Notorious: Session 2- A Showdown at the Ruins

Gurrak leaves the Mystic Order enclave feeling more and more angry at the course of his investigation thus far. "First those Old Empire bastards won't stop hounding me. Now spies holed up in my contacts own little enclave. This contract is getting messy. Why do they always have to be so damned complicated!" Huffing as he boards his hoverbike, Gurrak rides off into the desert partly searching for somewhere to get an answer and partly lost in thoughts trying to sort out his next move.

Exploration Phase

Exploration Roll -> 3; Roll an exploration event
Exploration Event -> Table 1/Event 5; Encounter a hoverbike gang. They encircle you; roll -> 1; The leader is hostile and challenges you to hand to hand combat.

As Gurrak continues to ride, he hears the revving of hoverbike engines. Somebody approaching fast and headed right for him. Feeling like this might give him an opportunity to get some of his anger out, he slows down and watches as the obvious bike gang rides up to surround him. He brings his hoverbike to a stop and the bike gang closes in around him. A big brute of a man, the obvious leader hops off his bike and walks towards Gurrak. "We hear you've been stirrin' up a bit o' trouble round these parts... Not a smart move off-worlder. See the Targ might think they run things around here, but really this is our turf bud. And you've got some answering to do."

Gurrak laughs, waving off the gang leader dismissively. "Bud... I don't know what you think you run round here. But I haven't heard nothin' about no bike gang acting behind the scenes to run this place. Nah, I don't think you've got much of any pull around these parts actually. If you know what's best for you and your friends, best be leaving me to my work. Make yourself scarce. Though with the day I've been having, I hope you don't" Gurrak flashes a dangerous toothy grin, hoping to taunt the leader into a fight. And he takes the bait immediately. The gang leader rushes at Gurrak, armed with nothing but some puny human fists. Gurrak lets out a roar and answers in kind with his big haymaker aimed right at the gang leader's head.

Combat!

The gang leader has a +2 to attack and +1 Defense
Attack -> Gurrak (D6+4) 5 vs Gang Leader (D6+2) 3; Success!; -1 Defense for the Gang leader
Attack -> Gurrak (D6+4) 7 vs Gang Leader (D6+2) 8; Failure!; -1 Defense for Gurrak
Attack -> Gurrak (D6+4) 7 vs Gang Leader (D6+2) 5; Success!; The gang leader is defeated
Spare -> +1 Favor

Gurrak and the Gang Leader trade blows, but in the end the frail human frame couldn't keep up with Gurraks bulky lizard strength. The leader is knocked to the ground, Gurrak towers over him with a massive fist held back to knock the guy out once and for all. Gurrak lets out a massive laugh. "HAHAHA Now that was FUUUN!!!" He puts a hand down to the gang leader and helps him to his feet. "I like your energy kid. How does this sound. I'm looking for somebody. You and your boys keep and eye out for me. If you hear anything, let me know and we'll call it even." The gang leader wipes blood from his leaky and likely broken nose. "Alright. Ya. Whatever you say friend. I didn't mean no trouble. Just got a reputation to keep up. But we'll help you. No problem here!" The defeated gang leader quickly acquiesces to Gurrak's demands. The bikers mount up and leave Gurrak to continue on to his destination.

Destination Phase

Destination roll -> 6; Gurrak arrives at the Palace of Skag the Targ, the head of the Targ Cartel which is the controlling faction on Talus. +1 Notoriety; A hostile guard approaches to stop you.

Upon arriving at the Palace, Gurrak quickly feels unwelcomed. It's unclear if the Targ are aware of his mission from the Mystic Order, but a guard quickly approaches to block his way inside the bustling compound. The guard is on Gurrak's last nerve, so he lashes out with a friendly fist to the guard's face.

Attack -> Gurrak (D6+4) 8 vs Hostile Guard (D6+2) 5; Success!
Spare -> +1 Favor

Gurrak quickly dispatches the guard, knocking the man out cold. He slowly eases the man down against a wall, glancing around to make sure no one saw the brief interaction "Here bud, take a breather! I don't know what'll be worse for you, that headache you're going to wake up with or your boss firing you for sleepin' on the job! Well, best of luck. I'm gonna have a look around" With that Gurrak slips inside the gates, scouting around for anything that might be of interest to his contract.

Destination Event 1

Destination Event Roll -> Table 1/Event 6; An unaffiliated Mercenary is being harassed by guards; Roll -> Gurrak steps in to help out the Merc (Targ Guard has +2 attack and +1 Defense)

Combat

Attack -> Gurrak (D6+4) 9 vs Targ Guard (D6+2) 4; Success; -1 Defense for the Targ Guard
Attack -> Gurrak (D6+4) 10 vs Targ Guard (D6+2) 6; Success; Gurrak defeats the Targ Guard
Spare -> +1 Favor

Not soon after Gurrak dispatched the outer guard, Gurrak comes across another guard and a Merc in their own scuffle. At first Gurrak thought it might be good to use the distraction to get deeper into the compound, but on second thought he decides a Merc familiar with the planet might be a better investment. He quickly jumps into the fray just as the guard has thrown the merc to the ground and is restraining him. Gurrak lands a few quick blows and knocks the guard unconscious. "I've found the locals are not too friendly to people like you and I friend. Lets make ourselves scarce before that commotion draws any more attention!" The merc and Gurrak quickly flee the scene and find a nice alleyway to make proper introductions.

