Alledisil's Starfinder Quest - Into the Unknown

Game Master Alledisil

A bit winded, but fine. Hokhuckx notes. I say we rest for a minute. Or ten. Or an hour. Or, by the rules, exactly ten.

"Yes, I think a short rest is in order. Then we carry on. Let's follow Aazanar and Kultha's lead. Did somebody still have spare laser pistol batteries floating around? I can transfer charges to max out everyone's in-hand pistol before we move on."

"All right," Aazanar says, looking around warily. "But keep away from the cold wall. That will drain the life out of you!"

Aazanar has taken only 1 damage so he will "stand watch" while the others rest.

Kultha nods in agreement and checks over her flamer, noting there are two shots remaining in the current tank, and three in her reserve.

The vesk's booted foot taps pile of bones that was once one of the undead crew;

"Do you think there vil be more?"

Anything to loot from the dead-deaders?

"Do you think there vil be more?"

"I don't know... that didn't seem live very many, but If I was setting up an ambush I'd want to throw everything I had into it. We'll see."

Ready to move ahead.

Sorry I'm late... Spontaneous trip kept me from posting.
"We did damage the hull fairly baddly," Laeshin says, having happily collapsed into a heap near the others when they called for a rest. "and they seemed desperate to start with... the crew might not even be able to organize a last stand. On the other hand... they could also be planning to soften us up with hazards and expendable crew members so that the bridge crew can finish us off. If we fall here they'll either get the skulls they need, or board the Skullcrusher and be on their way. A win, win for them either way." Laeshin continues.
He leaves his Lantern at the intersection while they rest, but retrieves it before the group moves on.
After we've rested, Laeshin will sheath his sword, retrieve his Lantern, and go back to carrying his captured Laser Pistol in one hand and the Lantern in the other.

"Yes, I think a short rest is in order. Then we carry on. Let's follow Aazanar and Kultha's lead. Did somebody still have spare laser pistol batteries floating around? I can transfer charges to max out everyone's in-hand pistol before we move on."

I only brought the inclosed Battery for this one, but it is still mostly charged I think. I'm glad I went back to my quarters for it, ballistic ammunition is so difficult scavange for these days." Laeshin replies.

As you search the now unmoving piles of bones, you see nothing of value. These must have been low-ranking members of the Fleet.

After a ten minute rest, the party moves onward to the bridge, carefully making their way to ensure no other ambushes await. More forces are unlikely, as the maximum crew complement for a ship this size is only 8, and you've already dispatched at least 7 of them. Sefel, you might recall that from your scans of the ship from the space battle.

The bridge of the Endless Threnody is located behind the enormous crimson eye at the front of the ship, bathed in a blood-red glow. The crew stations are fabricated from bone and steel, apparently grown from the floor and walls of this room. Battle damage is evident throughout the bridge, but it is now empty and utterly silent-truly a ghost ship. The bridge computer console glows dimly before you, awaiting input.

You can attempt to hack into it with a Computers or Mysticism check. Since it is a computer and you're looking for data, rather than trying to control ship systems, it might be a little easier to approach it as a Hack rather than a magical search.

Sefel approaches the active console.

"Okay, this should be it. Let's see if I can't find coordinates for the Unbounded Wayfarer..."

computers, find data: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (15) + 11 = 26

Kultha hangs behind Sefel offering insight and pointers where she can;

Aid Another - Computers: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6 Or not... :S

"All right, looks like the Bridge is secure."

Not much I can do for a computers check.

Alright! You've bypassed the system's security protocols and gained access. As you search through the files, you find what you're looking for: the ship's transit logs. However, you realize that they are protected behind another layer of encryption.

One more Computers check!

If you had failed to access the system, you would have triggered a pulse in the power core, causing 1d6-1 damage to everyone onboard. Luckily, your bonus was enough to ensure anything but a nat1 prevented such a terrible outcome.

"Something feels off... I thought the captain goes down with the ship... so where's this one's. Laeshin ponders, looking around while the others see to the computer hacking.

"Good point Laeshin. I'm almost done here. Keep a lookout for any returning captains, first mates, deck scrubs, and other manner of skeletal voyagers to give me just another minute..." he says while keeping his eyes fixed on the console.

"Encryption, of course..."

computers, bypass encryption: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (15) + 11 = 26
Hmm, same roll again...

Sefel's skillful hacking releases a veritable treasure trove of data. Not only do you obtain the coordinates of the Unbounded Wayfarer, a planet in the Vast named Ulmarid, but you also see a detailed scan report of the Besmaran pirate vessel Lawblight, that initially crippled the Threnody.

