GM Tyranius The Many Minds of Historia (Tier 7-8) (Inactive)

Game Master Tyranius

Dot in here

Checking in, not sure who I'm using yet.

Zigvigix, leader of the Exo-Guardians faction and a close friend of Historia-7, gathers you all for a discreet meeting on the grounds of the Lorespire Complex.

The pounding beats and screaming guitar of Strawberry Machine Cake’s Star Sugar Heartlove!!! album thud at a near-deafening volume that causes the modest conference room’s table, plastic chairs, and occupants to vibrate and rattle against the floor. A heavily augmented shirren at the head of the table bobs their head and flails their antennae in time with the music, coming to a halt with a startled jump as they realize they are no longer alone in the room. Zigvigix’s telepathic voice cuts clearly through the wall of sound, despite the impression that it’s difficult to hear their buzzing psychic voice over the cheerful vocal chorus.

“Oh, I’m so glad you came. This is important! It’s completely unofficial, though. I want to make sure that’s clear, and I understand if you don’t want to participate in something off the record. And it’s very important that this stay off the record.” Their tooth barbs twitch for a moment, perhaps waiting to see if anyone leaves. “You see, something’s happened, or is happening, to Historia-7. Something’s taking control of her, and based on the clues she left, I think it’s Historia-6—or something else pretending to be him.”

The shirren bobs along with a particular catchy string of lyrics before continuing telepathically. “I don’t think she would have left clues if she didn’t need or want help. So I plan to go confront her about it, in the Cortex, but it seemed like a bad idea to do it alone. Will you help me? Oh, but don’t say anything out loud—I don’t want anyone to overhear.”

A familiar looking white Ysoki with brown fur at his paws and tip of his nose enters the room. He has several tattoos visible including one surrounding his left eye. He is wearing a D-Suit and has several small arms holstered at his waist.

He smiles and his head starts nodding along with the music.

Over the telepathic channel, he replies to Ziggy “If Historia-7 is in trouble, you can count on me to do everything I can to help her!”

He gives a wide grin and adds “I’m Neon Ten, by the way.”

Chivix moved into the room bobbing his head to the beats of SMC. His hand moved to a gadget on his wrist and manipulated a control. Suddenly, his armor was colored to look like a rough approximation of Captain Carmine's red jacket and petticoats. The slightly short shirren looked ridiculous and he bobbed and swayed to the music in the dress, but he also seemed absolutely at peace with it. No self-consciousness whatsoever.

{Hello Venture-Captain Zigvigix! It is good to see you once again. How is the pletho-thoraplex? Did the heat therapy I recommended last time help? Perhaps Gravy and I can look at your implant there and try and tweak it a little?}

{Oh, sorry, where are my manners. We are here for a briefing, not an adjustment.}

{We have been through many missions with Historia-7. It would be a shame to let her lose herself, or for someone to take her. Of course we are in! What clues did she leave? And why do you think it was her predecessor involved?}

A small brown furred Ysoki enters the room, wicing at the noise. He discretely activates the seals on his armour, Oh, thats better, kids these days, modern music is rubbish

Do you have any idea of what exactly is happening to Historia 7? What makes you think it might be 6?

The pregen soldier level 8 walks in, a beautiful Vesk that can pack a punch. Call her DoubleGold. I will definitely help you, no job to big for me.

{We have been through many missions with Historia-7. It would be a shame to let her lose herself, or for someone to take her. Of course we are in! What clues did she leave? And why do you think it was her predecessor involved?}

“Well, I go into the archives every day to play this album,” the shirren conveys, gesturing at the heavy-metal roar and guitar riffs shaking the room. “It just makes me so happy! But a few days ago, I noticed the information in the file had changed. And it’s changed more since then—tracks being rearranged, songs being renamed. And you know Historia-7—she doesn’t make mistakes or change data by accident. So I knew it had to be a message, and as soon as I figured it out, I knew something was wrong and called you all here.” Zigvigix taps at their comm unit for a moment and brings up the digital track list.

