Quest: Sabotage at the Cog-Well

Setting and Antagonist

Setting: Iron-Talon, the multi-species trade hub built on The Cog-Well.

Antagonist: Kobo, the Baboon Prime Agent (Now a more formidable opponent with armored guards).

Goal: Infiltrate Kobo’s temporary embassy to find physical evidence of his sabotage plans and his connection to the Primate Hegemony before he gains political control or detonates the upgraded charge.

Key Encounters (Three Required Scenes)

The difficulty of mandatory checks is increased to DC 15 (up from DC 12), and the boss fight is significantly harder.

Scene 1: The Ascent to the Embassy (Focus: Advanced Infiltration & Support)

The building's defenses now feature simple, repeating clockwork patrols and enhanced traps.

The Approach and Traps: The perimeter has been upgraded with motion-tracking Sentry Bots (small, fast clockwork machines) and a layer of sonic sensors alongside the physical traps.

Mandatory Class Roles:

Role 1: Vantage Point and Tracking (Spring-Shot)

A Spring-Shot must establish an overwatch position to track the fast-moving Sentry Bots.

Skill Check: Very Difficult Scouting (Perception) check (DC 16).

Success: The Spring-Shot determines the precise 15-second window when all Sentry Bots are temporarily out of sight, and locates the upgraded sonic sensor control box on the exterior wall.

Failure: The party risks an encounter with an alerted Sentry Bot patrol during the next role.

Role 2: Neutralizing the Sonic Grid (Alchemist)

If the control box is located, the Alchemist must disable the sonic sensors without triggering the alarm.

Skill Check: Very Difficult Alchemist check (DC 15), requiring precise application of a Solvent to the sensitive internal coils.

Success: The sonic sensors are disabled for 10 minutes, allowing a relatively safe entrance.

Failure: The sonic grid blares a brief, localized alarm that attracts a patrol from the nearest checkpoint.

Role 3: Breaching the Main Door (Blade)

The Blade must force the main entrance, which is now reinforced with a pneumatic lock.

Skill Check: Difficult Brawl (Strength) check (DC 15), using the Grapple-Winch as leverage.

Success: The Blade pries the door open quickly.

Failure: The door jams, forcing the Blade to spend an additional round forcing it, while the Baboon Sentries inside are placed on high alert (granting them a bonus to Initiative).

Phase 2: Securing the Evidence (Focus: Advanced System Bypass)

The Primate Agent Mini-Boss is now tougher, and the safe's defenses are layered.

Challenge: The crucial evidence is inside a human-era safe protected by a three-stage defense system: a kinetic deterrent, a chemical seal, and the main lock.

Mandatory Class Roles:

Role 1: Disabling the Kinetic Deterrent (Blade)

The Blade must use fine control and strength to disarm the first layer: a spring-loaded kinetic tamper built into the safe's frame.

Skill Check: Very Difficult Brawl (Precision/Dexterity) check (DC 16).

Success: The tamper is pinned, and the inner layers can be accessed.

Failure: The tamper slams shut, locking down the safe and requiring the Alchemist to spend two extra rounds stabilizing the safe before attempting their check.

Role 2: Bypassing the Chemical Seal (Alchemist)

The Alchemist must neutralize the second defense: a highly pressurized, self-sealing chemical gel around the inner door.

Skill Check: Very Difficult Alchemist check (DC 15), requiring careful heat application and a stabilizing solution.

Success: The seal melts silently.

Role 3: Cracking the Mechanism (Spring-Shot)

The Spring-Shot must use their expertise to manipulate the advanced, miniaturized clockwork pins.

Skill Check: Very Difficult Scouting (Precision) check (DC 17), utilizing Tinker's Tools.

Success: The lock clicks open.

Consequence of Failure: If the lock seizes, the only remaining option is to use a powerful explosive (if the party possesses one) or spend critical time seeking the Coiled Sage for highly specialized knowledge.

The Evidence: Inside, the party finds schematics for a powerful, military-grade Volatile Compound, a map of The Cog-Well, and the Primate Hegemony Seal. Kobo is confirmed to be moving to the Cog-Well Bridge.

Phase 3: The Climax - The Bridge (Focus: Heavy Combat & Crisis Management)

Kobo is now protected by heavy armor and more guards. The stakes are higher.

Enemies: Kobo, the Baboon Prime Agent (Level 3 Boss with enhanced resilience), and four heavily armed guards.

The Final Threat: The Volatile Compound now has a short, three-round timer once armed.

Mandatory Class Roles:

Role 1: Engagement and Containment (Blade)

The Blade is the designated tank, responsible for engaging Kobo directly and drawing the guards' fire.

Action: The Blade must successfully land a powerful attack or utilize their Reinforced Plates to survive two full rounds of combat on the unstable bridge.

Goal: Buy the two critical rounds needed for the Spring-Shot to target the compound and the Alchemist to neutralize it.

Role 2: Targeting the Compound (Spring-Shot)

The Spring-Shot must create a vulnerable point on the armored Volatile Compound without detonating it prematurely.

Action: The Spring-Shot uses the Pneumatic Carbine to fire a specialized, armor-piercing round at the casing of the compound.

Skill Check: Difficult Scouting (Ranged Attack) check (DC 15).

Success: The Spring-Shot pierces the outer casing, exposing the vulnerable neutralizing port and granting the Alchemist advantage on their final check.

Failure: The Alchemist must make their final check at a severe disadvantage.

Role 3: Neutralizing the Core (Alchemist)

Kobo spends his action arming the three-round timer. The Alchemist must race the clock.

Action: The Alchemist must successfully inject the core neutralizing agent into the exposed port of the compound.

Skill Check: Very Difficult Alchemist check (DC 16, or DC 13 if the Spring-Shot succeeded).

Success: The compound is safely rendered inert with one round remaining.

Failure: The bomb detonates, resulting in a cataclysmic failure of the Cog-Well.

V. Conclusion and Rewards

Success Outcome: The party saves Iron-Talon and earns significant political currency. They receive a major reward of Shiny Rocks (gold equivalent) and permanent access to a high-tier salvage contact.

Failure Outcome: The dam is destroyed. The party must flee the city, their reputation ruined, and the Primate Hegemony takes a major step towards conquering the region