With a new generation of Starfinders already accomplishing great deeds within the Pact Worlds and beyond, First Seeker Luwazi Elsebo is ready to announce the Starfinder Society's next initiative that will define her tenure. The PCs attend a gathering at the Lorespire Complex to socialize with several visiting dignitaries, each instrumental in the Society's survival following the Scoured Stars Incident. Nothing is as it seems, though, and when Radaszam, leader of the Acquisitives faction, uncovers a plot against the First Seeker, the PCs need to step in and ensure the Society's public event doesn't end in disaster!
Content in The First Mandate also contributes to the ongoing goals of the Acquisitives and Second Seekers (Luwazi Elsebo) factions. Content in this scenario also contributes to the ongoing Year of Scoured Stars storyline
Edward's calibrations let them down as they clearly haven't prepped their gun correctly. Oda steps forwards, the mute half-orc making up for their personal silence with the throaty roar of a Fangblade. The whirring teeth bite into the Creature causing a clear wound, bleeding profusely.
Meanwhile, the blinded monster tries to sniff out their prey. Doing so they they swoop down on Patterson and try to tail-slap the human.
Acro +6 : Ath+15 : Bluff 0 : Comp +16 : Cult +5 : Dip +10 : Disg 0 : Eng +16 : Intim +10 : LSci +5 : Med +8 : Perc +12 : Phy Sci +8 : Pilot +16: Prof+4 : Se Mot -2 : Stealth +10 : Surv 0
Seeing the closest creature take a massive hit from Oda, Kat slips into the room and focuses her weapon on the other creature. She charges her weapon a moment before releasing a devastating blast.
Using Overcharge, adding 1d6 damage by using 3 charges. Overcharge, Azimuth Laser Rifle vs Red EAC:1d20 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 6 = 16 Damage:1d8 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4 Overcharge Damage:1d6 ⇒ 4
Male N human ace pilot soldier (hit-and-run) 5 |SP 40/40HP 39/39|RP 6/7|EAC 19; KAC 19|Fort +5; Ref +6; Will +4|Init +5|Perc +1, SM: +0 |Speed 40ft|Active conditions: None.
With the serpentine foe up close and personal, Patterson shifts his heavy laser to his left hand, draws a knife that crackles with electricity, and slashes at the monster.
Male NG kasatha priest soldier (phrenic adept) of Weydan 7 | SP 56 HP 53 | RP 8 | EAC 22; KAC 24 | Fort +8; Ref +7; Will +9 | Init: +2 | Perc: +2, SM: +2, blindsense (emotion)* | Speed 25ft | arcane sight (via RP), psychokinetic hand 3/day, comprehend languages 1/day | limited telepathy (Common, Kasatha, Ghibrani, Morlamaw, Copaxi, Celestial, Eoxian, Akitonian, Castrovelian)
GM I don't think you noticed that Oda got a crit and did 40 damage. EDIT: no I'm the one who understood. I gave gotten used to PF2 where you double the result. I could have sworn SF was the same way
Hadir catches the creature a lucky blow as it moves in, bruising it's scales. Then, taking advantage of the creature's lack of vision Rilyn and Kat both take aim, Kat's Fire bolt strikes the creature and scorches it, however Rilyn's electricity is absorbed by the scales. Patterson's knife narrowly misses the creature as it thrashes wildly.
Hadir follows up with a lethal stab and the creature holds on just barely. However, Oda's blessing wound proves too much and overcomes it, causing it to crash to the ground.
Hadir literally left it on 1 HP :P. One down, one to go! Oh it would be Mysticism to identify
-ROUND 1/2 - Bold to go
Patterson
Hadir
Yellow - DEAD
Oda
Edward
Red - 8 (blind 1 round)
Rilyn
Kat5e
Oda continues to hack at the creature with their borrowed Fangblade. Edward managess to get their needler loaded and calibrated and fires, a needle sticking out of the creature.
Acro +6 : Ath+15 : Bluff 0 : Comp +16 : Cult +5 : Dip +10 : Disg 0 : Eng +16 : Intim +10 : LSci +5 : Med +8 : Perc +12 : Phy Sci +8 : Pilot +16: Prof+4 : Se Mot -2 : Stealth +10 : Surv 0
Kat levels another supercharged blast at the creature hoping to finish it off. She locks her combat tracking subroutines onto the beast Move action + mechanic level (3) to hit, and monitors it's movements as she lines up the shot.
