[SFS] GM Nefreet's #1-12: Ashes of Discovery (Inactive)

Game Master Nefreet

The two do indeed seem to understand Sisyar and cheer and gesture excitedly at his message! The musician hops down from their post in the branches and both begin eagerly tugging at you all to bring you down to the village proper. As they bring you out in the open the rest of the locals in the village, too, seem curious about your arrival. Excitedly they gather, "hoop"ing at each other and chattering amongst themselves.

One taps their chest, then taps yours, and grunts out a word repeatedly.

Another makes shrugging gestures, holding their hands palm up at their sides and looking about in all directions.

And finally, after observing your interactions with the villagers for a bit, a calm and reserved woman approaches you all. Inquisitive, but wary, she crouches on the ground and draws some circles in the sand. When she finishes, she pronounces, and then repeats, three syllables with an inflection.

"CA-LI-MA?"

Sisyar will move over to the calm, reserved woman and touches her, with her approval, on the shoulder.

Will cast Share Language on her.

"My name is Sisyar. What's your name?"

Sense Motive: 1d20 ⇒ 2

Sense Motive: 1d20 ⇒ 5

Sense Motive: 1d20 ⇒ 2

The dragonkin has absolutely no idea what is being discussed here, so he moves to watch the perimeter of the meeting to make sure the party doesn't get jumped.

Cletus' interactions with the local inhabitant are purposeful. Though he doesn't understand everything they are relating to his group of Starfinders, he is starting to pick up on the lingo. "Oh! That's your name!" Cletus pats his chest and exclaims "I am CLE-TUS. CLEEEEE-TUSSS."

Later, he says to the Starfinders "I think this drawing is the pre-fab outpost we're looking for. I think she might know where it is."

sense motive: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 1 = 17
sense motive: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9
sense motive: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 1 = 20

Will cast Share Language on her.

Oh thank goodness ^_^

The woman blinks several times before answering, in perfectly unaccented Common, "My name is Ari."

There is quite a bit of "Ooo"ing and "Ahh"ing from the crowd as she speaks in this foreign tongue, and then many of them begin reaching out to touch Sisyar, as though they each want this "gift".

"Your technology is impressive. You must be the wardens in our prophesies! Those who would one day overcome the creature," she gestures above, "and teach our people how to reach the stars."

Many of the natives nod as though they understand.

"I think this drawing is the pre-fab outpost we're looking for. I think she might know where it is."

"Yes, that is Calima! It is in the Forbidden Zone. The only desert we know of, where mutants roam, and fire shoots out of the rocks!"

With these clues, you believe the natives are impressed with technology, and that you can further impress them with Engineering, in addition to Bluff or Diplomacy.

(so far they seem to have improved attitudes towards Von Junzt, Sisyar and Lakritze)

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (3) + 11 = 14

"Perhaps... we are... we do intend... to go... to... the forbidden... zone... and discover its... secrets... please... tell us... what you know...of it..."

"Hello Ari. My name is Sisyar.". He points at the others and introduces them. "You will have to tell your friends that I am unable to give them the 'gift' of my language. Though we can always try the old fashioned way." He let's out a smile.

"Can you tell us more about these prophecies?"

Cletus notices some of younger people pointing and laughing at his drone. Recalling the enjoyment his young nieces and nephews have had with ROL-R, he decides to exhibit some of its features for the locals, including racing around trees, playing hide and seek, and even some fun whistling sounds that almost sound musical.

This, of course, also amuses Cletus to no end, who laughs in a most jolly manner.

engineering: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (20) + 9 = 29

Awwww yeeah. Cletus has ROL-R dialed in. He may have to take this show on the road. Or sell action figures. He'll have to ask his mother what she thinks.

Sorry for vanishing. Rough days.

Now that at least one person can understand Common Lakritze gives her best to be a diplomat and feels the pressure and is a bit stiff. Basically smalltalk and in general improving the sprouting relationship with a new culture.
Diplomacy: 1d20 + 8 + 1d6 ⇒ (2) + 8 + (6) = 16

"Perhaps... we are... we do intend... to go... to... the forbidden... zone... and discover its... secrets... please... tell us... what you know...of it..."

