Attack of the Swarm - Would You Like To Know More? (Inactive)

Game Master Luke_Parry

"You got it, LT!"

Heading back to the ship is simplicity itself, and you are able to exit the nebula without any issues.

I will, however, need a Computers check to continue tracking the Reliquary.

Keeping his eye on the prize (metaphorically), DRACOS inputs the additionally data to divine a new heading.

Computers: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (17) + 18 = 35.

DRACOS has no trouble at all sorting through the new data, and finding the correct heading.

A few days later...

The trail of magical energy leads to an unassuming, icy chunk of rock that is hurtling silently through the void. Though the huge stone seems to match the general description contained in Professor Galchak’s notes, no outward signs indicate anything special or sacred about the celestial object.

Flying around the rock, you see that the surface is mostly ice and stone, with the occasional jagged peaks and crooked crevasses. One smooth area seems artificially created, a supposition confirmed by the presence of a large temple in the middle of it. Gravity is quite low and the atmosphere thin. The temperature on the surface hovers around –10° F. A sensor scan reveals a few signs of life and movement on the comet’s surface: one faint signal coming from the temple, and a few others in scattered locations across the comet.

The scans also reveal that the comet is composed of rocks, primarily silicates and olivines, with a large volume of water (in frozen ice form).

DRACOS: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (3) + 18 = 21.

"Rico! Suit up! Looks like we are in for some low-g, near-vacuum work…"

He then heads for the only obvious landing area, which is conveniently near the temple...

Heading to the Temple...

This exquisite edifice seems to be crafted from the rock of the comet itself, then shaped with magic or very fine tools to add an impressive amount of detail. A myriad of flourishes, such as marks on the wall giving the impression of individual stone bricks, lend the structure an air of an ancient temple. However, the lack of furnishings makes the building feel hollow and austere. The only decoration is a statue of a large, insectile creature near the rear of the temple, extending their arms in a gesture of welcome and wearing a crown fashioned of exoskeletal pieces. A large, shallow metal bowl rests at the base of the statue, holding many offerings of metal beads, carved rocks and wood, and decorated scraps of fabric.

DRACOS: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (10) + 13 = 23.

DRACOS realises that the statue is a representation of Hylax.

DRACOS: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (13) + 13 = 26.

Seated cross-legged in from of the statue is a strange, blue-skinned, four-armed creature with a single central eye, wearing a crown of blue ice upon its bald head.

It rises as you enter, it rises, and imperiously gestures towards you.

"Greetings, mortals! Know that you have the good fortune to be in the presence of the great god Candlerime! Bow down, and worship me!"

DRACOS: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (15) + 13 = 28.

Contrary to its pronouncement, DRACOS realises that it is, in fact, a Comanide - otherwise known as a 'comet-fey'.

DRACOS bows politely, but he does not prostrate himself.

"Greetings, Candlerime. I am sorry, but there appears to be some confusion; surely this is a temple to Hylax, based on the decorations that I see around here?"

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (9) + 12 = 21.

The Fey grows angry at your failure to offer it its proper due.

"Such insolence! You will pay for that with your life!"

Candlerime: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 2 = 20.
Rico: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 2 = 18.
DRACOS: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (7) + 13 = 20.

The God Delusion, Round 1:

DRACOS (-)
Candlerime (-)
Rico (-)

With a weary sigh, DRACOS tries to end the (clearly delusional) creature's suffering.

"Rico - Cold won't work on this thing; try something other than the fire extinguisher."

Trick - CR 12 or less.
Static Arc Pistol: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (3) + 14 = 17, for 1d6 + 3 + 4d8 ⇒ (4) + 3 + (4, 2, 3, 7) = 23 Electricity damage.
Annihilator Advanced X-Gen Gun: 1d20 + 14 - 1 ⇒ (1) + 14 - 1 = 14, for 2d12 + 7 ⇒ (5, 9) + 7 = 21 damage.
Annihilator Advanced X-Gen Gun - RP: 1d20 + 14 - 1 ⇒ (12) + 14 - 1 = 25, for 2d12 + 7 ⇒ (7, 2) + 7 = 16 damage.
Annihilator Advanced X-Gen Gun: 1d20 + 14 - 1 ⇒ (18) + 14 - 1 = 31, for 2d12 + 7 ⇒ (4, 8) + 7 = 19 damage.