Handout in the Tactical Maps above.

Do you have any idea of what exactly is happening to Historia 7? What makes you think it might be 6?

Zigvigix bops to the beat, tapping his foot. "Historia-6 was trapped with a number of other Starfinders in a rather ingenious visual simulation that was using them for computing parts. He and the others were doing all sorts of calculations in a rather lovely little fake illusion... It was very disturbing. And when he came out, Historia-7 waited for him to ask to lead the faction again. She would have stepped down for him. Instead, he made comments about wanting to check on all the things that she messed up. He keeps going off various places, and she had no idea where or why."

There is a look of determination in his face. "Historia-7 can probably access any microphone in the Lorespire Complex if she wanted to, so I didn’t want to let her—him—Historia-6—know that I had learned something was happening. Also, I’m just not sure what’s going on! I’m bringing you with me so I don’t go alone. Also, if you’re worried, you should know that I’ve set up a message to be delivered to Venture-Captain Naiaj in case we don’t come back… but that won’t happen; you’re all so skilled!"

"Historia-7 maintains a sanctum in the Archive’s Cortex here in the Lorespire Complex. I’m pretty sure that’s where she is, so I was going to start there."

******************************************************

This is a series of Tiered checks below concerning Historia-6 and 7

Now is a good time to slot boons. Scenario Recommendations Exo-Guardians or Dataphiles Faction boon.

Apply credit to
Y Data Y 135675-706 Dataphiles.

Culture: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (11) + 17 = 28 +4 if Library Chip applies. Please let me know if it does.

Ally: Publicist +1 circumstance Diplomacy
Faction: Dataphiles Champion
Personal: Scoured Stars Survivor
Promotional: Messenger Bag
Social: Budding Media Celebrity, +5 to Day Job making new total 26
Starship: Not Applicable

Over the psychic link Neon Ten shares what they know of Historia-6 and Historia-7. Then they project the question Ziggy, do you know what name Historia-6 used before they became the head of the faction? As I recall, the name Historia started with the first faction leader calling themselves Historia-1. Knowing something of them before they led the faction could be useful.

Aloud, they speak loudly enough to be heard over the music. “Do you have any more of this music? I wouldn’t mind seeing your collection!”

Culture: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (10) + 17 = 27

Atticus confers with Neon, flicking through the information on his datapad and nodding in agreement.

Boons are listed on my profie

{Chivix sees what you mean. The artist and album names have been changed to spell "Help Me". I do not see a pattern in the rest, but that may have been to cover up the true message?}

culture: 1d20 + 8 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 8 + 2 = 18

Even as Chicix looked into the message, the flap on the bag at his back slid up and a soft "bleep" could barely be heard over the noise of the music. A small creature about the size of a housecat and looking like a cross between a shark and an octopus poked its snout out.

"Everyone, this is Geri. He kind of followed Chivix home after the last mission, and Chivix couldn't just leave him behind."

The vesk speaks. Good job, ya'll, and thanks for the information.

Neon Ten smiles as he sees Geri. “Oh, he is adorable! I came across a very similar creature not long ago. Mine is still back in my cabin,”

Looking,to Chivix, he asks “Have you found a good chew toy for him yet? I am still trying different ones. I think one of the fibrous vegetable ones might be best, rugged enough to play with yet soft enough not to damage any of the teeth.”

Looking to Double Gold, he replies “I thought most Vesk preferred more militaristic music. Glad you also enjoy this!”

Over they psychic channel, he then follows up with a warning. Be careful what you say aloud, Double Gold! Ziggy warned us we might be monitored!

@Doublegold- Please post your reporting information into the discussion tab as I will have difficulty finding it here later.

@Neon Ten- yes, your library chip would work.

Ziggy sends his playlist over to Neon Ten. "Of course!" He seems very excited at the prospect of someone else interested in his music.

