GM SFS's 1-22: The Protectorate Petition (Inactive)

Game Master Eric Collins - France

Ugh, these are some sort of horrbile undead, skeletons, dont use cold on them!

With that she focuses her mind and moves her hands in intricate patterns, bright blue runes swirl around her hands before focusing into the form of three tiny Vesk battlecruisers which erupt towards the pale white figure.

Casting magic missile as full round action dealing 3d4 + 3 ⇒ (4, 1, 4) + 3 = 12 force damage

The missiles smash into "white", breaking bits and pieces left and right, sending things flying all over.
It seems as though it will topple over, but, strangely, it regains its balance and remains standing, on one half broken leg!

Just down to 1 HP
Will post the next step after lunch

"Blue" rushes out and around, and races towards Speck, a murderous look somehow distinguishable in its empty eyes.

Speck, Rastar. Hef Sadir, Laniakea are UP!

Rastar ignored the blueish skeleton, focusing instead on the ones in the back. Weapons in hand, he drew a bead on the white creature and fired. In his other true-hand, he raised his assault hammer and moved forward to the break in the fence.

pistol,kac: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10
damage: 1d6 ⇒ 1

"Oh dear," Laniakea says. With too many objects in the way of the damaged skeleton, he moves to get a better angle on the bluish copaxi skeleton, drawing his diffraction pistol as he does so. He takes aim and fires a concentrated beam of sonic vibrations.

Diffraction Pistol: 18/20

Rastar's shot hits "white", but since there is not much "white" left, it passes through without doing more harm.

Laniakea's sonic vibrations buzz right past Speck's ear and wash over "blue", knocking dead copi apart.

Speck, & Hef Sadir are UP!
Blue : -2

Hef jumps into action, moving forward towards the iron fence. With a quick pivot he switches directions and comes back around behind the enemy assailing his allies. Bringing his sledge in a massive overhand swing he yells, "I SHALL SEND YOUR SOUL BACK TO YOUR MAKER!"

Move 25 around behind Blue, Standard to attack Blue.

Sledge: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 3 = 12 +2 if Speck threatens with a flank

for Bludgeoning: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

@Speck tell us if you threaten (to give the flank) - I'll wait, because I don't see any melee weapons... and it means a hit or a miss!

You’re right. Speck does not usually carry a melee weapon so no flank there.”

”Undead corals? What in Weydan’s universe?” Speck seems rather taken aback but the appearance of the undeads. He takes a step back and fires with his rifle. It seems that whatever had shaken him sends his shot flying wildly into the roof.

azimuth rifle: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5 dmg: 1d8 ⇒ 2

Ready to coordinate with Speck's melee attack, Hef Sadir is put off by Speck stepping back and shooting.
Thus Hef misses, and Speck fires into the roof... that is non-existent, since you are outside in gardens.

White double-taps Rastar.
Bang!
Hunting rifle vs. KAC: 1d20 + 6 - 4 ⇒ (6) + 6 - 4 = 8
Piercine: 1d8 ⇒ 8
Bang!
Hunting rifle vs. KAC: 1d20 + 6 - 4 ⇒ (2) + 6 - 4 = 4
Piercing: 1d8 ⇒ 4
But the old rifle has no punch left in these bullets, and they totally miss...

Alzandre is up

Alzandre gestures and points to one of the creatures, and three swirling globes of light streak towards the creature.....

Force damage vs. Black: 3d4 + 3 ⇒ (4, 4, 4) + 3 = 15

Alzandre's Magic Missiles look like Star Trek style Photon Torpedoes.

Wow! Max damage. I will probably never roll that again.

As Alzandre's summoned torpedoes totally destroy the Black undead, the cannot help but cast a victorious glance at Numina 6.
Black's coral husk bites the dust...
You hear it mutter: "Darn, I was not even able to act once..."
Then oblivion sets in and it disappears in the rubble.

Numina 6 catches Alzandre's glance.

Numina 6 is up as we enter Round 2

Impressive

If her eyebrows were not painted on Numina would have raised one at Alzadres spell.

Hmm, no point wasting more magic than necessary on these

Numina ducks around the various grave markers, drawing her rifle as she goes. Resting it against her shoulder she takes careful aim and fires it at the nearest undead.

