Hawthorne the Innovator |
"I would be surprised if it still functioned after being ripped into the Drift," Hawthorne comments as he evaluates the systems.
Engineering: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (18) + 8 = 26
GM Hmm |
Anyone else throwing an engineering or mysticism aid in here? I will happily award bonuses for good roleplay as well if you guys get close.
Xyklik Cold-Scythe-In-Harvest |
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Xyklik looks at Big Jim derisively. "We remember hearing space goblins cage their young in laser nests and hang them over cliffsides and whichever ones escape are granted the right to grow into adults. I also remember a ritual game to chase and wrestle down dust pigs from Akiton, but that may be something else. Point is, I don't think the goblin is as innocent as you suppose."
He spends the rest of his time looking over the panels as the others work and keeping an eye out for any dangers that might wander down the hall at them.
Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 5 = 18
After a time, he looks at Simagus and Cade, and jabs an insectile finger at them and then the panel. His voice is that of a drill instructor, calling back memories of his own training. "What are you waiting for? Get in there, grunts!"
Hawthorne the Innovator |
"No, they don't send them to wrestle dust pigs," Hawthorne corrects, "But they do keep their young in laser cages."
Robo Bret |
Botting Simagus
Putting his hand against the machine, Simagus attempts to clear his mind of all distraction so that he can feel the ebb and flow of magic.
Aid via Mysticism: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (16) + 7 = 23
“Shift 2.15 meters to the right and 25 centimeters up. I feel a switching circuit there for you to tap into.”
Zeyram |
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As everyone is moving forward, Zeyram comes up near Cadence and asks over the open channel “Cadence or Hawthorne, could you explain something? Why aren’t humans concerned over not retrieving the dead bodies? Don’t the adata object to the loss of culture?”
GM Hmm |
Working together, you manage to understand the a bit more about the equipment that you are studying. The control panels in this room (indeed, the technology throughout the complex) appears to be ancient sivv hybrid machinery that blends magic and technology. Not only is it advanced technology of a type not seen in the Pact Worlds system, but it also seems to a set of controls for monitoring the status and even controlling larger systems elsewhere in this complex.
With this knowledge, although the symbols on the controls are strange and difficult to cypher out, you think that you might be able to do a challenging computer check to find out more and maybe even work the systems to your advantage.
It would be even easier if you had some way of reading the symbols, but you can move forward. Of course you can aid another! Bonuses for roleplay! Go team!
Hawthorne the Innovator |
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"Human culture is fragmented and varied for one thing. In crowded societies like the metropolis cliffs of Akiton or the Absalom Station, there is pressure to dispose of bodies through cremation or the vat gardens. On the rural homes of Akiton, the families will be much more interested in burying the dead on family plots--if they can afford it. The other thing is that death and its rituals are very individual. One might wish to be taken home, a second might wish to have her ashes launched into space, and a third might want to be left where she is found," Hawthorne explains.
GM Hmm |
Want to do a challenging computer check, Hawthorne? Everyone with the skill can aid here.
Zeyram |
Looking back towards where Nash’s body was found, Zeyram says “It sounds lonely.”
Looking forward, he adds “The body should be disposed of, but without a carefully selected slice from the brain how are you to preserve the memories?”
Cadence Rem |
Cade shrugs, ”Write, paint, sing, sculpt... if it’s worth preserving, it can be preserved. Most people’s thoughts only matter to themselves and their friends.”
He stares into the middle-distance, ”Some people want to be forgotten, to be lost, obliterated. Sometimes life is a burden and people pray for an end...”
Cade shakes his head, ”Anyway, lets get into this: nice bit of logic.” Cade calms visibly as he focuses on the problem.
aid computers: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (17) + 7 = 24
'Big Jim' |
"Welp, this whole contraption seems to have been built by who knows who, and doesn't seem to follow any common logic that I have come across - why the whole design is a bit unique. If I were a betting man though, I'd be rekoning..." Jim proceeds to have his few best guesses.
