Sarai listens before she speaks, as she generally prefers to do.

"What do we know about Lord Zabi? And what kind of readings and information can we get on the geothermal vent under the bunker?"

I didn't say that! I said you kind of gave me away. Are you all right? You seem stressed.

Sergenat Besh brought up a few images on the screen before he started talking.

"Lord Zabi is the rival to Lord Deikun.  Zabi's family was in charge of the planet until the elder Deikun overthrew his father and took control of the planet. There has been hatred and arguments and fights between the two families for the last two hundred years.  They are bitterly opposed to each other.

Most reports say that Zabi's arguments are valid and the Deikun's screwed his family out of their position and legacy. But most of the nobles would never dare cross the Deikuns for fear of the same thing happening to them."

He pulled up a few images of the complex again.  "Unfortunately we do not know much of the geothermal vent.  All records and geological surveys are missing or highly classified. We were unable to obtain or slice into any of the records. All we have is the visual data. Our scientists report there is a strange metal in the mountain that blocks our sensors. They report its properties are somewhat like the metal phrik"

My bad. I took that as you saying I played your hand.  And I am fine as far as I know. Why do you say I seem stressed? How could you tell something like that just from my writings?

A message suddenly came through the communications center. It showed up in front of the current data and was marked priority alpha.  Its broadcast origin was obscured with only a single word appearing: Kaiser.

This an incoming message from one of the Empires' intelligence operatives. Someone who works outside official command and answers only to you.

"Hmm. Well, I have certainly picked the right bantha for this particular race."

She wasn't being sarcastic. Deikun was the more powerful party, but he was also an idiot, which meant that his support was both more potent and easier to control.

"Take a visual survey of the entire mountain. I want to know where all the air refresher inlets and outlets are. Even better if it turns out they have no external vents; that means they use chemical filters only."

The priority message came in. "See it done, Sergeant. I will take this privately."

She left, for her quarters, to use one of the new comms to take the priority alpha message.

You didn't respond to my private message 202, and you're usually very good about responding quickly. You also read offense into the OOC portion of my message 16 in this thread, even though I used a silly little emoji, and you've never done that before.

So I thought maybe you were under pressure. Maybe could use an imaginary hug from an imaginary friend.

Besh saluted and turned to the communications console.  "Yes, ma'am. I will get your people on it immediately."

Once she answered the comm, an image of a young human female clicked into place. She was wearing the uniform of Imperial Intelligence and appeared to be in a darkened room.

"Ma'am? I have a priority message for you."


Maybe pressure a little.  Trying to get the other game started and moving, and work is driving me crazy, and working on keeping this one moving along well. So possibly.  Was just curious how/why you thought so.  And I can always use virtual hugs from a virtual friend.

Sarai waited, hands clasped in front of herself. "Very well. Go ahead."

Okay.

*virtual hug! squeeeeeeeeeeeeze* ^3^

Can I help in any other way?

The woman on the other end began speaking in a hushed, but clear, tone.

"One of the alarms you had me setup for specific search terms has triggered. Someone originating on Balmorra ran a search for Diathem and you specifically. They reached out to multiple sources and ran different searches to find out any and all information about you that they could. I was unable to determine everything they obtained, but I was able to block any results coming from our official and unofficial databases."

She then shifted back into a normal conversational tone.  "I hope that information is useful, ma'am. Let me know if I can do anything else for you."

It was obvious from the background behind her that she was inside the Intelligence Center. And most likely not alone.

Umm....not sure of other ways.  Unless you can come up with some ideas for the other pcs that all seem to keep losing interest.  Or find me an easy way to generate the stats for your game.
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:43, Fri 14 Aug 2015.

"Thank you, Lieutenant. I appreciate your help. Can you run a trace on the signal and determine who it was, or at least where it came from?"

Sarai was not a computer expert and wasn't sure of their full capabilities, but it couldn't hurt to ask.

I don't know of any electronic resources for D&D5e character sheets that are form-fillable. What are you having trouble with?

Do you mean that every other PC is losing interest?

"Unfortunately not, ma'am.  Once I traced it back to Balmorra it is broken up and scattered to different sites around the planet. Someone is using a terminal behind some sort of firewall or masking program that is making it impossible to determine the point of origin."

I found one online but it does not like what I am doing with it. And keeps telling me my choices are wrong. So I might just have to do it by hand.

The force-users seem all into it.  It is the others that seem to stop logging in.  I have a few I sent emails to and I have seen them login but not reply to the emails. I am hoping it is not my writing or stories that they dislike.

Sarai shrugged. "Unfortunate. Thank you again, Lieutenant. Inform me of any new developments immediately. Is there anything else?"