Rifle, EAC: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9
Fire damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10

But the blast goes well wide, scorching an ancient grave marker instead.

The ancient grave marker... topples over.

Blue, sensing Hef Sadir moving in to flank, and seeing Speck step away from him, spins around and jabs at Hef, first aiming for the legs--
Tactical spear vs. KAC: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 = 21
Piercing: 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9
--then the head.
Tactical spear vs. KAC: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10
Piercing: 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10
Blue's spears pierces Hef's leg, but he manages to yank his head back.

Round 2 - Bold are UP
Blue (- 2 hp)
Speck
Rastar (- 9 sp)
Hef Sadir
Laniakea
White
Alzandre
Numina6

2 things: 1)How is Rastar at -9 sp? Was that supposed to be Hef? And, 2) your summary was unclear as to whether Rastar's opening volley shot hit or not, which matters with my opening volley feat.

Rastar rushed forward to attack the skeleton with the hunting rifle, marveling that the undead creature could even try and fire the weapon, though its aim was bad. He swung his assault hammer forward, the maul well-suiting for smashing bones, or even coral.

assault hammer, kac: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (15) + 3 = 18 +2 if the opening volley shot hit
damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

Sorry, wrong line for dam', and, no Rastar did not hit before.

Rastar's maul is well-suiting for smashing bones, but maybe not coral... because, though the weapon hits, the enemy soaks up the damage.
DR of at least 3

Round 2 - Bold are UP
Blue (- 2 hp)
Rastar
Hef Sadir (- 9 sp)
Speck
Laniakea
White
Alzandre
Numina6

Screaming in anger as his tactical moves both backfire and draw the attention of the enemy, he reels back from the blow. Using his divine rage at these abominations, he swings his sledge again. "DIE AGAIN ALREADY!!!"

Standard to attack Blue.

Sledge: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 3 = 23 for Bludgeoning Crit: 2d8 + 4 ⇒ (7, 4) + 4 = 15

Hef Sadir's blow connects perfectly, the Divine rage giving aim and power.
But the undead soaks about a third of the damage DR 5.

Round 2 - Bold are UP
Blue (- 12 hp)
Rastar
Hef Sadir (- 9 sp)
Speck
Laniakea
White (@ 1 hp)
Alzandre
Numina6

Can I ask you all to put a bit more info' in your attacks rolls?
Like: "assault hammer, kac" which gives the AC it goes after
And: "Bludgeoning" for the type of damage (also, add if you have anything that passes DR, like "Cold Iron", "magic" etc. - remember that adding even a cheap fusion or fusion seal makes your weapon "magic" vs. DR - and to do some damage to incorporeals and such).

Sure, I'm not that experienced with SFS and honestly haven't even looked much into gear. Until I built this guy and got some advice about gear levels, I thought I was restricted to my level and not level + 1. And now that I've looked into fusions, after this session I'll definitely be getting a Holy Weapon Fusion.

"Hold the line, Sadir," Laniakea encourages the kasatha as he clambers over the grave stones. "You are performing superbly!"

Inspiring Boost: restore 7 SP to Hef Sadir.

Hef's spirits are bolstered.

Round 2 - Bold is UP
Blue (- 12 hp)
Rastar
Hef Sadir (- 2 sp)
Laniakea
Speck
White (@ 1 hp)
Alzandre
Numina6

With himself safely out of reach of the walking dead coral creature thingie, Speck taps a seemingly random sequence across the augmentations across his forehead, then points at the monsters as three electricity-like bolts burst forth, two smashing into the nearer one and the third at the further one.

MM vs blue: 2d4 + 2 ⇒ (1, 4) + 2 = 7
MM vs white: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

He can't help but glance quickly at Numina and Alzandre, but quickly looks away again. Those more perceptive might hear him snort.

White crumbles to the ground, and Blue is buffeted by the double hit.
Blue seems as badly battered as White was.

Round 2 - Bold are UP
Blue (- 19 hp)
Rastar
Hef Sadir (- 2 sp)
Laniakea
Speck
Alzandre
Numina6

Alzandre takes a 5' step and swings his Survival Knife at the skeleton next to him....

melee vs. Blue: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10
possible Slashing damage vs. Blue: 1d4 ⇒ 3

Blue avoids the knife attack, and scoffs at Alzandra: "You are older than me! No more 5' steps in Starfinder, fool! Guarded Steps are the new thing!"

