Begin a Session
Rushdown has just returned The Spider from Minami to the Resistance. He is on his way to Tranquilo to let his crew rest before their next mission.
Likely(65)Yes Ascendancy scouts arrive in AshitabaThe Starforged/Campaign Rushdown/Clocks/Ascendancy scouts arrive in Ashitaba.md → 1/2
Begin a Session(32)Seemingly unrelated situations are shown to be connected
"Hook, good to see you again," says Machete. "Welcome to the Snakepit."
"You too, old friend," says Hook. "It's a grand station."
"So, before we catch up, let's settle our business. You're willing to sell us the dreadnought?"
"Definitely. It's a grand ship, for sure, but the upkeep is crippling. There aren't enough big ships to loot. Try paying a dreadnought's crew with the loot from a corvette. Never mind the attention it attracts."
Machete laughs. "We need it for a fight, we won't be taking it out raiding."
"You picked a fight with a dreadnought?"
"Come on, let's have a beer and I'll tell you all about it."
Momentum:3 → 4
Set a Course(Supply)—10 vs 2|8 Momentum:4 → 5
Rushdown lands at Tranquilo and announces that the crew have 72 hours shore leave. The crew seem in a celebratory mood as they exit the ship.
Rolling Crew Commander
1d6→5 + 2 Heart = 7 vs 1d10→2 1d10→2
Strong hit with a match
Crew Commander / Command:3 → 6
Rushdown goes to see Bigmouth. "Hey, Bigmouth, how are things?"
"Not bad, not bad. Which gang are you going after tonight?"
"No action tonight, I just came to check in and see how things are in Southside."
"Southside's good," says Bigmouth. "Same as ever. Skullcrusher's disappeared, hasn't been seen since you took his arm home with you. Vanguard took over the gang, but their rep is shot to hell."
"Do you think Vanguard will come after me?"
"Nah, he's the pragmatic type. If anything, he'll try to hire you."
Does Bigmouth tell Rushdown about Satonaka? 50/50(94)No
"So nothing that needs my attention?" asks Rushdown.
"Only small time stuff, and you're in the big leagues now."
Rushdown heads to the main strip and watches a few pitfights. The fights are brutal, and since they have a 'bring your own weapons' policy, sometimes lethal.
Hearten(Heart)—7 vs 9|7
Pay the Price(37)Something of value is lost or destroyed
The fights don't excite Rushdown, he finds the baying crowds distasteful and the violence to be pointless. He heads back to the ship.
"What ever happened to that monkey you found on the Miwako?" asks Strongarm. They are in the cafeteria, eerily quiet with the crew on shore leave.
"Oh, that? Totally slipped my mind. I haven't seen it since the Miwako now that you mention it," replies Rushdown.
"So it's aboard the ship somewhere?"
"Perhaps. It did hide from the Ascendancy for countless years."
"I don't like the idea of an unvetted AI being loose on the ship doing whatever it wants," says Strongarm.
"You're right, but it seemed harmless enough."
The crew return after their 72 hours are up, reinvigorated. The Seventh Sun makes its way back to Minami City.
Set a Course(Supply)—7 vs 7|8
Forgot to add my +1 for Navigator, should be a Weak Hit.
Momentum:5 → 3
The ship's journey is delayed by a plasma storm, but they get to Minami safely. When they arrive, they see the enormous form of the Miwako in orbit - the Minami squad sent to retrieve it must have completed their mission. It's surrounded by smaller ships and support vessels, Minami are probably clearing it room by room before they decide what to do with it. The Seventh Sun lands, and Rushdown heads to Gray's office.
"Ah, Rushdown, you're back," says Gray. "The prisoner transfer was a success?"
"There were a few bumps in the road, but we got it done," says Rushdown.
"Well, there are no new missions from the Board, but there are reports of Ironsail attacks on isolated settlements in the sector. We should look into it."
Rushdown takes out his black iron dagger. "I vow to get to the bottom of the attacks and deal with whoever's responsible," he says.
Swear an Iron Vow(Heart)—9 vs 8|3 Momentum:3 → 5 Connection Gray +1 (6/10)
"They're attacking settlements and ships, and taking cargo and valuables. They seem to be operating in this area of the sector," says Gray indicating a zone on the sector map. "Typical raiding party behavior."
"Any major settlements in that area?"
"The biggest is Settlement Name(16)Crux. It hasn't been hit yet."
"I'll head there and see what I can find out."
Rushdown returns to the ship, but instead of heading straight to Crux he instead sets a course for Gallows.
Set a Course(Supply)—7 vs 6|9 Momentum:5 → 3
The plasma storm is still raging, so their progress is slow, but they make it to Gallows. Rushdown goes to see the Ironsail chief, Pyro.
"Chief Pyro, good to see you again," says Rushdown.
"And you. I take it you're here about the favor I owe you for returning my dagger?" replies the chief.
"No, not today. I just wanted to ask some questions. There's a raiding party in the sector and I want to get rid of them - have you heard anything?"