Scrolling through the crew manifest, it looks as if you every crew member aboard has already been accounted for (and destroyed). The destruction caused by the Skullcrusher disrupted the necromantic generators enough to reduce the crew to near-mindless skeletons; unfortunately the poor captain was no better off than the rest of his crew.

"Well done, Sefel! It looks like we have what we came for!"

"Hopefully they will send us to this Ulmarid next, to find the Unbounded Wayfarer. Let's report in."

Kultha nods, ready to return to the Skullcrusher.

As she waits the vesk-tech nods towards the bulkhead of the undead ship:

"I vonder about the salvage rights on this ship?"

Unfortunately, Kultha, I imagine most of the ship runs on necromatic energies, and is likely not designed to work outside a vacuum. Of course, we could try to salvage the weapons on the outside, but that could take some time. Hokhuckx ponders, tapping his fingers on his thigh.

"Yes, I would doubt much of the tech transfers, unless you want to spend more time with their type to find yourself a market. Let's head back to the Skullcrusher and make contact with the venture captain."

Looks like we're all ready to head out.

I forget, do starships give us the ability to recharge our smaller batteries?

Yes, your starship has charging ports for all batteries.

You all are correct, there isn't much market for Corpse Fleet scrap material. Best to just leave this hunk of junk here.

As you return to the Skullcrusher with the coordinates, you find the hologram of Venture-Captain Arvin alraedy active and awaiting your report. He is grateful for the news and is eager to get started on the next step of your quest. He asks,

"Please leave the Endless Threnody where she lies. Return to Absalom Station while we research the planet Ulmarid and how best to approach it. Your ship is not equipped for such a long voyage, but I hope you all are eager to head back out when we can get you properly outfitted."

As an additional reward, Arvin provides a password to open a concealed compartment in the galley of the Skullcrusher that contains delicacies that are suitable to most palates, including sticks of candied meats, spiced cheeses, and just a bit of alcohol.

"I know the mission isn't yet complete," he explains, "but you've earned the right to celebrate a bit on your return trip. I asked the quartermaster to include a few delicacies so you can enjoy being alive - after an encounter with necromancy."

"Thank you very much sir!" Laeshin pipes up after the Venture-Captain finishes his explanation. "I think we all look forward to the opportunity to go to Ulmarid."

---

Later, when they've finished their conversation with the Venture-Captain:
"With your permission Captain, I'd like to plot our course for Absolom... and then have a look over everyone injured aboard the enemy vessel. Only the old gods know what you might catch on a Corpse Fleet ship."

"A victory party! Of course. For our first victory over an enemy vessel, may there be many more!" Aazanar raises his glass in a toast.

...including sticks of candied meats, spiced cheeses, and just a bit of alcohol....

Aazanar pulls out a large knife from the galley drawer.

"And now, as is tradition on my homeworld, I will open this celebration by ceremonially cutting the cheese."

Aazanar deftly slices the block of cheese in half.

"Well done, everyone! Enjoy!" he says with a beaming smile.

Kultha nods and rumbles a laugh as the crew tuck in;

"I vill forego the Veskarium tradition ov butting heads before a meal!"

She chews on some candied meat as she returns the toast.

As you return from the Drift and dock back at Absalom, Venture-Captain Arvin congratulates you on your success.

"I hope the Loreseek- I mean, the... Skull..crusher served you well. he says, the corner of his mouth raising in amusement.

"Now onto the business at hand. Based on our knowledge of the planet Ulmarid, you're going to need something more heavily protected."

He hands you all a datapad with information about the planet. Ulmarid is a desert planet wracked with fierce storms that scour the surface. Several square tunnels pierce the earth under much of the planet's crust; although plainly artificial, there is no evidence who made these tunnels or why. A startling variety of vicious, unintelligent monsters inhabit the planet's surface as well as these subterranean tunnels. The planet's two enormous moons collided long ago, filling the planet's upper atmosphere with a dangerous cloud of tumbling asteroids that makes approaching the planet with large ships difficult.
Diameter: x2/3
Mass: x4/9
Gravity: x1
Atmosphere: Normal
Day: 2 Days
Year: 14 Years

As you read, Arvin walks you to an adjacent hanger, where a gleaming white and black ship sits docked, engines idling. "I have secured the Drake-class Odyssey for this mission, as its heavier shields can better withstand asteroid impacts while reaching Ulmarid's surface. You must carefully navigate the asteroid field to the surface to find the crashed Unbounded Wayfarer.