All three of DRACOS' attacks hit, leaving the comanide reeling.

"Heretic! How dare you assault my divine form like that!"

In a snarling fury, it floats forward, and tries to claw DRACOS...

Claw: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (19) + 14 = 33, for 1d8 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 10 Cold and Slashing damage.

It lands a glancing blow; the kinetic impact is absorbed, but the cold really bites...

Rico nods, and draws a pistol.

The God Delusion, Round 2:

DRACOS (-5)
Candlerime (-58)
Rico (-)

With a shrug, DRACOS tries to finish Candlerime off.

Trick - CR 12 or less.
Static Arc Pistol: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (9) + 14 = 23, for 1d6 + 3 + 4d8 ⇒ (4) + 3 + (8, 5, 7, 3) = 30 Electricity damage.
Annihilator Advanced X-Gen Gun: 1d20 + 14 - 1 ⇒ (19) + 14 - 1 = 32, for 2d12 + 7 ⇒ (5, 11) + 7 = 23 damage.
Annihilator Advanced X-Gen Gun: 1d20 + 14 - 1 ⇒ (6) + 14 - 1 = 19, for 2d12 + 7 ⇒ (9, 6) + 7 = 22 damage.

DRACOS' first shot electrocutes the Fey, leaving it barely standing... and then his second deletes the delusional creature from existence.

Combat over.

Searching the area...

DRACOS finds 5000 credits worth of uncut gemstones piled up in an intricate geometric design over near a 'nest' area.

2000 credits can be added to their value with a DC 28 Physical Sciences check.

Just above the metal bowl in front of the statue of Hylax, a plaque on the statue reads in Shirren, “This is the place where the goddess Hylax welcomed the shirrens into her fold. Her tears of joy have forever marked the ground.”

DRACOS: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (16) + 13 = 29.

The offerings in the bowl have been exposed to the comet’s thin atmosphere for about 6 months.

DRACOS: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (9) + 13 = 22.

DRACOS realizes that it is odd that no priests have collected the
items, as such offerings are usually gathered up on a regular
basis...

DRACOS: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (11) + 13 = 24.

He also comes to the conclusion that this temple is clearly inhabited and maintained, as it would be filled with the remains of offerings if no one ever came to collect them over its hundreds of years of existence...

DRACOS: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (10) + 13 = 23.

DRACOS tries to polish the gems...

Physical Science: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (13) + 18 = 31.

...doing a fairly decent job.

He is more than a little puzzled about what to do next.

"Alright Rico, let's take a look around..."

He then goes for a wander, looking for the other signs of life that he detected earlier.

Survival: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (16) + 13 = 29.

After about an hour of searching...

A deep cave extends into the side of a large, craggy hill, surrounded by large boulders. The cave’s entrance is cleared of snow and ice, allowing for easy entrance to the dark passage.

As you approach, a huge beast that appears to be some unholy combination of slimy snake, bat, and bird, with the head of a horse, bursts forth, and lets out a challenging roar!

DRACOS: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (7) + 13 = 20.

DRACOS has no idea what it is.

S: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7.
Rico: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7.
DRACOS: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (10) + 13 = 23.

A Temporary Home, Round 1:

DRACOS (-5)
Rico (-)
S (-)

DRACOS whistles, reasonably impressed.

"That's a big one!"

He then starts firing.