She considered her next move. It was not likely to be Ash's operatives; they were clearly better slicers than to get caught by regular Intelligence counter-ops.

Perhaps the witches would perform a scrying. They were usually willing to work for money or even tech, living on the backwater of Dathomir as they did.

Well, that's lame.

On the bright side, I did find this character generator for FFG Star Wars; it's got all the rulebooks coded in up to Force and Destiny Beta.

https://community.fantasyfligh...character-generator/

I think the non-Force-users don't feel like they have direction. At least to me, this game so far seems centered around the conflict between the Empire and the Order, so the non-Force-users need a strong external, rather than internal, motivation to be interested. That's why I brought up Sarai hiring them to do her dirty work earlier.
This message was last edited by the player at 19:15, Sat 15 Aug 2015.

The Lieutenant saluted and ended the call.  The com went off and left Sarai standing by herself.

She contemplated her move and the potential of a new enemy on planet.

I feel bad for not mentioned that earlier.  I have been telling people to use that generator to make their characters.  I use it to verify people's characters once they submit them to me. It is very well done.

And I think you are right.  There is less of a focus for the non-force users.  I was working towards doing an Oceans-11 style heist against a Hutt on Nar Shaadaa. And still planning on it, but just keep changing all the moving parts around.

But feel free to hire them.  I might even open a thread for that.

Sarai set about choosing an appropriately flattering dress to wear when meeting with Deikun the Younger. White, and white court shoes, would send the right message. Friendship and harmony.

She had a snack, then dressed. She called up Tolla'han to make sure that her appointment with Deikun was at the same time and hadn't been changed. Assuming it hadn't, she informed her guards where she was going and when she expected to be back, set up the panic code, and decided to take off on her own.

Sometimes, dramatically flying into a meeting was even better than arriving with guards and pomp. This was one of those times. Her soldiers, particularly the good sergeant, had very important work to accomplish.

In addition, gravity-bound species often found her powers of flight to be awe-inspiring, and she could tweak the landing to project either majesty and power or maternal kindness sympathy, as necessary.

The bad part of the generator is that it hasn't been updated with the actual published Force and Destiny rules. I don't have the book myself, yet, but the various beta test updates included a bunch of changes, especially to talent and Force trees. They also made Battle Meditation amazing and I regret not taking it. =P

You could keep the general heist motif, but instead of a Hutt's big stash of spice or whatever, the heist could be focused on infiltrating and sabotaging Lord Zabi's compound. And of course Sarai would be paying them.

Then you've got two plots woven together and take care of two birds with one laser-rock, or whatever the metaphor is in Star Wars.

What do you think of that?

I noticed the generator has not been updated yet.  I assume he jsut got the books and is working on translating it all over.  Probably about a month or so and it should be working.

As I did with the previous book updates, I might allow you guys to re-roll and change things around.  Since my off line game got messed up with they changed around the skillset between Beta EoE and release.  Depends on how much of an outcry there is to change.

And I like that idea.  I had not really considered it before.  And I can still tie it into the Hutt raid by saying they need to get security codes from Zabi or some reason I have not thought of yet.  I think I will go that way to not marganilize the other pcs further.

Have I mentioned lately you are an awesome sounding board for ideas and helping me work through story blocks?  Because if not, then I need to say that again.


Also, nothing to add to your post. Everything is on track and on schedule.

She sent Deikun a message that she was on her way. It wouldn't do to drop in unannounced, even with an "appointment;" nobles expected that sort of thing.

She flew a circuit around the estate, to get a look at it and possibly enchant a few onlookers, before making a graceful landing at the entrance. Using the Force for subtle adjustments, she touched down as if floating down from the sky, even though, strictly speaking, winged flight did not work that way.

Hopefully everything was in order; Sarai did not shy away from conflict, but it would be terribly disadvantageous if Deikun's estate was under attack or something like that.

Thanks. =) I appreciate that you listen to me!

I think you're an awesome GM, too. Well, at least for me. Honestly, I'm surprised that more people don't run one-player games; I've had a lot of good experiences with them in the past.

And more XP never hurts. Feed me more of that and I'll definitely keep coming back. Not that I haven't been poking you about it in PMs. =P

The landing was graceful and everything that one would see in a holovid.  The guards on duty quickly snapped to attention and one of the hit a button to open the door.  "Welcome, ma'am. Lord Deikun has been expecting you."

Thanks.  I do not get much feedback from the others, and mostly it has been complaints or arguments. So that makes me feel good to know that you, at least, are enjoying my game.

This is my first solo-style game. And I was kind of apprehensive about it at first. I am liking our story, but I feel I am doing a disservice and slowing it down lately. I have been having trouble finding where to take it and keep things moving. 

