Male CG halfling ace pilot operative (explorer) 5 | SP 0/35 HP 13/32 | RP 6/6 | EAC 15; KAC 16 | Fort +3; Ref +9; Will +9 | Init: +6 | Perc: +14, SM: +10 | Speed 40ft | Active conditions: Staggered
Ashtif nods and fires up his comm unit. "Zafeldrin, we've found Cailis. Here are the coordinates, if you can get a med team out to her. Some sort of crystal seems to be ... bonding with her. We're going to try to rescue the others from some kind of ... crystal skeletons."
He glances toward Cailis, "Stay here. We'll be back."
He leads the way back to the combat site, and then tries to follow the tracks of the captive Starfinders.
M Android Soldier 6 | (SP 30/54, HP 46/46, RP 9/9; EAC 25, KAC 25; F +8, R +8, W +6; Init +6, LLV, DV60'; [dice=Adv semi-auto pistol (Double Tap, Deadly Aim)]1d20+12[/dice] [dice=Dmg (P)]2d6+11[/dice]
Ashtif Cloudskipper wrote:
Ashtif nods and fires up his comm unit. "Zafeldrin, we've found Cailis. Here are the coordinates, if you can get a med team out to her. Some sort of crystal seems to be ... bonding with her. We're going to try to rescue the others from some kind of ... crystal skeletons."
He glances toward Cailis, "Stay here. We'll be back."
He leads the way back to the combat site, and then tries to follow the tracks of the captive Starfinders.
After you briefly manage to contact Zafeldrin and give him an update he responds:
The comm unit crackles as Zafeldrin’s voice flickers in and out.
“Taking this information into account,” he says, “I hereby halt any investigation. Your primary goal now is to retrieve those agents and return to the base camp as quickly as possible so we can regroup and decide how to proceed. I’ve received troubling reports from the other teams as well. We’ll have to—” The comm unit cuts out once more, leaving only static.
As Ashtif has no trouble picking up the trail, it's proving a bit harder to keep following it.
Obscured path: A flurry of snow and ash blows through the area.
Each PC can attempt either Perception check to keep track of the trail through the flurry, or a Acrobatics check to avoid getting the
mixture in their eyes or on their helmet visors Thanks to some awesome survivaling each of you get's a +2 to this check as you arrive just a bit earlier and there's less snow falling/you have more time to look around/think
After that:
Navigate the city: The ruined city retains numerous signs of its former glory.
Each PC can attempt a Culture or Engineering check to intuit the city plan and navigate advantageously to gain on the undead creatures. Still with a +2 to the check
After that:
Predict the Undead Creatures’ Intentions: Lastly, the trail seems to double back and move in strange ways. Either a sense Motive check to predict the undead’s intentions, or a Survival check to follow the tracks and find the correct direction.
Still with a +2 to the check
I'll just give you all checks at once as opposed to rp-ing them out one after another to save some time
Working as a team you have no problems to track the enemy. You are slightly less fast navigating the city put you are unparalleled in the other fields.
After a while you arrive at;
An abandoned depot surrounds the mouth of a cave. Pre-Gap mining equipment lays scattered about in disarray. Strange crystal deposits have formed around the mouth of the cave and crept out to cover the ground and abandoned equipment indiscriminately. The crystals shine from within with an eerie, pale blue light.
You can go deeper inside the mine, examine the crystals or do something else I haven't though of at this point.
Male CG halfling ace pilot operative (explorer) 5 | SP 0/35 HP 13/32 | RP 6/6 | EAC 15; KAC 16 | Fort +3; Ref +9; Will +9 | Init: +6 | Perc: +14, SM: +10 | Speed 40ft | Active conditions: Staggered
Ashtif surveys the area, trying to get a sense of any types of creatures other than the Starfinders and the skeletons they might expect, or how many skeletons there might be.
Survival:1d20 + 13 ⇒ (8) + 13 = 21
"Well," he says when finished, "ready to head in?"
