Hmm’s 1-99: Scoured Stars Invasion (Tier 5-6) (Inactive)

Game Master Hmm

After examining the remains of the broken glass, Neon is certain that the broken jar did contain another such egg... with a more viable larvae. Meanwhile, Ivok and Sev move some crates with vigor!

There are two elevators in this area, and signs on the wall indicate the elevators go up to a second level where the ship's living quarters and life support system are located.

Sorami notices that one control panel on the elevator is hanging loose, and when she checks the other, she sees that the controls in both elevators have been destroyed, and there is extensive structural damage in the elevators' supporting structures.

★ --- ★ --- ★ --- ★

The Bridge lies ahead, and the doors open automatically as you approach. Following Venture-Captain Naiaj's instructions, you can locate and extract the ship's logs by manually removing the storage device. Unfortunately, the computers appear damaged.

Engineering: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (11) + 13 = 24
"The destruction of these lift controls was quite deliberate. Also thorough." Sev notes.
Edit for typos

Later, on the bridge, the android attempts to repair the computer.
Engineering: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (16) + 13 = 29

"What around here?"Says Antoine while he takes picture of the place. Why those things were here?

1d20 + 10 ⇒ (2) + 10 = 12

Sorami helps with the extraction of the data.

Engineering to Repair, Aid: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (17) + 7 = 24

Computer Check to Hack, Aid: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 19

“This is the bridge, so we should be able to find some records. I will check if the rest of you can watch out for any huskborn!” Neon Ten suggests.

Going over to one of the computer stations, he releases the seals on his suit. He then gets out an engineering kit to quickly clean the datajack port before plugging into it.

He checks if it will accept his Starfinder insignia as authorization while attempting the hack. He quickly coordinates the attempt with Sorami they prepare for the hack.

Computers, HD Datajack, Aid: 10 + 17 + 1 + 2 = 30

“There is a lot of corrupted data here. Looks like this ship was quarantined after a trip near Bastiar-8, where Starfinders were looking for a place the locals called “God's Home.””

“We will want to report this, so anyone going near there know to beware of the huskborn!”

Transferring what data he can retrieve, he then breaks the connection. Taking the cable out of the port, Neon cleans it before putting it back in his cheek and resealing his suit.

Just after Neon pulls out that cable...

A voice comes through the speakers, a match for the man's voice from the recorded message in the laboratory. “You got what you were looking for. Now get out before it's too late.”

At the same time, the ship's alarms start blaring WAAAAAAA-UH! WAAAAAAA-UH! The light level lowers to dim red light.

A few seconds later, a calm female voice announces: “Self-destruct sequence initiated.”

“Starting Countdown,” the calm female voice announces. “30...”

What do you do?

computer: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (10) + 9 = 19

Let's run!!!!!

"We might be able to help you! Are you sure you are past saving?" Neon calls out to the voice.

He quickly looks to the others, "Should we try to stop the countdown?"

Neon, there is no response from the male voice.

The computer says, “29.”

I am going to put you now into rounds. This is ROUND ONE. Everyone may act for now. One round of actions. Go!

How long would the hacking attempt take? I think it is normally three rounds per tier. Did we leave the engines running on our ship? Starting engines takes more than 30 seconds.

Hmmph. The wording actually says the countdown begins after your hacking attempt, so I will give you the hacking attempt for free, and then start the dramatic counting. Does that sound good?

"I believe you misspoke, Neon Ten." Sev states flatly. "The more prudent postulate is: 'Can we try to stop the countdown?'. My analysis, based upon presently know variables, suggests the likelihood of our doing so to be at three point eight percent."

Just try to first we will help you.

"I am... uncertain... that this tactic is the best utilization of the limited chronological order that we have been afforded." Sev notes, "but this unit will endeavour to be of assistance as long as capable."

Computers, Aid: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (15) + 15 = 30

Neon Ten starts hacking at the computer. As he does, there is the glimmer of a memory gnawing at his brain...

Computer: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (16) + 17 = 33

Al was clearly distracted by the excited voice of their grad student asking questions from back on the team's shuttle about what was going on, but snaps to attention when hacking the computer becomes a necessity after the self-destruct sequence begins!

"Ruby, switchover from memory module to wireless," they will subvocalize quietly as they join to help Neon with the computer along with their exocortex accessing the system via her wireless hacking ability.