Sorry, getting old and senile.

Botting
From behind a grave marker, Numina6 aims her rifle at Blue and fires--
Rifle, EAC: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6
Fire damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7
--but the rifle misfires and the shot does not go off. Darn!

Round 3 starts
Going crazy with homicidal mania, Blue jabs its spear repeatedly at the one that bashed it so hard.
As the second blow lands in Hef Sadir's abdomen, it pushes hard against the armor... that does not yield.
No blows hit.

Tactical spear #1: 1d20 + 8 - 4 ⇒ (2) + 8 - 4 = 6
Piercing #1: 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9
Tactical spear #2: 1d20 + 8 - 4 ⇒ (10) + 8 - 4 = 14
Piercing #2: 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7

ALL are UP and may finish this...

Numina levels her rifle

This time damn it

And fires

Rifle, EAC: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12
Fire damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10

Hef nods at Alzandre across from him, "we will end this scurge together. Attack NOW!"

Standard to attack Blue.

Sledge vs. KAC + Flank: 1d20 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 3 + 2 = 25 for Bludgeoning Crit LOL: 1d8 + 2 + 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 + (3) + 2 = 9

Rastar rushed back into the graveyard, assualt hammer swinging. the weapon clipped a headstone in mid-swing, yanking the bounty to the side and wide of his target.

assault hammer, kac: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9
b damage: 1d26 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8

I am making generalists from now on. Every time I make a specialist, I get the worst dice rolls :)

Numina's shot reaches Blue, but does not manage to ignite the dead-coral.
Miss - 1 short of a hit (((, and though Hef Sadir's well aimed blow does not land as hard as it should, and albeit some of the damage being soaked up DR5, it is enough to smash it to bits.
end of Combat -in Round 3 - Hef Sadir -2 SP
As Rastar comes rushing up - his hammer passing exactly where the enemy was, but now clipping the headstone - Therseis exits the shuttle, and warns you:"This area saw battle and thus there might be undead that-- OOOH?!"
He seems amazed that in the minute it took him to join you, you did battle and won.

Those who check out the now destroyed undead find two hunting rifles with a total of 21 rounds, two tactical batons, and one tactical spear.
You also realize the soldiers’ equipment - and the battle-junk and vehicles lying around - comes from a technology, though inferior to that of the Pact Worlds, that is far beyond that found in the surrounding areas.

Those who then examine the battlefield see that one force had this old but modern technology, while the opposing force fought with devastating magical attacks.

Those who explore the area are bit more discover a few tiny, multicolored flowers growing among the weeds in the cemetery.

Those who look at the graves themselves, realize that the last one Rastar broke held the question to life, the universe and everything, but it is now unreadable joking. More seriously they are all unmarked, rather hurried, maybe mass produced tombs.
However, an inscription in Copaxi covers the remains of the nearby monument, the fountain on the side the undead came from.

Those who read the text, or were told what it says:

After all your looking around and exploring the gardens around, among the wreckage, you discover:
• an incendiary grenade II
• four mk 1 serums of healing
• two nyfiber nets
• two tactical pikes

"This one seemed to have writing on it, but it is now damaged. It seems to say 'what do you get when you multiply six by nine', but that can't be right, can it?"

"Anyway, this all looks to have happened a long time ago, but I can't tell when."

Rastar continued looking about the parkland.

perception: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 1 = 14

"Well struck!" the woioko compliments Hef Sadir. He hostlers his diffraction pistol.

With the immediate threat resolved, he moves on to continue his examination of the grave markers and monuments.

"Interesting and tragic. It appears that there was a cultural schism--apparently over Triune's revelation of drift travel. The inscription literally says, '...those who died of the Message of Madness are forever a part of this great city, their contributions forever a part of our memories,' and someone defaced it with, 'Your lies cannot silence the Signal! Long live the First to Listen!'"

His lipless mouth frowns. "It appears the ancient copaxi received and translated the Signal soon after Triune sent it--3 AG. The modern copaxi have just re-translated the Signal according to their request for protectorate status."

His forehead wrinkles as he raises his hairless brow. "There could be copaxi other on distant worlds!"

