Game Master S's "Enter the Ashen Asteroid" (Inactive)

Game Master Chris Marsh

Deloran takes off running to make a leap over the magma flow. Glancing down as the liquid rock moves underneath him.
ACROBATICS: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (18) + 9 = 27

And takes a shot with his Static Arc pistol at the louse that spits acid.

Trick attack: 1d20 + 8 + 4 ⇒ (11) + 8 + 4 = 23
DC20+target’s CR
Attack vs EAC on white: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25
Non-lethal damage, Elec: 2d6 ⇒ (4, 3) = 7
Trick Attack damage: 1d4 ⇒ 1

AoO: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (11) + 6 = 17
Piercing: 1d8 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13

Trusting to her read that the wounded bug has no desire to continue the fight, Xenal bulls past it, after a quick stab punishes it for its assault.

"Together! That spitter doesn't stand a chance!"

AoO, Move, Get 'Em!

Malaak preserves his last spell and uses cantrips to try to destroy the thing. Black

Ray of frost vs EAC: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5
Damages, C: 1d3 ⇒ 1

But his ray goes wide!

Deloran's trick attack and aim is amazingly accurate! The louse is obviously wounded, but this one seems to have more fight than the rest.

1d100 ⇒ 43 Xenal finishes off the louse, leaving only the stronger one. Unfortunately Malaak can't follow up.

The louse takes to flight and lands near Xenal Not sure if you have an ability to grant you more reactions It's larger mandibles clack down on the puissant warrior. Bite: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (16) + 11 = 27 for Acid & Piercing: 2d4 + 3 ⇒ (3, 3) + 3 = 9

Round 4:
Hostiles: ATK
Deloran: Go
Xenal: Go
Teka: Go
Elfa: Go
Fexia: Go
Malaak: Go

With only one louse remaining, Elfa steps around it and swings with her pick again.

Pick: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 2 = 12
So damage: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

Elfa's pick connects, but not an an angle sharp enough to pierce the chitinous extrerior.

Round 4:
Hostiles: ATK
Deloran: Go
Xenal: Go
Teka: Go
Elfa: Miss
Fexia: Go
Malaak: Go

Moving around the lava flows Deloran aims and fires at the louse.

Trick attack: 1d20 + 8 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 8 + 4 = 15
DC20+target’s CR
Attack vs EAC on white: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 21
Non-lethal damage, Elec: 1d6 ⇒ 4
Trick Attack damage: 1d4 ⇒ 4

But causing it so much pain on Deloran's last shot, the louse is not fooled by Deloran's tricks this time.

Indeed, still, his aim is good and the louse is sizzled a bit.

Round 4:
Hostiles: ATK
Deloran: Hit
Xenal: Go
Teka: Go
Elfa: Miss
Fexia: Go
Malaak: Go

I don't, but I think I used my reaction from the previous round, and should have another one after this turn, right?

Xenal's mouth splits open into a fangy grin as she fights through the pain.

AoO? (GE): 1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 6 + 1 = 21
Piercing: 1d8 + 7 ⇒ (2) + 7 = 9

With a twist and thrust she pins the bug to the ground, crying out, "I have it! Bring this thing down!"

Pike (GE): 1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 6 + 1 = 12
Piercing: 1d8 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8

Get 'Em and Coordinated Assault up

Good point, though there's still a miss chance 1d100 ⇒ 11

Xenal catches the opening, but the obscured view sends the pike slightly off target!

Round 4:
Hostiles: ATK
Deloran: Hit
Xenal: Miss
Teka: Go
Elfa: Miss
Fexia: Go
Malaak: Go

Fexia closes the distance. She positions herself as a formian shield for Teka, then fires a blast from her artillery rifle.

"As you command Xenal!"

Azimuth Artillery Rifle, Get 'em, Coordinated Shot vs EAC: 1d20 + 6 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 6 + 1 + 1 = 28
Concealment: 1d100 ⇒ 85
Damage (F): 1d10 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8
Crit Damage: 1d10 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14
Add 1d6 burn as well

Fexia's reply is punctuated by an exploding louse! The party, once again, finds themselves on the victorious side of combat.

Out of combat!

Teka moves as she lines up another shot at Xenal's call.

Static Arc Pistol Attack vs EAC + CS + GE: 1d20 + 7 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 7 + 1 + 1 = 13
Concealment: 1d100 ⇒ 65
Nonlethal Electricity Damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Putting one of her pistols away with a relieved sigh Teka will approach the body and examine the remains. "Poor dear. Let's see if there is anything they left so that we can pass on their good deeds to the future."

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8

Eyes on the prize, Fexia moves in quickly to secure the remains, keeping an eye out for more approaching threats. After a few moments she nods and beckons for the mission specialists.