Gather Information(Wits)—6 vs 8|3 Momentum:3 → 4
"I've heard rumors. They're not connected to the Gallows Ironsails, if that's what you're wondering, they're from the Expanse. Barracudas, if that means anything to you."
"Nope."
"The Ironsails are actually several different clans, or tribes. The Barracudas are one of them. Anyway, they'll have a mobile base hidden somewhere where they keep the loot, and several attack ships that do the actual raiding. Mostly multipurpose vehicles but occasionally something bigger, maybe a frigate if they're lucky. Oh, and troop carriers with gravity harpoons, for boarding other ships."
"Doesn't sound too dangerous."
"For you, maybe, but for an undefended colony or a lone ship it's positively terrifying."
"Right. Well, thanks for the advice, I'd better be off before they strike again."
"One more thing...the Barracudas hold a grudge. If you stop them, they will remember."
17 - Deal with the raiders +1 (2/10)
Rushdown returns to the ship and sets a course for Crux.
Set a Course(Supply)—10 vs 7|9 Momentum:4 → 6
They arrive without a hitch.
Location(35)Planetside
Planetary Class(32)Grave World
Sample Names(2)Banshee
Atmosphere(32)Toxic
Outlands(51)Hundreds
Rushdown hails the settlement. "This is Captain Rushdown of the Red Suns. Have you seen any signs of the raiders in these parts?"
"This is Crux. We saw a scout ship a couple of weeks back, but nothing since. We think they're superstitious about the grave world."
"Any idea where they might be holed up?"
"There are plenty of places to hide in the area, we don't have a clue."
"Well we were going to try and ambush them here but if they're staying away then we'll go checking out these hiding spots. What are you doing on a grave world, anyway?"
"Research and salvage. Lots of xenotech down here, we figure out what it is then sell it."
Is he telling the truth 50/50(30)Yes
"Anything interesting for sale?"
"No weapons, if that's what you're asking."
"Alright then, we'll be on our way." The Seventh Sun begins searching for the Ironsails base.
Undertake an Expedition(Wits)—8 vs 5|7 17 - Find the Ironsails base +1 (2/10) Momentum:6 → 7
Outlands(42)Starship
Ship Size(35)Medium
They come out of warp and find a battle damaged corvette. It looks to be an Ironsail vessel. Rushdown hails it. "This is Captain Rushdown of the Seventh Sun. We're looking for Ironsail raiders in the area, and you look like Ironsails to me. Surrender, and we can do this without violence."
"You won't take us alive," comes the reply. The ship powers up its weapons, but the power cuts out suddenly - it seems their generator took a hit in whatever skirmish they were in.
"You have no engines and no weapons," says Rushdown. "Be sensible." There's no reply. "Ready a boarding party, we're going in," says Rushdown to Strongarm.
How many defenders are there? 1d10→5
The Seventh Sun docks with the ship, and the dozen members of the boarding party stack up by the airlock. They use a breaching charge to blow the enemy airlock, prep the room with flashbangs, and go in.
Does the sweep go without a hitch? Likely(28)Yes
The disoriented Ironsails are no match for the Red Suns troops, and the four defenders guarding the airlock are dropped easily and without casualties on the Red Suns side. They sweep the ship, and find the captain in the bridge, behind cover and aiming a heavy pistol at the doorway. "Wait," says Rushdown to the boarding party through comms, "I'm on my way, I want to speak to him. Hold position."
The stalemate lasts until Rushdown arrives at the bridge. "You in there," he says, "This is the captain. Your crew is dead, your ship is dead in the water, and you're surrounded. Let's talk."
"Barracudas don't talk," comes the reply.
"You're no use to the Barracudas dead. Throw down the gun or you won't live to see tomorrow."
Compel(Iron)—7 vs 3|5 Momentum:7 → 8
The man thinks for a moment, then throws down his weapon. He steps out of cover with his hands up. Rushdown enters the room and pats the man down at gunpoint. He finds another gun and a boot knife, he tosses both out of reach. "So, tell me what you know," says Rushdown.
"I'm still not talking," says the man.
"Fair enough," says Rushdown. He has the boarding party restrain the man and take him to the brig. He goes to the bridge terminal to see what information he can find.
Gather Information(Wits)—4 vs 1|1match
He finds the coordinates of the secret base easily, as well as information on the Barracudas' leader.
Callsign(41)Gutshot
Her name is Gutshot, and judging from her messages to the captain of the corvette she has a short temper and little patience.
17 - Deal with the raiders +1 (4/10)
Rushdown returns to his ship leaving the corvette for the scavs, and jumps to the coordinates of the secret base.
Set a Course(Supply)—10 vs 10|8
They come out of warp and see the makeshift base. It's a mid-sized freighter, with a number of multipurpose vehicles standing guard. Rushdown tries to hail them, but they immediately jump into FTL, followed soon after by their escort.
"It seems like we caught them while the raiding party is away. Let's set a trap for when they return - we'll hold position and attack them as they come out of warp," says Rushdown. "Everyone, be on standby," he says over the ship's comms.
End a Session Momentum:8 → 9