Trick - CR 12 or less.
Static Arc Pistol: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (6) + 14 = 20, for 1d6 + 3 + 4d8 ⇒ (3) + 3 + (4, 5, 5, 1) = 21 Electricity damage.
Annihilator Advanced X-Gen Gun: 1d20 + 14 - 1 ⇒ (1) + 14 - 1 = 14, for 2d12 + 7 ⇒ (9, 5) + 7 = 21 damage.
Annihilator Advanced X-Gen Gun - RP: 1d20 + 14 - 1 ⇒ (11) + 14 - 1 = 24, for 2d12 + 7 ⇒ (4, 10) + 7 = 21 damage.
Annihilator Advanced X-Gen Gun: 1d20 + 14 - 1 ⇒ (6) + 14 - 1 = 19, for 2d12 + 7 ⇒ (3, 9) + 7 = 19 damage.
Annihilator Advanced X-Gen Gun: 1d20 + 14 - 1 ⇒ (12) + 14 - 1 = 25, for 2d12 + 7 ⇒ (10, 10) + 7 = 27 damage.

DRACOS delivers a withering hail of attacks!

Rico does his best to assist...

Azimuth Laser Pistol: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (7) + 9 = 16, for 1d4 + 7 ⇒ (2) + 7 = 9 Fire damage.

...but misses.

The great beast surges forward, and lashes out at DRACOS...

Bite: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (9) + 20 = 29, for 3d4 + 14 ⇒ (2, 3, 3) + 14 = 22 damage.

...chomping down hard.

A Temporary Home, Round 2:

DRACOS (-27)
Rico (-)
S (-69)

"Stop that!"

DRACOS kirk-shoulder-rolls out of the way, and keeps firing from a safe distance.

Trick - CR 12 or less.
Static Arc Pistol: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (18) + 14 = 32, for 1d6 + 3 + 4d8 ⇒ (5) + 3 + (8, 1, 5, 8) = 30 Electricity damage.
Annihilator Advanced X-Gen Gun: 1d20 + 14 - 1 ⇒ (10) + 14 - 1 = 23, for 2d12 + 7 ⇒ (6, 2) + 7 = 15 damage.
Annihilator Advanced X-Gen Gun: 1d20 + 14 - 1 ⇒ (10) + 14 - 1 = 23, for 2d12 + 7 ⇒ (1, 2) + 7 = 10 damage.

Once again, DRACOS hits thrice, leaving the great beast barely clinging to life...

Rico then lines up a shot...

Azimuth Laser Pistol: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (13) + 9 = 22, for 1d4 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8 Fire damage.

...immolating its head, and causing it to collapse to the ground, quite dead.

Combat over.

DRACOS (-27)
Rico (-)

Unfortunately, there is no evidence of an entrance to any sort of temple in this cave...

Give me another Survival check.

DRACOS shakes his head.

"Stupid."

He then keeps searching...

Survival: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (13) + 13 = 26.

An hour later...

A jagged mountain stretches high above a field of untouched snow and ice. The thin air here is still.

Rico: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (6) + 12 = 18.
DRACOS: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (13) + 13 = 26.

DRACOS steps forward, and starts sinking into a patch of quicksand-like snow!

DC 20 Athletics x2 to get out.

"Rico! Stay back!"

DRACOS determinedly starts 'swimming' for the 'shore'.

Athletics: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (4) + 16 = 20.
Athletics: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (19) + 16 = 35.

A near-failure, DRACOS finds his footing, as it were, and easily scrambles out of the sinksnow patch...

...but it still blocks the way.

DC 30 Survival check to walk around it safely.

Dusting himself off, DRACOS tries to work his way around.

Survival: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (10) + 13 = 23.
Athletics: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (4) + 16 = 20.
Athletics: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (19) + 16 = 35.
Survival: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (9) + 13 = 22.
Athletics: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (5) + 16 = 21.
Athletics: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (5) + 16 = 21.
Survival: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (5) + 13 = 18.
Athletics: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (10) + 16 = 26.
Athletics: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (17) + 16 = 33.
Survival: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (20) + 13 = 33.

After much trial and error, he eventually works his way around it, and keeps searching.

