GM Valen's - Into the Unknown Quests (WITHOUT STARSHIPS) (NOW WITH STARSHIPS) (Inactive)

Game Master Lysle

As you speak with the undead, you approached by three short figures, dressed in overalls and bowties. "We represent the Vat Garden Guild." the ysoki says, almost in unison.

"We'd like to thank most sincerely..." says one.

"For helping us most dearly." chimes in another.

"So let us thank you, most clearly." notes the third, as he holds out six plant bulbs offering them to you all.

When chewed, each bulb acts as a dose of tier-1 antitoxin. You can also sell the gear acquired from Exegara and the thugs for 10% of its value.

"The Starfinder Society is only happy to help." D'Gavin replies to the trio. When they offer the bulbs he accepts them graciously. He makes sure that everyone receives theirs.

AMOSU bows to the guild members, "Your kindness reminds me of home. There's no place like home. As Starfinders it is incumbent upon us to show intellect, courage, and heart in such situations."

AMOSU pauses, "How are we to deal with Exegara? Have the appropriate authorities been notified?" Reviewing the files from the datapad again, "We should share this information with Venture Captain Arvin with haste. Perhaps he can determine the location of one of these ships."

Pangea sings along with the Ysoki: "We commend you, for fleeing so fearfully!"

Then she sniffs the bulb she has been given, to see if it smells good.

"Off to see the cap'n?"

Buse looks skeptical of the bulb and the archaic form of medicine it represents, but isn't one to talk. She accepts the gift gratefully.

"We should be able to drop the ghoul off a law enforcement agency before returning to the Venture-Captain. She has little more to offer us."

End of Quest the First: “Station”. Each PC has now earned 1 XP, and will receive a minimum of 140 credits and 1 Reputation/Fame on his or her Chronicle for this character. Each PC has also earned the Lawblight Assault clue.

Commencing Into the Unknown – Quest the Next (Skipping the Second Starship Quest)

Venture-Captain Arvin stands next to the entry ramp of a sleek-looking starship. “This is the Loreseeker, a Pegasus-class ship that’s one of the fastest and lightest in the Society’s fleet.” He says as he waves his hands over the side of the starship affectionately. “We know that a lost Starfinder vessel, the Unbounded Wayfarer, was discovered by undead creatures from a starship called the Endless Threnody. We’ve pulled some strings with our more reputable Eoxian contacts to get more information, but they’ve disavowed knowledge of the Endless Threnody entirely; this likely confirms our suspicions that the Endless Threnody is connected with the Corpse Fleet, a group of Eoxian separatists who refuse to work alongside the living.”

“We have the location of the Endless Threnody in the Drift, courtesy of that ghoul you tracked down.” Arvin continues, ”Its Drift engine is incapacitated, so it’s unable to escape the Drift. Take the Loreseeker into the Drift, locate the Eoxian ship—as a Corpse Fleet vessel, they won’t be open to negotiations—and recover the location of the lost Starfinder vessel.”

Following the recovered coordinates you locate the Corpse Fleet ship after several days travel in the Drift. The disabled Endless Threnody now drifts just outside the forward viewport of the Starfinder Pegasus-class starship, Loreseeker. The enormous Corpse Fleet starship bristles with bone spurs, and a baleful red lens at its fore resembles a swollen and bloody eye. Crackles of dark energy leap across the bone spurs, discharging from the ruined ship’s necromantic power source.

With a burst of static and a flash, a blue-hued hologram of Venture-Captain Arvin appears at the Loreseeker’s communications station.

“Excellent work.” Arvin says. “The Endless Threnody is incapacitated, but not pulverized. I need you to board that vessel, access the main computers at the bridge, and recover the coordinates of the missing Starfinder vessel’s crash site.”

“That energy signature looks dangerous, and those discharges can damage your hull.” the Venture-Captain continues. “Dock at the cargo bay at the rear of the ship and make your way forward to the bridge. Wear space suits if your armor can’t protect you from vacuum—there are a few suits in a storage locker aboard your ship. Eoxian ships do not have life support and are often exposed to space.”

The Venture-Captain, then asks, ”Any questions?”

When ready, whoever is at the helm needs to give me a Piloting check in order to maneuver the Loreseeker to align with the Endless Threnody’s rear cargo bay.

Pangea will make sure the seal on her armor is active, and sound.
"Ready to board!"

"I'm ready" D'Gavin has no shipboard skill. He can be a gunner if needed.

