[PaizoCon/Shifty] #3-09: Frozen Ambitions: Freeing the Herd (Inactive)

Game Master Nik B.

/dot in!

New images up in Maps & Images link - top left

***

You are all aboard a Veskarium transport ship, Kagzala’s Jewel, on the final leg of a tour through several remote worlds in Near Space. First Seeker Ehu Hadif has requested you join him for an emergency briefing in one of the starship’s meeting halls...

***

First Seeker Ehu Hadif springs to his feet excitedly and gestures for his guests to choose one of the comfortable seats available inside the cozy meeting room. “Thank you for responding so promptly. I know you’re all tired and looking forward to returning home, but starting now, our tour won’t be proceeding as scheduled. A few minutes ago, we received a transmission from a nearby planet that we believed to be uninhabited. I’ll play it for you.”

A flickering holovid of an aging dromada appears over Ehu’s datapad. The dromada’s fur is speckled with gray, and he speaks in a tired but firm voice: “I am Colrid of the Star Treader herd. We took refuge on Zrulik-3, but now many of our herd are—” Colrid’s image stutters as the message fades into garbled static. After a moment, the message resumes. “—attacks. If anyone can hear this, please help us.” Ehu paces anxiously as the message plays, his brow furrowed with concern.

“This is truly a strange coincidence,” Ehu explains. “Colrid is a retired Starfinder and an old friend of mine. We can’t always assist former Starfinders, but since we’re already here, I’d like to help him however we can. We’ve already changed course for Zrulik-3; we’ll reach orbit in a few minutes. Please prepare to board a shuttle and find out what’s going on planetside.

Across from First Seeker Ehu is a copaxi wearing imposing armor with a towering shield strapped to his pauldrons. His brow crests into stag-like antlers of coral, and a golden mote of energy orbits between the prongs. "Agatio is always amenable to helping past Starfinders. What dangers reside on Zrulik-3?"

"About Zrulik-3 itself, not much, to tell you the truth. It’s a remote world covered by thick forest. The Jewel’s crew say that landing might be tricky and scanning from orbit is nearly impossible. Pirates used the rock as a hideout in the past, but the High Despots put a stop to that after they began targeting vesk ships. I’m not surprised Colrid chose it as a hiding place.”

"As to the dangers themselves, the apex predator on Zrulik-3 is the zrulicat. A zrulicat can see in all directions at once and has a prehensile tentacle it uses to drag prey into its mouth. The beasts are solitary hunters that live deep in the forest, however, so you may not even encounter them.”

Joker-40 takes a seat in one of the offered chairs. His metal face is impassive as always with the only hint of emotion coming from the red glow of his eyes brightening as he listens.

"Saving a retired Starfinder...sounds beneficial to both my reputation and credit balance. But, you mentioned that they are using it as a hiding place. Do you know what they are hiding from?"

"Poachers, mostly"

“Dromadas are often skittish and rarely leave their herds, but Colrid was brave and independent. He once told me that he left his own herd in anger and sometimes regretted it. He wanted to fight the poachers that hunted them, but the others refused to stand together. He served as a Starfinder for many years, but his missions were often complicated by those who wanted to murder him for his meat—a despicable practice that still goes on today. He decided to retire after one of those monsters captured him and put his entire team in danger. I tried to talk him into staying, but he’d hear none of it.”

Agatio’s head tilts. ”Should we expect resistance to our help if he is suspicious of betrayal?”

On hearing Ehu Hadif's response Joker's eyes go dark black. "This is an unacceptable practice. I very much hope that we come across some of these poachers so I can show them the error of their ways."

There is a small red ysoki behind the Agatio's back. She hesitantly peers out from behind his towering shield. When the First Seeker Ehu talks about poachers, her fur stands on end, and her eyes widen.
This is the first assignment for Hack Wrench and she listens to her older comrades, trying not to interfere.

"He may be cautious, so it would be good to establish that you are Starfinders as quickly as possible to help develop trust"

"Joker I hope that if you come across poachers you do indeed show them the error of their ways, but I also hope you don't find poachers there, as that could signify things have become truly dire for the Star Treader herd

***

Zrulik-3 is covered in dense vegetation with no clearings large enough to land Kagzala’s Jewel, leaving you to pilot a small shuttle to the surface.

