PbP Gameday IX: SFS 2-23: The Edge of Cadascon (Inactive)

Game Master Revvy Bitterleaf

As the Analog asks a question the unconscious Starfinders just stand/hang there emerged in the crystal mound that keeps growing over them, not responding to the question.

Now you have a clearer vison of what your are dealing with you summarize that you can work to free Iko and Naveret in multiple ways.
You can attempt an Athletics check to pull them free, or a Mysticism check to manipulate the magical energies within the crystals to reverse the growth. Damaging the crystal mound enough (attacking it) should also do the trick

As Ashtif fires on the skeleton it's completely unaffected by his shot.

He quickly identifies that this skeleton is unaffected by non-lethal damage as most skeletons are. And judgeing by the crystals growing out of it this will most likely just be a bigger version of the skeletons you already fought..so it would be best to not use lasers against them.

The skeleton turns his head and focuses on the Analog and quickly - for something without muscles- makes his way down the slopes while using it's big strides and long reach to take a swipe at the Analog
to hit KAC Analog: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (20) + 14 = 34
P damage if hit: 1d6 + 10 ⇒ (2) + 10 = 12
Extra crit damage: 1d6 + 10 ⇒ (2) + 10 = 12
and manages to deliver a particularity effective hit

init
Iris+Frinke

The Analog Affair quickly assesses the situation. When the skeleton quickly moves to attack him, he remains in place, hoping to free the other Pathfinders.

Athletics to pull Iko free: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (19) + 9 = 28

He holds his position to free Navaret next.

Ashtif mutters a halfling swear word, "Crabswiddle!", as he flicks the gun's setting over to lethal and fires again.

Arc Pistol attack: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (13) + 7 = 20
Arc Pistol damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5 lethal electricity

As he fires, his called tactical semi-automatic pistol appears in the other hand, in case the creature is immune to lethal electricity as well.

Iris moves in and tries to free Navaret concentrating on the magical energy.

Mysticism: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (17) + 8 = 25

Frinke will move up while pulling out the rifle and fires at the skeleton hit: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8 dmg: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5

Iris moves in and concentrates on the mystical energies in the area and manages to convince some of the crystals around Navaret to shrik down in size. 1 success for Navaret

Frinke will move up while pulling out the rifle and fires at the skeleton but his round only shocks the Analog for a fraction of a second as it impacts the cavern wall and sends a few flints of rock through the air

The crystals continue to grow over the 2 trapped Starfinders

round 2

The Analog pulls on Iko and with a crackling sound a bunch of crystal break and Iko is pulled about half way out of the mound 1 success for Iko

Ashtif switches his gun to deal lethal damage and fires at the skeleton causing some of the crystals to overload and explode.. it seems electrical current can damage it

The skeleton continues to strike down at the Analog, trying to prevent him from pulling the Starfinders out further
To hit KAC Analog: 1d20 + 14 - 4 ⇒ (17) + 14 - 4 = 27
s damage if hit: 1d6 + 10 ⇒ (4) + 10 = 14
To hit KAC Analog: 1d20 + 14 - 4 ⇒ (2) + 14 - 4 = 12
s damage if hit: 1d6 + 10 ⇒ (2) + 10 = 12

init
Party + some more crystal growing after Iris and Frinke have taken their turns
Skeleton

Damage skeleton: 5

Iris moves around and continues focusing on the magical energy to free Navaret.

Mysticism: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (14) + 8 = 22

After a couple of rounds engaged with this creature, Ashtif thinks he's seen some elements of the skeleton's structure that might be weaker than others, so he targets those, attempting to disorient it.

Trick Attack(Survival,+4): 1d20 + 13 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 13 + 4 = 18
Assuming this isn't CR -2. ;)
Arc Pistol attack vs EAC: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (9) + 7 = 16
Arc Pistol damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3 lethal electricity

He re-evaluates his strategy as this attack seems to not work at distracting the target.

Fire twice at the growing crystals, ones closest to him hit: 1d20 + 7 - 4 ⇒ (4) + 7 - 4 = 7 dmg: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9
hit: 1d20 + 7 - 4 ⇒ (3) + 7 - 4 = 6 dmg: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10

The Analog Affair continues to pull Iko from the crystals.

Athletics to pull Iko free: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (16) + 9 = 25

Even though the skeleton keeps up his attacks on the Analog the party continues to free the trapped Starfinders.

With both Iris and the Analog manage to duplicate their actions and both end up freeing one of the Starfinders.

While Ashtif and Frinke manage to try to distract the skeleton away from attacking Analog that's as far as their attacks go...attempting. Both miss with their attacks.

The skeleton seems a bit confused on what to do now that the trapped Starfinders are freed.
After a fraction from a second it seems to exhibit a behavior which in a living opponent would be described as rage and it continues to slam into the Analog
to hit KAC Analog: 1d20 + 14 - 4 ⇒ (6) + 14 - 4 = 16
S damage if hit: 1d6 + 10 ⇒ (1) + 10 = 11
to hit KAC Analog: 1d20 + 14 - 4 ⇒ (2) + 14 - 4 = 12
S damage if hit: 1d6 + 10 ⇒ (3) + 10 = 13

init
Party
Skeleton

Damage:
Skeleton: 5

Ashtif continues his attempts to exploit his knowledge of the creature's anatomy.

