GM Carimac's 1-12 Ashes of Discovery (Inactive)

Game Master CariMac

You have received a message on your personal com units requesting your presence on Absalom Station at the Lorespire Complex.

You are shown into a conference room waiting for your assignment.

Feel free to dot in, and introduce yourselves in character.

Ogodish taps a quick reply on his comm, then starts making his way towards the Lorespire Complex.

"Finally," he thinks, a chance to prove that out people can be more than just warriors. His scales flicker with shared of blue and orange as he passes under the artificial lighting of the station on his way to the Starfinders HQ on Absalom Station.

/Aimpoint

Hiya

The android taps an acknowledgement into her comms unit that the message has been received and she will be in attendance at the brief.

She ensures all the fasteners on her graphite carbon skin armour are done up, collects her backpack with neatly arranged pouches containing various tools, and checks the safety on her Azimuth artillery laser as she heads out the door.

Girdon stands on a chair "Hiya again! I'm Gordon Bleu and I will be your chef for this little adventure No idea what its about but I trust I have been selected for my knowledge of corporate interests. I know my way round starships and kitchens and can do most things" He is in a simple flight suit and a backpack

A young barathu floats into the room. His skin is a rainbow of pink, purple and blue tones. A friendly man's voice enters your mind. "Hello, my name is Eweek Beeshee. But my friends call me Bubbles. And I can tell that we are all going to be friends! " The voice is almost sickeningly friendly, and you're not sure if the nickname is from his jellyfish appearance, or personality.

He stops in front of Gordon and bobs up and down. "What are the chances? Two cooks on one mission! We are going to eat well on this trip! I am so excited to learn new recipes from you, Mr. Blu! "

Appearing at the door, 45 X superficially presents as an athletic male human but is clearly an android who does not care to hide his true nature.

Upon entering the room, 45 X attempts small talk with the chefs “My biological components look forward to your feasts.”

A cluster of sleek black computers rests against the far wall of the meeting room. The Starfinder Society emblem at the center of the server cluster shines and begins projecting a stream of holographic light. The light takes the form of humanoid figure bereft of any definition, standing at the end of the meeting table closest to the servers.

“Greetings, I am Guidance. I have a new assignment for you. Please observe.”

The projection gestures a flicking hand to its side, and a stream of data detailing an outpost made of interconnected circular chambers scrolls beside it.

“One of the Pact Worlds’ most prestigious organizations recently discovered a dataset detailing the location of an outpost abandoned over two hundred years ago. The organization has requested that the Starfinder Society dispatch a team of agents to secure the site, along with any remaining equipment or data. Your team will travel to this outpost and retrieve as much information about it as possible. You should also salvage any relevant equipment, which the Society will take as part of its payment. If you have questions, now is the time to present them.”

The figure waits for you to ask any questions.

Bubbles bobs up and down with excitement. OOH, GUIDANCE! The barathu waits until the end then speaks up, out loud this time. "What organization is hiring us? And, uh, why did they abandon it in the first place? "

45 X is grateful that finally an ‘intelligence’ seems to be steering these pathfinders.

“Are we sure it is abandoned?”
“What in the data set seems worth investigating?”
“When did this outpost ‘drop off the radar’? What were its last reports?”
“So we’re just looting?” (asked non-judgmentally) “Can you provide us with space bags of space holding?”

45 X remembers that non-androids don’t ask so many questions at once... and proceeds to spew overly detailed questions about everything.

The android ponders the information for a few moments...

"Are we aware of the nature of the outpost? Knowing what it's original purpose - scientific, military, commercial - might give us a few clues as to what to expect"

"Do you have any preferred first contact protocol if we find it inhabited by another species or organisation?"

Ogodish ponders the others questions and considers his own.

"Hello, I was wondering if we are expecting any resistance or trouble of any kind? I've heard of peaceful missions going sideways and would like to be prepared."

Guidance calculates quickly, and answers your quetions.