Aid computers 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13
Zeyram |
Aid: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8
Zeyram tries his best to help, but can not keep up with the speed the rest of you are going at. At least he knows enough to not get in the way!
Hawthorne the Innovator |
The last time I tried a Tier 2 computers check in this AP, I set off a trap on a natural 20. And that was Pact Worlds tech.
"There are limits to my curiosity, Cade," Hawthorne warns. "I am loathe to attempt to boot a machine in a code and alphabet that I've never seen whose purpose is entirely alien. We might accidentally vaporize half of Absalom Station if we start poking at it randomly."
He looks over at the doors. "I would rather see if we can better understand this facilities purpose before trying to control it. Right now, I feel a bit like we're a ysoki pup whose stumbled upon a heat cannon."
GM Hmm |
I think that Cade would have led if he realized that Hawthorne would abstain, so I am retroactively making that the lead roll, since PBP makes it harder for groups to strategize before acting.
____
Jim and Cade work side by side on the ancient controls. Strange symbols and fascinating pictures flash before your eyes as a mother lode of alien data is unlocked in these systems. You cannot understand most of the words, but from the pictures you realize that you may be looking at the stories and records from a culture that you’ve never heard of before. Historia-7 would have a field day analyzing all of this.
The equipment in this room is designed to operate minor subsystems of some larger structure or device, though the control room is no longer connected to that structure. The exact nature of the missing structure remains a mystery, though some of the images hint that it may have been some sort of space-based weapon system.
In addition, some of the images of stars and constellations reveal that these systems and the control room itself may be incredibly ancient—possibly even millions of years old. Perhaps the Drift Rock is not just an asteroid that was repurposed as a control center, but part of the larger structure that was designed and artificially constructed at the same time as the machinery and controls here. And if all that is true, then the Drift Rock represents a find of major significance, for not only is it a piece of heretofore-unknown technology of exceedingly advanced age, but the larger structure it was once a part of may still be somewhere among the stars, just waiting to be discovered!
As you look through the feeds, one appears to be coming from cameras in rooms all over this rock...
Hawthorne the Innovator |
Hawthorne's winces as Cade and Jim power up the consoles despite his warning is hidden inside his decorative helmet.
'Big Jim' |
"Welp, getting Historia-7 in front of all this would be a winner, but if I can't swing a spanner at it then it's probably less helpful to me right now. Let's see whos on camera"
Jim watches the feeds to see if any are for areas he hasn't seen yet, and who or what is in those spaces.
Zeyram |
Shaking his head, Zeyram says "No, I think that was the spirit of Moriko Nash. The spirit had many of the same features as her."
Cadence Rem |
Cade looks up at the floating skull, ”I hope you’re getting all this, boney.”
can we link up to this system, download data?
GM Hmm |
You link up to systems and start downloading data, and then you turn the cameras to the section of Drift Rock that you have not explored yet.
With its vaulted ceiling and smoothed stone floor, this sprawling cavern has the appearance of a primitive shuttle hangar or landing bay—an impression reinforced by the presence of a starship taking up the majority of the space. It is a lovely ship, with the words Sunrise Maiden writ clearly on her bow.
Only the western wall is finished with the ceramic-metallic plating found elsewhere in the complex; the remainder of the cavern is hemmed by natural rock walls. Huge doors stand in the eastern wall of the chamber—doors easily big enough to accommodate the starship parked in front of them. Of more immediate interest, however, are the two human bodies splayed on the floor just inside the western doors, their internal organs spread artfully on the floor around the corpses.
Flitting around the space is a medium-sized creature that looks like a lamprey with six limbs, sharp claws and diaphonous wings.
It is now pictured on Slide One.
The Drift very much remains a mystery to explorers and scholars in the Pact Worlds. While life exists there—usually dragged along when the piece of the plane it happened to be occupying was pulled into the Drift by a traveling starship—scientists have only recently begun to recognize that the Drift also contains native life. One of these creatures is the garaggakal, sometimes called a “Drift wraith” by those spacefarers fortunate enough to have survived an encounter with one.
