Hmm's 1-14 Star Sugar Heartlove! (Inactive)

Game Master Hmm

"My friend, I think you can see clearly that this is a prop gun, and also that I am by no means a combatant. Why, my job in this world is to report and spread hype, not endanger those around me!"
Diplomacy: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (6) + 12 = 18

Officer Wilson sighs at Sebrir's statement. "Yeah, go on through..."

Then he turns back to Chik-Chik and Mikka. "Oh, come here you two!" Officer Wilson slowly hugs both Chik-Chik and Mikka and bursts into tears. "No one's been honest with me all day!" Still sniffling, he says, "I trust you guys. Hey, I got lots of these merciful seals that I can bolt to your other weapons, Why don't I put them on your gear so you all go through?"

Yup, he's willing to stick a merciful seal on every one of your weapons. Clearly, he's never read the Starfinder FAQ on fusion seals, and doesn't know that they don't activate for 24 hours...

★--- ★ --- ★ --- ★

As Officer Wilson is bolting merciful seals onto all your visible weapons, you hear the rumble that can only be a group of helpful hot-pink skittermanders.

"HERE WE ARE!" Your fun-loving fuschia buddies swarm back into view. "WE'RE HELPING! WE'RE HELPING!" They run around your entire group and the bewildered Officer Wilson about three times before they gather around Mikka. "We found out lots of stuff, 'cause we talked to this nice guy who's locked behind a magnetically sealed door and can't get out!"

"Yeah, the lock's too good for us to pick!" The skittermanders also deposit in your arms a jetpack armor upgrade, a box of half-eaten donuts, and what looks like someone's prosthetic eye.

Oh, that's amazing! Thanks so much(Sunny took up the offer, and also gave a copy of her music library and fan notes to Mikkazuki)

***

To Wilson: Two cannons and a sword! Never leave home without them.

ooh, donuts! Takes a donut. Actually, that'd be for a half-eaten box of donuts. A box of half-eaten donuts is less appetizing. But who only eats half a donut? Let alone does that for a box of them?

And a jetpack! wow. Aw, but I'd have to take out the sensors...

Deleted the post since we posted at about the same time.

Mikkazuki is a little surprised by the hug, but carefully returns it.

“Thank you, I couldn’t afford a seal for all my weapons!” She gladly accepts the seals and starts putting them on her weapons.

Looking to Officer Wilson, she adds “Let me know if you have anything you need help with,”

“I am a problem solver.”

About that time, the Skittermanders show up.

Looking with puzzlement at the equipment, Mikkazuki adds “Looks like we have something to solve right now.

Looking at the Skittermanders, she says “Can you lead us there? You can tell us all about what you found as we go.”

She waves at Officer Wilson as she gets crowded by eager Skittermanders who all want to help.

Sparks compares her new pink fur to the skittermanders', singing along:
♫ ♫♫
It was seven forty-five we were all in line
To greet the teacher Miss Burgundy
First was - she points at the skittermanders - Kevin, then came Lucy, third in line was me
Fuschia and pink
Maple syrup and jam
Butterscotch clouds...
..."where can we find this Mr. Nice Guy? Is he fuschia, pink, or burgundy? Who locked him up?"

Willson happily peace bonds any weapon that he's offered with merciful seals.

"Can you guys look into the guy near that locked door? I'm not supposed to leave my station, but you can text me here." Officer Wilson gives you his comm signal.

★--- ★ --- ★ --- ★

"The nice guy is right here!" the skittermanders announce as they point out the door. "He promised us rice candy and salted grubs if we could get him out!"

When you knock on the magnetically sealed door, you feel a familiar telepathic voice. Oh. Hello! I thought that my skittermander friends would bring anonymous security, not Starfinder friends...

Um, anyway! She did tell me I was supposed to stop investigating and relax... Ziggy says, mournfully.

Chikasa snags the fusion seal and slaps it on his baton. "Thank ya, sonnie! I been meanin' to get some padding for this old thing!" He gives the officer a smile, then turns and is immediately skitter-swarmed!