Recruit -> (D6+ Favor/2) 6 V Challenge Die 4; Success!; Gurrak has recruited an Asset for helping out the merc.
Asset -> Unaffiliated Mercenary (Per the destination event prompt)
Asset Details -> Caper Vrill, a Kimano (Amphibious); Solemn/Sincere; Caper will attack the next hostile encountered before Gurrak can react

"Names Gurrak. Nomad. On planet for a contract. And what were you doin' to attract such friendly attention?" The merc takes a moment to catch his breath before extending his hand. "Caper Vrill. I was just hanging about lookin' for work. Those damn Targ guards don't take kindly to mercs trying to make a living, dishonest or otherwise! Now nomad you say? Well I gotta say thanks for saving my skin there. I woulda likely ended up in the cells down here and next on the list for the fighting pits! I'll stick with you, first chance I get I'll pay you back." Begrudgingly Gurrak agrees to let Caper tag along. Seeing that there's more and more commotion in the Palace grounds, Gurrak decides its probably best to make a quick pass around before leaving the palace in the dust for now.

Destination Event 2

Destination Roll -> Table 1/Event 1; Garrak is pointed towards the royal stables; Roll -> Gurrak gets a bad vibe from the suggestion and decides to get out of the palace for now.

Asking around, a vendor points towards deeper into the palace market. He enthusiastically urges Gurrak to go ask around at the Royal Stables, a trustworthy vendor with an ear for gossip. Gurrak begins heading that way when a sudden feeling in his gut tells him to turn tail and head the other way. "Caper, I think we might have overstayed our welcome already. Lets get out of here for now. I'm not liking the feeling I'm getting." The two leave the Targ Palace behind them, setting back out into the desert searching for any kind of lead on his targe.

Exploration Phase

Exploration Roll -> 4; Notoriety > 4 Encounter a Lead!

Showdown Roll -> 4; Drawn to the Ruins of a Mystical Temple. A massive sandstorm pummels Gurrak and Caper as they approach the ruins obscuring their vision.

Lead -> Dujali Lupay, a Ghol (Horned); Assured and Focused. Dangerous accomplice of the target and part of the Mystic Order

Gurrak steers his hoverbike into the depths of the desert. A strange feeling seems to almost be pulling at him. As the pair ride deeper in, a sandstorm begins to whip up into the air. Through the nearly impenetrable sand, Gurrak recognizes the shape of a ruined structure. He signals for Caper to head that way. They park their hoverbikes and approach on foot, feeling danger in the air. As they approach, they enter a clearing. The sandstorm rages behind them, but it seems as if there is some unnatural eye to the storm. At the center of the eye stands the ruins of some ancient temple. Gurrak eyes it suspiciously before signaling for Caper to follow his lead as he quietly approaches the ruins.

As the pair enters, a voice rings out from the center of the ruins. "Oh quit your sneaking. I know you're here. Show yourselves and stop being such an embarrassment." With the Challenge, Gurrak shrugs and steps into the open central courtyard. A figure sits cross-legged, as if waiting for Gurrak to Arrive. Gurrak quickly recognizes the symbol of the Mystic Order emblazoned on the man's cloak. "Mystic Order? Not the first time you all have caused trouble for me while I'm on a job for you, huh? Look I'm here on behalf of the order. You know anything about this Capray that I'm looking for?" The figure lets out a quiet laugh before standing and facing the pair. "Oh yes I am part of the mystic order. But I am not one of those who hired you. Ishaa and I are working together. The higher ups want that boy to be the next leader of the order, saying he's ordained to lead us to conquest over the Targ and the Old Empire here on Talus. The boy is weak. He'll only lead to our further downfall. And I suppose since you're here looking for Ishaa, you're also here to return the boy over to the order. Well unfortunately for you, that won't be happening." Gurrak has only a moment to process what the man is saying before the stranger attacks. Caper quickly launches into the fray as well!

Combat

(Dujali has a +3 Attack and +1 Defense; Caper has a +1 attack)
Attack -> Caper (D6+1) 3 vs Dujali (D6+3) 7; Failure; Caper is killed
Attack -> Gurrak (D6+4) 6 vs Dujali (D6+3) 7; Failure!; Reroll with Motivation
Attack Reroll -> Gurrak (D6+4) 8; Success!; -1 Defense for Dujali
Attack -> Gurrak (D6+4) 10 vs Dujali (D6+3) 8; Success; Gurrak defeats Dujali
Kill -> +1 Notoriety
Asset -> With Caper's death, Gurrak gains +1 Motivation

Caper quickly leaps into the fight, but Dujali is too quick. A deadly blade slices off Caper's head before he's able to even challenge the foe. Gurrak quickly leaps into the fight with his Power Hammer. Gurrak knocks the blade from Dujali's hand, knocking them to the ground. In a blind fury he brings the hammer down, crushing Dujali's head in one swift blow. "Well then. I guess the Mystic Order has been holding out information on me. This contract just keeps getting messier. I'd best sort this out before I get caught in these fool's little spat" Gurrak quickly searches Dujali's body, finding nothing of interest regarding Ishaa. He gives a quick salute to the fallen Merc before departing back into the sandstorm and out into the open desert.

Destination Phase

Destination Roll -> 3; Gurrak runs into the Murian Scrapcrawler on his way through the desert. He quickly barters for some fuel to keep his hover bike running; +1 Motivation.

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Gurrak's mission stats: 6 Favor, 5 Notoriety, 3 Motivation
The first lead and there's a twist in the plot! Looks like Gurrak is stuck in between an internal power struggle for the mystic order. But a job's a job. He's not here to take sides, just finish his mission! 

 Gurrak's Hunt Session List