[SFS/Shifty] #2:21 Illegal Shipment (A) (Inactive)

Game Master Nik B.

Killed whilst I was sleeping on the job - well done all ^^

Breathing deeply as the creatures fall, Lenleath takes a moment to curb the drenaline surging through their system and lower themselves to their four-legged mode. Taking a moment they search the area for any other signs of Swarm passage, keeping wary.

"I have suffered no lasting injuries, though I could do with a moment to take a breath." Lenleath replies to Geo.

Perception: 1d20 ⇒ 9

10min rest for stamina if possible

Ceolor gives a small curse as the enemy flings a barb at him.
Dat dang Fort save: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 3 = 13
Great that's two current games where my low con, dex based, high fort save class character was the only one to fail a fort save against enemy attacks or diseases.

He takes a look around the place and the enemies, pausing for a moment... "Wait wasn't taking these out a bad idea? Didn't we want to try following them and see where they went? Ah well. We'll have to prepare for handling them later."
Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (18) + 6 = 24

If the group stops for a moment to rest, Ceolor will take advantage of the time and reinstate his sidereal influence for stealth, the gravitons around his body causing noises to travel slower, making the space around him noticeably quieter.

Ceolor starts looking around and spots

A pile of the discarded equipment of several unfortunate victims the Swarm intruders have came upon. These victims are in various stages of being dissolved into a pile of rather terrifying bio-sludge

He also notices signs of the Swarm all around the Dreamways warehouse and blood trails from victims and creatures taken by the Swarm.

He starts feeling particularly unwell, becoming sluggish and slow in his responses - vague and dissociated. His condition begins to deteriorate rapidly.

Three more Fort saves!

"If no-one minds, i would like to take the Aegis in case i fall fighting the creatures in the front line." Lenleath mentions as they
discover the remains of unfortunate dvictims "Though this clear evidence of the death of sentient beings does not endear me to Zelrai's heinous actions "

Spotting the off palor in Ceolor's cheeks, Lenleath attempts to help the Solarion.

medicine vs dc of the save: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (7) + 10 = 17

medicine vs dc of the save: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (9) + 10 = 19

medicine vs dc of the save: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (11) + 10 = 21

rolled on per save, on a success Ceolor gets +4 to theirnsave

Croaker looks at Ceolor.

"Yeah man, take a sit. You look a bit pale and your movements are sluggish. " Says Croaker and lets Lenleath take care of him

"If we have enough time I could use that armor over there. " If we have time Croaker can spend some time and adjust it to his posture ;)

"Should we burn this biomatter? "

Thats 3 successes - Ceo gets a bonus on each roll as a result!

"Lenleath, I agree on the Aegis, though right now I think Ceolor needs it on him...it should help with the poison right now."

The Aegis gives +1 enhancement bonus for things that are recurring...like a poison through the system...

"I don't have need of the armor. And that is a lot of biomatter. No idea how many victims they have taken....but because of that armor at least one 'humanoid' type. The rest might be animals like rats and such....And Croaker...do you think you have enough petrol to burn all that? We might have to call Ziggy for a clean up crew to get this and the swarm bodies."

Croaker checks his petrol tank.

"No, I don't think I had. Wow, it is half empty, I think I got overexcited over there." says sheepishly.

Ceolor swoons some as the effects hit his blood stream. He smiles some as Len provides some support, but still feels nauseated. "Mind if I borrow... that amulet.... for a bit.... first?"
The Aegis doesn't get used up when someone uses it to get past ongoing effects so Ceolor could use it now and you could use it later.
Fort save 1: 1d20 + 3 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 3 + 4 = 23
Fort save 2: 1d20 + 3 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 3 + 4 = 11
Fort save 3: 1d20 + 3 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 3 + 4 = 20
+1 if he can use the Aegis. And shoot 2 looks low...
Ceolor gives the nice shiny armor in Croaker's hands a longing look but ultimately decides the little guy could use it more.

I'd forgotten about it's first effect ^^, go for it

With Ray's reminder of the full capability of the Aegis, Lenleath nods and gently places it over Ceolor's neck, hoping the magic of the amulet will aid their ally in revovering from the malicious poison of the Swarm.

"Of course, you take this until you are well." They reply, busying themselves assisting in the continued support of the Solarion.

Medicine if another save is needed: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (8) + 10 = 18

Ceolor learns first hand just how dangerous the swarm are and how they have been so effective at claiming victims as the poison courses through his system.

Even with an Aegis and some excellent medical care the effects are shocking.