"Gah! Goldernit, ya buncha violet varmints get offa me! Or at least take me to where ya found this fella locked up. I'll see if I can't get 'im out." With that, the elderly ysoki clambers up on top of the crowd of skittermanders and skitter-surfs all the way to the magnetically sealed doors they described...

Where he finds Zigvigix locked up behind the doors. "Well now if it isn't good ol' Ziggy! Now what're you doin' runnin' round investigatin' when there's a Strawberry Machine Cake concert 'bout to get going?! Here, lemme see if I can get ya loose so you can go back to yer seat."

Engineering: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (1) + 12 = 13

Alas, Chik-Chik cannot open the lock either.

I just wanted to help and be useful, Ziggy protests from behind the door.

You've probably noticed that one of the station generators is having some issues. Songbird Station sent a technician to fix it, but it turns out she sprouted an eye in the roof of her mouth and can't work anymore, because the eye is very distracting! Now no one else is willing to go down there. From what they said, something's messing with the reactor.

Can you see if you can get whatever it is to leave peacefully? If the generator keeps shorting out, the entire concert might have to be canceled. This concert means a lot to... well, to a lot of people! Also, after two years of promotion and the price most people paid for these tickets, if the concert is canceled, there will probably be a very nasty riot.

"Ziggy! Do you like my new look?!"

Sparks looks around: 'Can't we get you out of there? We can do that before going down to investigate. I've always wanted extra eyes."

But Sparks, if you had extra eyes, you wouldn't match your sisters. (Sunny is just assuming here)

Ziggy, are you sure we shouldn't try to get you out? I've got a cannon...

Wow, lots of posts!
Buster shrugs and hands the copy of Star Sugar Heart Love over to Burgundy. "I was just gonna sell it to some goob anyways."

Buster glares at Officer Wilson, then slumps his shoulder. "I'll take the fusion if I gotta. It's better then leavin' my cannon with ya. That definitely ain't happening"

On seeing that Ziggy is locked away, Buster pulls a screw driver and a small plasma torch out of his backpack. "Alright, Ziggy, we can bust ye' out. Ya' gotta just go and watch the show an' relax though. We gots it from here."

Engineering: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (2) + 8 = 10

"Can you see if you can get whatever it is to leave peacefully? If the generator keeps shorting out, the entire concert might have to be canceled. This concert means a lot to... well, to a lot of people! Also, after two years of promotion and the price most people paid for these tickets, if the concert is canceled, there will probably be a very nasty riot."

"Alright, I don't mind goin' down to see what's going on with the generators. I'm sure whatever downs there ain't any worse than I am."

Sparks looks up at Sunny Simar, suddenly very thoughtful: "By Ibra's lost star, you are right! No extra eyes for me... I just thought one in the roof of the mouth would be nice to watch the cheese one eats. But now, I am wondering, will my sisters even recognise me with my pink coat?"

Sparks spits a little leather toolkit out of her mouth, and starts pulling tools out to fiddle with the gate that is holding Ziggy back, trying to get him out somehow.

Engineering: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (11) + 7 = 18

Um, anyway! She did tell me I was supposed to stop investigating and relax...[/i][/b] Ziggy says, mournfully

“If you want to help someone, there is a corporate woman who is trying to use a conference bot to view the show. We could put you in contact with her, you might be able to share stories of the band.”

——

“Can you tell us anything more about what happened to the technician? At the very least, it sounds like we should seal our armor before sending BOB in there.”

Looking directly at Mikkazuki, the robot says “I hate you!”

Waving the complaint off, she says “You’ll be fine! Probably will not even damage the paint job.”

Chikasa looks nervously at the others, "Sounds like some nasty radiation. I suppose we gotta do what we can though. Let's head down there right away. The last thing we need is for a riot to break out!"

"Right, I'm ready ta go."

Buster leads the way, his cannon casually resting on his shoulder with his other hand in his pocket.

