Starfinder: Dead Suns

Game Master Simmyish

Atrios repeats his action from the previous round

Once again, Atrios reinforces Netharan's weapon as it shimmers with arcane energy once more.

Everyone waits once more for the ghostly form to reappear, and when it does, Miles, Netharn and Tetch all open fire once more.

Tetch manages to find their mark with their own pistol, and manages to catch the driftdead off guard, providing an opening

Then Miles takes his magical starknife and throws it once more, again making impact with the spectral creature as it phases in and out of this dimension.

This time, Netharan's shot was unsuccessful as it is unable to make impact, even with Atrios' and Tetch's help and flies through the corridor and doesn't stop. At all. going out into space until it hits something, eventually.

The driftdead then once again tears the air in front of her, once again trying to rip Miles apart from the inside.

Driftdead drift rip attack against Miles EAC: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (11) + 7 = 18

That uncomfortable feeling comes over Miles once more, as the driftdead once again wails and falls into the wall once the damage is done.

Drift Rip damage against Miles: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

Based on spells that have been cast, and where Netharan would be, I've moved Atrios to be in range to cast the spell again (as he would need to be within touch range to do so, but here's the updated map based on that

Note: Missed Netharan's actual attack roll in the last post, I've accounted for that in the driftdead's hp, as it actually did hit (I only saw the 10, not the 17 until I just had a look. Thanks Miles for bringing it to my attention :)

Atrios repeats his action from the previous round

It looks like Netharan’s shot actually hit, so you may need to roll for the boosted force Damage...

Nothing for it but for Miles to recall his starknife and throw it again, just hoping he can outlast this strange, insubstantial creature!

Readied Starknife Thrown Attack: 1d20 + 7 - 1 ⇒ (9) + 7 - 1 = 15
Starknife Damage: 1d4 + 4 - 1 ⇒ (3) + 4 - 1 = 6

extra damage from spell: 2d6 ⇒ (5, 6) = 11

She's still up, but she's not looking good - even with the extra damage

Netharan readies another attack, hoping they finish the creature off soon.

Trick Attack: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (9) + 9 = 18
Attack: 1d20 ⇒ 4

Given that their tactic seemed to be working, Tetch readied themselves again, hoping that this was the worst of what they would be encountering here.
______________________________
•••••

Are we waiting on someone?

I think it's me...

Everybody gets ready, waiting for the form to appear once more. As it does, Atrios is the first to act, as a ripple appears where the driftdead steps out.

Driftdead Reflex save: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12

As it tries to dodge out of the way of the rift, the electrical energy that surrounds it goes over her body.

Hazard damage: 1d3 ⇒ 2

Tetch then opens fire, hitting the wall just behind her with their pistol, the shot not managing to make impact.

Netharan attempts to also take a shot, and not fooled by the trick attack as she wails, about to once again rip the air, when the Starknife manages to impact the form. Thanks to the energy ripple, as the starknife makes impact with the driftdead, the wail fades as the appiration disappears from your sight. Not in the way like it did with the wall, but evaporates into the air. The threat, for now at least, seems to be over.

And we are out of initiative

Once again, Miles is left battered and bruised, reeling from taking the brunt of the enemy's attack. "Well you wanted to be a soldier, that's your job," he thinks to himself. Finding himself leaning against the wall once again, he asks, "What do we need to get that fusion against the undead to work? Some kind of weapon perhaps?"

Engineering Check: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 2 = 22

"I'm not sure, but I think we need some higher tech weapons than we may have right now to make it work.", Netharan muses to Miles. "I'm no expert at this though if someone else knows more about this kind of thing and wants to take a look at it."

Taking a look at the fusion seal, if a weapon would be used to bludgeon something, you think it could work on lower-level tech

Don't forget a 5th level fusion seal can be used on weapons *up* to 5th level, not at least 5th level, just the disruptive seal needs to be used on a weapon that does bludgeoning damage - Netharan's Engineering check confirms this. It takes one minute to place it on such a weapon, and 24 hours for it to activate once placed.

"Do we have time for me to rest, or should we press on as soon as we have investigated the room?" asks Miles, adding after the comments about the fusion seal, "My weapon does piercing damage, so it is not appropriate for this seal...does anyone else have a blunt weapon they use?"

While shaken somewhat from seeing the... clearly dead individual disperse, Tetch was also comparing their image to what may have been on the crew roster. "We have time, I think", Tetch ventured, still looking at the space where the creature had been. "Long-term is a no-go, otherwise yes. You have done much." The fusion seal was a curiosity, but they had not found all of the crew yet.

