[SFS, Playtest] Dead Suns, Book 4: The Ruined Clouds (Inactive)

Game Master Nefreet

Flip the switch is the simplest approach which is probably best for PBP! So I'll change my vote to just throwing it and see what happens!

Flip the switch!
(Pain... More Pain... Stop. I'm not about Zon-Kuton...)

Thank you Zolvi says, looking at the ‘cookies’. But I think I’ll pass. Though guess by now anyone inside’ll have heard us, so...

And she hits he light switch. and hopes no Reflex save then forthcoming :)

-sigmus smiles at the Android-

"nope. We were waiting for our xenoarcheologist to get back. Gotta have the expert around when walking into a museum of natural death... I mean history."

All of sigmus's arms flinch when he hears the breakers flip, as if expecting something to explode

Glad to have you all ^_^

Flipping the switch powers up the building, opens the door to the north, changes the lighting to normal and activates a holographic display!

A sweeping panoramic view of a pristine cloud city takes you on a quick, virtual tour of Istamak's main hubs of activity before zooming in on your current location. A voiceover in a language similar to Kish (but much more crisp and formal) is audible, though only a few fragments are understandable between crackling bursts of static:

“Welcome to…” static “…Istamak, shining city of progress! Come…” background music “…to witness…" static "...living history…” background music “Don’t hesitate to ask questions…” static ”come again soon!”

The message repeats a few times before the projector overheats and safety protocols shut it down.

Standing behind Sigmus with its "lichen cookies", Pangea wonders if Sigmus didn't see it, or is faking.
Sense Motive: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (8) + 15 = 23

Someone can still translate the message for us?

"Through the door?"

Assuming it is the same language that I had shared with me, then yes :-)

John looks around, obviously intrigued.

"If we can learn more about the history of this place, that would be ideal!"

"onward!"

Sigmus directly responded to Pangea. See my last post

Varnais's caster level is higher than Tzayl's. You can probably get through the entire museum before it expires. I'll say John's share language is expired, but that's technically a different language anyways.

Will update next room later tonight.

*In a low voice translates every word*

Murals similar to those outside continue into this room, this time depicting smaller figures in the streets of a stylized city looking in reverence toward a large archway to the west leading into a wide, dark hallway. There is a small counter in the northwestern corner, and a number of dusty shelves and empty hooks occupy the eastern side of the room. A fully charged holoskin lies in the dust on one of the shelves.

Animated holographic displays along the walls of this section of the twisting hallway depict the planning and construction of a huge city among the clouds: alien architects manipulating three-dimensional electronic blueprints, an important-looking figure standing on an open-air cloud barge and pulling a lever that starts large construction machinery in the background, and a handful of industrial painters putting the finishing touches on a building. The animations loop every few minutes. A large touch screen is mounted in front of each display.

Pangea looks over at Sigmus, not wanting to upset the man by announcing things ahead of him.
All can check Pangea's spoiler

"So, it does seem something happened to make these people devolve, or maybe just opt for a more organic low-footprint standard of living..."

It would seem so... Zolvi says, already moving closer to the displays. She muses out loud as she nears the display detailing the completion of a building. I wonder if it was some outside event that caused the drop in tech levels. Or maybe these creatures were directly altered themselves; gods I wish we could find an older example of the species. Do you think they have a crypt somewhere they may let us explore?

Zolvi pauses as her words catch up to her ears. Respectfully of course

"Could this simply be post-Gap?"

Sorry if we were told about any possible dates, and I forgot

"Post Gap" only began a mere 319 years ago. This city is much older. The devolution of a species would take a very long time.

Sigmus walks over and grabs the holoskin

"hey cool! I wonder if it still works. Hey scarecrow, you do the disguise thing right? Give this a shot"

He hands off the holoskin to pangea then turns to the holos.

are these the same aliens as the ones we encountered earlier?

"Yes, I try to disguise my emotions. Sometimes not successfully. Thank you."
Pangea does not take the holoskin.

Sigmus shrugs and places it in his backpack for later use.

"this door should lead to some maintenance or backroom area. I'm going to poke my head in."

Sigmus moves to the secret door to open it.

Revealed more of the map to account for people moving around.

As Zolvi moves further in, she finds that the holograms react to her presence. Some patiently wait for a question to be asked. Some point excitedly to draw attention to their project. Another hologram shows two aliens conversing over a document. But nearly every one is malfunctioning in some way, whether audibly or visually.

