The Untamed Wilds: Electric Skies

[MacConnell]

Once Syd gets back and conveys his experience, Trollick has significant fears that the crew is way-overmatched.

"Obviously, I have no interest in sacrificing Obrik."

Trollick mulls over his beer while he thinks. "I think that if we make a go at Pips or the Dead Lions, it will be suicide. We should go over what we know with the Bright Leaf Society to see if they have any ideas."

He crinkles his nose at feeling useless and chugs the rest of his beer.

"Or... or we could pitch our job straight at Pips. Tell him we are looking to end or ruin Towers and have no direct contract to interfere with his business, at all. Personally, despite my affinity for nature, I take no issue with what those Lions are doing with the animal fights. Those animals would fight naturally in their own environment."

 

[Waynan]

Syd listens to Trollick and shakes his head, a little in disgust, and a little in disappointment that he, and possibly Hawkeye, are just not getting it.

He interjects, maybe a bit harshly because of the stress he was feeling right now, "Listen here, chum; you ain't getting into the Real of what Pips meant. We can't play this off, Trollick! It wasn't a choice I was given. Well, yeah, it was a choice; but the choice was kill Obrik," he looks to the mage and adds, "Sorry, mate," then continues, "or be hunted by the Dead Lions forever, or until we're dead --- preferably killed by them. So, unless I have his head turned over to Scarlet Pips, we're nothing but game for the Hunt."

Syd kicks at a chair, knocking it over.
"And you KNOW, Pips will get Towers and HPD after us. That's all we need."

 

[MacConnell]

Syd... interjects..., "...It wasn't a choice I was given... or be hunted by the Dead Lions forever, or until we're dead --- preferably killed by them. So, unless I have his head turned over to Scarlet Pips, we're nothing but game for the Hunt."

Trollick shakes his head and scratches his beard. "I hear y'u. I hear y'u. This is a lose-lose situation. What if he'd asked you to kill one of us? Who's to say we aren't next on his list? This guy does not strike me as a once and done. He's a real megalo-prick. I'd rather die fighting him than to kill my friend."

 

[Tellerian Hawke]

Hawkeye Has A Plan

"... I want you to kill him and bring me his head back here as an apology gift. Do that and all is forgiven. Interfere with my business again and you might end up in that punishment circle, if you live that long.

Hawkeye, who has been silent up to this point, finally takes a deep breath, and explains his position.

He says, "I agree with Trollick. I don't believe the situation is as grim as you make it out, Syd. What he said were two different statements. Number one: bring back the head, and all is forgiven. But what he said next was, don't interfere in his business again. In other words, if we wanna be friends, bring him the head, and if not, we'd better not show our faces again. But I have a middle road. I say we send him an encrypted cybermail, with a counter-proposal. It would go something like this:"

OOC: To: Scarlet Pips Fr: Alex Crumley Smith Re: Can't quite do it Hey Bro, We can't bring the gift you wanted to the party. It's too expensive, and it doesn't match our style. That's something you need to buy for yourself. I'm sure it's for sale somewhere else. But what we can do is offer you a replacement gift. I saw these cool friendship bracelets at Mott's the other day, with built in credsticks. They come in a vast array of color palettes, 3500 options, to be exact. If you'd accept the bracelet as our gift, we'd like to attend your party, and talk to you about the latest fashion trends. We're not into reds; we're more into blues. That mixup the other day was completely a fluke. What do you say? Blue is such a more interesting color choice, don't you think? I think it's gonna be a hit this season. Yer bud, ACS

Hawkeye continues, "We need to smooth things over with him, or he'll always be a variable. I don't think we're unforgivable just yet, but we need to play ball, soon, or our status with him is going to get worse. We can tell him that our refusal to hit Obrik is because we don't want conflicts of interests with our other clientele. We need to act professional. We don't need to get emotional, Syd. That never helps. The only way out of this poker game is to follow the rules, and either call or fold. But if we throw our cards down and start pouting, we'll make everyone at the table mad at us. You get what I'm saying?"

 

[Waynan]

Syd listens to Hawkeye, getting angrier by the minute, bursting out: "You know Hawkeye, you can eat drek, mate. I'm not pouting; you dolt. I have lived all my life looking over my shoulder, so having to look over my shoulder for Dead Lions is nothing new. Nor is it to be threatened. It was just the way it was done, in an Soundproof Shell of Magic, with magic being something I still have trouble getting used to. It put me off my lunch, as it were; but also made me angry. So, in other words, I'm torqued off."

