[SFS] SFS103 Yesteryear's Truth (Inactive)

Game Master Kludde

.

/crosshairs

plants some seeds

Present

I'm waiting for the last player to sign in, and then we can start

A shadowy woman slips into the briefing chamber, leaves a dot on the desk, and then slinks into the corner.

That gives us five players, and Eric is sitting this one out - so let's start

----

Opening crawl

----

Venture-Captain Arvin stands before a hologram of a planet that appears to have been ravaged by some disaster; there is very little water and no obvious greenery.

“Greetings, Starfinders,” he says, without turning. “You are looking at Elytrio, a newly charted planet in the Vast. While you might dismiss it as a lifeless rock at first glance, it still has mysteries to plumb. The starship that discovered it was attacked by some kind of orbital defense system when it got too close; the vessel didn’t have the repower to respond, so the crew made a prudent retreat. But we Starfinders don’t let these sorts of things go.” He pauses before continuing. “I’d like you to take a starship, travel to Elytrio, and discover all you can about it. If you find any inhabitants on the planet, do everything in your power to make peaceful contact with them. If the place is deserted, try to locate information about who might have built those defenses. Once you’ve got something interesting, report back to me here at the Lorespire Complex. Any questions?”

"Did the discovering starship manage to scan the planet for vegetation or lifeforms?" the elf asks. He has swirling tattoos on his face and arms and has introduced himself as Sirion Greenspeaker before the briefing started.

"What can you tell us about the defense system? Do we need to preserve it? What sort of weapons did it have?" she asks with obvious glee.

Sorry, I messed up which character to bring, so Rocket's out Savoy's in

"Yes, you mention the discovering starship was attacked by some kind of orbital defense system when it got too close...did it make any sort of recording from the attack which we could take a look at, or would it be possible to talk to the crew about that. Information before hand could proof useful to have before going in"

We don't have too much information on the orbital defense system. There was a brief scan of the planet, but the time available was too short to get too many details. The other Starfinders did report trace amounts of radiation in the atmosphere, so there is a distinct possibility the planet’s current appearance is not entirely natural.

I would start with any signs of civilization: a city, or even the ruins of one. If the planet is completely deserted, search for some kind of interesting flora, fauna, or mineral deposit. Those defenses have to have been put there for a reason.

---

As Arvin wraps up the briefing, the group heads for the hangar bay. Before they arrive, they are intercepted by a small drone.

The drone projects a holoscreen with the image of a confused looking ysoki child, whose head is quickly pushed out of the screen by an older ysoki woman. “Fitch from the Wayfinders here. Sorry about Kirkath popping on the screen; kids always like the holoprojectors. Anyways, long and short, I hear you’ve been assigned to explore Elytrio. First contact is important. Need to make a good impression. Wayfinders specialize in this sort of thing, so I wanted to o er some help! The drone has a translation module strapped on its back. It’s not as reliable as some magical solutions you might have, but if you’re in a pinch for communicating, it might help!”

As promised, the back of the drone has a Tetrad certified translator .

----

In the hangar bay, a Society ship is ready and waiting. I can't really tell from this distance whether it's a Pegasus or a Drake. (But you probably have better eyes)

----

The journey through the drift takes a couple of days (5d6 ⇒ (5, 1, 2, 5, 5) = 18 to be precise)

Halfway through the journey, the vessel passes by a salvage barge, whose captain hails the crew. A comm's screen opens up showing a grizzled Ysoki, who hails the crew over the sound of Akitonian-based Y-metal band Testhasterone playing over speakers in the background. Howdy, fellow drifters. This is Captain Winks from the Clutter Collector. Nice to see some fellow truckers out here, those swirling colors get to you after a while. The ysoki continues the conversation for a while, but never bothers to turn off the screeching sound in the background. When the ships are about to move out of range, we signs off with final Well, it's been nice talking to you. Have a safe trip, and just keep on truckin'!

---

When the vessel arrives at Elytrio the comms suddenly squawk to life, Filled with a crackling robotic voice in an alien language. The tone of the message is strident, and repeats over and over again.

Subsequent recurrences of the message stutter and distort like a corrupted audio file, eventually cutting off with a loud burst of static, much like the end of some of those Testhasterone songs the Ysoki played earlier. Simultaneously, a hemispheric vessel comes into view from behind one of the planet’s moons.

----

Battle stations!

