[SFS 1-01] GM Cellion's The Commencement B (Inactive)

Game Master Cellion

Ella moves along the catwalk until she have a clear shot to the unknown creature. He aims her laser pistol and fires.

Attack vs EAC: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 3 = 13
Damage (SW): 1d6 + 4d6 ⇒ (1) + (1, 3, 5, 2) = 12

Arnold attempts a trick shot...

Trick: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (12) + 14 = 26 Vs DC 20+CR.
Tactical Semi-Auto Pistol: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7, for 1d6 + 1d4 ⇒ (1) + (3) = 4 damage.

The impact of the feather blade into her armored leg causes Haastaskin to hesitate for a moment. As if awakened by the attack she suddenly springs forward moving in a nearly direct line for the creature, jumping over the debris on the floor to land next to it.

Athletics: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (17) + 7 = 24

Twik dashes forward and feints before stopping in this tracks and letting fly with his pistol.

Trick Attack (Bluff) vs 20+CR: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (5) + 15 = 20
If the Trick Attack succeeds, the attack roll is vs flatfooted KAC and the bonus damage is applied
Trick Attack - Pistol vs KAC: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 14
TA Damage (Piercing): 1d6 ⇒ 5
TA Bonus Damage: 1d4 ⇒ 1

Haastaskin, are you having any issues moving your token on the map? I noticed you didn't move it for this round. I've gone ahead and moved you directly towards the creature in a straight line.

Solenopsi fires, the bolt of electricity flying wide, and she closes the distance swiftly. Haastaskin follows after her, leaping over the junk strewn on the floor with no issues.

Shots from Kalkan, Ella and Arnold all pass through the creature's feathers without having any visible effect. The creature's core appears to be the only part that is vulnerable. 3 misses unfortunately.

The single shot from Twik strikes that core! Dealing 5 points of damage.

The Feather Stalker responds by swinging its long appendages at Solenopsi and Haastaskin! While Haastaskin manages to maneuver her armor to block the blow, Solenopsi is bludgeoned by a surprisingly muscular frond. For 6 points of damage, and requiring a fort save.

||||Round 3|||
Kalkan - 8 damage
Ella
Feather Stalker - 5 damage
Haastaskin - 4 damage
Solenopsi - 6 damage
Arnold
Twik

Everyone is up!

Arnold frantically tries another shot!

Trick: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (12) + 14 = 26 Vs DC 20+CR.
Tactical Semi-Auto Pistol (Vs. Flat-footed?): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 = 13, for 1d6 + 1d4 ⇒ (5) + (2) = 7 damage.

LA shakes her head in disapproval as the creature avoids her shot. She taps into ancient arcane power to cause a magical backlash on the creature.

Cast Magic Missile as a full round action
Magic Missile: 3d4 + 3 ⇒ (3, 4, 3) + 3 = 13

Kalkan creeps around the structure in the corner, and leans against the small vehicle. Raising his sight towards the creature, isn't able to get a bead on it with the cover in the way.

Cortex@: 1d20 + 5 - 4 ⇒ (9) + 5 - 4 = 10
dmg@EAC: 1d8 ⇒ 1

Standing directly in front of the viscous alien beast, with her feet firmly planted, Haastaskin swung the traditional weapon of the Vask towards the Feather Stalker. Her doshko cleaved through the air with a wicked sound like claws of a giant ancient beast.

Attack on Feather Stalker: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 5 = 24

Doshko Damage: 1d12 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 3 = 12

Thanks, I appreciate your moving my token for me. Somehow I just don't have complete access.

Twik dashes forward in a zig zag before letting fly with his pistol...

Trick Attack (Bluff) vs 20+CR: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (4) + 15 = 19
If the Trick Attack succeeds, the attack roll is vs flatfooted KAC and the bonus damage is applied
Trick Attack - Pistol vs KAC: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11
TA Damage (Piercing): 1d6 ⇒ 5
TA Bonus Damage: 1d4 ⇒ 3

Solenopsi staggers slightly from the blow before she retaliates with a strike of her own. The formian punches at the alien beast with an armored fist.

Hammerfist: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7
B: 1d4 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9

Arnold's shot, while certainly tricky, proves inaccurate at the long distance and firing past his allies. Shots from Kalkan and Twik don't far much better, skimming through the fronds of the Feather Stalker without injuring it.

Ella's magic missile strikes true (as it inevitably does), pummeling the feather stalker into the ground in time for Haastaskin's well-aimed blow to slice deep into it. Unfortunately, Solenopsi isn't able to follow up quite as well.

