Session 5: Into Darkness
General Summary
Getting out of Dodge
The session opened with a tense confrontation between Oz and Bur Sot. Oz, attempting to de-escalate the situation, apologized for Agi's actions pretending that the later was a slave. Nevertheless, Oz resorted to a veiled threat, implying the consequences of opposing the Sith. Unfazed, Bur Sot dismissed them, ordering them to leave and never return. Meanwhile, Kender, noticing Scorch's growing discomfort steered her towards the exit. Tal, ensuring Oz's safety, held back until they were all safely in the hallway, away from prying eyes and ears.Here, a daring plan emerged. Tal, utilizing his Force Mask ability, proposed disguising himself as the casino owner to facilitate their escape. Tal casually dismissed the bouncer, waving the group through with a gesture. He then followed them at a discreet distance.
Upon reaching the Black Nebula Market, the group's focus shifted to Scorch's well-being. Kender and Agi checked on her, while Oz and Tal remained vigilant. Scorch's heightened sensitivity to potential threats (increased breathing during moments of tension) underscored the urgency of finding a safe haven.
Kender and Agi suggested hiding as the most immediate course of action, a sentiment likely shared by all. Meanwhile, Oz observed a shift in the crowd's behavior, noticing how people actively avoided eye contact with the group.
Finally, Tal managed to secure a private landspeeder. However, a minor disagreement erupted over who would cover the 50-credit cost.
Smuggling Route
A tense atmosphere hangs over the group as they travel. Agi inquires about bounties on the party members. Tal's inability to uncover this information further fuels the group's doubts as to their safety. Meanwhile, a secret message from a burner account asking for information.The disharmony deepens as Agi discreetly communicates with "Freya," keeping Tal in the dark. Despite the tension, a tender moment emerges. Oz, seemingly relaxed, shuffles cards while Scorch observes him with fascination. When Oz offers to put away his cards, Scorch reaches for them, captivated by the act of shuffling. A smile warms Oz's face as he encourages her to keep practicing with the cards, perhaps offering a glimmer of connection amidst the group's internal conflicts.
The group devises a plan to infiltrate a heavily guarded facility. Scorch discovers a hidden entrance disguised as a cluttered doorway. Agi, ever secretive, slips away to meet with a mysterious figure named Yomi. There, he reveals he knows what the villainous Morbo wants, but Yomi remains unfazed. Agi hints at a missing person as Morbo's target and tries to gauge Yomi's loyalties, but she prioritizes profit.
Meanwhile, Tal employs his shapeshifting ability to disguise himself as a Twi'lek mechanic, leading the remaining party members into the facility. Kender, ever the tinkerer, struggles to resist the urge to fix everything around him.
Upon reaching their destination, the group discovers the object of their search – a crate marked with the symbol provided by Tuuk – hanging twenty feet in the air. While most of the party can easily access the crate, Kender's lack of mobility poses a challenge. Time is of the essence, so the group splits their efforts.
Tal and Agi attempt to open the crate. Tal's initial attempts with his vibroblade and Force Pull fail before he realizes it simply slides open. Simultaneously, Kender manages to revive a small hover vehicle, allowing him to reach the crate despite his larger bulk.
The scene ends with Tal dropping a rope for Scorch and Oz, and the entire group climbing into the crate.
Darkness
The group finds themselves plunged into darkness after entering a cramped metal container. Kender's tinker lights provide a temporary reprieve, revealing Scorch's strange fascination with rearranging a deck of cards.A discussion about Agi's potential solution to their bounty hunter problem emerges. He reveals his contact is Yomi, a powerful figure respected by bounty hunters. However, the others express concern. While Yomi may hold sway over bounty hunters, she also works with the Exchange, a potentially even greater threat than Morbo. Agi reluctantly agrees to hold off on contacting her for now.
Tal attempts to repair his broken lightsaber in private, but is interrupted by Kender and Agi's curiosity. He insists it's a personal task requiring the Force.
A moment of peace is shattered when Kender receives a message from his worried mother. He tries to call her back, accidentally revealing their off-world plans on an unsecured line. Tal reprimands Kender's carelessness, leading to a heated exchange about trust and communication.
The mood darkens further as Scorch begins rocking back and forth, muttering about "not here" and "not her." Oz tries to calm her, assuring her they're leaving the planet to protect Scorch from "her." Despite his own reservations about touch, Agi offers his fur for Scorch to pet to help calm her.
Agi then uses his empathy to try to sense her emotions. This however creates a feedback loop as Scorch is currently experiencing the group's emotions. He discovers Oz's resentment towards Agi for helping his sister, Agi's own fear of this newfound empathic ability, and the source of Scorch's distress – a connection to a woman, possibly her mother, who is far away. Relief washes over them as Kender's audio of wind and children's laughter confirms this woman isn't present.
Oz offers vague explanations for Scorch's rapid development, blaming a mysterious figure who wants his sister to be powerful. Agi points out that her powers could be dangerous especially around any large crowds. Oz deflects, insisting Agi needs training himself which Agi retorts that he knows what he is doing.
Any further discussion is waylaided as the container comes to a halt and a tapped message tells teh party to "wait 20."
Heartache Bistro
After a tense wait, the group cautiously exits the dark metal container. The area seems deserted, except for a red heart symbol graffitied on a wall, repeatedly painted over. A closer inspection reveals the same symbol that was scratched on the container is next to the heart.Agi recognizes the symbol as belonging to the "Heartache Bistro," a place where Correllians "get a taste of the wild side." He believes it's their destination.
As they walk, Kender's exposed arm draws unwanted attention. Unbeknownst to the others except Agi, four figures are trailing them.
Agi, ever observant, notices their pursuers and relays the information to Tal in a coded message – "four for one sale." Tal quickly grasps the situation, and the group huddles to devise a plan.
Their strategy is twofold: to disguise Kender's arm with his cloak and to lure their followers into an ambush in an alley. Now they just need to find the right opportunity to set their plan in motion.
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