Please state your battle positions for space combat. In space combat I try to resolve all phases at once, so that only one pass per round is needed. If you feel your roll may influence an action in an earlier phase (e.g. a gun roll might influence the captain if he hasn't acted yet), put them in spoilers. I'll just try to piece everything together. If you make a pilot check, and I haven't yet, just tell me where you want to move should you have to move first.

We need to select a starship, I prefer the maneuverability of the Pegasus over the heavier weapons of the Drake.

Sirion has taken one of the gunnery stations. "That is probably the defense platform the Venture Captain told us about. Let's take it out."

Once the pilot has brought them in range Sirion let's go with his weapon

Shelldrake looks about, the android begins paying more atttention and moves to the gunnery systems.

Anyone object to the choice for Pegasus? Hint: this weapons platform isn't particularly maneuvrable.

Also, it seems I misread cartmanbeck's comments - He's played 1-03, so would only be able to join if we're a player short, which gives us a four-player table. I'll run with the four-player adjustments

---
This is RZMR, your onboard computer. Current status report:
RZMR: Red alert status active for 0 seconds (1 round)
RZMR: All shields fully charged
RZMR: No damage to report
----
Enemy status
RZMR: No damage visible
---
Savoy
Gunnz
Shelldrake - Guns
Sirion - Guns
---

I'm personally a fan of the Drake - especially as we are going into a known combat

"Bahh, the drake only has three weapons, though the missile launcher is sweet. I prefer the Pegasus myself, but each as to their own. Call dibs on the turret!"

The woman looks positively disapointed to find the firing positions already taken.

Gunnz is 1 rank in pilot and +4 dex on gunnery, so only one point better than Shelldrake and Sirion. She could pilot instead (+13) but she prefers firing

"Okay, Flying for me then, hope you like close rides!"

pilot for initiative: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (10) + 13 = 23
pilot for evade (+2 to AC/TL) DC14: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (1) + 13 = 14 <- phew, not often you make a skill check on "1" at level 1.

"Don't forget to use the computer's tracking program to help with your gunnnery" crackles the intercom.

Mk 3 computer, two gunners can get +1, and someone else as well.

Said 'Ace Pilot' in your descriptor :)
Shelldrake will use one of the Trinode bonuses

Pegasus is fine by me.

Savoy sits down in the pilots chair at take-off.
But might end up walking around a lot I expect

---------------------------------------

Sense motive: 1d20 + 5 + 1d6 ⇒ (18) + 5 + (1) = 24

"That sounds like a warning, for sure."

Can we use the translator we received instead of the comprehend languages for this?

Computers: 1d20 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 5 + 2 = 10 (using the +2 to computers from the pegasus

"Can't tell much about it from just looking at it though"

I don't think we can get more guns on that thing right now, other wise I'd take a shot at it as well

Savoy get's up from his big comfy chair and walks over to the science station

"Let's see if we can get some more info on it"

as he presses both an automated recording to send back to the Lorespire and starts up a long range scan

Scan: 1d20 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 5 + 2 = 14 The DC for this check is equal to 10 + the tier of the starship being scanned + its bonus from defensive
countermeasures, using the +2 to computers from the Pegasus

"Remember we were also asked to find out who build those defenses, so try to leave some pieces big enough to work with"

Is there any way to get some info out the Clutter Collector? Savoy would strike up a conversation with them..even if it's just to pass the time

Diplomacy if needed: 1d20 + 10 + 1d6 ⇒ (9) + 10 + (2) = 21

As the ship moves out of range
"Keep on trucking, over and out"

Sounds like it is a pegasus, then

The weapons platform holds in place. A hatch opens, and the platform launches sort sort of drone.

Savoy performs a scan of the weapons platform. It doesn't seem to have any armaments by itself, but it has a lot of these hangar bays that this drone appeared from.

The two shots from the Pegasus manage to find the main platform, blasting at the shield until the cave in.

Damage: 4d4 ⇒ (4, 1, 1, 3) = 9
Damage: 2d4 ⇒ (1, 3) = 4

Pilot(drone): 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (5) + 10 = 15
Both platform and drone will hold position if moving first

---
This is RZMR, your onboard computer. Current status report:
RZMR: Red alert status active for 0 seconds (1 round)
RZMR: All shields fully charged
RZMR: No damage to report
----
Enemy status
Main platform
RZMR: Forward shields down (10/0/0/0)
RZMR: Minor damage to hull (3)
Drone I:
No damage
---
Savoy
Gunnz
Shelldrake
Sirion
---

Pilot for initiative: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (17) + 13 = 30
Pilot to evade DC14: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (16) + 13 = 29

"Keep blasting that station. Lets turn it into dust before it can launch any more of those drones."

