[Outpost II] GM Wolffauer - SFS 1-20 - Duskmire Accord 9 (Inactive)

Game Master Wolffauer

Dot in here

Here? Right here?

Dot

Dotto.

dotti

A non-sexuated android, with yellow lights under dark synthskin, dressed in a simple stationwear flightsuit, enters.
”Greetings! I am Prototype Android & Nanite Genesis Enterprise - Akiton PANGEA Delta model serial #101218-704, but, please, just call me Pangea, or Delta.”
Pangea has a bunch of equipment on its belt: a sheathed knife & a baton, a holstered semi-automatic pistol w. a half a dozen ammo’ clips, a couple smoke grenades, binders, a pair of toolkits, and a half a dozen serums.
A coil of cable hangs from its left shoulder.
Beside the Starfinder Insignia pinned to its chest, the android has attached a serum of healing and a medpatch.
”In case of emergency”, Pangea-Delta says, pointing to them.

You have been summoned to a meeting with Venture-Captain Kunoris Vex at the recently completed lodge on Salvation's End.

The hallway outside the meeting room is dimly lit and crowded with crates. A well dressed drow waits in front of the door, greeting the new arrivals. "Starfinders! I'm so glad you've arrived. I am Venture- Captain Kunoris Vex," he says, approaching. The drow offers an outstretched hand, but is forced to jump back quickly as a pair of rapidly chattering ysoki dash in front of him, waving their arms excitedly and pointing at readings on their holographic displays as they run down the hall. Vex smiles. "As you can see, there's a lot going on here, and I want you to get right down to work."

Vex gestures to a nearby doorway, leading into a conference room with insta-plastic tables and chairs arranged haphazardly about. The holographic display unit's core sits atop the table, ready for a technician to install it. "Sorry for the mess. I'm sure you understand we're right in the middle of setting everything up." The drow politely pulls out the chairs for others to sit. Once everyone is seated, he pulls out a pocket computer and projects an image onto a nearby wall. The readout shows a series of images of a long, massive hallway lined with gigantic doors spaced far apart.

"As you can see, this moon contains a large number of vaults. We recently gained access to one of them," Vex begins. "The monitor outside of this vault doorway currently displays the words 'Duskmire Accord.' We've found no records in our research here or from the databases on Absalom Station about the term 'Duskmire,' but we assume it is the name of a place. Our scans from the hallway reveal a powerful energy source somewhere within the vault, although its construction or some manner of shielding prevents any meaningful readings. It appears that if we want to learn anything more, we need to send in a team." He cocks his head, raises an eyebrow, and looks meaningfully toward the group.

The drow turns off the projector and smiles broadly as he leans forward. "I'd like you to go into this vault and see what you can find. Identify the source of these energy readings, and learn anything else you can about the interior of the vault. There may be inhabitants, but we don't know whether they're likely to be peaceful. As always, be ready for anything!"

Feel free to introduce yourselves to each other as well as ask any questions you may have. Unlike many other scenarios there are no knowledge rolls at this point. Let me know if you have played Claim to Salvation (with any character) and have access to the Claimant to Salvation boon.

Delta is about to shake hands... but then follows the flow, and takes a seat.
Having listened, the android asks:
"Do we need to breach the door, or is it opened?
Any idea of how big this vault is? If there are maybe inhabitants, it is bigger than a bank vault, correct?"
The android hopes the energy source is not radiation...

Donovan gives a crisp nod to VC Kunoris Vex and waits patiently as the ysoki continue with their antics.
"Do we expect any security measures once inside?"

I've run Claim to Salvation. This character has GM credit for it.

Rastar was practicing rolling coins on both of his lower hands, a trick that had somehow eluded him. The quad-dexterous kasatha looked odd in his custom overcoat and weapons strapped to every conceivable place, but it suited him just fine. He listened to the mission briefing with careful attention to detail, despite his antics with the coins.

"Any idea what we're going to find in there? Traps? AIs? Vicious alien monsters that are intent on ripping our faces off and wearing them as kideche cloths?"