 

[Kwargrow]

Weekly post: 2xp

Same Old Path
[Sblock=Knowledge: Street] (Skepticism+Analysis), Trollick: 50+100(d100)+10(luck)=160, Syd Vicious: 49+94(d100)+64(luck)=207, Hawkeye: 45+30(d100)=75 [/Sblock]

From what Trollick knows about necromancers murder is always an option for them. There is no point to try and negotiate. The Dead Lions know who you are, and they will always be a threat.

From what Syd knows about gang hierarchy and leadership he knows there is no point to try and negotiate with Scarlet Pips. Having a HPD Captain in his pocket is far more valuable than three skilled runners.

Syd and Trollick convince Hawkeye that buying off Scarlet Pips is not an option. The Dead Lions are going to try and kill you anyway to protect their HPD lapdog, and because they are a group of psychotic death mages.

The Runners meet with Janet of the Pines to discuss strategy at the skyscraper of the Bright Leaf Society. Along with Janet are Obrik and eight other men and women. Two of the new faces are twin male orcs with green ponytails and matching two handed swords sheathed on their broad backs. They differ in one regard. One carries a shotgun, the other a rifle. The rest of the six are elves. They are all carrying single hand full auto firearms, have various melee weapons sheathed at their hips, and wear light armor. They don’t give their names, nor do they ask for yours.

Janice does all the talking. She is wearing heavy armor with dark blue runes carved into the breastplate. She says, “The crimes of the Dead Lions go far beyond the fighting pits. We have been trying to bring them down for a long time before the Billington’s were murdered, but their connection with the HPD kept them protected. If you can bring down Captain Towers with what you know then we can rid the Houston streets of this vile gang. I’ll be honest with you. Taking out the Dead Lions means our reputation will increase throughout the city so let us handle the necromancers and the three of you secure the proof to disgrace Captain Towers. For your part in this I’ll pay you five thousand credits each.”

The location of the Dead Lions stronghold is shared, and the Bright Leaf Society decides to attack at once. They are joined by twenty-five other strong warriors armed and ready. The scouts of the BLS find a service entrance at the north-side of the building. The entrance is warded with magic, but four of the BLS hold out their hands and with a bright flash the runes fall apart. The door is opened, and the assault begins. The BLS druids leap forward down the long hallway with predator ferocity. Once inside the compound and past the shield, there is no need for the runners to go further and Trollick and Syd watch over Hawkeye as he invades the private server through the VR.
[Sblock=Hawkeye VR] Hawkeye: 28+77=105 [/Sblock]

Inside the VR Hawkeye sees the private server as a wide-open plain with pale blonde grass, a pool of water next to a tree with wide branches. In the branches of the tree are a pride of lions with torn, rotted skins. Where the flesh shows through the skin it is metallic and cybernetic underneath. The lions leap down from the tree with gleaming claws and fangs, ready to tear any intruders apart. Hawkeye knows the lions are just representations of security programs for the Dead Lions server. He makes himself invisible to their sight and dead to their noses and passes by them without harm. Hawkeye moves to the tree and places his hand on it. The tree represents the information node and Hawkeye now has access to everything it knows. He makes copies of all the relevant information and stores them in his phone.

While Hawkeye is busy finding the proof of Towers cover up Trollick and Syd wait and stay alert. The BLS went downstairs but you haven’t heard from them since.

Hawkeye pulls off his headset and says, “I got it." He holds up the screen of his phone and it shows a first person view of horrible things even a runner hates to see. The faces of the Billington family are clearly visible. You fast forward through the violent parts to the end of the video where Captain Towers shows up on screen. No other member of the HPD is present.

*Video dialogue: Captain Towers clearly looking disturbed: What kind of disgusting drek is this?
Glitterface’s voice: Scarlet Pips said to take them out. He didn’t say we had to be nice about it.
Pinkins comes into view on the video: So we had some extra fun, so what? They’re dead and that’s what matters.
Captain Towers looks away and shakes her head: Scarlet Pips is going to pay double for this one. *End Video*

You have successfully found the evidence that will make Captain Towers pay for her crime. The Runners remember Obrik told them Lieutenant Fawbreu of HPD can be trusted. Hawkeye slips back into VR and sends a copy of the video incriminating Towers to Fawbreu.

Trollick, Syd Vicious, and Hawkeye are at the entrance to the Dead Lions stronghold. They have not heard from the Bright Leaf Society.

State intentions

 

[Tellerian Hawke]

OOC: Hawkeye's Intentions: As a precaution, Hawkeye sends the message not only to Fawbreu, but CC's the message to Shatterframe also. Once the message is completely sent, Hawkeye will un-jack / pull his weapon, and follow the others out of the complex as quickly as possible. He has a bad feeling about this place, and he does not want to linger. He also has the sneaking suspicion that the Bright Leaves might fail in their attempt, and he doesn't like the idea of the three of them facing the Dead Lions' security force mano a mano.

