GM Tyranius (SFS) Outpost IV (Inactive)

Game Master Tyranius

Zarg pulls loose a spell gem as he makes it to the console, his jetpack sputters him to his destination.

Round 1
Shokil (SP 22/36 | HP 30/30 | RP 7/7)
Delea (SP 28/28 | HP 28/28 | RP 2/5)
Ratatat (SP 31/40 | HP 37/37 | RP 6/6)
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Sentinel
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Zargothrax (SP 29/42 | HP 36/36 | RP 6/7; Staggered until round 10)
Dr. Morvius (SP 35/35 | HP 34/34 | RP 4/5; Staggered until round 10)
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Cystian
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Gamuzali (SP 27/53 | HP 47/47 | RP 7/8; Resistance Piercing 5)

Will vs Slow: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13 I'm gonna take my 1 Nova re-roll on that
Will vs Slow: 1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 6 + 1 = 18 Well dang.

"Obviously this is nothing like a vesk military op...er...a...tion..." Feeling himself dragging from the spell, Gamuzali curses to himself, then looks around for the enemy.

I don't see any enemies on the map currently. Am I missing something?
If I do spot an enemy, I'll move my full complement of 10ft toward it.

Gamuzali doesn't have to wait long as more undead approach from around the buildings. The SRO's o what they can and quickly eliminate several of them on the spot.

Enemy Roll: 1d4 ⇒ 4
Location: 1d4 ⇒ 2

A trio of the ogre-like brutes make it through the hail of bullets as they advance from the south.

Round 2
Shokil (SP 22/36 | HP 30/30 | RP 7/7)
Delea (SP 28/28 | HP 28/28 | RP 2/5)
Ratatat (SP 31/40 | HP 37/37 | RP 6/6)
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Sentinel
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Zargothrax (SP 29/42 | HP 36/36 | RP 6/7; Staggered until round 10)
Dr. Morvius (SP 35/35 | HP 34/34 | RP 4/5; Staggered until round 10)
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Cystian
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Gamuzali (SP 27/53 | HP 47/47 | RP 7/8; Resistance Piercing 5; Staggered until round 10)

Shokill swallows, as the large creatures advance. Checking the charge on his rifle, he feels the sweat run down the back of his neck.

"Three big ones coming up from the south.."

attack vs EAC, snipers aim if cover applies: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (1) + 10 = 11

Sgt. Smith spat out the mangled remains of his cigar. The hoard was all around him. Swinging his machine gun, he switched her over to full automatic. Enough bullets for all of you.. he called out.... just as it jammed. "Well.. *%^%^!"

Having already said what he needed to say, Ratatat turns his guns upon the new incoming targets!

If Ratatat has line of sight on the new undead targets, he will full attack as per the rolls below. If there is no LOS, then Ratatat will delay until he sees a target then he'll full attack. He'll prioritize his targets in this order: red, green, yellow.

plasma array vs EAC, full attack: 1d20 + 10 - 3 ⇒ (4) + 10 - 3 = 11
E&F Damage: 1d10 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6

plasma array vs EAC, full attack: 1d20 + 10 - 3 ⇒ (14) + 10 - 3 = 21
E&F Damage: 1d10 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7

Sniper's aim: reduce the AC bonus from cover by 2 for ranged attacks

Shokil scorches the side of the building as he tries to get a bead on the undead. Not having a clear Line of sight ratatat keeps his weapon ready for when they begin to advance.

Round 2
Shokil (SP 36/36 | HP 30/30 | RP 6/7)
Delea (SP 28/28 | HP 28/28 | RP 2/5)
Ratatat (SP 31/40 | HP 37/37 | RP 6/6) Delay
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Sentinel
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Zargothrax (SP 29/42 | HP 36/36 | RP 6/7; Staggered until round 10)
Dr. Morvius (SP 35/35 | HP 34/34 | RP 4/5; Staggered until round 10)
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Cystian
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Gamuzali (SP 27/53 | HP 47/47 | RP 7/8; Resistance Piercing 5; Staggered until round 10)

I'll propose the following actions to bot Delea. This is assuming remove condition (lesser) can remove the stagger condition imposed by slow but perhaps not the movement speed reduction?