Elfa straps her pick to her back and follows Teka. "Who would be caught down here?"

Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 14

The desiccated remains are those of a dwarf wearing charred explorer’s gear.

Furthermore, the corpse still has a slightly melted, steel
medallion of a stylized boar’s head around his neck.

Elfa reaches in to grab the medallion and look at it more closely.

Mysticism(-5 DC if religious symbol): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (1) + 8 = 9

Yes, Elfa, read the spoiler

"This looks like a symbol of Angradd. I'd hazzard a guess this is our missing folk hero! We need to get back to the ship right away!" She takes the medallion from the corpse as proof.

Culture: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (13) + 8 = 21

Looking at the desiccated remains, Malaak says Look, this badge sewn into the armor’s interior. I remember that it identifies the carrier as an agent of Heorrhahd, the first of the dwarves’ Star Citadels, which is a space station that orbits through the Diaspora to this day. I can infer that this could be Avaldur Rhols, the somewhat legendary dwarven peacekeepers of the decades following the Gap prior to the Stewards’ creation.
I suggest to keep the remains with great care, to be tested to be sure he's Avaldur Rhols.

Mysticism: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 10

CULTURE: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 19
"If that is true of who you say he is Malaak, we need to bring the body back with us. Does anyone have something we can wrap up the corps in?"

"Perhaps we can fashion a crude gurney to retrieve the remains with. Additionally we had best summarize our findings now before departing. When we return to the ship the fate of this site will depend on the thoroughness of our findings, and should there be any gaps in our discoveries, now is our last chance to delve further."

She withdraws her computer from her backpack, but leaves the datajack connected. She opens it to show the screen to her compatriots, but uses her personal interface to review and add content.

~Solarian Stone~
Dwarven in origin, the Solarian stone was modified and used by the Duergar to perform experiments with light, gravity, and particle physics. The experiments eventually were turned towards weaponization. Logs and data attached in file solarian_stone_reasearch.tar.gz
Experiments ended due to equipment malfunction and facility damage, likely caused by sabotage.

~Avaldur Rhols~
Data indicates sabotage performed by the fabled investigator Avaldur Rhols. Code snippet attached as solarian_stone_virus.tar.gz. It appears as though his involvement may have been discovered, leading to his eventual execution. His likely remains have been recovered for forensics to confirm this assessment.

~Star Margrave~
Documentation from a Hylax Hive-Caller indicated the change in leadership of the facility signaled a marked change in the inhabitants. They new leader was described as a vile creature with searing gaze, breath that chokes, and a burning chain.

"We should flesh this document out as much as possible. Please dictate, and I will add it to the report."

Teka mulls over the findings from Fexia's display for a moment before concluding. "I think you recordings are excellent Fexia. Beyond that I may just add that this asteroid itself has a dwarven legacy from during the Gap. Most of that may have been lost to the duergar and the Gap itself, but there may be bits and pieces that others might be able to savage from this ancient place."

"Although, given the two identical messages we found regarding the Hylax Hive-Caller warning against the the darkness that stole their people away would make this place far more corrupt. We may have destroyed the chained wrapped creature the poor Hive-Caller mentioned, but it may still be lurking within this place or around in space"

Elfa looks to Fexia with almost adoration, "Your findings very aptly describe the situation we have found on this rock. As Teka eluded to, we should recount the creatures we found and dispatched here. Thank you all for helping to cleanse this Dwarven landmark."

The party is quite pleased with themselves, and with good reason. The mission has been a fruitful one. As for hauling the body back, the remains are largely desiccated, and easy to transport.

With results in hand, you return from AA-126D and retire to the Sledgehammer. You review your initial findings with Thromkendal. She is cautiously curious about what you’ve learned, and partway through discussion, she receives an urgent message to her comm unit. She reads and then rereads the message before incredulously informing the you that , "The starship’s senior crew (among them one of the Ulrikka Clanholdings’s chairpeople) have received word of your return and want a formal presentation of their findings, beginning in about an hour."

She thinks a bit before continuing, "While you were exploring, the Sledgehammer continued running geological surveys and other missions in the area, and I assumed we’d just submit a report and be done. I didn’t expect a formal meeting like this, much less with elite personnel like this. From what you’ve already told me, there was a lot happening in the asteroid—economically, scientifically, archaeologically, maybe more. At this point you have a better sense than I do."

“They’re going to ask you for a summary of what you found, and if this is anything like the few meetings I’ve attended, they might also want your professional recommendation about how to proceed. Whether you recommend they destroy the asteroid, leave it alone in perpetuity, or something in between, you’re now the experts and the best-informed people to make the case. If I were you I’d figure out what your recommendation will be, tailor your presentation to it, and take a moment to clean up."