AMOSU asks, "I have little tactical experience involving the undead, as well as limited information regarding their technologies. Is there anything we should be prepared for, aside from the lack of atmosphere or pressure? The energy source, necromatic, is also new to me. If it is unstable, does it have an impact akin to radiation?"

AMOSU waits for the team to finish asking any questions they may have. It offers, "I am a capable pilot for non-combat purposes. I can attempt the docking procedure or provide support if someone is more skilled."

Roll below, either an assist if someone feels more skilled or apply directly to the check.

I may be unable to post for the next 24-48hrs, holiday family fun.

Mysticism? (Re. undead): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (15) + 8 = 23

"I don't know of their power sources, but we will have little recourse but to kill...destroy them if talking fails. Your nonlethal measures and my biological agents will prove useless." Buse seems to play fast and loose with the Hippocratic oath for a doctor (in whatever form it takes and pertains to undead).

The approach of the Loreseeker to the Corpse Fleet vessel looks difficult.
Any other aids or rolls to Piloting before I resolve the check?

As the undead ship looms ahead, the doctor contemplates what she knows of it likely crew.

Meanwhile, the party may contemplate what they already know about Eoxian starships.

D'Gavin will share what he knows about undead and Eoxian vessels.

Mysticism: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 19

As Pangea started to try to recall what she knew of such ships, D'Gavin speaks up and gives good information to all.

If she can, she will however try to help with the docking maneuvers: "Slow down, and to the left. The OTHER left!"

Aid Another +2, Piloting: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 2 = 18

AMOSU will review, out loud, its current understand of Eoxian technologies as it prepares for flight.

Engineering: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (16) + 9 = 25

Sharing hidden info.

Maneuvering the Loreseeker to align with the Endless Threnody’s rear cargo bay proves to be tricky. The screech of metal scraping metal can be heard throughout the ship as the hull of the Starfinder vessel suffers a slight gouging from one of the bone spikes of the Corpse Fleet vessel. Nevertheless, with the aid of the human vanguard, the android manages to complete the complex flight maneuver.

Once the Loreseeker has docked with the undead ship, you depart from the Starfinder vessel into the vacuum of the Endless Threnody. The Endless Threnody has normal gravity but has no light. There are no doors in the interior of the ship.

You find yourselves in a mostly empty cargo bay. The cold of space feels even more icy aboard the ship, perhaps the result of the necromantic energies still surging through the vessel. You spy a small computer terminal here.

As you make your way further into the interior of the Corpse Fleet vessel, you find that the branching corridors inside the Endless Threnody are not made of solid bulkheads of metal and plastic, but of a lattice of enchanted bone and steel. A metal grating on the floor provides stable footing, but the walls have gaps large enough to fit a fist. The passages split and recombine in a manner eerily reminiscent of being inside a giant ribcage.

There are three corridors that branch off ahead of you, that you believe most likely recombine ahead. As you proceed, you should expect to encounter any remaining undead crew members that may be lurking the halls.

Tactical map now revealed on Maps slide.

Each PC should roll me Perception and Initiative. Then place your PC token in the starting area.

Not sure how quickly you need Initiative and Perception... I'll do those first.
Initiate: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6
Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 21

AMOSU apologizes profusely for its poor piloting, and thanks Pangea for her help in avoiding further damage to the ship.

AMOSU enters the Eoxian ship cautiously, taking out and readying its Hail Pistol. It walks up to the terminal and begins accessing the ship manifest and any other systems that may be online. Once AMOSU has confirmed access to any available system it shares the information with the team, as well as downloading any files to its own computer.

Computers: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (17) + 9 = 26

Ukigashk unlimbers his shield and draws his sword in preparation for battle with the undead.

Initiative: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7
Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 6 = 16

Gah, the worst possible initiative roll. The cold must be getting to Ukigashk.

Valen I don't see the console on the map, so if you need to move me next to it feel free.

Does AMOSU have any idea how his Hail Pistol will work again undead from the info Dr. Buse shared? Worried about the C damage more so than the P part.

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (15) + 6 = 21
Initiative: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7

Pangea moves in, shield in hand, and looks around-- turning her armor's flashlight on to scan the dark.

Initiative: 1d20 ⇒ 16
Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (2) + 8 = 10

Buse prepares to enter, weapons primed even if they aren't as effective here. She loads up several restorative vials as well, just in case.

Initiative: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 1 = 16
Perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

Valen I don't see the console on the map

The small computer terminal referenced in my prior post is located in the cargo bay that the party entered and not depicted on the map. The map depicts the corridors that exist beyond the cargo bay (the green "starting area" being the exits from the cargo bay into the interior of the ship.

