Male Human Mystic 12 | 76/76 HP, 97/97 SP, 9/9 RP | Init +3 |Perception +25 | EAC 22, KAC 23 | F +7, R +8, W +12 | Spells/Day Left: oo/6/5/2/3/0/0
Jellico calls to Arc, "The others can handle taking out a hologram projector, even one that fights back. We need to find a control panel. Maybe we can stop this before they destroy this whole place!"
Jellico runs out of the room, back the way they came and tries to search for something that looks like a control panel.
Perception:1d20 + 16 ⇒ (13) + 16 = 29
Male Half-Elf Solarian 19 | SP 169/169 HP 139/139 RP 11/11 | EAC 35(37) KAC 36(38); DR 5/- Resist Fire 15 | F +15; R +15; W +14 | Speed 25 ft. | Init +6 | Perc +28
"Thank you, at least YOU get it!" Arcalinte cries as he follows Jelico out, continuing the search.
Aid Another (Perception):1d20 + 15 ⇒ (6) + 15 = 21
As Isu barrels past the hologram, an arc of lightning passes between him and the creature. (Dealing 7 damage after resist) His strike carves through the hologram, partly damaging its integrity.
Jelico and Arc, I've moved you back toward the previous room per your RP.
Jelico, Arc and Spectre all look for a control panel, spreading their investigation over both the eastern room and the first display hallway. There doesn't appear to be any control panels within sight in either of these two areas.
The hologram orates as it extends hands toward Ted once more. Despite Ted's defensive stance, the lightning scores shallow burns across him. (Dealing 16 damage) After striking, it passes back into the holographic display and disappears.
"You gave it your best Starfinder try, but survival is more important than preservation of the enemy." complains Isu, but as there is no enemy to attack, all he can do is ready another strike should it appear.
Male Human Mystic 12 | 76/76 HP, 97/97 SP, 9/9 RP | Init +3 |Perception +25 | EAC 22, KAC 23 | F +7, R +8, W +12 | Spells/Day Left: oo/6/5/2/3/0/0
"I can't find anything. Can you?" Jellico asks the others.
Upon hearing that they have equally come up with nothing, he moves back into the room with the hologram. "Spectre, now that this thing is dormant, can you hack into the projector?"
As for the alternative, Jellico draws his pistols and gets ready to fire on the device.
The whole hallway, and at least the next one too, are composed of holographic projectors. You would need to systematically destroy all of them. Not impossible, but not exceedingly practical during combat rounds.
Droid Outlaw Mechanic 12 | SP 108/108 HP 76/76 RP 11/11 | EAC 28 KAC 30; | F +11; R +16; W +6 | Init +8 | Perc +16 | Conqueror (white star-class): +16 (3d12+12 E&F)
Spectre nods.
"I previously attempted to hack this remotely, but lacking a control panel, was unable to do so. I will attempt to hack the projector itself," he says flatly.
Male Half-Elf Solarian 19 | SP 169/169 HP 139/139 RP 11/11 | EAC 35(37) KAC 36(38); DR 5/- Resist Fire 15 | F +15; R +15; W +14 | Speed 25 ft. | Init +6 | Perc +28
"I've got an idea...fall back!" Arcalinte calls to the others.
My plan is to try sneaking to try and look for the controls without miffing these angry holograms. I haven't run into holograms this nasty since Fallout: New Vegas' Dead Money DLC!
While Isu readies another attack, Spectre looks for the hologram projectors currently creating the display. Behind the fields of light and color displaying the great founding of the city, he notices a variety of ceramic nodules that must be emitting the light. They don't appear to have any access points for a hacking kit or wireless hacking device to interface with.
Since "no you can't" is a lame answer:
However, while inspecting these nodes, it becomes clear that a disguised conduit connects these nodes, runs up to the ceiling, and heads westward down the display hallway. Its likely that whatever system is controlling the holograms is in that direction.
Put a little arrow showing the direction.
