Telwyn rushes over to Remerix and quickly gets to work mixing and administering a cocktail of drugs designed to universally slow the progression of any poison. And seconds later, Remerix's symptoms cease to get worse.
But oh how awful Sparks and Remerix's symptoms are!!!
Sparks and Remerix, suffering weakness from the poison had begun developing pussy boils all over their bodies which instantly popped when touched. And once popped, it began oozing an offensive odor which even they themselves could not get used to. One would imagine that one would get desensitized to one's own horrific odor but in this case, one would be so, so wrong!! Even the blades of grass seem to lean away from you as you walk through the forest over to search the two dead corpses...
...but after injecting yourself with the antivenom, your boils heal up within seconds and the odor dissipates soon afterwards! For a tiny, tiny split second you even believe that your fart smelled like roses....
Current status:
Sparks (-4SP, -8HP)
Twik (-5SP, -4HP)
Lynn (-6SP, -4HP)
Remerix (-9SP)
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The entire party examines the instinct redirection transducer and are able to discern the following:
You're not able to discern anything more about this device at this point.
Twik attempts to transmit a message back to Radaszam but... this is odd... there's no response... and your comms aren't getting any kind of affirmation signal. It's as though your transmission isn't getting through...
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Remerix looks at the various equipment, and grabs anything that doesn't look like it's been dino-destroyed. Also, despite the fact that the Lashunta is twice his size, he easily hoists the guard's corpse over his body. "Remerix sure someone would want to give proper funeral and not have body be dinner."
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Lynn turns the 'Instinct Redirection Transducer' over in her hands. "Hmmm! Little IRT-ie here is a cool guy. A short range transmitter, a scanner for bio-nanites, and enchantment magic all in one?" She crosses her arms and cocks her head to the side in an exaggerated display of thoughtfulness. "And the name... and, it was on this guy who probably snuck in and killed our security guard..."
"OH OH OH! I got it! Detective Lynn's got this case solved!" Lynn adjusts an invisible pair of glasses with a cheeky grin.
She heads over to the busted emitter and checks it over. Specifically, she's looking to see if its been damaged by a hundred little compsikania claws and jaws.
While she does a terrible job of examining the device she explains "So IRT-ie is a short range instinct redirector, right? But it's probably designed to affect only creatures with the right type of bionanites in them. And I'll BET the swarm that started nibbling us has those nanites in them." She points at the lashunta infiltrator (?) and adds "Because that guy wanted to get in, and used the little dinos to do it!"
The party picks up all usuable items from the bodies and Remerix goes one better by picking up the human guard!
Lynn continues to look over and ponder the transducer. Looking it over, she doesn't spot anything unusual. But at her request, Sparks saunters over and takes a closer look.
Sparks does indeed find that the device is scratched up and battered. The damage and dents is consistent with having taken damage from claws and bites that match up with compsikania. You deduce that when the lashunta was taken down and chewed up, the transducer, being in the lashunta's pocket, took a beating. In addition, the transducer appears to be nonoperational - likely from the damage.
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As you return to the gala, you encounter Radaszam and Muldoi. Both look haggard and bear signs of recent combat.
Muldoi catches sight of the human guard carried by Remerix and says, "Oh no! Carthas! Is he still alive?" She rushes over to the guard and examines him as Remerix lays the body down.
Radaszam barks, “Unfortunate, but glad we caught you. We have a situation. After you left, a group of terrorists calling themselves Ipsoth’s Children ambushed the gala. It was well-planned; they were armed, and they shut down all communications almost immediately. They’ve captured several high-profile hostages.”
Muldoi, realizing that Carthas is long gone, gets to her feet and adds, “They released the feathered renkroda. It overwhelmed my security forces, but didn’t attack Ipsoth’s Children — they were controlling it somehow. The two of us barely managed to escape. There’s an emergency communications bunker out in the Ikal Expanse. We could use that to alert Esowath Nexus and call for reinforcements, but it’s a long walk. If we can get some vehicles from the equipment tent, we can get there faster.