♀ Android Technomancer 5 | Init +4 | RP 5/7 | SP 12/30 | HP 29 | EAC 18 KAC 18 | F +2 R +5 W +5 | Perception +9 (Low Light, Darkvision 60') | Spells 1st 6 2nd 2/3
Iris explains what she was able to understand.
To the halfling, she replies “Just give me a moment there.”
At the entrance, she will try to communicate with the crystals. She will try to wave, speak to them, and eventually touch them trying to see if she can sense anything. If she perceives any attempt to communicate back, she will cast comprehend languages.
The crystals don't seem to be sentient in the way that Iris can relate to.
As she starts to touch them they start to try to borrow into her skin.
Reflex save please and just in case you'd end up failing the reflex save also include a fortitude save
Ashtif doesn't get any detailed information about the area. It seems pretty devoid of organic life and the crystals are everywhere.
The crystals have spread from the deepest parts of the mine and now cover much of the floor and walls.
You think that if you don't stay in one place long enough touching the crystals you don't have to fear them burrowing into your skin, but things like falling flat on the ground and staying there for a second or 6 to catch your breath might end badly for your health in general.
I've added a map of the area to the slides so you can have a better idea of where to go, please place yourselves on the map where you want to go
♀ Android Technomancer 5 | Init +4 | RP 5/7 | SP 12/30 | HP 29 | EAC 18 KAC 18 | F +2 R +5 W +5 | Perception +9 (Low Light, Darkvision 60') | Spells 1st 6 2nd 2/3
Reflex:1d20 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 = 19 Fortitude, hoping 19 is not a failure:1d20 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 1 = 11
“That does not seem safe. It could be a way to communicate, or just to get infected and get delirious.” She pauses, draws her weapon then indicates that “I’m ready too.”
Easily able to avoid the crystal from puncturing her skin Iris quickly withdraws her hand.
The party moves deeper into the cave system.
As Ashtif scans around he notices that a bit behind you (C1 on the map - in the other direction of where you are currently seem to be moving towards) there's the glint of metal.
Moving a bit closer to look at it you see that it's an portable equipment locker which sits inside the mine—a place where miners could replenish batteries or exchange damaged equipment without leaving the mine and taking time away from their work.
Feel free to ignore it, I just pointed it out in case someone missed it on the map
While moving a bit deeper into the large cave area you spot a bit of movement on the outside of your vision.
Half a dozen vermin burrow out of the ground disturbed by your passing and attack.
DC 13 life science to identify:
These are diathas - small vermin. They tend to explode when damaged enough (its energy-dense flesh becomes unstable. If, while in this state, the diatha takes acid, electricity, fire, piercing, slashing, or sonic damage, or uses its explosive charge ability, it dies, exploding in a 10-foot radius burst) = more information might be know depending on check result
M Android Soldier 6 | (SP 30/54, HP 46/46, RP 9/9; EAC 25, KAC 25; F +8, R +8, W +6; Init +6, LLV, DV60'; [dice=Adv semi-auto pistol (Double Tap, Deadly Aim)]1d20+12[/dice] [dice=Dmg (P)]2d6+11[/dice]
The Analog Affair activates his jetpack and flies upwards out of range of the vermin. He then begins firing at them! He targets the purple vermin, first.
Male CG halfling ace pilot operative (explorer) 5 | SP 0/35 HP 13/32 | RP 6/6 | EAC 15; KAC 16 | Fort +3; Ref +9; Will +9 | Init: +6 | Perc: +14, SM: +10 | Speed 40ft | Active conditions: Staggered
No equipment/loot in the equipment locker?
Life Science:1d20 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 14
Ashtif is about to try to use his survival skills to avoid combat with the vermin ... but that plan falls apart when Analog begins firing on them. "Be careful with these things ... they explode. If you have bludgeoning or cold damage, that will prevent the destabilized flesh from bursting."