The Garaggakal is a chaotic evil extraplanar outsider. You know they are vulnerable to electricity, and can ask more questions if you beat this DC by five.
Zeyram |
“Great, a giant space leech!”
Looking to the others, he asks “Any idea what it does? Those teeth look nasty!”
Hawthorne the Innovator |
Mysticism: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (15) + 7 = 22
"It is a Drift wraith," Hawthorne answers as Sophia decompresses Triunite archives into his consciousness. "They are deadly demons native to the Drift. They are especially susceptible to electricity, but..."
Special attacks
GM Hmm |
Leech Life (Su) As a standard action, a garaggakal can spend 1 Resolve Point to leech health from one target within 30 feet. This deals 5d6 damage (Fortitude DC 13 half), and the garaggakal gains temporary Hit Points equal to the amount of damage dealt.
No Breath (Ex) Garaggakals don’t breathe and are immune to effects that require breathing.
Phase Through (Su) A garaggakal can momentarily shift out of phase with reality. As a full action, a garaggakal can spend 1 Resolve Point to move through up to 15 feet of solid matter. If it attempts to phase through something that is too thick, the attempt fails, but the action and Resolve Points are still expended. A garaggakal can’t phase through force effects such as force fields.
Clara looks at Hawthorne. "What I want to know is can we shoot it? Whatever it is, it looks like something to kill fast."
Xyklik Cold-Scythe-In-Harvest |
"Hrr," Xyklik growls. Almost as if he is forcing air through his clenched teeth, he says, "Well then since Clara is our best killer, she should have the force field generator. She has the best chance of taking it down before we all have our innards out like those others."
Xyklik will use the battery pack he took from the club and insert it into the generator and hand it to Clara.
He looks to the others. "Whoever doesn't have a good electrical gun should get the static arc pistol. Big Jim?"
GM Hmm |
I will be moving us into combat with the Garaggakal tomorrow morning. Lay down whatever plans you like before then. If you want to rest / craft on the Acreon, that is fine.
By that time, I would like to hear the group’s plans for who gets the force field. (Xyklik has voted for Clara. If there is a second vote for Clara, I will assume that she gets it. If a PC wants it, that is fine too.) I’d also like to know who is wielding electrical energy, and what your plan is for the attack, even if it is just shoot and pray. See you all tomorrow for the big fight!
Cadence Rem |
Cade will look to empower attacks with electrical weapons, especially from Xyklik (our trained soldier). Beyond that, he can use energy ray to target with electricity himself, although it is so weak that he will favour distracting shots to create openings for others.
Xyklik Cold-Scythe-In-Harvest |
Xyklik will stow his laser rifle and get out his pulsecaster rifle.
Maybe we should have Buster try and get into the Sunrise Maiden and get it started up should things go badly? We should also arm red. Maybe he can have the static arc pistol?
'Big Jim' |
"Sure, I'll try the static arc pistol - seems like we need all the shots we can get out eh?"
Zeyram |
“Do we have any shock grenades? We found so many grenades, I’ve lost track. I don’t tend to use them.”
GM Hmm |
I leave it to the players to search for shock grenades in our gameplay thread and see if they found them. I am assuming that all characters rested and recharged their batteries before this fight since you had warning. If you also used 4 hours to craft something, just add it into your preparations and state it in your next post.
Clara 247 crafted an Arc Static Pistol out of the parts of her Azimuth Laser, because she would.
GM Hmm |
It is the next day. Grimly, with electical weapons and shock grenades ready, you decide to face down the beast, getting Red to open the door for you into the Shuttle hangar.