"We betta hope they ain't no undead or nuthin' like that down there, since Cap'n Whiny Pants wussified all our weaponry."

“You can shut it off at any time.”

Mikkazuki demonstrates how to do it. When turned off, the weapon quits making the musical humming noise. She turns it back on and the sound starts up again.

While she is at it, she seals her own suit since radiation is expected.

"Don't you worry none, sonnie," Chikasa tells Buster with a wink. "Not all of us carry around our guns in broad daylight."

You all realize that when Historia-7 sets a lock, it's going to be hard to disable. Err... Can you tell the skittermanders that I'll get them their rice candy and salted grubs when Historia-7 lets me out?

★--- ★ --- ★ --- ★

So... the plan is to roll Bob into the Reactor Core?

"Ziggy, do you want a little bit of company? I have a very down to earth friend who could slip in there with, a very elemental guy. But he'd only chill for a lil' while. A very lil' while. But better than nothing!"

"Poor BOB... I can take peek in there with him. Might be all a false alarm? Plus, any boils would not show under my pink fur!"

Alright, let's go with that plan.

Bob rolls into the Reactor Room with Sparks peeking behind the door. The rest of you are close by, and can put yourself on the map. The ceilings of the reactor are 30 feet high, and the walls are made of starship bulkhead material. It's quiet in here. The music from elsewhere in the station is nowhere to be heard.

SLIDE ONE!

There are four green and black glowing beings just sitting and watching the reactors. As Bob rolls in, one of them looks up at the robot and talks in a strange voice. "HeLlO mEtAl BeInG, oH... yOu ArE nOt AlIVe, ArE yOu? PiTy."

It goes back to sitting down, cross-legged, watching the Reactor in fascination.

Assuming Bob has a camera, or that Sparks can see.

Sparks peeks in, getting up on tip-claws to look past BOB, spotting the green & black thingies.
Mysticism Recall Knowl': 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (11) + 9 = 20
Using her comm' unit she relays to the group that: "These are radiation sprites, fey-folk, called hespers that normally bond inside reactor cores. But these are outside. And looking for living things... maybe to enjoy seeing them melt? Can anyone check the levels of radiation? I can send an Unseen Servant in to help BOB..."

BOB moves up to them, making sure that the camera image is clear.

“Why is it a pity I’m not alive?”

Mikkazuki relays the camera feed to the others,

Looking to Sparks, she asks “What are they doing here? If they were in the core, would they make problems?”

As she says that, she gets her Thunderstrike Pistol ready and adjusts the setting based on the answer Sparks gives.

The hesper looks at Bob. "FoR a NoN-lIvInG bEiNg, YoU aRe ChAtTy!" The hesper walks up to Bob and cocks its head at the camera, and makes faces at its reflection. You can see a big close up of its tongue, and then it readjusts its pretty hair, using the reflection like a mirror. "It Is A pItY tHaT yOu ArE nOt aLiVe bEcAuSe tHaT mEaNs YoU cAnNoT cHaNGe AnD gRoW. aLsO yOu Do NoT fLiRt, WhIcH iS bOrInG." Then it points to the reactor. "UnLiKe WhAt'S iNsIdE tHeRe. It Is ChAnGiNg. It WiLl HaTcH sOoN, i ThiNk." It smiles back at the reactor.

★--- ★ --- ★ --- ★

Sparks knows that hespers are not generally malicious, but they do like change for change's sake, and enjoy mutating things and people. They are usually good reactor caregivers, though, so long as they do not get too bored. They usually bond with the reactors on ships, and like to travel around to new worlds.

Assuming Sparks can relay all this to us:

"Oh dear, they're mutating something in there? That sounds not-very-fun-at-all."

Sebrir is obviously not planning to go into that room if he can help it in any way.

Whispering into her comm', Sparks relays what is being said by the hesper.
"Seems the radiation is making things grow. And it seems there is something inside the core. That is going to come out. Hespers like change... so I could also send a Summoned Protean in there, instead of an Invisible Servant. What say you, oh non furry but smart sentient friends?"

