[GM Wolffauer] SFS 2-08: The Stumbling Society, Part 2: Sangoro's Gifts (Inactive)

Game Master Wolffauer

#2-08: The Stumbling Society, Part 2: Sangoro's Gifts
Tags: Faction (Wayfinders), Starship

Back from the previous mission, the golden android relaxes in a spar in Absalom station with the lovely Jopsie, who is reading the latest scientific papers.

When her communicator flashes, Kultanien offers her assistant a sad smile "Work calls." before getting dressed and heading off to the Lorespire.

Checking in. I could also swap over to Gunnz if there is spaceship combat, as she is much more helpful for that as mainly a pilot but could also gun quite happily. Kultanien can captain and that is about it.

A withered ysoki with bloodshot eyes enters the briefing room, seemingly lost and out of place.

As the door closes behind her, Lily's disguise melts away and her posture straightens.

"Don't tell Arratoi, but that disguise is perfect for when you just want to do some grocery shopping or go for a walk and not be bothered."

Arratoi walks into the room and says, "Hello my fellow WMD trackers!!! Time to go get the rug pulled out from under us again??"

Arratoi winks.

Kultainen, there's only a wayfinder tag on this scenario, no starship tag that I see. I say stick to this character if you want. You already completed part 1 with Kultainen so may as well complete part 2 on the same character!

Kultanien can captain and that is about it.

Have you taken a look at these?

Faraeon strides purposefully into the room behind Arratoi. "More than likely, if that last debacle was any indication," he grumbles, "Still, if there's anything out there for us to grab, I wanna be on the team to do it. Just to show that the Starfinders don't go down without a fight!"

Sunshine wanders into the briefing room. "Did they find our lost toys?"

"Yes, unfortunately we have."

An older ysoki woman, Fitch of the Wayfinders faction, stands behind a table in the center of the room. A frozen holographic image, hovers above the table, depicting strange, moth‑like creatures with brightly colored wings in a dense jungle, apparently in the midst of a shoot‑out. Each of the creatures grips a gun in their front two claws, and the combatants seem to be divided into two groups. The weaponry the creatures wield is emblazoned with the Starfinder Society emblem.

“Welcome, fellow Starfinders,” Fitch says. “You all are aware that Datch stole a stockpile of weapons from the Exo-Guardians. This isn’t the first time she’s come to the Society’s attention, and we’ve been trying to figure out her game ever since. Our immediate problem, though, is what she’s done with the supplies she stole from that facility.”

Fitch clicks a button on the table, and the vid‑footage springs to life. The sound of gunfire fills the room as the creatures engage in a brief battle. After several creatures fall, both sides retreat, screeching wordlessly at each other. Once the vid finishes, the hologram disappears. “This footage was taken on a planet called Stabrisis‑14,” Fitch says. “It’s been charted, but not explored—the local inhabitants aren’t very advanced technologically and we didn’t want to interfere in their civilization. But apparently, Datch has been dropping crates of our equipment for them to find. The last thing the Starfinders need in the middle of this smear campaign is for people to think we’re handing out weapons to developing worlds, not to mention the response from our weapon manufacturing partners if they think we can’t keep hold of our arms. I need you to go to Stabrisis‑14 and get back our equipment, hopefully before this gets out. And please, try to find a diplomatic way to do so. The only thing that would look worse for the Starfinders than seemingly distributing these weapons would be causing a massacre on a low‑tech world."

“I’ll be sending another agent along with you, a maraquoi named Saivessa. They’ll be following you in a second ship so they can secure the equipment you find; that way, you won’t have to waste time gathering it.” Fitch runs her hands through her fur — judging by the tousles at the top of her head, not for the first time today. “Any questions?”

"It seemed like Datch was wearing an AbadarCorp pin on her lapel in the videos she left us. Have we reached out to AbadarCorp about this? I've had some positive contact with one of their agents before. Maybe he could give us some leads on who this Datch is and how we can get her to quit all this nonsense."

"Luwazi is working that angle currently. She and Celita are first trying to see if Datch and/or Abadar are behind the smear campaign as well."

"What do we know about those locals shooting at each other? Physiology? Society? Culture? Some kind of war going on? And especially do we know anything about their language and our ability to communicate with them?

"You're aware that if they're embroiled in an all out war, we may have to enlist the help of one side or another to get the weapons back. Ideally we'd be able to pull our gear out without having to take sides but reality on the ground might require otherwise..."