Looking through the crew roster, there are no matches to the undead figure in any of the records.

Aliens, fine. Weird once-human things, fine. Weirder not-crew once-dead things, problem. Tetch is trembling slightly as they realize that what they just encountered was not a member of the crew. "That entity was not on the crew roster...", they said softly, suddenly uncertain about what they were doing on the asteroid. "That thing was not of the Acreon... Something more is here."

"After we have a breather we will explore some more. Hopefully we can figure out what is going on around here. I feel like someone knows more than they are letting us know.", Netharan muses to himself and the group as he starts reloading his pistols clip with spare ammo.

Miles looks around to see if there is anything useful in the room.

Perception: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 1 = 18

If he doesn’t find anything he will get up when he has caught his breath and say, ”Still following the left wall?”

Tetch's affirmative response was colored with a touch of ill-humor. "Worked well so far?"

Ugh they still don't trust me! thought Atrios. He couldn't blame them but it still saddened him. His connection with this universe's Atrios had allowed him to get to know Tetch, Miles and Netharan. He stayed silent as the group continued their journey. They had to be careful, though.His powers were almost depleted and that trick with modifying weapons would only work one more time.

Continuing to follow the left hand wall, you take the northern passage out of the chamber first. Like in the previous cavern, the walls of this corridor are plated in the same metallic surface, and it looks deliberately placed. The passage itself only goes 50 feet before you come to a point where the ceiling has collapsed, blocking further passage. It would take weeks to clear it up, and so you turn around and take the only other passage available left out of the previous chamber.

You come out on the northeastern side of this cavern, and there is another exit to the northwest. On the southern wall, there is an incongruous door, something you wouldn’t expect to see on an asteroid. A space station, on the other hand, is where this door would fit in. Before you enter the room proper, you see two more figures like the one you saw in the first chamber. Two zombies, in a uniform that includes a patch that says ‘Acreon’ on both of their EV suits, the helmets broken off and like before, the elongated tongue that extends out of the mouth lulls out of their mouths.

Netharan motions to the rest of the group trying to indicate that he saw two more of the zombies up ahead. He readied his pistol and lined up a shot, waiting to see what the zombies did.

Miles steps up to the front again and indicates with hand signals that they should all fire on the closest zombie at once to try and take it down before they can react. When everyone has a clear shot and looks ready, he will start a silent countdown and throw his Starknife while (hopefully) the others unleash their ranged attacks.

On Miles' signal, Netharan squeezes his trigger and takes a shot at the closest zombie as Miles throws his Starknife.

Attack: 1d20 ⇒ 10
Damage: 1d6 - 2 ⇒ (5) - 2 = 3

Miles’ Starknife Attack:

Thrown Starknife: 1d20 + 7 - 1 ⇒ (17) + 7 - 1 = 23
Starknife Damage: 1d4 + 4 - 1 ⇒ (2) + 4 - 1 = 5

Gonna need stealth checks to see if you get a surprise round ;)

Stealth Check for Miles: Stealth: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10

Stealth: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23
Attack: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 1 = 20
Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 5

Atrios hangs back since he has never been very good at going unnoticed

my stealth is terrible

Stealth Check: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 19

As the group prepare and aim to take on the zombies, one of them turns around, and spots the group of you aiming at them.

So, as we know intentions, we are now in Combat and entering initiative. Atrios, let me know if you intend to change what you are doing and if anybody being spotted changes, but if you want I'll take the attack rolls from the attempted surprise attack if your planning on doing the same thing. One of them rolled really well...

I'll hang back for naow and then when regular combat sttarts I'll come in and spam the hazzard cantrip

Initiative: 1d20 ⇒ 20
I'll keep my action for the first round.

Miles keeps his same action, although it will be a melee attack and not a ranged attack if a zombie acts first and closes with him (rolls are the same for thrown weapon and melee weapon attacks).

Initiative: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 2 = 19

Tetch sighed as one of the... things noticed them, not fond of their run of luck at all. "Hell."
______________________________•••••
Initiative: 1d20 ⇒ 11

Oops, forgot initiative for the zombies yesterday :P

Void Zombie Initiative: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 9

So, that makes the initiative order:
Netharan
Miles Dugo
Tetch
Void Zombies

Atrios has chosen not to enter combat yet, so is not yet in the initiative order. Only one zombie will get to act this round as well.

initiative: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8
This is for when Atrios enters combat next round

As the Zombie turns around, Netharan fires his pistol toward one of the zombies. Catching the zombie off guard, Netharan manages to make impact as the beam of energy hits the surprised zombie.