You recover back around the corner and spend the ten minutes for Lenleath to get his wind back.

Ceolor, feels himself seizing up and looks again at the armor in Croaker's hands. "Hrmm, mind if I use that? Or I am hiding behind Lenleath until I get over this poison!"

Ouch Sluggish and Stiffened are a terrible combo. Flatfooted and no Dex to AC? Ouch, Ceolor is at 10 EAC and 11 KAC He isn't going anywhere NEAR where he can get shot at again.

Croaker looks at Ceolor and the armor

"Sure, go for it. You seem to be needing it more than I do. That poison is a killer!" says ysoki, beginning to adjust the armor to Ceolor.

"There is some tissue inside, let me remove it" as he uses his knife and a big chunk of meat falls off on the ground.

"Don't worry about that. I will just pour some water in and it will be as good as new." Croaker goes on with the cleaning.

After we are done with the armor I think we can try to find the rest of the swarm. Can we follow the trails of blood?

”Apologies we do not have the time for you to receive proper treatment my friend.” Lenleath says, clearly sorry they were unable to help their Solarion ally. ”But we must be off before the Swarm have chance to gain a true foothold here.”

They get up from their crouch and once more take the time to clean their tools before placing them back in their hide satchel. Grapping their spear and hooking their singing disk back upon their harness they press on through the fog shrouded Warehouse and towards the Swarm’s main hive. Hoping they were not too late.

"Ceolor, keep behind us....your are in no condition to be near the front. Now....Let's see if we can track these things back to their nest."

Orrian replaces the clip in his machine gun as he walks up to the rest of the group.

"Well that went oka... wow!" Orrian grimmaces. "Ceolor, you don't look so great. Those things got you pretty good, huh?"

He keeps his gun out, and stays well away from the pile of bio-sludge.

"And wow, lots of blood trails everywhere. Man, this could be as serious as we were warned about. I'll look around here if people are taking a minute to see if I can see get a better idea these things are dragging people off to."

Survival: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (20) + 11 = 31

One full day of rest to clear each step is very ouch, poor Ceolor

***

The warehouse doors slowly open revealing an old disused office space the emergency lighting 20-feet up cast the area in a dim light. The air scrubbers in the building hum gently and have cleared out the pervasive mist...

The Swarm has clearly been converting the warehouse. Under the dim lights, some of the walls and floors look almost alive with accumulated biomass. Whilst most of the wall is visible, there are numerous sacs with bodily fluids and a greenish slime. There is also soot and dirt everywhere with small pods and sacs in corners, and dead vermin attached to biological apparatus that appear to be drawing their biological material away. Cabling runs across the floor and deeper into the warehouse - but you notice it is fleshy...

A single swarm creature is gathering goop from some of the sacs, and so far hasn't noticed you.

Any offensive or overt action will trigger initiative...

Area is DIM light

/poke

Huh...Apologies - It didn't show up for me

Peering into the gloom, Lenleath spots the creature and points it out, indicating their Singing disk in a silent query as to whether they should try and remove the creature or wait until it moves out of sight. Without any great knowledge of the Swarm's Hive capabilities they do not wish to risk alerting others and so will take the expert's lead.

Croaker rubs his shoulder, he feels like some divine entity poked him.

Croaker shares in a lowered voice.
Swarm, was supposed to learn what each and every grunt knows. We should try to take it down in one shoot.

He changes the weapon to a laser rifle and aims at the creature.

I didn't want to post first since I know what is going on....sorry

Quietly, "This is very dangerous....they can easily swarm us...." Geo makes a slight snort of laughterm"swarm...yeah. Their name, and what they do. Just be careful...we don't know what is where. And their biological items can be dangerous...."

"Do we know what it's actually doing here? Making some kind of nest? But..." Orrian points to all of the bio-goop sacs. "This place is it, right? We don't have to hunt down any other Swarm creatures any where else?"

Orrians not exactly sure if this is the end of what we're looking for or if this is another step. He's pretty grossed out, regardless.

Whilst the party discusses the problem at hand and observes the creature, it continues to gather the strange goop. It then begins wandering off down the hall out of sight.

Ellen assist Life Science: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (7) + 8 = 15

Ray watches the creature and thinks on what he might have read in his dads notes, or other books.

Life Science: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (17) + 10 = 27

Without a solid consensus from their allies, Lenleath waits for the strange Swarm creature to move out of the way before moving on into the warehouse proper. Spying a desk in the entrance way, the Izaalguunmoves cautiously to the right, the opposite section to the retreating gatherer and peers into the pervasive gloom to see what awaits them ahead.

