Game Master S's "Scoured Stars Invasion" [Tier 3-4] (Inactive)

Game Master Chris Marsh

Yes, beat me to it. We can still earn the success from here though!

Hawthorne's shot is just enough to knock down the final Starfinder. You take care to ensure that these four do not perish. Eager to press on you check out the rest of the structure.

To your horror you find more Starfinders, MANY more Starfinders. Dozens of Starfinders are currently comatose and held in secure stasis chambers. You quickly realize that attempting to remove the bodies might kill the Starfinders or leave them permanently damaged; Historia-7 says as much when you report your discovery. She assigns Starfinder medical experts to start analyzing their condition so that the Society can determine how to evacuate them.

With a quick wrap up, you're clear to head elsewhere.

Heading into lecture. You guys tell me where you'd like to go next, and hopefully there will be a quorum by the time I'm out.

ASSESSMENT: CURRENT SQUAD POSSESSES HIGHER THAN AVERAGE MEDICAL EXPERTISE. RECOMMENDATION: CONTINUE WITH EVACUATION EFFORT.

My vote is to stay here and do the evac mission. If she's looking for medical experts, that's us!

"I agree."

Hawthorne keeps his pulsecaster rifle at the ready as they continue within the amalgum structure.

“Greetings, Starfinders. After you found dozens of our colleagues held in stasis on Agillae-5, we've had our best minds on it. Forcibly removing their bodies from the stasis pods would leave their minds trapped in a virtual world, which means we’re sending you in to release them. Our specialists have put together a digital tether that allows you to enter the virtual world without getting trapped like your colleagues did. Still, you must careful. Even though nothing that happens in there is real, dying in the simulation might kill you.”

A team of Starfinder computer specialists waits at the facility. The lead specialist approaches you. ”Everything is ready. All you have to do is plug in.” he grabs your shoulder. ”Good luck.”

Jacking in you instantly find yourself in a Cantina, where a bartender named Jodain sees you looking all about and in near shock. ”Relax, have a drink. Or even eat something good and not worry about a thing.”

The bartender looks at you expectantly.

Culture: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (2) + 8 = 10

Max raises an eyebrow in a somewhat exaggerated and comical manner. AS I AM PRESENTLY ON ASSIGNMENT, I MUST REGRETFULLY DECLINE THE OFFER OF ALCOHOL OR ANY OTHER SNACK OR BEVERAGE CONTAINING SUBSTANCES CAPABLE OF INHIBITING JUDGEMENT OR REFLEXES. PROVIDED PRESENT COMPANY HAS SUCCESFULLY COMPLETED COURSE 7341-9/20.1...

Max's voice suddenly changes. "Acceptable uses of recreational drugs and alcohol in the workplace: Your performance depends on it!"

His voice switches back to the standard drone just as quickly.

I SUSPECT THEY WILL BE INCLINED TO DO LIKEWISE.

After a few moments, he takes a seat. A NUTRITIOUS SNACK AND HYDRATING BEVERAGE MAY PROVE BENEFICIAL HOWEVER.

He squints and reads the bartender's nametag.

JODAIN... HOW ARE YOU DOING THIS... SELECT * FROM {MORNING, AFTERNOON, EVENING} WHERE CURRENT_TIME > PHASE_BEGIN AND CURRENT_TIME < PHASE_END

perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (18) + 8 = 26
"This place reminds me of Absalom station... I wonder if they programmed a sim to make them feel at home while they wait for rescue.."

She approaces the barman "Hi there, what do you have? And are there any regulars here?"

Hawthorne waves off the offered refreshments as his helmet digitally fades away. "Have you happen to have seen our fellow Starfinders, by any chance?"

Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (10) + 7 = 17

The bartender smiles, and his response doesn't quite mesh with the conversation. “Why don’t you go and meet all the friendly folks who live here. But remember, we’re all happy here, so don’t say or do anything that might upset them.”

