Star Wars D20 - Dawn of Defiance

We got into Darga the Hutt's hideout and have started to endear ourselves with him. His cronies may not be so happy with us, though.

Follow up:

June 27, 2010
We keep an eye behind us, and follow Raden inside. We go into a broken-out room in a warehouse. (we are looking for Darga the Hutt).
Brenna: We’re looking for work.
Raden: Look, I’m just a hired hand. I work for Darga the Hutt.
Bert: Is he the big man around here?
Raden: You could say that, I guess.
Bert: That’s good; we don’t want to do business with any small-timers.
Raden: Well, you’ll have to speak with the Hutt. I deal with him as little as possible. If he thinks you’re too much of a threat, he might just take you out. But if you make it worth my while, maybe I’ll take you there.
We pay him 500 credits, and he’ll take us there. We heal up a little on the way. We are cruising to see the Hutt. We pass through the landscape and go past some squatting domains. 30 minutes later, we find ourselves in a closely-built area with buildings tall enough to obscure the skyline. Raden slows down by some half-destroyed palaces and parks the speeder.
Walking up, many of us realize that these are not burned-out palaces. It is a real palace cobbled together and disguised. There are a pair of blast doors leading in, carved in Huttese runes. Raden walks up and speaks into the commo panel in Huttese.
R: I require an audience with the mighty Darga – I bring news!
We spot guards on the roof eying us up. A slit opens in the door with glowing red eyes behind it.
The voice says, “You’re in for it now, Raden. Darga’s expecting visitors – but not them!”
Cold air pours out, and Raden urges us in. We go down a long torchlit hallway…some of us realize that someone’s watching us. We pass some closed metal doors; this seems like a Nemoidian design. Eventually we hear soft music and voices, and before us is a well-lit throne room. Flavor text:

Opulent and repulsive. Thick scented smoke. Ruined tapestries on the wall. Behind the dais is a balcony extending into darkness. As we enter, the conversations and music stop. Every eye turns to Raden leading us up to Darga. Darga eyes up Raden, then us, then he speaks to Raden in Huttese:
What is the meaning of bringing outsiders here?
R: (kneels) Please, most opulent Darga, these individuals cornered me in my base and demanded to see you. They say they are looking for work.
The room is filled with chuckles.
D: Silence! TC, come!
A silver protocol droid comes over to translate.
D: Why have you come here, and how did you get Raden to bring you here?
Brenna steps forward and speaks in Huttese: Most powerful Darga, it is true that we came to look for Raden. His men jumped us in the alley, when all we wanted to know was where to find you. Please, we are looking for work with someone as magnificent as you.
Persuasion 21.
When we rolled up to the palace, Brenna and Soma get Destiny points and a Destiny bonus (+1 Destiny bonus). Second Discovery destiny bonus.
D: Your flattery amuses me. However, you have proven yourselves capable. You may be potentially valuable to the organization. You should stay here in my court for a few days, and we will discuss what opportunities lie ahead. First, you must impress me.
B: As you wish, most notable one.
D: Now, let us feast to welcome our new guests (us). And him (pointing to Raden), take him to the dungeon so he can think about his betrayal.
R: But Master Darga…(babbles as he’s dragged away).
So there is a grand feast for us. As we dine on strange and unusual (but expensive) things, Darga turns to Brenna and asks her to say a few words about herself.
D: You look like you’ve got the air of nobility around you.
B: There is some in my blood, yes. But that doesn’t mean I’m not willing to use my skills in other area—weapons training, healing, that kind of thing.
D: We’ll see how you enjoy your time here, and how much I enjoy your company…ha ha ha ha!
Morten: I found the peaceful life on Alderaan too boring; I’ve been traveling looking for some interesting experiences.
Morten tells about the jungles of Felucia
Bertalan: I was a tracker on Corellia, both of beasts and men.
He wants to meet all of us individually and see what we can offer each other.
Darga: I’m expecting an Imperial agent in a few days. He should be a great and honored guest. I have had to deal with the Empire a few times myself. Now enjoy the Cerellian head cheese (and he looks at Soma).
To Soma: to my Cerelian friend; what brings you to the palace of Darga?
Soma: To not become head cheese. I have technical expertise.
