At this point
I was only mostly sure of the flow of the adventure. It's not so much
that it's very linear, but there are some key things that have to
happen. It sort of assumes a more violent and aggressive team than what
I've been promoting. But I thought that would be a challenge for
Fulton. I did still want to read it one more time and I figured I could
do it at Donald's if got there early.
I did arrive early. But Donald was watching The Princess Bride which
I've never seen. So I half watched the movie and read the adventure
again. People trickled in and I more or less had reread a third time.
First problem was that Fulton didn't come. Donald leads with Woo, Rowe
and Pick. Second problem appeared quickly after I gave the mission
briefing. I told them to be low key, keep violence to a minimum,
represent the Federation in the best possible light.
Eric decided to go all out with an intelligence profile. They dressed
up as tourists, got miniturized phasers, got Klingon disruptors,
communications gear, etc. I wasn't too alarmed yet. Once they got on
the planet they had to talk to the President and his Marshall to get
more information. That went badly as they rushed through, didn't
question anything really then left and made their own plans.
Things quickly started going down hill as they decided to contact the
rebels, posing as arms merchants. They were going to skip going to the
market, where all the role-playing and clues were. Instead they visited
a former rebel who had left after the rebels became violent. The rebel
doesn't know anything, but there is supposed to be a badly sprung
ambush and they can get info from the ambushers.
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They interview
the guy, trip the ambush, disruptor the frogs, then they revive one and
tell him that they want to meet with their leaders. So much for giving
them more clues. Went back to interview the former rebel, thought maybe
I can point them to the market. They went to the market but didn't
really look around. Only went to talk to the grub vendor that the
former rebel pointed out.
The adventure just never clicked. They continued posing as arms dealers
even after a fair amount of proof that the rebels knew they were
Starfleet officers. Didn't really question anyone that would have had
the information (like the frogs that ambushed them). Eventually I had
whoever they talked to give them a clue.
They were able to rescue the hostages, but didn't catch the main
rebels. I just didn't adapt to their approach. I watched aghast as they
threatened, mind probed, shot prisoners. Possibly the most savage,
deceitful, un-Starfleet conduct from my players since I don't know
when. I was positively ashamed of them, I was disappointed that I had
allowed the adventure to reach this level, and I took it out on them
when it came time to hand out renown. I need a break.
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