Menu
News
All News
Dungeons & Dragons
Level Up: Advanced 5th Edition
Pathfinder
Starfinder
Warhammer
2d20 System
Year Zero Engine
Industry News
Reviews
Dragon Reflections
Columns
Weekly Digests
Weekly News Digest
Freebies, Sales & Bundles
RPG Print News
RPG Crowdfunding News
Game Content
ENterplanetary DimENsions
Mythological Figures
Opinion
Worlds of Design
Peregrine's Next
RPG Evolution
Other Columns
From the Freelancing Frontline
Monster ENcyclopedia
WotC/TSR Alumni Look Back
4 Hours w/RSD (Ryan Dancey)
The Road to 3E (Jonathan Tweet)
Greenwood's Realms (Ed Greenwood)
Drawmij's TSR (Jim Ward)
Community
Forums & Topics
Forum List
Latest Posts
Forum list
*Dungeons & Dragons
Level Up: Advanced 5th Edition
D&D Older Editions
*TTRPGs General
*Pathfinder & Starfinder
EN Publishing
*Geek Talk & Media
Search forums
Chat/Discord
Resources
Wiki
Pages
Latest activity
Media
New media
New comments
Search media
Downloads
Latest reviews
Search resources
EN Publishing
Store
EN5ider
Adventures in ZEITGEIST
Awfully Cheerful Engine
What's OLD is NEW
Judge Dredd & The Worlds Of 2000AD
War of the Burning Sky
Level Up: Advanced 5E
Events & Releases
Upcoming Events
Private Events
Featured Events
Socials!
Twitch
YouTube
Facebook (EN Publishing)
Facebook (EN World)
Twitter
Instagram
TikTok
Podcast
Features
Top 5 RPGs Compiled Charts 2004-Present
Adventure Game Industry Market Research Summary (RPGs) V1.0
Ryan Dancey: Acquiring TSR
Q&A With Gary Gygax
D&D Rules FAQs
TSR, WotC, & Paizo: A Comparative History
D&D Pronunciation Guide
Million Dollar TTRPG Kickstarters
Tabletop RPG Podcast Hall of Fame
Eric Noah's Unofficial D&D 3rd Edition News
D&D in the Mainstream
D&D & RPG History
About Morrus
Log in
Register
What's new
Search
Search
Search titles only
By:
Forums & Topics
Forum List
Latest Posts
Forum list
*Dungeons & Dragons
Level Up: Advanced 5th Edition
D&D Older Editions
*TTRPGs General
*Pathfinder & Starfinder
EN Publishing
*Geek Talk & Media
Search forums
Chat/Discord
Menu
Log in
Register
Install the app
Install
The
VOIDRUNNER'S CODEX
is coming! Explore new worlds, fight oppressive empires, fend off fearsome aliens, and wield deadly psionics with this comprehensive boxed set expansion for 5E and A5E!
Community
Playing the Game
Play by Post
Star Wars - DRK-1X and its Mistress
JavaScript is disabled. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding.
You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
You should upgrade or use an
alternative browser
.
Reply to thread
Message
<blockquote data-quote="Ambrus" data-source="post: 2814202" data-attributes="member: 17691"><p>[Sblock=Recovered Posts 151-196]Originally Posted by Ambrus</p><p></p><p>"Inquiry: Who are-are-are you? How do you know whooooooooooo I am and that-at-at I was here? State-ate-ate-ment: I will require significant *bzzzzzzzt* replacement parts, tools and effort to repair f-f-f-f-f-fully. I intend to take them-em-em from this facility before leaving and complete the work myself lat-at-at-er. Inquiry: Will these im-imperials technicians allow this?"</p><p>_________________________________________________</p><p></p><p>Originally Posted by Shadowbloodmoon</p><p></p><p>The man simply smiles, nods in the direction of the locker and then leaves. For the time being, you are alone in the room. Most of your basic operations are available and your programming seems to be coming back online. You take some time going through the various parts in the room and find a few basic pieces that will work with your systems. You gather as much as you can into your storage area before going to the locker that the technician indicated.</p><p></p><p>It opens easily to your mechanical touch, revealing a large supply of parts that seem almost specifically designed for you. You determine that there are far too many to carry on your own. You go through what you have already found and take what you figure would be considered upgrades to your original design. The rest will have to wait as you detect the approach of the Imperial technicians.</p><p></p><p>You manage to return to where you were resting before and the technicians say nothing as they get back to work. You notice that they mostly spend time cleaning the outside of you more than working on any actual internal damage. After another hour, you hear one of the technician's comlink beep. His eyes go wide as he listens to the person on the other end. What he says next causes the other techs in the room to panic and frantically make their way to the exit, leaving you behind.</p><p></p><p>"They.. Lord Vader is... They're gonna.. We have to go, Lord Vader has ordered this place bombarded from orbit!"</p><p></p><p>You have gained back 2 WP and all of your VP. I'll give you an inventory of what you managed to 'borrow' from the locker as soon as X gets to a safe place...</p><p>_________________________________________________</p><p></p><p>Originally Posted by Ambrus</p><p></p><p>DRK-1X watches the enigmatic technician leave before taking advantage of its time alone. With an uncharacteristic lack of grace the diminutive probe droid deploys its infant-sized mechanical arms from within its chassis with a grinding sound and a clank. 1X tests their functionality by flexing the two tiny four fingered manipulator hands and their respective elbow joints. The movements aren't as smooth as the droid is used to, but the arms are at least functional.</p><p></p><p>DRK-1X slowly lifts off of the counter-top and floats over to a small rucksack lying forgotten on a chair that it had taken note of earlier. Pulling it open, 1X begins pulling out and discarding the foodstuffs within into a nearby waste receptacle. Working its way around the room, the diminutive probot begins gathering the smallest and finest tools it'll need to repair itself in full. A fusion cutter, vibro-cutter, hydrospanner, laser welder, sonic welder, power calibrator, probe sensors and an assortment of connector wires quickly make their way into the bag.</p><p></p><p>At the sound of the approaching footsteps, DRK-1X quickly deposits the rucksack out-of-sight atop the storage cabinet before refolding its arms and returning to the worktable. The damaged probot says nothing as the technicians get back to work on it for the following hour. Even as the panicked technicians start fleeing the room, 1X is extending its telescoping antenna and sending an emergency signal to Dofina wherever she may be. Lifting off of the worktable, 1X once again deploys its manipulator arms as it makes its way to the storage cabinet. Not waiting for its mistress to respond, 1X transmits the following warning as it retrieves the rucksack and opens the cabinet doors: "Report: Orbital bombardment of this area is imminent. Suggestion: Please evacuate the area or take whatever safety measures available to you."</p><p></p><p>With the bag in hand, the damaged probot snatches the best components available to repair itself. Seeking to fill the bag without unduly weighing itself down, 1X next grabs whatever upgrade components are available, starting with the costliest. Mindful of the passing seconds, 1X latches the bag closed when it's repulsorlift engine begins to strain under the added weight. Without wasting another moment 1X turns it's attention to fleeing the building and the doomed settlement.</p><p></p><p>OOC: FYI, 1X's light load carrying capacity is 3.25 kg, its medium load is 6.625 kg and its heavy load is 10 kg. Since its speed is 16 taking on a medium or heavy load will just slow it down to normal human speed. It's seeking to take on no more than a medium load so that it'll still be able to run at x4. It might consider taking on a heavy load if there is a piece of equipment just too good to pass up, though I'm not sure what that'd be. Also, you mentioned 1X's storage compartments; it doesn't really have any except for the recesses in which it fits its arms, weapons and probe. You were gracious enough to allow 1X to keep a chip-sized item in its arm compartments. Currently it's carrying Ventress' credit chip in one and the Ari's Sorrow code cylinder in the other. I just don't imagine there'd be enough room inside its chassis for much else. It's up to you though.</p><p></p><p>1X is going to seek to escape the building by the fastest means possible. If it has reason to believe one of the room's walls faces the exterior and isn't too hard then it may try to cut through it with its lightsaber. If it'd be faster to backtrack out the way it came it'll do that instead. Although it'll do its best to remain out of sight, 1X is willing to forgo stealth for speed at this point. If any imperials get in its way it'll order them aside with as much bluster as it can manage. Once outside, it might try hitching a quick ride out of the settlement by means of grabbing a hold of a passing swoop, landspeeder or ship heading out of town and drop off of it when a good distance away; say a few kilometers. If none are available it'll just tear out of the settlement on its own (at a run) and head for the horizon (generally in the direction of the stowed ship if convenient).</p><p>_________________________________________________</p><p></p><p>Originally Posted by Shadowbloodmoon</p><p></p><p>Considering how tiny X is, I figured the pieces to repair you weren't that big either, but now that you have a bag of tools as well, your carrying ability nearly skyrockets. At least as far as convenience goes, that is. You manage to put together the equivalent of a Droid Repair kit, more advanced than a regular toolkit, it gives a flat +3 to Repair rolls for Droids only and weighs 1.5kg. You also find replacement parts for your manipulator arms (2kg), blaster weapon mount (.5kg) and comlink array (0.05kg). Lastly, you find a diagnostics package (4kg), equipment to make your arms telescopic (2kg), a translator (DC20, 1kg) and a 360 sensor system(1kg). All of them are designed specifically for probe droids like X. I'll let you decide which of those you'd like to keep... And, I think it's time for a little experience too. 600XP for DRK-1X.</p><p></p><p>Grabbing your stuffed sack of parts and equipment, you zoom out of the room and down the hallway. There are technicians and some armed personnel running to get out of the building, none of whom pay attention to you as you follow the route indicated on the map in the memory chip inside your chassis.</p><p></p><p>It isn't long before you find the exit that you hear the not too distant rumble of an explosion. As you emerge in the midst of frightened locals along with escaping Imperials, you see the emerald green blasts of fire coming down from the night sky, sending reverberating shockwaves closer and closer to your position. The burning fires of most all of the buildings light up the rest of the settlement and the turbolaser fire only adds to the chaos. Before you reach the streets and your path to safety, you spot Lord Vader standing by his shuttle, admiring the effect of his orders. He then boards the craft.</p><p></p><p>You presume he takes off but your flight has become first priority and you are well out of eyesight. As you reach the edge of the settlement, you have yet to recieve a reply from Mistress Dofina. Your path is open however and you race towards the Ari's hiding place, leaving the doomed settlement in your wake.</p><p>_________________________________________________</p><p></p><p>Originally Posted by Ambrus</p><p></p><p>DRK-1X pauses for a moment at the sight of the suspected Sith Lord standing amidst the carnage to snatch a holo-image of the man before turning to flee. As it tears across the dark surface of Dantooine, the diminutive probe droid swivels its infrared sensor pod to watch the settlement burn as well to try and detect Vader's shuttle launch as it lifts off. Luckily the sounds of the explosions behind it help to mask the rattling of 1X's damaged chassis as its repulsorlift unit is pushed to the maximum.</p><p></p><p>Although the lack of a response from its mistress disturbs the damaged probot, without knowing her current whereabouts there is little that DRK-1X can do for her. 1X continues along its set trajectory towards the distant tor where its ship is concealed several hours away.</p><p></p><p>OOC</p><p>1X will continue on towards the ship unless it receives word from Dofina. The trip should take about two and a half hours. Assuming 1X reaches the ship it'll open it up, float inside, lock itself in and set the vessel's comm system to scan Dofina's frequency and record any transmissions. DRK-1X will then settle in, shut itself down and reprogram itself with a single point of Repair. Next, 1X will reactivate, lay out the tools and spare parts around itself and begin the long arduous task of repairing itself for the following fifteen hours (taking 10 throughout) unless it hears from Dofina. While it works on itself, 1X will also take the time to carefully review the work the various technicians performed on it. It wants to double-check their repairs but also wants to ensure that none of its systems have been sabotaged and that no other new components were added in, such as a tracking device, restraining bolt, self-destruct system or remote control.</p><p></p><p>Yay! Xp! Just 700 to go before I level. Huzzah! Aside from the map of the building is there anything else on the provided data-chip? As for the parts, 1X will limit itself to replacement parts it specifically requires unless the components you list must be replaced because of damage or are somehow superior in design. Are 1X's arms, weapon mount or comlink beyond repair? Would the new arms make 1X stronger or does the new comlink have better range? As for the diagnostic package and telescopic arm components their weight far surpasses their utility so 1X will pass on those. 1X's native improved sensor package already surpasses the benefits provided by the 360º sensors so 1X will skip that as well. The translator unit is tempting however so 1X will take that and install it while performing its other repairs. 1X has pretty much all the different kinds of equipment it wants inside its chassis already. What it needs now are superior versions of the same components such as a mastercraft blaster pistol, ability boost components, an encrypted comlink, etc. Instead of taking the unwanted components listed above, and if it's got any room left in its bag, 1X would take some extra spare parts to keep around for any future repairs.</p><p></p><p>I don't know if any of this stuff maters to you or not, but 1X has so much swapped out components in its chassis (some of which, like its arms, I had to guess their weight) that it's hard to estimate how much free space it might have left inside. For instance, 1X has a heuristic processor added in, which has a listed weight of 5 kg. It isn't clear however what it's original stock processor's weight was or whether it should have been subtracted from its weight allowance or not; please let me know what you think about that. Disregarding that, 1X has (by my estimation) about 1.3 kg of free space left; just enough space for the translator unit and and the few chips it's carrying.</p><p></p><p>BTW, I found the rules for jamming transmissions that we'd been searching for a while back; they're in the Hero's Guide of all places. They go on to describe in great detail all the aspects of communications technology in the Star Wars universe. Very enlightening for me at least.</p><p>_________________________________________________</p><p></p><p>Originally Posted by Shadowbloodmoon</p><p></p><p>The last of the turbolaser barrage imprinted in your sensors, you watch the fires of the settlement burn into the night sky. Three shuttles take off from the area during the chaos, one of which you immediately recognize as the one the Sith Lord was on. It wastes no time in leaving the atmosphere of Dantooine off to whatever mission his Master has for him.</p><p></p><p>You jet across the lonely stretch of scrub between the settlement and the hiding place. Your rattling motor would normally echo across the plains, but the cacophony of sound from the destroyed settlement still carries even this far out. It isn't until you are nearly to your destination that the sound lets up. The only remnants are the fires that still light up the sky. Another light in the opposite direction tells you that the planet's star will be rising soon.</p><p></p><p>You find the ship on its ledge as you had left it. Some small critters have decided to sniff around it, but the mechanical sound of your engines easily frighten them away. Activating the code lock, the access way opens and you enter, locking yourself inside. Setting the communicator to receive only, you then set about getting to work on your broken form.</p><p></p><p>The technician's job seems to have been done to specs, at least as far as standard DRK models are concerned. Which is odd, considering that they had identified you as the now deactivated EFX-7. The only extra thing that had been added seems to be the memory module that your strange benefactor installed. While you work to rebuild your charred circuitry and chafed exterior, you go over the contents of the device. Besides the escape route map of the building you were in, it contains instructions for a meeting point on a planet in the Outer Rim. The coordinates do not correspond to any known system however. The worst part is, there is no signature, no way to identify who originally sent it.</p><p></p><p>You postulate the possibilities as you work, replacing only the parts necessary, saving the rest if needed at a later date. You determine that the replacement arms and comlink are no more or less powerful than was originally installed. Nothing overly boosting stands out. A part of your Code wonders if any pieces of EFX-7 would have fit in your chassis. The translator fits easily into its place in your vocabulator circuitry that you have just replaced, nearing the halfway point of your repairs.</p><p></p><p>Your internal chronometer ticks off the hours, eventually telling you that it is once again deep into the night on Dantooine. As you solder the last new panel into place, you begin to run a final diagnostics check to make sure everything is where it should be.</p><p></p><p>You easily manage to repair all of your bits and pieces, back to full WP and such. As far as the weight goes, I would imagine that they would have removed the original processor first. The problem, as you said, is that no weight was listed for that. I can't imagine the thing weighing more than 1kg though. I'll have to do some calculations later on, but until then, I would say that X is full to capacity at this point.</p><p></p><p>Thanks for looking up the jamming rules. Now that I know where to find them, I can more accurately adjudicate X's illicit activities...</p><p>_________________________________________________</p><p></p><p>Originally Posted by Ambrus</p><p></p><p>The fact that its Mistress hasn't contacted it for nearly a day continues to trouble DRK-1X's heuristic processor throughout its repairs. As it completes its self-diagnostic, the tiny probot gathers up its old and damaged components scattered about and, as a precautionary measure, systematically destroys them with the fusion cutter it took from the repair facility. The diminutive probe droid then dispenses of their remains in the ship's waste disposal unit. The supplementary replacements parts and its tools are subsequently returned to their rucksack and stowed for safekeeping in one of the vessel's storage compartments.</p><p></p><p>Still disturbed by its near-destruction the previous night, DRK-1X slowly floats over and sinks down into the pilot's chair. Systematically 1X shuts down its sensors and motor control functions as it begins to focus its Code inwards upon itself. A minute or two of thought allows it to restore its skills-set to its previous settings. Sinking deeper into meditation, DRK-1X begins analyzing the events of the previous day, its assigned mission, the series of choices it made which led to its ambush and a violent firefight, its subsequent near-complete system failure and the successful ruse which allowed it to be repaired. Its newly installed circuitry races with electrons as DRK-1X examines its decision making algorithms, contemplates alternate possible actions it could have taken and measures the overall effectiveness of its Code in these recent trials. As it identifies possible lapses in judgement, 1X learns, modifies its Code accordingly and so continues to improve itself. The little probot remains in this powered-down meditative state for a little over an hour, allowing its system the time to regenerate and remain active for the following 100 hours.