04 Mutually Assured Destruction
Have another session done. This one more about intrigue, interpersonal conflict through mutually assured destruction, and general plotting. Can you pick out a good cover art image for this one? ---
Pacing Move
5 Advance a Plot
Tatu comes to yell at Izel the next morning. They were planning on giving them the SDA and his gear back from his ship today after inspecting it themselves. Izel ignores her plotting and gets straight to the point. She knows where the Ashbound is and Izel is going to find out I've way or another.
Intimidate 25 - Izel yells right back. She knows where the Ashbound is and took samples from Izel while injured to bypass the ship bio-locks. Izel threatens to leave immediately and find his own way if Tatu doesn't reveal the ship's location.
Yes/No (Likely)
Is the Ashbound exactly where Izel left it?
3,1 Yes but...
Tatu reluctantly explains the ship is exactly where it was 2 years ago, they are unable to move it. So instead they built a stone structure around it, extending the main temple with a bayless hanger. It's only accessible via the main temple or the catacombs and even Tatu isn't allowed to just walk in and see it, so they have to send agents in through the catacombs.
Diplomacy 15 - Izel pushes Tatu to use her access and agents to scout for clues to the location of the tech cache.
Agency 1 - Tatu laughs. it's not a novel idea, she has already done that.
Competence 3 - Tatu shares what she knows (3 clue points) and combines it with Izel's insights about the vestigial tech-like aesthetics still present on Palehaven.
Clue 14 - It's still not enough. they need more information
Diplomacy 6 - Izel tries to convince Tatu he would be able to scout better since he actually knows technology and what to look for. Tatu agrees but it's out of the question, if he was found in the main temple they would be killed.
Intimidate 22 - Izel notices that Tatu includes herself in the collateral if Izel is caught in the main temple and threatens to just walk straight there in broad daylight and expose Tatu in exchange for protection. Tatu doubts Izel can succeed at such a political maneuverer but even if he fails she is still fucked. So she reluctantly agrees.
Competence 2 - Tatu acquires a heavy leather Embalmer apron for Izel and an Avian bone mask. They paint the exposed areas of Izel's feathers with blue dying them a dull purple. They then stage giving them a tour of the main temple which they act perfectly pissed off about like it was demanded of then. Sealing the ruse.
Investigation 12 (2 inspiration, 2 casts of Detect) - Izel uses his scanner when they are alone, which isn't often, but it does rule out a few potential locations. +1 clue point
Clue 7 - Still unsure about the location of the tech cache, but closing in
Pacing Move
3 An NPC Takes Action
Tatu and Izel return to the lesser temple and Izel gets back to planning out a ship blueprint with the SDA while Tatu...
Topic Focus
How is Tatu advancing her agenda?
3D Allies (technical)
Tatu gables gambles up Izel's repair gadget by offering it up to the main temple for archival. hoping it will be locked away in the tech cache and that they can personally deliver it.
Leverage 3 - Tatu's gambit fails. They deliver the repair gadget to the main temple but archival will be done by the elite guards there. The gadget is temporarily lost but Tatu gains insight as to exactly who knows about the cache location. which isn't terribly helpful since it's the elite personal guards of the Kalrath Ossuary.
Izel completes the blueprints but they are rough and have many gaps that the pixel printer will not be able to fill on its own. (arcana dc 25) The cost will also be spectacular given the number of expected re prints and reprocessing.
Treasure 1 - Tatu provides a small mountain of gold, which can easily be processed into pixels. Wealth and materials are not going to be a problem. Reprint all they need.
Izel plans out a PDA to analyze and improve the blueprints. It's easier than the ship to build and can be done first, though even this plan will require some dedicated research. Izel is not yet talented enough to fabricate the PDA either. (arcana 22) That is a problem for a future Izel, They still don't even have the pixel printer.
How Much
How much is the SDA battery is consumed in the planning?
1 Surprisingly lacking
Making rough blueprints takes surprisingly little time. there are 10 days left to tinker and solve their other problems still.