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scene_4a_1_the_price_of_timber [2026/07/12 05:46] – [5 | Triggers, Clues & Consequences] adminscene_4a_1_the_price_of_timber [2026/07/12 07:20] (current) – [Morningstar Hub Overview — Playable Locations & Opportunities] admin
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 ===== Special Scene Rule — Location-Flexible Conversation ===== ===== Special Scene Rule — Location-Flexible Conversation =====
  
-This scene is not tied to a fixed venue. After leaving [[hauh_morningstar_djangos_diner|Django’s Diner]], ask the players where they intend to take Sagan.They may choose any suitable location from the Morningstar Hub or the wider [[morningstar|Morningstar]] location list.+This scene is not tied to a fixed venue. After leaving [[hauh_morningstar_djangos_diner|Django’s Diner]], ask the players where they intend to take Sagan. They may choose any suitable location from the Morningstar Hub or the wider [[morningstar|Morningstar]] location list.
  
 Possible choices include: Possible choices include:
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 | **2** | J.W. worked exclusively through hired Hands, notes, vouchers, and changing instructions | | **2** | J.W. worked exclusively through hired Hands, notes, vouchers, and changing instructions |
 | **3** | Sagan delivered processed timber to a guarded compound north of Morningstar | | **3** | Sagan delivered processed timber to a guarded compound north of Morningstar |
-| **4** | He knows the route system, the approximate distance, and the way markers used by J.W.’s Hands |+| **4** | He remembers the approximate route to the compound well enough to believe he can find it again. |
 | **5** | Sagan agrees to guide the PCs to the compound when they are ready | | **5** | Sagan agrees to guide the PCs to the compound when they are ready |
  
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  //"A couple of drinks after months of work. That was all the paper was worth in the end."//  //"A couple of drinks after months of work. That was all the paper was worth in the end."//
  
-{{ :hauh_read_aloud_scene_4a_plus_1_price_of_timber.mp3 |}}+{{ :hauh_readaloud_scene_4a_1_djangosdiner.mp3 |}}
  
 ---- ----
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  //"A couple of drinks after months of work. That was all the paper was worth in the end."//  //"A couple of drinks after months of work. That was all the paper was worth in the end."//
 +
 +{{ :hauh_readaloud_scene_4a_1_option_djangosdiner.mp3 |}}
  
  
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 | **Sagan reveals the compound** | Sagan falls silent while rain hammers against the shelter. //"The deliveries went north,"// he says at last. //"Deep into the forest. There’s a wall out there. Timber, metal plates, wire along the top."// His jaw tightens. //"Every beam in that thing came through my company."// | | **Sagan reveals the compound** | Sagan falls silent while rain hammers against the shelter. //"The deliveries went north,"// he says at last. //"Deep into the forest. There’s a wall out there. Timber, metal plates, wire along the top."// His jaw tightens. //"Every beam in that thing came through my company."// |
 | **Sagan agrees to guide the PCs** | Sagan looks from one face to the next. The shame has not left him, but something steadier now sits beneath it. //"I know the route,"// he says. //"Or at least I know the way it worked eight months ago."// He draws a slow breath. //"If you’re really going after him, I’ll take you as far as the gate."// | | **Sagan agrees to guide the PCs** | Sagan looks from one face to the next. The shame has not left him, but something steadier now sits beneath it. //"I know the route,"// he says. //"Or at least I know the way it worked eight months ago."// He draws a slow breath. //"If you’re really going after him, I’ll take you as far as the gate."// |
-| **The Ticking Clock  ends and Austin Hammacher recognizes the Wanted PCs at Saw’s End** | A chair scrapes sharply across the taproom floor. Conversations falter one after another until only the rain against the shutters and the low hiss of the lanterns remain. Across the room, a scarred man in a heavy coat rises from his table. His eyes stay fixed on Rogan (or whichever Wanted PC first gave him certainty). One hand settles around the grip of a heavy, modified DIY Colt. //"Thought I recognized you,"// he says. The weapon clears its holster with a dull metallic scrape. Around him, patrons push away from their tables. |+| **The Ticking Clock  ends and Austin Hammacher recognizes the Wanted PCs at Saw’s End** | A chair scrapes sharply across the expires floor. Conversations falter one after another until only the rain against the shutters and the low hiss of the lanterns remain. Across the room, a scarred man in a heavy coat rises from his table. His eyes stay fixed on Rogan (or whichever Wanted PC first gave him certainty). One hand settles around the grip of a heavy, modified DIY Colt. //"Thought I recognized you,"// he says. The weapon clears its holster with a dull metallic scrape. Around him, patrons push away from their tables. |
  