"Our mission here is seek and destroy, Ceolor, i suggest you hang back and provide covering fire, I will press forwards and tackle the Swarm elements in hand hand."

Croaker observes Lenleath moving forwards and swaps his guns again. Holding the flame rifle he wonders if there was someone to build 2-in-1 kind of rifle to not have to juggle with them.

He shakes his snout trying to keep focused at the task and cover his buddy. He moves slowly towards the desk and looks through the other doors, trying to make sure that the big mechanic would not be flanked.

Geo follows Lenleath and Spike, his static arc pistol out and definitely set to lethal.

Lenleath rounds the corner and sees a stimach-turning sight.

Biomass of some form or another covers the remaining shelves along the walls and forming aisles leading west to the office area.

Dark, living coils of some sort of biocable stretch along the floors and walls, only interrupted by small yellowish-green sacs to the south, glowing pustules and large translucent pods along the walls, and two dozen yellow eggs huddle together near the northernmost wall. A fallen shelf has eliminated most of the hanging lighting in the area, so a greenish glow and humid haze permeates this open warehouse space.

There are several Swarm busily working away....

Once again, overt actions will trigger initiaitive

Stepping forwards to give their allies some room to manoeuvre behind them, Lenleath pauses as they take in the gruesome scene before them, their grip tightening on the haft of the Proto-Spear. "This is horrific - though we seem to be outnumbered, I am sure we will not be outmatched. If others wish to take the other flank I will attack."

Lenleath reaches for their Singing disk and rest back on their hindmost legs once more - ready to attack the Swarm when the group are ready.

Orrian moves forward and watches the swarm working among the biocables and eggs.

"Well this seems like the nest. Let's check the room up on the right just to make sure there's nothing... worse than this waiting in there, and then get on with exterminating."

If nobody objects, Orrian will walk forward to check the room on the right unless one of our more front-line types would like to go first.

Clad in armor and not feeling the most bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, Ceolor stays to the back trying to slink around in such a way he won't attract attention to himself.

"Anyhaps there's something we could find that might take out most of this biomass at once? ... I've heard some people can make radiation but I've never been able to find out how."

Rayburn sees that Orrian goes one way solo, and decides to follow him, figuring Croaker will follow Lenleath.

Over comms, quietly, [smaller]" Let me see if I can figure out what the small and larger swarms are..."

GM, the smaller flying ones were in a previous post, with assist was a 29 Life Science.

Ellen assist Life Science: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (17) + 8 = 25

Ray watches the creature and thinks on what he might have read in his dads notes, or other books.

Life Science: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (3) + 10 = 13

Apparently Ellen knew more than me....oh well...no idea on the large ones is my guess with a 15

Rayburn recognises the smaller ones as Swarm programmers - their role is to care for and tend the eggs, and they engage in minor bio-engineering works. They have no particular defences other than immunity to fear and acid, but they hold a weak venom in their proboscis but overall they are fairly trivial opponents.

***

You can't see any obvious cover to get to the far door without being spotted...

Quietly, over comms, "The smaller ones that fly...they are programmers. Kinda like the nurse bees of the swarm. They also can program the eggs a little to produce new swarm. Likely these haven't had too much time to make new swarm....but I bet there are eggs elsewhere. No acid on them...and if they stick you with that needle beak of theirs, you might get sick for a little while. The big multi-armed ones...no idea...but I bet they also are immune to acid...most swarm are."

Ceolor whipsers back over the comms. [smaller]"So if we are going to have to fight then maybe focus on the smaller ones first? Ensure they can't speed up backup production... And is it only me who finds the speed at which these creatures have made a nest scary? I hope they didn't have the presence of mind to try setting up satellite nests yet... Cause we might be screwed if they have."

"So, what's the plan? Guns blazing, though I won't be a lick of help for most of that. Or are we trying to sneak past? Create a diversion and then sneak into the room?"

"Lenleath, how about Ray and I start 'gun blazing' against the group in this room and you and Croaker go fight your way toward the next room? Ceolor can hang back with us and fight anything that gets up close to us. If there's a bigger threat in the next room, or something that tries to escape, we can all run in and help out."

"Sound like a plan?"

Croaker looks at the pistol held by the Geo and shakes his head in disbelief. Oh boy, soon they will send agents with knives to a gunfight. This should be a shootout, like in a western! He turns towards the problem at hand.

Croaker moves forwards and pats Lelleath on his back giving his sign that he is right behind him.