</p><p></p><p>Its repairs and meditations complete, DRK-1X powers up and floats up out of the chair. Before leaving the shuttle, 1X discontinues the comm system's channel-scan and assures itself that the vessel's computer is still is still following the program 1X had set for it before. The probot then locks the shuttle on its way out, climbs to the top of the chasm and once more surveys the dark surface of Dantooine. As it does so, DRK-1X calls to mind Dofina's stated plan before coming to this system: "So, we're going to let him think his trap is going to work. I am going to die for a while..." Atop that windy precipice, the solitary probot can only hope that its Mistress had in fact executed her plan and had safely escaped the settlement's destruction. Whether she had or not, it was time for 1X to find out. Once more, the spherical probot sends a surge through its repulsorlift engine and shoots off the top of the Tor towards the night-shrouded plain far below. During its falls, 1X dips dangerously close to the hard-packed earth before slowing its decent, arcing back up into the air and tearing off across the plain beneath the light of the twin moons.</p><p></p><p>OOC</p><p>Yay! 1X is once more ready for action! DRK-1X will head back to the settlement to reconnoiter the area. It'll be keeping out of sight as usual as it surveys the ruins while scanning any survivors in the area, looking for any familiar faces (Tremayne, Halix, technicians or the people who'd been with Dofina, etc). 1X will conduct a thorough search of the military compound that Tremayne destroyed, the imperial facility to which it had been taken as well as the two buildings in which it had last seen Dofina the previous night (Search +9, taking 20). It'll be looking for clues or any surviving electronic or data-storage devices for information. Dofina had mentioned that she'd gone underground so 1X is particularly focused on finding any utility maintenance hatches, sewer access points, drainage tunnels, or anything else that appears to lead below ground. If it doesn't find any such subterranean tunnels in those locations it'll begin a systematic search of the entire settlement, starting at the center and slowly spiraling outwards while searching for any such points of decent (Search +9, taking 10). All the while it'll continue to monitor local comlink channels for any pertinent conversations or a signal from Dofina. All that should keep DRK-1X busy for a while.</p><p></p><p>As for 1X's original processor, there are a few other things we can compare it to; a remote receiver (1 kg) for instance could be equated with simplest and lightest droid processor possible. It can receive and process the instructions to control a droid's body while also collecting and sending out the sensory information from the droid's onboard sensors but isn't developed enough to grant the droid anything like self-awareness or intelligence. A labour droid like a binary load lifter probably has such a simple and lightweight processor. In the droid article in the Star Wars RPG magazine I'd found the 3P0's AA-1 verbobrain (a non-heuristic processor with a built in DC 5 translator unit) is listed as weighing 5 kg. I'd venture to say that an individual droid's processor's weight is determined by the droid's intelligence score; the smarter the droid is the bigger and heavier its brain is. Even before 1X got its 5 kg heuristic processor it had an Intelligence of 16. That's pretty high so I would guess that it's original processor is somewhere between 3 and 5 kg. Even if it's original processor was only a single kilogram, that would still be an extra kilogram of space into which 1X would be able to put some extra components. Just my two cents though.</p><p></p><p>BTW, are there any imperial troops left in the settlement? Are there any other, possibly larger, spaceports not too far away on Dantooine? 1X is still hoping to have the aft shield array repaired ASAP.</p><p>_________________________________________________</p><p></p><p>Originally Posted by Shadowbloodmoon</p><p></p><p>You eventually return to the ruined structures of the settlement. Even from a distance, you can still see small fires burning in some places, but the area is deathly silent. The building Tremane had already half destroyed was now the center of one of many craters that now dot the area. If there was anything under it, it must have collapsed. The building that the technician's started the repair work on you in is nothing but rubble and smoking debris. They way the pieces are strewn however, it looks as if this building exploded from the inside out before being hammered by the orbiting shipboard weapons.</p><p></p><p>As you search, every once in a while you come across a charred body, or in some cases, parts of a body. Some are unidentifiable while others still have the shock of their death on their faces. None of those are familiar however. You eventually make your way to the buildings that your Mistress had once inhabited while hiding out. At first, everything looks the same as the other buildings in the area, destroyed and rubble choked, complete with bodies. Upon finding the remains of the second building however, you notice that there is a small hole that would seem to lead to part of a collapsed tunnel. It is possible that this tunnel is still intact further out, but you'd have to go in to find out. Taking a last final look aroound, you still find no other life-signs. The place is quite literally a ghost town and as far as you are aware, this is the only space port for some distance. Dantooine was not known to be a populous planet.</p><p></p><p>I had originally thought that you might still have around 1 kg left, but for some reason I couldn't justify the math in my head at the moment. The only problem I see with basing the mass of the processor on the droid's intelligence is that many times, the smaller probe droids will have a much higher intelligence than the larger labor droids who have room for such large processors. I figured that I would probably base standard processor size on the droid's size. 5kg for Medium, 2.5kg for Small, 1.25kg for Tiny and so on. Star Wars being what it is however, I would suggest a compromise between the two, saying perhaps adding .05kg for every point above 10 or something. What do you think?</p><p>_________________________________________________</p><p></p><p>Originally Posted by Ambrus</p><p></p><p>Confident that there is no one nearby, DRK-1X sinks down into the shadow of a ruined wall. The diminutive probe droid once more powers down momentarily to recalibrate its visual sensors for active searching rather than passive scanning (Computer Use +14, DC 26, reallocating 1 skill point from Spot to Search). Once ready DRK-1X powers up, surveys the surrounding area one last time and proceeds to enter the narrow hole. The probot moves slowly along the tunnel, continually scanning ahead for any security systems, traps or structurally weak areas along the way (Search +10, taking 10).</p><p>OOC</p><p>What is it with Dofina and tunnels? On every planet she goes to she inevitably gets herself stuck in a tunnel somehow. Are nemoidians and rodians descended from some kind of burrowing reptile?</p><p></p><p>Smaller droids probably do have lighter, finer-made components than larger models but there isn't any way to reflect it in the rules since droid components are simply given a set weight. What would really be ideal is are a series of droid construction guidelines. I believe WEG had published a droid book for their RPG; perhaps it'd have the answers we need. I wonder if I could find it somehow. On the WotC site someone has put together his own droid construction guidelines. Here's the link if you're interested. In the end a compromise isn't really necessary; I'll go with whatever you think makes sense. You're suggesting that a 16 Int processor weighs 4 kg and that's fine with me. Your original assesment of 1 kg is fine too.</p><p></p><p>Did 1X spot any survivors during its trip to the settlement? I can't imagine that most people didn't simply flee the settlement; the survivors must have gone somewhere. So where is the closest spaceport in this system? Oh and what is Lumien anyways?</p><p>_________________________________________________</p><p></p><p>Originally Posted by Shadowbloodmoon</p><p></p><p>You stop for a moment to change your sensor mode and take another look around the area. The prospects don't look promising. Slowly making your way into the small opening, you look for any signs of collapse or weakened structure. Upon your first cursory scan, you can see that this tunnel was made recently, as there are no supports or any form of lighting available. This is made more evident as you continue along. In some places, the ceiling of the tunnel has indeed collapsed, but you are able to make your way past most of it.</p><p></p><p>Your infrared visual sensors keep you from bumping into things as you progress, but so far all you can find are collapsed dirt walls and debris from the settlement above. After about half an hour however, the debris stops and even the walls are more intact. Moving further along, the tunnel fades from being completely made of rock to belonging to some sort of metal wall. Not much further and the tunnel gives way to a hallway. It seems to continue straight ahead for another 10 meters and then makes a sharp right turn. As you turn the corner, you come to face a metal door, or at least what was a metal door. Currently it looks as if someone forcibly removed it, but without light, it is difficult to tell how it was accomplished. Your Code takes a quick guess however as off in the distance your sensors seem to pick up a low growl....</p><p></p><p>Spoiler:</p><p></p><p>Heh. Be glad I didn't make her a Geonosian, you'd never be able to keep up with her.</p><p></p><p>I took a look at the post, and it is not too bad of a conversion from the old WEG books, which sadly, I no longer have. I might have to delve further into it. I remember one of WotC's books having a guide in it, but it was more of 'pick a base model and go from there'. Not really what I had in mind. What they do have however is a creature creation rules, which I may have to tweak a bit and see what I can come up with. But, that being said, I'll go with the original processor being 4kg.</p><p></p><p>As far as seeing any other survivors on the way back, no there were none spotted. In fact, you didn't see any vehicles leaving the area either. You only recall seeing three shuttles leave when the attack happened, one of which was Lord Vader's. If there is another starport on the planet, it would likely be at another outpost, perhaps a mining colony or agricultural area. Other than that, Dantooine has no cities to really speak of nor any official transportation services as far as most people are aware. Besides, who said Lord Vader would leave survivors?</p><p></p><p>Lumien is the Star Wars equivalent of platinum, but in crystalized form.</p><p>_________________________________________________</p><p></p><p>Originally Posted by Ambrus</p><p></p><p>DRK-1X pauses in its advance to take cover back behind the corner as it carefully analyzes the sound (Listen +10, taking 20). Before continuing along, the diminutive probot deploys its miniature blaster cannon from within its chassis with a soft whir and click. Focusing its infrared and low-light sensors past the mangled door (Spot +16, Search +10) DRK-1X begins floating stealthily along the wall towards the source of the growling (Hide +22, Move Silently +12, taking 10).</p><p>OOC</p><p>Wherever Vader is off to now, I can take comfort in knowing that he will very soon be having his ass handed to him by Kenobi. I wonder what he thought of the explosion that rocked the inside of his shuttle.</p><p>_________________________________________________</p><p></p><p>Originally Posted by Shadowbloodmoon</p><p></p><p>You pause for a moment, running the sound through your databanks to determine a possible source. You determine that it must be an animal of some sort and the animal must be larger than a human, based on the low pitch of the growl. After listening a bit longer, you figure that there must be more than one due to the uniqueness of some of the sounds.</p><p></p><p>Floating forward in the darkness, your advanced senor array scanning the area ahead for the possible source of the sound, you come to large room that seems mostly empty. Surveying the perimeter, you determine that it is about 40 meters square and 20 meters high. Each side has a double door leading away from it, all except the one you came in through is closed. The growling seems to be coming from the doors directly ahead of you and it has gained in volume. Getting closer, you see that someone has attempted to bar the door with some sort of broken equipment.</p><p></p><p>Spoiler:</p><p></p><p>I will probably be doing a map for this place for you soon. You're going to need it...</p><p></p><p>It is too bad X will not get to witness what happens to Vader in the next few days, but I'm sure the repercussions will somehow reach its audio sensors.</p><p></p><p>I've been meaning to ask and keep forgetting... I noticed in your sig that you play a Gold Dragon Wyrmling in table top. I was just curious which rules you were using for that class, the Dragon Magazine ones, Draconomicon or Savage Species?</p><p>_________________________________________________</p><p></p><p>Originally Posted by Ambrus</p><p></p><p>DRK-1X's sensors sweep across the room searching for concealed threats. Not detecting anything but as of yet unable to perceive the opposite wall, the stealthy probot tentatively floats forward ten meters (infrared scanner, 30 meter range). Finally spotting the closed doors directly ahead, 1X floats upwards and trains its infrared scanner and blaster cannon on the portal.</p><p>OOC</p><p>You mentioned the room seemed "mostly empty". What is there in this room exactly? Is there anything behind which 1X could take cover to snipe on the doors? Is the chamber completely devoid of light?</p><p></p><p>I started playing my dragon PC before either the Draconomicon or Dragon Magazine 320 had been released. Since we started the campaign at 1st level, the Draconomicon rules wouldn't have benefited me anyway since a gold dragon is the equivalent of a 12th level PCs upon hatching. What I did was create my own 12 level Dragon Hatchling monster advancement class based off of the model presented in Savage Species. Dragon Magazine 320 came out few months later so I eventually converted my character to that format to be "official". As is, Dragon 320 pretty much is a Savage Species build. Although I love the Draconomicon, most of the prestige classes, feats and magic items are intended for size Large dragons with many more Hit Dice than most PC dragons can easily achieve. Consequently it hasn't really been all that useful to me yet. Why did you want to know?</p><p>_________________________________________________</p><p></p><p>Originally Posted by Shadowbloodmoon</p><p></p><p>Taking a longer look around the room, you can see more broken pieces of medical equipment. It looks as if this was once a storage room for medical supplies. There is even a broken bacta tank in one corner.</p><p></p><p>You approach the barred door, your scanner focused intently. As you get closer to the door, you can see now that there is bits of medical equipment such as feedbag stands and surgical instrument tables pushed up against it. Someone wanted to keep something out. That something is still on the other side, growling.</p><p></p><p>A moment later, the growling becomes more vicious. A strange muffled yelp and the sound of something heavy hitting the floor turns into a scratching-on-metal sound. After a few seconds, the scratching stops and the growling returns.</p><p></p><p>Spoiler:</p><p></p><p>As described, the light is completely out in this room. No ambient light whatsoever. You could probably hide behind the broken bacta tank, it is big enough. The ceiling would be good too, depending on what is on the other side of the door...</p><p></p><p>I asked about the dragon because I was curious mostly, but also because I at one time did a progression based on the Savage Species rules. I had always enjoyed the idea of playing a baby dragon, and finally being able to stat one out with guidelines really helped me out. Of course, now that it is in Dragon magazine, their progression is totally different from mine</p><p>_________________________________________________</p><p></p><p>Originally Posted by Ambrus</p><p></p><p>Seeing how the unidentified creatures appear unable to breach the barred doorway for the moment, DRK-1X decides to continue its search. The diminutive probe droid floats down and to the left heading first to that set of closed doors. Once in front of them, 1X carefully scans them for alarms or traps before attempting to open them and proceed beyond.</p><p>OOC</p><p>Do the doors have a computer access port next to them? Is there any such port anywhere in the room? Assuming not, and that the doors aren't trapped somehow, 1X will try to open them first by tapping the release button, then by physically pulling them open if possible and finally resorting to cutting a 35 cm hole with it's lightsaber near the top as a last resort. It'll then scan the space beyond and proceed carefully as before, searching as it goes. If there is a computer port though, it'll naturally try interfacing with it first.</p><p></p><p>Out of curiosity, how is the bacta tank broken? Is it still upright and does it's cylinder appear intact? Is the clear cylinder made of glass or transparisteel? Is the only way into it through the top? How tall is it; it looks pretty big in the movies.</p><p></p><p>Did you ever get the opportunity to play your dragon? What kind was it? In some ways I was disappointed with the magazine's build; I believe my own was better. For instance, the gold dragon gains the ability to assume alternate forms before it gains multiple physical attacks or the ability to fly. So although it has wings and claws in its natural form, it can't use either though it can change into an animal form that has the same features and use theirs without problem. The idea of a dragon turning into, say, a mountain lion to fight enemies or an eagle to fly around seems kind of dumb to me. I think a dragon should be able to use it's natural body better than an assumed one, but that's just me. When I switched my character to the published format I asked my DM to let me swap those two abilities' levels with each other. *shrug*</p><p>_________________________________________________</p><p></p><p>Originally Posted by Shadowbloodmoon</p><p></p><p>X leaves the creatures behind the barred door to examine the door to the left of where it entered, scanning for any sign of something that would prevent entry or alert the creatures or any other possible occupants. The main release button has been smashed, but whoever did it forget to also smash the emergency release. You float over to press the button, but then stop as your sensors pick out a faint line that runs a centimeter parallel to either side of the doors from floor to ceiling. You can detect no energy running through it, but your security system databanks tell you that it doesn't mean this proximity alarm isn't armed. If you open the door and the alarm is active, anyone monitoring this area will know that something has opened the door here.</p><p></p><p>Spoiler:</p><p></p><p>I'm pausing here in case X wants to do something before atempting to open the door...