[SFS_GM DocDoc] 2-13 Storm of the End Times (author-run) (Inactive)

Game Master Nick Wasko

Cavaler mumbles, "Yes, let's meet the Desnans.". He then pulls out his canteen and takes a long drink of water. His face looks a little flushed from the amount of energy he's expended so far on this mission.

Beran takes out some gum, chews it, and then spits it out and hands the sticky gooey mass to the elf. "Makeshift ear plugs. They won't keep out Dani, but they might help with the worse of Guli's volume."

"Desnans, they always seem like a pleasant crew"

Helix nods. DESNANS sounds fine to ME! Pleasure CHATTING with you, Izzmit!

Helix votes for the Data Set from the Xenodruids. We get to keep the finding, yes?

Cavaler reluctantly takes the gum and puts it in his ears. "This can't be sanitary."

Vecro looks at the earplugs made by Beran and chills run down his spine. What kind of barbarian way of handling this. Don't they have noise cancellation headphones? With all his exposure to different cultures, he still is shocked by what is considered as norm for some.

He looks up ... and is amazed. He saw auroras multiple times but he still feels the excitement. The mixture of colors dancing on the sky is mesmerizing. He stands to observe the sky for some time.

"Desnas, yes. Let us go and see if we can be of help. If the ones that we talked with follow-through on their promises we might get a large amount of data. "

The CHERAV zips you back over to "the Bowl" where the Desnans have already unpacked much of their equipment to record the aurora. The crew periodically check on the cameras and reinforce scaffolds compromised by the wind, but mostly use their ship as a wind break while listening to music or podcasts on their datapads. You ask one human who you should speak to, and she points you towards their captain - a lashunta named Estrima - with a warning that she can be a bit "cagey."

Estrima seems engrossed in the astronomical calibration protocols she is running on her ship's computer, but as you approach she speaks to you without turning around. "I wonder why it is that the Starfinder Society is the only faction attending this event that does not keep to themselves. Don't get me wrong, I appreciate you letting us know about this phenomonon - more than you know." She gives you an intense look before returning to her computer. "But it does seem peculiar that you bring all these different groups out to the middle of nowhere, then meander around peeking in on what everyone else is doing. Given the stories I've heard about the Society, it does make my antennae stand on end."

As a researcher from the DCI, it always confuses me why other groups keep to themselves so much, Dani says. Reaching out to your colleagues, sharing information, publishing findings... Dani pauses, letting her reasonable commentary sink in. That is how science progresses. The broad sharing of data and peer review.

As soon as Estrima turns around, Dani grins. Besides... you've heard the Society's motto, right? 'Explore, Cooperate, Report?' It's not... 'Stay huddled on your own rock, avoid people, and hoard information.' We're in a fabulous site, filled with ancient history. Why not look around?

Besides, I would be a poor worshipper of Hylax*, goddess of first contact, if I didn't at least try to make new friendships with people! We got to learn a bit about the Shatori, and they introduced us to the philosophy of the Shaban. We've found ancient runes, and morlamaw statues and... Actually, would you like to see some of them for yourself? I have pictures.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (19) + 8 = 27

And while we're at it... Do we mind if we take a look around your rock? We've found something interesting at each one we've explored. The way I see it... If we all share our findings, we all win.

____
* Finally picked Dani's god. The boon for building a faith only allows CRB faiths and those explicitly offered as a character option on a chronicle. Besides, Hylax seems to be a pretty groovy goddess all around, especially for an empath!

"Yeah, you should go visit the Shatori. Friendly people." Beran does not say, 'Unlike you', which for Beran is a huge diplomatic leap forward. "They've got an awesome telescope, and they let me look through it. If you want a good picture of the phenomena, they'd be the people to see."

Then Beran asks, "Er... what sort of stories have you heard about us, anyway?"

Helix's own moth-like wings flutter excitedly upon seeing the holy symbol of Desna. I think I'd LIKE your GOD. Plus I like how the STARFINDERS poke around. If it weren't for THEM, my PEOPLE would have KILLED each other with GUNS! Starfinder interference can ONLY HELP, in my experience.

"Enh? What? Ye never heard of common courtesy? Friendliness? Enh? Well, suit yerself I guess..."

Guli is not impressed with the lady's attitude.