Male Half-Elf Solarian 19 | SP 169/169 HP 139/139 RP 11/11 | EAC 35(37) KAC 36(38); DR 5/- Resist Fire 15 | F +15; R +15; W +14 | Speed 25 ft. | Init +6 | Perc +28
Is that "arrow" clear to everyone or just Spectre?
Male Half-Elf Solarian 19 | SP 169/169 HP 139/139 RP 11/11 | EAC 35(37) KAC 36(38); DR 5/- Resist Fire 15 | F +15; R +15; W +14 | Speed 25 ft. | Init +6 | Perc +28
Arcalinte nods and activates the new inlay in his armor, vanishing from view with a brief shimmer of its scales as he makes his way in the direction Spectre indicated.
Activating my lightwrap inlay to become INVISIBLE! 9 rounds remaining.
Stealth:1d20 + 13 + 1d6 ⇒ (17) + 13 + (2) = 32
He begins searching for the panel anew as he moves west.
Male Human Mystic 12 | 76/76 HP, 97/97 SP, 9/9 RP | Init +3 |Perception +25 | EAC 22, KAC 23 | F +7, R +8, W +12 | Spells/Day Left: oo/6/5/2/3/0/0
Jellico will follow in the direction that Arc went, although obviously not nearly as stealthily.
Stealth:1d20 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9 Perception:1d20 + 16 ⇒ (16) + 16 = 32
I'll let Ted double up on actions next round. Jelico and Arc, looks like you guys didn't move your tokens. I've moved them both one move action's distance southward.
Arc and Jelico don't spot anything they hadn't seen before as they start moving south to head deeper into the holographic museum. Arc becomes completely invisible and near silent, but Jelico isn't able to get even close.
The animate hologram emerges once more to hound your team, this time lashing lightning at Isu. He's caught a little by surprise at the direction it appeared from and is struck by a potent burst. (Takes 15 electric damage after resist) Isu retaliates and lands his own attack, further weakening the hologram.
Male Human Mystic 12 | 76/76 HP, 97/97 SP, 9/9 RP | Init +3 |Perception +25 | EAC 22, KAC 23 | F +7, R +8, W +12 | Spells/Day Left: oo/6/5/2/3/0/0
Giving up any pretense of moving along silently, Jellico yells into the empty hallway. "Arc? I can't see you, but I can't see anything that controls a hologram either. I'm headed back in."
Jellico moves back into the room.
If he has an action left after moving, he'll shoot the hologram generator. Arc Static Pistol hit:1d20 + 5 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 5 + 3 + 1 = 24BAB + DEX + weapon focus Arc Static Pistol damage:1d6 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4weapon specialization; crit: Arc 2
Male Half-Elf Solarian 19 | SP 169/169 HP 139/139 RP 11/11 | EAC 35(37) KAC 36(38); DR 5/- Resist Fire 15 | F +15; R +15; W +14 | Speed 25 ft. | Init +6 | Perc +28
Arcalinte continues to sneak around the corners, hoping he can find what they're looking for.
Jelico scores a hit on one of the many hologram generators in the hallway, but doesn't manage to overload it with his relatively low-intensity shot. Isu delivers a flurry of swings that fall around the extremities of the animate hologram without damaging it.
Down the western hallway, Arc sees the displays continuing. This portion of the museum features animated holographic displays of what appears to be manufacturing and industrial work: a miniature version of some kind of vessel scoops up clouds, an ancient kish in a jumpsuit stands at the console of some kind of production line, and another sits at a large workbench where a high tech array of tools extrude materials in dizzying fractal patterns. As before, these displays appear to be looping. Thankfully, there doesn't appear to be a second animate hologram among these exhibits.
Two shots from Ted zip past the animate hologram. Spectre keeps his sensors roving, but doesn't spot any control terminals within the second section of the winding museum hallway.