As soon as you are ready, Zigvigix leads you to the Lorespire Complex Archives, a compound on the Lorespire campus, and directs the group into the Archive’s main area, the Cortex. Though the Exo-Guardians leader is motivated and urges haste, it is clear Zigvigix isn’t up for any kind of physical confrontation. Most of you struggle to keep pace even with moving at a modest pace.

You pass through a simple foyer before reaching the Cortex command center.

The sleek doors to the Cortex slide open, revealing the computerized matrix that stores digital records of the Starfinder Society's most prominent discoveries. The distinctive blue hue of Historia-7's hair is visible over the edge of the reclined command cradle, but a transparent shell encases the raised seat. Historia-7 speaks without moving, facing the opposite wall, her voice flat and detached even by android standards. “I am occupied, Starfinders. You are to depart immediately.” From the entryway, Zigvigix waggles their antennae and tooth barbs in consternation.

Map is above in the Tactical Maps link

sense motive: 1d20 ⇒ 15
Music of all kinds is good, well almost all kinds, as long as I can understand it. And thanks for the heads up.

Sense Motive: 1d20 ⇒ 9

When they get to the Cortex, Neon Ten frowns at Historia-7’s response. That sounded like a threat...

“This will only take a few moments of your time...” he says, moving into the room so he can get a better view of the shell and Historia-7.

Guessing where Historia-7 is in the room. Moved 20’, which is only half the distance he can cover in a single move action.

Atticus cannot fail that sense motive

Are you OK Ziggy, you seem to be in some discomfort? Can ee do anything to help, if you are impaired then you will reduce mission efficiency.

On entering the chamber he adds after Neon, Yes, we do not wish to disturb you but there are some things Ziggy here needs to discuss with you.

Diplomacy if relevant: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (20) + 13 = 33

"Hello, Historia-7. Chivix hopes that you enjoyed the concert we attended last month. It was good to hear the band in person, and to even be on stage. You were wonderful. Chivix cannot thank you enough for the opportunity to be a part of a Strawberry Shortcake concert."

Deliberately misstating the name of the band

sense motive on Historia: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (14) - 1 = 13

The android in the command cradle speaks in the same nearmonotone, never changing position, her back ever present to you. “I said I am occupied. Speak quickly and leave." Atticus' honeyed words seem to give you a moment to explain.

Definitely suspicious. She knows the correct name for the group.

Neon Ten checks that there is nothing strange happening with the cables before crossing them and moving in for a better look a his faction leader and the shell over her seat.

Perception: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (16) + 0 = 16 ...not that I expect to be able to find a trap even if there is one...

Moved to where I am guessing the command cradle is.

Did anyone wish to discuss with her as you requested?

Neon ten looks around the room, giving it a quick scan and finds no traps.

Looking at Historia-7, Neon Ten says “We are concerned about your health. You have been connected to the core much too long. The body needs exercise in order to keep the mind sharp.”

GM Tyranius: You haven’t commented one way or the other. Can I see Historia-7 from where I am in the room? If not, please move me to where I could. I’m obviously trying to figure out what is going on with her.

Atticus also moves further into the room. Ziggy here is concerned that certain sound files have been altered in the records. Would you be willing to discuss this with us? Obviously the security of the Complex and the integrity of its data is of critical importance to the Society as a whole.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (8) + 13 = 21

“If it helps, I have the original of the album. It would allow you to compare the corrupted version with the uncorrupted version,”

...which is something I should have thought to do before coming here. There are probably other clues there.

Using his HD Datajack, Neon Ten connects to the Tier 2 computer he keeps in his cheek pouch. He then compares the album listing from Ziggy to his own copy of the Star Sugar Heart Love!!! album.

Has slotless Star Sugar Heartlove!!!
If needed, his Take 10 with computers is 30 w/ HD Datajack

Apologies Neon, I had a response for you, I was just awaiting a bit more response from the rest of the group.

Neon Ten moves over to the command cradle as Historia-7 rests inside staring ahead blankly as she concentrates while being jacked into the network as she faces several screens.