Survival: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (8) + 13 = 21.

An hour later...

A rocky crevasse opens into the ground, its floor a large expanse of ice so perfectly formed as to appear artificial. The area is free from random debris, as if kept clear by someone—or something...

As you ponder this, three large chunks of ice animate, and move forward threateningly!

DRACOS: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (13) + 13 = 26.

DRACOS readily identifies these as Large Ice Elementals.

Large Ice Elementals: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4.
Rico: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 2 = 15.
DRACOS: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (11) + 13 = 24.

Icy Domain, Round 1:

DRACOS (-27)
Rico (-)
Large Ice Elementals (-, -, -)

With a shrug, DRACOS starts taking pot-shots.

Trick - CR 12 or less.
Static Arc Pistol: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (12) + 14 = 26, for 1d6 + 3 + 4d8 ⇒ (6) + 3 + (7, 2, 1, 3) = 22 Electricity damage.
Annihilator Advanced X-Gen Gun: 1d20 + 14 - 1 ⇒ (7) + 14 - 1 = 20, for 2d12 + 7 ⇒ (11, 12) + 7 = 30 damage.
Annihilator Advanced X-Gen Gun: 1d20 + 14 - 1 ⇒ (19) + 14 - 1 = 32, for 2d12 + 7 ⇒ (2, 10) + 7 = 19 damage.

DRACOS puts three shots into one elemental, badly cracking it, but not quite shattering it.

Azimuth Laser Pistol: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (16) + 9 = 25, for 1d4 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 10 Fire damage.

Fortunately, Rico picks up the slack, delivering a shot which melts the heavily-injured elemental.

"Nice!"

The two remaining elementals each go for a different target...

Slam (DRACOS): 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (7) + 15 = 22, for 1d6 + 10 ⇒ (6) + 10 = 16 damage.

Slam (Rico): 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (9) + 15 = 24, for 1d6 + 10 ⇒ (2) + 10 = 12 damage.

...and whilst DRACOS dodges, Rico gets clobbered.

Icy Domain, Round 2:

DRACOS (-27)
Rico (-12)
Large Ice Elementals (-, -)

DRACOS dodges away, and opens fire upon his newest foe.

Trick - CR 12 or less.
Static Arc Pistol: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (13) + 14 = 27, for 1d6 + 3 + 4d8 ⇒ (4) + 3 + (5, 4, 5, 2) = 23 Electricity damage.
Annihilator Advanced X-Gen Gun: 1d20 + 14 - 1 ⇒ (2) + 14 - 1 = 15, for 2d12 + 7 ⇒ (5, 6) + 7 = 18 damage.
Annihilator Advanced X-Gen Gun - RP: 1d20 + 14 - 1 ⇒ (12) + 14 - 1 = 25, for 2d12 + 7 ⇒ (11, 8) + 7 = 26 damage.
Annihilator Advanced X-Gen Gun: 1d20 + 14 - 1 ⇒ (11) + 14 - 1 = 24, for 2d12 + 7 ⇒ (8, 4) + 7 = 19 damage.

DRACOS smashes up his chosen elemental a bit.

Not wanting to be pummelled, Rico Withdraws.

Both elementals chase after their chosen targets...

Slam (DRACOS): 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (17) + 15 = 32, for 1d6 + 10 - 7 ⇒ (6) + 10 - 7 = 9 damage.

Slam (Rico): 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (12) + 15 = 27, for 1d6 + 10 ⇒ (6) + 10 = 16 damage.

...and this time, both hit.

Icy Domain, Round 3:

DRACOS (-36)
Rico (-28)
Large Ice Elementals (-58, -)

DRACOS dodges away again, and keeps firing.