"Not again, I hope those media types aren't around this time!" an android says in a monotone, making it difficult to know whether he is resigned to the inevitable or hiding an anger stemming from previous experiences. The andriod, a grey stony looking character with bright green glowing orbs like eyes and with faint green lines like veins. He, she or it wears an electricians attire, orange overalls that clash very nicely with green glow embedded through his craggy face. He carries a rifle, with his other equipment, wires and small electronic devices peeking out from his overalls and bag.

Taking a datapad out from his pack, his hands deftly move over the surface, "So Venture-Captain Kunoris Vex, there is no intelligence for us about this place. Have you found any control panels regarding it's life support systems? Some of those here might rely on organic matter and oxygen to live? Or have you seen anything to control access to the area? Have you identified the energy type, that has been recorded at an abnormally high level?"

His eyes alternately glow and dim as he looks each of the gathered starfinders up and down.The voice continues, "Who are these others. Is Pytho-7 to work with them? What are their identifiers, that I know their uses?"

"The vault door is open, and we expect the vault is of a similar size to the first one we found, so maybe 20 miles in diameter. Beyond that there is either shielding built into the device or an unknown type of active disruption that stymies our scanning efforts. I’d like you to investigate both, and take readings from the power source if you can."

"I’ll have a vehicle deliver you to the access tunnel. Since no one else has gone in yet, I really don’t have much more advice for you than to travel down and see where it leads. It's sure to be an intriguing experience, and I have to say I’m rather jealous. 'Don't get promoted,' is what my friends always said. Now I see why!"

Delta nods: "Okay! Ready to roll..."

A taciturn Lashunta stands listening intently and taking notes on his personal commm. "I am only vaguely away of the ZO! production involving the moon. The simulation inside is currently active? The atmosphere and setting would be non-lethal, and normal for lack of better words?"

I've played LIVE EXTREME! with another character, how much of that is considered 'common knowledge'? Baròleg would have other questions if he was aware of the show/circumstance.

The Lashunta turns to introduce himself to the team, speaking very formally "I am Baròleg Konstantu, an officer in the Stewards. I specialize in tactical analysis, with an emphasis on critical event negotiations or de-escalations."

"In that case, I too and 'ready to roll', as our friend Delta says."

"A steward? Really? Ugh! OK." Donovan is a former steward.
"Let's get moving."

LIVE EXTREME was broadcast far and wide, and as Starfinders I would expect you are familiar with the basics of what happened there if not the details:

We know that Salvation's End is an artificial moon that contains a sophisticated artificial gravity generator and a number of sealed-off vaults. It seems as though there is some manner of intelligence controlling the entire station, but we haven’t managed to contact it or determine its purpose.

At least some of the vaults are occupied. The first vault we opened was occupied by a group of dwarves who believed they were deep underground on Golarion, of all places, and that they were undergoing some kind of task for the vanished god Torag. They seemed to have had their memories altered somehow. Whether that was a fluke or a pattern remains to be seen.

Kunoris addresses Baròleg's question, "This simulation started up a few months ago. We'd been hoping that our scans and scrying would be able to tell us something more of what is going on inside, but we've been unable to break through whatever is blocking us. So now we'll send you in to figure it out."

If there are no more question, you may make any final purchases at the lodge and slot any boons you have. I'll post again after work.

No Starship tag, right? (if so all Boons slotted)

Correct. No tags at all

After the Venture Captain introduced himself. Seven of Eleven just looks at him and states flatly "This unit did not know that drow where Venture Captains within the Starfinder's society."

"If this unit encounters alien life forms, Does this unit attempt to capture the life forms by all means possible? Is there any special equipment that the society has to offer?"

Kunoris offers Seven of Eleven a big smile, "Oh yes, there are a few of us around."

"I certainly don't want you to try and capture any intelligent life you might fine. Be diplomatic, and establish good relations with them if you can. Should you run across something unique, note it's location and take a small sample if possible - though we don't have any special equipment for that. We'll investigate such things later if warranted."

Baròleg glances at Donovan, "Interesting respond." He returns his attention to the conversation. After Seven finishes, "Then it's also likely any lifeforms may not be aware of the time or technological level of the outside world. First contact should be addressed carefully."

"I'll be ready to travel shortly, I'd like to make a few preparations first."