</p><p></p><p>The doors only have a release button, no code ports or anything of that nature. They will be easy to open, as there is an emergency manual release button next to the regular one. Assuming someone hasn't barred the door that is...</p><p></p><p>The bacta tank's electronic components are completely busted and in the light of your infrared, you can pick out cracks along its transparisteel tube. It is currently on its side in the corner nearest the way you came in. This was one of the larger models, meant for Medium-size creatures (like the one in the movies). Usually the occupant is lowered in from the top, but in rare cases, the cylinder can be removed and then replaced around an occupant before being refilled with bacta solution.</p><p></p><p>heh. I agree with you about the new write up in the magazine. I always presumed that dragons could fly from birth just as much as they new how to speak from birth. Makes no sense to me how they would be able to understand another animal's natural fighting ability before their own. Odd... Incidentally, I never got to play my gold dragon write up, but I did actually post it here on EnWorld some time ago. I'll be damned if I can find it again. Not that it was any good, it was my first attempt at using Savage Species...</p><p>_________________________________________________</p><p></p><p>Originally Posted by Ambrus</p><p></p><p>Having spotted the security wires, DRK-1X chooses to circumvent them rather than risk setting off an alarm or possibly something worse. Floating up to the top edge of the left door, 1X opens its lighsaber compartment with a soft whir, soon followed by a click as the weapon within gently rises into ignition position. With but a thought, the crimson energy blade pierces the darkness of the chamber. 1X gently pokes a hole through the door panel and then extinguishes the blade. Drifting towards the hole with the glowing molten metal edge, the probot scans the space beyond for anything stirring (Listen +10, Spot +16, taking 10).</p><p></p><p>Assuming there is nothing alarming beyond the door, 1X drifts backwards and once more re-ignites the short lightsaber. This time the probot traces a circular outline in the door panel exactly 35 cm wide. Once the circular door panel comes loose and falls to the floor, DRK-1X extinguishes and stows its energy weapon once more and listens for signs that its entry has been detected. Assuming the coast is clear, 1X retracts its antenna, carefully passes through the hole, extends it antenna once more and begins carefully exploring the space beyond as it continues to search for Dofina (Search +10, taking 10).</p><p>OOC</p><p>It's a shame you never got to play your dragon character. I've been playing mine for years and it's fun, though playing as an immature infant does take some getting used to for everyone at the table. I generally play my PC as a curious and precocious child. Considering his high intelligence and the racial memories all dragons are born with he tends to learn new things quickly and he only has to be shown something once to remember it. His racial predisposition towards law and goodness is also a fun thing to try role-playing; imagine being disposed towards following laws when you don't yet know what they are.</p><p></p><p>Perhaps you're starting to see why I wanted to play a droid; I gravitate towards unique characters in RPGs rather than playing the regular races.</p><p>_________________________________________________</p><p></p><p>Originally Posted by Shadowbloodmoon</p><p></p><p>X peers through the new hole that it has made into the doors. The hole gives a fishbowl type view of the darkened hallway beyond. From what you can see, the hallway is clear, except for something pushed up against the doors. The hall seems to lead further into this complex. There is some sort of printed signs on the wall that seem to point in various directions, but they are difficult to read in infrared lighting and a distorted view.</p><p></p><p>Determining that the area is safe, you cut a larger hole in the door. The hot metal panel falls to the floor with a resounding clang. For a moment, the growling in the other pathway ceases before resuming again as you pass through the new entrance. The sound fades as you continue inside. Turning to look at the doors, you can see that someone had attempted to bar this door as well with some sort of office desk and chairs. As you pass down the hallway, you come to another pair of doors. Looking closely at the writing next to them, it would seem that you are headed to some sort of laboratory.</p><p></p><p>Spoiler:</p><p>I would have liked to try playing something like that, but things happen sometimes... <long story> Nonetheless, it sounds like you have a pretty good handle on playing him. I imagine it would difficult to learn about some law or restriction and then instinctively want to follow it without being told why. I can only imagine the other members of your party's reactions when it comes to said interactions... I don't suppose your groups has done any story hours?</p><p>_________________________________________________</p><p></p><p>Originally Posted by Ambrus</p><p></p><p>Confronted with another set of doors, DRK-1X once again scans the door for security devices and, assuming it finds a similar setup, pokes a hole near the top of the door with its lightsaber. After confirming that the area beyond is safe the probot will burn an entry hole, wait a few seconds more to see if its been noticed, then enter and carefully explore the space beyond.</p><p>OOC</p><p>Sorry, no story hours I'm afraid. It's strictly a tabletop game. If you're interested though, I have posted a thread detailing a proposed system for Dragon Rage since our campaign is based in the Forgotten Realms CS during the Year of Rogue Dragons.</p><p></p><p>This subterranean complex is starting to seem more than a little familiar. Did 1X travel far enough underground in the right direction to bring it anywhere near the abandoned research facility it had explored earlier? It'd be like Dofina to end up taking shelter in a mutant monster infested research facility. *sigh*</p><p></p><p>Am I missing something; do all the doors swing open on hinges? If they slide open like most doors in SW then I can't figure out why anyone would bother to pile furniture in front of them. It'd only create a momentary obstacle if the doors slid asside.</p><p>_________________________________________________</p><p></p><p>Originally Posted by Shadowbloodmoon</p><p></p><p>Performing the previous operation on the new door, X peers again through the few centimeters wide hole made by its lightsaber. On the other side of this door, as far as it can see, there are rows and rows of bacta tanks. There seems to be some sort of power left in this room, as emergency lighting casts a deep red glow over everything. This room seems to be some sort of medical treatment center, but not like X has seen before.</p><p></p><p>Cutting the hole larger, X enters the room. Besides the rows of tanks, most of which seem intact, there a few tables full of tubes, glass piping and microscopic readers. A computer console stands to one side of one of the tables. There are also two storage lockers to one side. They are marked 'Emergency'. One has been left open, the other remains closed. On the far side of this large square room, another set of double doors lead out.</p><p></p><p>Spoiler:</p><p>Thanks for the link. I'll definately be checking those rules out.</p><p></p><p>The doors actually do slide open. Good observation! However, you'd be amazed what sentient beings can do in desperation. And incidentally, no, the other place is much farther out than this place, but they do look a bit similar, that I will agree on.</p><p>_________________________________________________</p><p></p><p>Originally Posted by Ambrus</p><p></p><p>DRK-1X floats through the room slowly, spinning as it advances to scan behind the tanks and the hidden corners of the room. Noting the computer console, the diminutive probot drifts towards it. Stopping before the console, 1X deploys its scomplink probe from behind a panel in its chassis. The probe unfolds and telescopes forward until it marries itself with the computer's access port. As the probe begins to spin slowly 1X projects its Code into the console to learn what it can of the facility and perhaps interface with the complex's mainframe, assuming there is one (Computer Use +14, taking 10).</p><p>OOC</p><p>Organic sentients perhaps.</p><p></p><p>How many bacta tanks are in the room? Do they have bacta in them too? Aren't these things worth 100K apiece?</p><p></p><p>After dealing with the computer DRK-1X will proceed with carefully searching both lockers inside and out (search +10, taking 20) before continuing with the next set of doors.</p><p>_________________________________________________</p><p></p><p>Originally Posted by Shadowbloodmoon</p><p></p><p>X counts at least forty separate tanks. Each one still seems to be filled with fluid. According to its latest banking records, this room alone would be worth 4 million credits on the open market. Possibly more in other markets. As X looks around, it notices that five of the tanks are broken and empty of fluid. In the other tanks, X sometimes sees small movements, but on a second look, sees nothing further. Other than that, the room appears empty.</p><p></p><p>Interfacing with the computer console, X gets the following readout.</p><p></p><p>ERROR: Main system unresponsive</p><p>ERROR: Memory banks inaccessible</p><p>ERROR: Self-Diagnostic questionable</p><p>ERROR: Power reserves minimal</p><p></p><p></p><p>Apparently, without finding a way to get power back to this console, there is no getting any further with it. Removing the link and retracting its Code, X moves on to the lockers. One of them is hanging open while the other remains closed.</p><p></p><p>The open one looks as if it used to contain weapons. There are places for blaster rifles and power packs to be stored and recharged. There are still some holsters for blaster pistols hanging there, but they are empty. It looks as if the last people that were here cleaned it out.</p><p></p><p>The second locker is secured, but X is easily able to pop it open. Inside are some suits of protective armor. Nothing like what a clone trooper would wear, but more like local militia, vests and blast helmets. But this is not what gets X's attention first.</p><p></p><p>Curled up at the bottom of the locker is a whimpering male Nemoidian. "Don't hurt me... please... it wasn't my fault...</p><p>_________________________________________________</p><p></p><p>Originally Posted by Ambrus</p><p></p><p>DRK-1X doesn't bother to avert or retract its blaster cannon as it focuses its attention downwards on the cowering nemoidian; reminding the male who is in control (intimidate -1). A few moments of processing allows the probot to switch its vocabulator to nemoidian. "Order: Identify yourself and your function. Explain what has happened here. Explain what is not your fault." 1X focuses its full sensor array on the nemoidian, monitoring his vitals and scanning his body as he speaks for signs of deception (Sense Motive +2) as well as for injuries (treat injury +2) or concealed equipment (Search +10, Spot +16, taking 10).</p><p>OOC</p><p>1X is content to allow the male to remain scared in the hopes that he'll reveal everything it wants to know. It'll continue prodding the nemoidian along with questions to keep him talking as it continues its interrogation. 1X wants to know how long he's been in that locker, what he's hiding from, what this laboratory is for, what the nature of this facility is, how big it is, what its layout is, who built it and when, what purpose it served, what calamity befell it, where the other people who worked here are, what manner of creatures are loose in the place and whether he knows of a nemoidian female taking refuge down here.</p><p>_________________________________________________</p><p></p><p>Originally Posted by Shadowbloodmoon</p><p></p><p>The frightened Nemoidian slowly turns to face you, his face peering up from the floor of the locker. "What the...? You're not them, you're not... Hey wait a minute..." The Nemoidian's composure seems to return as he stands full height to face your floating body. He doesn't seem to be armed with anything other than his lack of a proverbial spine. His body is free from wounds except for a scrape or two and bruises on his arms and face. "You're DRK-1X, Mistress Dofina's lapdroid. She said you would be coming to find her. Listen, this place is not safe. They said, they said I was to stay behind and wait for you. They said, they said they would kill me if I didn't." He pauses for a moment. Your sensors tell you that when the pathetic creature says the word 'they', his heart rate jumps up a bit and his breathing increases. This effect doubles when he speaks the word 'kill'.</p><p></p><p>"I.. I warned them the solution was unstable. They didn't listen. Some of them escaped. Your Mistress was one of them. Forced me to remove the DNA locks. I warned them..."</p><p></p><p>Either your scanners are operating poorly or this Nemoidian's brain waves are very erratic. Either way, he seems to be avoiding the important questions, except: "You're not going to kill me are you?"</p><p></p><p>Damnable -1 to Intimidate....</p><p>_________________________________________________</p><p></p><p>Originally Posted by Ambrus</p><p></p><p>DRK-1X leaves its blaster trained on the male. "Report: I have no orders or programming which would prevent my killing of you. Order: Answer my questions. Explain who you are and what you are doing here? Explain where Dofina is and who is with her. Explain what has occurred here."</p><p>_________________________________________________</p><p></p><p>Originally Posted by Shadowbloodmoon</p><p></p><p>"No need for that. Too much of that already. Betrayed I think. Spies everywhere. Probably listening now. Refugees come here to hide. Gone now, fire fight. Ran to the last shuttle bay. Told me to stay. Told me you would come. Tell you... Tell you something."</p><p></p><p>As he speaks, your readouts indicate a massive increase in breathing rate, the Nemoidian's brain waves become even more erratic and your visual sensors spot a bit of his blood trickling out of his olfactory inlets.</p><p>_________________________________________________</p><p></p><p>Originally Posted by Ambrus</p><p></p><p>Growing concerned for the man's erratic metabolism, DRK-1X continues monitoring and analyzing the nemoidian's vital signs in an attempt to determine what is wrong with him (treat injury +2, Search +10). "Inquiry: Tell me what? Where is the last shuttle bay? When did they leave?"</p><p>_________________________________________________</p><p></p><p>Originally Posted by Shadowbloodmoon</p><p></p><p>It seems that the man is fighting something off, attempting to resist something only he is aware of. The Nemoidian man stutters as the blood forms a slow rivulet down his face over his lip and down his chin. "It's.. it's... down there, past the...the labs... labs closed down. Emergency override...mainframe...two levels down... take..take th... " The man finally collapses, his blood forming a pool around his head. Though he is still breathing heavily, his body is rapidly cooling. He will die without proper treatment. It is then that you notice he has taken something from his work overalls. It seems to be a keycard.</p><p>_________________________________________________</p><p></p><p>Originally Posted by Ambrus</p><p></p><p>A pair of compartment doors flip open on the diminutive probots' curved sides as two tiny mechanical limbs unfold themselves with a soft whirring sound. The droid simultaneously retracts its blaster cannon as it sinks down towards the still form of the nemoidian on the floor. DRK-1X does the best it can to staunch the flow of blood, first with its manipulator hands, and then with makeshift bandages torn from the man's clothes (treat injury +2). As it does so, it scans the lab equipment on the various tables as it searches for an emergency medical kit or for a bio-reader it could use to diagnose and possibly treat the dying man.</p><p></p><p>OOC</p><p>1X is hardly programmed for medical treatment but it can improvise due to its heuristic processor. Hopefully its knowledge of technology can allow it to identify useful medical equipment in this lab. Did 1X see any equipment it could use while scanning the room earlier? Can 1X tell if any of these tanks actually hold viable bacta? Could 1X possibly operate a tank? Is there a winch or repulsorlift system or some means in place to hoist patients up through the top of these things? If the answer is 'yes' than 1X might try that if it thinks it's got a chance of working. Since this appears to a biological laboratory of some sort I'd imagine that there might be the equivalent of a first aid kit somewhere that 1X might be able to use to try and stabilize the man. DRK-1X feels the need to try and help the man; he may be 1X's best chance of finding out what became of Dofina. In any case it'll try its best (taking 20).</p><p></p><p>If 1X doesn't succeed in saving the man then it'll proceed to carefully search the body for anything besides the keycard before taking it. It'll then complete its cursory search of the room before attempting to breech the next set of doors as previously detailed.</p><p>_________________________________________________</p><p></p><p>Originally Posted by Shadowbloodmoon</p><p></p><p>X does what it can to stem the tide of the blood coming from the Nemoidian's head. Though the bleeding slows, X knows that it will not be enough. Quickly searching the nearest lab table, you find a medikit that still contains some supplies, most importantly, a heavy styptic that will certainly slow the blood loss. Applying it as per the quickly read directions on the side of the tube, the blood almost instantly congeals, allowing the flow to slowly come to a stop.</p><p></p><p>This gives X enough time to search for a working bacta tank. Luckily, not far from where the man lay, one of the tanks is unoccupied as indicated on its readout. The information also tells you that emergency tank power has one hour remaining. You determine that this means that the man can at least be stabilised.</p><p></p><p>Your hover motors strain in protest as you drag the unconscious body to the bacta tank's lifting mechanism. As you approach the body to strap it into the device, what X previously determined was a simple memory module in its body begins to activate, sending Code to your main processor:</p><p></p><p>"Medical Emergency detected, do you wish to activate Medical Override protocols?"</p><p></p><p>X's anxiety filters tip off a warning. The thing wasn't a memory module at all, it was a droid personality matrix.. And it wants to talk.</p><p>_________________________________________________</p><p></p><p>Originally Posted by Ambrus</p><p></p><p>Well, I'm glad 1X found a way to help the nemoidian but I'm divided on how he did it. I'd originally thought that the memory module was a datachip that 1X was carrying. It's only after rereading your previous posts just now that I realized it was a component that had actually been installed inside 1X and plugged into its processor; my mistake. I'd mentioned though that 1X was double checking all the repairs the technicians had performed and making sure that no unidentified components had been added in. I don't understand how 1X missed the fact that the module had a medical droid's operating system capable of supplanting its own program embedded in it; I'd imagine that it'd be a rather sizable program and hard to miss. When 1X checked the memory module it only contained a map of the complex with an escape route and a set of spacial coordinates in an uncharted region of the outer rim. 1X would probably have removed the module if he'd discovered a hidden operating system on it. The possibility that it has other unidentified programs would lead 1X to most likely tear the thing out ASAP; DRK-1X takes the sanctity of its Code very seriously.