Miles takes advantage of the situation and releases his starknife at the same zombie, making impact as it now turns around to begin facing you, the other already noticed and on it's way toward the group.

Tetch is the next one to release their energy charge from their pistol, making impact with the walking corpse as it stumbles a little from the shot, and continues stumbling toward you.

The zombie that saw you coming manages to get in melee with Netharan and slams his fists into him.

Void Zombie 2 Slam Attack: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (10) + 8 = 18

The first impact makes impact with Netharan as it slams into him.

Void Zombie 2 Slam Damage: 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8

As Netharan gets slammed and Atrios sees these things wonder forward, he can choose to go.

Here is the updated map.

Assuming the concentrated damage was on Zombie 1, and Zombie 2 is the one who just attacked...is that right? Also waiting for Artois to throw his Hazard cantrip before posting next round actions...

Atrios said he would be entering from the first round, so wasn't acting in the surprise round based on what I read... but I'll give him a couple of days to respond if that is still the case

Assuming Artois' action does not change the tactical situation signficantly...

Miles steps up to the Zombie they just hit as his starknife magically re-appears in his hand. He attempts to plunge the weapon into the creature's neck, ending its unlife once and for all.

Starknife attack with Opening Volley: 1d20 + 7 - 1 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 7 - 1 + 2 = 22
Starknife Damage: 1d4 + 4 - 1 ⇒ (1) + 4 - 1 = 4

Miles engaging one of the zombies leads Tetch to attempt to fire on the other, not wanting to risk hitting a companion.
_________________________•••
Clever Feint: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 22 Success?
Attack: 1d20 ⇒ 8

Netharan, knowing it's risky but not having much room to maneuver, lines up a second shot on the zombie. The shot goes wide!

Trick Attack: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13
Pistol Attack: 1d20 ⇒ 7

I've got to take my time, rookie mistake!, Netharan thinks to himself.

As Atrios ducks behind cover, unsure what to do, Netharan steps out and fires to try and trick the creatures, who are not distracted by the trick shot as the pistol bullet hits the wall.

As the Starknife returns to Miles' hand, he throws the knife right at the zombie that had already been hit. Once again, making impact though the creature is still alive.

Tetch tries to feint the creature, but it doesn't seem to have the intelligence to work out what the feint is for. This creature has no Intelligence score, so it automatically fails and attempts to attack the creature, missing them as the laser hits the wall.

This has gotten the zombies attention and they turn toward you.

The first of the zombies runs towards Miles and hits with its tongue-like tendril

Zombie 1 feeding tendril attack vs. Miles: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13

The strange tongue manages to only hit Miles' armor, not making contact with the flesh. The other zombie attempts to use its tendril on Netharn

Zombie 2 feeding tendril attack vs. Netharan: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (20) + 8 = 28

Zombie 2 critical damage: 2d6 + 10 ⇒ (5, 3) + 10 = 18 plus 4 Strength damage

The tongue makes impact with Netharan's neck, sucking the strength out of him.

Sorry for the crit... and here's the map. I believe Netharan is down at this point.

”Netharan!” exclaims Miles as the detective falls under the zombie’s attack. Surging with adrenaline, Miles makes a full attack, trying to quickly take down the enemy before it can hurt anyone else.

Swinging first against the first zombie who has been hit several times, Miles will swing a second time if needed. If he takes the zombie down with the first attack, he will instead throw the Starknife at the second zombie who is currently too far to reach in melee (then using a swift action to recall the weapon to his hand).

Starknife Attack: 1d20 + 7 - 1 - 4 ⇒ (3) + 7 - 1 - 4 = 5
Starknife Damage: 1d4 + 4 - 1 ⇒ (4) + 4 - 1 = 7
Starknife Attack: 1d20 + 7 - 1 - 4 ⇒ (5) + 7 - 1 - 4 = 7
Starknife Damage: 1d4 + 4 - 1 ⇒ (1) + 4 - 1 = 4

Netharan feels the strength get pulled from him and falls to the ground at the zombies feet.

Going to spend a resolve point this round to stabilize.

Atrios uses his reaction for Prevent Wound Paradigm shift to restore 2d4 hit points to Netharan giving up one resolve point

prevent wounds: 2d4 ⇒ (1, 2) = 3