 ---- ----
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 | 🍶 **The PCs choose Saw’s End after Rogan revealed his identity at Django’s Diner** | Rogan’s exposed face and connection to the wanted group create an immediate recognition risk. Austin Hammacher is present and may identify him from the bounty wire. | Hammacher observes first. After 1d4 minutes or once Sagan reveals a major clue, whichever comes first, he acts unless the PCs notice and neutralize the threat. | | 🍶 **The PCs choose Saw’s End after Rogan revealed his identity at Django’s Diner** | Rogan’s exposed face and connection to the wanted group create an immediate recognition risk. Austin Hammacher is present and may identify him from the bounty wire. | Hammacher observes first. After 1d4 minutes or once Sagan reveals a major clue, whichever comes first, he acts unless the PCs notice and neutralize the threat. |
 | 👁️ **A PC notices Hammacher watching them** | Requires a PER-, WIS-, or relevant background probe, DC 13. On success, the PC sees Hammacher studying Rogan or comparing faces to a bounty sketch or memory slate. | The PCs may leave, confront him discreetly, obscure their identities, or move the conversation elsewhere before the standoff begins. | | 👁️ **A PC notices Hammacher watching them** | Requires a PER-, WIS-, or relevant background probe, DC 13. On success, the PC sees Hammacher studying Rogan or comparing faces to a bounty sketch or memory slate. | The PCs may leave, confront him discreetly, obscure their identities, or move the conversation elsewhere before the standoff begins. |
-| 🔫 **Hammacher recognizes the Wanted PCs** | Read the staged description **“The Ticking Clock ends and Austin Hammacher recognizes the Wanted PCs at Saw’s End"** Hammacher draws his modified pistol and declares the bounty. | The [[Ticking Clock|Ticking Clock]] enters its active Micro phase. The PCs have 1d4 rounds before a patron alerts the Guarding Troopers. Use the Hammacher standoff rules from [[hauh_morningstar_saws_end|Scene 4b — Saw’s End]]. |+| 🔫 **Hammacher recognizes the Wanted PCs** | Read the staged description **“The Ticking Clock expires and Austin Hammacher recognizes the Wanted PCs at Saw’s End"** Hammacher draws his modified pistol and declares the bounty. | The [[Ticking Clock|Ticking Clock]] enters its active Micro phase. The PCs have 1d4 rounds before a patron alerts the Guarding Troopers.|
 | 🚪 **The PCs leave Saw’s End before Hammacher acts** | Sagan follows if Trust is at least 1 and the PCs explain the danger. | Continue Scene 4a+1 at another chosen location. Trust is unchanged unless the PCs abandon Sagan or treat him as expendable. | | 🚪 **The PCs leave Saw’s End before Hammacher acts** | Sagan follows if Trust is at least 1 and the PCs explain the danger. | Continue Scene 4a+1 at another chosen location. Trust is unchanged unless the PCs abandon Sagan or treat him as expendable. |
 | 🚨 **The Ticking Clock expires during the conversation** | Guarding Troopers enter or surround the location. They secure visible weapons and demand identification. | If the PCs submit, proceed to [[hauh_morningstar_guarding_troopers|Scene 4f — Local Guarding Troopers Station]]. If they resist or flee, proceed to [[hauh_morningstar_manhunt|Scene 4g — Escaping Morningstar]]. Sagan may be arrested with them if present. | | 🚨 **The Ticking Clock expires during the conversation** | Guarding Troopers enter or surround the location. They secure visible weapons and demand identification. | If the PCs submit, proceed to [[hauh_morningstar_guarding_troopers|Scene 4f — Local Guarding Troopers Station]]. If they resist or flee, proceed to [[hauh_morningstar_manhunt|Scene 4g — Escaping Morningstar]]. Sagan may be arrested with them if present. |
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 | 🛰️ **The PCs ask about Sagan’s life aboard the Last Frontier or why Rogan knew him** | Read the staged description **“Sagan begins speaking about his life aboard the Last Frontier.”** | The PCs learn that Sagan struggled with reading and writing aboard the ship, although he could understand and perform complex practical work once somebody showed him how. | | 🛰️ **The PCs ask about Sagan’s life aboard the Last Frontier or why Rogan knew him** | Read the staged description **“Sagan begins speaking about his life aboard the Last Frontier.”** | The PCs learn that Sagan struggled with reading and writing aboard the ship, although he could understand and perform complex practical work once somebody showed him how. |