The animate hologram delivers another jolt of electricity into Isu before it fades back into the wall of displays. (Dealing 12 dmg after resist) It seems to be uninterested in tangling for a long time in melee with the kasatha in giant hulking power armor!
Isu is starting to get frustrated. "This one could use assistance now! Spectre, Jelico, leave the pointless search to Arcalinte Soter and shoot at this thing. He is cutting this one to pieces!"
He readies another action to swing when it comes out.
Botting Arc and Ted:
Arc continues on down the corridor following the conduit on the ceiling. As he turns another corner he sees another major holographic display down the last of three halls. The holographic displays in this third hall depict performers and creators of various forms of art. A trio of aliens in formal costumes gyrate in ways that could only be called artistic, while another alien sits in front of some strange instrument and plucks at voluminous bladders with their fingers. A group of patrons stand in an art gallery admiring a sculpture of woven ceramic and glass. The displays loop their animations every so often.
An exit from this hall to the west is also where the conduit on the ceiling is leading.
Back in the first museum hall, Jelico lands a pair of shots on one of the hologram projectors, damaging it and causing its associated display to flicker. Soon after he does so, the animate hologram emerges next to him and sends an electric blast into his side. (Dealing 13 electric dmg) The reflecting armor retaliates with a blast of force against the hologram. Unlike other attacks that have passed through the hologram as much as they've injured it, the force blast smashes the hologram backward.
Ted and Spectre each land their readied attacks while Isu finds the hologram out of reach.
Male Half-Elf Solarian 19 | SP 169/169 HP 139/139 RP 11/11 | EAC 35(37) KAC 36(38); DR 5/- Resist Fire 15 | F +15; R +15; W +14 | Speed 25 ft. | Init +6 | Perc +28
Sorry, GM Cellion. Busy day!
Arcalinte continues following the conduit, hoping in the next room he'll find what he seeks.
As Arc turns the corner of the last hallway, he notices a long room to the west running north to south. At the southern end, among a few additional displays, sits a large ceramic egg-like console. It looks similar to the terminal for the healing pod at the House of Renewal (I've outlined said terminal in blue).
Meanwhile, the rest of the party focuses their attacks on the animate hologram. Isu and Jelico's attacks are deflected by the strange anomaly's outstretched hands, but Ted and Spectre send shots into it successfully.
Perhaps having decided that additional discouragement is needed, it stays still this time and focuses attacks on Jelico and Isu. It discharges a blast of electricity into Jelico, but Isu's armor protects him from the shock directed his way. (Jelico takes 10 electric damage)
Male Half-Elf Solarian 19 | SP 169/169 HP 139/139 RP 11/11 | EAC 35(37) KAC 36(38); DR 5/- Resist Fire 15 | F +15; R +15; W +14 | Speed 25 ft. | Init +6 | Perc +28
Arcalinte buzzes Spectre and Ted on their comms.
"Found it. Looks just like the terminal at the House of Renewal. Get over here and see if you can hack it."
Male Human Mystic 12 | 76/76 HP, 97/97 SP, 9/9 RP | Init +3 |Perception +25 | EAC 22, KAC 23 | F +7, R +8, W +12 | Spells/Day Left: oo/6/5/2/3/0/0
Watching Isu's electrical damage not have the expected effect, Jellico realizes that he'd misread the situation. Reflecting Armor responds with force damage!
This time, instead of firing his pistol, he throws out his hand. The holy symbol tattoo on his wrist glows as three balls of force leave his hand and streak toward the hologram generator.
Full Round to cast 3 Magic Missiles (which, for Jellico, is called Shooting Stars but is mechanically the same spell) Magic Missile 1:1d4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5 Magic Missile 2:1d4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4 Magic Missile 3:1d4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3
Droid Outlaw Mechanic 12 | SP 108/108 HP 76/76 RP 11/11 | EAC 28 KAC 30; | F +11; R +16; W +6 | Init +8 | Perc +16 | Conqueror (white star-class): +16 (3d12+12 E&F)
Spectre shuffles toward Arcalinte.