D: A techie; I have many uses for your skills. You are welcome in my court. The next few days shall see what you can offer me.
Braktor: I have wandered here and there since being forced off my homeworld. I can pilot, I can use computers, or I can gun people down.
To Lorcan: And you, nefarious one. I have met your kind before.
Lorcan: Thank you for the compliment.
D: So you come from Mandalore. Your exploits come before you. Why are you in the palace of Darga the Hutt?
L: Same as the rest of them – looking for work, and Hutts pay well.
D: Indeed they do. Well, we will see what you can offer the palace of Darga.
He tells us we can visit in the public areas as his guests. He will also make rooms available in the guest quarters.
(OOC: The next few days will provide an opportunity to deal with Darga to gain his favor. This will take several days, so don’t plan to be in a hurry).
After the feast, we have dessert and his dancers do their thing. We can mingle as we see fit.
2 dozen Gomorrian guards, six bounty hunters (or they appear to be), some Quarrens that seem to be soldiers or assassins (6), 6-6 (AKA TC-663, the translation droid), and in one corner are a pair of glowing beady eyes. And of course, Darga.
As we scope out the room, we notice the beady eyes following us all night. Some of us realize it’s a Nemoidian, and every time someone looks at it, it looks away. Morten senses one other force user in the room, and he lets us know.
We continue to party. Joel draws us a map. People are mingling, dancers are dancing, etc. Guards are stationed about the place.
Everyone heads to bed except for Bertalan, who starts mingling looking for information about who Darga may be looking for; if he’s a bounty hunter, any information is good. But not with that roll.
The quarters are sparsely appointed and appear to be servants’ quarters. Bertalan looks around and finds no secret passages or listening devices in his room.
While heading to bed, Morten spots a door open by the turbolift; two Gomorrians carry a transparent sack full of credit chips into the lift and disappear.
We wake up in the morning refreshed but hear a gong noise. Darga welcomes us as we enter and tells us that he’s summoned us for a matter of grave importance. One of his has betrayed him (Raden?), and the penalty for betraying Darga is death. He points to Brenna and says, “As the most honored guest of Darga the Hutt, you may perform the execution!” One of the Gommorians hands her a vibro-axe.
Bertalan: Great and powerful Darga, is there not something else you could do to punish him that would also do you some good?
Darga: What is the penalty for betraying your master?
Brenna: He did endanger everyone here by exposing your secret lair.
Bertalan: Despite disobeying your orders, perhaps he was displaying an unusual amount of initiative and intelligence in bringing us here to meet you?
(Persuasion 23, Perception 27): Very well, you make a compelling argument. But he must be punished nonetheless. Perhaps he can fight for his life in the pit!
The spotlights flash on, the Gommorians and other scum and villainy cheer, and we turn to face a gladiator pit. There are a couple of Nemoidian bookies rapidly starting to do business.
The arena appears to be a converted garden.
D: So be it! Warrick Raden, I sentence you to combat to the death in the Gladiator Pit. You will face off against the Wookiee Black Death.
We see a gate open below with a huge, all-black Wookiee coming out of a gate. He roars.
Scott: What’s he say?
Joel: RaaaaaaaA!
Scott: Hey, I speak Wookiee!
Joel: RaaaaaaaA!
Scott: Looks like I pissed away *that* language slot.
The arena has a lot of rough terrain and is lit by flickering lamps (22 of them).
The Wookiee has abandoned his world and race’s tendencies and has embraced violence. He oozes malice and hatred; his fur is matted and burned, and his face is in a permanent sneer.
Lorcan: I’m bored, and this doesn’t look like much of a fight. I’ll take his place.
Darga: Excellent!
The Gommorians bring Lorcan to the arena floor 30 meters down and everyone else crowds around on the transparisteel floor.
Combat starts…Lorcan and Black Death square off.
The Wookiee grabs a grenade and flings it at Lorcan. It lands in his bunghole (which was enlarged by the stun batons) and deals 35 points of damage. Ouch!
On Lorcan’s turn, one good crit apparently deserves another – he does about 40 points and knocks the Wookiee down a notch. The crowd cheers. They both recover on the next round.