Purchasing Static Arc Pistol, then ready to go.

"This is such a mysterious place... some giant experiment. Rather creepy."
ready to go

When everyone is ready, one of Kunoris Vex's aids drives you down to the main hallway of Salvation's End, and drops you off at the door to the Duskmire vault. "Good luck in there! Contact Kunoris Vex when you are done, and I'll be back down to give you a ride out." They give a cheerful wave before turning the cart around and driving off.

Through the vault door is a short passageway leading to an airlock. While the technology behind the airlock is beyond you, it functions as you'd expect. Once inside with the outer door shut, you get a brief blast from a decontamination laser grid, followed by the inner door opening onto a stone cavern.

Ahead of you in the cavern, you can see a 2 foot wide metal disk embedded in the floor.

Baròleg moves cautiously into the cavern, his Arc pistol in hand (set to stun). He beings searching the cavern and examining, but not touching, the disc in the floor.

Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (10) + 7 = 17

Rastar fans out to the other side of Baroleg. He deosn't yet have weapons to hand, but he's ready to draw at a moment's notice.

perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

Pangea looks at the disc.
Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15
Does it seem like something that was installed, or like something that was tossed or dropped and simply ended up there.

Pytho-7 seems to shrink back into the background, when he finds himself in the presence of a Steward. His lights dim slightly, "The dwarves were on an endless quest to find the surface, there was a 0.1% chance they would ever find it, as the simulation reconfigured itself over many generations. Had it not been for the intrusion of space vermin, those goblins, there was an 96% chance the simulation would have continued unhindered."

...............

On arrival Pytho-7 takes out his datapad and take an image of the disk, retreating to let the other members of the team investigate further.

Pytho-7 will cash in the Salvation’s Delver boon for mk 1 synaptic accelerator(dex) - (1200cr). From the stores he retrieves 3 x Mk 1 serum of healing (3x50cr) - want to find out more about autorifle before I try and buy.

Taking a look at the disk
Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8

Seven of Eleven did some shopping: Iridishell armor-Basic, Plusecaster rifle, plus ammo/clips

"What do we have here? Anyone have any idea?"

Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 4 = 18

As the group exits the airlock, a holographic projection of a horizontal blue line appears in the air above the circular disk in the ground. The line begins moving in a waveform pattern like that of an oscilloscope.

"Greetings, ERROR: NULL RECORD," a polite, cool voice speaks, in Common. "Welcome to Duskmire! You are understandably confused by your sudden arrival, but rest assured that there is all you need here to survive should you choose to do so. You can enter the temple and be released when you have achieved dominance over the other two resident powers within the Duskmire area. Please accept this simple map as a gift to guide your way. Happy conquest!"

A plastic sheet materializes on the disk. Map added to sheet

After the line vanishes, several of you examine the disk closer. Unsurprisingly it appears to be some sort of holographic projector. It is deeply embedded in the stone floor and uses an advanced technology of unknown origin.

Beyond the disk, there is an exit to the cavern. As Baròleg approaches the opening, he hears raucous laughter and loud singing far in the distance. Pangea is able to better isolate the sounds and says they are coming from the south east.

Nothing else of note is found in the cavern

Pangea checks the door they entered through, to see if they are all locked in now.
"Some sort of game, test, where we have dominate two powers to be able to exit through a temple?"

Are we at the red x?
"No reason to drag this out." Donovan settles his gear and starts toward the sounds.

"Let's go dominate!"
Pangea follows Mr. Delacroix.

A quick check of the airlock, shows that it remains active and you can freely pass back into the entrance hall.
Yes, the entrance/exit to the cavern is at the red X

"Well, if it is heading out time, then let's head out."

Rastar moves alongside Donovan, hand near holstered weapons and eyes darting back and forth.

"So, if we can leave when we wish, it is more of a game, I guess?"

The android records the hologram with his datapad, before sticking his finger in a slight hollow on the side of his head, that in a human would be his ear, to think about what was said.

Pytho-7 follows Donovan, Rastar and Pangea-Delta, as he moves forward he studies the area for any way to plug his datapad into the system, Handy to control the door, irrespective of the conditions, let's take control.. As the luminescence levels of his green veins change with his thoughts, he suddenly asks in his usual monotone, "There's a 16.8% chance one of you can read the thoughts of another humanoid or species? Do any have that capability?"