Indeed Rilyn's pointed fingers cause the jet of flame to go wide as the creature thrashes. Activating their aiming sub-routines Kat is able to get a solid shot on the creature, which has a burn scar but still stands hissing.
-ROUND 1/2 - Bold to go
Patterson -1 and Reflex Save needed
Hadir
Oda -1 and reflex save needed
Edward
Red - 28 (-1 attacks)
Rilyn
Kat5e
Hadir and Oda strike out at the creature, the Fangblade going too low whilst the thrust Pike is twisted around by the serpentine creature. Edward takes aim and lands another round from their needle rifle, causing the creature to cry out in pain.
who?:1d6 ⇒ 1
Writhing in pain, the creature swings their tail out at Patterson. There is a solid thud as the tail slaps against the Soldier bruising them.
Patterson strikes the creature with a solid blow from their baton as Rilyn scorches its flesh slightly. Getting a feel for their rhythm, Hadir steps forth and strikes out with their spear, skewering the creature and it falls dead. Taking a few deep breaths, you have a chance to search the bay for clues.
The first obvious find is a backpack which contains: an unremarkable set of clothing, a suit of freebooter armor II and an anchoring fusion seal (5th), a hygiene kit including a vial of Dagret’s Scalesheen Oil and a jar of FLĒQ Texture Cream for Curly Hair, and a computer.
There are also a bunch of discarded food wrappers you can search through.
Perception, DC 20:
among the discarded wrappers are a series of packaging for five industrial explosive devices
To hack the computer, you can attempt a Computers check. Max 3 attempts
Computers, DC 29:
Unlocking the Computer, you discover records of infosphere searches for a human woman named Sanivvi Acheosi, a tawny-skinned woman with wildly curly hair currently residing on Castrovel, and several pages of instructions and videos for styling curly hair.
Perception, if the Computers check is passed. DC 22:
You recall having seen a staffer at the gala who matches this appearance working on the audiovisual setup for the event.
Looking at the computer, you notice a partition that has been fire walled off for additional security.
Separate Computers check, DC 27:
The module contains a file with a list of names, dates, and locations, cumulating with an alarming entry: “Luwazi Elsebo; Lorespire Complex, Skyreach Room, gala” and the present date. With a few minutes of research using the local infosphere, the PCs can ascertain that every individual on the list is recently deceased, save for Luwazi; the obituary dates and locations correspond with the dates and locations in the files, but the causes of death are widely varied. Most notably, those few that are documented as homicides all list radically different perpetrators: individuals of varying gender, race, and background.
Male N human ace pilot soldier (hit-and-run) 5 |SP 40/40HP 39/39|RP 6/7|EAC 19; KAC 19|Fort +5; Ref +6; Will +4|Init +5|Perc +1, SM: +0 |Speed 40ft|Active conditions: None.
Perception check:1d20 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2
Patterson is still a little dazed after the electric charge. He shakes his head to pull himself together, then peers at the computer. "I'm not an expert, but I know a little about those things. Let me try to help."
Computers check to Aid Another:1d20 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 1 = 14
F Lashunta Technomancer (3), Operative (1) | HP:25/25 SP:21/21 RP:3/5 | EAC:14 KAC:14 BAB:+2 INIT:+1 PER:+8 | F+1 R+4 W+4 | 1st Lvl Spells: 0/5+1 | Living Staff, Tactical +3/1d6+4 B | Boons: Envar's Gift, Dream Whispers, High Society Influence
Grr, this is where I grumble about Starfinder's level/tier system. Seems unlikely there will be any loot my 1st level character can actually use. Well if no one objects, Rilynn will take the cosmetics.
Since we get multiple attempts, can we take 20 on the Computers check? If not, how many of us can aid on that check? Related, Edward, what's your Computers skill? I see Kat5e is at +9.
I'm at +9 also, post incoming soon. If I'm not mistaken Rilynn, even at level 1 you can use any loot you find provided you have the required proficiencies; the restriction applies to buying gear between scenarios I believe.
Acro +6 : Ath+15 : Bluff 0 : Comp +16 : Cult +5 : Dip +10 : Disg 0 : Eng +16 : Intim +10 : LSci +5 : Med +8 : Perc +12 : Phy Sci +8 : Pilot +16: Prof+4 : Se Mot -2 : Stealth +10 : Surv 0
Kat regards Rilynn with a smirk. "Help yourself, curly hair and mowhawks don't mix"
She moves first to the discarded food wrappers and looks around.