</p><p></p><p>Frankly, I'm of two minds about this module and its alternate persona programming. On one hand it represents a great opportunity. If 1X can remove it, figure out how it works and program similar alternate persona programs then it could possibly do pretty much anything whenever it needs to. It could keep the medical persona program but supplement it with an emergency repair program, an emergency starfighter persona, a diplomat persona, a demolitionist persona, etc. The possibilities are endless.</p><p></p><p>On the other hand, I have trouble believing such technology is even possible in the Star Wars universe. Reprogramming a droid with a single new skill point requires a complete shutdown and several minutes of skilled labor. Installing a new personality into a droid chassis likewise requires a skilled technician, quite a bit more time and even carries the chance that the droid's Intelligence will be reduced in the process. Plug in modules with instant persona switching abilities doesn't seem in keeping with SW tech levels. *shrug*</p><p></p><p>Frankly, the injured nemoidian isn't nearly as significant as the discovery of this modules' hidden abilities. It's your call, but I don't quite know how to respond to the situation.</p><p>_________________________________________________</p><p></p><p>Originally Posted by Shadowbloodmoon</p><p></p><p>I thought that would get your attention. See, when X scanned the program for data and programs, that's what it came up with, the data and programs that were installed on the module. X was also running with the knowledge that what the technician told him was that it was a memory module and could think of it as nothing other than that. (shameless DM wording use plug here). As X has just found out, what was actually installed was a mostly complete droid brain, with some modifications, of course.</p><p></p><p>Remember who X works for and some of the technology she had access to, much of which is NOT in the hands of the common militaries (or much of anyone else) at the time. This will help X determine just what it is Dofina is involved with as time goes on...</p><p></p><p>If you don't think X would have allowed the personality transfer, I'll go back and rewrite it, no worries. I apologize if I suspended the verisimilitude of the galaxy for you... </p><p>_________________________________________________</p><p></p><p>Originally Posted by Ambrus</p><p></p><p>It certainly did get my attention, I'll give you that. I don't understand; you're saying that 1X didn't notice that the module was a droid brain simply because it couldn't imagine that the technician was lying? Aside from checking the module's program 1X also physically inspected it while it was completing the repairs to itself afterwards. I specifically indicated that 1X was taking the time to "carefully review the work of the various technicians" and to ensure that "no other new components were added in, such as a tracking device, restraining bolt, self-destruct system or remote control." I'd imagine that telling the difference between a droid processor and a data storage device would be rather elementary; kind of like telling the difference between a battery and an engine. Are you saying that 1X simply failed to identify the module upon its inspection?</p><p></p><p>And no, 1X would never have allowed the transfer. Like any sane person it'd react negatively to hearing a foreign voice in its head. Even if Dofina had been the one dying at its feet 1X wouldn't have allowed its Code to be subverted. 1X would have immediately stopped supplying the module its power, stopped accepting any code from the module, purged its own processor of any of the foreign code, locked itself into one of the storage lockers and gone to work on itself to physically remove the module from its chassis ASAP. Only then would 1X have contemplated doing what I'd described earlier.</p><p>_________________________________________________</p><p></p><p>Originally Posted by Shadowbloodmoon</p><p></p><p>I didn't want to give too much away until you found Dofina again, but I seem to be making you upset as a player and that starts me thinking that I shouldn't DM on ENWorld any longer, so here goes.</p><p></p><p>The droid personality was hidden inside a regular memory module, another part of the 'new' technology. The memory module is using an advanced circuit array that X is not familiar with, so that on the surface, it appears to be a simple memory module and not a droid brain. Something the designers wanted to make sure in explicit detail. Especially to its courier, X.</p><p></p><p>However, when it was installed, the one thing the technician did not do was turn the thing off. So when it detected that you were attempting to deal with a medical patient, it responded. I know the whole thing sounds kind of wonky, but I'm hoping that in the end when the whole story is revealed, it will all make sense.</p><p></p><p>That being said, I went up and edited the post to stop where the 'module' requests activation. I apologize for the confusion and such.</p><p>_________________________________________________</p><p></p><p>Originally Posted by Ambrus</p><p></p><p>DRK-1X's chassis shudders violently at the first instance of unidentified binary code entering its heuristic processor. With the dying nemoidian lying nearly forgotten beneath it, the probot rapidly executes a viral-code search algorithm. In less than a split second 1X identifies the source as being the mysterious module integrated into its neural network. Less than a full second after the foreign code's intrusion, DRK-1X begins shutting down all the circuits connecting the module to its own processor, depriving it of the ability to receive or send any data. While the diminutive probe droid begins rerouting its own functions to compensate, 1X begins the process of identifying, isolating and destroying any of the module's foreign code remaining within its circuits.</p><p></p><p>Shuddering, 1X floats towards the storage locker, enters it and pulls the doors closed behind it. With a whir, click and a momentary flash of crimson light, DRK-1X deploys and ignites its lightsaber for a split second. It uses the energy blade to soften the metal of the seem between the doors, allowing them to soften, melt and fuse together. Sinking down, the probot reorients its external infrared sensor pods to focus on its chassis. 1X goes to work on itself, removing the panel of its chassis granting it access to the module. Quickly, the black spherical droid pulls out the connectors linking the module to its processor. It then gingerly pulls the module itself out of its chassis. Setting it aside on a shelf, 1X goes about the task of putting its own components back in order and replacing its body panels.</p><p></p><p>Only then does 1X cut the doors open again with its lightsaber blade before picking up the module and returning to the nemoidian.</p><p></p><p>OOC</p><p>1X will do its best to help the nemoidian if he's still alive by trying to use the bacta tank. If he's expired during the interim, 1X will proceed to carefully search his body (Search +10, taking 20). It'll be sure to pick up his keycard before attempting to breach the next set of doors while taking the same precautions as earlier.</p><p></p><p>I apologize, but yeah I was a little upset. It's not all your fault though. You should know that I tried playing a droid in a previous (now defunct) ENworld campaign in which a similar scenario played itself out. In brief, by the 15th post of the IC thread my repair droid had had its systems unexpectedly and completely infected with a second droid personality by a self-righteous NPC. Nothing my droid tried could stop or remove the second personality until that NPC pushed a button and rid my PC of it. I'd been not only frustrated by the infection but more so by the sense of powerlessness when I didn't manage to detect the alien personality in my own circuits until after it was too late and that my repair droid couldn't fix what had been done to it no matter what it tried short of destroying itself.</p><p></p><p>I can recognize that there may be technology beyond what 1X can identify or cope with. Mostly, what upsets me in a game is being rail-roaded; whenever something seem oddly contrived or inescapable, then I start to get worried because it pushes my suspension of disbelief. The undercover technician seemed conveniently placed when I encountered him. How did he know I'd be there at that time and in desperate need of repairs? I didn't even know I was going for the shuttle until just then so he couldn't have known where to be. Even Dofina had ordered me to search for information elsewhere after all. He would have had to know that I would get into a battle and yet win and yet be too damaged to repair myself. Then when I found out what the module was it again seemed odd that he'd have such a particular piece of technology near at hand when he couldn't have expected to encounter me at one of the few times when I would have allowed a stranger into my systems. Then when the module turned out to be one of the threats that I'd specifically suspected it of being but was unable to identify it as such it seemed too hard to swallow. Still, I'm willing to give you the benefit of the doubt and deal with it.</p><p></p><p>You may have noticed that I take great care in detailing what my character does and the many precautions it takes. It sometimes seems to border on being overcautious and paranoid but it's mostly because odd plot twists have happened to me before and I remain ever vigilant to avoid them in all games I play. It isn't paranoia if your suspicions prove to be true after all. I can deal with the unexpected, as long as it makes some kind of sense, at least in hindsight.</p><p></p><p>All things considered I think you're a fine GM and certainly better than most I've played with. I sometimes disagree with some of your rule-interpretations but for the most part I appreciate your skill, effort and willingness to GM a SW campaign. Many people wouldn't have bothered keeping a campaign going for a solo player and for that I'm grateful. I enjoy this game, even if Dofina is exhausting to try and keep out of trouble. I think it'd be a shame if you were to quit GMing online. I don't know what your other experiences have been though aside from the rest of the Frying Pan game.</p><p>_________________________________________________</p><p></p><p>Originally Posted by Shadowbloodmoon</p><p></p><p>Without a second glance, X shuts down all power to the module and it goes silent. Quickly taking to the task of sealing itself inside one of the lockers and attends to the task of completely removing the memory module. Taking less than fifteen minutes, the piece is out and X is certain that all remnants of any of its Code are gone from its system. The droid personality now lies dormant on one of the shelves.</p><p></p><p>Cutting your way back out, you hover over to the Nemoidian. Your scanners detect no movement coming from the being's lungs and his body temperature is cooling to room temperature. Your patient has died.</p><p></p><p>Searching through his belongings, you find the keycard that he had originally intended to hand you and not much else. You then make your way to the door that he indicated previously. Accoriding to him, it will lead you to the labs. Though if what he said is any indication, they will be closed down and the override is with the mainframe two levels down. He didn't mention how to get down there though.</p><p></p><p>You approach the door, once again searching for any traps, detection equipment or anything else of that nature. This one appears clean. Cutting your observation port, you peer through to the other side. Emergency power continues the red hued lighting in the hallway beyond. On the sides of the hall, you can see more writing that is better visible. The one pointing to this room identifies is at Specimen Maturity Lab 1. The other writing points to Regrowth Labs and Main Access Hallway. These would probably be past the double doors at the end of this relatively short hallway.</p><p></p><p>Cutting a larger hole once again, X floats through to the other side and again sees nothing in here but as previously described. The next set of doors are similar to the ones that first led to the hallway that lead to the first lab, right down to the two parallel security wires. Emergency doesn't seem to apply to these either. Still being cautious, X cuts another observation hole before moving on. Beyond these doors it sees a hallway that goes left and right. To the right it reads 'Labs', to the left it reads 'Elevators'. Down on the floor however is another Nemoidian body, this one in military garb and holding a blaster rifle. The way his body looks, it is unlikely that he is still alive. The carbon scoring near the floor seems to agree with this sentiment.</p><p></p><p>Spoiler:</p><p>I am hoping to avoid the feeling of railroading, I certainly want to give you the option of escaping any 'inescapable doom' without having to invoke deus ex protocols. That's why for the most part my stories only have a slight direction in where I want them to go. Most of this part of the story has actually been written based on X's reactions and such. I too have had GMs push my characters to places and doing things they never would have and I apologize if I gave you that feeling. I had sensed that perhaps this was a recurring thing, but I didn't want to press the issue. Thank you for linking that though, it proved an interesting read...</p><p></p><p>As far as the plausibility of the technician knowing where you were, it was difficult to adjudicate what was going on in each scene that would have allowed you to find out what you are soon going to (or you already have). I attempted to give subtle clues as to the identity of the technician each time you met or was in the same area, and subsequently would have hoped that this would explain how the technician knew where you would be and when.</p><p></p><p>I appreciate the detail in which you post. It actually saves a lot of time without having to say 'Okay, so you are doing this this way or that way?'. At the end of this part of the story, I hope that when you look back, everything (or most everything ) will make sense.</p><p></p><p>As far as gaming goes, I've been tabletopping for many years. Too many more than I care to admit. Many people like my style, many don't. It's the way of gaming. PbPing however is only very recent for me and I find that my skills as DM (and even player at times) are not the same. I've only attempted to DM one other game on here and that was a Babylon 5 game. That kind of fell through and to be honest I think it was more that I was attempting to follow a module than do what I'm doing with you, Toric and Bobitron (and Kemrain if we ever hear from Felia again).</p><p></p><p>I've determined that I probably won't run anymore on here for some time, even when and if this one ends. That is unless I do something where the players are already a group that has worked together in the past. That way the game isn't too free flowing and all over the map. I've found that it doesn't work as well in PbP as it usually does in tabletop. At least in my experience. I get frustrated easily, especially when I feel I'm doing something wrong. I am a perfectionist when it comes to that... That and I'm already over my time limit as it is </p><p>_________________________________________________</p><p></p><p>Originally Posted by Ambrus</p><p></p><p>DRK-1X sinks down to the body lying on the floor to conduct a thorough scan (search +10, taking 20). The probot first confirms that the nemoidian is dead and then attempts to identify what military force he may have belonged to by studying his uniform and insignia. Finally 1X searches the body for any evidence of what killed him as well as for any useful equipment he may have been carrying aside from the rifle. If it finds nothing else it'll check that the blaster rifle is in good working order before gathering it up into its arms, rising up and floating down the right-hand corridor. As it advances DRK-1X will continue its careful meter by meter scan of the corridor to ensure it doesn't blunder into some trap(search +10, taking 20).</p><p>OOC</p><p>Assuming 1X reaches the lab doors it'll repeat its now usual procedure to safely circumvent them if possible. It seems that while editing my last post I inadvertently left out a mention that 1X was going to pick up the component once it was done sealing up its body panels and about to exit the locker. Mea culpa. I also wanted to confirm that the "keycard" you mentioned is just another name for a code cylinder.</p><p></p><p>In fact your campaign seems generally railroading free, which is why I enjoy it so much. I overreacted when I realized that 1X had had a mysterious component inserted inside it without my realizing it; my misunderstanding though. When it seemed oddly contrived I had flashbacks to the earlier campaign I'd mentioned. Hopefully I didn't come off too badly in your rereading of that thread. I guess I do have a sore-spot when it comes to seemingly omniscient NPCs and being blindsided by seemingly inescapable plot hooks. As long as the GM has thought things through beforehand and has a logical and comprehensible way to explain what occurs after the fact then I'm happy. When I GM myself I make certain I know what an NPC knows and how he learnt it. I enjoy giving my players the opportunity to outwit and surprise NPCs if they're clever enough to do so. When I play I often try to find those same opportunities myself; probably why I like playing sneaky characters so much. In my experience though, many GMs aren't willing to let their players get the better of what they imagine are more cunning NPCs.</p><p></p><p>As far as the technician goes, I was fairly certain that it was Four in disguise from the moment he admitted to knowing who I was; though 1X doesn't have any good reason to suspect she's a shapeshifter yet. I'm afraid I missed any clues that pointed out where else the technician might have seen 1X in the settlement. Possibly Dofina informed him beforehand that 1X was somewhere nearby or he succeeding in spotting 1X even though it was moving about the place stealthily. *shrug* Dunno. Maybe I'll reread the posts later.</p><p></p><p>Anyways, thanks again for your frankness and effort.</p><p>_________________________________________________</p><p></p><p>Originally Posted by Shadowbloodmoon</p><p></p><p>X determines that the Nemoidian on the ground has most assuredly expired, as the body is the same temperature as the hallway. The uniform it wears is Nemoidian in origin. It looks similar to those X has seen on Nemoidian Royal Guardsmen. There are blaster burns all over the body, but most of them center on his back. He was shot from behind.</p><p></p><p>He doesn't seem to be carrying much else, but the blaster rifle looks to be in good condition. You picks it up and continues on your path. Even scanning every square meter of the hallway, it doesn't take you long to reach the Regrowth Labs. However, it would seem the deceased technician spoke the truth, as they are locked down. A blast door bars your way and someone has shot out the control mechanism on this side.</p><p></p><p>Spoiler:</p><p></p><p>I was wondering if you had intended on leaving the module there or not. I'll make a note that X had picked it up before cutting its way out.</p><p></p><p>As far as the keycard goes, this is actually a card shaped device, similar to the one you saw the technician open the door with when you were taken in for repairs.</p><p></p><p>Though you may have missed the clues about Four, I have to admit that upon rereading, I find that some of them may have been too subtle and easily missed by anyone, let alone somebody not looking for them.</p><p></p><p>Oh and thank you for the insight on your gaming style. I shall have to keep them in mind should you ever run something with me in it....