Sev's visual receptors seems to light up as he sees a seeming biological lifeform that he has heretofore not had an opportunity to examine in closer proximity. He considers the creature, analyzing the mechanism that allowed it to sense the party's approach and attempting to identify the most efficient means to incapacitate it.
Male Loot Sheet Awakened Animal, Climbing, Golden Scarab Beetle Imperial Sorcerer 15, Fighter Archetype: Speed:25, Swim:15, Climb:25, Burrow:15, AC:36 (Bonuses vs Ranged), 10 Fire Resistance, HP:188/188, Fort:24, Ref:24, Will:22, Perception:22, Stealth:25
init:7 + 1d20 ⇒ 7 + (1) = 8
As soon as it is Jax's turn he will throw his grenade just right behind the two creatures far away enough so the blast gets them and not his allies. hit square:1d20 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9 dc 5 Does not include cover, which maybe DC 7 or something. dmg:1d8 ⇒ 5 electric. reflex 14 to half this
Sev's visual receptors seems to light up as he sees a seeming biological lifeform that he has heretofore not had an opportunity to examine in closer proximity. He considers the creature, analyzing the mechanism that allowed it to sense the party's approach and attempting to identify the most efficient means to incapacitate it.
Sev identifies the creatures as Akata, terrifying predators that dwell in the vast void of space, typically making their homes on asteroids, comets, and dying planets, and hibernating in cocoons for countless centuries.
Akatas reproduce by implanting their parasitic larval offspring in humanoid hosts; this infection they cause, known as void death, transforms its victims into undead void zombies. The cocoon an akata can create around itself is composed primarily of the starmetal noqual.
Sev also knows that Akata do not breathe, are immune to cold, disease, poison, and starvation; and have fire resistance. Your one helpful piece of info
Dakes sees the creatures on what was supposed to be an empty ship. Based on the reactions of others he assumes the group is following a shoot first methodology.
More than anything else though, he wonders What is this creature doing on the ship that was supposed to be empty? Is this what the Ambassador wanted brought back?
Of course I crit on initiative and then fumble on the shot. lol We using the critical failure deck from Cosmic Crit?
Regardless, everyone else appears to be posting their actions of the round, so I will do the same.
On Sev's turn:
Sev coldly states, "These creatures are akata. They are resistant to fire and immune to cold, disease, poison, and starvation. I suggest that you utilize analog methods of inflicting injury."
The android then quickly moves into position and fires his pistol. Full round action
Dakes sees the creatures on what was supposed to be an empty ship. Based on the reactions of others he assumes the group is following a shoot first methodology.
More than anything else though, he wonders What is this creature doing on the ship that was supposed to be empty? Is this what the Ambassador wanted brought back?
Dakes can also identify the creatures as Akata, though knows a significant amount more about them. In addition to knowing their defenses, as Sev, Dakes also knows that Akata are deaf -- relying on their other senses to detect prey -- are susceptible to the osmolar properties of salt water, and can impregnate humanoids with its larvae with a mere bite.
Dakes Kor wrote:
Of course I crit on initiative and then fumble on the shot. lol We using the critical failure deck from Cosmic Crit?
I use no such things. Rolling a 1 should be shame enough.
The Akata close in on the party, confined to the 10-foot wide chokepoint that is the airlock.
Rolling randomly to determine who is on the front lines, based on initiative order Front Lines:1d5 ⇒ 11d4 ⇒ 3 Dakes and Psyche, winner winner! As an aside, I'm letting you get away with no attack-of-opportunity this round because of this revelation.
Each attempt to bite their victim...
KAC Attack on Dakes:1d20 + 8 ⇒ (19) + 8 = 271d6 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7 KAC Attack on Psyche:1d20 + 8 ⇒ (14) + 8 = 221d6 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7
...and are successful.
Dakes, Psyche... I need you both to make me a Fortitude save please.
Dakes, unnerved by the assault, fires his weapon before fully aiming.
Nik-a-Nik draws a tactical dart rifle and fires at an akata We'll say the one in front of Dakes...
Attack:1d20 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 101d8 ⇒ 5
...but the dart bounces off the creature's thick hide.
Apologies for botting you; was going off previous experience.
Sev takes aim at the akata in front of Psyche and scores a decisive hit on the beast.
Psyche heeds Sev's advise and reaches for her pulsecaster pistol instead, shocking the beast.
Jax places a grenade into the back lines of the akata, creating a wave of electricity...
Reflex Saves:1d20 + 3 ⇒ (14) + 3 = 171d20 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5
...and while the already-damaged akata seems to further be affected by the assault, the previously-unharmed akata shrugs off most of the effects.