The Wookiee roars (“Die!”), then runs north. The Wookiee charges at Lorcan (and can’t quite get there) We notice one of the Nemoidians (the red-eyed, hiding in the corner guy) shifts subtly when the Mandalore (Lorcan) spend the Force Point. Lorcan misses, so the Wookiee closes and smacks him with the bowcaster for 7 points.
Eric just ate a tortilla chip with some of the Dave’s Ultimate Insanity Sauce on it. He does not die instantly.
Lorcan shoots the rug again and crits it. The Wookiee smacks Lorcan again. Lorcan uses the Force and ekes out a hit, dropping the Wookiee. The Wookiee flies through the air and lands on the ground.
Darga claps in delight. “Well done! You have earned my respect today, and I will spare Raden’s life.”
Lorcan: Next time I’ll ask for credits. And it’s good to see that you keep a bargain.
Darga looks less pleased at this.
Some of the Gommorians drag the Wookiee away, as Darga says, “I’m sure he’ll be wanting a rematch.”
Darga: Lorcan has demonstrated his prowess. Hopefully the rest of you are as skilled as the Mandalore here.
One thing Bertalan noticed: The Nemoidian clearly reacted to calling on the Force. He is the one who is Force Sensitive. Upon chatting with Morten, this guy is teeming with the Dark Side.
Darga challenges us to a “friendly” combat – no lethal weapons. They’ll leave their blasters on stun. We accept, and he retires to his private quarters. The match is tomorrow.
Soma tunes his blaster to do more damage.
Brenna, Morten, and Bertalan try to make some contacts and learn what we can in general about Darga’s gang, etc.
We hear:
Kessra was chastised by Darga for letting some ruffians beat her up (hey, that’s us!).
We get rumors that a delegation from the Iron Ring are coming for a hearing with Darga later today. They’re slave traders.
People are complaining that Darga’s roulette wheels are rigged.
People are wondering what the Imperial delegation would be coming here for—will Darga throw his hat in the ring?
And later that afternoon, the translater droid walks up to us. 6-6 mentions that he’s here to serve Darga, but it turns out that we may have a common friend on Zelson Station – a droid called Switch. It was noted to him that one or more of us said we’d provide Switch with some information – is it true? He can send info to Switch if we have something to share…and he has a message from Switch for us. It’s a freebie: someone from within has been transmitting information to the Empire while Darga sleeps, but Switch has been unable to decrypt them. Switch will let us try to decrypt them for free, but we need to share that back to Switch.
Darga probably has a holonet transponder in his private quarters.
General perception roll: Looking for comms equipment, we don’t see anything out in the open.
As we hang out in the main area, much like when we first walked in, the room gets quiet. The Iron Ring is here – five tough-looking humans, a Rodian with a blaster rifle, a brown-furred Wookiee, and a Zabrac leading two collared Twilek slaves. Darga is not pleased.
The slavers stare everyone around down, including Darga.
Darga: what are you doing here?
Zabracc (spits in the floor) and speaks: the slaves you’ve been selling us are worthless. They die before we can get them to market. They’re used up, and second rate. I want my credits back for the last four credits.
Darga (laughs): (to us) See what ungrateful business partners I have?
Darga: We’ve had the same agreement for years, and I’m not responsible if you can’t take care of your product. Apologize or I’ll dispose of you all!
The Nemoidian is in the corner, watching.
Darga and the Zabracc start arguing about the quality of the slaves and who’s to blame.
Darga: I get my slaves from the highest-quality sources, and we treat them very well. It’s something you’re doing!
What’s wrong with the Twileks? Bertalan checks them out…
As we’re watching the argument, one of the Twileks drops something into a goblet carried to the Hutt. It appears to be a satchel of powder. Morten (who got the 24 on his perception) calls out, “Master, don’t drink that! It’s been tampered with by one of their slaves…)
D: Is this true?
He has it carried to the Nemoidian to be tested. The Nemoidian says, “Yes, master – it has been poisoned.”
Darga: How dare you come into my throne room and try to poison me. I should have you all executed on the spot!
The Zabrac stops arguing. “Please, Darga, it was only an accident. She was acting on her own accord…may we please re-negotiate here? Don’t do anything rash!”
Darga: This discussion is over! Out now, before I have you all hung up!
The presumed slavers all retreat out the door.
