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Buse reminds herself to catalog these draconic creatures and their prey animals before leaving. "I cannot fix this Wasting on my own," she says soothingly. "However, we are going to do some exploring. When we return, I will ease the hurt a bit if I have the energy left."
"Speaking of which, we are looking for a...building. One none of your people created, made of metal, if you know what that is. A shiny stone. Have you heard anything about this place?"
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They come and go The older local tells Drogo. That's the way to the haunted place which shoots fire at those that approach, It answers to what lies in that direction, and finally Yes, many others.
When Dr. Buse asks about the building the locals reply The house of the exile. The user of the forbidden ways. The exile was not wise enough to become like Great Wawamba. The exile must be left alone.
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"So, tall leader", Sparks tells the spokesperson, or chief, "you think the Wasting comes from your food? Both the shivvar, grain or such, and the meat. Are the wooboaks also visibly with the Wasting? And when did this start? A long time? Several generations? Or simply some years?"
Looking out towards the haunted place: "Wawamba the wise died and he passed on to become the Great Wawamba. But the Exile, did he or she die and reincarnate, or was he or she exiled before dying? And now the exile is in that house, using forbidden items? Since when is the exile over there? And do you know what the exile uses the forbidden ways for?"
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Jord continues to dispassionately observe and listen. When the tall leader mentions the Exile, he turns to join the conversation. On a hunch he tries to speak in a few other languages to see if there are any common words or any languages close enough to communicate (Brethedan, Common, Kasatha, Shirren).
This Exile, what did they do to deserve banishment? Were they from this village or one of the many others around here? Would you like us to remove the exile and stop his or her forbidden ways?
He continues to probe for more information about how the exile came to be, what is known about them, what is meant by the forbidden ways and forbidden items. He also tries to see if they will want us to clear out the haunting and what rumors/stories there are about the location.
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With regard to the wasting away being caused by the food the tall leader replies to Sparks, Some have said so, but we don't know, some years ago, not long. Wooboaks are strong not wasting.
Jord tries to find a language close enough, but there speech is so different, none seem to match so it's left to the translator.
With regard to the exile they people respond to Sparks and Jord, Exile lives when leave, gone several cycles. From this village. You believe they try to explain just what the exile did, but the translator can't seem to full understand what they are saying, it just keeps coming across as Forbidden ways and arts. Finally, Exile already gone from here, one of ours travel there days ago, think exile can help with wasting away but this is foolish, not come back.
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Buse starts to find all the talk of Wawamba tiring, but realizes she shouldn't judge given past experiences. Still, she is glad when talk begins turning away.
"That is, if you'd like them back," the kasatha adds to the end of Sparks' question. "The Exile may be trying to act in your best interests, but it could worsen matters or your views of each other."
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It started before the exile left, the one that went after the exile is Karbaa, bring him back. The tall leader exclaims.
Fire shoot long ago, don't go near the haunted place. Is strange place haunted.
Your sensors indicated it still several hours till dark, you could try to time it to approach after dark if you want.
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To the rest of the crew: I do not think we need to continue this dialogue. These primitive humanoids have nothing to offer and we should head for the outpost. That is our primary mission. We can bring this Karbaa back or perhaps the exile as well. It seems the answers lie out there.
Jord has darkvision, so I’m ready whenever everyone else is.
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Sparks raises her right paw, to 'check' the tall lizard-man, extending her four fingers: "Gimme four! Err...", then she checks to see how many digits these creatures have. "We will check all this out. We are Starfinders!"
Then she casts her spell and creates a little flimsy explorer's helmet and goes to stand beside Jord, to set out when everyone else is ready.
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"There will be time, soon and in the future, to continue talking," Buse agrees with Jord. "Interesting as it all is. Let's see what can be found."
When it comes time to depart, the kasatha draws her caduceus, a pulse pistol, and a flashlight and follows along. "We'll do our best to bring back your kin," she adds to the natives.
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You depart the village and the local gather around to watch you go. After about an hour encounter the edge of the storm that forced you to land away from the outpost, it's been hours and it seems the storm is stationary—clearly some kind of ongoing phenomena is occurring. As you enter the storm high wind gust buffet you, rain pours down and lightning crackles all around you. As you press forward the storm seems to intensify.
Finally after another 2 hours pushing through the storm you reach a notable gorge that leads to the outpost. Dilapidated circular buildings dot the landscape. As the tumultuous storm rages all around, strong and fierce, without any sign of slowing down, the sheer amount of lightning strikes is alarming. A crumbling stone bridge crosses the broad gorge, offering a pathway directly into the heart of the turmoil.