"Remerix, you've shown great respect bringing Carthas' body here rather than leaving it in the wild. Could I trouble you to carry him to the equipment tent? We can store the body there until we've resolved this entire situation.”
The equipment tent is at the edge of the gala site. Assuming the party agrees to proceed there, on your way there, you notice several dirt paths through the jungle bear wheel ruts. The widest path leads to a large, sturdy tent which Radaszam and Muldoi immediately enter, taking Carthas' body from Remerix and moments later emerge driving two Esowath Explorer vehicles. You board the vehicles and drive out to the communications bunker in the Ikal expanse, which takes about 15 minutes.
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If LINE allows, Telwyn will try and see if there's anything she can do to fix the transducer-mabob.
if that fails but seems possible, she'll reroll it with Blessing of Desna:
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"I bet the renkroda is under control of something like the transducer." If she managed to fix the transducer-magig she will see if she can figure enough out to control the renkroda, like change its frequency or something like that.
If LINE allows, Telwyn will try and see if there's anything she can do to fix the transducer-mabob.
[dice=Engineering]1d20+14
if that fails but seems possible, she'll reroll it with Blessing of Desna:
[dice=Engineering]1d20+14-------------
"I bet the renkroda is under control of something like the transducer." If she managed to fix the transducer-magig she will see if she can figure enough out to control the renkroda, like change its frequency or something like that.
[dice=Engineering]1d20+14
After tinkering with the transducer, you conclude that it is far beyond your understanding. There is in reality zero chance of you fully understanding it or fixing it while here out in the field.
Perhaps if you were in a lab with a team of scientists and mystics, you'd be able to reverse engineer the technology and magics powering this device but those are resources not currently available to you.
It was, however, a good attempt and you feel that you have several solid ideas to pursue when researching this device once you're out of the jungle.
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While in the rovers traveling out to the bunker, Lynn taps Radaszam on the shoulder and calls out "Hey Radaszam, I think we know how they were controlling that renkroda! Lookie here~" She reveals Telwyn currently tinkering with the device "Telwyn can totally mind-control wildlife and she's been working for these Ipsoth's Children guys!"
After a few moments to allow confusion to settle in, she grins "Kidding! Actually its that little guy she's working on. The IRT-ie! We took a look at it and we think it can be used to adjust animal instincts, so long as those animals got a dose of nanites ahead of time. If we had a jammer that could jam the signal the little guy is sending out, maybe we could stop that renkroda from being controlled!"
"I bet the Conservancy guys would like that a lot more than us having to fight it."
After she's provided her suggestion, she stands up in the vehicle and lets the wind stream her long hair out in an undulating turquoise stream behind her.
Remerix hands over the remains of the guard lightly, glad to not carry that (literal) burden anymore. He actually looks a bit downcast, out of character for the typically upbeat Skitterlarian. "Remerix is sorry for your loss. Remerix and nufriends will make terrorists pay!"
"I appreciate that Remerix," says Muldoi. "I'm obviously not happy about this whole situation but I am happy you're on our side."
While in the rovers traveling out to the bunker, Lynn taps Radaszam on the shoulder and calls out "Hey Radaszam, I think we know how they were controlling that renkroda! Lookie here~" She reveals Telwyn currently tinkering with the device "Telwyn can totally mind-control wildlife and she's been working for these Ipsoth's Children guys!"
After a few moments to allow confusion to settle in, she grins "Kidding! Actually its that little guy she's working on. The IRT-ie! We took a look at it and we think it can be used to adjust animal instincts, so long as those animals got a dose of nanites ahead of time. If we had a jammer that could jam the signal the little guy is sending out, maybe we could stop that renkroda from being controlled!"
"I bet the Conservancy guys would like that a lot more than us having to fight it."
After she's provided her suggestion, she stands up in the vehicle and lets the wind stream her long hair out in an undulating turquoise stream behind her.