He holds the flame rifle knowing perfectly well that he has not enough ammo to burn this whole place to the ground. But it is fine, his hands shake a bit as he realizes that if they lose this fight they would feed to the colony. There will be nothing to resurrect.

He lifts one hand form the rifle and waves his fingers reaching out for the energy, he feels the magic flow. Fortunately, the swarm did not have any effect on it, at least just yet.

Croaker shares via comm unit that he is ready for the opening...

Or did it?

OK first shot goes downrange then we start rolling initiative :p

Lenleath nods to Croaker and replies to Orrian over their commes. "Ok, go for it. If the door is shut it might be best to leave it and deal with what we have here, we do not wish to be overwhelmed by hunting more numbers."

Lenleath will wait for Orrian to fire their heavy Cannon before moving in.

Life science on the bigger Swarm: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (11) + 9 = 20

Quietly to Orrian,"Right before you shoot, let me make your gun supercharged. Though I would really suggest going after the bigger ones with this....I think if you shoot the small ones with your gun and my spell, it will pop like a water balloon. The larger ones might need more umph to take down."

I plan on casting supercharge weapon on Orrian's weapon. If he hits a creature it will be +4d6 damage (unless it is a weapon that hits multiple in which it does +2d6 damage), so Assume I am Readying an action for Orrian to nod so I can cast the spell before he fires.

Lenleath identifies the two creatures as swarm Revulsors - protectors of the eggs...

Two facts!

Lenleath reports over the comms, "Hmm, the others are known colloquially as 'Revulsors' and it would appear their main purpose is Egg Guardianship. So your assessment that there are eggs here is an astute one. From what I have read I know..."

Special Attacks and Resistances?

Orrian creeps just a little bit closer then nods at Ray. "Let's do this."

Once his gun is supercharged, Orrian fires off a shot at the "red" Revulsor.

Orrian has "Sniper's aim" as a soldier class ability, which reduces the AC bonus granted to a target with cover by 2. His weapon also has a seeking weapon fusion, which negates any miss chance granted by concealment other than total concealment.

Squad machine gun: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (1) + 8 = 9

Fantastic!

Just as Orrian squeezes the trigger, he thinks he hears a strange popping noise coming from one of the eggs! Momentarily distracted, he fires low, completely obliterating one of the many eggs but dealing absolutely no damage to any Swarm opponents.

Sorry! I'll just go ahead and roll for initiative for myself now. If this counts as "acting in the surprise round", Orrian's "Ready for Anything" Starfinder Forerunner ability grants him an additional +2 on initiative checks not accounted for below.

Initiative: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (19) + 8 = 27

So a 29 total if he gets to count "ready for anything". Shame we can't just switch those two rolls.

Lenleath knows the Revulsors have the usual immunity to acid and fear, and can rub their chitin together to make ear-shattering walls of noise as a cone like sonic effect.
30' cone, 4d6 sonic damage that can deafen.

***

The sudden burst of machine-gun fire announces the start of the conflict.

R1
Orri
Spike
Lenleath
Ceolor
Geo
ENEMY

"Try not to group up if you can help it, those large ones have a nasty wave." Lenleath comms as they move forwards, hurtling their Sonic disk at the closest Revulsor.

Attack vs EAC, Orange: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11 for Sonic Damage: 1d4 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 10

They then call their disk back to their hands, readying their spear in two more.

Lenleath has reach

The disc misses the revulsor...

Sighing in frustrating, Orrian moves forward for what he hopes will be a better shot.

"Hope it's not too much to ask, Geo, but could you follow and supercharge me again for next round? I'll keep focusing the big ones."

Machine gun: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 12
Damage: 1d10 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7

"...Besides, what're the odds I'll miss three times in a row."

The sound of the machine gun gives a sign to combat. Croaker knows very well the rush of adrenaline that accompanies it. He shakes his head looking at the missed shots

"Hell of an opening." says ironically

He takes a few steps forwards so that Lenleath is not in his way and gets cover from the wall.

He focuses on the energy surrounding him and reaches out for the mind of the closest Revulsor. He attempts to avoid the swarm cautiousness as he doesn't want to turn its attention.

Move forwards 10 ft & ready an action for when revulsor comes closer.

There's more of the machine the bark from the machine gun, but to no avail.

Croaker moves in...

R1
Orri - Acted
Spike - acted/readied
Lenleath - acted
Ceolor
Geo
ENEMY

Geo nods and casts Supercharge Weapon again.

After that I think I will be full rounding Magic Missiles with my higher level spells...don't think I need see invisible, and well..caustic conversion is useless on Swarm....sigh