Indeed, as you look around the sim, you spy a trio of groups:

Bikers: Five Starfinders—a human, two lashuntas, an ysoki, and a vesk—wear leather jackets and protective clothing. They tune-up expensive-looking enercycles.

Library: Five scholarly Starfinders—an android, a damaya lashunta, a kasatha, and two shirrens—engage in a heated debate.

Picnic: Six Starfinders—a dwarf, two kasathas, two humans, and a shirren—enjoy a picnic in the park. They wear fashionable clothes.

"The library?" Hawthorne suggests with a gesture toward the debating Starfinders.

INFORMATION INDICATES THAT THE ASSEMBLED GROUPS ARE IN FACT STARFINDERS. ALL GROUPS MEET MINIMUM LEGAL THRESHOLD, PER STARFINDER SOCIETY BYLAWS, OF NO LESS THAN 4 STARFINDERS PER GROUP, NO GREATER THAN 6 STARFINDERS PER GROUP, WITH EXCEPTIONS ON A PER-CASE BASIS AUTHORIZED BY THE DISPATCHING PERSONNEL. SUCH GROUPS ARE NOTATED AS 'PARTY' IN SOCIETY BYLAWS. ALTHOUGH MY UNDERSTANDING OF THE TERM 'PARTY' CAUSES AMBIGUOUS CONCLUSIONS. THE BIKERS APPEAR TO SATISFY MY CONVENTIONAL OPINION OF THE A STARFINDER 'PARTY' HAVING PROTECTIVE CLOTHING AND EQUIPMENT. THE 'PARTY' IN THE PARK APPEARS TO BE UTILIZING A DIFFERENT INTERPRETATION OF THE WORD.

Max pauses and fiddles with his vocal modulator. ADJUSTING VOCAL PATTERS AND SOMATIC COMMUNICATION METHODS FOR IMPROVED COMMUNICATION WITH DESIGNATED INDIVIDUALS. CALIBRATING NOW.

BASELINE DIALOGUE COMMENCING:
TWAS BRILLIG AND THE SLITHY TOVES DID GYRE AND GIMBLE IN THE WABE ALL MIMSY WERE THE BOROGOVES AND THE MOME RATHS OUTGRABE.

His eyes twitch and bearing loosens up as he takes a more relaxes stance. He then repeats himself, this time in a new voice with much less rigid body language.

"’Twas brillig, and the slithy toves
Did gyre and gimble in the wabe;
All mimsy were the borogoves,
And the mome raths outgrabe."

He smiles, a somewhat exaggerated facial expression happening just a few dozen microseconds after it probably should. "Calibration complete. I'm sure that time is of the essence... since it pretty much always is. I'd suggest splitting up and comparing notes. At the very least that way if we... I think the phrase is 'piss them off' another group can attempt to calm them. I would be interested in speaking with the picnickers, however if you feel as though we should stick together I'll back you."

His facial expressions and body language continue to lag his speech, but it improves with every sentence.

GM, If it's just a matter of agreeing which group to speak with first, I'm happy to be agreeable with anyone to move us along. If this is a classic 'influencing people' encounter with multiple parties and fixed time, Max recommends splitting into at least 2 groups.

Gunnz nods to her the android.

"I think the group with the picnic sounds the most relaxed, and perhaps open to discussing how long they have been here and what led here. "

She pauses.

"I do think we should be cautious however, and take note of the bartenders warning."

Before leaving the bar, she acquires a drink, asking the tender "How long have they all been here?"

Gleefully jotting down notes on it's datapad as the android assess and adjusts to the situation, the shirren nods. 'You are quite a wealth of information Max!'

Turning back to the matter at hand, it looks over each group individually. 'Though I'm sure each has useful conditional value, Xochitl would certainly like to speak with the library group first. Now is this a first contact situation? Is it possible by being here they are a new society? No...surely not....let us beg, yes?'

As with Buff Bot, if it's a standard social encounter I'd like to go library. If it's a decide as a group, I'm good with whatever.