Does AMOSU have any idea how his Hail Pistol will work again undead from the info Dr. Buse shared? Worried about the C damage more so than the P part.

AMOSU may have some idea. Dr. Buse could probably be more specific (i.e., ask about immunities other than typical undead immunities).

BOTTING Quicklet

Quicklet, Perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 2 = 11
Quicklet, Initiative: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

Skeletal Crew, Perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5
Skeletal Crew, Initiative: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (11) + 7 = 18

The android mechanic and two vanguards hear

Combat Surprise Round Begins

PCs in bold may take a standard or move action

Skeletal Crew
D'Gavin
Dr. Buse Clan-Wahi
Ukigashk
Pangea
Quicklet
AMOSU

There are no light sources other than what PCs have with them. I have covered over portions of map beyond the 60 ft. of darkvision some PCs have. Feel free to move covered area as PCs move forward.

Pangea, shield in hand, armor's flashlight illuminating the corridor around her, moves up to the first intersection, looking left and right as she passes--
Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 6 = 16
--and, if nothing in sight, will move on past and look forward.
If Pangea sees something, she can stop before red arrow.
Keying her comm unit: "Ukigashk, D'Gavin, you keep on moving down the side or coming to join us here? If not joining us, maybe one can go join you?"

Ukigashk responds over his comm unit as he moves forward.

"These corridors are too confining for effective combat if we are all together, suggest three at most in each group."

Low-light vision, would that extend the view range in this situation or just darkvision?

If it's ok, I'm going to change from the Hail Pistol to my hatchet. AMOSU hasn't faced undead, trying to play that, so with the Dr. Buse warnings it would arm differently.

AMOSU readies its hatchet in one hand and comm-flashlight in the other, he begins moving behind Pangea. "Unfortunately I may be of little use in melee combat. Though I will do my best to warn of dangers, I am equipped with multiple visual sensors to deal with darkness." Lowlight and Darkvision

Low-light vision, would that extend the view range in this situation or just darkvision?

Not enough starlight to generate dim light, although there is some produced as the result of flashlights in armor.

From the darkness emerges a group of skeletal crew members, rushing forward. (Red, white, purple) = Double move

Another (blue) rushes the vesk.
Melee (claw), charge: 1d20 + 4 - 2 ⇒ (18) + 4 - 2 = 20
Damage (claw)(S): 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

His claw slashes into the scaled Starfinder.

First Full Round of Combat Begins

All PCs may act

Skeletal Crew
D'Gavin
Dr. Buse Clan-Wahi
Ukigashk - 4 SP
Pangea
Quicklet
AMOSU

D'Gavin takes a shot at the skeleton attacking Ukigashk.
Auto Pistol v KAC: 1d20 + 1 - 4 ⇒ (11) + 1 - 4 = 8 Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 5

After that, he moves up to support him.

Just as Ukigashk signs out, Pangea hears the Vesk grunt as it is attacked... but, before she can move over to help, she sees three walking skeletons coming for her: "What the...?"
Trying to figure out just what these are--
Recall Knowledge Mysticism: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (11) + 4 = 15
--Pangea steps carefully forward move = guarded step and quips: "Plenty of skulls and thigh bones to make nice symbols of Besmara! Perfect..."
Then Pangea smashes her shield in the pure white skeleton standard = attack--
Entropic Strike vs. KAC: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 3 = 23
Crit'! So double damage:
Acid: 1d3 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7
Acid: 1d3 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5
--and the entropic powers she channels blast acid into the old bones!

Ukigashk doesn't quite get his shield around in time to deflect the onrushing skeleton. He winces slightly as the swipe of a clawed hand connects. Focusing his connection to entropy in his sword he strikes at the animated pile of bones in front of him.

Despite the lack of flesh, the slash connects with the skeleton. He then gets his shield around and ready in defense against his bony assailant.

Entropic Strike: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 2 = 20
Damage: 1d3 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

SP: 7/11
HP: 14/14

Entropic Pool: 1

EAC: 15
KAC: 16

AMOSU moves forward to prevent the skeletons from encircling Pangea. "Skeletal humanoids, are you capable of communicating?" AMOSU cycles through the languages it knows, "If you are capable of understanding - out of respect for all sentient life I offer all of you this opportunity to surrender. Failure to comply in 5 seconds will result in continued aggression... 4 seconds... 3...”

AMOSU adopts a fully defensive stance and, using its comm-flashlight, attempts to shed light for the others to target the skeletons.