The party is arranged in a ten-foot line, with Dakes and Psyche making up the front rank. Their entry into the Acreon is blocked by two akata, and their only means of retreat is back into the Hippocampus. There is space to maneuver to allow other people up front.
End of Round 1; Beginning of Round 2!I'll go ahead and play out the akata for ease
The two akata continue their assault on the targets before them...
KAC Attack on Dakes:1d20 + 8 ⇒ (16) + 8 = 241d6 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5 KAC Attack on Psyche:1d20 + 8 ⇒ (19) + 8 = 271d6 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5
...and achieve similar savage results.
Dakes and Psyche, go ahead and make me a pair of fortitude saves
The akata before Dakes is pretty fresh, while the one in front of Psyche is very badly damaged.
Male Loot Sheet Awakened Animal, Climbing, Golden Scarab Beetle Imperial Sorcerer 15, Fighter Archetype: Speed:25, Swim:15, Climb:25, Burrow:15, AC:36 (Bonuses vs Ranged), 10 Fire Resistance, HP:188/188, Fort:24, Ref:24, Will:22, Perception:22, Stealth:25
Jax can't do anything useful right, since all he is a blast weapon that would hit his allies before reaching the enemy, a melee weapon and he can't get into melee right now, and has a pistol that deals 1d4 fire damage when they are resistant to fire.
So he readies his hammer in case his allies go down and they engage with him hit:3 + 1d20 ⇒ 3 + (13) = 16dmg:1d8 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2
Male Loot Sheet Awakened Animal, Climbing, Golden Scarab Beetle Imperial Sorcerer 15, Fighter Archetype: Speed:25, Swim:15, Climb:25, Burrow:15, AC:36 (Bonuses vs Ranged), 10 Fire Resistance, HP:188/188, Fort:24, Ref:24, Will:22, Perception:22, Stealth:25
I forgot harrying fire was an option
Jax does that then as he expends a charge of his laser pistol. +5 for ranged weapons if I can do that and transfer my roll.
assuming there is space to take a guarded step back
Dakes takes a cautious step back in order to not be immediately at risk firing his shot and he cracks off a shot at the injured Akiata. it hit KAC:1d20 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 1 = 17damage:1d6 ⇒ 6
He also called through the open channel These creatures are deaf and impregnate with a bite. Might be able to clean it with salt water because that injures them. Also, owwwwww. That bite hurt.
Taking a few liberties and advancing the round a smidge...
Dakes staves off the effects of one of the bites and waits for a good opportunity to move away from the action. I need a second Fort save from the bite sustained in round two
Nik-a-Nik takes aim at the wounded akata and strikes the beast with a dart. The administered acid proves to be fatal, killing the fiend.
Sev, unable to maneuever effectively in the tight confines of the airlock, does not surprise the enemy, those does score a grazing shot.
Psyche also waits a moment for the threat to subside. I still need a pair of Fort saves as well.
Jax sees an opening where the dead akata now lays and approaches...
Jax-robatics:1d20 + 7 ⇒ (20) + 7 = 27
...and avoids the creature's potential assault. Jax's hammer glances the creature.
Dakes and Psyche are currently holding, because anything they do will threaten, and the akata will go next if they don't make a decision. One akata down, and one wounded that's adjacent to Dakes, Psyche, and Jax.
Psyche prefers to fight by aiding her allies, but if pressed, she is no coward. She draws forth her battle staff and strikes the akata.
Psyche is not terribly worried about the infectious properties of the creatures. Her android body is resistant to disease, and she has magic to restore herself if she does fall ill.
Dakes takes aim, though without any space to maneuver, the akata takes a bite...
Attack:1d20 + 8 ⇒ (12) + 8 = 201d6 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8
...and gets Dakes on the arm. Regardless, Dakes is able to get a shot into the creature. Dakes begins to feel a bit ill...
Psyche strikes at the akata with her battlestaff, though misses the beast. You saved on your first roll, please make another at your convenience
End of Round 2; Beginning of Round 3!
The akata has it's choice of targets...
1 D, 2 J, 3 P:1d3 ⇒ 2
...and selects the hammer-wielding newcomer...
Attack:1d20 + 8 ⇒ (20) + 8 = 281d6 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5 Crit Damage:1d6 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3
...biting him with an unnatural force.
Jax, fort save, please
Nik-a-Nik opens fire on the akata, scoring two definitive hits. The caustic fluids inject themselves into the beast, causing it to shriek.
Sev comes close to putting the creature out of its misery, but his aim is slightly off.
Jax takes careful aim with his hammer and swipes down hard, crushing the creature's skull and finishing it off for good.