As Lynn utters the words implicating Telwyn, indeed a look of confusion crosses Radaszam's face as he quickly looks over at Telwyn and reaches for his pistol in one fluid movement. But once Lynn reveals the joke, Radaszam facepalms, muttering, "Plan. Never according to plan...."
Muldoi chimes in before Radaszam completely blows his top, "Yes, that is certainly most interesting. I had not imagined this kind of techno-magic existed. May I take a look?" She examines the device for a couple minutes before handing it back.
"Well, it is certainly beyond me and my team's understanding. Maybe if you locate another working device it can be used as you say? If you can release Vossi from the control of those terrorist, that will certainly go a long ways in defusing this situation."
Sparks bats away at wave of turquoise hair suddenly obscuring her vision...
Despite all her efforts, Sparks never manages to get all the hair out of her face. In fact, the harder you try to push the hair aside, the stronger the wind catches it and whips it right back into your face.
Lynn, however, doesn't notice Sparks' suffering as she enjoys the remainder of the ride to the bunker!
The communications bunker is a well-concealed fortification built into the side of a steep hill, with a communications array disguised among trees at the hilltop. The bunker’s entrance is behind a few large rocks disguised to blend in with the terrain. Muldoi has the codes necessary to enter the bunker. Once inside, lights indicate an incoming message broadcast on a broad array.
Holo-projectors and vid-screens flare to life, projecting the image of a well-dressed haan standing on a stage featuring smashed orchestral instruments and a dead barathu. He speaks directly to the camera with calm determination, “Technological tyrants of the Pact Worlds, for too long the natural order in the galaxy has been disrupted by your machines and your machinations. It is time to sweep your metal and circuitry off the face of the world, off all worlds. I, Ipsoth, shall lead my children into a glorious revolution of nature. We shall execute one hostage for every hour technology remains on Ukulam. I am watching.”
Before the message cuts out, the feathered renkroda Vossi strides behind the stage and into the Ikal Expanse, ridden by two terrorists with sniper rifles.
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"Ohmygod ohmygod ohmygod!!! Did I just see what I think I saw????
Telwyn shakes her head. "I mean - they are clearly mind controlling Vossi there! How can they claim to champion nature when they enslave such a glorious creature for ... cheap ... thrills ... and ... their ... own ... benefit ... right?!??!"
She takes hold of the controls of one of the big guns on the vehicle. "This thing is conveniently set for stun already. We may have to use it on poor Vossi for his own good - but feel free to throw anything we have at those snipers..."
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As Sparks drives happily along...
Lynn notices Sparks getting a face-ful of hair and shifts to the side to spare her. "Sorry Sparks!"
Sparks smiles, her mouth full of hair: "Ohhsshh itsssshhh allssshhhrigthssshh!"
At the bunker, Sparks is the last to leave the vehicle, patting it as she sadly walks away.
Staring at the holoprojection, Sparks mumbles: "I have no metal, not even clothes on me, fool!"
Looking at her companions: "What planetary hour is he talking about? Could be long... or short."
Muldoi says, "Gorrammit! These terrorists are killing innocents! Radaszam..."
Radaszam finishes Muldoi's thought, "I agree, we need to stay here to monitor the situation and call in support from the Esowath Nexus. Without us here to coordinate and relay intelligence, that support will be coming in blind."
"Right but not only that," says Muldoi. "Help is hours away - at best. Which means even more hostages will die before help arrives."
Despite the grim situation, Radaszam gives a wry, somewhat reassuring grin and says, "Once again, Starfinders at your service, Muldoi! You have all the help you need right here."
Radaszam turns to the party and says, "Starfinders! Time to show the Esowath Conservancy what the Society is capable of! Take the vehicles, get back to the gala and take down Ipsoth before he can execute any additional hostages.
"However, Vossi does throw a wrench in the works. I ask you not to kill the renkroda but you can't let those eco-terrorist use him to defend the gala site either. I suggest you locate and non-lethally neutralize Vossi on your way back to the gala."