 

[MacConnell]

Janice does all the talking... “For your part in this I’ll pay you five thousand credits each.”

Trollick purses his lips and nods his head. “I’m good with that.”

...The BLS went downstairs but you haven’t heard from them... You have successfully found the evidence that will make Captain Towers pay for her crime...

Trollick rubs his thumbs across the tips of his fingers and frowns. “That was a disgusting scene. I will never understand why so many people think that the acquisition of power entitles them to such banal avarice. My particular talent for Way Lines is more akin to that of the Dead Lions than the Leaves, but l could never commit such atrocity.”

“Speaking of the Leaves, l would say that this conflict was already brewing and inevitable. We were only a catalyst. There is no way we could lend a hand right now. We should take what Hawkeye found and do our part with it. Whatever happens, if the Leaves prevail, l can contact them through Obrik.”

With that, Trollick edges toward the exit looking to see if his friends are following.

 

[Tellerian Hawke]

Hawkeye nods, "Agreed. I've already sent the data to both Fawbreu and Shatterframe. I say we jet now, before things get hairy. I'm locked and loaded, and right behind you. The sooner we're outta here, the better!"

 

[Waynan]

Syd looks about the Dead Lions digs, trying to find away for one of them to make a flanking manuever on the DL thugs and Scarlet Pips --- anything for an advantage.
He mentions the idea to his chums:
"Chums, I'm wondering if one of us tried to flank the Lions that it might help us. That way they won't have all of us in their magical crosshairs. "

He waits for their response.

 

[Kwargrow]

Weekly post: 2 xp
Druids vs Necromancers

Spoiler: the Bright Leaf Society vs the Dead Lions

With figurines and a map I randomly rolled out this conflict using TUW:ES rules.

You have no problem exiting the basement and Pips Pet Shop that covers it. Outside the skyscraper Shatterframe is waiting for you in her rebuilt van, and in its safety and comfort you wait for whomever stands victorious.

After fifteen minutes figures begin to emerge from the pet shop. Janice of the Pines is leading them and when you signal to her, she approaches. Her heavy armor is scorched from electric blasts, but she seems unhurt. Following closely at her side is one of the elves you saw before when you lead the BLS to the Dead Lions. She is lithe and seemingly delicate. She has charcoal grey skin and red hair.
Janice says to you, “The Dead Lions are no more. There are other members scattered around the city, but this cabal was their core leadership. I am sorry to tell you that Obrik Shadowstep did not survive the battle. He and another of our assault group were targeted with a thermal explosion by Scarlet Pips. Neither of them survived, but we paid the necromancers back more than we received. We had some losses, but we wiped them out to the last.”

She put her hand on the shoulder of the elf next to her. “This is Katmus. She received accommodation in this battle for outstanding prowess. Outnumbered three to one, and one of those was Scarlet Pips, she held her own long enough to kill the Dead Lions leader before she was brought down by the other two. We were able to revive her from her wounds. Since Obrik is lost to us, I am giving Katmus his vacated position. If you need to contact the Bright Leaf Society, you may do so through Katmus. I will not have time to deal with you directly.”
Janice authorizes your payment for the evidence, copies the video and lets you keep your copy. Receive 5000 credits

Obrik is removed as a contact.
Katmus is added as a contact and member of the Bright Leaf Society.

The Runners decide to lay low for a few days and not take any jobs while checking out what the city is saying about the Dead Lions. The official story on the VR is that a necromage gang responsible for slave trading, animal cruelty, extortion and murder was wiped out in a shootout with HPD. The story made many of the respected media channels. During the lawful raid HPD Captain Towers was killed in the line of duty. During a short ceremony tomorrow Towers will be given an award for honorable service posthumously.

The unofficial channels hold that the Bright Leaf Society took out the Dead Lions ending a fifteen-year long feud. Nothing of your involvement is said unless you decide to tell someone. What everyone agrees on is that the Dead Lions are gone, and Captain Towers is dead, although she was nowhere near the necromage lair when she died. Asking discreetly about any surviving DL’s you learn that anyone with that affiliation quickly abandoned it, some striking out on their own, and other joining different gangs.

After a week of no repercussions the Runners contact Shatterframe for more work.