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Constructed (racial trait): +2 racial bonus to saving throws against disease, mind-affecting effects, poison, and sleep, unless those effects specifically target constructs. In addition, synthetic creatures do not breathe or suffer the normal environmental effects of being in a vacuum.
Still talking in a quiet and emotionless voice despite the raging storm around him, Jord says: It appears that the way forward is directly across this bridge. I am happy to inspect the integrity and ensure it is sound before we attempt a crossing. If someone can assist me, either by inspecting the bridge as well or (looking up at Drogo) holding my titanium cable to prevent me from falling, I will begin my inspection of the bridge.
With that, Jord will ready himself to inspect the bridge by attaching the cable to his suit. Once secured, he will unsling his laser rifle. Using his dark vision, he will peer across the storm ravaged area to look for any movement in the buildings. He will also ponder meteorology and any creatures that he might see.
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As he thinks about the conversations and information from the natives, the storm brings him back to the present.
Fully miserable as the storm pelts him and he slips and falls flat on his face. He stands back up, looks around, and inspects the bridge as he tries to determine if safe to cross and attempting to regain some dignity.
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As the wind begins to pick up, Uli slaps a patch on the side of his outfit, and it begins to change, thickening, changing in silhouette to protect him from windborn debris.
As soon as he spies a place that looks like it might offer some shelter, Uli sprints forward, vaulting up and over Jord's cord as he speaks with Drogo.
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Seeing Uli run and jump makes me want to run across as well but will wait and see what happens with the examination of the bridge and how Uli does. If good I can take Jord's cable and maybe run next round with it across the bridge. I'll also have my weapon at the ready as it's looking dark and scary.
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Not happy about the storm, Buse tries to keep herself content with the fact that it will pass in time. That doesn't end up helping.
Her flashlight switched on, the kasatha puts away her pistol so she can use two hands to help Jord and the others. She isn't so sure about the bridge, and as such is very open to this idea.
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Round 1 Forts
During the first hour of the approach, a crash of lightning hits so close that only Sparks manages to avoid feeling some voltage from coursing through you. It feels like grabbing an exposed wire. During the second hour, Caldar and Uli are hit by a strange electrical current that seems to race between two rocks.
At the bridge, everyone keeps a watch for anything moving, but it's difficult to see much as the storm rages around you. Sparks initial reaction is to make a run for it across the bridge, but instead opts to help Jord with the cable. Jord 1-2 observes the gorge is 20 feet deep under the bridge, as he begins to inspect the bridge itself. He notes that it is not very stable and crossing could lead to pieces crumbling at any time. Nevertheless, he deduces that crossing slowly with assist from the cable is likely the best course of action. Caldar agrees with Jord's assessment.
Uli opts for a different tactic and attempts to rush across. Making it safely, in fact he makes it look really easy. He then begins to look for some cover. Drogo ponders racing across as well, but instead takes hold of the cable. Dr. Buse also takes hold of the cable.
Round 1
Map
Sparks - 3 dmg - Assist Jord w/ cable
Jord - 3 dmg- Inspect bridge w/ secure cable
Caldar - 7 dmg- Inspect bridge
Uli - 7 dmg - Run/leap across
Drogo - 3 dmg - Ready cable
Dr. Buse - 3 dmg- Assist Jord w/ cable
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Jord stands motionless at the edge of the gorge, apparently oblivious to the storm around him. He studies the bridge structures closely and doesn't even notice Uli's dash across the bridge. Then, slowly raising up his head, he says to the rest of the crew with calm certainty:
I deduce that the bridge is not very stable and crossing could lead to pieces crumbling at any time. Nevertheless, crossing slowly with assist from the cable .... He trails off as Drogo, followed by Dr Buse streak by him and attempt to dash over the bridge.
Ah. He mumbles sourly to himself as he begins to pick his way over the bridge. It's going to be one of these kind of days.
. To minimize risk, Jord will only attempt to cross if no one else is on the bridge. Cable is still attached to his flight suit.
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Singed by the lightning, and with her fur sticking out due to the static electricity, making her look like a bigger ball, Sparks mutters:
"Auntie always said being a Starfinder is electrifying!"
Seeing the others start rushing across the bridge, Sparks hesitates... but then makes her run for it when Jord starts moving.
She races past the android in order to use the cable to help her, skipping over the parts she feels might crumble... good thing I'm not too heavy!
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Round 2 Forts
Drogo races across and begins to secure the line. Dr. Buse follows behind, but as he goes the a piece of the bridge gives way dumping him into the gorge below. She lands with a thud, bruised but not broken.