Sigmus sees a long and dark hallway.

This corridor runs most of the perimeter of the building, allowing access to the computer consoles that govern the holographic programming of each display. It is about 5 degrees warmer in this poorly ventilated area than outside. The outline of occasional doors, including the one you just entered, are all plainly visible from inside the maintenance corridor. Thumbtacks dot the perimeters of most of the doors, though the paper messages that they likely displayed eons ago have long since deteriorated.

When Sigmus interacts with the holoskin it flickers on for a moment to disguise him as a regal dressed alien before sparking and turning off. It seems preprogrammed to disguise the user as a specific individual, although you're not sure who. Some time and tinkering could "fix" it to become a regular holoskin again.

John, thoroughly fascinated, moves from display to display, trying to take in as much as he can.

This is the sort of place that many archaeologists dream of finding!

Sigmus takes note of the alien it disguises him as before returning the holoskin to his backpack. He peers down the cooridor then checks the various displays to see them malfunctioning.

"Hey John, take as many notes as you can regarding these holograms then let me know when you're finished. There are computers back here and i may be able to recover some of the data that has been lost to give us a better idea of what all this is. I don't want to touch it before you get your notes though, just in case any tinkering i do corrupts it further."

"True, "John", this is a treasure trove! And to say the Devourer people want to destroy this and all the rest..."
Pangea eagerly looks around, but is ready to move on with the group.

"I'll take holoskin." Varnais lays a heavy hand on Sigmus shoulder. "Do you mind?"

Disguise: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22

Having made short manipulations, she recreates the image of a high hard-built native, imitating the image on the hologram.

"I can't speak their language. But I understand their language and look like them. Not bad for now."

"no problem, but if you want to be anyone other than Regal Alien Guy #7, you'll have to give me some time to tinker with it. It's stuck on that one setting."

Sigmus hands off the unit to the vesk.

"who knows, maybe I'll be able to get the Spikey Intimidating Alien of Doom setting working. Gotta stick with the theme, right?"

He taps his finger on one of the spikes of her armor

I've moved all of you further into the hallway according to the tentative marching order.

Varnais's Disguise is +10 with the holoskin, and it makes her appear as THIS.

John (and everyone who's interested in recording the holograms) finds that there are touch screens in front of each display. Unfortunately, and likely due to their age, most are either unresponsive or unintelligible. The holograms themselves were once likely programmed with an artificial intelligence for interacting with viewers, but their speech is now garbled and their movements jerky and repetitive.

Except for the two that Zolvi first interacted with. As the group moves in, the two images chant and speak in ominous tones before two forcefields trap you in the hallway!

[Green] shouts to Varnais, "Mayor! Defend us!" before lashing out at Sigmus=1, Pangea=2: 1d2 ⇒ 2 Pangea!

Hardlight Slam: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (2) + 18 = 20
Bludgeoning: 1d12 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 12

But even the flat-footed Android is too quick to be caught.

ROUND 1
BOLD MAY ACT!!
------------------------------
Green ()
Sigmus ()
Blue ()
John ()
Sheher ()
Pangea-Mu ()
Zolvi ()
Varnais ()

Mysticism: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (19) + 7 = 26

Sheher cocks her head. Ah, the 'forcefields' are actually projections of information only. They will not impede any transit or motion. I will be taking advantage of this very shortly...

Pangea instinctively ducks, and, hearing Sheher--
I open all spoilers, but I imagine I cannot speak before my turn?

Pangea has Trapfinder@10 ft, in case you want me to be closer to the front?

In my experience merely having Trapfinder is enough in PbP. It's assumed you're doing your due diligence looking for traps while the group travels, as placement on a map out of combat is exceedingly difficult online.

There was no Trap here. Instead, taking 20 on their Stealth checks gives them a 41, so I just had them put up the "forcefields" as their surprise round.

RE: Identifying and Speaking. I'd prefer if you rolled the check to identify a creature at the beginning of your turn before other rolls. It just makes for consistency and avoids "playing the diceroller". Speaking can be done out of turn.

I will endeavor to include what the check is for in the spoiler heading. In this case, it's to identify an ancient, alien, technological creature. I would say that Pangea's theme applies to lower the DC by 5, but it is not a check to "Recall Knowledge" (which is somewhat weird, honestly. "Recall" vs "Identify". Oh well).

I wanted to add, and should have, that I did not think this was a trap, just made me think to remind you in case there are any later on.
Okay re. rolls.