 | 🌍 **The PCs ask how Sagan’s life changed after the crash** | Read the staged description **“Sagan describes finding his place after the crash.”** | The collapse of the technological infrastructure created a society in which Sagan’s practical intelligence and physical skills suddenly became valuable. This establishes why his later company meant so much to him. | | 🌍 **The PCs ask how Sagan’s life changed after the crash** | Read the staged description **“Sagan describes finding his place after the crash.”** | The collapse of the technological infrastructure created a society in which Sagan’s practical intelligence and physical skills suddenly became valuable. This establishes why his later company meant so much to him. |
-| 🏭 **The PCs ask how Belmont Timber & Haulage began** | Read the staged description **“Sagan begins describing Belmont Timber & Haulage.”** | Sagan explains that the company began with one freight wagon, an unreliable Labor Bot, and eventually his first pair of Hoos. | +| 🏭 **The PCs ask how Belmont Timber & Haulage began** | Read the staged description **“Sagan begins describing Belmont Timber & Haulage.”** | Sagan explains that the company began with one freight wagon, an unreliable [[manual_labor_bots|Labor Bot]], and eventually his first pair of [[hoos|Hoos]]. | 
-| 📈 **The PCs ask how successful the company became** | Read the staged description **“Sagan remembers what the company became.”** | The PCs learn that Sagan eventually operated three freight wagons and two cutting crews, with contracts extending from Morningstar to Hope. The company was respected because Sagan paid reliably and kept his promises. | +| 📈 **The PCs ask how successful the company became** | Read the staged description **“Sagan remembers what the company became.”** | The PCs learn that Sagan eventually operated three freight wagons and two cutting crews. The company was respected because Sagan paid reliably and kept his promises. | 
-| 💰 **The PCs ask how J.W. paid him** | J.W.’s Hands initially paid in valid Kourou and later shifted to allocation vouchers carrying the Hale & Hook logo. The vouchers promised goods, services, food, lodging, or credit instead of direct currency. | Confirms that J.W. used Hale & Hook’s commercial infrastructure while keeping his own identity away from ordinary transactions. This does not prove that Garrick Hale knew how the vouchers were being used. |+| 💰 **The PCs ask how J.W. paid him** | J.W.’s Hands initially paid in valid [[kourou|Kourou]] and later shifted to allocation vouchers carrying the [[hale_and_hook_outfitters|Hale & Hook]] logo. The vouchers promised goods, services, food, lodging, or credit instead of direct currency. | Confirms that J.W. financed his operations through Hale & Hook–backed allocation vouchers rather than direct cash payments, allowing him to keep his own business at arm's length while binding contractors to an escalating cycle of dependency. |
 | 📉 **The PCs ask how J.W.’s contracts destroyed the company** | Read the staged description **“Sagan explains how J.W. destroyed his company.”** | Reveals the dependency cycle: every new order was presented as the only way to cover the previous one. Eventually the vouchers stopped working, Sagan lost his crews, and the wagons were sold one by one. | | 📉 **The PCs ask how J.W.’s contracts destroyed the company** | Read the staged description **“Sagan explains how J.W. destroyed his company.”** | Reveals the dependency cycle: every new order was presented as the only way to cover the previous one. Eventually the vouchers stopped working, Sagan lost his crews, and the wagons were sold one by one. |
 | 👷 **The PCs ask what happened to Sagan’s workers** | Sagan explains that he dismissed the crews when he could no longer pay them. Some found work at Fogwood. Others left Morningstar. At least one blamed Sagan personally for the unpaid wages. | Deepens Sagan’s shame and demonstrates that J.W.’s exploitation harmed far more people than Sagan alone. | | 👷 **The PCs ask what happened to Sagan’s workers** | Sagan explains that he dismissed the crews when he could no longer pay them. Some found work at Fogwood. Others left Morningstar. At least one blamed Sagan personally for the unpaid wages. | Deepens Sagan’s shame and demonstrates that J.W.’s exploitation harmed far more people than Sagan alone. |
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 === Phase 5 — Sagan’s Decision === === Phase 5 — Sagan’s Decision ===
 +
 +//This phase applies only if the PCs ask Sagan to accompany them as a guide. If they merely seek information or directions to the compound, skip this phase.//
  