Ari sort of wobbles from side to side letting out a quiet "ooo-ooo" to herself as she looks to the crowd nervously before answering. "It is a taboo subject for us, but you are the wardens, so you must know. In a time before time, your ancestors brought our ancestors here. We don't know exactly why, and our lawgivers deemed us not to speak of it long ago. A great travesty destroyed the forest at Calima, and few have visited ever since."

"Can you tell us more about these prophecies?"

"I only know of them vaguely. Prophecies of the wardens' return. Of defeating the creature, rescuing us and taking us to the stars! If you are blessed with access, then speak out loud at Calima, and all will be revealed to you."

Excitement from the crowd interrupts Ari as a heavyset man runs up to her, somewhat out of breath. They exchange a few words with each other, which leaves Ari with a worried look on her face.

"There is a problem. For some time before your arrival, a man named Thade believed that he was prophesied to destroy the space creature and lead our people. He found a weapon at Calima that has the power of a thousand spears! It shoots fire, which is the only thing that can truly hurt us. When we witnessed the battle in the sky, Thade was incensed! He left for Calima, confused and enraged. Attar, here, and Zaius, Thade's father, left to convince Thade to return, but the storm separated them before they could get there, and Zaius disappeared."

"Please, since you are going to Calima, will you look for Zaius? He is aging and is not as strong as he once was."

"Sure... we always... try to help... see you... on the... way... back..." Von Junzt gets up, ready to leave for the outpost.

"So, this 'Thade' has a powerful weapon and is of an uncertain mindset? This sounds like the sort of thing that law enforcement might be needed to help with -- what is your local law on individuals who do this sort of thing? Are we attempting to capture or eliminate this person?

Before you ask, the wardens did not have us watch over you to allow you to develop on your own. We don't know your laws and traditions." Ronath inquires from his watchstanding position.

Sisyar holds the hand of the woman, Ari. "Of course we'll go look for Zaius. Will you be here when we return?"

Wow. Where does a weekend go these days?

"This sounds like the sort of thing that law enforcement might be needed to help with -- what is your local law on individuals who do this sort of thing? Are we attempting to capture or eliminate this person? ... We don't know your laws and traditions." Ronath inquires from his watchstanding position.

Ari looks to Attar, exchanges a few words with him, and he shakes his head. She then turns back to you, "Our highest law is that 'Ape Shall Never Hurt Ape'. Thade has not broken that sacred law, yet, but he has demonstrated forbidden magic, a practice our lawgivers say deserves exile. I fear for what might happen when he returns."

"Will you be here when we return?"

"Yes. I will tell the rest of the village about your arrival and what has transpired. I hope you find the answers you are seeking, as well."

You have the coordinates of the Outpost, and Ari provides advice on the safest path there, so you do not need to roll Survival to Orienteer; Would anyone like to roll Survival to Endure Severe Weather?

If we can aid:

Survival to aid: 1d20 ⇒ 14

"I'm more a... what you call it... 'city-dragon' than a 'country-dragon'. Just sayin'." Ronath offers with a kidding tone

Survival aid?: 1d20 ⇒ 13

The blue sneezes a few times. "Definitely don't go too far off the trail. It's pixie pollen season."

Cletus double checks the gear he has stowed on ROL-R and heads out.

Being utterly useless in the ways of the wilderness, he lets others lead (his mother became disillusioned with his school's "Steward Kids" program early on did not let Cletus go to a campout on Castrovel).

Survival: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9

Sisyar is obviously a bit excited about the adventure and starts asking the others questions about previous missions - without paying too close attention to this mission.

Despite his inattentiveness, Sisyar's Trimorphic heritage gives him an instinctual reaction to the storm ahead.