Initiative, Garaggakal: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 5 = 14
Initiative, Big Jim: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 9
Initiative, Cadence Rem: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12
Initiative, Hawthorne the Innovator: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 9
Initiative, Simagus: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (12) + 0 = 12
Initiative, Xyklik: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8
Initiative, Zeyram: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 2 = 21
Initiative, Red Goblin: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7
Initiative, Clara 247: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15
The garaggakal turns as you come through the door. Cocking its head to the side, it studies you for moment, lifting its diaphonous wings in appreciation. Greetings, delicious ones. You hear in your minds. I sense so many delicious flavors arrayed before me! So much new anatomy to study! It will be my delight to savor your destruction, and record your inner workings for the glory of future science.
★ ---- ★ ---- ★ ---- ★
“I decline to be part of your self-study curriculum, lamprey-face.” Clara says flatly, gracefully launching off the wall as she shoots at the thing.
Bzzzt!
Acrobatics in Zero G: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (10) + 13 = 23
Stealth for Trick: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (5) + 13 = 18 Phooey
Arc Static Pistol: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (9) + 8 = 17
Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 1 Phooey
★ ---- ★ ---- ★ ---- ★
Round 1
Active conditions: None
Zeyram
Clara 247
================================
The Garaggakal Gourmet (-2)
================================
Cade
Simagus
Big Jim
Xyklik
Red
================================
Bold is up!
Zeyram |
Yes, I rested and left the batteries in the recharger while doing so. I had an extra battery if someone needed it.
Checking that his pistol was set for lethal damage before entering, Zeyram stays just inside the chamber where he can keep one hand on the wall. He knows that he needs more practice with maneuvering in Zero G.
He fires at the creature, saying "Hold still so we can shoot you, drift wraith!"
Static Arc Pistol: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 4 = 20
Electrical lethal damage, Photon mode: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3
GM Hmm |
Hold still so you can shoot me? That does not seem to be to my advantage at all. The Garaggakal muses on this a moment. Two new appetizers, both with electrical weapons? Which should I taste first?
The Garaggakal studies Clara 247. A forcefield? A pity. I will wait to put you on my curriculum. Those batteries will eventually give out. The Garaggakal is philosophic about this. Meanwhile, I shall taste the four armed one first. Tell me, appetizer, what does your race call itself? This will be for posterity, so please be accurate.
Though there is no atmosphere in this chamber, the garaggakal spreads its diaphonous wings simply because the effect looks cool, and flies towards Zeyram, ready to bite!
Bite!: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (1) + 12 = 13
Unfortunately for the creature, he misjudges his zero g flight and misses, his lamprey mouth just inches from Zeyram’s face. The little tendrils quiver with longing as the appetizer is just out of reach!
★ ---- ★ ---- ★ ---- ★
Round 1
Active conditions: None
Zeyram
Clara 247
================================
The Garaggakal Gourmet (-6)
================================
Cade
Simagus
Big Jim
Xyklik
Red
================================
Bold is up!
Zeyram |
Trapped against the bulkhead, Zeyram decides not to shoot it this time. "I am Zeyram, a Kasatha from our home ship the Idari."
Raising his knife, he cuts at the creature.
Survival Knife: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 3 = 14
Slashing damage, photon mode: 1d4 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 + 1 = 6
He briefly glances over to the floating skull that the Ambassador provided before adding "So that I don't miss the chance of learning more about another culture, could you please tell me of yourself?"
I do hope the Ambassador will allow us a copy of at least this section of the recording. I'm sure there are many who would be interested in this creature!
Can you do a guarded step in Zero G?
Edit to add: Nope!
Starfinder CRB, pg. 204, A creature in a zero-gravity environment can’t take move actions to move its speed, crawl, or take a guarded step.
Xyklik Cold-Scythe-In-Harvest |
Xyklik stays where he's at, floating in the zero g, and says to the creature, simultaneously thinking it loudly in his mind, "Why the kasatha, fool creature?! The shirren have buried empires under their swarms. You've never tasted something like me, and never will. We will bury you, too."
He squeezes the trigger on his pulsecaster rifle, focusing on his defense more than anything and missing the mark.
pulsecaster rifle: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12
DMG (E, nonlethal): 1d6 ⇒ 5
He will use bodyguard if someone adjacent is attacked other than him.