Delea's hand movements occur in slow motion and the arcane words she utters are also like something coming out of a slowed down music track. But she completes the spell and casts remove condition (lesser) on Gamuzali.

"Gamuzali... intercept... those... things... while... I... restore... others...!!"

Thanks for the bot, Bigboom

Delea will save: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (18) + 3 = 21 (save made, so not slowed)

Knowing Delea isn't one for words, Gamuzali simply turns and nods his thanks toward the lashunta.

Gamuzali begins to speed up slightly. While his legs still move slow he is at least able to think and react normally. The deeply cloaked Starfinder appears beside Ratatat as a trio of magical missile blast into the Ysoki's backside. On the rooftop beside Ratatat.

Magic Missile: 3d4 + 3 ⇒ (4, 1, 1) + 3 = 9

With an enemy close by Ratatat turns to defend himself and fires a full barrage of plasma into the Starfinder.

Round 2
Shokil (SP 36/36 | HP 30/30 | RP 6/7)
Delea (SP 28/28 | HP 28/28 | RP 2/5)
Ratatat (SP 22/40 | HP 37/37 | RP 6/6) Delay
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Sentinel (-7)
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Zargothrax (SP 29/42 | HP 36/36 | RP 6/7; Staggered until round 10)
Dr. Morvius (SP 35/35 | HP 34/34 | RP 4/5; Staggered until round 10)
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Cystian
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Gamuzali (SP 27/53 | HP 47/47 | RP 7/8; Resistance Piercing 5)

Seeing Zarg has finally made it to Dr. Morvius' position, he makes a bold move. He injects Zargothrax with a biohack. "It's okay. I'm a doctor. This should help with concentrating on this terminal."

Minor biohack will give Zargothrax +2 on all skill rolls for three round.

"On it boss!"

Zargothrax sets the spell gem on the monitor as he gets to work on the console. If anyone wants a 'see invisibility' spell gem it's right next to me.

Computers: 1d20 + 16 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 16 + 2 = 24

Zarg sets the spell gem into the monitor as he gets to work alongside Dr. Morvius. He gets to work on tediously entering in the commands by hand. It will take a little time but Zarg feels confident in his ability to get the task right the first time. The first command will become available at the start of the next round.

The trio of bloated Cystians squeeze past the building as they make their way towards the monument. One of them gets hung up on the corner of the building peeling back a thick layer of icy flesh as it groans through the process.

Round 2
Shokil (SP 36/36 | HP 30/30 | RP 6/7)
Delea (SP 28/28 | HP 28/28 | RP 2/5)
Ratatat (SP 22/40 | HP 37/37 | RP 6/6) Delay
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Sentinel (-7)
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Zargothrax (SP 29/42 | HP 36/36 | RP 6/7; Staggered until round 10)
Dr. Morvius (SP 35/35 | HP 34/34 | RP 4/5; Staggered until round 10)
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Cystian
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Gamuzali (SP 27/53 | HP 47/47 | RP 7/8; Resistance Piercing 5)

Though Delea's magic has freed his mind from the clinging effects of the enemy's spell, his body still moves sluggishly. He moves as far as he can in the direction of the undead foes. "I will hold them off. Morvius, if you are not too busy assisting Zargothrax, I would appreciate your support. Otherwise, Ratatat could use some backup."

Double move a grand total of 20 feet because I'm still slowed, but not staggered (if I understand correctly)

@Gamuzali- Updated with your sepnd RP

Gamuzali moves as slow as the bloated carcasses. As the two sloths moves to meet each other in battle more undead begin to emerge.

