GM_MG's Dead Suns (Inactive)

Game Master GM_MG

Nothing on the survival check? /sad panda. Ah well, I'll aid on the diplomacy.

diplo for aid: 1d20 ⇒ 10

Rags spends some time canvassing the area, asking questions about Marrowblight sightings of anyone willing to speak with him.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 11 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 11 + 2 = 25

Diplomacy Aid: 1d20 ⇒ 6

B-Bop adjusts his sunglasses and inquires among the locals about directions to "Blight", what they know about the mayor of that community, and where might a fleshy like himself procure some packages of fruit pies.

diplomacy: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 2 = 15

Asking around about Marrowblights, you learn of one particular Marrowblight, known to associate with the Corpse Fleet--Xerantha Mortrant.

"Yeah, he's a hermit, lives about 10 kilometers outside of town. He's sort of a hermit--Marrowblights aren't, ah, fond of your sort. And Orphys has lots of, well, you know. Anyway, I hear he's friendly with the Corpse Fleet."

You aren't able to get firm directions to his home, but you should be able to find him with enough time, based on the vague directions you received.

Rags speaks with B-bop, trying to keep a strait face. B-bop... the uh 'Mayor' is currently out of town. I think we should follow up on out other lead here in town first before we go looking for this 'Mayor' in his rustic cottage. What say you?

B-Bop narrows his eyes at Rags and then nods approvingly.

Yeah. Yeah, dat's what I'm talkin' 'bout, Stewie. Teamwork, ya know? Bein' on da same page, yeah!

"Yay, team!" Tiktik cheered.

"So let's go track down that retired navy guy and ask about his roommate's weird disappearance."

The apartment building is quite close to Fleshworn Fabricators, and it takes only a few minutes to arrive.

The narrow sliding door to this residential building bears the tarnished metal numbers “5236,” with the final digit drooping to the side. The door is slightly dented and hangs partially open.

Inside you spot four ghouls--one looking tousled and banged up, and laying prone on the floor, with the other three standing threatening above her.

They whip around as you enter and hiss menacingly.

"Ha, once more the quick turn up; vermin, where they are not wanted." the lead one says, her long tongue snaking out between sharp teeth.

"Leave! Leave" another rasps out in a harsh rattle.

The ghoul on the floor scoots back from the others, momentarily forgotten.

Bepo steps up front and says, I don't think that is gonna work. What exactly is going on here?

Tiktik obliviously slips into the room, ”Hullo!! Are we playing a game? Can we play too?”

The three ghouls space out a bit, arms wide and claws sharp and extended, hissing all the while

Jax and L are quite sure that the ghouls are worried about the numbers not being in their favor, and are attempting to scare off the Starfinders before things come to blows.

"Leave us! Your kind has no place on Eox--we will tolerate no more meddling from the likes of you."

The ghoul on the floor continues to crawl, backwards and away from the other three ghouls, whose focus is now quite clearly on you. Having reached a partially open door, she scrambles inside and shuts it behind her.

Telepathically to his fellow Starfinders.

They appear to be afraid of our numbers. Let's try and talk this out, or, if nothing else, see if we can usher them away without violence.

Looking to the ghouls and speaking in Eoxian, mimicking the speech as well as possible with the vocal modulator.

"Listen, I'm not sure exactly who or what you think that we are, but we are here to help. One of your own had a friend turn up missing recently. Such a thing would make one terribly upset, no? We were hoping to help and find this lost being safely."

Diplomacy to Change Attitude: 1d20 + 17 + 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 17 + (4) + 1 = 35

DC?
Sense Motive: 1d20 + 7 + 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 7 + (5) + 1 = 31

A look of confusion settles across the faces of the ghouls, who seem to confer with one another. Suddenly, one of them, eyes wide, hisses in a near panic.

"Thiss one threatenss uss. Thiss one wass seen at the minisstry."

The other two swivel their heads back to you, tilting back and forth as they survey you.

Finally, the most aggressive one speaks up.

"We are not to be intimidated, Azlanti-thrall. You would do well to remember--your lives are brief, and our memories are long."

The three ghouls begin edging towards the exits, giving you a wide berth and leaving peacefully.

"Very odd."

Turning and giving Jax the eye.

"What did you do to them?

Rags watches the ghouls slink off, They could have been Corpse Fleet agents... Captain? he addresses L, Perhaps it wasn't wise to allow them to leave like that. We should set a watch on the exterior, otherwise they may return in greater number, and catch us unawares.

Yeaaaaaah, I'm just gonna say it, what da drek just happened dere? I thought we wuz gonna rumble wit' dem fang-face sprocks but den dey got all weird an' den it looked like dey wuz gonna start'a angry dance routine before dey went an' slinked out.

He draws his pistol walks to the closed door used by the crawling ghoul and opens it.

Hey, creepy-crawly! We're lookin' fer da Mayor'a Blight, ya know where he is?