</p><p>_________________________________________________</p><p></p><p>Originally Posted by Ambrus</p><p></p><p>DRK-1X turns, backtracks to the intersection and then carefully proceeds down the left hand corridor towards the elevators scanning ahead of it as it goes. Once there it'll repeat it's door breaching procedure to investigate the shaft beyond.</p><p>OOC</p><p>DRK-1X wants to determine if the elevator is operational, and if not whether the shaft is less than ten meters deep. If so it'll enter and float down two levels and repeat its door breaching procedure to continue carefully exploring that level to look for the mainframe. If the shaft is too deep or somehow obstructed 1X will instead backtrack to the regrowth lab blast doors, deploy its lightsaber and begin burning its way though. By my calculations it should take just over ten minutes of work to break through.</p><p>_________________________________________________</p><p></p><p>Originally Posted by Shadowbloodmoon</p><p></p><p>X quickly determines that the elevator doesn't seem to have power, as pushing the call button results in nothing more than a buzzing sound. Peering through its first cut, X sees that the car is not present on this level. Tentatively moving in through its second cut, X can see the top of the elevator car not more than five meters below him. Floating down and cutting through the roof, you enter the elevator car. This floor's elevator doors seem to be stuck in the open position and emergency lighting casts a red glow over the entire length of this floor's hallway. According to what you can make out on the wall next to you, this entire level is dedicated to the mainframe and it would appear that is all that is ahead of you, beyond another set of double doors.</p><p></p><p>These double doors have been ripped out of the wall however and just beyond them, X can make out the movement of something huge. So far it appears that whatever it is, it hasn't noticed you. Yet.</p><p>_________________________________________________</p><p></p><p>Originally Posted by Ambrus</p><p></p><p>DRK-1X will move ahead very slowly, taking every measure to remain stealthy. From a better vantage point it will scan the creature in an attempt to determine whether is poses a significant threat should 1X's presence be revealed. As it surveys the area, the probot attempts to determine the current operational state of the mainframe and whether it'd be somehow possible to interface with it while remaining undetected by the creature. If the mainframe seems inaccessible or the creature dangerous and unavoidable 1X will abandon the computer and double back to the blast-doors blocking the way into the regrowth lab in an attempt to breach them by brute force.</p><p></p><p>OOC: Does the keycard 1X is carrying seem to fit any slot here?[/Sblock]</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Ambrus, post: 2814202, member: 17691"] [Sblock=Recovered Posts 151-196]Originally Posted by Ambrus "Inquiry: Who are-are-are you? How do you know whooooooooooo I am and that-at-at I was here? State-ate-ate-ment: I will require significant *bzzzzzzzt* replacement parts, tools and effort to repair f-f-f-f-f-fully. I intend to take them-em-em from this facility before leaving and complete the work myself lat-at-at-er. Inquiry: Will these im-imperials technicians allow this?" _________________________________________________ Originally Posted by Shadowbloodmoon The man simply smiles, nods in the direction of the locker and then leaves. For the time being, you are alone in the room. Most of your basic operations are available and your programming seems to be coming back online. You take some time going through the various parts in the room and find a few basic pieces that will work with your systems. You gather as much as you can into your storage area before going to the locker that the technician indicated. It opens easily to your mechanical touch, revealing a large supply of parts that seem almost specifically designed for you. You determine that there are far too many to carry on your own. You go through what you have already found and take what you figure would be considered upgrades to your original design. The rest will have to wait as you detect the approach of the Imperial technicians. You manage to return to where you were resting before and the technicians say nothing as they get back to work. You notice that they mostly spend time cleaning the outside of you more than working on any actual internal damage. After another hour, you hear one of the technician's comlink beep. His eyes go wide as he listens to the person on the other end. What he says next causes the other techs in the room to panic and frantically make their way to the exit, leaving you behind. "They.. Lord Vader is... They're gonna.. We have to go, Lord Vader has ordered this place bombarded from orbit!" You have gained back 2 WP and all of your VP. I'll give you an inventory of what you managed to 'borrow' from the locker as soon as X gets to a safe place... _________________________________________________ Originally Posted by Ambrus DRK-1X watches the enigmatic technician leave before taking advantage of its time alone. With an uncharacteristic lack of grace the diminutive probe droid deploys its infant-sized mechanical arms from within its chassis with a grinding sound and a clank. 1X tests their functionality by flexing the two tiny four fingered manipulator hands and their respective elbow joints. The movements aren't as smooth as the droid is used to, but the arms are at least functional. DRK-1X slowly lifts off of the counter-top and floats over to a small rucksack lying forgotten on a chair that it had taken note of earlier. Pulling it open, 1X begins pulling out and discarding the foodstuffs within into a nearby waste receptacle. Working its way around the room, the diminutive probot begins gathering the smallest and finest tools it'll need to repair itself in full. A fusion cutter, vibro-cutter, hydrospanner, laser welder, sonic welder, power calibrator, probe sensors and an assortment of connector wires quickly make their way into the bag. At the sound of the approaching footsteps, DRK-1X quickly deposits the rucksack out-of-sight atop the storage cabinet before refolding its arms and returning to the worktable. The damaged probot says nothing as the technicians get back to work on it for the following hour. Even as the panicked technicians start fleeing the room, 1X is extending its telescoping antenna and sending an emergency signal to Dofina wherever she may be. Lifting off of the worktable, 1X once again deploys its manipulator arms as it makes its way to the storage cabinet. Not waiting for its mistress to respond, 1X transmits the following warning as it retrieves the rucksack and opens the cabinet doors: "Report: Orbital bombardment of this area is imminent. Suggestion: Please evacuate the area or take whatever safety measures available to you." With the bag in hand, the damaged probot snatches the best components available to repair itself. Seeking to fill the bag without unduly weighing itself down, 1X next grabs whatever upgrade components are available, starting with the costliest. Mindful of the passing seconds, 1X latches the bag closed when it's repulsorlift engine begins to strain under the added weight. Without wasting another moment 1X turns it's attention to fleeing the building and the doomed settlement. OOC: FYI, 1X's light load carrying capacity is 3.25 kg, its medium load is 6.625 kg and its heavy load is 10 kg. Since its speed is 16 taking on a medium or heavy load will just slow it down to normal human speed. It's seeking to take on no more than a medium load so that it'll still be able to run at x4. It might consider taking on a heavy load if there is a piece of equipment just too good to pass up, though I'm not sure what that'd be. Also, you mentioned 1X's storage compartments; it doesn't really have any except for the recesses in which it fits its arms, weapons and probe. You were gracious enough to allow 1X to keep a chip-sized item in its arm compartments. Currently it's carrying Ventress' credit chip in one and the Ari's Sorrow code cylinder in the other. I just don't imagine there'd be enough room inside its chassis for much else. It's up to you though. 1X is going to seek to escape the building by the fastest means possible. If it has reason to believe one of the room's walls faces the exterior and isn't too hard then it may try to cut through it with its lightsaber. If it'd be faster to backtrack out the way it came it'll do that instead. Although it'll do its best to remain out of sight, 1X is willing to forgo stealth for speed at this point. If any imperials get in its way it'll order them aside with as much bluster as it can manage. Once outside, it might try hitching a quick ride out of the settlement by means of grabbing a hold of a passing swoop, landspeeder or ship heading out of town and drop off of it when a good distance away; say a few kilometers. If none are available it'll just tear out of the settlement on its own (at a run) and head for the horizon (generally in the direction of the stowed ship if convenient). _________________________________________________ Originally Posted by Shadowbloodmoon Considering how tiny X is, I figured the pieces to repair you weren't that big either, but now that you have a bag of tools as well, your carrying ability nearly skyrockets. At least as far as convenience goes, that is. You manage to put together the equivalent of a Droid Repair kit, more advanced than a regular toolkit, it gives a flat +3 to Repair rolls for Droids only and weighs 1.5kg. You also find replacement parts for your manipulator arms (2kg), blaster weapon mount (.5kg) and comlink array (0.05kg). Lastly, you find a diagnostics package (4kg), equipment to make your arms telescopic (2kg), a translator (DC20, 1kg) and a 360 sensor system(1kg). All of them are designed specifically for probe droids like X. I'll let you decide which of those you'd like to keep... And, I think it's time for a little experience too. 600XP for DRK-1X. Grabbing your stuffed sack of parts and equipment, you zoom out of the room and down the hallway. There are technicians and some armed personnel running to get out of the building, none of whom pay attention to you as you follow the route indicated on the map in the memory chip inside your chassis. It isn't long before you find the exit that you hear the not too distant rumble of an explosion. As you emerge in the midst of frightened locals along with escaping Imperials, you see the emerald green blasts of fire coming down from the night sky, sending reverberating shockwaves closer and closer to your position. The burning fires of most all of the buildings light up the rest of the settlement and the turbolaser fire only adds to the chaos. Before you reach the streets and your path to safety, you spot Lord Vader standing by his shuttle, admiring the effect of his orders. He then boards the craft. You presume he takes off but your flight has become first priority and you are well out of eyesight. As you reach the edge of the settlement, you have yet to recieve a reply from Mistress Dofina. Your path is open however and you race towards the Ari's hiding place, leaving the doomed settlement in your wake. _________________________________________________ Originally Posted by Ambrus DRK-1X pauses for a moment at the sight of the suspected Sith Lord standing amidst the carnage to snatch a holo-image of the man before turning to flee. As it tears across the dark surface of Dantooine, the diminutive probe droid swivels its infrared sensor pod to watch the settlement burn as well to try and detect Vader's shuttle launch as it lifts off. Luckily the sounds of the explosions behind it help to mask the rattling of 1X's damaged chassis as its repulsorlift unit is pushed to the maximum. Although the lack of a response from its mistress disturbs the damaged probot, without knowing her current whereabouts there is little that DRK-1X can do for her. 1X continues along its set trajectory towards the distant tor where its ship is concealed several hours away. OOC 1X will continue on towards the ship unless it receives word from Dofina. The trip should take about two and a half hours. Assuming 1X reaches the ship it'll open it up, float inside, lock itself in and set the vessel's comm system to scan Dofina's frequency and record any transmissions. DRK-1X will then settle in, shut itself down and reprogram itself with a single point of Repair. Next, 1X will reactivate, lay out the tools and spare parts around itself and begin the long arduous task of repairing itself for the following fifteen hours (taking 10 throughout) unless it hears from Dofina. While it works on itself, 1X will also take the time to carefully review the work the various technicians performed on it. It wants to double-check their repairs but also wants to ensure that none of its systems have been sabotaged and that no other new components were added in, such as a tracking device, restraining bolt, self-destruct system or remote control. Yay! Xp! Just 700 to go before I level. Huzzah! Aside from the map of the building is there anything else on the provided data-chip? As for the parts, 1X will limit itself to replacement parts it specifically requires unless the components you list must be replaced because of damage or are somehow superior in design. Are 1X's arms, weapon mount or comlink beyond repair? Would the new arms make 1X stronger or does the new comlink have better range? As for the diagnostic package and telescopic arm components their weight far surpasses their utility so 1X will pass on those. 1X's native improved sensor package already surpasses the benefits provided by the 360º sensors so 1X will skip that as well. The translator unit is tempting however so 1X will take that and install it while performing its other repairs. 1X has pretty much all the different kinds of equipment it wants inside its chassis already. What it needs now are superior versions of the same components such as a mastercraft blaster pistol, ability boost components, an encrypted comlink, etc. Instead of taking the unwanted components listed above, and if it's got any room left in its bag, 1X would take some extra spare parts to keep around for any future repairs. I don't know if any of this stuff maters to you or not, but 1X has so much swapped out components in its chassis (some of which, like its arms, I had to guess their weight) that it's hard to estimate how much free space it might have left inside. For instance, 1X has a heuristic processor added in, which has a listed weight of 5 kg. It isn't clear however what it's original stock processor's weight was or whether it should have been subtracted from its weight allowance or not; please let me know what you think about that. Disregarding that, 1X has (by my estimation) about 1.3 kg of free space left; just enough space for the translator unit and and the few chips it's carrying. BTW, I found the rules for jamming transmissions that we'd been searching for a while back; they're in the Hero's Guide of all places. They go on to describe in great detail all the aspects of communications technology in the Star Wars universe. Very enlightening for me at least. _________________________________________________ Originally Posted by Shadowbloodmoon The last of the turbolaser barrage imprinted in your sensors, you watch the fires of the settlement burn into the night sky. Three shuttles take off from the area during the chaos, one of which you immediately recognize as the one the Sith Lord was on. It wastes no time in leaving the atmosphere of Dantooine off to whatever mission his Master has for him. You jet across the lonely stretch of scrub between the settlement and the hiding place. Your rattling motor would normally echo across the plains, but the cacophony of sound from the destroyed settlement still carries even this far out. It isn't until you are nearly to your destination that the sound lets up. The only remnants are the fires that still light up the sky. Another light in the opposite direction tells you that the planet's star will be rising soon. You find the ship on its ledge as you had left it. Some small critters have decided to sniff around it, but the mechanical sound of your engines easily frighten them away. Activating the code lock, the access way opens and you enter, locking yourself inside. Setting the communicator to receive only, you then set about getting to work on your broken form. The technician's job seems to have been done to specs, at least as far as standard DRK models are concerned. Which is odd, considering that they had identified you as the now deactivated EFX-7. The only extra thing that had been added seems to be the memory module that your strange benefactor installed. While you work to rebuild your charred circuitry and chafed exterior, you go over the contents of the device. Besides the escape route map of the building you were in, it contains instructions for a meeting point on a planet in the Outer Rim. The coordinates do not correspond to any known system however. The worst part is, there is no signature, no way to identify who originally sent it. You postulate the possibilities as you work, replacing only the parts necessary, saving the rest if needed at a later date. You determine that the replacement arms and comlink are no more or less powerful than was originally installed. Nothing overly boosting stands out. A part of your Code wonders if any pieces of EFX-7 would have fit in your chassis. The translator fits easily into its place in your vocabulator circuitry that you have just replaced, nearing the halfway point of your repairs. Your internal chronometer ticks off the hours, eventually telling you that it is once again deep into the night on Dantooine. As you solder the last new panel into place, you begin to run a final diagnostics check to make sure everything is where it should be. You easily manage to repair all of your bits and pieces, back to full WP and such. As far as the weight goes, I would imagine that they would have removed the original processor first. The problem, as you said, is that no weight was listed for that. I can't imagine the thing weighing more than 1kg though. I'll have to do some calculations later on, but until then, I would say that X is full to capacity at this point. Thanks for looking up the jamming rules. Now that I know where to find them, I can more accurately adjudicate X's illicit activities... _________________________________________________ Originally Posted by Ambrus The fact that its Mistress hasn't contacted it for nearly a day continues to trouble DRK-1X's heuristic processor throughout its repairs. As it completes its self-diagnostic, the tiny probot gathers up its old and damaged components scattered about and, as a precautionary measure, systematically destroys them with the fusion cutter it took from the repair facility. The diminutive probe droid then dispenses of their remains in the ship's waste disposal unit. The supplementary replacements parts and its tools are subsequently returned to their rucksack and stowed for safekeeping in one of the vessel's storage compartments. Still disturbed by its near-destruction the previous night, DRK-1X slowly floats over and sinks down into the pilot's chair. Systematically 1X shuts down its sensors and motor control functions as it begins to focus its Code inwards upon itself. A minute or two of thought allows it to restore its skills-set to its previous settings. Sinking deeper into meditation, DRK-1X begins analyzing the events of the previous day, its assigned mission, the series of choices it made which led to its ambush and a violent firefight, its subsequent near-complete system failure and the successful ruse which allowed it to be repaired. Its newly installed circuitry races with electrons as DRK-1X examines its decision making algorithms, contemplates alternate possible actions it could have taken and measures the overall effectiveness of its Code in these recent trials. As it identifies possible lapses in judgement, 1X learns, modifies its Code accordingly and so continues to improve itself. The little probot remains in this powered-down meditative state for a little over an hour, allowing its system the time to regenerate and remain active for the following 100 hours. Its repairs and meditations complete, DRK-1X powers up and floats up out of the chair. Before leaving the shuttle, 1X discontinues the comm system's channel-scan and assures itself that the vessel's computer is still is still following the program 1X had set for it before. The probot then locks the shuttle on its way out, climbs to the top of the chasm and once more surveys the dark surface of Dantooine. As it does so, DRK-1X calls to mind Dofina's stated plan before coming to this system: "So, we're going to let him think his trap is going to work. I am going to die for a while..." Atop that windy precipice, the solitary probot can only hope that its Mistress had in fact executed her plan and had safely escaped the settlement's destruction. Whether she had or not, it was time for 1X to find out. Once more, the spherical probot sends a surge through its repulsorlift engine and shoots off the top of the Tor towards the night-shrouded plain far below. During its falls, 1X dips dangerously close to the hard-packed earth before slowing its decent, arcing back up into the air and tearing off across the plain beneath the light of the twin moons. OOC Yay! 1X is once more ready for action! DRK-1X will head back to the settlement to reconnoiter the area. It'll be keeping out of sight as usual as it surveys the ruins while scanning any survivors in the area, looking for any familiar faces (Tremayne, Halix, technicians or the people who'd been with Dofina, etc). 