(You actually succeed with that check, and gain a +2 bonus to Fortitude saves to resist the storm's effects; you may choose one other PC to benefit from your expertise. EDIT: actually, with the way I rolled below, only Lakritze would benefit anyways, so I gave it to them)

For the first hour of your journey it is obvious that the storm's intensity increases the closer that you get to the outpost. Lightning arcs in strange patterns and the air is filled with the smell of ozone. It also appears that the eye is stationary, perhaps even focused at the location of the outpost itself!

By the end of the second hour, a strange static charge begins to buildup on your equipment...

...but nothing seems to be terribly affected. By the end of the third hour...

...the static begins to interfere with Von Junzt's equipment.

As long as you are within the storm, roll 1d6 whenever you activate any non-analog technological item; On a result of 1, the item does not function that round.

Furthermore, the strong winds of the storm combine with the high-gravity of the planet, turning the forest's falling leaves into veritable shrapnel!

Slashing Damage, Von Junzt: 1d4 ⇒ 4

Shortly after, strange effigies leer down on you from the nearby hills, marking the fringes of the Forbidden Zone.

"The storm... tries to... halt... my progress... alas... I have... arrived..." he looks at the native art, nonplussed.

"Strive... forward..." he advises, standing protected in the middle of the group.

Cletus is naturally skeptical about the quaint folk art that the natives leave here. Perhaps he'll have to learn a hard lesson later.

As he follows the others, he keeps an eye out for the missing villager.

Sisyar smiles as he walks along. "Ah, the power of a storm! We do need to move along though.". The rhyphorian hurries the group along, trying to avoid the worst of the storm.

"Do you see that! The eye seems to be right over the outpost."

"I'd prefer a much calmer location, to be honest." Ronath replies with a bit of a flat tone.

"That's definitely not natural -- storms usually move, right? Well, we should be careful because if it's got a 'dead spot' then then stepping from this sloppy mess into that is going to be... dramatic."

Lakri, this is getting me worried. You holding up okay?

I am okay, this gravity is exhausting in the long run. I don't think i will be able to pick up more stuff to get back to the Lorespire. You okay Ron? I put my stuff into your backpack, but you usally have not much stuff gear on you anyway.

"You remember that Guidance told us this athmosphere is disruptive to technology? Hope it doesn't get worse. Let's hope my hacking tool kit does not get any damage, should be very useful in receiving the data we need for the main objective of this mission."

Leaning forward and the unblinking eyes of her trying to make out if she can already see the outpost "Wonder why the eye of the storm would be over the outpost."

Pressing on, you come to a series of dilapidated circular buildings dotting the landscape. Many of them have collapsed, some long ago and some more recently. This must be the site of where Zaius went missing. The tumultuous storm rages all around as you leave the cover of the forest, seemingly picking up strength with each passing minute, and a crumbling stone bridge spanning sixty feet across a broad gorge offers the path of least resistance into the heart of the turmoil.

For ease of reference, I have spoilered the effects of High Gravity and the Encumbered Condition below:

Moving across the Bridge requires a DC 10 Acrobatics check to Maintain Balance (just one check per round); to calculate the speed at which you can Balance in High Gravity, subtract the flat movement penalty before halving (to a minimum of 5 feet); For example, a 30 foot base speed, –10 feet, halved, would be 10 feet.

Anyone with the appropriate equipment (such as cable lines or grapplers) can spend their first round temporarily stabilizing the bridge (DC 12 Engineering), granting a +2 Acrobatics to everyone crossing.

You can also choose to "cautiously" cross the bridge, further halving your speed to gain a +2 bonus on saves to resist the effects of the storm. If your movement is already only 5 feet before halving, then a full round of moving cautiously only gets you 5 feet of movement total.

The Crossing, Round 1

Cletus (9/9 SP; 12/12 HP; 0 Feet)
Lakritze (6/6 SP; 12/12 HP; 0 Feet)
Ronath (9/9 SP; 13/13 HP; 0 Feet)
Sisyar (7/7 SP; 10/10 HP; 0 Feet)
Von Junzt (6/10 SP; 16/16 HP; 0 Feet)
The Storm

Party is up!

Von Junzt moves 15 ft. across the bridge:

Acrobatics DC10: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11

"Hold on, everyone! I think I can make this a little easier."