“It is a prefabricated modular outpost made by Veylen Enterprises. These outpost models used to be quite common. However, the presence of unfamiliar modifications is very possible.”

"As to why the outpost was abandoned. The exact reason remains unknown—and part of the reason you’re all needed to investigate the site. Records indicate the outpost confirmed its arrival and establishment with the hiring organization, but since then there have been limited communications. No reports or responses have been received in over two hundred years.”

“The group sponsoring this trip is the Church of Desna. They have a history of encouraging travel and exploration in space. The outpost’s location was near a holy site and intended as a waystation for travelers and faithful alike.”

The planet rotates on the screens behind Guidance. "The planet is a low gravity with a thick atmosphere. Beyond the environment of the planet, it is unknown what threats may exist at the outpost. You should prepare for many possibilities, such as pirates, large predators, hostile native cultures, or supernatural events.”

“There is limited data on the planet’s inhabitants, if any. As always, endeavor for a peaceful first contact, and keep the reputation of the Starfinder Society and the Pact Worlds in mind.”

Guidance pauses, "Are there any further questions?"

"Travel arrangements- e being flown in - or are we being issued a vessel?"

45 X’s questions continue ”How many settlers were there? Do we have files on them? How was the settlement governance structured? What safety procedures would they have had in place? What defense capabilities? What communication operations did they have? Where they planning on hunting? gathering? farming? herding? Would they have been expecting reinforcements? resupply? ... “

45 X we don't have enough data to answer your questions on the number of settlers, governance, safety procedures etc."

Guidance continues, "Shelldrake, For this assignment, you have been authorized use of a Drake or a Pegasus starship. Both starship frames can complete this assignment. Please consider the following advantages when making your decision: Drake frames have greater firepower, whereas Pegasus starships are equipped with advanced science labs and sensors. As always, to optimize the chances of completing the assignment, it is recommended that each Starfinder team choose a ship that covers any area of weakness. However, the final decision is based on your personal
preference. Safe travels.”"

Link to Starships, and Maps

Oh crap my covers blown Somehow I don't see my grandpas recipe for deep fried chocolate confections is going to cut much ice with a chef. Going to have to come up with something else

kind of caught in between two minds with this character either he was going to be a corp chef specialist or from a family of halflings from the down below area of absalom sation. The chef is really belonging to the envoy concept the down below is more of an operative and I may have to rethink the theme

"Does the church of Desna have any knowledge of what made the site holy in the first place?"

He ponders the ship decision presented "I think I prefer the Pegasus.Those extra labs could come in handy analysing the local flora for what will work well in recipes"

I think the idea is solid - he could still be an operative with some cross skilling into Diplomacy with a rank or two in cooking, so cooking is now his cover; or you could go Envoy if you wanted more of the party buffs etc. I don't think either direction is wrong, it just depends on whether you want to be 'doing the things', or making others 'better at the things'. I think your current build is actually quite good and would be my pick of the two options :)

"I can see the virtue of the Pegasus, better sensors and information systems might give us some early warning of what is out there, just lacks the Drakes ability to tangle with any pirates. In this case though, I'll take the guess that the Pegasus is probably the most useful for the mission - we know for certain we will need to analyze things, but have no indication we are up against hostiles"

”More data is better. Informed violence is always superior to biological instincts. We should take the Pegasus.”

Another Barathu - you think it's another one at least, with the way that they're always wriggling and changing it's hard to be certain if you can't see both at once - floats up to join the rest of the Pathfinders.
"Greetings to all of your Selfs. I am Blibdoolpoolp, new to the Society. I am glad to hear your words regarding the Pegasus. The Starfinder mission is not war but discovery!"

The Pegasus will be waiting for you at the docking bay. Please finalize any preparations and meet there for take off." with that Guidance dismisses you to begin your mission.

Now is the time to slot any boons you wish to.There are no recommended boons for this scenerio.