 | **Trigger / Cue — Player Action or Scene State** | **Immediate Reaction / Change** | **Ripple Effect / Consequence** | | **Trigger / Cue — Player Action or Scene State** | **Immediate Reaction / Change** | **Ripple Effect / Consequence** |
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   * **The scene is about listening, not extracting:** Sagan should not feel like a container of clues. His information comes from lived experience, shame, and memory. Allow pauses and let the players decide how hard they push.   * **The scene is about listening, not extracting:** Sagan should not feel like a container of clues. His information comes from lived experience, shame, and memory. Allow pauses and let the players decide how hard they push.
-  * **Pouring rain defines the scene:** Whether the conversation takes place in Saw’s End, a wagon, a shed, or beneath an awning, the rain should remain present. It isolates the conversation from the rest of Morningstar and reinforces the sense that Sagan has nowhere dry left to go. 
   * **Saw’s End is recommended, not mandatory:** The drink Sagan wanted gives the players a natural reason to take him there. However, the choice belongs to them. Do not redirect them if they select another credible location.   * **Saw’s End is recommended, not mandatory:** The drink Sagan wanted gives the players a natural reason to take him there. However, the choice belongs to them. Do not redirect them if they select another credible location.
   * **The Forgotten Connection has consequences:** If Rogan exposed his identity at Django’s Diner, that choice may follow the group into this scene. At Saw’s End, Hammacher can recognize him and interrupt the conversation. The character-specific advantage therefore carries a meaningful cost.   * **The Forgotten Connection has consequences:** If Rogan exposed his identity at Django’s Diner, that choice may follow the group into this scene. At Saw’s End, Hammacher can recognize him and interrupt the conversation. The character-specific advantage therefore carries a meaningful cost.
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 ==== DM Tutorial: How to Approach the Scene ==== ==== DM Tutorial: How to Approach the Scene ====
  