Unfortunately, Ashtif has neither sort of weapon. He points is tactical semi-auto pistol at the purple-furred one (or the orange-furred one, if purple is killed by Analog's shots) and fires, hoping to disorient it.
♀ Android Technomancer 5 | Init +4 | RP 5/7 | SP 12/30 | HP 29 | EAC 18 KAC 18 | F +2 R +5 W +5 | Perception +9 (Low Light, Darkvision 60') | Spells 1st 6 2nd 2/3
Iris moves back to get out of melee and tries to hit the closest creature with a cold energy ray.
Iris steps, then casts a spell, that provokes from yellow but maybe he does not have his reaction.
Cast energy ray, selecting cold.
EAC:1d20 + 6 ⇒ (15) + 6 = 21 Cold damage:1d3 ⇒ 1
There might be, you never actually went near it, you just saw it in the distance
As the Analog flies up he provokes from the creatures surrounding him
AAO:1d20 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5 AAO:1d20 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 4 + 2 = 7 AAO:1d20 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 4 + 2 = 13 AAO:1d20 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 4 + 2 = 9 AAO:1d20 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 4 + 2 = 10
but he manages to fly away just before the tiny maws close.
He then shoots down but his shot misses..maybe due to upward movement throwing of his aim?
Ashtif fires on the same target and manages to land a powerful hit. The vermin starts to pulse and vibrate.
Iris steps away as the creature next to her is distracted by the Analogs take off and shoots it with a tiny ray of cold.
Frinke slices at the badly injured and pulsating vermin and it explodes as the knife pierces it!
Fire damage Frinke, Iris:1d6 ⇒ 1 Reflex save DC 9 for half
Unable to reach the Analog the creatures move towards Iris and Frinke and start to bite at them
To hit KAC Iris:1d20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 16 To hit KAC Iris:1d20 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8 To hit KAC Frinke:1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17 To hit KAC Frinke:1d20 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 4 + 2 = 25 S damage:1d4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4
Male CG halfling ace pilot operative (explorer) 5 | SP 0/35 HP 13/32 | RP 6/6 | EAC 15; KAC 16 | Fort +3; Ref +9; Will +9 | Init: +6 | Perc: +14, SM: +10 | Speed 40ft | Active conditions: Staggered
I would.have definitely investigated that before moving deeper in once we saw it ... but given we are engaged now, I am sure we will find the cache of bludgeoning/cold weapons after the battle. ;)
Frinke has 5 resistance to fire, so he takes nothing there, except for the bite where he takes 4. He will swing twice at orange, or red if orange dies hit:1d20 + 6 - 4 ⇒ (10) + 6 - 4 = 12hit:1d20 + 6 - 4 ⇒ (7) + 6 - 4 = 9 dmg:1d4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4
As Ashtif and the Analog tear through 3 of the vermin they explode in turn causing a chain of explosions
Fire damage Frinke+Iris:1d6 ⇒ 4 Reflex save DC 9 for half
Fire damage Frinke+Iris:1d6 ⇒ 3 Reflex save DC 9 for half
Fire damage Frinke+Iris:1d6 ⇒ 1 Reflex save DC 9 for half
It seems the ground is becoming a bit unstable due to all these explosions!
Reflex save DC 13 for Iris or be prone..since it effects the vermins to hits I'll roll for those now:1d20 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6 Reflex save DC 13 for Frinke or be prone..since it effects the vermins to hits I'll roll for those now:1d20 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10
Frinke resist the fire and swings with his knife, hitting once.
Iris follows suit and swings and slashes with similar results
Shifting some targets around to make sure it all still works
The remaining 2 focus on the prone Frinke
To hit KAC Frinke:1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 6 + 2 = 26 vs prone
To hit KAC Frinke:1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 6 + 2 = 11 vs prone
S damage:1d4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3
Oh, good, damage resistance of 5 to fire means I take 0 as they are two separate sources. Pretty much the only way that thing can damage me is it rolls a 6 and I fail the reflex save
Looking at the equipment locker Ashtif takes the sensible approach to look for traps but doesn't notice anything that looks dangerous so he closer joined by the Analog (who likewise doesn't notice anything that could be a trap) until......
