Chapter 1: Fidget's Request

 Chapter 1

Fidget’s Request

(Swear an Iron Vow: I swore to Meet with Fidget and gain the information he has on the Symbol he found on an ancient ruin. Rolled Strong hit. +2 momentum. It is a Dangerous Vow)

On my approach to the planet Abalos, a few things stood out. From orbit I noticed massive rugged mountains littered the desert planet and that it was always perpetual daylight. I thought that was odd and it must wreak havoc on the people, always living in sunlight. I entered the planet's atmosphere and made my way to Wayward, the only settlement on the planet. 

My sensors showed that the atmosphere was toxic to humans without a respirator and the planet had sparse lifeforms living throughout the desert. All along the mountain ranges were cliffside caves, some large enough to fly my ship through. The spaceport itself was a large settlement dotted with sprawling structures. I was warned beforehand that the authorities on Wayward were unyielding. Thousands of people lived in this dump in the middle of nowhere. Wayward specialized in mining and history. I was hoping if Fidget didn’t come through with the information then I would be able to find someone that knew the ancient history that may be able to help me in my vow to find others like me.

I landed my starship, The Rebirth, on the landing pad I was assigned. This area of the settlement had a bunch of ships already docked. I could see Prospector ships, a few Reclaimers, and Menders. There was a couple of Corvettes docked as well. One Courier ship was there with a lot of people hanging around it.

Information is life in the Forge. We rely on a guild of spaceborne couriers, the Heralds, to transport messages and data across the vast distances between settlements. Direct communication and transmissions beyond the near-space of a ship or outpost is impossible due to the chaotic energies of the Forge. Digital archives are available at larger outposts, but the information is not always up-to-date or reliable. Therefore, the most important communications and discoveries are carried by the Heralds, sworn to see that data to its destination.

I ignored the Herald and the group of people and made my way to the coordinates on my datapad. Fidget wanted to meet in the local bar. He probably wanted me to buy him drinks and food for the information. It didn’t surprise me, people wanting handouts were nothing new in the Forge. I was lucky to have enough credits though and didn’t mind. My mission was important. I would do whatever it took to see it done.

(Ask Oracle. Are there any races other than humans on this planet? Small Chance: Rolled: 52. No there aren’t)

 The cantina was bustling with activity when I walked in. It was hard to know what time of day it was due to the everlasting sunlight but I knew it was close to midmorning when I left my ship. The place was jammed packed with people from all walks of life grabbing their midmorning meals. Most of them probably on break or maybe heading into work. A jazzy song filled the place from a band that sat in the corner of the cantina. 

Many different aromas could be smelled throughout the building. I wasn’t sure what Fidget actually looked like so I made my way to the bar. My long white cloak covered my body and the pistol I had on my hip. A few Combat Droids walked the room with what looked like heavy plasma rifles in their hands. People looked on edge inside the cantina but any that met my head gave a smile and nod to me. I ignored them though. 

At the bar, a man with short brown hair and an athletic build was wiping down a mug. He looked me over and nodded. 

“What may I get you, stranger?” He asked.

I looked around the bar trying to see if anyone was staring. I did make an imposing figure. I stood 6 feet 5 inches. I spent my life working in the mines of Rannyke, my homeworld, and it kept me in good shape. I had broad shoulders and a deep chest. My respirator covered my whole face and made my voice sound deeper than normal. 

(Using my Empath ability to read this guy's emotions. Rolling +heart. Rolled: Weak Hit. +1 momentum. Visions are murky)

I tried sensing his emotions to see if he was an honest guy but things weren’t working out. I couldn’t get a full sense of him, maybe it had to do with the respirator I was wearing.

“I’m looking for a man named Fidget. I was supposed to meet him here.” I said looking around to see if anyone was listening.

(Gather Information: Rolled: Strong hit +2 momentum)

“Fidget huh.” The man shook his head and laughed. “Yeah, I know Fidget. He’s over there.” He said nodding in the corner with his head. 

I turned to look in the direction and saw a man sitting at a table. He was wearing a bright yellow jacket with green pants and orange boots. He was staring into space, a cup in his hands forgotten. A plate of food sat in front of him that looked to be some type of meat and runny eggs slapped on what they call bread in these parts.

“Thanks,” I say as I walk over to Fidget.

“You Fidget?” I ask the man as I look him over.

(Trying to read his emotional state. Rolled: Weak hit +1 momentum)

“Huh, What?” The man said as he turned to look at me. “You’re a big boy aren’t you. You must be Brimstone?”

(I added 2 progress to my vow since I found Fidget)

I nodded my head and sat down at the table.

“You know you don’t need your respirator on in here. The settlement has filters that make the air breathable.” Fidget said absentmindedly. 

I ignored his comment and showed him my necklace I wear of the symbol of the force users. “I hear you found this symbol in your travels?”

“Right to business huh. I like that.” Fidget said as he took a bite of the sandwich. “Yeah, I saw that symbol. On a job, I was doing last month. I came across a ruin orbiting an ice planet. It had that symbol carved in the door.”

(I'm going to try and compel with charm +Heart. Rolled: Weak hit. +1 momentum. They will do what you want but with a demand. Going to mark progress on my vow since he will tell me the info I need)

“I have great interest in this place as you can see from my necklace. It would be to your benefit and everyone else’s to tell me where you found it.” I said. “I am trying to combat the Forgespawn threat sweeping the galaxy and that could be key to helping me win.”

Fidget begins to laugh. A small chuckle at first that turns into a belly-busting laugh. I just look at him waiting for him to finish. It takes a few moments for Fidget to regain his composure before speaking.

“A lofty goal for one person my friend. Very lofty indeed but I have needs as well. You see, I work for some shall we say demanding individuals. I promised them something recently but wasn’t able to procure it. You get me this item I need for my boss and I’ll tell you everything I know about that symbol.” Fidget said before taking another bite of his sandwich. 

He knew he had me and I wouldn’t say no to his request. Now it was just a matter of getting what he needs to find out the information.

“Deal,” I said.

I grabbed my necklace and said. “I swear by this iron I will get what you need for your boss and in exchange, you will tell me everything you found out about my symbol.”

(Swear an Iron vow: Get what Fidget needs so he can give me the information on the Ancient Ruins with the Force symbol. Rolled: Strong hit. +2 momentum. Momentum now at 10. It is a dangerous vow)