Benny smiles a tusky smile.

Diplomacy 1d20 + 8 + 1d6 ⇒ (13) + 8 + (4) = 25

"Last I heard Desna was about new experiences and instinctual action - maybe we're just kindred spirits happy to float like social butterflies, or in my case, where the breeze guides my sails or the cosmic winds blow. Benny" the Morlamaw extends a flipper "Here, I see you have no great tusks of your own, so have a tooth I have made so that you may always be protected" Benny hands out another bit of scrimshaw.

"Care to share your experiences?"

Vecro leaves the Cherav and was again is caught by the magnificent view of the aurora. He hears the discussion happening but he feels the activity of the sun son well here that it takes all his attention from the petty things.

Dani and Betty gave great speeches, I feel like Vecro has nothing to add. On top of that, he is a student to stars I can't imagine him ignoring what he sees. Just to attempt to convince some alien ;)

"Estrima, pleased to meet you." The lashunta gives Benny's flipper a firm shake. "And the cosmic winds certainly blew us here, though I worry why. I came because of what Desna showed me in a dream, a spectacle of great beauty overhead, though as I reached out to touch it and marvel at its brilliance I realized my hand was mired in a pitch-black ocean, folding in upon itself as it swallowed me down. I awoke with purpose, but I fear the Song of the Spheres sent me a warning about this place - please forgive me if that makes me a little on-edge, now that we're all here."

When Dani mentions the runes and morlamaw findings, Estrima goes pale but takes a keen interest. "What kind of runes?! If you found something without Desna's guidance, maybe there is a deeper truth to my dreams than I first thought. Please tell me I'm not the only one concerned about staying on a planet with signs of intelligent life but not one intelligent local to greet us. What do you think happened to them?" Estrima is clearly invested in rationalizing her dreams about this event. You can help her interpret her dreams with a Mysticism check, or help her piece together a cohesive hypothesis by presenting at least 3 Findings to her.

When Beran asks what Estrima has heard about the Society, she pulls up a few articles from periodical she brought from Castrovel. "Honestly the Church seems to like the Society, or at least enough members to reflect well on the rest of you. Most of my fellow priests share your views," she nods towards Dr. Helix. "It's the third-party press releases that are most disturbing. More than a few Near Space contractors have described para-military aggression linked to the Society, and at least one life insurance company stated it factors association with Starfinders into its actuarial tables."

"The para-military adventurism does give me pause, especially given my dreams and how well-armed you all appear to be. If our interests do align, however, I'd be happy to pool our resources to get to the bottom what's going on here."

Dani nods. I had ferocious dreams right before a major solar flare on our sun, one that ripped my mind's defenses wide open! What, exactly did you dream? Let's go through the symbology. Also... where were you born? That can have a serious influence on your mindscape imagery.

Mysticism: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (12) + 11 = 23 (+1 Yaraesa bonus if this would be a recall knowledge)

Dani would also be for sharing their findings so far.

Alas, Dani has been in the DCI, the equivalent of an academic white tower, and has been paying zero attention to second-rate third party newsites. Hopefully others in the party are better informed!
Culture: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (2) + 8 = 10 (+1 Yaraesa to recall knowledge)

Culture: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (12) + 9 = 21

Usually Cavaler would be front and center in such negotiations, but at the moment he is sitting in the back of the CHERAV drinking water from his canteen with a blanket around his shoulders trying to stay warm. He currently is more concerned about staying as far away from Guli as possible.

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 5 + 1d6 ⇒ (14) + 5 + (2) = 21

Cavaler will try to discern why Estrima was characterized as cagey and if she can be trusted.

Being fatigued doesn't actually affect his culture roll, but he still has the condition for a couple more rounds.

Benny nods sagely.
Aid Mysticism 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 10

Vecro wakes up from staring at the natural phenomenon.

"Heavily armed? Why yes, we traveled to an inhabited world with a scientific mission, but we are cautious about where we roam. In case of an attack, we prefer to have weapon at hand. But ask whoever we talked to. We are nothing but friendly and interested in the aurora ourselves. And if your dream is true, we will grab your hand and pull you out of the water."

Turning to the side he calls Raven referring her what he heard about the dream and ask her to send what she can find to Dani.