Sigmus' well trained eyes look over the figure in front of him

Engineering: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (9) + 18 = 27

and easily identifies their nature.

He takes a quick Guarded Step back and then looks overhead and spots the projector for GREEN

"Pup, deactivate that projector and shut that thing down!"

using Remote Hack to hack the projector and shut it down

Computers: 1d20 + 18 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 18 + 4 = 24

Sigmus navigates the ethernet connections and comes to a dead end!

[Blue] shouts, "We are..." *static* "You are not welcome here!"

They focus their holographic fists at... John=1, Sheher=2, Zolvi=3: 1d3 ⇒ 3 Zolvi!

Hardlight Slam: 1d20 + 18 - 4 ⇒ (13) + 18 - 4 = 27
Bludgeoning: 1d12 + 8 - 6 ⇒ (11) + 8 - 6 = 13

Hardlight Slam: 1d20 + 18 - 4 ⇒ (18) + 18 - 4 = 32
Bludgeoning: 1d12 + 8 - 6 ⇒ (11) + 8 - 6 = 13

ROUND 1
BOLD MAY ACT!!
------------------------------
Green ()
Sigmus ()
Blue ()
John ()
Sheher ()
Pangea-Mu ()
Zolvi (26 damage)
Varnais ()

Ow! Zolvi yells as the holograms hit surprisingly tangibly.

Hey, Sigmus? She says as she slashes out with her blade at the attacking hard-light constructs. Would just smashing the projector work as well?

Attacking the hologram next to her. The spined blade is Ghostkiller if that matters, so magic.

Attack 1: 1d20 + 13 - 4 ⇒ (16) + 13 - 4 = 25 for damage: 1d6 + 14 ⇒ (2) + 14 = 16
Attack 2: 1d20 + 13 - 4 ⇒ (16) + 13 - 4 = 25 for damage: 1d6 + 14 ⇒ (5) + 14 = 19

John frowns, then opens up on Blue.

Called Holy Ghost-Killer Poacher Injector Pistol: 1d20 + 13 - 4 ⇒ (2) + 13 - 4 = 11, for 2d6 + 8 + 2 ⇒ (1, 4) + 8 + 2 = 15 damage.
Called Holy Ghost-Killer Poacher Injector Pistol: 1d20 + 13 - 4 ⇒ (11) + 13 - 4 = 20, for 2d6 + 8 + 2 ⇒ (2, 2) + 8 + 2 = 14 damage.

Pangea waits... ready to help any comrade in need.
Delay

(not much I can do, since the Versatile Injections theorem I took and that makes my injections that would normally affect only living creatures affect any creatures... only lets me affect them so they can use all their immunities to not be affected!

"Who ya gonna call? Ghost Bus-" Errm. Nevermind...

Zolvi tears into [blue] while John just barely misses.

ROUND 1
BOLD MAY ACT!!
------------------------------
Green ()
Sigmus ()
Blue (35 damage)
John ()
Sheher ()
Pangea-Mu (delaying)
Zolvi (26 damage)
Varnais ()

With a target right there Sheher takes advantage and gracefully directs acidic attacks at the blue one with two punches.

Entropic Strike vs EAC: 1d20 + 8 + 5 - 4 ⇒ (16) + 8 + 5 - 4 = 25
Damage Acid: 2d8 + 6 + 8 ⇒ (3, 2) + 6 + 8 = 19

Entropic Strike vs EAC: 1d20 + 8 + 5 - 4 ⇒ (4) + 8 + 5 - 4 = 13
Damage Acid: 2d8 + 6 + 8 ⇒ (1, 8) + 6 + 8 = 23

Sheher sprays some acid one the hologram, but some of her efforts pass right through a glitch.

ROUND 1
BOLD MAY ACT!!
------------------------------
Green ()
Sigmus ()
Blue (44 damage)
John ()
Sheher ()
Pangea-Mu (delaying)
Zolvi (26 damage)
Varnais ()

Fighting defensively, Pangea waves its injection glove at the holographic enemy, trying to help Varnais gain an opening.
Injection Glove vs KAC: 1d20 + 9 - 4 ⇒ (7) + 9 - 4 = 12
To give Varnais some flanking if needed

- I'm not your major!!!