Solenopsi's forgotten FORT save: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 = 21 Solenopsi, read the spoiler labelled for you in my last post! You're sickened for 3 more rounds.

Despite the two severe wounds, the feather stalker retaliates against its most immediate aggressor, Haastaskin! While she manages to deftly dodge the first feathery appendage swinging in, she is struck solidly by the second. 9 points of bludgeoning damage! I need a FORT save from you.

||||Round 4|||
Kalkan - 8 damage
Ella
Feather Stalker - 30 damage
Haastaskin - 13 damage
Solenopsi - 6 damage
Arnold
Twik

Everyone is up!

Twik continues his feint and shoot strategy even though it's been mostly ineffective to this point.

Trick Attack (Bluff) vs 20+CR: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (7) + 15 = 22
If the Trick Attack succeeds, the attack roll is vs flatfooted KAC and the bonus damage is applied
Trick Attack - Pistol vs KAC: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 19
TA Damage (Piercing): 1d6 ⇒ 2
TA Bonus Damage: 1d4 ⇒ 2

Arnold gamely keeps trying to hit the blasted thing!

Trick: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (11) + 14 = 25 Vs DC 20+CR.

Tactical Semi-Auto Pistol: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 = 19, for 1d6 + 1d4 ⇒ (6) + (2) = 8 damage.

Ah, sorry! But, um, didn't I make the save?

Oops! I added rolls into my spoiler after writing that bit about the save, which changed the result of your FORT save without me noticing. Looks like you're in the clear :>

The Feather Stalker's second limb strikes Haastaskin with a impact belied by its feathery appearance. The force of the blow bringing her armor to the point of near failure while causing the big Vesk warrior woman to take a stagger step back and slightly loosen her grip on her weapon.

In the face of the creature in front of her and the injuries it had give her. she defiantly shouted.
"Thank you monster, after your death you will have made this a story worth telling my families' descendants for generations to come!"

DC 11 FORT Save: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 = 13

Regaining her full footing and with a renewed grip on her weapon, the Veak warrior woman again attacked the Feather Stalker with her bloodied doshko.

Attack on Feather Stalker: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 5 = 14

Doshko Damage: 1d12 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11

Kalkan keeps moving around, settling next to Twik. Triggering an AoO, I think. He pulls his weapon up, finally able to see straight.

Cortex@Feather Pillow: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15
dmg@EAC: 1d8 ⇒ 3

Ella fires on the creature again.

Attack: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 3 = 14
Fire Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 4

Solenopsi continues to hammer at the alien while it is distracted with Haastaskin. She jabs with her armored fist once more.

Hammerfist: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 5 = 14
B: 1d4 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9

Tricky shots from Twik and Arnold land in quick succession, sending sprays of downy feathers into the air together with a splattering of bright blue blood. Kalkan and Ella follow up, each landing a shot that scorches the Stalker. But its the twin blows from Haastaskin's doshko and Solenopsi's powerful fists that force a final convulsion from the Stalker as its core ruptures. Feathery appendages twitch once or twice and then fall limp.

With the Feather Stalker rapidly bleeding out, the warehouse is once again still.

Combat done!

"Huzzah! Well done, all! Well done. " Kalkan looks down at his mostly ineffectual weapon and shrugs. Maybe next time. With that, he heads back outside to tell the Stewards the good news.

"Yes. Good hunting," Solenopsi broadcasts. "A worthy prey."

"Well we got there in the end. Should we check to see if there are more of those things around? Just in case? "

Ella smiles and walks down the stairs to join the others. "That was interesting." She nods at Twik. "I suppose it would be prudent. There could be more threats."

She begins poking around the crates and then goes to look at the giant hole in the ground.

Twik and Ella make a circuit around the chamber, checking the giant hole, the crates, and the other structures. In the crates they find a few batteries, flares and medpatches. After searching the whole warehouse, they're fairly confident that there are no other threats.

Once back outside, the Stewards give you approving nods and let the force-field around the warehouse dissipate. The leader speaks to Kalkan and says "We'll take it from here Starfinders. We'll clean the remains of that creature out and hand the place over to your boss in no time. Thanks for your assistance!"

-----------

One part of their mission from Ziggy done, the team heads to the location of Angry Bantrid Recordings: a flashy and ostentatious physical media store. Although such a place normally attracts only a smattering of customers who are particularly dedicated to physically recorded media, today a MASSIVE LINE weaves out of the front door of the shop, through a verdant park, around the outskirts of trio of abandoned warehouses, and back along an alleyway.