Mysticism, hireling aid another: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (18) + 6 = 24

"May I see the third-party releases that you mention?"

Culture: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (15) + 8 = 23

"Why yes, let me check another, hmmm.... Let me consult my colleague."

Going to Cavaler he points out his findings to him

"Have a look, all of those articles contain the same phrases. It is almost like they were written by the same person. Maybe it is part of the smear campaign that Venture-Captain Arvin mentioned. Don't you think?"

Cavaler was very close and Vecro would probably discuss what he thinks with him.

mysticism, aid: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15

"It's good to heed the warnings of the gods in dreams and stories from the past." Guli shouts in a paternal tone

As for what happened to the people who were once here... I don't know, Dani says, honestly. We found some signs of worship of great old ones near the reflecting pool. From what little I know of them, they have never been particularly considerate of their followers. Did their colony die? Did they escape and travel to other worlds? All I know is that the clues lie here... Our exploring and data-sharing brings us closer to finding the answers. Then she grins. Or at the very least... better questions.

Not much to offer here, I'm afraid.

Helix's head darts back and forth to throw focus to his speaking teammates.

Your conversations with Estrima do not answer all of her questions, but they do solidify your trustworthiness to the paranoid Desnan captain. She appreciates your willingness to share what you've found thus far on Wealdriad, and offers her own data collection in return. Succeeding on the Mysticism check and providing 3 Findings earns you 1 Data Set and 1 Favor from Estrima.

Data Sets: 5; Favor: 3; Findings: 3; Setup Periods Remaining: 4

You spend another hour conversing with Estrima, only to be alerted to the passage of time by another arrival to the Crown: a large transport ship studded with impressive-looking sensors and radio-frequency receivers makes its way to A8.

Culture: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (10) + 8 = 18 (+1 Yaraesa to recall knowledge)

Oh look! It's a ship from the Castrovel Planetary Broadcasting Network. Then Dani pauses. Were they one of the journalist causing the Society problems?

Dani looks to the politician, Cavaler. Up for a news crew, or the Land Hoard Holdings folks? If not, we should visit the Weydanites.

Were they one of the journalist causing the Society problems?

Vecro begins to look through the articles shared with them. While they wait for Cavaler response.

Cavaler suddenly perks up when he hears the mention of a news crew. "Press conference you say." Cavaler is immediately on his feet and looking renewed. "It's a shame I left my hygiene kit on the ship," he says as he tries so smooth out some wet strands of hair that have fallen across his eyes.

Dani grins as Cavaler fusses with his appearance. I see someone is feeling better. To CPBN, then?

She casually token spells him clean. Better?

CPBN on A9!

Helix claps his hands together, the augmented arm making a metallic ring. CPBN! Maybe we can be on a DOCUMENTARY!

"Thank you Dani. It would be political suicide for me to not look my best when meeting with the press. Especially the press from my home planet of Castrovel."

Token spell

Benny lets out a bit of a walrus laugh at Cavalers predicament, but then gets a farwaway look in his eyes as if gazing at the horizon - with a small ripple of magic he begins drying Cavalers hair and tidying his clothes.

"No barnacles on our shiny figurehead" Benny exclaims playfully.

Long surgery day today, will post update tomorrow.

"Be on the news? What? No, I never wanted to be famous. Documentaries? Enh? What?"

Vecro looks how the two magician focus their efforts on making Cavalier to look representative. He does not like using mystical powers to such small and simple task, it is a bit like he would supernova to make pancakes.

But he does not see a point in expressing those thoughts. instead he begins cleaning his clothes the old fashion way. He hopes to be able to do it before they start talking to the CPBN

I would totally supernova to make pancakes if not for dumb rules!

Area A8 (dubbed by your computer as "The Mosaic") is a collection of smaller, hexagonal columns of differing heights, likely formed by a volcanic eruption and fused together by the constant battering of the winds and waves. The height of each hexagonal pillar varies significantly, making level ground to set up recording equipment difficult to find. That hasn't stopped the CPBN from trying their best, as several engineers bolt tripods and scaffolds between the columns to artificially create level platforms to support instruments.