1X will conduct a thorough search of the military compound that Tremayne destroyed, the imperial facility to which it had been taken as well as the two buildings in which it had last seen Dofina the previous night (Search +9, taking 20). It'll be looking for clues or any surviving electronic or data-storage devices for information. Dofina had mentioned that she'd gone underground so 1X is particularly focused on finding any utility maintenance hatches, sewer access points, drainage tunnels, or anything else that appears to lead below ground. If it doesn't find any such subterranean tunnels in those locations it'll begin a systematic search of the entire settlement, starting at the center and slowly spiraling outwards while searching for any such points of decent (Search +9, taking 10). All the while it'll continue to monitor local comlink channels for any pertinent conversations or a signal from Dofina. All that should keep DRK-1X busy for a while. As for 1X's original processor, there are a few other things we can compare it to; a remote receiver (1 kg) for instance could be equated with simplest and lightest droid processor possible. It can receive and process the instructions to control a droid's body while also collecting and sending out the sensory information from the droid's onboard sensors but isn't developed enough to grant the droid anything like self-awareness or intelligence. A labour droid like a binary load lifter probably has such a simple and lightweight processor. In the droid article in the Star Wars RPG magazine I'd found the 3P0's AA-1 verbobrain (a non-heuristic processor with a built in DC 5 translator unit) is listed as weighing 5 kg. I'd venture to say that an individual droid's processor's weight is determined by the droid's intelligence score; the smarter the droid is the bigger and heavier its brain is. Even before 1X got its 5 kg heuristic processor it had an Intelligence of 16. That's pretty high so I would guess that it's original processor is somewhere between 3 and 5 kg. Even if it's original processor was only a single kilogram, that would still be an extra kilogram of space into which 1X would be able to put some extra components. Just my two cents though. BTW, are there any imperial troops left in the settlement? Are there any other, possibly larger, spaceports not too far away on Dantooine? 1X is still hoping to have the aft shield array repaired ASAP. _________________________________________________ Originally Posted by Shadowbloodmoon You eventually return to the ruined structures of the settlement. Even from a distance, you can still see small fires burning in some places, but the area is deathly silent. The building Tremane had already half destroyed was now the center of one of many craters that now dot the area. If there was anything under it, it must have collapsed. The building that the technician's started the repair work on you in is nothing but rubble and smoking debris. They way the pieces are strewn however, it looks as if this building exploded from the inside out before being hammered by the orbiting shipboard weapons. As you search, every once in a while you come across a charred body, or in some cases, parts of a body. Some are unidentifiable while others still have the shock of their death on their faces. None of those are familiar however. You eventually make your way to the buildings that your Mistress had once inhabited while hiding out. At first, everything looks the same as the other buildings in the area, destroyed and rubble choked, complete with bodies. Upon finding the remains of the second building however, you notice that there is a small hole that would seem to lead to part of a collapsed tunnel. It is possible that this tunnel is still intact further out, but you'd have to go in to find out. Taking a last final look aroound, you still find no other life-signs. The place is quite literally a ghost town and as far as you are aware, this is the only space port for some distance. Dantooine was not known to be a populous planet. I had originally thought that you might still have around 1 kg left, but for some reason I couldn't justify the math in my head at the moment. The only problem I see with basing the mass of the processor on the droid's intelligence is that many times, the smaller probe droids will have a much higher intelligence than the larger labor droids who have room for such large processors. I figured that I would probably base standard processor size on the droid's size. 5kg for Medium, 2.5kg for Small, 1.25kg for Tiny and so on. Star Wars being what it is however, I would suggest a compromise between the two, saying perhaps adding .05kg for every point above 10 or something. What do you think? _________________________________________________ Originally Posted by Ambrus Confident that there is no one nearby, DRK-1X sinks down into the shadow of a ruined wall. The diminutive probe droid once more powers down momentarily to recalibrate its visual sensors for active searching rather than passive scanning (Computer Use +14, DC 26, reallocating 1 skill point from Spot to Search). Once ready DRK-1X powers up, surveys the surrounding area one last time and proceeds to enter the narrow hole. The probot moves slowly along the tunnel, continually scanning ahead for any security systems, traps or structurally weak areas along the way (Search +10, taking 10). OOC What is it with Dofina and tunnels? On every planet she goes to she inevitably gets herself stuck in a tunnel somehow. Are nemoidians and rodians descended from some kind of burrowing reptile? Smaller droids probably do have lighter, finer-made components than larger models but there isn't any way to reflect it in the rules since droid components are simply given a set weight. What would really be ideal is are a series of droid construction guidelines. I believe WEG had published a droid book for their RPG; perhaps it'd have the answers we need. I wonder if I could find it somehow. On the WotC site someone has put together his own droid construction guidelines. Here's the link if you're interested. In the end a compromise isn't really necessary; I'll go with whatever you think makes sense. You're suggesting that a 16 Int processor weighs 4 kg and that's fine with me. Your original assesment of 1 kg is fine too. Did 1X spot any survivors during its trip to the settlement? I can't imagine that most people didn't simply flee the settlement; the survivors must have gone somewhere. So where is the closest spaceport in this system? Oh and what is Lumien anyways? _________________________________________________ Originally Posted by Shadowbloodmoon You stop for a moment to change your sensor mode and take another look around the area. The prospects don't look promising. Slowly making your way into the small opening, you look for any signs of collapse or weakened structure. Upon your first cursory scan, you can see that this tunnel was made recently, as there are no supports or any form of lighting available. This is made more evident as you continue along. In some places, the ceiling of the tunnel has indeed collapsed, but you are able to make your way past most of it. Your infrared visual sensors keep you from bumping into things as you progress, but so far all you can find are collapsed dirt walls and debris from the settlement above. After about half an hour however, the debris stops and even the walls are more intact. Moving further along, the tunnel fades from being completely made of rock to belonging to some sort of metal wall. Not much further and the tunnel gives way to a hallway. It seems to continue straight ahead for another 10 meters and then makes a sharp right turn. As you turn the corner, you come to face a metal door, or at least what was a metal door. Currently it looks as if someone forcibly removed it, but without light, it is difficult to tell how it was accomplished. Your Code takes a quick guess however as off in the distance your sensors seem to pick up a low growl.... Spoiler: Heh. Be glad I didn't make her a Geonosian, you'd never be able to keep up with her. I took a look at the post, and it is not too bad of a conversion from the old WEG books, which sadly, I no longer have. I might have to delve further into it. I remember one of WotC's books having a guide in it, but it was more of 'pick a base model and go from there'. Not really what I had in mind. What they do have however is a creature creation rules, which I may have to tweak a bit and see what I can come up with. But, that being said, I'll go with the original processor being 4kg. As far as seeing any other survivors on the way back, no there were none spotted. In fact, you didn't see any vehicles leaving the area either. You only recall seeing three shuttles leave when the attack happened, one of which was Lord Vader's. If there is another starport on the planet, it would likely be at another outpost, perhaps a mining colony or agricultural area. Other than that, Dantooine has no cities to really speak of nor any official transportation services as far as most people are aware. Besides, who said Lord Vader would leave survivors? Lumien is the Star Wars equivalent of platinum, but in crystalized form. _________________________________________________ Originally Posted by Ambrus DRK-1X pauses in its advance to take cover back behind the corner as it carefully analyzes the sound (Listen +10, taking 20). Before continuing along, the diminutive probot deploys its miniature blaster cannon from within its chassis with a soft whir and click. Focusing its infrared and low-light sensors past the mangled door (Spot +16, Search +10) DRK-1X begins floating stealthily along the wall towards the source of the growling (Hide +22, Move Silently +12, taking 10). OOC Wherever Vader is off to now, I can take comfort in knowing that he will very soon be having his ass handed to him by Kenobi. I wonder what he thought of the explosion that rocked the inside of his shuttle. _________________________________________________ Originally Posted by Shadowbloodmoon You pause for a moment, running the sound through your databanks to determine a possible source. You determine that it must be an animal of some sort and the animal must be larger than a human, based on the low pitch of the growl. After listening a bit longer, you figure that there must be more than one due to the uniqueness of some of the sounds. Floating forward in the darkness, your advanced senor array scanning the area ahead for the possible source of the sound, you come to large room that seems mostly empty. Surveying the perimeter, you determine that it is about 40 meters square and 20 meters high. Each side has a double door leading away from it, all except the one you came in through is closed. The growling seems to be coming from the doors directly ahead of you and it has gained in volume. Getting closer, you see that someone has attempted to bar the door with some sort of broken equipment. Spoiler: I will probably be doing a map for this place for you soon. You're going to need it... It is too bad X will not get to witness what happens to Vader in the next few days, but I'm sure the repercussions will somehow reach its audio sensors. I've been meaning to ask and keep forgetting... I noticed in your sig that you play a Gold Dragon Wyrmling in table top. I was just curious which rules you were using for that class, the Dragon Magazine ones, Draconomicon or Savage Species? _________________________________________________ Originally Posted by Ambrus DRK-1X's sensors sweep across the room searching for concealed threats. Not detecting anything but as of yet unable to perceive the opposite wall, the stealthy probot tentatively floats forward ten meters (infrared scanner, 30 meter range). Finally spotting the closed doors directly ahead, 1X floats upwards and trains its infrared scanner and blaster cannon on the portal. OOC You mentioned the room seemed "mostly empty". What is there in this room exactly? Is there anything behind which 1X could take cover to snipe on the doors? Is the chamber completely devoid of light? I started playing my dragon PC before either the Draconomicon or Dragon Magazine 320 had been released. Since we started the campaign at 1st level, the Draconomicon rules wouldn't have benefited me anyway since a gold dragon is the equivalent of a 12th level PCs upon hatching. What I did was create my own 12 level Dragon Hatchling monster advancement class based off of the model presented in Savage Species. Dragon Magazine 320 came out few months later so I eventually converted my character to that format to be "official". As is, Dragon 320 pretty much is a Savage Species build. Although I love the Draconomicon, most of the prestige classes, feats and magic items are intended for size Large dragons with many more Hit Dice than most PC dragons can easily achieve. Consequently it hasn't really been all that useful to me yet. Why did you want to know? _________________________________________________ Originally Posted by Shadowbloodmoon Taking a longer look around the room, you can see more broken pieces of medical equipment. It looks as if this was once a storage room for medical supplies. There is even a broken bacta tank in one corner. You approach the barred door, your scanner focused intently. As you get closer to the door, you can see now that there is bits of medical equipment such as feedbag stands and surgical instrument tables pushed up against it. Someone wanted to keep something out. That something is still on the other side, growling. A moment later, the growling becomes more vicious. A strange muffled yelp and the sound of something heavy hitting the floor turns into a scratching-on-metal sound. After a few seconds, the scratching stops and the growling returns. Spoiler: As described, the light is completely out in this room. No ambient light whatsoever. You could probably hide behind the broken bacta tank, it is big enough. The ceiling would be good too, depending on what is on the other side of the door... I asked about the dragon because I was curious mostly, but also because I at one time did a progression based on the Savage Species rules. I had always enjoyed the idea of playing a baby dragon, and finally being able to stat one out with guidelines really helped me out. Of course, now that it is in Dragon magazine, their progression is totally different from mine _________________________________________________ Originally Posted by Ambrus Seeing how the unidentified creatures appear unable to breach the barred doorway for the moment, DRK-1X decides to continue its search. The diminutive probe droid floats down and to the left heading first to that set of closed doors. Once in front of them, 1X carefully scans them for alarms or traps before attempting to open them and proceed beyond. OOC Do the doors have a computer access port next to them? Is there any such port anywhere in the room? Assuming not, and that the doors aren't trapped somehow, 1X will try to open them first by tapping the release button, then by physically pulling them open if possible and finally resorting to cutting a 35 cm hole with it's lightsaber near the top as a last resort. It'll then scan the space beyond and proceed carefully as before, searching as it goes. If there is a computer port though, it'll naturally try interfacing with it first. Out of curiosity, how is the bacta tank broken? Is it still upright and does it's cylinder appear intact? Is the clear cylinder made of glass or transparisteel? Is the only way into it through the top? How tall is it; it looks pretty big in the movies. Did you ever get the opportunity to play your dragon? What kind was it? In some ways I was disappointed with the magazine's build; I believe my own was better. For instance, the gold dragon gains the ability to assume alternate forms before it gains multiple physical attacks or the ability to fly. So although it has wings and claws in its natural form, it can't use either though it can change into an animal form that has the same features and use theirs without problem. The idea of a dragon turning into, say, a mountain lion to fight enemies or an eagle to fly around seems kind of dumb to me. I think a dragon should be able to use it's natural body better than an assumed one, but that's just me. When I switched my character to the published format I asked my DM to let me swap those two abilities' levels with each other. *shrug* _________________________________________________ Originally Posted by Shadowbloodmoon X leaves the creatures behind the barred door to examine the door to the left of where it entered, scanning for any sign of something that would prevent entry or alert the creatures or any other possible occupants. The main release button has been smashed, but whoever did it forget to also smash the emergency release. You float over to press the button, but then stop as your sensors pick out a faint line that runs a centimeter parallel to either side of the doors from floor to ceiling. You can detect no energy running through it, but your security system databanks tell you that it doesn't mean this proximity alarm isn't armed. If you open the door and the alarm is active, anyone monitoring this area will know that something has opened the door here. Spoiler: I'm pausing here in case X wants to do something before atempting to open the door... The doors only have a release button, no code ports or anything of that nature. They will be easy to open, as there is an emergency manual release button next to the regular one. Assuming someone hasn't barred the door that is... The bacta tank's electronic components are completely busted and in the light of your infrared, you can pick out cracks along its transparisteel tube. It is currently on its side in the corner nearest the way you came in. This was one of the larger models, meant for Medium-size creatures (like the one in the movies). Usually the occupant is lowered in from the top, but in rare cases, the cylinder can be removed and then replaced around an occupant before being refilled with bacta solution. heh. I agree with you about the new write up in the magazine. I always presumed that dragons could fly from birth just as much as they new how to speak from birth. Makes no sense to me how they would be able to understand another animal's natural fighting ability before their own. Odd... Incidentally, I never got to play my gold dragon write up, but I did actually post it here on EnWorld some time ago. I'll be damned if I can find it again. Not that it was any good, it was my first attempt at using Savage Species... _________________________________________________ Originally Posted by Ambrus Having spotted the security wires, DRK-1X chooses to circumvent them rather than risk setting off an alarm or possibly something worse. Floating up to the top edge of the left door, 1X opens its lighsaber compartment with a soft whir, soon followed by a click as the weapon within gently rises into ignition position. With but a thought, the crimson energy blade pierces the darkness of the chamber. 