-{{ :dm_briefing_hauh_scene_4a_plus_1_price_of_timber.mp3 |}}+{{ :hauh_dmbriefing_scene4a_1_thepriceoftimber.mp3 |}}
  
  
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   * ← **Unlocked From:** [[hauh_morningstar_djangos_diner|Scene 4a — Django’s Diner]]   * ← **Unlocked From:** [[hauh_morningstar_djangos_diner|Scene 4a — Django’s Diner]]
   * → **Possible continuations:**   * → **Possible continuations:**
-    * If Sagan agrees to guide the PCs and they are ready to leave Morningstar: proceed to the journey toward J.W.’s compound. +    * If Sagan agrees to guide the PCs and they are ready to leave Morningstar: proceed to [[Scene 4a+2 — The Roman Way|Scene 4a+2 — The Roman Way]]
-    * If Sagan agrees to guide them but the PCs continue investigating Morningstar: return to the Morningstar Hub Overview. +
-    * If Hammacher recognizes the PCs at Saw’s End: use the standoff from [[hauh_morningstar_saws_end|Scene 4b — Saw’s End]].+
     * If the PCs submit to arrest: proceed to [[hauh_morningstar_guarding_troopers|Scene 4f — Local Guarding Troopers Station]].     * If the PCs submit to arrest: proceed to [[hauh_morningstar_guarding_troopers|Scene 4f — Local Guarding Troopers Station]].
     * If the PCs resist or flee: proceed to [[hauh_morningstar_manhunt|Scene 4g — Escaping Morningstar]].     * If the PCs resist or flee: proceed to [[hauh_morningstar_manhunt|Scene 4g — Escaping Morningstar]].
-    * If Sagan refuses to cooperate: return to the Morningstar Hub Overview and continue the investigation through other leads.+    * If Sagan refuses to cooperate or Sagan agrees to guide them but the PCs continue investigating Morningstar: return to the Morningstar Hub Overview and continue the investigation through other leads.
  
 ==== Morningstar Hub Overview — Playable Locations & Opportunities ==== ==== Morningstar Hub Overview — Playable Locations & Opportunities ====
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 | **[[hale_and_hook_outfitters|Hale & Hook Outfitters]]** | Investigation · Trade | Verify the voucher · ask about J.W.’s supply chain · purchase equipment | Polite · Guarded · Transactional | → [[hauh_morningstar_hale_and_hook|Scene 4e]] | | **[[hale_and_hook_outfitters|Hale & Hook Outfitters]]** | Investigation · Trade | Verify the voucher · ask about J.W.’s supply chain · purchase equipment | Polite · Guarded · Transactional | → [[hauh_morningstar_hale_and_hook|Scene 4e]] |
 | **[[local_guarding_troopers_station_of_morningstar|Local Guarding Troopers Station of Morningstar]]** | Risk · Records · Pressure | Find an arrested Sagan · face active warrants · access procedural records | Bureaucratic · Dangerous | → [[hauh_morningstar_guarding_troopers|Scene 4f]] | | **[[local_guarding_troopers_station_of_morningstar|Local Guarding Troopers Station of Morningstar]]** | Risk · Records · Pressure | Find an arrested Sagan · face active warrants · access procedural records | Bureaucratic · Dangerous | → [[hauh_morningstar_guarding_troopers|Scene 4f]] |
-| **Conversation with [[sagan_belmont|Sagan Belmont]]** | Character Investigation · Trust · Backstory | Learn the price of J.W.’s timber operation · discover the compound · recruit Sagan as guide | Unlocked · Location-flexible · Emotional | → [[Scene 4a+1 — The Price of Timber|Scene 4a+1 — The Price of Timber]] | 
  
   * **Note:** Scene 4a+1 is an additional unlocked scene and may take place at any suitable Morningstar location. If the chosen location has its own risks or active mechanics, such as Hammacher at Saw’s End or biometric scans at the Medical Station, those mechanics remain active during the conversation.   * **Note:** Scene 4a+1 is an additional unlocked scene and may take place at any suitable Morningstar location. If the chosen location has its own risks or active mechanics, such as Hammacher at Saw’s End or biometric scans at the Medical Station, those mechanics remain active during the conversation.
scene_4a_1_the_price_of_timber.1783835199.txt.gz · Last modified: 2026/07/12 05:46 by admin
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