Medrick is instantly drawn to the library group, for that is where he has spent many years as of late. All of this is so fascinating. I wonder who set this up and why. It sure does not seem as malicious as those mindless Starfinders we encountered outside of this place! We definitely should try to gather some info from the "locals". I would enjoy a conversation with the scholars as they are more likely to have a deeper understanding of what is going on.

Medrick would be all about talking with the library group, but I submit to group rule if we all stay together to go to the same group.

0689 looks over to those messing with the bikes. "Oh. They look like they are having fun. I too like the exhilaration of riding and pushing the machine to its limits. "

I am partial to the bikers. But will go with the group if it calls for it.

"Do not forget that we are in a simulated reality," cautions those who seem to be becoming too comfortable with the environment. "Their minds have been trapped here."

First, Buffbot's "party post" was awesome. +1 on your next d20 roll. Second, in the interest of efficiency, this is not a timed influence event, so don't split the party.

After chatting for a bit about the plan the bartender answers Gunnz question with a slightly disturbing, "Time doesn't matter. They're happy. That's what matters."

The party approaches the erudite looking group of Starfinders. They're locked in a discussion that seems to be headed by the android. in a heated debate They seem to be talking about Golarion. According to these Starfinders, Golarion never disappeared!

The 3 social skills are available. You can also engage on topic with Culture, Mysticism, or Physical Science.

"Well if it did not disappear, where did it go? Do you believe someone moved an entire planetary mass?"

physical science: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (20) + 11 = 31

First Seeker Luwazi Elsebo's voice rings out with more news of hope on each of your comm devices. ”Starfinders have penetrated the defenses of an ancient automated city on Callion-2. They discovered that a group of Starfinders visited the city a year ago, trying to find a way to help other Starfinders stuck on the desert planet of Callion-1. We’ll begin moving resources to Callion-1 immediately.”

City of the Ancients is now closed and Sands of Oblivion is now open.

0689's questioning strikes them like a fist. They begin to look at each other and confusion falls upon their faces. They're mildly snapped out of it, but still need to be convinced to disconnect via social skill.

Diplomacy + Making the GM laugh bonus: 1d20 + 10 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 10 + 1 = 26

"I'm impressed! Most people when confronted with data so contrary to their beliefs panic or lash out. Come with us! We've got some friends I'm sure you'd love to meet..."

"Excuse us," Hawthorne interjects. "Are you positing that Golarion is, in fact, still in orbit around our sun? Cloaked or some such by the gods or other, more ancient power like you all were during the Scoured Stars incident? The reason that we are here, by the way, the god shield has been opened, and we can take you home."

Mysticism: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (8) + 10 = 18

Hawthorne continues to prod a bit at the Starfinders, and he can see cracks in their simulation - a twitch here, a stutter there. Buff-Bot 9000 strikes at the right time. The twitching hastens.

The android leader turns with frightening speed to look at him. "I.... I.... I was. I... I am Historia-6, leader of Dataphiles. I....." The android stops completely for a moment. All of the Starfinders here snap their heads to turn and look at you. Angrily, Historia-6 adds, "Hurry up and get the Starfinders released from the virtual world. Here, let me give you a program to help."

With that, all of the Starfinders here freeze as if the pause button had been pushed.

Historia-6 has revealed a secret technique that allows you to see an enemies’ DR, resistances, and current HP as a free action so long as you're in the simulation...

Hawthorne quickly integrates the code into his simulated self.

Which group next Starfinders?

Jotting a few more notes into its datapad, Xochitl looks around 'Bikers seem fun. I just can't wait to see what they have to say!' echoes excitedly through your heads.

Turning it makes its way towards the group. 'Hello there. Might I inquire as to what it is you are working on? I have a friend that too likes to...uh....'Tinker?' I believe that's the right term.'

Max is too star-struck meeting Historia-6 in person to respond. He simply nods. Finally, he moves off and joins Xochitl to see if the Bikers will join as easily. After a bit of careful contemplation, he decides to opt for a more straightforward approach.