"Stabrisis‑14? That's a large system. What do we know about the other planets? Maybe we can enlist aid from them."

"And what languages are spoken there?" asks Kultanien.

"If we are to treat with them, speaking the local lingo may help."

The rhyphorian nods. "Any intel on diplomatic angles we can leverage? Any angles we should expressly avoid? Do we need to not be seen by locals to avoid violating their developing interstellar sensibilities?"

"Also, you might want to look into Lau Shu Po. We found a nasty relic of hers in the Arsenal. Might be what's behind Datch."

"All we know about the natives is that they haven’t developed advanced technology and seem to be divided into semi‑nomadic tribes. We haven’t studied them extensively yet. It’s hard to say whether they’d speak any language we’d recognize. I’d recommend preparing spells to communicate or bringing along any translation equipment you’ve got; otherwise, you might have some difficulty.”

“We don’t know too much about the world, only what we’ve gotten through scans and this footage. It’s a jungle planet in Near Space, orbiting a red star. It's the fourth planet out, and the only inhabited one in the system that we are aware of."

“We don’t want to cause a bloodbath trying to reclaim the weapons. Defend yourselves if attacked, of course, but aim for a diplomatic solution if at all possible. If not... I hate to say it, but you’ll probably have to leave the equipment and head back to Absalom Station if they insist on continuing to fight over it.”

"Lau Shu Po, eh?" Fitch asks, her eyes squinted in disdain. "I assume you included that in your report? Good. Luwazi will follow up on it."

Lily glances around the room.

"Anybody have spells that can aid with communication? If not, Fitch, we'll probably be investing in one of those handy translators you got on the Master of Stars."

Lily will purchase and slot the Wayfinders Champion Boon for this scenario.

"No spells from me. But I did pick up this item a while back..."

Arratoi holds up a tetrad certified translator.

A hyliki enters the room and hesitantly says, "Umm...the ship is prepped and ready Ms. Fitch, as you asked."

Freen looks around at the present crew and waves nervously.

Sunshine wraps up a text message as the group prepares to launch. Hey sis. Looks like a talking assignment. Can I get your help?

Shortly later, his datapad pings. sure thing bruvva! <3 <3 <3 usual rate applies!!! ^_^ Sunshine sighs.

Slotting my Charisma skill elite hireling boon.

A maraquoi joins you in the meeting room. "Howdy gang. I'm Saivessa. You all ready to go?"

"Good luck Starfinders", says Fitch before giving a nod to Saivessa and then taking her leave.

In short order, you gather your equipment and new purchases and load them into the Crypt Warden. Saivessa prepares their transport ship in short order and is ready to leave when you finish loading.

--

It takes you 10 days in the Drift to travel to Stabrisis‑14. The trip is uneventful beyond a bored Saivessa calling from time to time to chat. They are especially interest in talking shop with Sunshine.

Faraeon spends the trip working out and sparring with other members of the team. He feels especially comfortable with this crew, given their recent work together, and spends any rest days he takes chatting amicably with anyone who cares to talk.

Sunshine patiently indulges the inquisitive maraquoi throughout the voyage, taking the time to learn the ins and outs of the strange Corpse Fleet ship. He looks long and hard at the keyboards in the science officer station. "...are those keys...teeth? Deeeeeeelightful."

Kultanien spends much of the trip brushing up on first contact protocols. She also spends a lot of time reading about communication schemes of insects and other creatures that the inhabitants might resemble.

On her left wrist, Kultanien sports a brand new, very fashionable coms unit which she spends much of the trip playing with.

"...are those keys...teeth? Deeeeeeelightful."

Lily's cheerful demeanor adds some much needed "life" to the ship.

"Aren't the Eoxians so resourceful? The command-level suites each come with their own body pillow, too!"

Freen, as before, keeps to himself. He only really talks to those that speak to him first.

Arratoi spends the vast majority of his time examining and exploring the Eoxian ship. During mealtimes, Arratoi never fails to comment on how amazed he is that everyone is able to live and survive aboard this ship considering that Eoxian ships are typically not pressurized and are fully exposed to the ravages of the void because Eoxians are, well, undead....

When you emerge from the Drift, you quickly spot two starships circling the area. They also seem to spot you as their pattern changes and they turn to face your ship, weapons arrays powering up.