1X gently pokes a hole through the door panel and then extinguishes the blade. Drifting towards the hole with the glowing molten metal edge, the probot scans the space beyond for anything stirring (Listen +10, Spot +16, taking 10). Assuming there is nothing alarming beyond the door, 1X drifts backwards and once more re-ignites the short lightsaber. This time the probot traces a circular outline in the door panel exactly 35 cm wide. Once the circular door panel comes loose and falls to the floor, DRK-1X extinguishes and stows its energy weapon once more and listens for signs that its entry has been detected. Assuming the coast is clear, 1X retracts its antenna, carefully passes through the hole, extends it antenna once more and begins carefully exploring the space beyond as it continues to search for Dofina (Search +10, taking 10). OOC It's a shame you never got to play your dragon character. I've been playing mine for years and it's fun, though playing as an immature infant does take some getting used to for everyone at the table. I generally play my PC as a curious and precocious child. Considering his high intelligence and the racial memories all dragons are born with he tends to learn new things quickly and he only has to be shown something once to remember it. His racial predisposition towards law and goodness is also a fun thing to try role-playing; imagine being disposed towards following laws when you don't yet know what they are. Perhaps you're starting to see why I wanted to play a droid; I gravitate towards unique characters in RPGs rather than playing the regular races. _________________________________________________ Originally Posted by Shadowbloodmoon X peers through the new hole that it has made into the doors. The hole gives a fishbowl type view of the darkened hallway beyond. From what you can see, the hallway is clear, except for something pushed up against the doors. The hall seems to lead further into this complex. There is some sort of printed signs on the wall that seem to point in various directions, but they are difficult to read in infrared lighting and a distorted view. Determining that the area is safe, you cut a larger hole in the door. The hot metal panel falls to the floor with a resounding clang. For a moment, the growling in the other pathway ceases before resuming again as you pass through the new entrance. The sound fades as you continue inside. Turning to look at the doors, you can see that someone had attempted to bar this door as well with some sort of office desk and chairs. As you pass down the hallway, you come to another pair of doors. Looking closely at the writing next to them, it would seem that you are headed to some sort of laboratory. Spoiler: I would have liked to try playing something like that, but things happen sometimes... <long story> Nonetheless, it sounds like you have a pretty good handle on playing him. I imagine it would difficult to learn about some law or restriction and then instinctively want to follow it without being told why. I can only imagine the other members of your party's reactions when it comes to said interactions... I don't suppose your groups has done any story hours? _________________________________________________ Originally Posted by Ambrus Confronted with another set of doors, DRK-1X once again scans the door for security devices and, assuming it finds a similar setup, pokes a hole near the top of the door with its lightsaber. After confirming that the area beyond is safe the probot will burn an entry hole, wait a few seconds more to see if its been noticed, then enter and carefully explore the space beyond. OOC Sorry, no story hours I'm afraid. It's strictly a tabletop game. If you're interested though, I have posted a thread detailing a proposed system for Dragon Rage since our campaign is based in the Forgotten Realms CS during the Year of Rogue Dragons. This subterranean complex is starting to seem more than a little familiar. Did 1X travel far enough underground in the right direction to bring it anywhere near the abandoned research facility it had explored earlier? It'd be like Dofina to end up taking shelter in a mutant monster infested research facility. *sigh* Am I missing something; do all the doors swing open on hinges? If they slide open like most doors in SW then I can't figure out why anyone would bother to pile furniture in front of them. It'd only create a momentary obstacle if the doors slid asside. _________________________________________________ Originally Posted by Shadowbloodmoon Performing the previous operation on the new door, X peers again through the few centimeters wide hole made by its lightsaber. On the other side of this door, as far as it can see, there are rows and rows of bacta tanks. There seems to be some sort of power left in this room, as emergency lighting casts a deep red glow over everything. This room seems to be some sort of medical treatment center, but not like X has seen before. Cutting the hole larger, X enters the room. Besides the rows of tanks, most of which seem intact, there a few tables full of tubes, glass piping and microscopic readers. A computer console stands to one side of one of the tables. There are also two storage lockers to one side. They are marked 'Emergency'. One has been left open, the other remains closed. On the far side of this large square room, another set of double doors lead out. Spoiler: Thanks for the link. I'll definately be checking those rules out. The doors actually do slide open. Good observation! However, you'd be amazed what sentient beings can do in desperation. And incidentally, no, the other place is much farther out than this place, but they do look a bit similar, that I will agree on. _________________________________________________ Originally Posted by Ambrus DRK-1X floats through the room slowly, spinning as it advances to scan behind the tanks and the hidden corners of the room. Noting the computer console, the diminutive probot drifts towards it. Stopping before the console, 1X deploys its scomplink probe from behind a panel in its chassis. The probe unfolds and telescopes forward until it marries itself with the computer's access port. As the probe begins to spin slowly 1X projects its Code into the console to learn what it can of the facility and perhaps interface with the complex's mainframe, assuming there is one (Computer Use +14, taking 10). OOC Organic sentients perhaps. How many bacta tanks are in the room? Do they have bacta in them too? Aren't these things worth 100K apiece? After dealing with the computer DRK-1X will proceed with carefully searching both lockers inside and out (search +10, taking 20) before continuing with the next set of doors. _________________________________________________ Originally Posted by Shadowbloodmoon X counts at least forty separate tanks. Each one still seems to be filled with fluid. According to its latest banking records, this room alone would be worth 4 million credits on the open market. Possibly more in other markets. As X looks around, it notices that five of the tanks are broken and empty of fluid. In the other tanks, X sometimes sees small movements, but on a second look, sees nothing further. Other than that, the room appears empty. Interfacing with the computer console, X gets the following readout. ERROR: Main system unresponsive ERROR: Memory banks inaccessible ERROR: Self-Diagnostic questionable ERROR: Power reserves minimal Apparently, without finding a way to get power back to this console, there is no getting any further with it. Removing the link and retracting its Code, X moves on to the lockers. One of them is hanging open while the other remains closed. The open one looks as if it used to contain weapons. There are places for blaster rifles and power packs to be stored and recharged. There are still some holsters for blaster pistols hanging there, but they are empty. It looks as if the last people that were here cleaned it out. The second locker is secured, but X is easily able to pop it open. Inside are some suits of protective armor. Nothing like what a clone trooper would wear, but more like local militia, vests and blast helmets. But this is not what gets X's attention first. Curled up at the bottom of the locker is a whimpering male Nemoidian. "Don't hurt me... please... it wasn't my fault... _________________________________________________ Originally Posted by Ambrus DRK-1X doesn't bother to avert or retract its blaster cannon as it focuses its attention downwards on the cowering nemoidian; reminding the male who is in control (intimidate -1). A few moments of processing allows the probot to switch its vocabulator to nemoidian. "Order: Identify yourself and your function. Explain what has happened here. Explain what is not your fault." 1X focuses its full sensor array on the nemoidian, monitoring his vitals and scanning his body as he speaks for signs of deception (Sense Motive +2) as well as for injuries (treat injury +2) or concealed equipment (Search +10, Spot +16, taking 10). OOC 1X is content to allow the male to remain scared in the hopes that he'll reveal everything it wants to know. It'll continue prodding the nemoidian along with questions to keep him talking as it continues its interrogation. 1X wants to know how long he's been in that locker, what he's hiding from, what this laboratory is for, what the nature of this facility is, how big it is, what its layout is, who built it and when, what purpose it served, what calamity befell it, where the other people who worked here are, what manner of creatures are loose in the place and whether he knows of a nemoidian female taking refuge down here. _________________________________________________ Originally Posted by Shadowbloodmoon The frightened Nemoidian slowly turns to face you, his face peering up from the floor of the locker. "What the...? You're not them, you're not... Hey wait a minute..." The Nemoidian's composure seems to return as he stands full height to face your floating body. He doesn't seem to be armed with anything other than his lack of a proverbial spine. His body is free from wounds except for a scrape or two and bruises on his arms and face. "You're DRK-1X, Mistress Dofina's lapdroid. She said you would be coming to find her. Listen, this place is not safe. They said, they said I was to stay behind and wait for you. They said, they said they would kill me if I didn't." He pauses for a moment. Your sensors tell you that when the pathetic creature says the word 'they', his heart rate jumps up a bit and his breathing increases. This effect doubles when he speaks the word 'kill'. "I.. I warned them the solution was unstable. They didn't listen. Some of them escaped. Your Mistress was one of them. Forced me to remove the DNA locks. I warned them..." Either your scanners are operating poorly or this Nemoidian's brain waves are very erratic. Either way, he seems to be avoiding the important questions, except: "You're not going to kill me are you?" Damnable -1 to Intimidate.... _________________________________________________ Originally Posted by Ambrus DRK-1X leaves its blaster trained on the male. "Report: I have no orders or programming which would prevent my killing of you. Order: Answer my questions. Explain who you are and what you are doing here? Explain where Dofina is and who is with her. Explain what has occurred here." _________________________________________________ Originally Posted by Shadowbloodmoon "No need for that. Too much of that already. Betrayed I think. Spies everywhere. Probably listening now. Refugees come here to hide. Gone now, fire fight. Ran to the last shuttle bay. Told me to stay. Told me you would come. Tell you... Tell you something." As he speaks, your readouts indicate a massive increase in breathing rate, the Nemoidian's brain waves become even more erratic and your visual sensors spot a bit of his blood trickling out of his olfactory inlets. _________________________________________________ Originally Posted by Ambrus Growing concerned for the man's erratic metabolism, DRK-1X continues monitoring and analyzing the nemoidian's vital signs in an attempt to determine what is wrong with him (treat injury +2, Search +10). "Inquiry: Tell me what? Where is the last shuttle bay? When did they leave?" _________________________________________________ Originally Posted by Shadowbloodmoon It seems that the man is fighting something off, attempting to resist something only he is aware of. The Nemoidian man stutters as the blood forms a slow rivulet down his face over his lip and down his chin. "It's.. it's... down there, past the...the labs... labs closed down. Emergency override...mainframe...two levels down... take..take th... " The man finally collapses, his blood forming a pool around his head. Though he is still breathing heavily, his body is rapidly cooling. He will die without proper treatment. It is then that you notice he has taken something from his work overalls. It seems to be a keycard. _________________________________________________ Originally Posted by Ambrus A pair of compartment doors flip open on the diminutive probots' curved sides as two tiny mechanical limbs unfold themselves with a soft whirring sound. The droid simultaneously retracts its blaster cannon as it sinks down towards the still form of the nemoidian on the floor. DRK-1X does the best it can to staunch the flow of blood, first with its manipulator hands, and then with makeshift bandages torn from the man's clothes (treat injury +2). As it does so, it scans the lab equipment on the various tables as it searches for an emergency medical kit or for a bio-reader it could use to diagnose and possibly treat the dying man. OOC 1X is hardly programmed for medical treatment but it can improvise due to its heuristic processor. Hopefully its knowledge of technology can allow it to identify useful medical equipment in this lab. Did 1X see any equipment it could use while scanning the room earlier? Can 1X tell if any of these tanks actually hold viable bacta? Could 1X possibly operate a tank? Is there a winch or repulsorlift system or some means in place to hoist patients up through the top of these things? If the answer is 'yes' than 1X might try that if it thinks it's got a chance of working. Since this appears to a biological laboratory of some sort I'd imagine that there might be the equivalent of a first aid kit somewhere that 1X might be able to use to try and stabilize the man. DRK-1X feels the need to try and help the man; he may be 1X's best chance of finding out what became of Dofina. In any case it'll try its best (taking 20). If 1X doesn't succeed in saving the man then it'll proceed to carefully search the body for anything besides the keycard before taking it. It'll then complete its cursory search of the room before attempting to breech the next set of doors as previously detailed. _________________________________________________ Originally Posted by Shadowbloodmoon X does what it can to stem the tide of the blood coming from the Nemoidian's head. Though the bleeding slows, X knows that it will not be enough. Quickly searching the nearest lab table, you find a medikit that still contains some supplies, most importantly, a heavy styptic that will certainly slow the blood loss. Applying it as per the quickly read directions on the side of the tube, the blood almost instantly congeals, allowing the flow to slowly come to a stop. This gives X enough time to search for a working bacta tank. Luckily, not far from where the man lay, one of the tanks is unoccupied as indicated on its readout. The information also tells you that emergency tank power has one hour remaining. You determine that this means that the man can at least be stabilised. Your hover motors strain in protest as you drag the unconscious body to the bacta tank's lifting mechanism. As you approach the body to strap it into the device, what X previously determined was a simple memory module in its body begins to activate, sending Code to your main processor: "Medical Emergency detected, do you wish to activate Medical Override protocols?" X's anxiety filters tip off a warning. The thing wasn't a memory module at all, it was a droid personality matrix.. And it wants to talk. _________________________________________________ Originally Posted by Ambrus Well, I'm glad 1X found a way to help the nemoidian but I'm divided on how he did it. I'd originally thought that the memory module was a datachip that 1X was carrying. It's only after rereading your previous posts just now that I realized it was a component that had actually been installed inside 1X and plugged into its processor; my mistake. I'd mentioned though that 1X was double checking all the repairs the technicians had performed and making sure that no unidentified components had been added in. I don't understand how 1X missed the fact that the module had a medical droid's operating system capable of supplanting its own program embedded in it; I'd imagine that it'd be a rather sizable program and hard to miss. When 1X checked the memory module it only contained a map of the complex with an escape route and a set of spacial coordinates in an uncharted region of the outer rim. 1X would probably have removed the module if he'd discovered a hidden operating system on it. The possibility that it has other unidentified programs would lead 1X to most likely tear the thing out ASAP; DRK-1X takes the sanctity of its Code very seriously. Frankly, I'm of two minds about this module and its alternate persona programming. On one hand it represents a great opportunity. If 1X can remove it, figure out how it works and program similar alternate persona programs then it could possibly do pretty much anything whenever it needs to. It could keep the medical persona program but supplement it with an emergency repair program, an emergency starfighter persona, a diplomat persona, a demolitionist persona, etc. The possibilities are endless. On the other hand, I have trouble believing such technology is even possible in the Star Wars universe. Reprogramming a droid with a single new skill point requires a complete shutdown and several minutes of skilled labor. Installing a new personality into a droid chassis likewise requires a skilled technician, quite a bit more time and even carries the chance that the droid's Intelligence will be reduced in the process. Plug in modules with instant persona switching abilities doesn't seem in keeping with SW tech levels. *shrug* Frankly, the injured nemoidian isn't nearly as significant as the discovery of this modules' hidden abilities. It's your call, but I don't quite know how to respond to the situation. _________________________________________________ Originally Posted by Shadowbloodmoon I thought that would get your attention. See, when X scanned the program for data and programs, that's what it came up with, the data and programs that were installed on the module. X was also running with the knowledge that what the technician told him was that it was a memory module and could think of it as nothing other than that. (shameless DM wording use plug here). As X has just found out, what was actually installed was a mostly complete droid brain, with some modifications, of course. Remember who X works for and some of the technology she had access to, much of which is NOT in the hands of the common militaries (or much of anyone else) at the time. This will help X determine just what it is Dofina is involved with as time goes on... If you don't think X would have allowed the personality transfer, I'll go back and rewrite it, no worries. I apologize if I suspended the verisimilitude of the galaxy for you... _________________________________________________ Originally Posted by Ambrus It certainly did get my attention, I'll give you that. I don't understand; you're saying that 1X didn't notice that the module was a droid brain simply because it couldn't imagine that the technician was lying? Aside from checking the module's program 1X also physically inspected it while it was completing the repairs to itself afterwards. I specifically indicated that 1X was taking the time to "carefully review the work of the various technicians" and to ensure that "no other new components were added in, such as a tracking device, restraining bolt, self-destruct system or remote control." I'd imagine that telling the difference between a droid processor and a data storage device would be rather elementary; kind of like telling the difference between a battery and an engine. Are you saying that 1X simply failed to identify the module upon its inspection? And no, 1X would never have allowed the transfer. Like any sane person it'd react negatively to hearing a foreign voice in its head. Even if Dofina had been the one dying at its feet 1X wouldn't have allowed its Code to be subverted. 