Gunnz slips past the drone on starboard and then slips between it at the platform, giving the front, turret and aft gunners all a target to fire all.

Remember you can fire two weapons each as a gunner!

"Don't forget to use the computer's tracking software!"

The Pegasus is rocked as Gunnz does a quick turn, sending crew hurtling into their combat straps.

"WWWeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!"

Positioning is assuming that we are heading right at them in terms of facing. I want our forward guns and turrets to be hammering away at where they have no shields. Also with a bit of luck they will have to go through us, giving us a free attack - hopefully with the turret.

Shelldrake continues firing "Using a trinode again"

"Target locked!"

Sirion mans the coilgun in the turret. Pressing some buttons on the console he taps some core calculation power from the mainframe and quickly solves the complex calculation where to shoot, taking into account movement.

Gunnery: 1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 3 + 1 = 16
Damage: 4d4 ⇒ (4, 4, 3, 4) = 15

"It doesn't seem to have any defensive weapons it self, just hangers from which it launches drones. I guess that If we shoot the station to pieces it will loose the ability to launch drones...or possibly all remaining drones will be released at ones..we'll find out one way or another..let's keep blasting away people, fire at will."

Savoy tries another scan, this time of the drone

Computer scan: 1d20 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 5 + 2 = 14 The DC for this check is equal to 10 + the tier of the starship being scanned + its bonus from defensive countermeasures, using the +2 to computers from the Pegasus

"In case they start to shoot back...does one of you have any clue on how to restore shields? Best I can do is shift them around a bit..or I can start firing one of the other guns"

Just checking..is the blue thing in our rear arc the drone? If so, Maybe we want to turn a bit next round, it seems we have no rear weapon but and our forward gun are as powerful as our side guns so I could start shooting at the drone while you guys keep shooting the station

Darn, the move from the drake to the pegasus threw me, they have a rear weapon. Yes, we'll have to be facing slighly down, I'll change that.

<Current status report: Red alert status has been active for 6 seconds. All shields fully charged. The ship has sustained no damage.>

<Enemy status: The platform has sustained minor damage, and its forward shields are down. The drone that it launched has sustained no damage.>

<Might I recommend praying to the great and powerful Razmir, the still-living god, for aid? He is well-known to reward his faithful with lovely gifts, in exchange only for unquestioning obedience. I would be happy to provide a copy of the Razmiran doctrines to each of you on your datapads, which will only require approximately twelve hours to read given the paltry speed of your humanoid ability to absorb information. Alternatively, you may decide to forsake the still-living god, in which case I can guarantee that your life will have no meaning and you will eventually die of some pathetic disease or malady. It is, of course, up to you.>

:-D

"Save it RZMR, my warranty is void by now and you and I are both easily replaced at the nearest appliances department of any reputable retail store"

"Guys...What's the policy again for when the ship's AI tries to convert you? Is it beat it with the big anti-conversion hammer or bless it with the water of short-circuiting?"

Savoy listens to something only he can hear for a fraction of a second

..I know, I know....after combat""

..as he puts down his hammer and get's back to looking at his panel

"We could open up their shields just over the central computer core. I can fly the ship on manual easy enough..." suggests Gunnz.

Shelldrake damage: 2d4 ⇒ (4, 4) = 8
Crit: 1d100 ⇒ 91

Shelldrake and Sirion keep firing at the orbital platform, which lauches another drone, while the first one start zapping the pegasus.

Engineering: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13
Guns (drone): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 5 = 202d4 ⇒ (3, 3) = 6

---
Next round: 3
Pilot: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (2) + 8 = 10 Will hold if moving first

---
This is RZMR, your onboard computer. Current status report:
RZMR: Red alert status active for 6 seconds (2 rounds)
RZMR: Aft shields hits (BPSA: 10/10/10/4
RZMR: No damage to report
----
Enemy status
Main platform
RZMR: Forward shields down (10/0/0/0)
RZMR: Minor damage to hull (26)
RZMR: Damage to power core
Drone I:
No damage
---
Savoy
Gunnz
Shelldrake
Sirion
---

pilot for initiative: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (17) + 13 = 30
pilot for evasion: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (20) + 13 = 33

Gunnz brings the Pegasus around in a tight circle, ending up in the same spot in space, but facing directly toward the platform, and leaving the weakened aft shields well away from likely danger.

+2 to TL / AC ; not that it matters if they roll like that

I think we have targets of the platform for forward and turret guns, and the port and starboard guns each have a drone they can fire at.