Mikkazuki calls out from the doorway “Can you please tell us, is there significant levels of radiation in the room? I’m curious as to what is happening in the reactor.”

“As for BOB, it has changed! I have added better video processors amongst other changes.”

BOB just sits there as the Hesper uses it as a mirror.

"RaDiAtIoN? nO, eXcePt inSiDe us. ThE rOoM hAs AlMoSt nOnE." The hesper taps BOB. "Is ThIS BoB? aLsO, wHo aRe YoU, chAnGeR oF mAchiNeS?"

It looks back at the reactor. "tHeRe iS sOmeThiNg GrOwInG iN tHeRe. It Is ChAnGiNg. It Is BraNd NeW. wE hAvE nOt sEen iT bEfOre."

“I am Mikkazuki Izado, and yes that is BOB.” she replies as she steps into the chamber. “I built it.”

She goes over to the reactor terminals, hoping to get some indication of what is happening. She holsters her pistol as she moves, wanting both hands free while working the reactor console.

“Something new? That is interesting!”

Take 10, Engineering for 22 should be enough to get an idea what is happening with the reactor. I’m not sure what other skills might be needed. If Computers is called for, she would jack in for an additional +2 skill.

In for a penny...

Sparks, you say they're not malicious - do they cause permanent harm or temporary pranks?

Buster watches the Hesper apprehensively, but still keeps his cannon on his shoulder.

Yeah, better let the drone handle this. I don't trust that thing."

Hey, Mikkazuki! Did you program that thing to complain so much?"

“Sort of...”

“No.”

"WhAt aRE yOu DoInG? cAn i sEe?"

Before Mikka can get to the reactor, one of the hespers playfully pokes at Mikka. "wE've hElPed YoU cHanGe!"

Poke: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 3 = 22
Mutating Touch: 1d20 ⇒ 9

Mikka, you feel woozy for a second as you feel your DNA twist and change inside your scales, coiling and uncoiling. Your scales feel warm, and are now glowing like dozens of brightly lit torches.

You are positively phosphorescent, and will take a -5 penalty to stealth checks for the rest of the scenario.

The other hespers clap.

"OoO mE nExT!" a Hesper calls.

★--- ★ --- ★ --- ★

Sparks can tell you that these mutations only last about 24 hours.

★--- ★ --- ★ --- ★

Mikka, you're pretty sure that if the hespers are in this kind of mood, you won't be able to do anything near that reactor unless you help the hespers understand what you are trying to do. Can I have some diplomacy checks?

“Ester, could you please explain why allowing me to work is a good thing, please?”

Glowing scales? Well, it will probably go over well with the concert crowd.

Current Stealth: -6!

Ester stays behind Buster, but calls out to the hespers “If you allow her, Mikka can let you see more about what is happening in the reactor! She is very good with machines!”

“You wouldn’t want to miss anything about the changes happening, would you?”

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25

Enthralled by Ester's incredibly charming words, Sparks steps out into the open: "No, no, I would not want to miss anything about the changes happening!"
Before thinking to herself: Beware, she's a feline!

Then the AI in Sparks' computer chirps and speaks out, it has Fitch's voice: "Salutations, sweet sleek sprites! Why not let the boring Vesk tinker with her clumsy tools, and come over here to play with this lovely pink ball of fur?"

Diplomacy Aid Another for +2: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (18) + 6 = 24

Sparks strikes a pose: "Pink?! I'm not pink... I'm STRAWBERRY!"

Ok then... Moves into the room.
diplomacy aid another for +2: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10
Yes, poke the posed pink packrat! Maybe she'll get seeds on her like a strawberry.

Are they crazy?

Ester gives Sparks a puzzled look. Well, that Ysoki probably is. Buster seems sensible though.

Lifting her nose slightly in a dismissive fashion, she then focuses her attention back on the Hespers. Well, the boss only said to explain why they should allow her to work. I don’t think this is what she meant, but she is also the type to allow fools to volunteer.