-------

Soon after, a pair of low-ranking officers arrive to escort you to an executive boardroom. There await four dwarves and an android, four of them are clad in decorated ship uniforms, and one dwarf wears an expensive corporate suit. These are Captain Kreazvig Thar, executive officer Eom, master of coin Dolma Szarik III, chief engineer Remol Crystalthrone, and chairwoman Gwalei Korversal. They politely greet you and ask for your report.

Each of you must participate in the presentation. If you make a persuasive pitch, include the appropriate skill to your approach (luff, Diplomacy, Intimidate, and Sense Motive.) If you make a more technical pitch include a skill for that (e.g. Computers, Culture, Engineering, Medicine, Mysticism, Physical Science, or some relevant Profession)

Elfa: Go
Fexia: Go
Xenal: Go
Malaak]: Go
Deloran: Go
Teka: Go

Elfa clears her throat, a bit due to nerves at seeing all these high ranking dwarves. "I will let the rest of the crew give their assessment on the situation. I will focus on a couple of technical areas that I was drawn to. First of all, AA-126D contains several magical and divine elements that warrant additional study." She goes on to describe the mystical nature of the forge and the Solarian Stone along with the mystical energies found within the rock.

"Secondly, from a purely financial view, this asteroid can be harvested for it's minerals." She uses this time to describe what she encountered in the various tunnels for minerals, rock types and the general structure of the mining operation, while gesturing with her pick.

Mysticism: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (13) + 8 = 21
Profession(miner): 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (15) + 13 = 28

I should mention that repeated uses of the same skill are increasingly difficult to pull off. Since Miner is the rarer skill here, I'll use that one.

Elfa's explanation creates waves with the dwarves. So far so good.

Elfa: Profession (Miner)
Fexia: Go
Xenal: Go
Malaak]: Go
Deloran: Go
Teka: Go

Upon the news that the party will be making a formal presentation becomes quiet. She spends the time awaiting the officers cleaning her armor and reviewing her notes as she considers her options. She maintains her datajack connection to her computer as she enters the boardroom, but stands at attention silently through Elfa's presentation. When she finishes, Fexia gives a nearly imperceptible nod. Her mind is made up.

"Imperator Fexia, Starfinder, Representative of the Karnos hive, Hellknight Order of the Scourge reporting upon the authority of the Queen Venture-Captain Thromkendal. Our findings, which have been cataloged and summarized per Starfinder best practices as defined in the non-binding but accepted document PZOSFS0000E, initial release, indicate, as my esteemed colleague and mission specialist Amberridge has noted, a site of dwarven cultural and historical significance. As noted in the dispatch notes, the site has in fact been plagued by Droskari corruption."

She lets the last word linger and subconsciously taps the sigil of the Order of the Scourge.

"Corruption may not be allowed to fester, nor shall the ways of those who seek to spread corruption be rewarded. The site must be cleansed fully and completely. While total obliteration of the site may appear the simplest option, I cannot recommend it. The destruction of a building to remove one inhabitant only furthers the damage caused by such corruption, and as such strengthens the cause of those who employ such means. A full systematic purge of Droskari influence is the only acceptable approach. Should you lack the strength for such an endeavor, I will recommend continued communication with the Starfinder Society and the Hellknight Order of the Scourge for assistance."

Intimidate: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (11) + 12 = 23

Fexia presents a strong and powerful case. The dwarves mumble and a few even cough to relieve the tension. It seems to have worked though.

Elfa: Profession (Miner)
Fexia: Intimidate
Xenal: Go
Malaak]: Go
Deloran: Go
Teka: Go

Nervously Deloran stands up to give his findings. He figgets a little then takes a deep breath to calm his nerves.
"Greetings, some of you might have see me on the show Live Exploration Extreme. If you did, you might remember that I was the Xenoseeker that was able to brfriend the Spicodranth, that I like to call Blinky.
So my report is on the culture of the inhabitants of this moon.
With just the short time we had we had to explore were able bring up computer logs that showed that they had duergar, trox slaves, and a few miscellaneous captives working the mines. As you know Trox performed early albeit rudimentary space travel throughout the Pact Worlds. And we found some that were in good shape for study that died during the rebellion.
We also encountered asteroid lice in the lava tubes. Which in and it's self is not much but one of the actually evolved a strong defense mechanism by being able to spray an acid like substance at one of our party members. Can you believe it, a simple creature evolving down there. With more time I believe that could be other creatures that we could come across that would be an interest to study. With that indication of adaptations that there could be slaves that escaped and are surviving deep inside the planetoid, there just needs to be time to study the moon more closely.
Please give the Star Finders that time."