You have a free action to scan the ships, after which we enter ship combat

”Showtime.” Sunshine mutters under his breath, turning the scanners forward to spec the oncoming ships.

Computers (scan): 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (18) + 16 = 34 plus any scanner/computer bonus.

"Well isn't that a fine how do you do?!" Faraeon calls out as he powers up the Crypt Warden's weapons in turn.

Would you mind posting a link to the Crypt Warden in the Campaign Info header, GM?

@Sunshine: it gives +2 Computers ^_^

If multiple scans are allowed during the free action, Arratoi will also attempt a scan of the same ship that Sunshine scanned.

Computers: 1d20 + 12 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 12 + 2 = 34

In addition, for the first round of combat, Arratoi will typically run a science officer scan rather than take an engineering action. But from the second round on, Arratoi will likely stay on engineering.

Also, for Arratoi's starship boon, he'll select finest engines. So Lily, you'll get a speed of 8 rather than the usual 6!

Arratoi never fails to comment on how amazed he is that everyone is able to live and survive aboard this ship considering that Eoxian ships are typically not pressurized and are fully exposed to the ravages of the void because Eoxians are, well, undead...

"Eh, they have enough outlets to keep my comm unit charged, so I'm happy."

Lily, you'll get a speed of 8 rather than the usual 6!

NICE!

Would you mind posting a link to the Crypt Warden in the Campaign Info header, GM?

@Sunshine: it gives +2 Computers ^_^

To make things easier to reference, I've taken the liberty of pasting the crypt warden specs into slide 4. I've also listed the starship boons that I'm aware of. I don't know the text of automated defenses boon off the top of my head though.

You defeated one of the orbital defense platforms orbiting the planet Elytrio. The platform contained several unique, albeit technologically outdated, innovations in starship design. The most promising adaptation of the technology is its ability to deter oncoming missiles using miniature automated drones. When you slot this starship boon, once per starship combat, a science officer can reduce the speed of a single tracking weapon fired at your starship by 50% for 1 round. Declare the use of this ability when the enemy weapon is fired but before its gunnery check is attempted. A science officer can spend a Resolve Point to activate this boon again in any subsequent round or encounter. A starship can only be improved by a single copy of this boon.

Awesome - thanks everyone.

The scanners can only be used by one person at a time, but you got everything worth getting

Sunshine performs a through scan of the little ships, which appear identical, and quickly notes that they are some sort of unmanned drone. They have neither Drift engines nor the the appropriate mechanisms to make it through a planet’s atmosphere to land, so they must have come from something nearby.

See discussion for sub-tier question

Engineering phase

[u]Round 1[/u]

Kultainen - Captain
Arratoi - Engineer
Lily - Pilot
Sunshine - Science Officer
Faraeon - Gunner
Freen - Gunner

Crypt Warden, Shields (30/25/25/20), 170/170 HP
Red Drone
Blue Drone

forward/port/starboard/aft

The scanners can only be used by one person at a time, but you got everything worth getting

I think the only starship roles with hard limits are captain and pilot; all the others we should be able to double up on. I've run tables where we've had three gunners, or two engineers after getting critically hit. Might be different for this special "surprise round", though.

Sunshine's brow furrows. "Drones again? I fought automated drones in Elytrio's orbit. Those had a platform to dock on, though; based on these specs, it looks like these need one too. But I don't see one..."

"If these are like the drones I fought before, we have to take out their dock first. These have way more firepower, though. Try to stay out of their forward arcs, if you can, and put that EMP cannon to work on their weapons. The last dock was unarmed."

"Well done with the scan - looks like no need for me to assist with another scan! Instead, MOAR POWER to the engines!!!"

Engineering, Divert DC20: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (3) + 16 = 19

"BAH! This hideous lantern-lugging crystal-breaking slimeball oscillating ion terminal won't flush because it's separated!!"

Re: Scanners - correct, doubling up roles is not a problem and yes scans can be made by multiple Sci Off in a single round - just not for this bonus action. Some actions are limited to once a round no matter how many people are in the role, like pretty much everything the engineer does. (ex. one engineer can divert and another can patch, but they both can't divert, even to different systems)

"Right..." says captain Kultanien.