CLAW: 1d20 + 11 - 4 ⇒ (2) + 11 - 4 = 92d6 + 17 ⇒ (1, 6) + 17 = 24 green
CLAW: 1d20 + 11 - 4 ⇒ (8) + 11 - 4 = 152d6 + 17 ⇒ (2, 2) + 17 = 21
:(

The glitching holograms dodge the rest of your efforts. [Green] takes notice of Sigmus trying to hack the system and focuses their attention on him!

Guarded Step, Hardlight Slam: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (6) + 18 = 24
Bludgeoning: 1d12 + 8 ⇒ (10) + 8 = 18

ROUND 2
BOLD MAY ACT!!
------------------------------
Green ()
Sigmus ()
Blue (44 damage)
John ()
Sheher ()
Pangea-Mu ()
Zolvi (26 damage)
Varnais ()

Sigmus sucks under the slam from GREEN. He shouts to Zolvi

"yes but they are deeper in the maze! We can't reach them. I just need a few more seconds to shut them down!"

Hacking the GREEN projectors: 1d20 + 18 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 18 + 4 = 37

And shut them down he does! [Green] disappears in a flash of static.

[Blue] pleads with Varnais, "Mayor, we need your" *static* "are the only guidance they have! Please!"

John=1, Sheher=2, Zolvi=3: 1d3 ⇒ 2

Hardlight Slam!: 1d20 + 18 - 4 ⇒ (16) + 18 - 4 = 30
Bludgeoning: 1d12 + 8 - 9 ⇒ (1) + 8 - 9 = 0

Hardlight Slam!: 1d20 + 18 - 4 ⇒ (10) + 18 - 4 = 24
Bludgeoning: 1d12 + 8 - 9 ⇒ (2) + 8 - 9 = 1

ROUND 2-3
BOLD MAY ACT!!
------------------------------
Green ()
Sigmus ()
Blue (44 damage)
John ()
Sheher ()
Pangea-Mu ()
Zolvi (26 damage)
Varnais ()

Nodding in grim satisfaction, John takes a step back, and shoots at Blue.

Called Holy Ghost-Killer Poacher Injector Pistol: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (9) + 13 = 22, for 2d6 + 8 + 2 ⇒ (1, 3) + 8 + 2 = 14 damage.

John's strike is true!

ROUND 2-3
BOLD MAY ACT!!
------------------------------
Green ()
Sigmus ()
Blue (58 damage)
John ()
Sheher ()
Pangea-Mu ()
Zolvi (26 damage)
Varnais ()

Sheher continues to swing

Entropic Strike vs EAC: 1d20 + 8 + 5 - 4 ⇒ (10) + 8 + 5 - 4 = 19

Damage Acid: 2d8 + 6 + 8 ⇒ (4, 3) + 6 + 8 = 21

Entropic Strike vs EAC: 1d20 + 8 + 5 - 4 ⇒ (14) + 8 + 5 - 4 = 23

Damage Acid: 2d8 + 6 + 8 ⇒ (2, 7) + 6 + 8 = 23

It's slowly turning into a Glitch Blob!

ROUND 2-3
BOLD MAY ACT!!
------------------------------
Green ()
Sigmus ()
Blue (69 damage)
John ()
Sheher ()
Pangea-Mu ()
Zolvi (26 damage)
Varnais ()

You certainly can do a lot on a limited time! Zolvi yells to Sigmus as one of the holo-attacks flickers and fades. The kasatha slashes out on her own as she continues. Cn't imagine what you'd be able to whip up given some lead-up.

Full Attack 1: 1d20 + 13 - 4 ⇒ (14) + 13 - 4 = 23 for damage (GKiller): 1d6 + 14 ⇒ (1) + 14 = 15

Full Attack 2: 1d20 + 13 - 4 ⇒ (1) + 13 - 4 = 10 for damage (GKiller): 1d6 + 14 ⇒ (4) + 14 = 18

Nodding thanks to Sigmus for clearing the holo-enemy out, Pangea moves to try and find a better LOS, while pulling the Azlanti gun out.
The android then fires at the remaining enemy.
Laser Pistol vs EAC: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (14) + 11 = 25 cover not counted
90 ft. range, 1 ch. / 20, crit' 1d4 burning
Fire: 2d4 + 4 ⇒ (3, 1) + 4 = 8 crit' 1d4 burning
Status: 1/20 charges used

Sigmus turns his attention to the other projector

remote hack the other one: 1d20 + 18 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 18 + 4 = 42

With a few button pushes Sigmus remotely redirects the hologram's subroutines into a non-functioning emitter, temporarily ceasing their existence.

COMBAT OVER!!