"Be sure to bring the Starfinder insignias with you; they will be critical in recovering the information the Starfinders left behind. If you can recover any of the Starfinders-alive or dead-please do so as well. Good luck."

Ask anything you want while you're still here. Can't communicate into the Vast, there's no Drift Beacons out there!
We'll get underway in about 24 hours.

***Also, the journey will take 5d6 ⇒ (2, 5, 4, 5, 2) = 18 days, so you should have plenty of time to heal up.

Kultha nods appreciatively as she takes in the new mission orders and scope of the new ship.

As impressive as the Odyssey is, the vest-tech cannot help but cast a wistful gaze across the hanger to where Skullcrusher is berthed.

"Our first vessel vill alvays have a special place... but the Odyssey is quite a ship!"

Kultha then taps the flamer at her hip;

"Venture-Kaptain, my veapon is a thirsty vun. Can I restock my petrol tanks?"

"Oddyssey implies a long and arduous journey. I am not sure I like the sound of that. Maybe Day Tripper would be more optimistic!" Aazanar smiles.

"Can you give us any more information on these life-forms on the planet? Any interesting properties? Are any of them intelligent?"

Might as well fish for a potential bonus to life science checks later on. :)

"Yes, and are there any species particularly known for making homes out of uninhabited crash sites? If you could focus on those that would be appreciated!"

Oh, and are we resting enough to recover spells, etc. before arriving?

Oh, and are we resting enough to recover spells, etc. before arriving?

Yes. See below:

***Also, the journey will take 5d6 ⇒ (2, 5, 4, 5, 2) = 18 days, so you should have plenty of time to heal up.

Ready to move on.

Not sure how I missed that. Thanks.

"Absolutely, Kultha. There is a petrol pump just on the other side of the hanger. It takes standard credsticks as payment."

I think you only need 2 or 3 charges, right? 3 credits per.

"As for the life forms on Ulmarid, unfortunately you know as much as we do. That's why the Unbounded Wayfarer was there, to conduct surveys on the geology, ecology, and potential inhabitants. If we can recover the data from their ship, perhaps we can learn more about the planets they visited on their mission, including Ulmarid."

The Venture-Captain rolls his eyes and keys something into his datapad. Automated repair robots swing down from the ceiling of the hanger and begin painting over the Odyssey's hull insignia, and suddenly they're finished, a fresh new coat of paint in a bold font, reading Day Tripper.

@GM: To top up both tanks would be 60CR total (need 8 charges and 12 charges respectively). With only 30CR she'll go for 4 charges at 12 CR :)

Kultha eyes the new name with a scowl;

"Odyssey suggests epik journey... Heroic journey. Not sure Day Tripper does... but your naming won us luck last time Aazanar. I kut you slack"

As you all make your final preparations, the Venture-Captain bids you farewell.

“Hopefully your journey will be uneventful. Good luck.”

We'll just skip right to orbit! I assume you all are in the same stations as before?

The planet Ulmarid looms outside the Day Tripper's forward viewport, the remains of its twin moons scattered in orbit. In a few more millennia, this planet should have beautiful rings; at the moment it would require a skilled pilot to find their way through.

Science Officer, give me a Computers check to scan the planet for the downed ship, and any other useful information.

Pilot, please give me a piloting check to navigate the asteroid field. Captain, you may attempt Piloting, Diplomacy, or Intimidate to assist. Science Officer, you may attempt Computers to triangulate a less risky path through the field. In future scenarios, these options won't be spelled out so explicitly but the options are generally available, at GM discretion, especially outside of combat.

Sefel is startled by the sudden announcement throughout the ship, by captain Aazanar, that they are about to enter orbit of their target destination. He'd spent the last 18 days working on open source side projects and messaging his friends to see about job openings. He was still feeling the sting of the abrupt end to his prior job and wasn't quite ready to let that career go. Maybe this StarFinder mission thing could be a part-time gig, he thinks wishfully.

He shakes off the stupor of having stared at a screen for hours straight as he passes his crewmates in the passage on his way to... another screen.

As he sits down at the science officer's chair his console lights up with random data panels about the planet they are facing. He initiates a more detailed scan...

computers, scan Ulmarid: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (15) + 11 = 26

"Asteroids from the planet's former moons. Let's see if I can't find a decent path through this mess..."

computers, less risky path through asteroids: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (19) + 11 = 30

He's feeling on his game, his previous focus having apparently carried over to the current task.