The android in the command cradle speaks in the same near-monotone, never changing position. “So she managed to leave a message after all. I had wondered; she was always so clever. No matter. She is only a footnote. One of several, in a story that never mattered, other than that they provide me the means to continue carrying out my responsibilities.” The android pauses. “But you are clearly going to cause problems, and problems must be eliminated for efficiency's sake.”

With the final word, the door on the far side of the command cradle slides open, and a single rifle turret emerges from within the walls. Also two storage doors swoosh open, letting out robots with strange serrated arms and heavy artillery mounts.

{Oh no!} Ziggy says. {Don't hurt Historia-7! She's not in control!} he calls out from the safety of the foyer cowering out of the line of fire.

The turret swivels around firing at Neon Ten to get away from the cradle.

Rifle vs Neon Ten KAC 25: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (18) + 14 = 32
Damage (Piercing): 7d6 ⇒ (5, 5, 2, 6, 6, 2, 6) = 32

The rifle round blasts through neon Ten's armor, knocking the wind from the ysoki's lungs.

Round 1
----------------------------------------------------------
Turret
----------------------------------------------------------
Obozaya
Atticus
Chivix
Neon Ten (SP 16/48; HP 42/42; RP 10/10)
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Robots
----------------------------------------------------------

Engineering: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (12) + 19 = 31
Culture: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (17) + 17 = 34

These are heavy weapon security robots, fairly old. Be careful, they have a lot of firepower.

Post incoming with actions shortly

“I noticed...” Neon Ten says through the pain.

Fortunately the computer is far enough in his cheek pouch that he doesn’t accidentally swallow it.

Engineering: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (12) + 19 = 31
Do they have the same vulnerability to Electricity that many robots do? I get one extra piece of information on an ID from the Starfinder Forerunner archetype Ready for Anything ability.
Culture: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (3) + 17 = 20

He then casts Fog Cloud in order to neutralize the turret and slow down the robots. He then moves closer to the cradle and tries to not make any noise as he does so.
Untrained Stealth: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 5 = 24

Does it look like there is any way to quickly deactivate the turret completely or otherwise help Historia-7 who is evidently trapped? If not, I draw my static arc pistol as I move.

Atticus ducks around the command chair, using it to conceal his actions. Poppping out from behind he takes aim at the closest robot and fires. The massive pistol in his hands makes an enormous booming noise as it fires..

Taking 10 on stealth for 33 for trick attack. Assuming it isnt CR14+ that makes it flat footed to me. If I hit then I will use debilitation trick to make it flat footed to everyone until the start of my next turn.

Handcannon, range: 1d20 + 12 - 2 ⇒ (4) + 12 - 2 = 14
Damage: 1d12 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7
Trick attack damage: 4d8 ⇒ (6, 6, 7, 4) = 23
The handcannon targets KAC-2 due to flat footed although that very much looks like a miss. On the plus side it means I dont use a bullet due to the conserving enchant.

@Neon- Concerning the turret you could always use engineering to remove it's ammunition or computers to override it's programming.

Peeking round the command chair Neon Ten glances over the robots. As far as he is aware, they have the same vulnerabilities as most to electrical shocks. Neon also knows that this class of robot is very quick at reloading their machine guns as they are outfitted with an auto-reloader.

The small ysoki reaches out and draws the magical smoke that is known to be kept in electronics out of the command chair and into the open. Fog fills the northern portion of the chamber as Neon attempts to avoid the turret for a bit.

Atticus takes careful aim around the console as his cannon explodes, letting out a deafening blast. Ziggy jumps. {Careful!} The shell blasts a decent hole in the wall near the robot as it narrowly misses it.

Round 1
----------------------------------------------------------
Turret
----------------------------------------------------------
Obozaya
Atticus
Chivix
Neon Ten (SP 16/48; HP 42/42; RP 10/10)
----------------------------------------------------------
Robots
----------------------------------------------------------

Getting right next to the turret so that I was the only target it could shoot seems a bad idea. I drew my static arc pistol.