Aid Another Computer: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (13) + 16 = 29 (Ruby)
Aid Another Computer: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (15) + 16 = 31 (Al)

Computer, Aid: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (14) + 7 = 21

"I wish I could help, but I believe if it can be stopped, you will be able to do it. If it is impossible though, I will make sure our path is clear."

Ivok moves to the doorway off the bridge and checks the corridor for dangers.

Ivok moves to the door, and opens the door. If the door is already open he will move into the corridor presuming nothing alien is standing right there.

Click. Whirr.

The following conversation was pre-recorded in another plane of existence. Don’t ask me HOW. I’m just a droid.

★ --- ★ --- ★ --- ★

Neon Ten: “I just remembered something...no humanoid signs when we scanned the ship! Maybe we should allow the self-destruct and just run!“

Ivok: Points out the huskborn in the corridor. "If there was someone on the ship, I would say to save them. If it is just us, then we shouldn't endanger other lives preserving this ship!"

Antonine: "We don't even know what’s on the second floor! "

Neon Ten: “Ivok, is the passage blocked?”

Ivok: "It was far more blocked when we first got here, but yeah, there is a few of the critters that aren't going to make leaving easy! If this ship is only a danger I don't want to be one who saved it, but we just don't know that much of what happened here! No matter what though, I'll be driving these things back! One step at at time!"

AI 2O3: Al 2O3 doesn't even look up from the console where he's helping deal with the computer. "I do not think we have time to debate conflicting hypotheses.”

”My recommendation: If the ship is beyond saving and we stop the self-destruct, we can call for a fire-mission to destroy the ship, or do it ourselves if our craft is heavily armed enough. If the ship is not beyond saving, stopping the self-destruct allows it to be towed and quarantined to examine more closely when we are not in imminent danger."

Neon Ten: “Agreed!” Neon Ten replies as he continues the hacking attempt. “Then I best stop the self destruct sequence so we can be sure of getting off the ship!”

Neon Ten, with the help of the most amazing hacking team in existence, stops the self-destruct countdown! Meanwhile... Ivok sees come horrific creatures coming at the group down the hall!

They appear to be adult versions of the larvae that you saw earlier, a cross between a praying mantis and a crocodile! They come towards you with a nasty clicking and chittering sound!

★ --- ★ --- ★ --- ★

Round 1
Active conditions: None!

Antoine
Al
Sorami
Neon Ten

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Orange and Red Huskborn

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Ivok

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Blue and Green

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Sev

Neon Ten examines the live huskborn for a moment.

Life Science: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (20) + 15 = 35 One extra piece of information on success: Immunities, Resistances, DR, Vulnerabilities, life cycle (do they take over other organisms to reproduce)

Then he puts his hand on the controls to close and seal the bridge doors on the port (upper) side.

“We are better off concentrating them in just the starboard hall.”

Depending on action type to close the doors, he will move starboard or seal his suit.

Al hears the commotion as the computer-work finishes. They shift more behind Ivok as they draw their rifle, and fire on the Green creature!

Merciful Hutchket Rifle: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (16) + 10 = 26 vs. KAC
Piercing Damage: 1d10 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8

After his dissection, Neon knows everything about these creatures! They have blind sense, darkvision, the ability to detect creatures by scent, and a rolling scythe pounce with those nasty claws. No penalty for charging, and can full attack after moving.

He also knows that they do use other creatures to reproduce, but these creatures aren’t able to do that. Somewhere on this ship — perhaps on the blocked second floor — there is likely a huskborn mother. They have no special vulnerabilities, resistances or weaknesses. They are slightly easier to hit with energy weapons than kinetic.

Neon Ten seals off one door, letting the rest of the team fire down the other.

Al fires at Green and hits, doing full damage!

★ --- ★ --- ★ --- ★

Round 1
Active conditions: Top Corridor Door is Sealed.

Antoine
Al
Sorami
Neon Ten

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Orange
Red

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Ivok

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Blue
Green (-8)

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Sev

Sorami moves up and trick attacks the green one.

Trick Attack: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (14) + 21 = 35 on Green. Making him flat footed to my attack

Attack on Green: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (8) + 9 = 17 versus flat-footed EAC.

Presuming that hits Damage: 1d8 + 3d8 + 2 ⇒ (3) + (6, 6, 7) + 2 = 24 sonic damage. Off-Target until the start of my next turn (Antione can flatfoot with his ability.)

The sonic attack hits the Green huskborn, and ichor oozes out of its chiton from multiple points... But it is still slowly creaking forward!