Enemy Roll: 1d4 ⇒ 2
Location: 1d3 ⇒ 2

Two more Cystians emerge behind the building. The computer terminal begins to blink as the first command becomes available. The first command available is listed as “Open Accessway” This requires a DC 20 Computers or Engineering check to complete

Round 2
Shokil (SP 36/36 | HP 30/30 | RP 6/7)
Delea (SP 28/28 | HP 28/28 | RP 2/5)
Ratatat (SP 22/40 | HP 37/37 | RP 6/6)
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Sentinel (-7)
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Zargothrax (SP 29/42 | HP 36/36 | RP 6/7; Staggered until round 10)
Dr. Morvius (SP 35/35 | HP 34/34 | RP 4/5; Staggered until round 10)
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Cystian
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Gamuzali (SP 53/53 | HP 47/47 | RP 6/8; Resistance Piercing 5)

With the cloaked figure now in sight, Shokil takes a moment to consider it.

"Why are you doing this?" he calls out, squeezing the trigger.
attack vs EAC: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (3) + 10 = 13

Sgt. smith climbed higher, the hoards of creatures below him seething like waves lapping on a seashore. There! He spotted the chitinous shell of what could only be their leader. Climbing onto a ledge he took out his sniper rifle and adjusted the scope. Just as he had the horrid thing in sight there was a stinging pain in his hand as one of the mass of insect like creatures below managed to climb and bite him. His shot pinged off the wall behind the leader even as his fist squashed the bug that ruined his aim.

Ratatat does something he never does...engage in melee!

He moves up to the figure, drawing his survival knife and attacks!
Survival knife vs KAC: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (8) + 10 = 18

Ratatat figures if it's a caster, then melee might be the better option rather than shooting from range.

Can we tell what race is the attacker and/or if there is an identify roll available?

Ratatat approaches the starfinder. Getting closer he appears to have elven features beneath the thick cloak. Shokil takes a shot and misses as the Starfinder turns to the side to avoid the knife attack as well.

Round 3
Shokil (SP 36/36 | HP 30/30 | RP 6/7)
Delea (SP 28/28 | HP 28/28 | RP 2/5)
Ratatat (SP 22/40 | HP 37/37 | RP 6/6)
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Sentinel (-7)
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Zargothrax (SP 29/42 | HP 36/36 | RP 6/7; Staggered until round 10)
Dr. Morvius (SP 35/35 | HP 34/34 | RP 4/5; Staggered until round 10)
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Cystian
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Gamuzali (SP 53/53 | HP 47/47 | RP 6/8; Resistance Piercing 5)

Delea continues trying to help her comrades who are under bad magical effects. This time she helps Zargothrax.

Zarg speeds up slightly as Delea helps clear the magical effect taking over his body. The elf leaps back from Ratatat and continues to assault the small Ysoki with more magical missiles.

Magic Missile: 3d4 + 3 ⇒ (3, 1, 2) + 3 = 9

Round 3
Shokil (SP 36/36 | HP 30/30 | RP 6/7)
Delea (SP 28/28 | HP 28/28 | RP 2/5)
Ratatat (SP 13/40 | HP 37/37 | RP 6/6)
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Sentinel (-7)
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Zargothrax (SP 29/42 | HP 36/36 | RP 6/7)
Dr. Morvius (SP 35/35 | HP 34/34 | RP 4/5; Staggered until round 10)
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Cystian
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Gamuzali (SP 53/53 | HP 47/47 | RP 6/8; Resistance Piercing 5)

"This should help you a little, Gamuzali!"

Dr. Morvius fires a dart at Gamuzali.

Basic booster for +1 AC. This lasts 3 rounds. Zarg, don't forget you still have a booster that gives you +2 to skill checks.

For now I'll let Zarg make these computer checks. I'll throw out get 'ems, biohacks, and inspiring boosts to keep people going.

"Right-ee-yo! Gonna get this here computer goin' or this'll be the last stand 'o Zargothrax! Did ah ever tell ya 'bout mah grandpappy? He had a famous battlecry 'mongst the Veskarium soldiers..."

He types as fast and loudly as possible, because that's just how you're supposed to hack. Once he slams the 'Return' key he makes a little ding sound, then grabs the spell gem off of the table seeing as it seems to be unneeded at the moment.

Computers: 1d20 + 16 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 16 + 2 = 29

Zarg types as fast as he can to get the command going. The computer whirls and begins the tenuous process while Dr. Morvius protects Gamuzali with another small injection.