Hello there! You can come out now, we are not gonna hurt you. We got the others to leave.

B-Bop has a split second startled reaction to the telepathic voice in his head before turning to Bepo.

Hey, lemme tell ya, some gang member thinkin' he's slick jumps out an' starts dancin', I'M shootin' dere scaly butt.

I'm not saying to not be prepared, I'm just saying they are scared and having a gun pointed at them might freak them out more.

The door opens, and the ghoul emerges cautiously.

"Well, thanks, I guess. I don't think Danine and her flunkies were going to kill me, but they were going to rough me up some. So I appreciate it chasing them off.

"So, did you want something, or..."

B-Bop slips his pistol away.

Da Mayor'a Blight, where's he hidin' at? An' just ta make sure, ya ain't gonna start dancin', are ya?

Intelligence: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 2 = 14

"What?" she says, a look of annoyed confusion crossing her face.

Rags leans in close to B-bop and whispers, I appreciate your enthusiasm, but allow me to do the questioning. I have a bit of experience at it.

Then Rags addresses the ghoul, Excuse my colleague, please. He tends to get excited. Now then, you recently made a report to the Ministry of Eternal Vigilance about a missing roommate, yes?

Diplomacy to change attitude: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (12) + 11 = 23

commenting on an earlier lost by Alex regarding his inquiry as to what Jax had done to potentially scare off the three ghouls

Jax shrugs and states to L, "I dont know what to tell you. Guess I just have a 'Rattling Presence'."

She nods.

"Yeah, Harvine. Harvine Nessex. She was joining the Corpse Fleet, so I had a duty to report it to the Ministry. Somehow, Danine, Larex and Welles must have found out, so they came here to beat me up for 'betraying Eox.'"

She walks over and punches a passcode into a terminal on one of the doors.

"This was Harvine's room. She hasn't been back--she's probably not even on Eox anymore."

She steps aside to allow the Starfinders entry.

That riff raff we scared off. Corpse Fleet sympathizers or does their involvement go further than that? What else can you tell us about Harvine? Were you two close? Is there anyone else she was close to, that may know her plans or location? How long has she been gone?

Rags won't rapid fire the questions. Assume he'll wait for an answer between each. Just getting them all out there for the sake of brevity.

while Rags is asking questions Talek pulls out a scanner and steps into the room. perception: 1d20 + 8 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 8 + 4 = 27

Nodding along as Rags asks the questions to the undead, trying to get a read on her.

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 7 + 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 7 + (5) + 1 = 27

"It is unfortunate that your friend may have gone down this path. I do hope we are able to find her in good, uh... health."

She snorts--a strange thing, for a creature that doesn't breathe.

"Those three? They wish. Just 'concerned patriots."

"Harvine? Not much to tell. I didn't know her that well-we are both soldiers with the army. The proper army. She's said some stuff that made me think she had Corpse Fleet sympathies before, the usual Eoxian supremacist rot."

"I'm not aware of any friends of hers that might now where she is."

L does not think she is lying.

Does the name Xerantha Mortrant mean anything to you? Do you know of any Marrowblights in the area? There may be a connection, we are follow ing up on multiple leads.

Talek spots a journal on the nightstand. When he notices it, the ghoul speaks up.

"Yeah, that's her journal. I mentioned it in my report to the ministry."

She shakes her head at Ragabash's questions.

"I don't know any marrowblights, but I'm sure there are some around.

"Oh, hey, here." She leaves the room, and returns a moment later with a haste circuit armor upgrade.

"You guys can have this, for bailing me out back there."

it seems she was to meet up with a Marrowblight and take a comission with the Corpse Fleet. I do not see a location for the meeting however. Perhaps we should report back with our findings? The sooner we leave here the happier i will be.

Wise course of action Talek. This does seem to keep pointing towards a Marrowblight, and they are rare in these parts, so likely the same one. We should at least report our findings back the the Ministry, and send a communique back to our superiors, before setting out for the badlands.

Messaging what you have learned to the Minister provokes a quick response.

Trux looks sternly at you from your comms display.

"Ah, Mortrant. I'm familiar with her. Known Corpse Fleet sympathizer. Only reason I haven't had her arrested is that she lives in the barrens, and largely keeps to herself. I see that has changed.

"Very well, I can authorize you to act as representatives of the Ministry. That's not a license to do as you please," she says with a severe look. "I'll wire the location of Mortrant's home to your comms. Good luck."

Based on what you have learned, Mortrant's home is in the wilds, about 6 miles outside of Orphys. You'll be exposed to Eox's thin, toxic atmosphere. It will take approximately 2 hours to walk there.

Physical Science to recall environmental dangers in the Eox wilds: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (13) + 8 = 21

Physical Science: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (5) + 12 = 17

Eox's atmosphere is toxic to living beings. Additionally, the planet receives slightly more radiation than most of the solar systems inhabited terrestrial planets due to the lack of a protective ozone layer over the dead atmosphere.