"Science, find me that platform!"

encourage: 1d20 + 14 + 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 14 + (1) + 1 = 21

Sunshine is able to calibrate the scanners to reveal the position of the cloaked drone launch platform, but the scanners are unable to penetrate further. You'll know where it is, but can't get any more information about it

Lily is up - please show your move on the map as I do via a polyline. Gunners - take your shots after Lily has moved

[u]Round 1 - Engineering, Helm, Gunnery[/u]

Kultainen - Captain
Arratoi - Engineer
Lily - Pilot
Sunshine - Science Officer
Faraeon - Gunner
Freen - Gunner

Crypt Warden, AC 22, Shields (30/25/25/20); 170/170 HP
Red Drone
Green Drone

forward/port/starboard/aft

Just saw the discussion about subtiers; I'm a fan of playing up. That actually makes our ship weaker, since we'd otherwise be using a Tier 8 Drake or Pegasus, but at least now we each get a single reroll during Starship Combat.

Piloting, Evade, DC 20: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (4) + 21 = 25

"I can keep us out of one front arc, but not both! At least our heaviest guns are trained on them!"

Red particle beam: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (9) + 10 = 19
Red dmg: 8d6 ⇒ (6, 3, 3, 6, 2, 4, 4, 3) = 31
Green particle beam: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (14) + 10 = 24
Green dmg: 8d6 ⇒ (4, 3, 5, 2, 6, 4, 4, 4) = 32

A particle beam strikes your port side, while another misses.

[u]Round 1 - Engineering, Helm, Gunnery[/u]

Kultainen - Captain
Arratoi - Engineer
Lily - Pilot
Sunshine - Science Officer
Faraeon - Gunner
Freen - Gunner

Crypt Warden, AC 22, Shields (30/0/25/20); 163/170 HP
Red Drone, AC 20, Shields (30/30/30/30), 40/40 HP
Green Drone, AC 20, Shields (30/30/30/30), 40/40 HP
Drone Platform

forward/port/starboard/aft

@GM Cool that’s what I thought. @Lily If I’m reading the map right, you can fly straight ahead and get out of both forward arcs, plus put us closer to the platform for our own forward weapons.

EDIT: Looks like GM ninja’d me >.<

Faraeon takes hold of the yoke to aim the laser net toward the enemy ship's port side. "Hopefully this'll open em up for you, Freen." He squeezes the trigger and watches as a barrage of laser fire streaks toward the enemy's shielded side.

Heavy Laser Net: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (4) + 12 = 16 Damage: 5d6 ⇒ (5, 6, 5, 4, 5) = 25
Dang! That's a bummer to miss with that damage!

BOTTING FREEN: Freen sees the platform emerge from the deep scan and takes a long shot at it with the crypt warden's biggest gun.

Gunnery (plasma cannon, 2nd range increment): 1d20 + 12 - 2 ⇒ (14) + 12 - 2 = 24
Damage: 5d12 ⇒ (12, 3, 1, 9, 10) = 35

24 misses us. Mk5 Armor + 8 ranks + 2 Evade.

Close. You're missing the -1 AC for ship size large.

Your plasma cannon hits the port side of the platform.

Engineering phase

[u]Round 2 - Engineering, Helm, Gunnery[/u]

Kultainen - Captain
Arratoi - Engineer
Lily - Pilot
Sunshine - Science Officer
Faraeon - Gunner
Freen - Gunner

Crypt Warden, AC 22, Shields (30/0/25/20); 163/170 HP
Red Drone, AC 20, Shields (30/30/30/30), 40/40 HP
Green Drone, AC 20, Shields (30/30/30/30), 40/40 HP
Drone Platform, port side hit

forward/port/starboard/aft

"*GULP* Port shields! Power to port shields!!"

Engineering, Divert DC20: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (16) + 16 = 32

Restore 10 points, unless my math is off...

Helm phase. Kultainen feel free to post what you'd like to do each round as soon as you know - otherwise it will be easy for us to move through a round without you getting a chance.

Piloting order: Red, Green, Warden

Lily and Sunshine are up. Gunners - take your shots after Lily has moved and Kultainen has taken their action.

[u]Round 2 - Engineering, Helm, Gunnery[/u]

Kultainen - Captain
Arratoi - Engineer
Lily - Pilot
Sunshine - Science Officer
Faraeon - Gunner
Freen - Gunner

Crypt Warden, AC 22, Shields (30/10/25/20); 163/170 HP
Red Drone, AC 20, Shields (30/30/30/30), 40/40 HP
Green Drone, AC 20, Shields (30/30/30/30), 40/40 HP
Drone Platform, port side hit

forward/port/starboard/aft