Trick - CR 12 or less.
Static Arc Pistol: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (6) + 14 = 20, for 1d6 + 3 + 4d8 ⇒ (3) + 3 + (3, 7, 2, 2) = 20 Electricity damage.
Annihilator Advanced X-Gen Gun: 1d20 + 14 - 1 ⇒ (20) + 14 - 1 = 33, for 4d12 + 14 ⇒ (4, 8, 2, 5) + 14 = 33 damage.
Annihilator Advanced X-Gen Gun: 1d20 + 14 - 1 ⇒ (7) + 14 - 1 = 20, for 2d12 + 7 ⇒ (10, 6) + 7 = 23 damage.

DRACOS' first shot shatters the wounded elemental, and then his two follow-up bullets start cracking the one after Rico, which decides that DRACOS is a bigger threat, and goes after him...

Slam (DRACOS): 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (3) + 15 = 18, for 1d6 + 10 - 7 ⇒ (3) + 10 - 7 = 6 damage.

...but misses.

Icy Domain, Round 4:

DRACOS (-36)
Rico (-28)
Large Ice Elementals (-46)

DRACOS keeps up the pressure.

Trick - CR 12 or less.
Static Arc Pistol: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (1) + 14 = 15, for 1d6 + 3 + 4d8 ⇒ (6) + 3 + (5, 6, 2, 2) = 24 Electricity damage.
Static Arc Pistol - RP: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (6) + 14 = 20, for 1d6 + 3 + 4d8 ⇒ (5) + 3 + (4, 7, 8, 8) = 35 Electricity damage.
Annihilator Advanced X-Gen Gun: 1d20 + 14 - 1 ⇒ (3) + 14 - 1 = 16, for 2d12 + 7 ⇒ (1, 3) + 7 = 11 damage.
Annihilator Advanced X-Gen Gun: 1d20 + 14 - 1 ⇒ (9) + 14 - 1 = 22, for 2d12 + 7 ⇒ (10, 10) + 7 = 27 damage.

DRACOS' first shot shatters the elemental.

Combat over.

Unfortunately, there is still no sign of the temple...

Feel free to make another Survival check.

DRACOS keeps looking around...

Survival: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (13) + 13 = 26.

About an hour later...

Nestled into a small, rocky indentation lies a large insectile corpse with huge mandibles and three pairs of arms, two larger than all the rest, its heavy robes frozen over with ice.

The chest of the creature is a horrific mess, riddled with endless holes and caked with frozen blood. The armor beneath the robes is shredded, completely wrecked beyond any usefulness.

DRACOS: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (13) + 19 = 32.

DRACOS easily identifies the body as that of a Trox...

DRACOS: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (15) + 18 = 33.

...and he suspects that a Comet Wasp Swarm burst forth from his chest!

Tucked into the poor Trox's robes are a key card, a shiny holy symbol of Hylax, and two mk 2 serums of healing.

At this point, a swarm of blue-glowing wasps darts around an ice wall, making a bee-line for DRACOS and Rico!

Juvenile Comet Wasp Swarm: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13.
Rico: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10.
DRACOS: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (15) + 13 = 28.

What A Way To Go, Round 1:

DRACOS (-36)
Juvenile Comet Wasp Swarm (-)
Rico (-28)

"Frell!"

DRACOS steps away from Rico, loads a clip of explosive rounds into his machine gun, and starts firing.

Annihilator Advanced X-Gen Gun: 1d20 + 14 - 1 ⇒ (14) + 14 - 1 = 27, for 2d12 + 7 ⇒ (2, 12) + 7 = 21 damage.
Annihilator Advanced X-Gen Gun: 1d20 + 14 - 1 ⇒ (8) + 14 - 1 = 21, for 2d12 + 7 ⇒ (8, 11) + 7 = 26 damage.
Annihilator Advanced X-Gen Gun - RP: 1d20 + 14 - 1 ⇒ (17) + 14 - 1 = 30, for 2d12 + 7 ⇒ (6, 11) + 7 = 24 damage.

DRACOS' rounds explode nicely, flash-frying countless wasps.

However, although their numbers have been depleted, the swarm still has plenty of fight left in it, and envelops DRACOS.