Perception:1d20 + 9 ⇒ (20) + 9 = 29
She kicks her boot through the rubbish and stops when she spots the packaging. "Hey, look here. Theres a placard on this packaging for explosives. Looks like industrial grade. I count 5."
When they're ready to move onto the computer, Kat will have a cursory look with Edward.
Computers:1d20 + 9 ⇒ (1) + 9 = 10
well I rolled those in the wrong order. I assume the assassin appears and says "ah ah ah, you didn't say the magic word"
F Lashunta Technomancer (3), Operative (1) | HP:25/25 SP:21/21 RP:3/5 | EAC:14 KAC:14 BAB:+2 INIT:+1 PER:+8 | F+1 R+4 W+4 | 1st Lvl Spells: 0/5+1 | Living Staff, Tactical +3/1d6+4 B | Boons: Envar's Gift, Dream Whispers, High Society Influence
Edward, thanks for that clarification. I am so unaccustomed to getting good loot in my other campaign that this was kinda shocking. Looks like Kat5e or Patterson could make good use of that armor.
I found the answer to my rules question on the Paizo SS forum - multiple Aid Another bonuses stack, so I'm going to take a shot at this.
Rilynn watches as Kat5e makes quick work with the refuse, locating a cache of explosives. Impressed and a little intimidated by the android's proficiency in that task, Rilynn takes her turn to assess the computer.
"It's a Turov encryption matrix. Tough to break but not impossible."
"Ooh, I'm beginning to like this assassin," chirps Rilynn when the encryption is broken. "My kind of girl. Here's a mention of Sanivvi Acheosi on Castrovel, hair-stylized extraordinaire. I might have to change my look."
Perception:1d20 ⇒ 13Well that's silly, Rilynn actually talked to that person at the party.
Computers:1d20 + 8 ⇒ (17) + 8 = 25Edward, can you assist on this one?
"Now this is considerably more ominous. It's a hit list, and the last name on the list is Seeker Luwazi. The location for the hit is the Skyreach room, at the gala tonight! We have to get back there!"
Edward wipes his brows, slings his rifle across his shoulder and takes a look at the belongings.
"Scalesheen oil? Either we're looking for a Vesk or a Shirren, or this is some kind of ploy."
---
After evidence is discovered
Perception:1d20 + 9 ⇒ (7) + 9 = 16
Edward tries to help out with the terminals, then looks at the hit list. He goes wide-eyed when he spots the First Seeker's name.
"That's far from ideal. Would it be possible that Radaszam got played? Maybe someone fed him intel so he would send us here instead of investigating at the soiree. Regardless, we have to contact him and head back."
Acro +6 : Ath+15 : Bluff 0 : Comp +16 : Cult +5 : Dip +10 : Disg 0 : Eng +16 : Intim +10 : LSci +5 : Med +8 : Perc +12 : Phy Sci +8 : Pilot +16: Prof+4 : Se Mot -2 : Stealth +10 : Surv 0
2nd Perception check:1d20 + 9 ⇒ (3) + 9 = 12
"We've got a solid lead at least. From the looks of it, each of the perps involved in these hits are different. But we've got evidence that this assassin is researching this Sanivvi Acheosi character, and the curly hair products Rilynn found. So either this woman was looking herself up on the infosphere before taking some high-yield explosives to the party we just left, or we have Triloteya's disguise identity. We should check in with Radazasm and give him an update."
F Lashunta Technomancer (3), Operative (1) | HP:25/25 SP:21/21 RP:3/5 | EAC:14 KAC:14 BAB:+2 INIT:+1 PER:+8 | F+1 R+4 W+4 | 1st Lvl Spells: 0/5+1 | Living Staff, Tactical +3/1d6+4 B | Boons: Envar's Gift, Dream Whispers, High Society Influence
Intimately connected with contemporary style and beauty trends on Castrovel, Rilynn searches her ememory and personal data archive for references to Sanivvi Acheosi. Perhaps they've crossed paths before.
Culture, Castrovel:1d20 + 10 ⇒ (18) + 10 = 28
"A master of methods and disguise, Kat? Intriguing, and dangerous."
Searching through the Hab unit, you find several clues - Kat's looks are good enough through the wrappers to find a torn up manual, though clearly it was done in either haste or a surity they would not be caught for the Android is able to piece together enough information to gain insight in how the explosives can be disarmed.
+2 to checks to disarm the explosives
With a good show of Co-operation, the Computer soon reveals it's secrets to you all, though you don't recall the woman. Rilyn knows that the person is not famous or in a particularly high circle - likely chosen just for that reason. But might be able to recognise them if they see them.