As you open the door on the locker you see that there's a nozzle of some sort on the other side of it which sputters and wheezes a bit as it starts to unleash a stream of acid
Acid damage Ashtif+the Analog:4d6 ⇒ (3, 3, 6, 1) = 13 Reflex save DC 14 for half
After (attempting to) dodging out of the way you take a more careful look inside the locker and are able to retrieve the equipment from the locker. Inside is a mining jack I, a heavy seismic pick, three mk 2 frag grenades, and a scoring dross gun.
You also discover that there are several precious gemstones hidden in the lining of the suit of armor (the mining jack). These gems are worth 1,380 credits.
You can hear some gurgling from within the nozzle and you assume it's refilling it's acid so this might not be the safest place to stay.
Male CG halfling ace pilot operative (explorer) 5 | SP 0/35 HP 13/32 | RP 6/6 | EAC 15; KAC 16 | Fort +3; Ref +9; Will +9 | Init: +6 | Perc: +14, SM: +10 | Speed 40ft | Active conditions: Staggered
Reflex save:1d20 + 8 ⇒ (14) + 8 = 22
Ashtif grabs the gear and hustles away from the nozzle. He takes one of the mark 2 frag grenades and says, "I can't use any of the rest of this, but I think that you, Frinke or Analog, might be able to do something with it."
Male CG halfling ace pilot operative (explorer) 5 | SP 0/35 HP 13/32 | RP 6/6 | EAC 15; KAC 16 | Fort +3; Ref +9; Will +9 | Init: +6 | Perc: +14, SM: +10 | Speed 40ft | Active conditions: Staggered
Ashtif looks over Iris-1, "Stay toward the rear, if you can, since we don't have time to rest. How about we explore this passage over here?"
Am I correct in thinking there are two passages to the right? I'd be pointing toward the lower one.
After people have swapped out equipment (I'll carry any other unclaimed grenades, if no one else thinks they'll use them), Ashtif pulls his sniper rifle and begins advancing down the tunnel carefully and silently.
As Ashthif explores the passage he finds it leads to a smaller and smaller tunnel and eventually ends in a dead end.
It looks like a nice defensible point if you want to take a 10 minute break while trying to catch up to 2 fellow Starfinders who have been taken by crystalline skeletons and could possible be getting tortured at this very moment
Up to you if you want to take a 10 minute break, just let me know if you decide to take one
♀ Android Technomancer 5 | Init +4 | RP 5/7 | SP 12/30 | HP 29 | EAC 18 KAC 18 | F +2 R +5 W +5 | Perception +9 (Low Light, Darkvision 60') | Spells 1st 6 2nd 2/3
Unless staying put for 10 minutes is dangerous, as everyone is taking a break, Iris looks over her burns and applies something from her medkit on them.
Taking precious time that could be spend catching up to your fellow missing Starfinders you catch your second wind after making sure you find a spot where the strange crystals won't burrow into your skin while you sit still for too long you head out again.
In the other direction you find tracks that show someone clearly was dragged there as well as some tracks that seems to be made by a small 4 legged mammal of some sorts which seemed to have been tracking the dragged creature(s).
There are more tunnels but due to the tracks you can easily sort out the one you need to follow until you reach;
The tunnel curves and opens up into a high-ceilinged, circular cavern. The floor of the cave spirals steadily downward, and at the lowest point sits a large crystal mound shaped, from some directions, like an enraged dragon clawing itself out of the earth.
Placed atop the mound are Iko and Naveret, both unconscious, their bodies beginning to be enveloped by the mound.
As you enter the cavern a large skeleton which looks like in life it used to be a dragon kin but is now almost not recognizable due to the crystals growing all over and through it's bones moves to intercept you. It does look like it took a bit of damage from fighting before 4-player adjustment