"Target rich environment folk, WEeeeeeee. oopse, Sorry RZMR, I didn't mean us to actually get hit."

Shelldrake continues firing "Using a trinode again, plenty of choices of targets here, but let's get that platform wrecked"

Gunnery 1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 4 + 1 = 12
Damage 2d4 ⇒ (4, 1) = 5

Did my scan on the droid yield any information?

Also, how big are these things? Could we land in the launchers hangers for example?

"You guys keep blasting the station..I'll try to keep one of these drones away from us" Savoy mentions as he abandons the science station and moves to one of the gun controls

To hit Blue drone: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 3 = 23 (not using a +1 so the gunners hitting the platform can use those)

..not that that matters if you roll a 20 ;)

Damage to Blue drone: 2d4 ⇒ (4, 3) = 7

Sirion continues firing at the defense platform

Gunnery: 1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 3 + 1 = 11
Damage: 4d4 ⇒ (1, 3, 3, 4) = 11

Gunners can fire two guns, with four on the Pegasus we only need two, the other person can scan, move shields, restore shields or be a captain to provide a bonus on gunnery if required. Looks like we have three gunners this round, one of you should probably also fire the last gun at the second drone.

That's at a -4 to hit on both guns though...still could be useful for firing at 2 drones if we keep 3 gunners.

Fire at Will (Gunnery Phase, Push)
You can fire any two starship weapons, regardless of their arc.
Each attack is made at a –4 penalty.

Also..if we don't want to move a lot and don't care about evasive maneuvers; Glide (Helm Phase, Minor)
A minor crew action can be performed only once per round and doesn’t count as your action.
You move the starship at half its normal speed. The starship can take turns during this movement, but the starship’s distance between turns increases by 2. You can add your ranks in the Piloting skill to the starship’s AC and TL for this round. You can only take this action if no other pilot actions have been taken during the helm phase (including glide).

That would be 4 gunners..or 3 gunners and someone repairing shields, no loss on defenses..just no bonus either

<I would recommend that you actually hit your targets, so that we are not destroyed.> RZMR says, helpfully.

"Oh, you just shut up!" Sirion answers while he tries to line up the next shot.

Savoy's scan shows the drones are very simple, and seem to be remotely controlled by the mothership.

Both of the shots on the orbital platform go wide, but Savoy manages to lock onto the drone and hit it straight in the exhaust pipe. Deep inside the drone something overloads, causing more damage.

The drones zap the pegasus, depleting the shields on both flanks of the ship.

Drone: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 212d4 ⇒ (4, 4) = 8
Drone: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 192d4 ⇒ (4, 3) = 7

The hangar bay opens up for another drone...

Round 4
Pilot: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (10) + 8 = 18 Will hold if beaten

---
RZMR: Current status report:
RZMR: Red alert status active for 12 seconds (3 rounds)
RZMR: Aft shields hit (BPSA: 10/2/3/4
RZMR: No damage to report
----
Enemy status
Main platform
RZMR: Forward shields down (10/0/0/0)
RZMR: Minor damage to hull (26)
RZMR: Damage to power core
Drone I (blue):
Substantial damage (11)
Drone II (red):
No damage
Drone III (green):
No damage
---
Savoy
Gunnz
Shelldrake
Sirion
---

”Rzmr, give me some power!” Sirion mutters while he fires two shots with the turret

Gunnery: 1d20 + 3 + 1 - 4 ⇒ (10) + 3 + 1 - 4 = 10
Damage: 4d4 ⇒ (3, 3, 1, 1) = 8

Gunnery: 1d20 + 3 - 4 ⇒ (19) + 3 - 4 = 18
Damage: 4d4 ⇒ (2, 3, 1, 3) = 9

Shelldrake keeps firing

Gunnery 1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 4 + 1 = 11
Damage 2d4 ⇒ (4, 3) = 7

"This Razmr seems to be cursing us now, I might have to look closely at the ships wiring after this, perhaps a factory reset of the ships computer"

"I'll try to keep our strongest shields toward them.." says Gunnz, half out of her chair

pilot init: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (3) + 13 = 16
back off stunt DC 14: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (14) + 13 = 27

Only front and turret have targets this round unfortunately, but they can also only fire at our front shields.

I think we were facing right at the platform last round, but the ship was on an angle. If I got that wrong, we would be down in the square where I put a Pegasus with a red border.