Swarm Attack: 4d4 ⇒ (1, 4, 2, 2) = 9 Cold and Piercing damage, and a DC 16 Fort save.

Additionally, another DC 16 Fort save Vs. Distraction.

Not able to do anything, Rico backs away.

What A Way To Go, Round 2:

DRACOS (-41)
Juvenile Comet Wasp Swarm (-67)
Rico (-28)

Fort: 1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 7 + 2 = 29.
Fort: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (15) + 7 = 22.

DRACOS frantically backs away, and keeps firing.

Annihilator Advanced X-Gen Gun: 1d20 + 14 - 1 ⇒ (6) + 14 - 1 = 19, for 2d12 + 7 ⇒ (6, 11) + 7 = 24 damage.
Annihilator Advanced X-Gen Gun: 1d20 + 14 - 1 ⇒ (1) + 14 - 1 = 14, for 2d12 + 7 ⇒ (9, 9) + 7 = 25 damage.

This time, DRACOS misses completely.

Nevertheless, the swarm still chases after him...

Swarm Attack: 4d4 ⇒ (3, 3, 4, 2) = 12 Cold and Piercing damage, and a DC 16 Fort save.

Additionally, another DC 16 Fort save Vs. Distraction.

Not able to do anything, Rico backs away.

What A Way To Go, Round 3:

DRACOS (-47)
Juvenile Comet Wasp Swarm (-67)
Rico (-28)

Fort: 1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 7 + 2 = 22.
Fort: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (19) + 7 = 26.

DRACOS frantically backs away, and keeps firing, desperate to bring the swarm down.

Annihilator Advanced X-Gen Gun: 1d20 + 14 - 1 ⇒ (9) + 14 - 1 = 22, for 2d12 + 7 ⇒ (7, 12) + 7 = 26 damage.
Annihilator Advanced X-Gen Gun: 1d20 + 14 - 1 ⇒ (7) + 14 - 1 = 20, for 2d12 + 7 ⇒ (9, 6) + 7 = 22 damage.

This time, DRACOS hits once, burning more wasps away.

Having taken a quite a beating, the remaining ones start to flee up into the void...

Not able to do anything, Rico backs away.

What A Way To Go, Round 4:

DRACOS (-47)
Juvenile Comet Wasp Swarm (-106)
Rico (-28)

DRACOS is not moved to mercy.

"You are dangerous pests!"

He then takes some parting shots.

Annihilator Advanced X-Gen Gun: 1d20 + 14 - 1 ⇒ (12) + 14 - 1 = 25, for 2d12 + 7 ⇒ (8, 7) + 7 = 22 damage.
Annihilator Advanced X-Gen Gun: 1d20 + 14 - 1 ⇒ (2) + 14 - 1 = 15, for 2d12 + 7 ⇒ (4, 11) + 7 = 22 damage.

DRACOS' first shot eliminates the remaining members of the swarm.

Combat over.

Alright, technically, there are still more Survival checks to find the Temple - the DC is currently 30, and will reduce by 5 each time you fail the check. Each check takes 1 hour to complete.

DRACOS breathes a sigh of relief, then pats Rico on the shoulder.

"There is no shame in retreating, when you have no way of harming the enemy. In fact, it is good tactical sense!"

He then keeps looking around...

Survival: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (14) + 13 = 27.
Survival: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (9) + 13 = 22.
Survival: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (7) + 13 = 20.

...eventually finding *something* after a further 3 hours of investigation, by which point in time he is feeling nearly ready to have a nap.

Three hours later...

Under a stony overhang at the end of a nearly unnoticeable path through the snow are several rocks piled around a white hatch that almost perfectly blends in with the surrounding terrain. The round portal is ten feet across and decorated with the faint outline of an insectile face crowned by three shining stars; the holy symbol of Hylax.

Fortuitously, the key card that you recovered from the dead Trox works on the card-reader adjacent to the hatch causes it to shudder, and open, revealing a combined airlock / guard station...