The boated Cystian's shamble forth closing in around you.

Round 3
Shokil (SP 36/36 | HP 30/30 | RP 6/7)
Delea (SP 28/28 | HP 28/28 | RP 2/5)
Ratatat (SP 13/40 | HP 37/37 | RP 6/6)
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Sentinel (-7)
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Zargothrax (SP 29/42 | HP 36/36 | RP 6/7)
Dr. Morvius (SP 35/35 | HP 34/34 | RP 4/5; Staggered until round 10)
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Cystian
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Gamuzali (SP 53/53 | HP 47/47 | RP 6/8; Resistance Piercing 5; +1 AC 3 rounds)

Gamuzali moves forward and strikes at the green Cystian, his Meteor Claw raking across the undead monstrosity's rotten flesh.

Meteor Claw, possessed: 1d20 + 11 - 1 ⇒ (20) + 11 - 1 = 30 Damage (F), plasma sheath: 1d6 + 16 + 1d3 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 16 + (2) + 2 = 21
Crit Damage (F), plasma sheath: 1d6 + 16 + 1d3 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 16 + (2) + 2 = 23
Knockdown crit effect on that attack, so Green is now prone! And that will tick one of my boxes for my possessed augment! Woohoo!

"Nice one Gam-dude! So uh... ahm a thinkin' I prolly should do some fightin'. There's a lotta them... Got any more 'splosions in you Gam-dude and Delea?"

I think Zargothrax might need to help with the crowd control before getting back on the computer. Morvius, do you think you could take the computer for a round? Also, who all in the party has area attacks that can hit more than 1 of these? I have overheat and laser net that can do a bit of fire damage to a couple of them at a time.

Enemy Roll: 1d4 ⇒ 4
Location: 1d3 ⇒ 1

Four more Cystians emerge to the north near Delea as the ammunition barrage from the SRO's rapidly drop one of them in a flash. "They just keep coming!" Just as K.A.N.T. calls out more incoming undead the central monument begins to grind stone on stone as the ground vibrates. It slowly shifts to the south as a set of stone stairs (eerily reminiscent of those at the entrance to the Perplexity from the Lorespire Complex) lead under the monument.

Shokil notices near the bottom of the stairs that there is a barely perceptible force field blocking the path. You will need to unlock the root controls for the forcefield before it can be disabled.

Standard Action and DC 20 Engineering or Computers to work on the root controls.

Round 4
Shokil (SP 36/36 | HP 30/30 | RP 6/7)
Delea (SP 28/28 | HP 28/28 | RP 2/5)
Ratatat (SP 13/40 | HP 37/37 | RP 6/6)
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Sentinel (-7)
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Zargothrax (SP 29/42 | HP 36/36 | RP 6/7)
Dr. Morvius (SP 35/35 | HP 34/34 | RP 4/5; Staggered until round 10)
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Cystian (Green -31)
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Gamuzali (SP 53/53 | HP 47/47 | RP 6/8; Resistance Piercing 5; +1 AC 3 rounds)

I can channel to damage undead, but it's really costly since it uses an RP.

"Forcefield down here, can the computer turn it off?" asks Shokil, staring down the stairs.

He lines up the elf again in his laser. "Might be time to pull back Ratatat, or at least dump some grenades in the undead swarm."

The excited author does his best to slow his heartbeat as he takes a careful step backward, sites down his rifle at the magic wielding shadow-figure, and gently squeezes the trigger.

attack vs EAC: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (11) + 10 = 21
F damage: 2d8 + 4 ⇒ (1, 7) + 4 = 12

The elf leaps back from Ratatat and continues to assault the small Ysoki with more magical missiles

On the road at the moment but back in the swing of things later today. In meantime, just want to ask real quick if this was the elf taking a guarded step away from Ratatat to cast a spell? On the map, it seems the elf didn't move because there's no where to move to on the roof? If that's the case does Ratatat get an AOO?