"Nice bikes! Wanna take em for a ride outta here?"

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (10) + 10 = 20

Gunnz too saunders over. "My...my... nice wheels." she says in an admiring tone of voice.

"Think you could beat me in a race? I bet you boys havn't had a real challenge for a while.."

Timezones issues making me difficult here, but if pilot is a valid skill check to try against these folk, Gunnz is up for racing them!
pilot: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (6) + 14 = 20

Medrick wonders over to the bikes and investigates them. Engineering was never something he has excelled at, but he has taken his fair share of physical science classes. I like these bikes. What kinda fuel are you using? Have you ever tried... This is one of those times that I am playing a character who is smarter than the player haha I know little to nothing about bikes or cars.

physical science: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10

But in an attept to sound smart, he mixes what the chemicals he is talking about suggests "dihydrogen monoxide" or H2O and makes a fool of himself.

"Medrik was a chemist... Medrik is no more... For what he thought was H2O was H2SO4..."

Buff Bot, that poster hangs next to my "do as you otter, add acid to water" poster.

Gunnz walks around, ready to race, but notices that the bikes have some weird engineering, as if the simulation had to guess at how certain things work, and got them wrong. Gunnz points them out, which causes the same glitching as before. When Buff Bot suggests riding them out of here, they start really glitching, and you can tell that they're breaking free.

The vesk steps up to Gunnz. "Wait. I .... I wasn't a racer. I was an explorer. My name is Silask. Please, free us."

Just before he freezes into a "paused" position, he shares a secret technique that allows you to change what type of damage your weapons deal as though they had a corrosive, flaming, frost, or shock weapon fusion (you can choose one for yourself.)

'Explorers don't know bikes need wheels' mumbles Xochitl as it jots down the information in its datapad. 'Want freed....'

'Neat! Seems all sentient species want freedom! It's not just us broke from the hive!' it considers, turning to look at the remaining group.

The remaining six Starfinders—a dwarf, two kasathas, two humans, and a shirren—enjoy a picnic in the park. They wear fashionable clothes. The group marvels at the beauty of the natural world, saying things like “Ain’t it great to be outdoors, smell the flowers, feel the wind and sun on your face?”

They seem to welcome you to join them. While the social skills are still the key, their particular program in the Matrix can be tweaked with Life Science, Perception, or Survival.

'Fellow friends! How are you this day?' calls out Xochitl as it approaches the group. Sitting nearby, it inquires 'So, are their any excitingly new species in this place? Perhaps a floating sentient brain? Or a dwarf/lashunta crossbreed? I'm always looking to learn from new species...like those hoo-mans.'

Life Science: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (16) + 7 = 23

Xochitl's questions don't seem to jive with the simple things they're talking about. The twitching and static begins, a sign that you know they're ready to start questioning and regain agency...

Life Science: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (3) + 9 = 12

Medrick is still embarrassed about the previous mistake when he tried to sound smart and just made a fool of himself. Despite this being his area of expertise, he can not think of anything valuable to say.

Sorry guys, I am not rolling so hot!

Hawthorne once again integrates the manipulative code provided into his digital simulacrum and then moves over to the others. Caught on to the technique to break the reverie, he tries his best to draw attention to the aberrations in the Starfinder's environment. "Outdoors? I am afraid that you are in the least natural setting; this is a virtual simulation. Note the blades of grass are all two similar, repeating their formation every few feet, and the cloud pattern repeats. Your bodies are currently in stasis chambers, and we need you to elect to wake."

Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (15) + 7 = 22

Hawthorne's words cut deep (unfortunately Medrick's do not.) All of the Starfinders begin glitching like crazy, but it'll take some directed encouragement to push them over the edge...

"Hey, how bout you join us off-station. Some nice parks planetside, and the local constabulary doesn't even care if you crack open a few brews over there!"

Diplomancy: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (14) + 10 = 24

The dwarf turns. "I am Barakul, leader of an elite group
explorers, rangers, and survivalists. I. do. not. belong. here."

