glyphs and the ominous warnings of their wary yet informative new ally.
The explorer offered to facilitate the crew's discreet departure from the station, shifting the scene to a tenser interaction with the Razad's boss. Despite a nerve-racking exchange, Fassour was able to defuse the situation using a Black Toad recognition hand sign, easing their passage out of the station.
Back on familiar turf, the team was left to contemplate their next steps, pondering over necessary preparations before attempting to explore the enigmatic obelisk mentioned by their late-night acquaintance. They learned that this obelisk, covered in glyphs, stood as a historically significant monument under the vigilant guard of the Purple Guard of the Navigator's Guild.
With the insights gained and the potential risks weighed, they debated the merits of seeking permission from the revered Master Moska, with Rashid considering acquiring a permit that might aid their endeavours within the city. The session closed on plans to engage with Master Moska in their next gathering, setting the stage for what promises to be a crucial juncture in their mission.
Source - Tabletoprecorder.com, edited for names, clarity and brevity with some parts injected to explain or catch elements missed in the summarising.
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