"Thank you," Sarai smiled down at the guard.

Then she swept inside, dress hugging her hips and fluttering around her ankles.

Hopefully there were no untoward surprises awaiting. Equally hopefully, Deikun had something for her to eat. Proper hospitality for her species would demand nothing less. Her people did not sweat, but flying and glowing took up a lot of energy, and she required much more food than build or her mass would otherwise suggest.

I think that's just a natural human tendency; we're more likely to notice when something goes wrong than when it goes right.

I think it might be easier to make Sarai the straight-up antagonist, rather than one of many, and have the knock-off effects of her actions start "chain reactions" that initiate stories for other people. That's what antagonists do, after all.

To get me to do things like that, I don't think it's too much of a stretch to say, here's an important goal, here's why it's difficult, and here's why you need some agents to do things for you.

But then, that's just my opinion. It might actually make things harder; I don't really know.

E.g., Sarai could, using her cover identity, arrange a normal meeting with Lord Zabi and, since he's an idealistic moron, he accepts. Then she murders him and frames the Jedi.

Bam, instant plot. =P

Sarai was shown inside and escorted to the dining hall by one of the servant droids.  Both the Lord Deikuns were sitting and eating when she arrived. The elder Deikun stood and bowed his head towards her.

"Welcome back to our estate. I hope your visit will be less interesting or chaotic then the gala.  Please, have a seat and order your choice of breakfast item. Our chef can make you whatever you desire!"

He sat back down and motioned one of the server droids over to Sarai to take her order.

I have some thoughts on how to make Sarai more into a primary antagonist for multiple stories. And ways to tie in the current story to some of the others.  Would you be adverse to discussing ideas over email?  I check my email way more frequently then I do the boards here.

She curtsied, elegant and formal. "Your highness, you lordship, thank you for meeting me."

Highness for the higher-ranking Deikun, lordship for the lesser. It was custom, and propriety, both important to observe.

Sweeping through the room, she metaphorically glided to a seat across from the lords Deikun, but not straight across from either. While she did not fully understand the psychology behind it, ground-restricted species subconsciously perceived such seating arrangements to project both ease and power.

She ordered something that showed appreciation for local culture and her hosts' hospitality, but not pomposity.

"So, did anything else interesting happen after your lordship's gala was cut unfortunately short?" She grinned at the younger Deikun apologetically.

I really don't like sharing my e-mail; I prefer not to cross the streams, so to speak. I could make another e-mail account, but I wouldn't check it.

What ideas did you have?

The elder Deikun looked at her and shook his head slightly.  "Murder of a Balmorran citizen is not an 'interesting event.'  It is a crime against our government and our people as a whole. We cannot allow the Jedi to get away with this. I hear there are more Jedi on their way to the planet. Soon our planet will be CRAWLING with the scum.  And I am not totally sure this is not related to your presence on our planet."

He stared at Sarai and held her gaze as he spoke.  The younger Deikun remained quiet and did not look at his father's direction.

The withered man's lack of decorum rankled her, but she kept a pleasant expression.

"Oh, but your highness, it most certainly is interesting. The Jedi are telling you, in no uncertain terms, their ends and means. They believe that they know what is best for you and your people, and whether you agree or not, they will have you do their will. If you refuse," she mimed stabbing by pointing her index finger at him, "then their lightsabers will do the talking for them."

"By murdering a citizen of your planet in public on a pretense, they have already declared their aggression and intent to make war if their demands are not met. Those demands, of course, being total and complete submission to the Republic and, by proxy, to themselves. It is little secret that the Republic government is a puppet organization of the Jedi, at least not for those with the eyes to see."

Her purpose, of course, was to incite the elder Deikun to rage against someone else. That would not only serve her interests by making him amenable to an alliance, but it would also cloud his judgement and make him amendable to her.

If the fish took the bait, Sarai considered paying Lord Zabi a visit and ending negotiations with a lightsaber blade. Even better to get the Jedi to do it for her, but there was not much chance of that at this juncture, unless she could somehow link Lord Zabi to Darth Ash.

"Their presence is most likely related to my own, but only indirectly. The know that Balmorra, being a wealthy industrial planet on the border between the Republic and the Empire, is strategically important to both sides in what must inevitably be a very great war. The Jedi will take your planet by force, in the name of freedom, and then impose total control of your people, yourselves, and everything on the planet, all for the supposed greater good. It is unfortunate, but they clearly intend nothing less."