Combat Over!
Jax and Psyche, your fort save is good!
Inside the engineering room are two humanoid-sized crystalline structures, which both appear to have ruptured from the inside. From the collective knowledge gathered concerning akata, these must be the cocoons. With some careful salvage, the remnants of the cocoon would likely yield 2 bulk of the star-metal noqual, worth 1,000 credits.
The tech lab located in the engineering bay has a collection of parts and creation supplies, totaling 300 UPBs.
A cursory scan of the room also reveals a tactical arc emitter with 12 charges remaining.
Dakes begins to feel sluggish after the combat; unnaturally winded for such a short period of activity.
Dakes, you are sickened and fatigued. Sickened grants a –2 penalty to ability checks, attack rolls, weapon damage rolls, saving throws, and skill checks. Fatigued means you cannot run or charge; you take a –1 penalty to AC, attack rolls, melee damage rolls, Reflex saves, initiative checks, and Str- and Dex-based skill and ability checks; and you reduce your encumbered limit by 1 bulk.
A pair of doors lead toward the front of the ship, spaced about 30 feet apart. Per your schematics, both lead to the same common space which allows for reactor maintenance. Beyond that is the main corridor.
Sev stops for a moment to take a blade to one of the corpses of the akata. "Fascinating physiology." he remarks. He takes as much time as the party seems to allow conducting a post-mortem examination of the creature. Then, he moves swiftly to catch up to the others.
With his blade now in one hand and his pistol in the other, he goes through one of the doors, keeping any eye out for potential threats.
Male Loot Sheet Awakened Animal, Climbing, Golden Scarab Beetle Imperial Sorcerer 15, Fighter Archetype: Speed:25, Swim:15, Climb:25, Burrow:15, AC:36 (Bonuses vs Ranged), 10 Fire Resistance, HP:188/188, Fort:24, Ref:24, Will:22, Perception:22, Stealth:25
Jax is right behind Sev with all weapons sheathed cause he doesn't know which one he will be using next.Let's clear out at least half to 3/4 of this ship first before anyone considers a short rest.
Female Android (344681-703) Mystic 2 (KAC 12, EAC 13 hp 10, stam 6, res 4, init +1, per +5)
Psyche is unharmed by the illness at least. She looks her fellow Starfinders over and determines that Dakes might be a bit under the weather.
"Hold still, please," she says as she begins to work. She takes out her medical kit and sets it to begin creating a base drug. She begins diagnosing him, inputting the information she finds as she goes. Finally her medical kit produces a custom drug for the illness.
"This will help," she informs him, then injects him.
Treat Disease (medicine):1d20 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13
Then she resorts to the other part of her skills. Psyche takes a knee, looking down at the ground. She is murmuring something. It is a translation of her old militia unit's rules & regulations in Draconic. Suddenly she stands up and gives a uulating cry. Golden energy suffuses her and her allies. Suddenly your wounds are restored.
"Hold still, please," she says as she begins to work. She takes out her medical kit and sets it to begin creating a base drug. She begins diagnosing him, inputting the information she finds as she goes. Finally her medical kit produces a custom drug for the illness.
"This will help," she informs him, then injects him.
Dakes, this will be sufficient to give you a +4 to your next Fort save.
The party makes its way out of the reactor room and into the main corridors of the Acreon. This long corridor seems to run most of the length of the ship from bow to stern. Signs of battle—bullet holes, scorch marks, and droplets of blood—are clearly visible on the walls and floors. A small body in a space suit lies sprawled on the floor in the middle of a junction in the hallway, while the corpse of an akata leans against the door closest to the front of the ship.
The long hallway has two intersections. The first intersection leads to the port and starboard airlocks and cargo bays. The second intersection leads to the crew quarters, galley, and storage. The door at the very end of the hallway leads to the helm.
Sev moves forward down the corridor toward the helm as before. However, now with two new cadavers to investigate, the android seems unable to overcome his program and stops. With his blade in one hand, he begins to slice into the spacesuit to begin the process of an examination into the likely cause of death.
Male Loot Sheet Awakened Animal, Climbing, Golden Scarab Beetle Imperial Sorcerer 15, Fighter Archetype: Speed:25, Swim:15, Climb:25, Burrow:15, AC:36 (Bonuses vs Ranged), 10 Fire Resistance, HP:188/188, Fort:24, Ref:24, Will:22, Perception:22, Stealth:25
Jax moves towards the helm, readies his weapon expecting more trouble and fires his scattergun as soon as he sees any creatures on the other side as he opens the door, getting anything within a 15 foot range. If there are no creatures on the other side, he doesn't fire. Rolling for up to 4 targets hit:4 - 2 + 1d20 ⇒ 4 - 2 + (1) = 3 VS KAC
hit:4 - 2 + 1d20 ⇒ 4 - 2 + (4) = 6 hit:4 - 2 + 1d20 ⇒ 4 - 2 + (10) = 12 hit:4 - 2 + 1d20 ⇒ 4 - 2 + (15) = 17 dmg:1d4 ⇒ 2 Yes he is shooting first and asking questions later, what is the worst that can happen?