All of the production teams report back to a gray-furred ysoki, who surveys all the recorders while peppering the crew with questions. "We're not making great time if the grand finale starts in only four hours. We don't have any footage of the aurora's crescendo, our graphics explaining how the aurora works look like my kids designed them, and I'd need three PhDs to make heads or tails of the rough draft of the voiceover. At this rate we'd be lucky if corporate uses our shots for a commercial, let alone a whole documentary!" She starts looking around among the bustling staff before locking eyes on you. "Does anyone here know - wait, you're not from CPBN. What are you doing right in the middle of the throughway?! My crew has enough trouble getting everything into position without six layabouts clogging up the works!"

There is enough room on The Mosaic to explore without interfering with the film crew, if you want to spend a Setup Period investigating the site. Doing so would require a Culture, Mysticism, or Perception check, coupled with an Athletics check.

Vecro shrugs his shoulders and walks to investigate the site.
He shares with Dani thinking out loud
"Maybe we should offer them footage of the aurora, in exchange for saying something nice about Starfinder Society?"

Culture: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (14) + 8 = 22
Athletics: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (17) + 8 = 25

He climbs some rocks up and down and looks for any signs of life forms.

He uses all four hands to stabilize himself against the wind, leaving his pike in the vehicle.

"All those cleaning of my robes for nothing. It looks like another climbing opportunity for me."

Can we again split and have someone talking with the crew? And others investigating?

"Can I see the graphics of the aurora? What does the voiceover say?" Benny is curious about the film crew production and way too big to faff about trying to stay out of the way - he's literally a fish out of water when it comes to acrobatics, and he's the size of a whale. "I know a few things about the stars, I'd love to see what you have"

Diplomacy 1d20 + 8 + 1d6 ⇒ (8) + 8 + (5) = 21

AID Vecro, culture: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 5 = 20
athletics, ACP: 1d20 + 7 - 1 ⇒ (16) + 7 - 1 = 22

Guli doesn't feel like chatting up the press, so he goes to help explore

"Let me introduce myself. I'm Cavaler Traleth, senator representing the 3rd district of Absalom Station. We are here on behalf of the Starfinder Society. Like you we hope to observe the phenomena that is about to occur. Let me reassure you that our presence will in no way interfere with your work."

With all the magic used to clean up his appearance, Cavaler is looking like quite the polished legislator. Not a strand of his long hair is out of place, his skin is flawless with not a wrinkle or line in sight, and his high cheek bones and strong jaw line seem even more well defined than before.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (17) + 10 = 27

Cavaler would be a beautiful person to have on camera, and Benny is so photogenic! I could help them provide color commentary. Damiar pauses. No, I don't do voiceover work, or 'voice' anything really. But I'm a native sign speaker, and would be happy to provide sign interpretation for your audience... You were planning on sign interpretation, correct? Such an important event, you want to make sure that all your viewers can access and understand it.

Dani smiles, knowing full well that they weren't initially planning on the sign interpretation. Hearing media regularly forgot about the Deaf. Still, this means a lot to Dani. Having her family be able to see the broadcast and actually understand it... To know that Dani was part of this big science project, so big that CPBN was covering it, that would mean the world to them. They'd record it. They'd do a filming for all their friends at the local Deaf club in Asanatown. It would matter.

I and my colleague Beran here can help assist Cavaler and Benny with any technical information. We're from the Deep Cultures Institute on Stellacuna in the Burning Archipelago, and can provide engaging information that will put this important phenomena into context for your viewers.

Diplomacy, Aid Another: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (8) + 8 = 16

Beran signs to Dani, You know what one of the good things about sign is? It's concise. WHAT WAS THAT? Could you have crammed any more words in there?

Then Beran turns to the CPBN folks. "You need help with setting up? I can also help with some of the tech info, but I'm happy to help you get your recording equipment together."

Dr. Helix flutters toward the film crew. We ALREADY have some FOOTAGE we could SHARE with you if you like? We could ALSO help you set up your STUFF, we ALREADY helped another group DO so.

Could a kiirinta with a fly speed explore the area without an Athletics check?

If so: Perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (20) + 9 = 29

Hey folks, today is a perfect storm of me being on call and having computer problems trying to set up for my remote surgery exam. I likely won’t be able to post an update for a day or two. Thank you for your patience.

The ysoki scoffs. "I've got an army of staff to get me set up, it's content I need to shore up! I'd rather keep our footage exclusive to CPBN, but you did give me an idea..."