Cletus begins rolling out some titanium line from a cargo net on ROL-R. He attaches it at this end and begins stabilizing portions of the bridge.

engineering: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (13) + 8 = 21

As noted in GM Nefreet's last post, everyone now gets a +2 to all acrobatics checks to cross the bridge.

Acrobatics: 1d20 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 2 + 2 = 16

Sisyar holds tight and walks slowly across the bridge. "Be careful out there guys!"

I don't get it. Are we at half speed or encumbered? My character is not encumbered but should be at half speed for high gravity.

Keeping her balance Lakritze moves across the bridge as far a possible. Arms are stretched outwards.
Acrobatics: 1d20 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 2 + 2 = 15 So 15 feet if there is enough space.

Too far away for flying i assume Ron?

I don't get it. Are we at half speed or encumbered? My character is not encumbered but should be at half speed for high gravity.

Everyone is at half speed, due to high gravity. If you are not encumbered... then you are not encumbered.

And just to clarify:

I assume Von Junzt, Lakritz and Sisyar are moving only 15 feet due to being "cautious"?

Yeah, that is correct. Only moving 15 feet.

I don't like that bridge. It looks WAAAAYYYYY too narrow, Lakri! BE CAREFUL!

Ronath offers up another titanium cable to help bolster the crossing should it be necessary, and travels last in case his size or weight collapses the bridge.

Ronath is going Mega Super Ultra Cautious across the bridge

Acrobatics: 1d20 - 1 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (9) - 1 + 2 + 2 = 12

Cletus's hard work pays off and everyone slowly shimmies their way across as the storm rages above!

Sisyar and Von Junzt are pummeled for 1d4 ⇒ 4 from windstrewn debris, and static begins to build up over their technological equipment.

The Crossing, Round 2

Cletus (9/9 SP; 12/12 HP; 0 Feet)
Lakritze (6/6 SP; 12/12 HP; 15 Feet)
Ronath (9/9 SP; 13/13 HP; 5 Feet)
Sisyar (3/7 SP; 10/10 HP; 15 Feet)
Von Junzt (2/10 SP; 16/16 HP; 15 Feet)
The Storm

Party is up!

Slow and steady big one! Be extra slow... One step after another... Lakritze keeps herself calm by trying to calm Ronath.

Slowly one foot forward then another across the bridge.
Acrobatics: 1d20 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 + 2 = 8 15 feet if there are no obstacles and/or other teammembers in the way.
So we will see if i fall or just become prone.

Acrobatics: 1d20 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 2 + 2 = 13

Sisyar continues to slowly cross the bridge, trying to avoid any windswept debris. Another 15 ft

Cletus will move cautiously across the bridge, as will ROL-R.

acrobatics: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 2 = 14
acrobatics, ROL-R: 1d20 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 5 + 2 = 22

Cletus will move ahead 10', ROL-R 15'

Acrobatics: 1d20 - 1 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (10) - 1 + 2 + 2 = 13

Okay, slow... very slow... not looking down or to the sides. Step. Step...

The blue continues to inch along the bridge, with a wary eye watching for Lakritze. Are you okay?

Von Junzt keeps moving ahead, certain the storm is targetting him.

Acrobatics: 1d20 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 3 + 2 = 23

This might be the first time Von Junzt reaches hit points damage...

As everyone cautiously makes their way across the bridge, a strong gust of wind knocks Lakritz right off the edge!

Reflex, Lakritz: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 4 = 22 (I don't see your saves anywhere on your profile, but I believe +4 is correct?)

Luckily the agile Shirren is able to catch a ledge before she plummets to the bottom of the ravine, but she is clinging to it precariously (it is a DC 13 Athletics to climb up as one action; Cletus and Ronath are close enough to Aid you if they want to use an action doing so)

Lakritze and Von Junzt (wow you are lucky!) are pummeled for 1d4 ⇒ 2 from windstrewn debris, and static begins to build up over your technological equipment.