Hef nods at the Woioko, "thank you, but the honor goes to Sarenrae who guided my hand. Even with such a simple weapon as this, her will shall be done." He turns to Therseis, "would it be a major issue if I were to collect and transport one of these attackers back to the Pact Worlds? I have built a relationship with a friend who researches all manner of beings, including the undead. She would love to have an opportunity to study one of these bodies. I do completely understand if you say no and mean no disrespect by asking."

__________________________________________

He muses over the information gained, "oooh, that is interesting. A massive Civil War would explain a great deal about the state of these cities and the current culture. Some civilizations have even been completely wiped out from wars like that."

"If you feel this will help you determine our fate as to being a Protectorate, by all means", answers Therseis.

Note: Alzandre has: heme Knowledge(EX): Reduce the DC to identify rare, ancient, or alien tech by 5. Please apply where needed.

engineering vs. DC=16: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (20) + 8 = 28

Life Science vs. DC=18: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 14

Culture vs. DC=15: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 = 21

Culture/Mysticism(both +4) vs. DC=13: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10

Alzandre shares any knowledge he may gain with the group, (sorry, not up to much role play today).

Looks like the Life Science is the only one left?
life science: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (19) + 10 = 29

While the more scholarly ones move to study the inscriptions, Speck moves to join Alzandre but the flowers unwittingly catches his eyes. "Hmm, these plants are unique to the atmospheric and meteorological conditions in the floating city and are likely extinct elsewhere." He turns to Therseis to verify. "Have you seen such flowers before?"

You may all open all spoilers except for the last. And all but Alzandre may attempt the DC 13 Culture/Mysticism of the last one.
Remember to divvy up the loot if you wish.

Rastar spot nothing else of interest as you look around the gardens.

Therseis looks at the flowers, and is clearly impressed that you found this.
"No, I have never seen this. May I carefully sample this unidentified flora to help our research?"

Laniakea passed that spoiler, already including it in his dialogue.

Sorry, forgot it was in spoiler (((

"No, I have never seen this. May I carefully sample this unidentified flora to help our research?"

"Uh, yeah? It is your planet." Speck quips. But he similarly collects a sample himself. Might prove valuable. Best to have it checked out back at Absalom Station.

Numina has been distracted checking over her rifle while the others explore.

The scope alignment must be off, damn shoddy ysoki technology

As she finishes up she looks over at the rest of the group. Well, that all seems interesting, there is something up here. She examines the strange plants, Perhaps we should take a sample she says running a finger over its leaves.

Therseis looks around: "Do you wish to explore more? If so, where to?"

Numia looks at Therseis oddly, You think we would give up when there is so much more to explore? Very curious

Turning to the rest she says, I suggest we hit an area on the outer ring and make our way around. Maybe the market given it seems the most isolated area?

Laniakea finishes typing his notes into his datapad. "Sure," he agrees with Numia.

Therseis answers, simply: "I know not how you work. Maybe you already have enough to make your determination? But I will gladly follow you..."

Two for the markets, so I will move you there. If someone has some important reason or urge not to go there, speak up.
Note: the market is to the south-east of the map, in [1], on the "spoke".

Back in the shuttle, you lift off the ground, seeing the scores of graves marking this site of sad civil war that ripped apart what were beautiful city gardens planned for relaxation, and then Therseis guides you towards the market.
You land, and get out.
"Tabantria Market", Therseis says.
You look upon an open area.
You see scattered debris and abandoned market stalls.
Scorch marks, ash, and burnt-out structures reveal that a fire devastated the area long ago.
You start exploring.
You realize that most of the shops dealt primarily in art, jewelry, statues, and other decorative objects.
Anything of value was ruined or looted long ago.

Roll them dice!

Perception(#1) vs. DC=13: 1d20 ⇒ 20
Perception(#2) vs. DC=13: 1d20 ⇒ 14
Physical Science(if #2 works) vs. DC16: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (5) + 7 = 12
Culture vs. DC=16: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24

Alzandre shares what he learns with the group and continues to record everything on his computer.

All spoilers except Physical Science opened, all can read them.
All ohers can look at the coins and roll for DC16 Phys Sci'

physical science, take 10: 10 + 10 = 20 We can take 10, since we're not in combat?

Though the general feeling is a little eery, you do not fill hard pressed or in imminent danger so all spoilers opened.