Also now would be the time to decide on starship roles.

Bubbles floats up to the newcomer, nearly touching the other barathu. "Hello, new friend! You look like you have a wealth of experiences! Maybe we should merge sometime!" Bubbles floats backwards slowly, suddenly quiet. Shoot. Too fast. This is why nobody wants to merge with you! Stupid. Stupid.

Bubbles floats even lower at the mention of a starship. "Uhh... I'm better at floating above the ground than in a ship. But, I do know a venture captain who owes me a favor. I could get us the Sunrise Maiden for this trip if we wished." I don't care either way. It's a pretty good compromise between the two.

Boons:
Faction: Harmony of Many

A small row of spikes forms on Blibdoolpoolp's carapace. "No thank you. I am taking this time while working with the Society to focus on my Self.

Slotting:
Faction: Second Seekers (Luwazi Elsebo) Champion
Promotional: Record Keeper
Social: Faction's Friend

Blib's honestly not much good in a ship I'm afraid, but I'm happy to serve as a secondary/tertiary gunner.

Totally forgot about the ship roles.

Bubbles floats up and down, almost nodding with his alien form. "I see. Well... us Barathu aren't the greatest within steel forms."

Two mystics. This fight should be fun. I'm trash in Space Combat.
Diplomacy +4 (1 ranks)
Intimidate +5 (1 ranks)
Piloting +1

Will have a look what boons I have and slot them next post then :)

"I can fly, I'm no fighter ace, but I can competently get us to our location and hold my own if it turns into a shooting match"

Starship Hero of the stars (from the first quests into the unknown it effectively gives our ship a resolve point if reduced to 0 hp)

Faction Wayfinders

"I have piloted a few shuttles in my time. Apparently this helps with firing weapons on a ship as well"

”Oh great, another species that’s obsessed with gooey interfacing.”

45 X would make a decent pilot (+7), engineer (+6), or science officer (+6); an okay gunner (+4); or a really lousy captain (-1).

45 X explains that he is here on a cultural exchange program and as such ordering the others about “would be weird” or so he had been informed. Beyond that he will serve where the Captain requests, whenever one is chosen.

"Gordon can take stick, I'll get on the guns if it comes to it."

Gordon: Pilot or Gunner
45X: Pilot or Engineer
Shelldrake: Gunner
Ogodish: ? - Need response
Blibdoolpoolp: Gunner
Bubbles:?

Open question Sunrise Maiden or the Pegasus?

"I fit pretty well in the Captain's seat, if nobody else wants it! " Bubbles floats up and down happily.

I can take captain!

Ogodish apologizes as he he was distracted by news on the infosphere.

"Never really been offered a position on a crew before. I guess I could shoot a gun if the need arises."

45 X settles into engineering and begins tweaking things.

Gordon: Pilot
45X: Engineer
Shelldrake: Gunner
Ogodish: Gunner
Blibdoolpoolp: Gunner
Bubbles: Captain
No Science Officer?

It takes the group sixteen days to get to the space near Colony-753. During that time the crew gets to know each other better. Feel free to RP your 16 day trip in spoilers.

As the destination planet appears on the starship’s main viewscreen, alarms suddenly blare. A slender form emerges from the distant void, slithering from out of the planet’s shadow. It moves directly toward the starship, as if drawn to it.

Pilot Pegasus: 1d20 + 9 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 9 + 1 = 14
Besmarn Whelp: 1d20 + 10 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 10 + 1 = 19

The Pegasus moves first.

Battle Map is updated and in my header.

ll roll the initiative at the start for all ships based on the respective piloting checks.
Then, once it reaches your ship’s turn, everyone will post* but I will resolve the actions in the Engineering – Helm – Gunnery phase order. As such, while you can declare your actions in the open, please have your dice rolls in spoilers.
*There is an exceptions to this.
(1) Gunnery phase might need to wait for all the ship movement to finalize to determine which weapons are available for firing. So Gunners might want to hold your posting until then or set up a series of contingency actions depending on the final facing and positioning.