★ --- ★ --- ★ --- ★

Round 1
Active conditions: Top Corridor Door is Sealed.

Antoine
Al
Sorami
Neon Ten

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Orange
Red

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Ivok

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Blue
Green (-32)

His camera ready, Anoine moves closer to the open corridor, but he is still up the stair. With his sharp eyes and swift hand, he takes a picture of the group’s fight against the green thing. The camera’s flash is so intense that a plasma line comes out and goes to his target, the green thing.

Move 4 square south

Camera (plasma rifle)+ imp.get'em: 1d20 + 10 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 10 + 2 = 14
f&e: 1d10 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 6 = 15

+2 attack morale bonus for all against the green huskborn.

Antoine surprises everyone — including the GM — with having a camera that turns out to be a glamoured plasma rifle.

ZAAAAAP! Splort!

The plasma rifle just barely hits the green huskborn, who explodes all over the walls in a plop of sticky bug goo. Meanwhile, stymied by the sealed door, orange and red double move around the hallway.

★ --- ★ --- ★ --- ★

Round 1
Active conditions: Top Corridor Door is Sealed.

Antoine
Al
Sorami
Neon Ten

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Orange
Red

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Ivok

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Blue
Green (DEAD)

Posting Sev's action under spoiler, for when it is his turn (to keep things moving as I am not sure I can keep up the current pace through the weekend!)

Ivok inches back from the monstrosities instinctually as they barrel down the halls. With the party at his back though he stands firm. He calls out, reaffirming his own attacks than to the benefit of his allies. "Always remember! When striking making a firm posture! Without one your blows will carry no power!"

With cryopike he strikes out at the creatures, trying to contain them in the corridor and doing all he can to limit their movement toward the party.

Full Attack (2 attacks at -4) vs Orange

Merciful Tactical Cryopike vs EAC (reach): 1d20 + 10 - 4 ⇒ (18) + 10 - 4 = 24
Cold Damage: 1d8 + 12 ⇒ (3) + 12 = 15

Merciful Tactical Cryopike vs EAC (reach): 1d20 + 10 - 4 ⇒ (4) + 10 - 4 = 10
Cold Damage: 1d8 + 12 ⇒ (5) + 12 = 17

Ivok hits Orange with the cryopike once, but misses on the second blow! He does an intense amound of cold damage to the the orange huskborn!

Then Blue charges forward to attack with its rolling scything pounce! Blue takes fifteen damage as Ivok’s cryopike viciously cuts at it as it charges.

Scythe Claw: 1d20 + 11 - 4 ⇒ (16) + 11 - 4 = 23
Slashing Damage: 1d6 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 10

Scythe Claw: 1d20 + 11 - 4 ⇒ (7) + 11 - 4 = 14
Slashing Damage: 1d6 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 10

The first attack slashes viciously at Ivok but the second misses!

Then Sev supercharges Al 202’s weapon, and we’re up in the second round!

★ --- ★ --- ★ --- ★

Round 2
Active conditions: Top Corridor Door is Sealed.

Antoine
Al
Sorami
Neon Ten

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Orange (-15)
Red

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Ivok (-10)

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Blue (-15)
Green (DEAD)

Neon Ten begins casting.

Summon Monster II

Looking at the orange and Red team, Antoine uses the flash to distract and attack the two of them.

Clever attack (bluff) vs orange 1.5cr+15: 1d20 + 1d6 + 13 + 1 ⇒ (9) + (2) + 13 + 1 = 25
Camera (plasma rifle)+get'em vs orange and Red : 1d20 + 10 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 10 + 2 = 21
f&e: 1d10 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10

reroll bluff cunning liar if the roll is 6 or under: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (19) + 13 = 32

Orange is flat-footed an you have a +2 against it. Note. Vs red my attack is 19

Neon Ten intones and starts making casting gestures.

Antoine distracts Orange and fires, hirring the orange huskborn with a scorching ray of plasma that sears off some of its limbs, but it still crawls forward!

★ --- ★ --- ★ --- ★

Round 2
Active conditions: Top Corridor Door is Sealed.

Antoine
Al
Sorami
Neon Ten

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Orange (-25)
Red

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Ivok (-10)

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Blue (-15)
Green (DEAD)

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Sev

(Only if Neon shares the mother part) "Being a scientist, I am always willing to re-evaluate my position based on new data. Telemetry has now shifted slightly more in favor of destroying this vessel rather than risking any more Starfinders' lives."