Chikasa, who has been hanging back cursing himself for not bringing his geiger counter or radiation suit, suddenly peeks around the corner as the hespers touch Mikka and the vesk appears to survive. "Fascinating," he says as he comes fully into the corridor and offers a hand to the hespers. "Can ya do me too? Tell ya what, if ya let my friend do what she's doing, you can change me and I'll change all o' you! Deal?"

Diplomacy (aid): 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 1 = 14

Chikasa allows the hespers to give him poke, then uses his Token Spell to change their coloring from their luminous green to vibrant oranges and reds and yellows. "How'd ya like that?"

Sebrir steps in as well, seeing that his allies need help with convincing, though he remains wary of the fey creatures.
"Yes, dear friends, she will be able to determine what is happening, and then... well these others will let you touch them, it would seem."
Diplomacy aid: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (13) + 12 = 25

Buster stands at the ready, glaring at the Hesper and growling if it gets too close to him.

Intimidate: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10

"I ain't letting no reactor faerie touch me. I gots enough eyes, thank ya' very much," he mutters to himself. Buster shouts across the room to Mikkazuki, "If ya' need a hand with that reactor I can help ya'. I know them big clumsy mitts of yers might have trouble with any job that requires a lil' finesse."

Aid:Engineering: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (8) + 8 = 16

Clumsy? That seems uncalled for.

Mikkazuki clenches her hands, but then relaxes them again.

“Fortunately, I have tools to help me with the delicate stuff, Buster.” Mikkazuki replies, showing the set of tools integrated into her wrist comp. “That said, I always welcome an extra set of skilled hands.”

She directs him to the other console and the two of them start calling out readings to each other.

Engineering, Buster’s Aid: 10 + 12 + 2 = 24

While Mikkazuki and Buster work on the reactor core, Chikasa pulls up the station's local infosphere and opens the music stream running Strawberry Machine Cake songs nonstop. "Might as well have some music while the two o' you work, eh?"

Sparks claps her pink hands: "Bravo ChikChik! and she starts to dance dance dance, singing along...
"Let me take you down
'Cause I'm dancing to Strawberry Machine Cake
Nothing is real
And nothing to get hung about
Strawberry Machine Cake forever
Living is easy with eyes closed
Misunderstanding all you see
It's getting hard to be someone
But it all works out
It doesn't matter much to me!"

The Hespers, enthralled at the idea of changing people, reach out to touch the willing hot-pink Sparks.

Mutating Touch: 1d20 ⇒ 5

Sparks feels little electric shocks spark off her supercharged fur, which is now puffing out like a super-fuzzy pink puff ball. Then she feels with fascination the thrill of her cells changing as little micro sparks shoot out of her hands. She looks like a sparkler that kids buy at festivals.

Sparks, you have developed Bio-Electric Cells. Any technological item that you carry within the next 24 hours will gain the broken condition from your electrical interference so long as you are carrying it. And since you don't normally carry equipment, I cannot think of a more perfect person to receive this particular mutation.

The hespers clap. "pReTtY!" They nod and then eagerly reach out to touch Chik-Chik.

Mutating Touch: 1d20 ⇒ 13

Chik-Chik feels a tingling -- not in his ears, but just below them. A tiny pair of secondary ears, just below his regular ones, sprout out! Chik-Chik now has two pair of ears that flutter and unfurl, and are amazing for hearing SMC's music. Alas, the whoops of excitement from the hespers are a bit loud in his hearing.

Chik-Chik, you are now vulnerable to sonic damage, but you get +4 to your hearing for the next 24 hours from your exquisite new ears!

As the music spills out into the speakers, the Hespers stand transfixed. One stands forward, cocking his pretty head. "WhAt Is tHaT sOuNd aNd wHaT iS sTrAwBeRry MaChiNe CaKE? We Do NoT uNdErsTanD. PLeAsE eXplAiN."