Lol, why did we chooose the Pegasus if nobody can be a Science Officer? Also, the Pegasus can't support three gunners, it only has one in each direction.

Bubbles floats just above his chair, tentacles wringing. "Uh... this looks bad! I... there's a thing up ahead! And I don't think it wants to merge with us!" The barathu twists and turns in nervousness. Finally, Bubbles slaps a specific com. "Turret, give it your best shot!"

Encourage Turret, DC 15: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14 RIP. No boost.

Following Captain Bubble’s lead, 45 X attempts to divert power to the guns.

Divert,DC=13: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (15) + 6 = 21

A green light on the weapon system panel pops on, flickers for a moment and then holds steady.

”Damage minimums boosted.” (all ones on damage die rolls are twos)

gordon twists the ship about and tries to put in some evasive manouvers

pilot Evade: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (10) + 9 = 19

Success increases ships ac and TL by 2

(put in a blue line to indicate the path taken and made the starting ship location much more transparent)

The Pegasus is faster more manouverable and at this tier comes with a turret that does not run out of weapons three rounds into the fight. At this tier it isn't really a choice

Awaiting GM indicating Gunnery phase/movement completion

"Anyone recognise what that thing is by chance? Do we know it's hostile before engaging?"

Life Science: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9

"It is commendable to avoid violence, but it is a lamentable near-universality that sharklike creatures are predators."

45 X boosts the ships weapons making them more power if they hit.

Gordon’s evasive maneuvers are successful and the ship is harder to hit.

Bubbles tries to encourage his colleague on the turret, but doesn’t quite manage to give a rousing speech.

The Whelp glides through space toward the ship. It’s as if it’s drawn to the power. It lets loose with it’s forward breath weapon. The attack hits doing nine damage to the Port Arc of the Pegasus. It doesn't quite make it through the shields.

Gunners are up.

We only have two guns in arc at the moment, and Shelldrake and Ogodish are better shots, so I defer to their expertise.

Shelldrake switches her system to the turret mounted coilgun and uses the ships duonode to aid with a firing solution before unleashing with the weapon.

"Og, there's still enough bandwidth for you to tap the computer system to assist your gunnery" the android offers in a polite and calming tone.

Duonode +1
Attack 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 5 + 1 = 18
Damage 4d4 ⇒ (1, 3, 4, 2) = 10

Ogodish snaps out of his reverie and activates his console.

"What is that!? Firing!"

"Do you see the teeth on that thing!?

Shelldrake's attack hits, but Og's does not. 11 DMG Whelp

Pilot Pegasus: 1d20 + 9 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 9 + 1 = 21
Besmarn Whelp: 1d20 + 10 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 10 + 1 = 23

The starfinders move first.

Bubbles bounces up and down in his chair. "Well done, Shell! Do it again! " The barathu's form twists in knots, momentarily growing a hard shell over it's skin. Oops, I hope no one can tell I'm nervous!

Encourage, Turret: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23 Success! Take your +2

45 X walks briskly to the science officer controls and triggers a scan of the incoming object.

Scan: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13

"Its going to try and circle round behind us. Hang on Should be coming up on the starboard side

Note damage last turn was on our forward shield as I turned towards the shark thing on my last movement

pilot evade: 1d20 + 9 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 9 + 1 = 20

45X scans and learns some information about their enemy.

Gordon manages to do an evasive maneuver against the whelp. It follows you and attempts to bite at the ship, but doesn't connect.

Bubbles successfully encourages Shelldrake. He's surprised at what a good Captain he's been.

"On it Bubbles, just for you" -Shelldrake takes aim and let's rip once more.

Duonode +1/Inspired +2
Attack 1d20 + 5 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 5 + 1 + 2 = 23
Damage 4d4 ⇒ (3, 3, 4, 4) = 14