Trick Attack(Survival): 1d20 + 13 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 13 + 4 = 18
Arc pistol attack: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 10

He begins to suspect the charging coil in his pistol is damaged.

Is Iko conscious? Mobile?

Depending on the situation with Iko, The Analog Affair will either aid him to escape and/or move to a safe distance himself.

Fire once hit: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8 dmg: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6
then I have to reload, which I do.

Iris starts concentrating, but on a summon spell this time.

Full round to cast summon creature at level 2.

Ashtif continues to fire on the skeleton but it seems impervious to most attacks Just gets missed a lot ;)

The Analog assesses the situation it currently finds itself in, being attacked by a large skeleton with 2 unconscious Starfinders at his feat.
Moving the unconscious Starfinders while being beaten upon might not be the easiest thing to do right now.

Frinke fires his last round of ammo into the ground next to the skeleton and then reloads his gun.

Iris starts to summon some help.

init
The Analog

The Analog Affair withdraws directly away in the air, firing his jetpack. He draws his machine gun back around from his back as he flies.

Acrobatics (move through threatened square): 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (9) + 16 = 25

He fires his squad machine gun as he goes!

Squad machine gun (burning, Deadly Aim): 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (16) + 10 = 26 Dmg (P): 1d10 + 11 ⇒ (3) + 11 = 14

I have no clue if you can use a jetpack while tumbling but it sounds cool so let's go with it. But since he has reach and you started next to him you need 2 acrobatic rolls

second acrobatics roll: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (12) + 16 = 28

Having no problems to escape from the claws of the skeleton The Analog takes flight and fires a bullet into the skeleton

The skeleton unable to attack the Analog looks for another target
1 Ashtif, 2 Iris: 1d2 ⇒ 2
it moves up the slope and tears off a piece of it's crystals and tosses it at Iris as it moves
To hit KAC Iris: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (18) + 11 = 29
P damage if hit: 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11 and a fort save DC 13 or become
fatigued as the crystals begin to siphon life energies in order to grow - fatigued condition can't be removed until the crystal is removed first with a successful medicine check.
And as far as I know this means the summoning spell fails since you take damage while casting

init
Party
Skeleton

Damage:
Skeleton: 19

Trick Attack(Survival,+4): 1d20 + 13 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 13 + 4 = 29
Static Arc Pistol shot vs flat-footed EAC: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25
Static Arc Pistol damage, trick attack bonus damage: 1d6 + 2 + 1d8 ⇒ (2) + 2 + (2) = 6 electricity

Ashtif finally gets his charging coil aligned and fires.

The Analog Affair fires again at the skeleton!

Squad machine gun (burning, Deadly Aim): 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (2) + 10 = 12 Dmg (P): 1d10 + 11 ⇒ (7) + 11 = 18

And then he lands atop the stones on the edge of the pit. Move

Fire rifle at skeleton hit: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25 vs KaC
dmg: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8 piercing

Ashtif finds out that practice makes perfect and manages to land a hit.

The Analog is a bit thrown off it's aim and misses

But Frinke's bullet shatters a femur.

init
Iris
Skeleton

Damage:
Skeleton: 31

Iris in shock about getting hit goes fully on the defensive.

The skeleton thinking she's out of the fight for now focuses his attention on Ashtif

To hit KAC Ashtif: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (7) + 11 = 18
P damage if hit: 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9 and a fort save DC 13 or become
fatigued as the crystals begin to siphon life energies in order to grow - fatigued condition can't be removed until the crystal is removed first with a successful medicine check.

The crystal shard the skeleton broke of itself and hurled at Ashtif hurts and starts to try to sap the life energy from the little halfling

init
Party (still a fort save from Iris and Ashtif[/ooc]
Skeleton

Damage:
Skeleton: 31

From his perch atop the rocks, The Analog Affair fires his squad machine gun, aiming carefully to do extra damage.

FULL Squad machine gun (burning, Focus Fire, Deadly Aim): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15 Dmg (P): 1d10 + 11 ⇒ (7) + 11 = 18

FULL Squad machine gun (burning, Focus Fire, Deadly Aim): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 10 Dmg (P): 1d10 + 11 ⇒ (10) + 11 = 21

Fortitude DC 13: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 1 = 12

Iris takes a crystal that disrupt her spell and starts feeling drained.

She moves out of the way, to try to get cover.

Withdraw to get away from melee

Fire again hit: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (10) + 7 = 17 vs KAC
dmg: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6 dmg.

As Iris retreats after having her strength sapped from her body Frinke and the Analog unleash a barrage of attacks but the angle of their attacks cause their bullets to get deflected by the skeletons crystal outgrowths without causing damage
None of the attacks hit it's KAC

init
Ashthif Still pending a DC 13 fort save or become fatiqued

Skeleton

Damage:Skeleton: 31

Next round:

The Analog Affair fires again!