Obozaya will doublemove towards those robots, flame blade in hand.

"Gravy, designate target alpeh as the lead robot. Track and destroy."

Chivix took a moment to set up his AI to generate firing solutions, then brought up his serpent laser and fired, making sure to press the button that overcharged the laser. With a bloom of heat, the overcharged weapon lanced out, catching the lead robot in a vulnerable spot.

Edit: Nice crit there! 30 fire damage, plus 7 burn on the yellow? orange? robot

vs eac: 1d20 + 8 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 8 + 2 = 30
damage, overcharge: 4d8 + 12 ⇒ (3, 1, 3, 7) + 12 = 26+1d6 ⇒ 4
burn: 2d6 ⇒ (4, 3) = 7

@Chivix- Do you have something that raises the serpent laser, corona to 2d6 burn instead of 2d4?

Obozaya rushes the robots while Chivix levels his serpent laser at the robot and fires just past Obozaya's shoulder. The laser strikes something extremely vital as the robot bursts into flames. it doesn't last long as it seems quite vulnerable and explodes in a fantastic show of sparks before collapsing to the ground. Also vulnerable to crits.

The remaining robot advances as the machine gun begins to whirl to life, spitting round after round at Obozaya. The machine gun spends every bit of it's loaded ammunition as it reloads rapidly.

Automatic Squad Machine Gun: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (20) + 13 = 33 No crit in automatic mode.
Damage: 1d10 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11

Several of the bullets graze into the vesk's armor as they are shot wildly and without targeting anything in particular. The turret continues to try and track Neon Ten.

Turret vs Neon Ten KAC 25: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (19) + 14 = 33
Miss chance; low is good: 1d100 ⇒ 6
Damage (Piercing): 7d6 ⇒ (2, 5, 5, 3, 5, 6, 5) = 31

The rifle turret ejects another round at the Ysoki as it pierces right through Neon Ten's leg, shattering his femur.

Round 2
----------------------------------------------------------
Turret
----------------------------------------------------------
Obozaya (SP 61/72; HP 62/62; RP 8/8)
Atticus
Chivix
Neon Ten (SP 0/48; HP 27/42; RP 10/10)
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Robots
----------------------------------------------------------

Obozaya moves closer to purple hit: 13 + 1d20 ⇒ 13 + (18) = 31 with his flame blade dmg: 2d8 + 14 ⇒ (8, 7) + 14 = 29 fire.

Atticus darts closer to get a clear shot at the robot. He uses the fact that Obozya is in its face as a useful distraction.

Trck attack with stealth, take 10 for 33. It is flat footed to me. If I hit I will make it flat footed to everyone

Another shockingly loud boom reverberates through the room as he fires.

Handcannon vs Flat footed KAC: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (3) + 12 = 15
Damage: 1d12 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 3 = 14
Bonus damage: 4d8 ⇒ (2, 2, 7, 8) = 19
And the dice roller continues to hate me.

@Chivix- Do you have something that raises the serpent laser, corona to 2d6 burn instead of 2d4?

Nope. Typo. burn: 2d4 ⇒ (4, 4) = 8

Chivix ad gravy switch tracking to the other robot, waited for the crosshairs overlay to turn purple, then pressed the overcharging stud and fired again.

vs eac: 1d20 + 8 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 8 + 2 = 17
damage, overcharge: 2d8 + 6 ⇒ (8, 8) + 6 = 22+1d6 ⇒ 3

Badly hurt, Neon Ten moves so that the cradle will give full cover from the turret. Spitting out his datajack cable, he then connects to the cradle and tries to reinstate the team as friendly Starfinders into the turret’s IFF database.

Computers, HD Datajack: 1d20 + 19 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 19 + 1 = 38

Obozaya's flaming doshko slices through teh robot's thick exterior shell as if it were paper. The robot barely stands and is quickly brought, sparking to the ground as Chivix puts another fist sized hole through it.