The Crossing, Round 3

Cletus (9/9 SP; 12/12 HP; 10 Feet)
Lakritze (4/6 SP; 12/12 HP; 15 Feet)
Ronath (9/9 SP; 13/13 HP; 10 Feet)
Sisyar (3/7 SP; 10/10 HP; 30 Feet)
Von Junzt (0/10 SP; 16/16 HP; 30 Feet)
The Storm

Party is up!

LAKRI!! GRAB HAND!

Ronath bellows mentally even as his mouth opens up but words do not come out, a hand reaching out to provide his bondmate help getting up.

Ronath would like to spend an action to help Lakri get back up.

I really forgotten my saves... -.- +4 for Reflex is correct +2 from DEX and a good save for Envoy.

Thanks old friend. to Ronath.
She also sends a telepathic message to Cletus.
Can you please lend me a hand i am really, really bad at climbing.

Von Junzt keeps pushing through:

Acrobatics: 1d20 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 3 + 2 = 7

"I only need to roll above 5, there's no way I can fail this!" - plummets into the abyss

Cletus will move to assist Lakritze the best he can. Do I need to make an athletics check to assist?

Otherwise, he will move carefully, just a bit further this time.

acrobatics with engineering bonus: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 2 = 15
acrobatics for ROL-R: 1d20 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 5 + 2 = 19

Cletus might be able to move forward 5', unless he needs to stay close to continue to help Lakritze. ROL-R moves ahead 15'

Acrobatics: 1d20 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 + 2 = 11

Sisyar gets distracted. "We're almost there!" he yells out without looking behind.

Then he hears Lakritze fall off! 'Oh no!'. Sisyar trips on himself as he turns around to look.

Unfortunately, Lakritz simply can't hold onto the edge long enough for GM Quirk Cletus to reach her, and she slips from Ronath's hands...

2d6 ⇒ (5, 3) = 8 x 2 = 16

...landing 20 feet below with a sickening crunch.

Von Junzt is similarly knocked off the bridge by the heavy storm...

Reflex, Von Junzt: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9

...and is unable to grab an edge...

2d6 ⇒ (5, 5) = 10 x 2 = 20

...and tumbles down the ravine's edge, landing next to Lakritz.

Ronath, since it was just a single action to attempt to Aid Lakritz, you would still have a move action available. I will assume you would like to use your move action to fly down to her and Von Junzt?

This time Sisyar is pummeled for 1d4 ⇒ 4 from windstrewn debris.

The Crossing, Round 4

Cletus (9/9 SP; 12/12 HP; 20 Feet)
Lakritze (0/6 SP; 0/12 HP; Dying; Ravine)
Ronath (9/9 SP; 13/13 HP; Ravine?)
Sisyar (0/7 SP; 9/10 HP; 45 Feet)
Von Junzt (0/10 SP; 0/16 HP; Dying; Ravine)
The Storm

Party is up!

... Even mental words fail the dragonkin at his point -- not that there'd really be much of anyone to pick up on them.

Heedless of dangers from the wind or the close quarters he flings himself off the side. It's more a power-dive than a graceful glide given the windy conditions.

With trained skill and practised focus he starts going through the triage steps, doing his level best to NOT think about who his patients are but rather that he has two patients, both possibly with multiple fractures.

Both seem to be unconscious and bleeding.

Yes, he'd jump over, even if it was Von Junzt by himself -- Ronath is a Medic Theme.

This is going to take Ronath several rounds, and will also present the problem of 'Getting back up' once the patients are taken care of, good or ill.

Von Junzt uses a Resolve Point to stabilize.

Being stabilized by Ronath Lakritze wakes up by herself. DC for stabilizing is 15 for Medicine and i am spending 1 Resolve Point to regain 1 hp.

"That does hurt... but no wind down here." general telepathic sending 30 feet to the group.
Seeing the familiar face of Ronath Thanks Ron! Let me grab my healing serum i know better were exactly it is.

With ease her fingers went into the backpack and she pulls out the serum and drinks it. Serum of Healing MK.1: 1d8 ⇒ 6 Still laying on the groud.