First action move to Pangae, second Full Defense +4 to ACs.

EAC: 16 / KAC: 17

Buse strides forward, waiting for an opening. "If you think that will work, feel free to try," she says. It's hard to tell if she's responding to AMOSU or Pangea, or talking to the skeletons.

Regardless, she presses a needle into the Besmaran as lightly as possible. "To your health."

Pangea, you have +1 to AC for 2 rounds.

Pangea is startled by the prick... but, feeling her skin harden: "Thank you!"

The half-elf’s shot flies through one of the gaps of the walls into space as the Besmaran thoroughly smashes the skeleton before her.

The vesk returns a blow to the attacking skeletal creature, which still stands though he is quite damaged.

As the android braces for the attack, the doctor bolsters the human vanguard.

First Full Round of Combat Cont’d
All PCs may act

Skeletal Crew
- red
- purple
- blue -4 HP
- white -12 HP
- ?
D'Gavin
Dr. Buse Clan-Wahi
Ukigashk - 4 SP
Pangea
Quicklet
AMOSU
In light of the holiday, I will not be botting any PCs for another 48 hours.

Pangea hits her comm unit and shares with her comrades: "These Undead thrive in supernaturally cold environments. Also..." she gives the following information: do these Skeletons have any DR?

she gives the following information: do these Skeletons have any DR?

No DR. Skeletons have fast healing 1 (supernaturally cold environments only)

BOTTING Quicklet - No post in 48+ hours

Quicklet moves forward and fires her pistol at one of the undead

Ranged (tactical semi-auto pistol): 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3
Damage (P): 1d6 ⇒ 3

The projectile soars out through one of the rib-like gaps on the craft out into the Drift.

The skeletal crew in the central corridor (red, purple) surge forward and attack.
Melee, red (claw) v AMOSU KAC: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5
Damage (S): 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

Melee, purple (claw) v Pangea KAC: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7
Damage (S): 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

However, these undead are unable to inflict injury on the Starfinders before them.

Another undead (blue), strikes at the vesk.
Melee, blue (claw) v Ukigashk KAC: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 = 19
Damage (S): 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

Then, out of the darkness, two more skeletal crewmembers (yellow, green) enter the central corridor, flanking the party. One (yellow) reaches out with its claws and attempts to snag the doctor.
Melee, yellow (claw) v Dr. Buse Clan-Wahi KAC: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9
Damage (S): 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Second Full Round of Combat Cont’d

All PCs may act

Skeletal Crew
- red
- purple
- blue -4 HP
- white -12 HP
- yellow
- green
D'Gavin
Dr. Buse Clan-Wahi
Ukigashk - 9 SP
Pangea
Quicklet
AMOSU

Pangea hears the skeletons coming around, but decides to do away with the ones in front first.
Always the wily pirate, she feints to the left with her shield, trying to destabilize the enemy, and then backhands the purple hued skeleton in front of her.

_______________
• Move action Improved Feint: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (14) + 7 = 21 vs. greater of 10+SM bonus or 15+(1,5×CR)
• Standard action Entropic Strike vs. KAC: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10 Flat Footed -2 AC if Feint worked
Acid and Bludgeoning: 1d3 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7

AMOSU glances over its shoulder quickly, "There are at least two more skeletal assailants approaching from behind." AMOSU turns its attention to the skeleton in front of it, initializing its targeting system and locking onto the red skeleton.

Once a positive lock is received, AMOSU continues to adopt a defensive fighting style while striking with tis hand axe at the skeleton.

Attack/KAC: 1d20 + 2 - 4 ⇒ (2) + 2 - 4 = 0 +1 Str, +1 Target System, -4 Defensive; +2 ACs = EAC 14, KAC 15

Damage/Slash: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

"D'Gavin, I have this pile of bones handled, back up the rest of the crew!"

As he begins speaking Ukigashk's sword, starts to emit it's eerie black glow, and he slashes the reanimated skeleton facing him.

Entropic Strike: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 2 = 14
Damage: 1d3 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6

SP: 2/11
HP: 14/14

Entropic Pool: 2

EAC: 15
KAC: 16

D'Gavin fires does as Ukigashk says and fires at yellow down the hall.

Auto Pistol v KAC: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 1 = 21 Damage: 2d6 ⇒ (6, 6) = 12

Buse throws a punch at the offending skeleton, more to break it apart than stab it.

An attack versus Yellow, or a guarded step into its square an attack on Green if D'Gavin blew up the former.