Desperate and badly hurt Neon Ten jacks into the cradle and quickly begins to take over the turret as it falls limp against the wall, all power lost to the rifle.

Combat over.

The feedback from this shorts the command cradle! The overload spills into Historia-7's body, covering her in electrical arcs before knocking her unconscious for the moment—though the polycarbonate shell over the command cradle remains in place, preventing you from directly interfering with her.

{Historia!} Ziggy cries.

Meanwhile, some of you see a panel in the wall near the south door, clearly labeled “For Emergency Use."

As you examine Historia-7's body visually through the polycarbonate shell, and a panel along the side of the command cradle can be used to bring up the physiological readings of its occupant. Historia-7 doesn't show any signs of physical injury, other than the overload that rendered her unconscious, but she is obviously in poor health and hasn't been giving any attention to her personal maintenance for some time.

Neon Ten drinks one of his Mk I healing serums. Then he comments “I’m going to need a rest,”
Mk I Healing Serum: 1d8 ⇒ 4

Hearing of the Emergency Panel, he suggests “Given the situation, it would be good to check that panel for traps. If you can find one and point it out to me, I may be able to deactivate it.”

He then gets up and goes to inspect the cradle and Historia-7. He casts a spell before doing so.
Cast Identify
Mysticism: 10 + 13 + 10 = 33
“I can’t tell exactly what is happening here. Whatever it is, it is deeply integrated and the condition is becoming more rampant. We aren’t going to be able to just dispel the magic or get a Mystic here to cure her condition.”

Neon Ten was part of a team that did Scoured Stars invasion. Does this look like the tech we saw there?

If that is all he can tell, he would go over to the emergency panel and check it before the Identify spell runs out.

Atticus checks over the readings on the display and examines Historia as well.

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (7) + 15 = 22

He gives a shrug, Whatever is involved here I am afraid it is beyond me

engineering: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (11) + 16 = 27

While the others focused on Historia-7's physical well-being, Chivix began looking for a way to safely get the android out of the cradle. Maybe there was an emergency release he could access?

Neon ten inspects the emergency panel. Finding no traps he slides it open.

This emergency stockpile contains a well-stocked first-aid kit, which Zigvigix points out and encourages you to make use of. {We can't have you being hurt, Starfinders!}

The kit includes four mk 3 serums of healing, two tier 2 coagulants, four tier 2 excitants, an advanced medkit, four doses of sprayflesh, and three white nanite hypopens.

Looking it over the group comes to the conclusion that Historia-7’s own personality is still intact; if it weren’t, she wouldn’t be showing the degree of distress she currently exhibits.

Chivix looks around for a way to deactivate Historia's cradle. There doesn't appear to be any releases on the outside of the machine. Ziggy examines the case. {It appears locked from the inside, and secure. It would take heavy equipment to get her out... He looks to all of you. So, you think she's still in there, right? Maybe we'll find the clues for how to help her elsewhere in this complex.}

Atticus looks a little dubious, We can but Neon here still looks rather banged up. We might need a little time

Do we want to take a 10 minute rest?

“If we have time, I would like a rest and to use one of those healing serums.” Neon confirms.

“I find what was said just before the action encouraging and strange. It was the same monotone voice, but was it Historia-7 speaking?”

Since I was looking, did her lips move?

"Chivix thinks that a rest would be appropriate, but that we must be moving forward as soon as possible if we want to be certain of saving Historia-7. Chivix is not familiar with the archives are of the Lorespire, or most of the administrative areas. Perhaps further examination of Historia-7's quarters might yield clues?"

Suggesting following corridor back and examining some of the other rooms as soon as the mouse is ready

Her lips did move.

Please move to where you are looking to explore next on the map after resting.

Atticus moves to the entrance the robots came from. He steps carefully and quietly and checks out what is ahead of them before moving forward.

Stealth: 1d20 + 22 ⇒ (20) + 22 = 42
Perception: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (14) + 15 = 29

oobozya will take her 10 minute rest and regain sp