PROFESSION Medic: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13
CULTURE: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (14) + 7 = 21

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 8 + 1d6 ⇒ (11) + 8 + (5) = 24

"My colleagues are correct. This asteroid still has too much to offer us all to destroy it out of hand. Do not allow darkness to breed darkness when it could instead be brought into the light."

"Well I'm Ms. Teach and I do support what my companions have already have voiced. This place has been a horrid place where great evil has been done after the Gap. The Trox were enslaved and tortured by those who claimed this place. However this is only the end of the story if you allow it."

"This place was held by the dwarves long ago along with the Solarion Stone stone. If you destroy this place, it woudld destroy much of your history that lies buried there, along with so much salvage, will be lost. Despite the evils done here, you can still reclaim your heritage and make something good of it by working with the Society to research both the Solarion Stone and the mysteries that may have been left by the end of the Gap."

Teka does her best to react to the dwarven concerns and avoid pushing too aggressively, but offering how much that can be gained from studying the dwarven relics and asteroid itself.

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 5 + 1d6 ⇒ (5) + 5 + (3) = 13

Teka and Deloran struggle to make a good case, though their words don't seem to cause any hiccups. Xenal's words, however, seem to get the dwarves back on the edges of their seats.

Elfa: Profession (Miner)
Fexia: Intimidate
Xenal: Diplomacy
Malaak: Go
Deloran: Medic
Teka: Sense Motive

The technology in place seems quite peculiar, a rare use of both magic and technology trying to catch the essence of Solar energy.
It use the own magmatic energy produced by the asteroid to enhance the machinery, something I've had never seen before.
In my opinion, this site need deeper investigation to better understand how they were able to create such a tool.

Engineering: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (15) + 9 = 24

Malaak's reasoning is all it takes to push the dwarves mostly towards the party's line of thinking. Ulrikka Clanholdings agrees to bring in specialists to carefully relocate the Solarian Stone to another site, recognizing the powerful dynamo’s academic uses. Afterward, the dwarves are likely to destroy the asteroid.

And congratulations! That brings us to the end of the scenario. I apologize for a bit of a holiday slow down, but I had a good time with the table. The table has been reported, and I should have chronicles by Friday afternoon!

Thanks GM!

Malaak is happy to see such a marvelous creation be preserved and hopes to be able to study it in the future.

After their mission debrief, Fexia stands to attention to address her compatriots. "Fellow Starfinders, it has been an honor to serve by your sides. It is my wish that in future endeavors that I am able to serve with as talented mission specialists and brave warriors as you. I must return to report to my Queen once again, but I hope to serve alongside all of you in future missions."

As she moves to leave she pauses for a moment. "Agent Amberridge, if your work these last few days was any indication of days to come, I expect your career will be one worth following. If I receive half of the intel provided by you and Agent Goodman, I will never find myself at a tactical disadvantage on the field."

"Agents Teach and Starrunner, if more soldiers find themselves in the care of agents like yourselves, we may all be fortunate enough to witness more retirements than interments."

Turning to grin at Xenal, she contemplates her words, then instead gives a firm pat on the shoulder, followed by full formal military salute.

Thanks GM! I hope to see you all in future games.

Elfa is happy to hear of the council's decision to at least save the Solarian Stone. Despite her original attitude, she must admit to herself that her colleagues were quite useful. In fact, they were quite impressive. Upon Fexia's glowing praise, she adds, "And Fexia, your tactical knowledge and battlefield support was second to none and kept us safe in an unsafe situation. Only Eloritu knows if we shall cross paths again, but I would welcome it. The same goes for all of you. This has been an experience for sure."

Teka takes a moment to relax from the exhausting mission and she happily nods to the others. "I am glad we are able salvage something good from this place. I'm overjoyed to have been able to explore it you all. Fexia and Xenal, you both constantly put yourselves before the undead and creatures we faced, I'm certain we wouldn't have made it through without the both of you. Thank you both so much."

Turning to the others in turn she show her gratitude, thanks, and congratulations to her allies.

"While have have little talent for magic myself, I am glad to have had your talents here with us Malaak and each bit of skill you show pushes myself to not rest of my laurels. Hopefully next time we meet I will be able to teach you half as much as I learned from you in the last few days."

"Elfa, your insight was critical as well. Hearing you translate so much makes me wish to learn more of the dwarven language myself. If we have more time I would love to learn more of it from you."

"It is rare that I find such a gentle soul in my years. I'm grateful to have been able to work with you Deloran. Keep strong to your beliefs and I wish you all the tools and strength to maintain them."

"For the moment though, I think much have this has reminded me that I should return to spend more time with my family for a time. I will look forward to another mission I might spend with each of you."

Chronicles are HERE!

Let me know if anything needs to be changed. I trust you to fill in the other pieces honestly. Thank you very much for the fun table. I'll be posting a new one early next week!