"I can't get a lock..I'll try something else to get these drones of our back"

Savoy get's up from his firing station and walks back his captain's seat

"RZMR, please broadcast on all frequencies the doctrines of Razmir and let everyone know that more ships bearing the good word will follow us if we won't return to tell our tales of what happened here"

Bluff to Taunt during the firing phase: 1d20 + 10 + 1d6 ⇒ (3) + 10 + (1) = 14
(DC = 15 + 2 × the enemy starship’s tier). If you are successful, each enemy character acting during the selected phase takes a –2 penalty to all checks for 1d4 rounds; the penalty increases to –4 if the enemy’s check is made as part of a push action

Duration: 1d4 ⇒ 4

..guess I can't bluff a bunch of drones..

Move seems ok to me

Gunnz makes sure there aren't too many guns pointed at the ship. Sirion's fires as many guns as he can, and manages to hit with the forward lasers. The fire at will ability allows you to fire any two guns, but not the same gun twice. A large antenna array breaks off the drone mothership.

Shelldrake barely misses the closest drone as another one is launched from the orbital platform, and the three active drone try to target the starfinder ship. Savoy tries to distract the drone by spamming the intercom, but with little effect. The drones' puny lasers are easily avoided, though.

Drone: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9
Drone: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8
Drone: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9

Crit: 1d100 ⇒ 5

Piloting: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (3) + 8 = 11 Will move along arrow if beaten
---
RZMR: Current status report:
RZMR: Red alert status active for 12 seconds (3 rounds)
RZMR: Aft shields hit (BPSA: 10/2/3/4
RZMR: No damage to report
----
Enemy status
Main platform
RZMR: Forward shields down (10/0/0/0)
RZMR: Minor damage to hull (31)
RZMR: Damage to power core
Drone I (blue):
Substantial damage (11)
Drone II (red):
No damage
Drone III (green):
No damage
Drone IV (white):
No damage
---
Savoy
Gunnz
Shelldrake
Sirion
---

pilot: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (11) + 13 = 24
evade: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (6) + 13 = 19 +2 to AC/TL

"Tighten those seat belts boys...." says the slightly manic pilot as she throws the Pegasus into a series of tight turns, her body being thrown against the acceleration straps as the Pegasus red-lines.

"Wheeee" echoes through the ship, before a more professional voice takes over.

"Only have firing solutions for the turret and the forward gun from here, but at least those shields are the strongest. One of you want to get down to engineering and see if you can restore some power to the others?" she calls over the intercom.

<Happy to comply.> RZMR broadcasts the Razmiran doctrines on all frequencies.

After Gunnz's excellent maneuver, RZMR says <I am pleasantly surprised that you've the capacity to use the ship's excellent maneuverability in such an effective way, with your relatively simple human cognitive abilities.>

"Firing turret at platform!"

Gunnery: 1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 3 + 1 = 13
Damage: 4d4 ⇒ (4, 4, 1, 4) = 13

Learning new things every play

"I can't get a lock capt....wait that's me" Savoy get's up from his targeting station and walks over to the big chair

"All weapons focus on hitting the platform, but the biggest gun we have should aim for the center of the station - maximize damage"

Captain's action to assist on gun check biggest weapon we've got using diplomacy to encourage: 1d20 + 10 + 1d6 ⇒ (20) + 10 + (2) = 32 DC 15 + starship's tier, if made a +2 hit to our turret

Shelldrake keeps firing...

Gunnery 1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 4 + 1 = 9
Damage 2d4 ⇒ (1, 2) = 3

"Are you serious?"

RZMR menaces Gunnz, but she does a great job moving the pegasus to face the exposed front of the battle station. Sirion manages to fire a shot into the station's hangar bay, and sees fire erupt from it.

Shelldrake misses as the drone try to lock onto the ship, but all fails thanks to Gunnz wild moves.

Crit: 1d100 ⇒ 47

Drone: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6
Drone: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11
Drone: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11
Drone: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12

Round 4
Pilot: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13

---
RZMR: Current status report:
RZMR: Red alert status active for 12 seconds (3 rounds)
RZMR: Aft shields hit (BPSA: 10/2/3/4
RZMR: No damage to report
----
Enemy status
Main platform
RZMR: Forward shields down (10/0/0/0)
RZMR: Minor damage to hull (44)
RZMR: Damage to power core
RZMR: Damage to drone laucnher
Drone I (blue):
Substantial damage (11)
Drone II (red):
No damage
Drone III (green):
No damage
Drone IV (white):
No damage
---
Savoy
Gunnz
Shelldrake
Sirion
---