...defended by three surprised-looking haan, wielding swoop hammers!

One of them speaks:

DRACOS nods, and responds in kind:

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (17) + 12 = 29.

The guards become agitated.

"Ah, LT? What's going on...?"

Haan: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11.
Rico: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 2 = 14.
DRACOS: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (20) + 13 = 33.

Aggressive Defence, Round 1:

DRACOS (-47)
Rico (-28)
Haan (-, -, -)

With a sigh, DRACOS flips his pistol across to non-lethal, and starts firing.

Annihilator Advanced X-Gen Gun: 1d20 + 14 - 1 ⇒ (14) + 14 - 1 = 27, for 2d12 + 7 ⇒ (3, 10) + 7 = 20 damage.
Annihilator Advanced X-Gen Gun: 1d20 + 14 - 1 ⇒ (10) + 14 - 1 = 23, for 2d12 + 7 ⇒ (5, 4) + 7 = 16 damage.

DRACOS hits twice, wounding one of the Haan.

Rico gamely lines up a shot...

Azimuth Laser Pistol: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (13) + 9 = 22, for 1d4 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11 Fire damage.

...scorching the injured one.

All three Haan then stride forward, and start swinging at DRACOS...

Tactical Swoop Hammer: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (6) + 14 = 20, for 1d10 + 10 ⇒ (8) + 10 = 18 damage.
Tactical Swoop Hammer: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (2) + 14 = 16, for 1d10 + 10 ⇒ (5) + 10 = 15 damage.
Tactical Swoop Hammer: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (12) + 14 = 26, for 1d10 + 10 ⇒ (2) + 10 = 12 damage.

...but only one manages to land a (glancing) hit.

Aggressive Defence, Round 2:

DRACOS (-59)
Rico (-28)
Haan (-47, -, -)

DRACOS shrugs.

"I'll try not to kill you, but I can't guarantee it. You really shouldn't have attacked me."

Trick - CR 12 or less.
Static Arc Pistol: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (7) + 14 = 21, for 1d6 + 3 + 4d8 ⇒ (1) + 3 + (2, 7, 5, 6) = 24 Non-lethal Electricity damage.
Annihilator Advanced X-Gen Gun: 1d20 + 14 - 1 ⇒ (20) + 14 - 1 = 33, for 4d12 + 14 ⇒ (9, 4, 12, 9) + 14 = 48 damage.
Annihilator Advanced X-Gen Gun: 1d20 + 14 - 1 ⇒ (1) + 14 - 1 = 14, for 2d12 + 7 ⇒ (1, 9) + 7 = 17 damage.

Tactical Swoop Hammer: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (1) + 14 = 15, for 1d10 + 10 - 7 ⇒ (6) + 10 - 7 = 9 damage.
Tactical Swoop Hammer: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (16) + 14 = 30, for 1d10 + 10 - 7 ⇒ (5) + 10 - 7 = 8 damage.

DRACOS cops a hit as he dances back...

...but then his first shot electrocutes the injured haan, leaving it sorely wounded, and his second shot finishes the job, taking it through the heart, and deleting it from existence.

At this point in time, an imposing-looking trox, dressed in heavy robes emblazoned with Hylax's symbol, barrels into the room from deeper within the complex, and shouts:

Both Haan grip their weapons defiantly, and sullenly reply:

The Trox shakes its head sadly.

Both Haan slump dejectedly.

They then stand aside, and let the Trox pass.

The Trox (who introduces herself as Abbott Tuvah) explains that she is the nominal spiritual leader of the Forever Reliquary and says that she has been expecting you, as Hylax provided her with visions of your arrival.

Unfortunately, she explains that she cannot answer any of your questions just yet; first, she must present you to the monastery’s Sacred Assembly; Tuvah cautions you to be on your best behavior, but reassures you that you will “do fine”, although she admits that some members of the Assembly can be a bit stodgy...

DRACOS (-60)
Rico (-28)

DRACOS bows.

He then follows the Trox.