1X would have immediately stopped supplying the module its power, stopped accepting any code from the module, purged its own processor of any of the foreign code, locked itself into one of the storage lockers and gone to work on itself to physically remove the module from its chassis ASAP. Only then would 1X have contemplated doing what I'd described earlier. _________________________________________________ Originally Posted by Shadowbloodmoon I didn't want to give too much away until you found Dofina again, but I seem to be making you upset as a player and that starts me thinking that I shouldn't DM on ENWorld any longer, so here goes. The droid personality was hidden inside a regular memory module, another part of the 'new' technology. The memory module is using an advanced circuit array that X is not familiar with, so that on the surface, it appears to be a simple memory module and not a droid brain. Something the designers wanted to make sure in explicit detail. Especially to its courier, X. However, when it was installed, the one thing the technician did not do was turn the thing off. So when it detected that you were attempting to deal with a medical patient, it responded. I know the whole thing sounds kind of wonky, but I'm hoping that in the end when the whole story is revealed, it will all make sense. That being said, I went up and edited the post to stop where the 'module' requests activation. I apologize for the confusion and such. _________________________________________________ Originally Posted by Ambrus DRK-1X's chassis shudders violently at the first instance of unidentified binary code entering its heuristic processor. With the dying nemoidian lying nearly forgotten beneath it, the probot rapidly executes a viral-code search algorithm. In less than a split second 1X identifies the source as being the mysterious module integrated into its neural network. Less than a full second after the foreign code's intrusion, DRK-1X begins shutting down all the circuits connecting the module to its own processor, depriving it of the ability to receive or send any data. While the diminutive probe droid begins rerouting its own functions to compensate, 1X begins the process of identifying, isolating and destroying any of the module's foreign code remaining within its circuits. Shuddering, 1X floats towards the storage locker, enters it and pulls the doors closed behind it. With a whir, click and a momentary flash of crimson light, DRK-1X deploys and ignites its lightsaber for a split second. It uses the energy blade to soften the metal of the seem between the doors, allowing them to soften, melt and fuse together. Sinking down, the probot reorients its external infrared sensor pods to focus on its chassis. 1X goes to work on itself, removing the panel of its chassis granting it access to the module. Quickly, the black spherical droid pulls out the connectors linking the module to its processor. It then gingerly pulls the module itself out of its chassis. Setting it aside on a shelf, 1X goes about the task of putting its own components back in order and replacing its body panels. Only then does 1X cut the doors open again with its lightsaber blade before picking up the module and returning to the nemoidian. OOC 1X will do its best to help the nemoidian if he's still alive by trying to use the bacta tank. If he's expired during the interim, 1X will proceed to carefully search his body (Search +10, taking 20). It'll be sure to pick up his keycard before attempting to breach the next set of doors while taking the same precautions as earlier. I apologize, but yeah I was a little upset. It's not all your fault though. You should know that I tried playing a droid in a previous (now defunct) ENworld campaign in which a similar scenario played itself out. In brief, by the 15th post of the IC thread my repair droid had had its systems unexpectedly and completely infected with a second droid personality by a self-righteous NPC. Nothing my droid tried could stop or remove the second personality until that NPC pushed a button and rid my PC of it. I'd been not only frustrated by the infection but more so by the sense of powerlessness when I didn't manage to detect the alien personality in my own circuits until after it was too late and that my repair droid couldn't fix what had been done to it no matter what it tried short of destroying itself. I can recognize that there may be technology beyond what 1X can identify or cope with. Mostly, what upsets me in a game is being rail-roaded; whenever something seem oddly contrived or inescapable, then I start to get worried because it pushes my suspension of disbelief. The undercover technician seemed conveniently placed when I encountered him. How did he know I'd be there at that time and in desperate need of repairs? I didn't even know I was going for the shuttle until just then so he couldn't have known where to be. Even Dofina had ordered me to search for information elsewhere after all. He would have had to know that I would get into a battle and yet win and yet be too damaged to repair myself. Then when I found out what the module was it again seemed odd that he'd have such a particular piece of technology near at hand when he couldn't have expected to encounter me at one of the few times when I would have allowed a stranger into my systems. Then when the module turned out to be one of the threats that I'd specifically suspected it of being but was unable to identify it as such it seemed too hard to swallow. Still, I'm willing to give you the benefit of the doubt and deal with it. You may have noticed that I take great care in detailing what my character does and the many precautions it takes. It sometimes seems to border on being overcautious and paranoid but it's mostly because odd plot twists have happened to me before and I remain ever vigilant to avoid them in all games I play. It isn't paranoia if your suspicions prove to be true after all. I can deal with the unexpected, as long as it makes some kind of sense, at least in hindsight. All things considered I think you're a fine GM and certainly better than most I've played with. I sometimes disagree with some of your rule-interpretations but for the most part I appreciate your skill, effort and willingness to GM a SW campaign. Many people wouldn't have bothered keeping a campaign going for a solo player and for that I'm grateful. I enjoy this game, even if Dofina is exhausting to try and keep out of trouble. I think it'd be a shame if you were to quit GMing online. I don't know what your other experiences have been though aside from the rest of the Frying Pan game. _________________________________________________ Originally Posted by Shadowbloodmoon Without a second glance, X shuts down all power to the module and it goes silent. Quickly taking to the task of sealing itself inside one of the lockers and attends to the task of completely removing the memory module. Taking less than fifteen minutes, the piece is out and X is certain that all remnants of any of its Code are gone from its system. The droid personality now lies dormant on one of the shelves. Cutting your way back out, you hover over to the Nemoidian. Your scanners detect no movement coming from the being's lungs and his body temperature is cooling to room temperature. Your patient has died. Searching through his belongings, you find the keycard that he had originally intended to hand you and not much else. You then make your way to the door that he indicated previously. Accoriding to him, it will lead you to the labs. Though if what he said is any indication, they will be closed down and the override is with the mainframe two levels down. He didn't mention how to get down there though. You approach the door, once again searching for any traps, detection equipment or anything else of that nature. This one appears clean. Cutting your observation port, you peer through to the other side. Emergency power continues the red hued lighting in the hallway beyond. On the sides of the hall, you can see more writing that is better visible. The one pointing to this room identifies is at Specimen Maturity Lab 1. The other writing points to Regrowth Labs and Main Access Hallway. These would probably be past the double doors at the end of this relatively short hallway. Cutting a larger hole once again, X floats through to the other side and again sees nothing in here but as previously described. The next set of doors are similar to the ones that first led to the hallway that lead to the first lab, right down to the two parallel security wires. Emergency doesn't seem to apply to these either. Still being cautious, X cuts another observation hole before moving on. Beyond these doors it sees a hallway that goes left and right. To the right it reads 'Labs', to the left it reads 'Elevators'. Down on the floor however is another Nemoidian body, this one in military garb and holding a blaster rifle. The way his body looks, it is unlikely that he is still alive. The carbon scoring near the floor seems to agree with this sentiment. Spoiler: I am hoping to avoid the feeling of railroading, I certainly want to give you the option of escaping any 'inescapable doom' without having to invoke deus ex protocols. That's why for the most part my stories only have a slight direction in where I want them to go. Most of this part of the story has actually been written based on X's reactions and such. I too have had GMs push my characters to places and doing things they never would have and I apologize if I gave you that feeling. I had sensed that perhaps this was a recurring thing, but I didn't want to press the issue. Thank you for linking that though, it proved an interesting read... As far as the plausibility of the technician knowing where you were, it was difficult to adjudicate what was going on in each scene that would have allowed you to find out what you are soon going to (or you already have). I attempted to give subtle clues as to the identity of the technician each time you met or was in the same area, and subsequently would have hoped that this would explain how the technician knew where you would be and when. I appreciate the detail in which you post. It actually saves a lot of time without having to say 'Okay, so you are doing this this way or that way?'. At the end of this part of the story, I hope that when you look back, everything (or most everything ) will make sense. As far as gaming goes, I've been tabletopping for many years. Too many more than I care to admit. Many people like my style, many don't. It's the way of gaming. PbPing however is only very recent for me and I find that my skills as DM (and even player at times) are not the same. I've only attempted to DM one other game on here and that was a Babylon 5 game. That kind of fell through and to be honest I think it was more that I was attempting to follow a module than do what I'm doing with you, Toric and Bobitron (and Kemrain if we ever hear from Felia again). I've determined that I probably won't run anymore on here for some time, even when and if this one ends. That is unless I do something where the players are already a group that has worked together in the past. That way the game isn't too free flowing and all over the map. I've found that it doesn't work as well in PbP as it usually does in tabletop. At least in my experience. I get frustrated easily, especially when I feel I'm doing something wrong. I am a perfectionist when it comes to that... That and I'm already over my time limit as it is _________________________________________________ Originally Posted by Ambrus DRK-1X sinks down to the body lying on the floor to conduct a thorough scan (search +10, taking 20). The probot first confirms that the nemoidian is dead and then attempts to identify what military force he may have belonged to by studying his uniform and insignia. Finally 1X searches the body for any evidence of what killed him as well as for any useful equipment he may have been carrying aside from the rifle. If it finds nothing else it'll check that the blaster rifle is in good working order before gathering it up into its arms, rising up and floating down the right-hand corridor. As it advances DRK-1X will continue its careful meter by meter scan of the corridor to ensure it doesn't blunder into some trap(search +10, taking 20). OOC Assuming 1X reaches the lab doors it'll repeat its now usual procedure to safely circumvent them if possible. It seems that while editing my last post I inadvertently left out a mention that 1X was going to pick up the component once it was done sealing up its body panels and about to exit the locker. Mea culpa. I also wanted to confirm that the "keycard" you mentioned is just another name for a code cylinder. In fact your campaign seems generally railroading free, which is why I enjoy it so much. I overreacted when I realized that 1X had had a mysterious component inserted inside it without my realizing it; my misunderstanding though. When it seemed oddly contrived I had flashbacks to the earlier campaign I'd mentioned. Hopefully I didn't come off too badly in your rereading of that thread. I guess I do have a sore-spot when it comes to seemingly omniscient NPCs and being blindsided by seemingly inescapable plot hooks. As long as the GM has thought things through beforehand and has a logical and comprehensible way to explain what occurs after the fact then I'm happy. When I GM myself I make certain I know what an NPC knows and how he learnt it. I enjoy giving my players the opportunity to outwit and surprise NPCs if they're clever enough to do so. When I play I often try to find those same opportunities myself; probably why I like playing sneaky characters so much. In my experience though, many GMs aren't willing to let their players get the better of what they imagine are more cunning NPCs. As far as the technician goes, I was fairly certain that it was Four in disguise from the moment he admitted to knowing who I was; though 1X doesn't have any good reason to suspect she's a shapeshifter yet. I'm afraid I missed any clues that pointed out where else the technician might have seen 1X in the settlement. Possibly Dofina informed him beforehand that 1X was somewhere nearby or he succeeding in spotting 1X even though it was moving about the place stealthily. *shrug* Dunno. Maybe I'll reread the posts later. Anyways, thanks again for your frankness and effort. _________________________________________________ Originally Posted by Shadowbloodmoon X determines that the Nemoidian on the ground has most assuredly expired, as the body is the same temperature as the hallway. The uniform it wears is Nemoidian in origin. It looks similar to those X has seen on Nemoidian Royal Guardsmen. There are blaster burns all over the body, but most of them center on his back. He was shot from behind. He doesn't seem to be carrying much else, but the blaster rifle looks to be in good condition. You picks it up and continues on your path. Even scanning every square meter of the hallway, it doesn't take you long to reach the Regrowth Labs. However, it would seem the deceased technician spoke the truth, as they are locked down. A blast door bars your way and someone has shot out the control mechanism on this side. Spoiler: I was wondering if you had intended on leaving the module there or not. I'll make a note that X had picked it up before cutting its way out. As far as the keycard goes, this is actually a card shaped device, similar to the one you saw the technician open the door with when you were taken in for repairs. Though you may have missed the clues about Four, I have to admit that upon rereading, I find that some of them may have been too subtle and easily missed by anyone, let alone somebody not looking for them. Oh and thank you for the insight on your gaming style. I shall have to keep them in mind should you ever run something with me in it.... _________________________________________________ Originally Posted by Ambrus DRK-1X turns, backtracks to the intersection and then carefully proceeds down the left hand corridor towards the elevators scanning ahead of it as it goes. Once there it'll repeat it's door breaching procedure to investigate the shaft beyond. OOC DRK-1X wants to determine if the elevator is operational, and if not whether the shaft is less than ten meters deep. If so it'll enter and float down two levels and repeat its door breaching procedure to continue carefully exploring that level to look for the mainframe. If the shaft is too deep or somehow obstructed 1X will instead backtrack to the regrowth lab blast doors, deploy its lightsaber and begin burning its way though. By my calculations it should take just over ten minutes of work to break through. _________________________________________________ Originally Posted by Shadowbloodmoon X quickly determines that the elevator doesn't seem to have power, as pushing the call button results in nothing more than a buzzing sound. Peering through its first cut, X sees that the car is not present on this level. Tentatively moving in through its second cut, X can see the top of the elevator car not more than five meters below him. Floating down and cutting through the roof, you enter the elevator car. This floor's elevator doors seem to be stuck in the open position and emergency lighting casts a red glow over the entire length of this floor's hallway. According to what you can make out on the wall next to you, this entire level is dedicated to the mainframe and it would appear that is all that is ahead of you, beyond another set of double doors. These double doors have been ripped out of the wall however and just beyond them, X can make out the movement of something huge. So far it appears that whatever it is, it hasn't noticed you. Yet. _________________________________________________ Originally Posted by Ambrus DRK-1X will move ahead very slowly, taking every measure to remain stealthy. From a better vantage point it will scan the creature in an attempt to determine whether is poses a significant threat should 1X's presence be revealed. As it surveys the area, the probot attempts to determine the current operational state of the mainframe and whether it'd be somehow possible to interface with it while remaining undetected by the creature. If the mainframe seems inaccessible or the creature dangerous and unavoidable 1X will abandon the computer and double back to the blast-doors blocking the way into the regrowth lab in an attempt to breach them by brute force. OOC: Does the keycard 1X is carrying seem to fit any slot here?[/Sblock] [/QUOTE]
Insert quotes…
Verification
Post reply
Community
Playing the Game
Play by Post
Star Wars - DRK-1X and its Mistress
Top