Searching the Aftermarket

Summary

In Session 8 of the campaign, the party splits to explore New Smoke Aftermarket's offerings after entering the market's flux-capacitor-shaped layout. Safia and Vasso head to the food court at the top of the structure to relax, with Safia planning to experiment with her new halberd with visible circuitry. Meanwhile, Cat and Sucks Benedict search the market's technology vendors for specific items: headphones, a headphone splitter so both Sucks and Fajr can listen to music together, and a Bluetooth remote to control Cooper. Their search begins with mixed success—Sucks rolls a 6 while Cat aids with an 8, achieving a partial success that leads them to two merchants but also to an awkward social encounter.

Details

As the party enters the aftermarket, they encounter uncommon technology. One participant observes, "I haven't seen electric lights in, I feel like, years. I mean. Yeah, it's kind of rare." The GM confirms the rarity: "This is a. This is a very uncommon kind of technology. You can feel it like. Like humming through the air."

Safia and Vasso separate from the group, making their way to the food court at the top of the market's layout. Safia carries her new halberd, which features visible circuitry, intending to experiment with it while relaxing.

Cat and Sucks Benedict focus their search on technology vendors. Sucks wants to find a headphone splitter, explaining the purpose: "maybe help him find a headphone splitter so that both he and Fajr can listen to music at the same time." Cat adds, "I was thinking it might be a good thing to pick up another music disc." They also seek a Bluetooth remote to control Cooper.

When Sucks rolls to search the market, the result is a 6. Cat aids with an 8, producing a partial success. Their search leads them to a Blob Remote Merchant's stall advertising "blob remotes." One character notes, "This blob's got some crazy looking cabs," to which another responds, "Everybody in newspok that sells stuff has crazy cabs."

The pair also encounters a young Teenage Salvager woman who sells music discs and headphones. The merchant initiates conversation: "You're a teenager too? No way." Sucks responds, "Yes. That is kind of zat is where I am in my ages," and Cat adds, "Yes, me too. I'm a teenager also." The salvager replies, "Cool. It's cool that we're both kind of a similar age."

The interaction takes an awkward turn when Cat attempts to reciprocate the merchant's introduction. Cat presents Sucks, saying, "And I have this gangly teen named Sucks Benedict," as if offering him in trade. The transcript notes: "They're both staring at cats." Both Sucks and the teenage salvager are left confused by Cat's social misstep, staring as they try to understand the gesture.

Participants

Cat — Searches for technology with Sucks Benedict; attempts to make introductions but creates an awkward moment by presenting Sucks as if in trade
Sucks Benedict — Rolls a 6 to search the market; seeks a headphone splitter for himself and Fajr, plus a music disc and remote for Cooper
Safia — Heads to the food court with Vasso; carries her new halberd with visible circuitry
Vasso — Accompanies Safia to the food court to relax
Teenage Salvager — Young merchant selling music discs and headphones; attempts friendly conversation before Cat's confusing gesture
Blob Remote Merchant — Vendor at a stall advertising blob remotes

Consequences

The partial success on the search roll means Cat and Sucks find what they're looking for, but with complications or at a cost
Cat and Sucks locate both the Blob Remote Merchant's stall and the Teenage Salvager's goods, gaining access to the headphones, music discs, and remote technology they sought
Cat's awkward social interaction with the teenage salvager creates a confusing moment that may affect future dealings with the merchant
The party remains split between the food court (Safia and Vasso) and the technology vendors (Cat and Sucks)