"I will determine whether the console may be hacked remotely," he says, reaching out with his custom rig.
computers (expert rig):1d20 + 20 ⇒ (8) + 20 = 28If successfully hack into a computer, also disable one countermeasure installed in the system (except firewalls). In addition, counts as engineering or hacking specialty kit and counts computer with a tier equal to half level with the Artificial personality, hardened, or security I upgrade module.
Jelico, I'm going to roll with what you said in your post (that you're targeting a hologram generator), but I'm not sure if you meant to attack the animate hologram instead. Spectre, even after moving once toward Arc, remote hack has a range of 30ft, so you're not currently in range. Instead, I've moved you 30ft closer.
After Arc identifies the Kish terminal, Spectre attempts to hack into the device but finds that he's still out of range and moves closer. Meanwhile to the east, Ted and Isu struggle to land a hit against the animate hologram.
Jelico on the other hand begins to cast a spell, earning an opportunistic electric shock from the animate hologram. Lightning courses through him and disrupts his spellcasting. (20 electric damage) The animate hologram fades back into the wall and disappears once more.
Droid Outlaw Mechanic 12 | SP 108/108 HP 76/76 RP 11/11 | EAC 28 KAC 30; | F +11; R +16; W +6 | Init +8 | Perc +16 | Conqueror (white star-class): +16 (3d12+12 E&F)
Now in range, Spectre beings his remote hack of the console.
"I will disable this promptly," he drones.
I'd rolled previously for the check, along with what I can do with countermeasures.
computers (expert rig): 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (8) + 20 = 28 If successfully hack into a computer, also disable one countermeasure installed in the system (except firewalls). In addition, counts as engineering or hacking specialty kit and counts computer with a tier equal to half level with the Artificial personality, hardened, or security I upgrade module.
Male Half-Elf Solarian 19 | SP 169/169 HP 139/139 RP 11/11 | EAC 35(37) KAC 36(38); DR 5/- Resist Fire 15 | F +15; R +15; W +14 | Speed 25 ft. | Init +6 | Perc +28
"YOU KNOW YOU CAN ALWAYS RETREAT, ISU!" Arcalinte yells back, disabling his invisibility.
Spectre manages to connect wirelessly to the terminal, and thanks to his earlier experience he's able to navigate through the unintuitive interface. There's no obvious way to turn the projectors off, but he does notice something that appears to be a warning, fault or error message - though not understanding ancient kish makes it hard to interpret. Spectre also recognizes that some of the terminal's features are secured, likely to avoid public access when this location was operating as a museum.
He begins hacking in, but it'll take some time. (Since this is a tier 3 computer, it takes 3 full rounds to hack into it. You've already made your check, so you just need the group to protect you for three rounds to complete the hack)
Male Half-Elf Solarian 19 | SP 169/169 HP 139/139 RP 11/11 | EAC 35(37) KAC 36(38); DR 5/- Resist Fire 15 | F +15; R +15; W +14 | Speed 25 ft. | Init +6 | Perc +28
"They're going as fast as their processing speed will allow!" Arcalinte replies.
Male Human Mystic 12 | 76/76 HP, 97/97 SP, 9/9 RP | Init +3 |Perception +25 | EAC 22, KAC 23 | F +7, R +8, W +12 | Spells/Day Left: oo/6/5/2/3/0/0
Jellico is a bit worried when the hologram doesn't come back out. He beings to double move over to Arc and Spectre. "Guys, the hologram is still in hiding. Be ready. It might come out from one of these other emitters and try to stop you from disabling it."
Male Half-Elf Solarian 19 | SP 169/169 HP 139/139 RP 11/11 | EAC 35(37) KAC 36(38); DR 5/- Resist Fire 15 | F +15; R +15; W +14 | Speed 25 ft. | Init +6 | Perc +28
"Makes sense...I'm guarding Spectre while he works," Arcalinte replies.