The line is packed with incredibly hyped fans of Strawberry Machine Cake, representing all manner of ages and races. Spontaneous songs, chants, screams and squeals emit from the crowd at regular intervals. You even see some people dressed up like members of the group!

While the line seems to be moving slowly and steadily, its sheer length suggests that if you want a copy of the new album you'll be in it for hours before being admitted into the store.

Twik sighs as the group stops at the end of the line before turning to the others...

"I don't suppose there is a way we can fast forward our way in?"

Kalkan thinks about this Strawberry flavored band...

Culture: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (7) + 8 = 15

"We need to find a way around this line... " He looks around. "A distraction... "

Ella looks at both of them. "Why? As long as they continue to have albums, the line will move forward. We can simply wait our turn. I an very keen on getting my copy."

Lawful vs. chaotic. :-)

Taking a Breather in the transport systems to the recording studio.

Solenopsi forces her agreement with Ella into everyone's mind. "I concur. Waiting in line and moving in an orderly fashion is most efficient."

Kalkan looks at Ella in shock. Wow, what example am I going to set for my child, if my goal is to be the fastest, and the most selfish? He looks down at his feet. "I am sorry. You are right, we are in no rush. " He sits down on the ground, resting.

Arnold, used to having to do mind-numbingly-boring jobs, calmly (and fatalistically) waits in line.

Twik looks incrediously at the rest of the team as they get themselves settled in for long haul before shrugs and pulls a set of multicoloured balls out of his pocket and begins to juggle. If that’s the way you want to play it....”

The orderly androids and formian take their places in line, content to wait out the seemingly endless queue. And long it is... after an hour it seems you've barely made any progress! It's only have 6 whole hours of waiting in line that you manage to FINALLY get into Angry Bantrid Recordings. There, Ella purchases the copy of the album Ziggy requested. You can purchase an additional copy for yourself if you waited in line for it at a cost of 50 credits. I'm going to assume Ella is getting one :>

The experience is grueling. Not just from the waiting, but from the unending jostling, partying, and increasing unruliness of your fellow line-waiters. By the time you get free of the packed store you feel like you've run a marathon. For those who waited in line, give me a FORT save and a REFLEX save.

Twik is almost asleep standing by the time it’s their turn. He hands over his own funds to get himself a copy....”May as well make the wait worth my while”

Fort Save: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 1 = 18
Reflex Save: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (11) + 9 = 20

Fortitude, DC 12: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 3 = 13
Reflex, DC 11: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12

Kalkan, used to standing for long periods while on watch, doesn't notice the pain in his legs. After they get into the store, he manages to weave through the crowd to the counter without issue. "One for me, please."

Fort: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 2 = 16,
Reflex: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7.

Arnold weathers the long wait without complaint, and is only (mildly) concussed when the doors actually open, and the crowd surges forward.

I'll take an album as well, thank you :-)

Haastaskin has been generally silent since the group's successful defeat of the Feather Stalker. Most of her responses when questions have been either a nod, a shake of her head, a thumbs up or a thumbs down.

She continues her silence while still agreeing with the others to wait in line for the chance to purchase the requested album, taking every opportunity to rest and make what minor repairs she can to her armor.

Spending a Recovery Point

When it comes time to move forward into the store she stands up fully erect as if completely uninjured and accompanies the others inside. Once inside she speaks loudly but calmly, "It would be good to make sure get a copy for both Ziggy and Historia-7. If there are not enough funds on the credstick we were given, I offer 20 Credits towards the copy for Ziggy. Will any of the rest of you add credits toward this cause if necessary?"

Fort Save: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17

Reflex Save: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

Fort Save: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 1 = 13
Reflex: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (18) + 3 = 21

As they enter the shop, Ella begins hopping in anticipation even though her facial expression is plain. When she gets to order, she simply says, "One please." She hands over her cred stick and ensures they purchase a copy for Historia-7. She also lends 30 credits to Haastaskin to buy another copy for Ziggy.

Solenopsi purchases a copy for herself after waiting in the gruelingly long line.

Fortitude: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7
Reflex: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 1 = 15

With an appreciative and respectful bow to Ella for the remaining credits necessary, the Vesk woman steps up and purchases one copy.

This is assuming that the characters have not received credits for any of these missions so far. If somehow they have been given enough credits to buy additional copies, she will buy two total.