The Elder Deikun sighed and lowered his head.  "I have spent my life keeping our planet neutral and out of these petty wars. I sacrificed and dealt and bribed and conned us into neutrality.  I did everything I could to keep us apart and not used as a pawn in these games you force users play. And now, I see my work was a failure. I see that no matter what I do, from this point our planet is doomed. The murder of our citizen means the end of our neutrality. Either by your hand or the Jedi, one of you will step forward and force our hand. Our destiny is no longer ours to control. It is here, at this point, that I can see the end of our world and our way of life. We can either become a tool of your Empire, or burn in flames as we are conquered and destroyed by the Jedi and their Republic."

He slowly stood up and lifted his head to stare at Sarai. "If my world is doomed and our way of live over, then I would see us become a tool and extension of your power instead of burning and rubble. I would pledge loyalty to the strong, and not beg from the weak. I see now we only have one course of action. And that course is you."

As he spoke, and his intentions became clearer, the atmosphere in the room changed. It grew quiet and the air seemed heavier. Not a single servant or droid moved as all listened to his speech.  His son and other follows paled as his intentions became clear. By the end of his speech all eyes and photoreceptors had turned to Sarai.  Everyone assembled, ever the droids, knew that this was one of those turning points in history. And now that Dekiun had shown his hand, everyone waited in silence to hear if he played the correct cards.

Sarai was only slightly taken aback. She had not expected her goal to be so easy to achieve; of course, it was a welcome development, and the Jedi had delivered the Balmorrans right into her hand. Whenever that analogy came to mind, she reflexively thought of the literal equivalent, holding something in hand, in this case people. She folded her hands together and rubbed the palm of her left hand with her right thumb for a moment, another reflexive habit.

Then she rested her hands on the table.

"Lord Deikun, I could say that you need not worry, that your people and their way of life will remain, unchanged and unmolested, but as you are honest with me, so shall I be honest with you. I believe, of course, that you have made the correct choice, for your own sake and your people.

I ask you to understand, sir, that I am not a fool. War is not a game, not something to be played at. The wise avoid it whenever possible. The Republic, however, is not wise. You yourself surely know that democracy is prone to fits of irrational rage, and in their conviction that their way is superior to all others, they will destroy everything that offends their sensibilities. Were it not so, I would be content to build wealth and prestige for myself and my charges without releasing the dogs of war."

She stood up, to emphasize her new-found dominance, and spread out her hands, just enough to include both men at the table.

"I cannot promise you peace. I can, however, promise you that your people, above all else, shall survive. To that end, we must begin preparations immediately.

There will be those who loathe your decision and try to undermine our alliance, of course, and so we must move quickly to engage a campaign of public relations, make an announcement of investiture, and construct orbital fortifications and planetary shields. Whether the Republic declares their intent to conquer now or simply sends saboteurs, Balmorra will be protected either way."

I dunno if I should roll anything.

Lord Deikun listed to the speech before responding.

"The Republic has already proved their true intentions by sending their agents to interrupt my gala. The Jedi presence there shows the Republic does not respect our neutrality and seeks to use us for their own ends.  They are trying to undermine me and our way of life.  I know that once war has begun there are no guarantees of safety for me or my people. But to let the Republic come in and take over would surely destroy our culture and planet. You give us a chance to keep our customs and culture intact. While I would prefer not to become part of this war, the war is coming to us."  He looked at his son for a moment as he continued.  "Some might be too young and blind to see the threat the Republic represents. But I have seen this before and know where their true allegiance lies. That is why I allow our planet to you and your cause."

"All true, sir, and a shame for that. It is, however, excellent that you have such wisdom and foresight. Your people are gifted to have you. Let us set to work. I will have my engineers begin production of planetary defenses for Balmorra and my officers confer with your own, to determine how we can incorporate our military doctrines."

She held her hand out to the elder Deikun for him to take and rise from his seat. "We would have peace, and so we prepare for war."

She understood, then, that the father was not as foolish as the son, and he was to be respected in truth, though not trusted quite yet. Only when the planetary defenses were in place, and under her control, would she fully trust Deikun, for only then would he be completely under her power.

That was the next step: planetary shields could not protect an entire planet, but they could make large areas impervious to orbital bombardment. In those protective bubbles, she would put anti-orbital ion cannons. The Balmorra system would also need at least two mutually-supporting battlestations at the planet's near Lagrange points, but that would come later.

She was being genuine when she said that the Balmorran forces would be integrated into her own. She was not so foolish as to think that the Balmorrans did not have peculiar strategies, tactics, and drills which were superior, or entirely unknown, to her own soldiers' methods. It was her way, though not the way of all Sith, to take the best and leave the rest.

With the meeting ended, and an agreement reached, it was time to begin the process of saving Balmorra from The Republic.

OOC:

Ending thread and opening a new one for the new Sith to join.