Al 2o3 then subvocalizes, "Ruby, enable combat tracking," as they take a swift action to disable the Merciful fusion. They nod in thanks to Sev- while lifting their rifle once more to target the incoming (Orange) huskborn.

Hutchket Rifle: 1d20 + 12 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 12 + 2 = 22 vs. KAC (+2 from Antoine)
Supercharged Piercing Damage: 1d10 + 6 + 4d6 ⇒ (2) + 6 + (6, 6, 1, 4) = 25

Ivok takes a solid blow from the creature as it pushes past pike and armor.

"I agree with that! Although I certainly don't make the best decisions in the heat of battle!"

I hadn't included in his stat line, but Ivok did recently pick up Enhanced Resistance (kinetic) to get DR 5/-.

Assuming that applies to these attacks Ivok is at 35/40 SP.

Neon Ten would have shared the information.

Orange splatters everywhere as Al 203’s supercharged weapon hits it!

Ivok, corrected for the damage. Thanks!

★ --- ★ --- ★ --- ★

Round 2
Active conditions: Top Corridor Door is Sealed.

Antoine
Al
Sorami
Neon Ten

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Orange (DEAD)
Red. (-10)

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Ivok (-5)

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Blue (-15)
Green (DEAD)

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Sev

Sorami moves down.

Trick Attack on Blue: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (19) + 21 = 40

Attack on Blue against FF EAC: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (11) + 9 = 20

Damage on Blue: 1d8 + 3d8 + 2 ⇒ (7) + (5, 7, 5) + 2 = 26 sonic damage

Sorami strikes on Blue! The sonic vibrations splatter the bug!

Red comes forward, claws clicking menacingly at Ivok!

Scythe Attack: 1d20 + 11 - 4 ⇒ (1) + 11 - 4 = 8
Damage: 1d6 + 7 ⇒ (5) + 7 = 12

Scythe Attack: 1d20 + 11 - 4 ⇒ (12) + 11 - 4 = 19
Damage: 1d6 + 7 ⇒ (5) + 7 = 12

But the first one gets caught on Ivok’s armor and the second one just sort of flops about as the creature is caught off-balance.

Click-click-THUD-skitter-scuffle-clickclickclick-shriek!

★ --- ★ --- ★ --- ★

Round 2
Active conditions: Top Corridor Door is Sealed.

Antoine
Al
Sorami
Neon Ten

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Orange (DEAD)
Red. (-10)

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Ivok (-5)

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Blue (DEAD)
Green (DEAD)

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Sev

The whole party is UP!

Sorami aims and trick attacks red

Trick attack on Red: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (19) + 21 = 40

Attack on Red FF EAC: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (13) + 9 = 22

Damage: 1d8 + 3d8 + 2 ⇒ (1) + (8, 3, 7) + 2 = 21

Neon Ten finishes his spell and an angel appears behind Red, flanking with Ivok.

The angel draws back it’s sword of light and slashes down at the huskborn.

Sword of Light, flank: 1d20 + 9 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 9 + 2 = 24
Slashing damage: 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9

...and Ivok has flanking!

Ivok looks to the angelic aid with appoval as he attempts to bring down the threat with another pair of attacks

Merciful Tactical Cryopike vs EAC (reach, flanking): 1d20 + 10 + 2 - 4 ⇒ (11) + 10 + 2 - 4 = 19
Cold Damage: 1d8 + 12 ⇒ (5) + 12 = 17

Merciful Tactical Cryopike vs EAC (reach, flanking): 1d20 + 10 + 2 - 4 ⇒ (4) + 10 + 2 - 4 = 12
Cold Damage: 1d8 + 12 ⇒ (8) + 12 = 20

Full round attack.

Neon Ten draws his static arc pistol as he moves.

Sev fires his laser rifle.
Ranged (Laser rifle, azimuth): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (6) + 9 = 15
Damage (F): 1d8 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12

KA-BOOM!

Red goes down in a flurry of sonic, celestial, electric, laser, cyro-pike damage. You are alone in the hallway with a bunch of spattered bug guts.

Combat over!

“Time to leave.” Neon says.

He then asks the angel to please lead the way.

You can now make it safely back to your own ship with the data. Do you do anything before you leave this lovely ship?

"Should we bring a sample with us?" Sev inquires,

" I suppose the countdown is still running? So let's run!"