AOO attack, if applicable:
Survival knife vs KAC: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (16) + 10 = 26
S damage: 1d4 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6

If it was a guarded step, he probably should only got 2 missiles rather than the full three, although he may some special ability (alas, haste doesn't let you do this in SF)

Oh that's true. With a guarded step, the magic missile would have launched 2 missiles rather than three. Anyways, for round 3, if Sentinel wasn't able to guarded step away, then Ratatat will take the AOO as rolled above. I think if it hits, it may prevent the magic missile spell from going off. Unless of course the Sentinel has some special abilities going on.

And then for the current round 4, Ratatat will do the following...

"Might be time to pull back Ratatat, or at least dump some grenades in the undead swarm."

"Roger that!! Just one more love tap for my elven friend here..." responds Ratatat.

Ratatat swings one more time at the cloaked figure...
Survival knife vs KAC: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (14) + 10 = 24
S damage: 1d4 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7

Then Ratatat activates his jet pack and flies down close-ish to Gamuzali! Flight path marked with a yellow arrow. This path will provoke the Sentinel if he's got a melee weapon handy.

"Gamuzali, if you gotta blow, go for it and blow!

@Zargothrax, Ratatat has an automatic weapon, so he can full action AOE cone attack in round 5 if we still need to try and hold them off.

@Gamuzali, if you're ready to supernova and Ratatat is in range, go ahead and do it. Ratatat will gladly eat the supernova, no worries! And heads up, Ratatat might do a 40' cone attack next round. I've laid out what his cone attack will potentially look like with a dotted green cone, so see if you can avoid that area. If not, would you mind potentially eating some AOE (1d10+5 worth of damage but no reflex save, I think) from Ratatat? Not a huge amount of damage but combined with your supernova, it might be enough to take a few of them down...

He did not take a guarded step, so removed the damage from the magic missiles since the AoO hit.

Shokil shoots a quick laser at the elf, burning across his armor and arm while Ratatat catches the elf off guard, slicing off a finger mid spell. The elf curses as the missiles ever come to fruition, he wasn't expecting the small ysoki to be able to match his speed.

Ratatat gives one more clean slice with his knife across teh elf's forearm and shoulder before falling off the edge of the roof to rocket over to Gamuzali' aid.

Round 4
Shokil (SP 36/36 | HP 30/30 | RP 6/7)
Delea (SP 28/28 | HP 28/28 | RP 2/5)
Ratatat (SP 22/40 | HP 37/37 | RP 6/6)
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Sentinel (-32)
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Zargothrax (SP 29/42 | HP 36/36 | RP 6/7)
Dr. Morvius (SP 35/35 | HP 34/34 | RP 4/5; Staggered until round 10)
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Cystian (Green -31)
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Gamuzali (SP 53/53 | HP 47/47 | RP 6/8; Resistance Piercing 5; +1 AC 3 rounds)

Delea thinks hard, sending a wave of anger towards the living creature that is trying to get us all killed. (mind thrust, DC 15)

damage: 4d10 ⇒ (7, 10, 2, 2) = 21

Delea connects her thoughts with the elf and begins to systematically fracture his thoughts.

DC 15 Will Save: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (14) + 13 = 27

Unfortunately it seems his mind is already broken after all this time alone. He pulls forth a laser pistol and it begins to glow and hum as an overwhelming amount of energy seeps into it's battery. He bears his sights down at Zarg.

Round 4
Shokil (SP 36/36 | HP 30/30 | RP 6/7)
Delea (SP 28/28 | HP 28/28 | RP 2/5)
Ratatat (SP 22/40 | HP 37/37 | RP 6/6)
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Sentinel (-42; Supercharge weapon)
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Zargothrax (SP 29/42 | HP 36/36 | RP 6/7)
Dr. Morvius (SP 35/35 | HP 34/34 | RP 4/5; Staggered until round 10)
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Cystian
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Gamuzali (SP 53/53 | HP 47/47 | RP 6/8; Resistance Piercing 5; +1 AC 3 rounds)

Dr. Morvius goes to work on the root controls at his terminal.

computers: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (3) + 12 = 15

Let's use the t-shirt reroll for this. Seems like just the right time...

computers, reroll: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (9) + 12 = 21

"I think I'm in! Hold them off a little longer!"

