That makes more sense than what I had in my head, at least.
Observation check.
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"Given our recent experiences, I would assume this was some type of droid factory," Aurel says, walking over to the glowrod and picking it up, "though I'm much more interested in how and why it began churning out those mismatched monstrosities." He sweeps the rod around as returns to the officer, taking in the new area.
"I don't know about that," Jung says. "If those droids had been made recently, we would have noticed the spike on the power grid. It takes a tremendous amount of energy to construct droids. That's why entire worlds are committed to it, if that is their export."
Jung looks up toward the hole you dropped in through, the last light of the melted metal fading as it cools off.
"We should keep moving."
"Yet there were clearly some form of piecework for droids in storage. I recall one looked distinctly like a protocol droid. Another mystery to unravel," Aurel replies as he follows the officer's gaze, "I agree." He steps off into the dark of the factory, wanting to put as much distance between their impromptu escape hatch and the droids likely closing in.
It's possible for certain checks to be made based on attributes, yes? If so, I'd like to make a check to try and figure out the machines as we pass. Whatever Fix-it would be based off of.
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Aurel shakes his head, adding, "No. I've considered many topics of study, but actively researched few. Machinery would be among those not pursued." As he says this, he does find briefs periods during the slow progression to observe the machines.
It is sometimes permissible to make a roll using the stat alone, if you lack the skill. You only get successes on 6s and your pool is generally low.
However, you would need particular knowledge to determine what these massive machines are without seeing them in action.
"Dissecting machines with that great whopping sword of yours is more your thing," Jung says.
He nudges aside some scrap metal with a foot as he walks behind you.
"You think those droids were built here?"
Oh wow, I can't believe how long it's been since I last checked in here! Sorry about that.
Steep stipulations, but understandable. If you haven't taken the time to learn something, how can you be expected to under things with relative ease?
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"An astute observation, officer," Aurel replies with a chuckle, his fingers resting along the hilt of his saber briefly. After a moment to consider the officer's question, he replies, "It is the popular theory in my mind thus far, though there are certainly other possibilities. Perhaps the droids were made elsewhere and shipped here for storage. If so, who would do so, and what resources would they have to lead to such oddly designed machines?"
Indeed. It also helps give players certain roles in the group setting that this game is based on; for example, Jelena Bendu (played by Brit) has solidified her spot as the group's translator with her obscene Language score.
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"We need proof for either theory," Jung says. "We're not going to be able to handle this ourselves, but if we can establish what's going on here, we can bring it back to my superiors and get this taken care of."
Jung thinks it would help to list some of the questions you want/need to answer here.
That seems like good way to start figuring things out. I think a rather basic method could help early on, so let's focus on the classic words.
Who: would benefit, or have the ability, to either construct or ship droids to an abandoned factory on the Senate homeworld?
What: are the methods being used to create these droids?
When: did this all begin to result in such a large concentration by the time we arrived?
Where: are the droids coming from? Ties into the who questions, but really, they're not supposed to be here, but they are. From where, though?
Why: was the Corsucanti police or other investigative force unaware of things until now? Granted, they're surely busier with many other things, but is it possible this had been noticed before and been lost in communication?
How: will we be able to find a way to escape, which is actually something of a high priority despite it being the last question on this list? A lot of the questions leading up to this point can also be rephrased as how. How are the droids being constructed, and how are they being controlled? Obviously there is a central intelligence, but how did it get here and become functional?
I'll be honest, I'm actually kinda stumped as to answering that question. Maybe one of the larger machines could lead to some kind of databank or something, but the way things are there's no telling if it would even be functional. Nor could I guarantee that Aurel could use it to find anything useful. Maybe Jung has a bit of technical know-how? These are my thoughts at the moment, and it's really the best I've been able to come up with.
😆 Point in case, then. So focused is Aurel on other studies, he's not entirely aware of working mechanical stuffs looks like. 😛
So, that being the case, and because I have no real clue how else to proceed, let's try and see if we can gather some intelligence from the next working machine we come across. We should be far enough away that a moment can be spared of it.