GM Hmm |
Zeyram misses! Xyklik taunts the creature, then misses!
You wish to know of ME? The garaggakal ponders this question for a minute. You do! How interesting! Most of my prey simply scream or pray to deities... Why do they do that? It is so boring.
You have a true interest in my culture. You fear me, but you also want to know me. How I will enjoy dissecting your mind. Before dinner conversation is essential to a good meal, is it not?
Then the garaggakal considers the shirren. You are right, I have never tasted anything like you, he thinks wistfully. Your people swarm, do they? Fascinating. Think of all that dinner, all at once. Delightful!
★ ---- ★ ---- ★ ---- ★
Round 1 / 2
Active conditions: None
Zeyram
Clara 247
================================
The Garaggakal Gourmet (-13)
================================
Cade
Simagus
Big Jim
Xyklik
Red
================================
Bold is up!
Cadence Rem |
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We have two shock grenades. Can we say that Cade handed them off to Hawthorne and Big Jim?
Cadence Rem |
Cade leans over Jim and casts a spell on the grenade he holds supercharge weapon.
Then he swims through the zero-g toward Clara, looking to boost her attack next time out.
Zeyram |
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“It is good to hear that you take no joy in the screams of your victims.” It is still a monster, but perhaps someone stronger than I could reason with such a creature and teach it the wrongness of it’s ways.
“They most likely screamed out of either extreme pain, such as I expect to feel should your claws strike true, or terror. The fear response is most likely a primal response and a call for help.”
“Perhaps Sigamus can demonstrate why some cries go out to gods.”
That should provide an excellent lead in to a Mind Thrust!
'Big Jim' |
Jim lobs the charged grenade...
Attack 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6 vs AC 5
Damage 1d8 + 2d6 ⇒ (5) + (5, 5) = 15
DC 13 Reflex for half.
Buster opens fire.
Attack 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5
Hawthorne the Innovator |
I believe Hawthorne's initiative places him in the lower group.
Hawthorne moves past Cade and aims his pulse rifle at the garaggakal.
I see it drives its prey mad while it tries to kill them.
Pulsecaster Rifle: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4
E, NL: 1d6 ⇒ 4
GM Hmm |
SIMAGUS
“What sort of god do you believe in? Perhaps you should start praying to it yourself.”
Mind Thrust: 2d10 ⇒ (9, 4) = 13
★ --- ★ --- ★ --- ★
RED
”Stay away from Zeyfriend, Leech Lips!” Grabbing his retrieved junk laser, he fires away. “He part of Jim’s Jam’s Crew!”
Junk Laser: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 2 = 18
Fire Damage: 1d4 ⇒ 1
★ --- ★ --- ★ --- ★
GARAGGAKAL aka ‘Leech Lips’
Leech Lips?! Has no one taught you anatomy? I have NO lips, but I can BITE.
Reflex Save: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11
Will Save: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9
The Garaggakal takes full damage from both attacks! Then he reaches out to bite Zeyram. The problem with a good philosophical debate is that it makes me hungry.
Bite!: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (14) + 12 = 26
Damage: 2d6 + 9 ⇒ (5, 3) + 9 = 17
He eats all but the last hitpoint that Zeyram has!
★ ---- ★ ---- ★ ---- ★
Round 2 / 3
Active conditions: None
Zeyram (-7 sp, -10hp)
Clara 247
================================
The Garaggakal Gourmet (-48)
================================
Cade
Simagus
Big Jim
Xyklik
Red
================================
Bold is up!
Zeyram |
“Ouch!” Zeyram utters as he is bitten into.
“Yes, that was every bit as painful as I expected.” he manages to say through gritted teeth.
Part of Big Jim’s crew? I didn’t even know of the show until after I met him! Oh well, Red doesn’t know that.
Delaying...
Cadence Rem |
Cade reaches out to Clara’s pistol, ”Make it count.”
Supercharge Weapon +4d6 damage of the same type.