As you rush back through the Sparks to the Skyreach tower, you can get Radazasm on the comm-number the Vesk provided, the sounds of the party are muted in the background, clearly they are in the hall again. "My Spiders have worked to lock down the Tower, but no luck here - what have you found?" Filling them in, the leader smiles with grim determination. "Seems like you're working with a Shapechanger - something scaled I imagine in it's natural form." they offer as you give their information.
"I see two options here for you Starfinders." they say after a moment as you hop into one of the final lifts on the way to the Tower. "First is that you find and deal with the Assassin whilst my Spider's remove the explosives." they pause as to let the plan sink in. "The Second plan is riskier - but will show the Station that the Starfinders are more than capable of dealing with their own problems, a show of Strength if you will. My Spiders could stick with outer security whilst you all deal with both the Explosives and the Assassin. Regardless of your choice, I will let the Starfinder Agents here know of the plan and update them with the information found, The guests will be kept safe, but I don't wish a panic to alert the Assassin into doing anything... rash. What do you say?"
You can take a 10 minute rest on your travels if you desire, also, you need to choose which of the two plans you would like to try. No Pressure either way, Radazasm will try to answer any questions.
Male N human ace pilot soldier (hit-and-run) 5 |SP 40/40HP 39/39|RP 6/7|EAC 19; KAC 19|Fort +5; Ref +6; Will +4|Init +5|Perc +1, SM: +0 |Speed 40ft|Active conditions: None.
Patterson rests on the way back. "What do you all think? I don't feel like gambling with the lives of the people here, but I think we could manage both tasks."
"Hmm. I, for one, do not enjoy playing against the odds. I'd much rather ensure the security of everyone rather than risk this publicity stunt." He shrugs and scratches the burn on his jaw. "However, if you think we'll manage both task, I'll play along."
The player votes for both; the character does not ^^
Having made your decision, you take the final lift through the sparks that will take you to the Lorespire Complex. As you enter the Complex, you are met by a Drone sent by Venture Captain Naiaj that hands you Six Mk2 Serums of Healing. "If you show the co-operation you managed earlier, I have all the faith in you Agents." the Drone states in the Captain's voice, a pre-recorded message. You also receive an COmms Message from Royo, it is brief and to the point.
Royo's Note:
Starfinders, this particular model of explosive is very stable to kinetic damage and can be safely disarmed by simply
smashing it hard enough, any kind of energy damage is likely to detonate them upon impact.
You are able to take the elevator back up to the Skyreach room without incident, now it is time for you to find the explosives and deal with the Assassin. Your first task is to find both of them within the party.
We are in initiative rounds, but not specifically combat unless you find the Assassin. Each round you can move around freely. To search for an explosive, you need to make a Perception check. You will also need to try and avoid notice whilst doing this - Stealth and Bluff are suggested, but any other distraction you can think of I am happy to take.
F Lashunta Technomancer (3), Operative (1) | HP:25/25 SP:21/21 RP:3/5 | EAC:14 KAC:14 BAB:+2 INIT:+1 PER:+8 | F+1 R+4 W+4 | 1st Lvl Spells: 0/5+1 | Living Staff, Tactical +3/1d6+4 B | Boons: Envar's Gift, Dream Whispers, High Society Influence
"Cowardly way to kill," adds Rilynn. "But since we expect our assassin to use explosives for the hit, then the explosives need to be close to the target. There's only one place that's likely to be - the stage."
She heads in that direction, mingling as before, even catching a drink. She passes by Luwaszi and shoots a smile, then curls around the south side of the stage to look for the explosives.
She approaches Naiaj. "This party never quits," she says by way of reintroduction. "Thanks for the healing serum. I hope we don't have to use it. By the way, we never finished our conversation earlier..."
Rilynn uses Naiaj as a prop, maintaining conversation while searching for the explosives, as subtly and thoroughly as possible.
Acro +6 : Ath+15 : Bluff 0 : Comp +16 : Cult +5 : Dip +10 : Disg 0 : Eng +16 : Intim +10 : LSci +5 : Med +8 : Perc +12 : Phy Sci +8 : Pilot +16: Prof+4 : Se Mot -2 : Stealth +10 : Surv 0
Kat makes her way to the closest food table, takes an empty plate and looks over the food as if trying to decide what to have. She makes sure she has her back to the wall and takes the opportunity to sneak glances around the room for signs of the explosives or a curly haired woman.
