Nick Silver Demonstrates Control Over Goober

Summary

In Session 6, Nick Silver reveals a technological capability that fundamentally changes the party's understanding of their situation. When the party attempts to have Goober produce a pumpkin pie as hospitality, Nick notices Goober for the first time and demonstrates the ability to control the creature remotely through his staff. Without speaking to Goober, Nick forces the creature to transform into a cube and produce the requested pie, explaining he has "a way with machines." Safia's investigation reveals that Nick's staff emits the same connectivity field that the party receives from Goober—he is using it as a remote control device. This demonstration prompts Sucks to immediately call for the party to seize Nick.

Details

The confrontation begins when the party offers Nick a pumpkin pie as payment or hospitality. Erin attempts to produce one from Goober, but Nick sees the creature for the first time and asks, "Now what is that?" Erin tries to conceal Goober with sweaters, but Nick pushes through the group to reach the back of the cart where Goober has balled up.

Nick stares at Goober without making any sounds. The pointed silence has an immediate effect: Goober transforms into a cube. Nick then presses the flat of his hand against Goober's side, and a pumpkin pie rises out of the top of the cube. He takes the pie and eats a handful before offering an explanation.

When questioned about how he accomplished this, Nick states: "If you know how to talk to these things, they can be quite useful." He clarifies his method: "Well, you don't, you don't have to. You talk to him, but not with your words." He describes this as "a skill that I have, a talent," adding "I have a way with the machines."

Safia performs a Discern Realities check, rolling a 10. The investigation reveals that the connectivity field the party receives from Goober—the same field they rely on—is also emanating from Nick's staff. He is using the staff as a remote control device. During this exchange, Nick moves his hands conspicuously on his staff while trying to appear casual, "drawing way more attention to it" in the process.

Upon witnessing this demonstration and Safia's discovery, Sucks immediately shouts: "Everyone grab this guy. Grab this guy."

Participants

• Nick Silver — demonstrates remote control over Goober through his staff, revealing technological capabilities he had previously concealed
• Goober — forced to transform into a cube and produce a pumpkin pie without the party's verbal commands
• Erin — attempts to hide Goober from Nick's notice and questions Nick about his method
• Safia — performs a Discern Realities check (10+) that reveals Nick's staff emits the same connectivity field as Goober
• Sucks — calls for the party to seize Nick immediately after the revelation
• Cat — present during the confrontation
• Vasso — present during the confrontation

Consequences

• The party discovers that Nick Silver possesses technological capabilities equal to or exceeding their own, specifically the ability to interface with and control machines like Goober.
• Nick's staff is revealed as a technological device that emits a connectivity field, functioning as a remote control for creatures like Goober.
• The party's trust in Nick is fundamentally broken, with Sucks immediately calling for his seizure.
• The party learns that their method of communicating with Goober through words is not the only—or necessarily the most effective—way to interact with such machines.
• Questions arise about Nick's true nature, his origins, and how many other capabilities he may be concealing.