Freelance Traveller

Elegance Never Forgotten

by Michael Brown

This article originally appeared in the September 2015 issue.

Patron:

Entertainer

Required Skills:

None

Required Equipment:

Starship

Players’ Information

While looking for passengers on Regina, the PCs are approached by a frail old woman. Still striking and modestly dressed, she is accompanied by a tall, impeccably-dressed man with a conceited air. She politely offers the crew high passage for the two of them to Extolay. She mentions she is going to visit her son, but surprisingly does not have much in the way of luggage; just a pair of worn travel bags.

As the duo boards the ship, several passengers do a double-take upon seeing them. If questioned, the incredulous passengers swear that the woman is legendary holovid star Lisbet Gugiidima. But that couldn’t be; Gugiidima has been dead for 20 years!

Referee’s Information

The man with Gugiidima, Iebert Wix, is arrogant and condescending—when he acknowledges the adventurers at all. He makes no bones about his superiority to the “scruff,” as he refers to anyone beneath his station, and boldly holds forth at length about the food, the surroundings and the other passengers. He treats his companion marginally better; she, on the other hand, is charming and friendly, with a quick wit and a ready yarn. She tires easily, however, so is not seen much during the journey.

Possible Directions to Take This Scenario

1. All is as represented. Gugiidima is indeed the legendary holovid star. Her death was erroneously reported years before and she wanted to retire anyway, so she saw no reason to dispute the account. Wix is her aide and executor of her estate.
2. As 1, except Wix is actually her son, accompanying his mother to what she believes will be her final resting place. She has dementia, and believes her son is waiting for her on Extolay. Her periods of lucidity are becoming rarer as the days drag on. Wix knows as soon as his mother has passed on, he will become very rich.
3. Wix is a swindler after Gugiidima’s extensive real estate holdings on Extolay. Once he has them, he plans to dump her in an offworld retirement colony.
4. Neither Gugiidima nor Wix are who they say they are. They are con artists who are taking advantage of Chandia Bulin’s uncanny resemblance to the star to swindle adoring passengers out of their money en route. They will then disappear with their ill-gotten gains and further another plot onworld.
5. As 4, but the two are fugitives from the law. One of the other passengers is an undercover law enforcement officer who is finally close enough to nab the pair, and will not let anything or anyone stop him/her or get in the way.
6. As 4, except the pair is not impersonating Gugiidima for nefarious purposes; they are trying to convince a board on Extolay that Gugiidima is still alive in order to keep her assets from being seized by a corporation.

The referee should determine the flow of subsequent events.