Shatterframe says, “I have two new jobs for you to choose from.”
Offer One: Protection detail – Lazarus Shrug, a vehicle manufacturer in El Campo, has hired me to operate a new vehicle from his factory to his office across the city in Vidor. He’s expecting trouble so I’ll want you three to ride along. (Hint: Yes, we’re stealing this thing) Pay: 5000 credits

Offer Two: Courier work: A group of squatters has taken over an abandoned skyscraper in Port Arthur. HPD has them contained but they are contesting their eviction through legal means. They don’t trust the VR or the HPD so they are hiring runners to take their claim to Downtown and file it with the city legal department. Pay: 5000 credits

 

[Kwargrow]

Supplemental post:
The day after the aftermath of the Dead Lions Trollick finds a rolled piece of paper sitting on his bed. The message says, “During our proximity the other day we noticed you are developing your magical talents. If you wish us to assist you in discovering the higher mysteries of way lines, contact Katmus. Sincerely, The Bright Leaf Society”

 

[Tellerian Hawke]

Hawkeye snorts, "Despite being part of the Houston sprawl, Vidor is so remote as to be relatively neglected. Stealing cars in Vidor is par for the course. I doubt anyone will even blink an eye. Nevertheless, we'd need to be extremely careful. As for the second job, that might be more straightforward, and present fewer complications. HPD won't interfere with the delivery of a legit legal document."

 

[Tellerian Hawke]

OOC: This statement has been redacted by the player who posted it, in light of new information provided below by the GM.

 

[Kwargrow]

OOC: The police force across the entire city is called Houston Police Department, or HPD. Yes there are seperate divisions, but officers are regularly rotated from one district to another to keep them from growing complacent. Since the squatters are appealing to the law, the HPD would not interfere with you three going in, picking up their papers, and delivering them to the legal offices Downtown. Any interference would come from another party.

 

[Tellerian Hawke]

Hawkeye adds, "I have family near Port Arthur, in Bridge City. It's been years since I've seen my uncle Jimmy. If we take the PA job, I'd like to swing by there, after our task is complete."

 

[Waynan]

Syd likes the sound of both jobs, so he is willing to do either one first.

 

[MacConnell]

During the down time, Trollick will take up the offer of train with the BLS, as well as becoming more familiar with the group’s new contact, Katmus. He will also make a trip to inquire of Zerusk about adding a stone to augment persona or willpower, preferably will.

Hawkeye adds, "I have family near Port Arthur, in Bridge City. It's been years since I've seen my uncle Jimmy. If we take the PA job, I'd like to swing by there, after our task is complete."

Trollick rolls his shoulders and scratches his freshly cropped beard stubble. “I am with Syd. I could take either, but as you are leaning toward the PA job, I’ll suit up for that one.”

 

[Kwargrow]

During the week Trollick takes a leisurely stroll over to Zerusk’s shop and the orc greets him as a friend. The artificer responds to his inquiries that he has a yellow stone (Persona) and a white stone (Willpower), in stock. The price is 1000 credits per stone. After Trollick makes his choice Zerusk will attach the purchased stones to the bracelet. The whole process takes only a few minutes. Since Trollick’s Collegiate is over 10 the stones will provide +2 per stone to the attributes.

OOC: These stones are available for purchase to all players. Until Collegiate reaches 10 the stones only provide +1 to the specific attributes. This increases to +2 once Novice lvl is reached, +3 for Expert, and +4 for Mastery.

 

[Kwargrow]

Supplemental post: While on the way to Port Arthur Hawkeye sends a message to Uncle Jimmy to let him know he'll be by to see him. Jimmy sends back an invite to meet him for a VR conversation. In the VR the two can see each other's avatars and speak as though standing right next to each other. Uncle Jimmy's avatar is well known to Hawkeye, a baby in a small green tank with a military helmet and smoking a cigar. As always, nothing in the VR was as it seemed and that cute little tank was actually a feared manifestation of Uncle Jimmy's skills.
After you both verify identities and make sure this conversation is private, he puffs out a smoke ring and says, "It must be fate that you contacted me. As you know I've still been looking into your parents deaths. We knew the home invasion thing was drek, but we had no other motive. Last week the HPD nabbed a member of the the Hudu Krew on a drug inspired stroll and their mages did the whole 'mind warp' trick on him to get him to confess to crimes. One of the things he talked about was a hit job meant to look like a break in at Harold and Pauline Barnes' home. I confirmed it with my connection in the magical department at HPD. Anyone under a mind warp can't lie, which is why they're admissable in court. There were three other gangers present for the murder, but they were also provided security codes by whomever paid them. The one that confessed was low level and doesn't know who hired them, but at least we know what gang it was now. The sleaze HPD has is named Ponder Tom, and we can't get to him. I bet if we ask around to find some of his friends, we might track down some answers."