Female Android (344681-703) Mystic 2 (KAC 12, EAC 13 hp 10, stam 6, res 4, init +1, per +5)
Psyche briefly oversees Sev working on the body. "Let me know if you would like assistance," she offers. Meanwhile, she goes to work on the Akata. "Now let's learn more about you, my friend," she murmurs as she gets to work. Psyche anticipates needing to treat more people of these creatures' disease soon, and would like to study the source.
Sev moves forward down the corridor toward the helm as before. However, now with two new cadavers to investigate, the android seems unable to overcome his program and stops. With his blade in one hand, he begins to slice into the spacesuit to begin the process of an examination into the likely cause of death.
Sev identifies the corpse as that of a goblin. The cause of death, vicious slashes and bites, are assuredly from one of the akata you encountered earlier.
Jax moves towards the helm, readies his weapon expecting more trouble and fires his scattergun as soon as he sees any creatures on the other side as he opens the door, getting anything within a 15 foot range. If there are no creatures on the other side, he doesn't fire.
Jax, weapon at the ready, encounters no threats in the main corridor.
Psyche briefly oversees Sev working on the body. "Let me know if you would like assistance," she offers. Meanwhile, she goes to work on the Akata. "Now let's learn more about you, my friend," she murmurs as she gets to work. Psyche anticipates needing to treat more people of these creatures' disease soon, and would like to study the source.
Psyche dissects the body. As she does, she recalls that akata physiology reacts rather violently to salt and salt water, causing a rather painful osmosis.
I believe Jax indicated he was opening the Helm doors, and firing at anything on the other side.
Nik-a-Nik happily follows along behind Jax, weapons at the ready.
This, I was opening a door.
Apologies, I misread.
Jax and Nik-a-Nik approach the helm while the others investigate the grizzly scene in the main corridor. The bridge door opens effortlessly. A wide transparent aluminum window stretches across the forward wall of the room; twinkling lights in the distance are all that can be seen of Absalom Station and the ships of the Armada surrounding it.
Three akata populate the room, suddenly alerted to the presence of new life aboard. Jax looses a round from his scattergun at the trio, though the spread of pellets is not generous enough to do any physical damage to the creatures. The third roll was close, though.
Jax and Nik-a-Nik stand at the entrance of the bridge, shoulder-to-shoulder and blocking the exit of these beasts. The remainder of the party is approximately 30 feet away from the doors. The akata are scattered about the bridge, though judging by the last engagement, you imagine what their next move will be...
Dakes, very much not feeling himself, makes a point to stay behind anyone who looks like they could provide cover.
initiative:1d20 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7
A single firefight and he is realizing that the life of an academic might have been significantly safer. Clutching his rifle he ponders whether it might be time to just teach some up and coming grad students about the universe and hang out in a delightful cafe.
Preferably one without creatures that infect with their bite.
edit: I wrote the distraction part before I saw the initiative roll. Good to see I bonded with the character well enough to predict his distracted initiative.
Sev springs forward quickly and fires at the nearest akata, attempting to leave considerable space between himself and the creatures despite the cramped quarters.
Male Loot Sheet Awakened Animal, Climbing, Golden Scarab Beetle Imperial Sorcerer 15, Fighter Archetype: Speed:25, Swim:15, Climb:25, Burrow:15, AC:36 (Bonuses vs Ranged), 10 Fire Resistance, HP:188/188, Fort:24, Ref:24, Will:22, Perception:22, Stealth:25
init:7 + 1d20 ⇒ 7 + (17) = 24
Jax will fire at the three, if he is forced into melee he will shift step and then fire at the three, assuming his allies don't get in the way. If there is no where for him to go and he has to fire into melee, he will do so, as this is finally his chance to use his blast weapon without the worry of hitting his allies.
hit:4 - 2 + 1d20 ⇒ 4 - 2 + (14) = 16 hit:4 - 2 + 1d20 ⇒ 4 - 2 + (20) = 22 hit:4 - 2 + 1d20 ⇒ 4 - 2 + (20) = 22 vs KAC
dmg:1d4 ⇒ 3 additional crit dmg:1d4 ⇒ 1