Dr. Morvius pushes through the the prompts and finds the root controls for the force field itself. As he opens the folder a warning message pops up across each of your personal comm devices.

Please refer to Discord before continuing.

Dr. Morvius turns white with horror as he realizes the choice we have.

Will make some posts on discord.

After glancing at his comms, Ratatat mutters, "This reminds me of the story of the Kobayashi Maru from that holovid show... Galaxy Trek."

Then he silently thinks to himself, 'And I don't like it but the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few...'

Strong Star Trek vibes goin on right now!

Computers: 1d20 + 16 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 16 + 2 = 36

Zargothrax looks at the message on the computer and grits his teeth hard.

"Ooh! We can s-" [THIS PORTION OF THE CHRONICLE HAS BEEN REDACTED ON ORDER OF THE FIRST SEEKER.] "EEEE IIII EEEE IIII OOOOOOOOO!!!!"

"Let's see if'n we can grab that stupid elf dude on the way... I've got questions for that [REDACTED]"

He looks over at Gamuzali and gives him a salute, then prepares to do what he knows is right.

With the horde closing in, Zargothrax takes the groups nervous nods for approval and waggles his finger over the button. "Morituri nolumus mori!" **BEEP**

"Distress signal sent... Anyone with a jetpack ann a pair o' biceps grab someone without... KANT? We're gonna have to fall back... think we can make it back ta yer buds?"

He casts a quick spell and yells up at the guy guarding the site. "Hey! If ya dun wanna get nom'd by zombies ya better make good with us quickly cuz we're fallin back." Comprehend languages

He slowly jets over to grab Delea.

Each of you looks on in horror at the difficult and gut wrenching decision that you must make. Though with just a look and the deep foreboding that you share with Delea's thoughts you each make the same call as you one by one turn off your comm devices, not wanting to repeat the past mistakes of Starfinders from long ago.

With a disheartening sigh and newfound courage Zarg pushes the button. The computer terminal freezes up as it begins to process the signal and begins to push it out across the cosmos.

Ratatat screams "RATATATAT!" as he unleashes everything he has into the undead. Several of the behemoth's drop as Gamuzali explodes a few more in a fiery explosion. Bits of frozen undead fling off in all directions.

The elf seems shocked at your decision.

Zarg attempts to grab the deranged elf but quickly finds that his arms are empty as the elf flash teleports to the ground behind a large group of undead before going completely invisible once more.

The group gives chase during their tactical retreat to try and get loose from the undead as well as reach some sort of safety. You quickly get cut off from the SRO's as you lose contact.

Delea and Dr Morvius are the first to go as you feel Delea's mind's connection go blank from your own. You hear the ravenous undead behind you feasting away as Dr. Morvius screams in pain. Zarg watches as Ratatat, Gamuzali and Shokil all begin blasting the undead but his vision is quickly shrouded as a wall of undead fall upon them. Within moments the sounds of gunfire fall silent.

You quickly realize that the sanguis reinforcements seem to coe more and more.

Zarg manages to last a few more days as he jetpacks up and away to safety, gathering UPB's and fashioning a small culinary synthesizer. He is able to keep his armor and the culinary tool powered for around a week, but not nearly long enough as there just isn't enough to keep it going for long. Over time Zarg wastes away from thirst and hunger, unable to truly find sustenance.

*************

It takes weeks for the message to reach Absalom Station before help even begins to get activated to arrive on Lumina Colony. The expedition team reaches the place where your signals are emanating from and find K.A.N.T and the other SRO's have gathered your bodies and have preserved them for you.

Upon return to the land of the living in the hospital on Absalom Station, the First Seeker debriefs you. "K.A.N.T. caught us up to speed on what happened on Lumina Colony. This is very grim news. Unfortunately this cannot go public until we understand more of it first." He lays a comforting hand on Delea's shoulder. "I thank each of you for going above and beyond the call of duty. No Starfinder should have had to go through what you did and I am truly sorry that you have to live with those memories. You have proven that some Starfinders are willing to make the ultimate sacrifice to save lives."