His glitching intensifies, but before he freezes up, he provides the you with a secret technique that allows you to grow wings. gaining a fly speed of 30 feet (Ex, average).

The party turns around, just in time to see the bartender, Jodain. He seems.... extremely angry. "You’re only here to cause trouble! I can’t have that!”

His form morphs fluidly into that of demonic creature! "I. CANNOT. HAVE. THAT!"

Hostiles: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8
Buff Bot: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6
Gunnz: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (20) + 6 = 26
Hawthorne: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12
Medrick: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10
Xochitl: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 1 = 20
0689: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12

Round 1:
Gunnz: Go
Xochtl: Go
Hawthorne: Go
0689: Go
Medrick: Go
Hostile: TBD
Buff Bot: TBD

Medrick takes a moment to get the enemies’ DR, resistances, and current HP to show up on his HUD.

I will continue my action once I am filed in on this info. Does this demon have wings?

'Neat trick! What are you?' muses the shirren, hurriedly jotting something in its datapad.

Suddenly, the black orb swirling about it's head elongates and coates the creature. Scurrying forward, it rushes to the side of the beast and gives it a solid swing with it's gauntlet. 'Now you just stay still!'

As long as I threaten foe and don't block your line of sight, I grant all allies +1 to hit with ranged attacks

Medrick accesses the source code of the simulation and concludes that this winged creature has 70 HP; immunity to electricity and poison; resistance 7 to acid, cold, and fire; and DR 5/good

[ooc]Will resolve when available.

Max is too taken aback by the abrupt transformation to react with any more than words. His sentence structure still is in his newly configured format, however his voice seems to have slipped back to default.

BY TRIUNE IS THIS SOME SORT OF... CYBER... DEMON? PROFESSIONAL TIP: SHOOT IT UNTIL IT DIES.

"Well, the tiger finally shows its stripes. Or the demon its' wings I guess." mocks Gunnz as the bartender changes.

"But how do you fit into this simulation I wonder?"

She flies upward, drawing her pistol as she goes.
Changes damage type to corrosive

I don't think I can move, draw and get a shot off in the same round in SF can I?

"A daemon, Max, probably of the mail-type," Hawthorne corrects as he manifests his corrosive dart rifle with the cold modification taught to him by the other Starfinders as Historia-6's code reveals the resistances of the digital jailor. He fires toward the beast.

Acid Dart Rifle/Cold Fusion: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (2) + 7 = 9
Acid/Cold: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10

Per the rules of fusions, replacing the kinetic damage with cold, making it acid/cold. Also, I don't think the author read the actual rules of elemental fusions, otherwise the demon is nearly immortal.

Yeah it's a bit wonky. I'll do my best to be fair and RAI. Also, my mind is mush; I'm currently running games in 2e D&D, PF1, SF, and PF2. As for that "You can draw a weapon as a Move action, or (if your BAB is +1 or greater) as part of a Move action. Can draw a hidden weapon as a Standard."

Gunnz wastes no time falling to action, pulling a gun on the move and using his simulation powers!

Xochtl's strike does only minor damage, but the large program is immediately held fast!

Hawthorne's quick shot is extremely off target.

Round 1:
Gunnz: Standard Action
Xochtl: ATK
Hawthorne: Miss
0689: Go
Medrick: Go
Hostile: TBD
Buff Bot: TBD

Wow dr 5 is rough in Starfinder at this level. My max damage is 2 against this guy. This will be a long fight!

Seeing what he knows of this creature, he draws he static arc pistol again as he flies up 15 ft into the air to give himself a clear shot at the creature. Once he moves, he fires one blast of nonlethal electricity at the demon.

Arc pistol (EAC): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11
damage (shock, nonlethal): 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

Using the hack to fly up 15 ft and draw my weapon as a standard action, firing once as a standard action.

Gunnz fires off one quick shot.
attack vs EAC: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15
acid damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Didn't see sonic on that list... Xochtl, our fate is in your hands! Or rather your gauntlets!