Injection Glove vs. KAC: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (18) + 3 = 21
Damage: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

BOTTING Quicklet - No post in 48+ hours
Quicklet stops to contemplate the approach of the undead. Putting Quicklet in delay.

Thanks to a clever feint, the Besmaran is able to get past the defensive posture of the skeletal crewmember before her (purple) and pounds it to dust. Next to her, the android's attack fails to connect.

The vesk handily drops the undead before him (blue) sending its bones to the deck plates. Heeding his comrades urging, the half-elf fires an expert shot at one of the approaching crew (yellow), which instantly shatters its skeletal form.

Having anticipated her ally’s skill as a marksman, the doctor steps over the skeletal fragments that once stood before her. She jabs the skeletal form of another undead (green) with the projections on her injection glove manage to strike bone and prove to be surprisingly effective.

The injured skeletal crewman (green) strikes back with a bony claws.
Full attack
Melee, green (claw) v Dr. Buse Clan-Wahi KAC: 1d20 + 4 - 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 - 4 = 17
Damage (S): 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6
Melee, green (claw) v Dr. Buse Clan-Wahi KAC: 1d20 + 4 - 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 - 4 = 3
Damage (S): 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

One of the claws manages to tear into the doctor.

The other remaining crewman (red) swipes madly at is attacker.
Melee, red (claw) v Pangea KAC: 1d20 + 4 - 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 - 4 = 2
Damage (S): 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4
Melee, red (claw) v Pangea KAC: 1d20 + 4 - 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 - 4 = 3
Damage (S): 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

The mad swipes fail to connect with the pirate.

Third Full Round of Combat Cont’d

All PCs may act

Skeletal Crew
- red -7 HP
- purple
- blue -10 HP
- white -12 HP
- yellow -12HP
- green -4 HP
D'Gavin
Dr. Buse Clan-Wahi -6 SP
Ukigashk - 9 SP
Pangea
Quicklet
AMOSU

Ducking the claws, Pangea pretends to go down, and then swings her shield, filling it with entropy... and does a perfect strike in the jaw! crit'!

• Move action Improved Feint: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11 vs. greater of 10+SM bonus or 15+(1,5×CR)
• Standard action Entropic Strike vs. KAC: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 3 = 23 (if Flat Footed -2 AC)
Acid and Bludgeoning: 1d3 + 4 + 1d3 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 + (3) + 4 = 12

Shards of bone fill the void within the starship as one of the skeletal crewmembers (red) is destroyed by the Besmaran vanguard.

A sole, damaged member of Corpse Fleet remains to confront the Starfinders.

Third Full Round of Combat Cont’d

All PCs may act

Skeletal Crew
- red -12 HP
- purple -7 HP
- blue -10 HP
- white -12 HP
- yellow -12HP
- green -4 HP
D'Gavin
Dr. Buse Clan-Wahi -6 SP
Ukigashk - 9 SP
Pangea
Quicklet
AMOSU

More annoyed than hurt, Buse gets closer and continues punching.

Injection Glove vs. KAC: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (14) + 3 = 17
Damage: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

With her punch, the physician to the living delivers an end to the undead.

COMBAT OVER

With the last of the skeletal crew dispatched, the party is free to move about the Corpse Fleet vessel. The bridge of the Endless Threnody is located behind the enormous crimson eye at the front of the ship, bathed in a blood-red glow. The crew stations are fabricated from bone and steel, apparently grown from the floor and walls of this room. Battle damage is evident throughout the bridge, but it is now empty and utterly silent—truly a ghost ship.

Assuming you analyze the bridge computer…

You find quickly that this bridge computer is a secured tier-1 computer system. To access any data within it (like, for instance, any coordinates to a missing Starfinder vessel’s crash site), you need to first gain access to the system.

Gaining access to the system requires a successful skill check, either Computers or Mysticism check.

AMOSU steps up to the console, and looks over the controls. Feeling confident that it understands enough of the technical portion of the system it attempts to access the bridge computer.

Can I take 10 or 20 on this? Or do you need a roll. Take 10 would be 19, if we have the time Take 20 would be 29.

Just in case, to save response time

Computers: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (15) + 9 = 24

Just in case, to save response time

Thanks for the check. As there is a consequence to failure Taking 10 or 20 was out.

Having gained access to the bridge computer system, you must now find a way to bypass its security measures in order to retrieve the data you seek.

Bypassing the bridge computer security system requires a second, successful skill check, either Computers(or Mysticism check. (Taking 10 or 20 is not an option).