Her eyes twinkle when Benny mentions his knowledge of stars, and she is clearly impressed by Calaver's appearance. "I could use a few 'stars' to help make the science behind the spectacle interesting to the network's lowest common denominator. My name is Makkaran, and if you pull this off I can make the Starfinder Society look like scholars instead of soldiers. Given the stories my competitors are running about your organization, this could be a win-win."

You can barter your services as expert commentators by succeeding at a Physical Science check, or enhance Makkaran's production quality by succeeding at a Charisma-based Profession check.

Dr. Helix's body vibrates with excitement. I think I can HELP with the SCIENCE! He starts poring over the data the Starfinders already collected and analyzing how it might impact the coming aurora.

Physical Science: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (7) + 10 = 17

"If you're looking for someone highly recognized on Absalom Station look no further than me. As you must obviously already know I'm very comfortable in front of the camera."

Profession Politician: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (11) + 16 = 27

I will wait with my post for @GM response if we can explore and participate in TV show at the same time. And if so, Vecro and Guli did the exploration.

"Your graphics are all wrong, the depictions are making the sky look two dimensional - a bit like aceiling, when it is actually an ocean of stars. Like this piece of scrimshaw, the art scrolls around the piece not just along one side of it, and the whole tells a story - here, let me sketch you out a better picture and help you piece a better tale together." Benny starts beating things into shape and weaving a better tale of the stars and the pure artistry they offer.

Profession (Artist) 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (20) + 8 = 28

I will wait with my post for @GM response if we can explore and participate in TV show at the same time. And if so, Vecro and Guli did the exploration.

Yes, you can split the party here if you like. Dr. Helix needs a little more help to push the Physical Science check over the finish line.

Benny and Cavaler astonish Makkaran with their suggestions, and she immediately connects them with the production team to improve the graphics and provide a relatable voiceover to narrate the event. In return, Makkaran agrees to share the data her team collects during the aurora, so long as the Society keeps the recordings in-house so CPBN doesn't have to compete against its own footage on the airwaves. The party earns 1 Data Set.

Meanwhile, Guli and Vecro expertly traverse the Mosaic's haphazard terrain. The dwarf's familiarity with basalt combined with Vecro's cultural insights reveal that the varied elevations of the component pillars is not random. Observing the composite columns from certain angles reveals strange runes formed by the taller or shorter columns. Natural erosion could not generate that kind of pattern and the runic language is neither intuitive nor geometrically simple; whatever force arranged the spires this way was intelligent, powerful, and likely occult. The party earns 1 Finding.

---

Data Sets: 6; Favor: 3 (+1 if Physical Science successful); Findings: 4; Setup Periods Remaining: 3

The lights in the sky become even more impressive as the aurora builds in intensity. Despite it being well past dusk on Wealdriad, you can all see as if the world were awash in multicolor moonlight.

Two more ships descend out of the atmosphere. The first is a multi-lobed transporter that seems to wrap around the narrow wall of A9. The second is a wide-based transporter that struggles with its adjustment to Wealdriad's weather, weaving through the air before landing in the water near A10.

Coming down to the wire, let me know who you want to see next. I'll be travelling for the July 4th holiday, so I likely won't post an update until Monday.

Culture DC 14: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (11) + 9 = 20

Cavaler looks up at the two starships that are approaching and says, "The lobular ship looks like it's from the Kreiholm Freehold's fleet. The second ship's water-landing was most likely intentional; it's a poorly-maintained water-to-air personnel carrier from the Veskarium, likely sold for a song at a second-hand military surplus auction."

presumably Guli cannot help with the physical science check, but if he can...
physical science: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12

a9 next would make sense to me

Vecro pats Guli at his back.

"Good job out there my dwarven friend." Seeing no reaction he repeats a bit louder. "GOOD JOB!"

They come back to the other agents just after they finish their work with with the CPBN people.

As he sees Dani Vecro signs with his hands

"We spanked the clown" seeing the confusion on her face he opens his datapad and corrects himself

"We found some clues." but then he switches to telepathy describing what they found. My knowledge about sign language is non-existent, so I don't know what are common mistakes :P

A9 sounds good to me. Vecro is learning sign language as I will Lvl up after this scenario so meeting Dani sounds like good enough reason to pick it up.