Darga, to Morten: You have again shown your value in revealing the treachery of the slave. Know that you have my favor.
And we eat! Bertalan asks one of the Bounty Hunters about them – yes, that was the Iron Ring. In this case, it simply appears that the goods are faulty. I don’t know where he’s getting the slaves but he moves a lot, and at a good profit – second only to his casino business.
He says that fairly few people stand up to Darga, and it’s normally not worth it because business is still good.
The night winds on and the excitement fades. The Hutt heads to bed. It’s about 11 pm local, which is the same time. Before bedtime, Bertalan puts Lorcan in a Force Trance. Bertalan wakes him up at 3 am, then heads to his own room. About 3:10 am, there is a faint knock at Lorcan’s door. He opens it, gun in hand. The waiflike servant asks, “Are you Lorcan? Master Darga has summoned you to a secret meeting in his aviary, as he trusts no one else. Follow me.”
They go to the turbolift: ground floor, casino, Aviary (and there are lower levels). The doors open at the top, and she says, “Darga waits inside.” Lorcan strides boldly into the room – the aviary is quiet, and there are many trees with sleeping colorful birds. Some small orange lamps illuminate the trail through the darkness. One of the moons shines overhead.
Lorcan sees shadowy movement as tree branches pass through the moonlight. The rustle of leaves masks the sound of footsteps. He hears a female voice: You, Mandalore, have embarrassed me in front of my entire clan. Time for payback! (it’s Kessra, of course).
As she speaks, she blows a whistle and the birds fly away from their trees. Init!
Some large birds swoop down to attack Lorcan...kreehawks. One of them attacks him first; they swoop down (can be AOO’d) and return to the tree. He’s struck once, then twice. He drills A and finishes it off. Then he sees some movement in the shadows, so Joel’s enemy somehow manages to stay hidden.
They attack Lorcan again and hit him a couple more times. He shoots B but can’t kill it. He hears the whistle blow again and spots Kessra hiding in the shadows. Next round he’s clawed again. He shoots D and hits but it’s only for 8 (not enough). Kessra tries to hide but can’t; she blows her whistle to call for another attack. He tries to shoot Kessra and misses; she blows the whistle and successfully hides.
Lorcan drops two more birds and ducks for cover.
Lorcan, realizing that things are pretty dire, burns a Destiny point to auto-crit Kessra. Since his Destiny is Destruction, this fits pretty well. 30 points.
K triple-swifts. Lorcan aims and misses her. She blows the whistle (bird misses) and fails to hide. Lorcan shoots her, dropping her. He keeps firing, but the last remaining kreehawk flies off.
Lorcan finds Kessra breathing shallowly…he vaporizes her whistle, and struggles with himself not to finish her off…he does not. He grabs her by the beltloop and drags her unconscious body into the turbolift, then opens the door in the main room. In Mando, he screams out, “Where is that treacherous Hutt!?” The Gommorians come up to him and start snorting; they look irritated as he hauls out his pistol and points it at them. A minute or two later he hears some Gommorians go airborne as the Hutt tosses them around. Shortly afterwards, the Nemodian enters the room.
N: Master, how may I help you?
L: This bitch ambushed me on the roof. Is this how the Hutt treats his guests?
Darga, in Huttese: What’s going on?
Darga slithers in and calls for 6-6.
Darga points to Kessra and says, “Put that one in a cell!”
Lorcan says that one of the servants summoned him to meet up on the roof, and that since Kessra works for him…
Darga: Not any more. That must have been an epic fight…
Lorcan: Well, yeah 
D: Are the kreehawks alive?
L: Three of them.
D: You are still guests under my roof; I will take care of Kessra that she will not trouble you further.
They leave each other’s company. Shortly after this, Lorcan Second Winds twice.
At 7:10 am, we all wake up with Bertalan well-refreshed from his four hours of trance. We meet Lorcan in the hallway and find him all scratched up.
Morten: Did you at least tip her?
L: Kessra invited me up to the aviary to meet some of her bird pets. Actually, one of the Twileks told me the Hutt was looking for me.
And for next time, we’ll have our “friendly” combat (and Braktor will be decrypting a communication, assuming he survives). No game on the 4th.
XP for the whole “Darga’s hideout” will be forthcoming.