Jord 1-2 ever focused waits for the Doctor to complete is fall and then makes it across. As Uli jumps into action firing his secret cable into the gorge to assist Dr. Buse. As Caldar and Sparks follow Jord's path making it to the other side as well. Electric seems to surge from the ground itself jolting Dr. Buse, Drogo, and Caldar.
Round 2 Recap
Map
Sparks - 3 dmg - Cross
Jord - 3 dmg- Cross
Caldar - 8 dmg- Cross
Uli - 7 dmg - Come to Dr. Buse rescue
Drogo - 4 dmg - Cross
Dr. Buse - 10 dmg- Fall into Gorge
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Jord will then keep a lookout for activity on the far side with his rifle drawn and at the ready.
- looking for any threats or any computer terminals (An android's gotta dream!)
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With everyone across the bridge and out of the gorge, you are able to drop down into one of the dilapidated circular buildings. The building is of stone construction and what's left of the roof is low, no more than 3 meters high. The condition makes it difficult to know when or who build these buildings. But you can see the prefabbed outpost is nearby to the southwest. You think you see an entry door, it might even be paritially open. But it's hard to tell.
The current building you are in, especially the northern section does provide some shelter, but even there you are not completely out of the storm.
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We're taking a beating in this storm. Think we can make it across to the entrance of the prefab across from us? Caldar, you're looking rough, take one of my serum of healing (1d8) and lets dash! Wait a minute, Dr. Buse are you ok? Do you need the healing first? Can't loose our doctor as I'm very accident prone!
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"Maybe some should take a breather and gather their energy? Before we move to the southwest. It seems some blood has been drawn too, maybe keep your serum, dear Drogo, healing can be done by spells."
Sparks casts her little spell and conjures a flimsy yellow-rubber rain-hat, to protect her from the storm.
She is ready to move when all are set on this.
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Stamina Points and Hit Points
Whenever you take damage, it first reduces your Stamina Points (Sp). Any damage you take beyond your Stamina Points reduces your Hit Points (HP). When your Hit Point total reaches 0, you fall unconscious and are dying, and you lose 1 Resolve Point (RP) each round unless you are stabilized. When your Resolve Points reach 0 but you would lose additional Resolve Points from dying or for any other reason, you’re dead. For example, if you have 6 Stamina Points and take 9 damage, your Stamina Points are reduced to 0, you lose 3 Hit Points, and all subsequent damage reduces your HP until you regain Stamina Points. See Injury and Death for more information.
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"I have been better," Buse replies. "But it may be prudent to conserve my energy for a bit longer. Can we make to the outpost and patch up at that point?"
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The group shelters in the building, the blasted walls providing some relief from the storm. As the team quickly debates resting here for a few minutes or making a break for the outpost. Even in the shelter, Drogo feels a sharp jolt right through the wall.
Round 3 Recap
Map
Sparks - 3 dmg - huddling
Jord - 3 dmg- huddling
Caldar - 8 dmg- huddling
Uli - 7 dmg - ready to move
Drogo - 5 dmg - huddling
Dr. Buse - 10 dmg- out of gorge/huddling
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"Ten minutes in this will recharge our friendly 'droid, but fry us all like overcharged ionic reactors!", mutters Sparks.
Sparks sets back into the storm: "Let's move to the outpost... I can try to scout ahead if you wish."
Sparks will move out and all the way to the corner of the next dilapidated building, aiming to keep out of the line of sight of whatever sends fiery death.
After which she will start creeping around the building stealthily, so as to remain hidden - hopefully -while creeping towards the outpost.
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Jord looks closely at Caldar's wounds and says: Our furry friend is correct, I will aid you, but we must go now. None of us will last long in this storm. Turning he peers after the Ysoki rushing into the gale. Quietly, he states flatly cocking his eyebrow: It will not recharge me.
Jord moves out double move and tries to get into the next shelter. He will try to remain with Caldar in case he goes down (I'm assuming Caldar's base speed is also 30'?).
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You race to the structure as you leap inside you see that a body lies still inside the remains of this decaying structure. Rubble pins the body’s feet to the ground. A hoarse sob resounds from the figure as the storm suddenly launches a piece of stone into its side. It twitches before going still once more, the rise and fall of its torso growing shallow with each breath.
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Sparks glances around, and then at the body, to make sure it is safe to go up to it... no enemy, or part about to collapse?
Then, looking to see if the body is one of the lizard-folk from the village, Sparks calls out: "Doctor needed here! DOCTOR!", trying to be heard over the storm.
Sparks plans to move up and check the body's vitals if all seems safe.
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Caldar sprints across with the others to be more stable and safer shelter.
As he runs into the shelter and hears Sparks ask for a medic, he attempts to Detect Thoughts to determine if the creature/person is still alive, at least until a doctor can attempt to revive.