The First Seeker steps back and offers you a respectful salute.

To be continued in Into the Perplexity: Trial 2

Zargothrax spends the last few hours in the colony fashioning enough of a base camp to prepare a thorough report for whoever will find their bodies. As his UPBs run out and he finds himself shy on batteries he does as any good Vesk would... a valiant last stand against overwhelm-

-ok so the last stand doesn't even last long enough to finish the thought.

Awakening in the field hospital he grumbles. "Glorious death ain't what it's cracked up ta be..."

Dr. Morvius doesn't care to recount his final memories running from the undead, though he'll never regret the decision he and his fellow Starfinders made.

Later he is pleased to see that everyone on the mission was successfully recovered and returned to life.

Ratatat says to the First Seeker, "I've got questions about what happened. Lots of questions. But the first question that I'm seeking an answer to... (see what I did there?) ...is are you sending us back into that Perplexity building again? Because if yes, I need to take out a life insurance policy... Like right now! Amirite?!?"

After being brought back from the great spiral of stars, Shokil seems somewhat subdued. "I'm guessing guidance isn't going to want to give us an interview. But I have to know... how much does it know about perseverance? And what is the point in sending teams down there once a year?"

The message pops up on Gamuzali's comm screen, which is linked to the HUD in his armor. For a moment, his clawed finger hovers over the command to lower the force field as his vesk military training would have him do. He stops himself from taking that option though as he speaks his heart, first quietly to himself, then shouting aloud for his comrades and the ancient elf to hear as well. "No, not like this. By the unconquerable light of the stars and the almighty forces of the universe, I will not leave these people to suffer and perish alone. I will make my stand, and if I should fall, then I will do so to cleanse this place of the sins of my predecessors!"

Turning to look up at the stranded former Starfinder, Gamuzali calls out, "Remember this: there are those in the universe, and even within the small confines of the Starfinder Society, who will lay down their own lives to get others even a narrow chance at a better existence. Think on that. Perhaps there is a way for you to atone as well."

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (17) + 14 = 31

Yet the battle continues, and one by one, the Starfinders fall. When Gamuzali finally succumbs to the hordes of undead, the last of his stellar energy expended, he pulls off the helmet of his Enforcer armor so that his face is exposed for the first time this mission. "I am Gamuzali Light-Spider! I stole the light for myself, but now I bring the light to others! Let all who see the light know that there...is...hope!"

*****************

When Gamuzali awakes in the hospital back on Absalom Station, the first thought that comes to his mind is look down at his right arm. When he sees the arm still lined with unusually dark veins, he sighs. 'So I haven't satisfied you yet? That's fine. Soon I will, now that I have the chance, he thinks.

At the debriefing, Gamuzali provides a very matter-of-fact report to the First Seeker. It's neither his expertise, nor his place to provide interpretation or ask probing questions about the matter. That he will leave to the more learned members of the group. But one thing is certain. If he is alive and available the next time the Perplexity opens, he will be there.

As Delea falls, the entire group hears one word telepathicalls, as if Delea is just sending out an undirected message. Weydan...

When she recovers, her commitment to her god and to healing and doing right in his name is only strengthened.

Ratatat says to the First Seeker, "I've got questions about what happened. Lots of questions. But the first question that I'm seeking an answer to... (see what I did there?) ...is are you sending us back into that Perplexity building again? Because if yes, I need to take out a life insurance policy... Like right now! Amirite?!?"

The First Seeker looks at Ratatat with amusement. "Looking to go back in so soon. That makes me feel a bit better. I wish I had more answers for you and will be looking into some of them myself. Rest for now but we may need your experience in there again when we decide to reenter next year if you are up for it."

After being brought back from the great spiral of stars, Shokil seems somewhat subdued. "I'm guessing guidance isn't going to want to give us an interview. But I have to know... how much does it know about perseverance? And what is the point in sending teams down there once a year?"

"Once you are rested we will all debrief with guidance. See if we can find out more about this perseverance. And why the First Seeker created this in the first place."