Muldoi chimes in, "I agree, please subdue Vossi rather than kill him. Do you agree?"
"Very good, thank you," says Muldoi. "And this may come in handy..." She bangs on a wall panel and it slides away, revealing a hidden cache of equipment:
two static arc pistols
two standard taclashes
a tactical arc emitter
a merciful fusion seal (6th)
4 more doses of compsikania anti-venom
4 mk 2 healing serums
2 mk 1 adaptive serums
You exit the bunker, head back to the Esowath Explorers and get settled in. The vehicles have an automated sensor array to detect the nearest massive biological entity , which you drive towards, assuming it will lead you to Vossi.
And indeed it does! After a couple minutes, you spot Vossi ridden by a couple eco-terrorists along a muddy hillside. They see your two vehicles approaching and immediately retreat back towards the direction of the gala site. The chase is on!!!!
Round 1
Sparks and Twik, please post your pilot actions and rolls. Everyone else, feel free to throw up any RP posts but hold off on any combat actions for now.
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Sparks revs' the engine as people pile in, and then lets the clutch out lurching off to a speedy start as soon as the last person has one foot and one hand or appendage in: "Hold on!"
Sparks just puts the pedal to the metal and squeals!
But she just spins the wheels in the dirt, digging a rut and spraying mud all over the vehicle behind them, getting it in Lynn's hair.
But then she gets traction, and the vehicle zooms off--
"Someone shoot 'em!"
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Remerix straps down in the vehicle, expecting some hard racing ahead. He then waits to see if Lynn has something in store before turning on the music.
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Lynn hums the mud out of her hair with token spell and then puts a hand on Remerix's shoulder. She leans down to speak into his ear "Hey Remerix, do you have any Verce-beat tracks you could spin? Because if we're going to chase down a Renkroda, we've gotta do it in style, right?" She winks at the skittermander.
Once he sets something playing, she begins to ♫♪ sing in time with the speedy beat ♫♪.
Spotting Vossi and the two terrorists riding the renkroda up upon the hill, Twik hits the accelerator and attempts to speed up and catch them!!
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Piloting Phase:
Chase Progress Phase:
Combat Phase:
A shot rings out and the purple eco-terrorist hits Telwyn for 9 points of damage! Sniper!!
The following characters in bold may take their turn. Sparks and Twik, please also post your piloting phase actions for round 2:
Purple eco-terrorist
Telwyn (-9SP)
Twich
Lynn (-6SP, -4HP)
Twik (-5SP, -4HP, also post piloting action for next round)
Sparks (-4SP, -3HP, also post piloting action for next round)
Remerix (-9SP)
Blue eco-terrorist
Vossi
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Sparks frowns: "I told you to shoot 'em!"
Sparks brakes and stops moving forward when the silly dino' slips back down the hill.
Looking around, Sparks sees the dino' is going to be coming back up the hill and into the mud again.
She turns the wheel and--
--Sparks would like to prepare to react to Vossi entering the hillside (our zone) again and take a Double Maneuver (@-4 ; plus we have -4 due to the mud and hillside, correct?) to first try to Engage the dino'--
--I imagine it has more than 15 KAC (?). If it fails as I imagine, then Sparks would take the 2nd maneuver to try and engage again:
If, by crazy chance, Sparks engaged the first time, she would use the second maneuver to Evade and add 2 AC (to help fight the Break Free)
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However, you cannot wait until the "Chase Progress" phase (where they move up to the Muddy Hillside) and then try to engage. This is because an engage action is not allowed during the chase progress phase - only during the piloting phase.
Note that during the piloting phase, both you and Twik have higher initiative than the blue eco-terrorist (he's the Vossi pilot) so your piloting actions will happen first before the eco-terrorist's piloting action.
So what you can do is delay your piloting action until after the eco-terrorist's piloting action.
Therefore:
Does this work for you?