Both effects will be nullified by the environmental protections of your armor.

The planets rough, rocky terrain is mostly traversible, and you shouldn't have any issues with the planets weather.

The planet has no dangerous wildlife--or, indeed, any wildlife. There are still dangers in the wastes, however--ghouls, Ellicoths, zombies are the most common, but rarer dangers could include Nihilis, marrowblights, and ghosts.

"C'mmmmooooonnnnnn!" Tiktik whines as he tugs on the sleeves of his allies to hurry them along. "I wanna see the mayor's house!"

Leaving the (relatively) warm embrace of Orphys, you enter the barrens around the city.

Eox truly is a dead planet. While you observed it from space, it is another thing to view it from the surface. An endless expanse of craggy gray stone, ash, and grey sand stretches out around you.

There are no trees; no patches of vegetation. You will see no birds in the sky--just the cold lights of the orbitals, and the flare of starships leaving to what you hope are more inviting vistas.

Encased in your armor, with active environmental protections, you aren't physically harmed, although the quiet tick of your suits radcounter will soon grow annoying, logging a constant stream of UV radiation, high-energy photons, beta particles and the occasional alpha particle.

The environment is bleak, but not featureless. About halfway to your destination, you cross an artificial canyon--the cliffs of which are the bones of thousands--perhaps millions--of dead, all heaped up in an interlocked, tangled mess.

Despite the macabre surroundings--and the large pool of acid you pass over--passage through the canyon is safe enough, and you eventually arrive at your destination.

The blasted landscape of a wholly devastated and undead planet gives way slightly to this carefully cultivated area surrounding a dilapidated hut. The displays are almost garden-like in their precise arrangement—thin, pliable bones weave intricate patterns in clumps that might otherwise be living bushes, and flutes of skin and cartilage might be mistaken for flowers were it not for the disturbing shapes and absence of brilliant colors.

Ahead there is a crude shack, apparently constructed from cured, stretched skin taughtly wrapped around a frame of massive, yellowing bones.

Suddenly, a massive, tentacled beast appears from behind a nearby outcropping, 40 feet from behind the shack! The beast is a not particularly stealthy, however, and only Bepo is surprised by its appearance.

Map updated.

Bepo (Surprised, can't act)
B-Bop
???
Overclock
Jax
Talek
Ragabash
L

Surprise round! One standard or move action only (plus a swift). B-Bop, you are up first! The tiny map can't accomodate it, but the creature is 30 feet off the map to the north.

B-Bop draws his arc pistol as he approaches the shack, eyeing the approaching beast.

Aww, drek! Dat's one ugly poozer, I hope it don't wanna plant no eggs up in us...

Move action and draw weapon

Bepo (Full Round)
B-Bop (Full round)
???
Overclock (Surprise)
Jax (Surprise)
Talek (Surprise)
Ragabash (Surprise)
L (Surprise)

The creature moves forward on its spindly, crab-like legs--with surprising speed, despite its bulk and the fragile appearance of its limbs.

Up next, everybody! Overclock, Jax, Talek, and Ragabash are all still in the surprise round and will act before Bepo and B-Bop, unless you want to delay until the start of the round proper and take a full round instead.

Tiktik will spit out his rifle and take a shot, while Elliot’s arms reach out to brace his rifle.

overcharged shot: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (17) + 10 = 271d8 + 1d6 + 6 ⇒ (1) + (6) + 6 = 13

Jax will move up with B-bop.

Rags tries to identify the creature and recall knowledge about it.

Mysticism: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (17) + 12 = 29

Any special attacks? Any resistances?

Bepo (Full Round)
B-Bop (Full round)
??? (-13)
Overclock
Jax(-7 HP (from Radiation))
Talek (Surprise)
Ragabash (Surprise)
L (Surprise)

The Ellicoth has no resistances. It has a special soul drain attack as well: As a standard action, an ellicoth can make an attack with its trunks against the KAC of a single living or undead target within its reach. If struck, the target takes 3d6+9 bludgeoning damage and is staggered for 1 round; the target can attempt a DC 16 Fortitude save to halve the damage and negate the staggered condition.

If the target takes Hit Point damage, the ellicoth regains a number of Hit Points equal to that amount, up to its maximum.

Tiktik hits, and wounds the creature.

Jax suddenly feels drained and weakened, as all of the starfinders armors warn of increased radiation exposure, which seems to be coming from the large creature. You have reached the Weakened state on the radiation track, and will get a -2 to Fortitude saves, Constitution checks, and Constitution-based DCs.

This is Medium-radiation--armor of at least 7th level will protect you from this.

"Take it out!"

Get em on the Ellicoth.

Rags relates his recollection of the Ellicoth's special attack and lack of resistances to the rest of the team.