FULL Squad machine gun (burning, Focus Fire, Deadly Aim): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (9) + 7 = 16 Dmg (P): 1d10 + 11 ⇒ (6) + 11 = 17
FULL Squad machine gun (burning, Focus Fire, Deadly Aim): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25 Dmg (P): 1d10 + 11 ⇒ (8) + 11 = 19

Apologies. Work has been crazy the last few days.

Fortitude save: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 2 = 20

Ashtif resists the crystals and fires at the creature again.

Trick Attack(Survival, +4): 1d20 + 13 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 13 + 4 = 32
Arc Pistol Attack vs flat-footed EAC: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11
Arc Pistol damage: 1d6 + 2 + 1d8 ⇒ (4) + 2 + (5) = 11

Even though the Skeleton doesn't see that attack from Ashtif coming it was so distracting that Ashtif himself wasn't able to focus and ends up missing.

The skeleton retaliates with an attack
To hit KAC Ashtif: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (5) + 11 = 16
P damage if hit: 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8

and then is brought down by the Analog with a barrage of bullets..it might have survived these hits if it wouldn't have been damaged from it's previous fight with the no longer captured - but still unconscious - Starfinders

The Analog Affair jets down to the unconscious Starfinders and renders whatever aid is necessary.

Ashtif moves over to the Izalguun. "We can't easily carry him out of here ... Does anybody have a medkit? I can help with the healing ... or we can use some healing serum."

Iris comes back and grabs her medkit and starts looking over the starfinder. She mentionst “Not sure if its safe to try to treat them here, we may have to carry them.”

In case that’s needed:
Medicine: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (18) + 12 = 30

Iris raises an eyebrow, looks down at his halfling-sized body, then glances toward the Izalguun. "Anybody got an anti-gravity ray? Or a very big null-space chamber?"

Since Iris seems to have the medical treatment in hand, Ashtif begins searching the area for any clues or equipment that may be useful.

Perception, Broad-spectrum scanner: 1d20 + 12 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 12 + 4 = 35

As you stay in the area you notice that the rystals grow dull and begin crumbling to dust. At that moment, the crystal mound pulses brightly before returning to normal.

Ashtif spots a basic dragonglaive discarded on the floor of the cavern from a battle fought long ago.

As Iris gives medical aid to the unconscious Starfinders she finds out that they are mostly drained from energy. Modern Medicine can't get them up and running any quicker but taking some time to recuperate or some magical infusion of energy (magic healing) would make them as good as new again - or at least as good as before.

As you stay to gain your second wind a small fox like creature appears from around the edge of a tunnel and rushes over to sit next to Naveret and then greets each of you in turn. It's the squox companion that followed it's owner here - but arrived too late to be of any help to you.

Assuming you stay for 10 minutes the Starfinders regain consciousness on their own or you can drag them out of the cave and then at some point they'll recover as well
You make your way back to base camp with a slight detour to pick up Cailis whom you left behind in the ruins behind barricaded doors.and the members of Team B are the last group of agents to return from their missions. The other Starfinders wait at the base camp with Zafeldrin, looking grim and haggard. Venture- Captain Zafeldrin is relieved to see you all alive and well when you return from the outskirts of Cadascon. He immediately arranges for a medic to examine the members of Team B.

After making sure all of his injured agents are cared for, Zafeldrin requests a detailed report about everything you found during the mission. He listens somberly, and thanks you when you're done.

He tells you that the other teams had run-ins with the strange, crystalline undead as well, though there were luckily no casualties on the other teams. Zafeldrin is greatly worried about the power of these mysterious, infectious crystals and the risk they pose to Triaxus, and perhaps even to the entirety of the Pact Worlds.

As you check in on Iko and Naveret and notice how much better the recovery is due to the attention of his pet squox and talk to them about it Naveret introduces (via the galaxy wide web) you the owner of the animal shelter from whom she adopted her squox companion, wift, and offers to cover all training costs as a thank you for saving their lives
You can take the squox companion feat (Starfinder Alien Archive 2 119) as if it appeared on the Additional Resources page to adopt a trained squox of your own. - It's on your chronicle as a boon but it might be nice to know already

When the expedition returns to the White Sands Lodge, he sends out a report to both the Lorespire Complex and the authorities in the Drakelands and Skyfire Mandate. He also immediately starts planning for the Society’s return to Cadascon, requesting that the Society’s leadership prioritize efforts in the city. He informs all of the agents who participated in the mission that thanks to the information they obtained, the next expedition to Cadascon will be much better prepared.

Zafeldrin finished with telling you that he will contact you when the preparations for a return mission have been made....but that's a story for another time

That concludes this scenario. I hope everyone enjoyed themselves even though we slowed down a bit in the end. I've reported the game to the higher up's from the gameday. I'll hope to get you your chronicles soon, but realistically we're most likely looking at (late on) Wednesday