"Captain, I have an optimal entry path!"

Laeshin waves at Sefel as he entered the bridge. "Long time, no see! I have to admire your work ethic. There wasn't much for me to do except reread the Day Tripper's field manual and catch up on my Space-Operas."
A few minutes later... "The course is plotted in, all that remains to be seen is if I can thread the needle."

Piloting: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13

"Careful, Laeshin!" says Aazanar, the Starfinder Captain's Guide open on one knee. "It says here that striking asteroids with the hull is bad."

Intimidate: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (6) + 9 = 15

I think that's a failure.

Probably, but between the ship's bonus (which I wasn't able to find) and whatever the new (hopefully lower) DC for finding the optimal path maybe we'll squeeze through.

Kultha splits her time on the journey between the bridge and attempting to appreciate the other stations and roles onboard, and familiarising herself with the ship's engine room and power systems.

When the Day Tripper (ahem) approaches Ulmarid and its asteroid field, the vesk-tech admires the viewport's vista for a short time, then makes her way to the engine room...

"Engineering here Kaptain. Standing by as required..."

Hokhuckx peers out of the window from the gunnery station. Erm... not to distract you, Laeshin, but those look awfully close...

Laeshin's deft maneuvers, combined with Sefel's optimized routing, guide the Day Tripper safely to the planet's surface.

Sefel saved you, DC was 15 and the computers gave you a +2. Otherwise you would have taken 3d4 damage from the asteroids. I realized I forgot to give you the stat sheet for the Day Tripper! I added it to the campaign header. Great job all around, except Aazanar. You're too lovable to be intimidating :)

As Sefel scans the planet, he pinpoints the location of the downed vessel by the weak emergency beacon still emitting, even after all this time. Sefel also notices the planet's atmosphere has a tendency to experience sudden and ferocious storms of poisonous crystals. One of these storms is currently over the crash site, so you'll have to land some distance away.

The surface of Ulmarid is a wind-scoured desert with jagged protrusions of rock thrusting up through the sand. The air has a harsh tang, like burning metal.

You'll have about a 30-minute walk to the crash site.

Give me a Survival check as you begin your journey.

Kultha checks her gear over, then falls in line as the crew start their march toward the crash site.

Survival (Untrained): 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (5) + 0 = 5

The tech eyes the harsh surface of the planet, but looks to those better trained in enviro-sciences and the like to inform their steps.

Sefel scans the horizon for the best path to the crash site.

Survival (untrained): 1d20 ⇒ 19

"This planet is prone to sudden storms of poisonous crystals. We'll have to be very careful as we approach the crash site."

Survival: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (20) + 8 = 28

Wow. Now if that wasn't for a skill check... *grumbles about die rolls*

Looks like we should head that way. I'm really not looking forward to this walk... Hokhuckx sighs.

A little shaken from having nearly put an astroid-sized dent in the Day Tripper, Laeshin spends an inordinate amount of time going over his pack to ensure nothing important to his survival is missing, and then stretching to ensure that he's "appropriately warmed-up and limber", before finally joining the others.
Survival (Untrained): 1d20 ⇒ 10

I'll go ahead and roll Aazanar's check.
Survival: 1d20 ⇒ 1 Yikes.

About 15 minutes into your march across the desolate landscape, Hokuckx and Sefel realize the smell in the air is an early indicator of a poison crystal storm headed your way. You have about 45 seconds before it hits you. You also realize the pending storm is poisonous.

Hokhuckx and Sefel, since you did so well on your checks, everyone will be alerted to the danger, if you'd like to tell them. Don't forget you have antitoxin bulbs from the Ysoki graveminder back on Absalom.

Ready yourselves and I'll roll the results of the storm. It'll be 30 total rolls so I'll just do it all at once if that's alright.

"Hey guys, remember the storms I mentioned before? One is about to hit us now, just over half a minute left..."

Physical science, shelter from this storm?: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (20) + 8 = 28 If somebody had higher quality tent, e.g., a mobile hotelier, would that shelter us from this storm?

I'll go ahead and roll Aazanar's check.

Survival: 1d20 ⇒ 1 Yikes.Yikes.

Actually it should be:

Don't forget you have antitoxin bulbs from the Ysoki graveminder back on Absalom.

"Hey, let me have one of those bulb things." Aazanar quickly scarfs down the plant bulb. "Ugh. Were we supposed to cook them?"

He turns back to Sefel. "Whatever shelter you can come up with would be a good idea."