"Thank you for your donation, Ella. I believe that Ziggy will welcome their copy." she says to the android upon returning to the group.

Although Arnold and Haastaskin get slightly battered from the press of bodies, you all manage to secure copies of the album, along with an extra copy for Ziggy!

You make your way from the album store through the streets and catch up with Ziggy in front of the new warehouse headquarters of the Exo-Guardians. The boisterous shirren waves at you all energetically. "I just sent the Stewards off. We've got the place all to ourselves, and it's perfect! No more will the Exo-Guardians have to meet in those cramped Lorespire meeting rooms. That was embarrassing!" When you hand over their copy of the album, they practically squeal in delight. "OH! THIS. IS. AMAZING!" They bring a claw up to clutch the new album to their chest. "You should not have! I will have to find a speakers to begin playing this for everyone right away! Thank you so much for all your help! I'll let Guidance know you have my approval!"

They begin to wander off to organize the purchase of concert-size speakers for the new headquarters, but skitter back as they seem to remember something "This is for all of you. Have fun with the grenades, but don't blow yourselves up - I like you! And remember to bring Historia her album as well, OK?"

They pass over a charge cloak, a set of basic iridishell armor, a pair of incendiary grenades I, and 400 credits.

Where to next?

Historia sounds good to me. Deliver the album and do the task

"Historia Will appreciate the gift. Let's bring it to her now. " Kalkan nods and leads the group off.

Ella connects her album and begins listening to the music. She sways and hops to the tunes that are playing on her internal audio processors. She nods to Kalkan, but doesn't say anything as she zones out to Strawberry Machine Cake.

"Until we deliver the album to Historia-7 we have not finished our prior mission. Honor demands we do so immediately."

Haastakin nudges Ella into joining her and the rest in heading to meet with the leader of the Dataphiles, Historia-7.

Three votes for Historia is enough.

Taking an elevator back from the Downlow, your group heads back to where they started from. The Lorespire Complex, home and heart of the Starfinder Society, doubles as the central meeting place for the knowledge-obsessed Dataphiles faction. The Archives deep within the Lorespire Complex serve as their center of operations and house a massive collection of artifacts and texts, gathered by generations of agents from across the galaxy. A quick search of the directory indicates Historia-7 frequents the Archives’ Cortex, a computerized matrix containing digital records of the Starfinder Society’s most prominent discoveries.

----

The neatly dressed android reclines on a raised chair and is plugged into the local infosphere when the doors open. The neural cables detach themselves from her neck as she swivels in her seat to address the new arrivals. "Greetings, Starfinders" she says calmly. "I am Historia-7. If you are seeking a mission from me, please be aware that my request requires both discretion and speed. Do not accept it if you feel incapable of working within these parameters."

Once she has indications of agreement from you, she continues.

"There are few individuals on this station that have not heard of the corporate utopia that is the Bluerise Towers. The powerful corps that have secured headquarters or offices there are able to operate with a certain degree of... autonomy... beyond the oversight of the Station's normal authorities. More importantly, the Towers' private infosphere stands like an adamant-clad stronghold, protected by the best security their overflowing accounts can purchase." Though Historia-7's face is smooth and calm, a slight grating quality to her voice betrays how much this fact irks her.

"This morning, I discovered that someone recently hacked into Bluerise Tower’s computer systems and stole a large amount of sensitive data from the resident corporations. I wish to be privy to the information that was stolen, but even more than that, I must meet this hacker for myself. I believe they can be coerced into service, such that their talents further the cause of the Society." Her eyes glow with a focused intensity at the thought.

"I managed to trace the hacker’s location through many proxies and erased the trail so that station and corporate security should be delayed in their pursuit. This deception will not fool them for long, so you must move quickly to locate the hacker and retrieve the data before they can recover it."

"I can retrieve the data," Solenopsi inserts by way of agreement to the task. "Is survival of the hacker mandatory or merely preferred?"

Kalkan hesitates, hoping he misunderstood. "So there's a thief, who stole information. And you want us to obtain that stolen information and keep it for the Society's use. And to bring the thief into our ranks." He looks around for support. "I'm all for bringing in a lost soul, but the information? That just sounds like stealing." He waits, hoping for some more reasoning. The Stewards occasionally asked me to do some sketchy things. But never quite as audacious as confiscating stolen goods for our own use!

Twik nods his head. "Yay spy stuff!" He whispers quietly to himself.