Perception 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12
Engineering 1d20 + 2 + 3 + 3 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 2 + 3 + 3 + 3 = 13 studying the airlock and door.

Once inside the enclosed cavern or 'Temple', Pytho-7 remarks, "Mission objective to identify source of power, discover, befriend and come back alive. There is a 94.8% chance that dominance is incompatible with be diplomatic and establish good relations with intelligent creatures. But 88.3% probability that dominance is compatible with returning to VC Kunoris Vex. The mission has a high probability of failure" He stops as his brain tries to reconcile the problem as presented, sticking his finger in his ear once more, which seems to send a stream of green lights towards his neck and presumably his body. Though vision of any progress is obscured by his orange overalls.

After a few minutes of standing still, Pytho-7 looks at his datapad, containing an image of the map, stating, "There's a 63.8% probability the large structure in the centre of the map is the power source. We should head in that direction."

Is there a check Pytho-7 can do here, to determine the direction of the power source?

"Agreed Pytho, dominance would seem counter productive to our goals. I should like to have the definition or conditions this dominance is being judged by..." Baròleg ponders the message briefly before continuing, "and yes, my people can read thoughts to a limited degree and only for a short period each day." (Detect Thoughts 1/day)

Baròleg moves into step behind the others exiting the cave, "Agreed, maybe contact with the species in this simulation could provide better insights. Fore warned is fore armed."

Kasathas are always four armed..."

Just to be clear of the layout - you were dropped at the outer door and traveled down a corridor to the airlock. The airlock led you to the cavern, which has an opening leading out into the vault.

The airlock and outer door yield none of their secrets to Pytho-7. Both are of a technology beyond what you are familiar with, though are most similar to what you might find on a starship in size and strength.

Pytho-7 is able to use the scanner built into his datapad to easily determine the direction from which the electromagnetic energy is coming - roughly south west from the entrance cavern.

The vault itself is dimly lit all around, and the air is humid and warm (80-90 degree F). Patches of mist and fog can be seen all around you. The area around you is a grassy plain with occasional clumps small bushes or large mushrooms.

"Raucous laughter and loud singing from the south east, power from the south west. Laughter first?"

Pytho-7's green veins dim as he listens to the Steward disclose he has a limited ability to read thought, Best I stop thinking anything that might incriminate me. He quietens down and let's others lead, First it was the b@#@#y ZO! TV lot, now its a mind reading Steward. Last time I visit this B@#@#y moon.

"Laughter means life forms, This unit will attempt to use minimum force."
Seven of Eleven will ready his Pulsecaster rifle.

Donovan was going toward the laughter and, presumably, the people.

Pangea follows along towards the south-east and the laughter.
"I do not understand jokes most of the time, but when I do, I try to remember to laugh."

As they head towards the laughter, Pytho-7 hangs back a bit, protecting the rear. He calls forward after consulting his datapad, "There is a 5.8% chance that we will be able to use our native tongues to communicate with alien life forms. There is a 70.5% chance first contact will lead to unfriendly or hostile behaviour." The andriod removes his needler rifle from his back and readying it for action. "I have a 0.5% chance to create a diversion, with no infosphere to work with." He then is silent and the granite like features of his body loose their green luminescence.

"The hologram addressed us in Common, maybe that means the creatures here have some concept of the language?" Baròleg addresses Pytho's concern, "I'm sure we have a number of languages spoken between us. With luck something will be close enough to communicate." As the team moves forward Baròleg will keep an eye open to any signs of tracks or life, in the off chance something could be learned as the group travels.

Just in case it can help...
Survival: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9
Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (10) + 7 = 17

Rastar chuckled at the kasatha joke. He had heard it many times in his life, and it always made him laugh. Humor was something that tied all sophonts together, though not every culture appreciated others' humor.

"I agree that we should head towards the sounds of celebration first. It seems that beings in a good mood would likely be welcoming to strangers."

Rastar moved to take point and kept scanning the environment as they walked.

perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 2 = 20