Colrid’s distress message broadcasts repeatedly but, true to Ehu’s warning, the signal is spotty, and the shuttle’s sensors are having trouble penetrating the thick canopy.

CC 15 Computers or Engineering check

Standing near the back of the room, a human woman at the back of the room and nods in agreement. She is in long flowing blue and gold robes over a suit of armour, the symbol of Saranrae hanging loosely in her robes.

"The dawn flower's light will be with us. I am not capable with these technologies but i can keep everyone intact where ever we travel.

If we can speak with him then we will make all attempts to use words instead of blades."

She hoists a backpack ready to head to the shuttle bay.

After the completion of the briefing Joker gathers together his gear and weapons and heads to the shuttle bay. Being a decent pilot he is comfortable with flying the shuttle down to the surface. Unfortunately, his skills with sensors and computers is extremely limited though.

"The distress signal is having trouble penetrating the canopy of trees. I'm not able to find it's location."

"Can I take over the work with computers and sensors?"

The Hack beeps softly.

"Go for it. I bet you won't have any problems pulling in that signal."

Huck walks over to the computer, her fingers running rapidly over the keyboard keys.
Computers: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (3) + 8 = 11

She's too nervous, her hands are shaking, and her mind can't focus on the task.
"I'm sorry, I don't think I can do it."

Agatio cracks his knuckles. "Can another triangulate the signal? Too hard to see through all the trees."

The ships sensors are having difficulty getting a read.

Anyone else able to attempt the skills?

"Maybe I can fly the shuttle in a specific search pattern that will allow us to gather multiple data points and make it easier for the computer to triangulate the signal's position? I know of a few such patterns but the planet's atmosphere might make it difficult to fly them effectively....doesn't hurt to try though."

Piloting: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (13) + 9 = 22

Joker does a few laps over the forest but still can't get a good spot for the comms systems to take over. He does manage to land perfectly in what appears to make for a reasonable clearing to set down in the early afternoon light.

You all disembark and push through the thick underbrush that cuts the light down to shadows and hampers and slows movement, trying to get your handheld instruments to hone in on the signal.

After several hours the light has gone altotgether and you are relying on your own illumination, but you do come across an abandoned shuttle partially concealed by vines. A quick investigation shows that the comm equipment on this ship is the source of Colrid’s message, though there’s no sign of him here now. A set of hooved tracks meanders around the clearing and appears to lead south to an overgrown trail.

Two survival checks to follow

Agatio looks around. "There are some hoof tracks there, plus this fallen shuttle. Where to next?" He arms his shield just in case.

Survival: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (1) - 1 = 0 Bahahaha

Yeah nah... Agatio couldn't find his own nose with that :)

Everyone can make a check untrained

Hack leans over and examines the tracks, trying to figure out where they lead.
Survivel: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15

Kai walks forward, a hand pressed to the ground.. "Solid land, it has been too long. Lets see how this place lies before us"

Survival: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (11) + 8 = 19

Joker slowly walks the perimeter around the shuttle just to make sure there aren't any signs of anybody or anything else that is interested in it.

Survival: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 4 = 22

The sharp-eyes Starfinders pick up the trail and make good headway.

A massive old-growth forest stretches unbroken for miles beyond the clearing. Trees with vibrantly pigmented bark form a nearly impenetrable living wall. A chorus of hoots and screeches reverberates through the humid air, and thorny vines grasp and tear with every step. Suddenly, all the cacophony dies away, and an uncomfortable silence settles over the trees.

You hear roars as two giant beasts appear - ready to pounce on you!

R1
The following can act!
Hack
Joker
Agatio

Agatio interposes himself between the beasts and the party, holding his riot shield and grasping his stellar mote. As he grabs the crystalline mote, his dominant arm becomes wreathed in golden light that extends this natural coral growths into imposing prongs. The air within 10 feet of the copaxi begins to ripple with heat.

Move to square while drawing solar weapon, standard activate radiation revelation. Stellar mode (photon) 1.

Battlemap is up in maps and slides all :)

Agatio takes a defensive position.

R1
The following can act!
Hack
Joker
Agatio - Acted

Joker pulls out his rifle and takes a shot at the beast he has the clearest shot at.

Tactical shirren-eye rifle: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22

 Preference is to shoot at the beast on the right using sniper's aim if needed. lol I sure seem to like the number 22.

Feel free to roll damage at the same time as the attack roll, that is a hit too :)

Damage: 1d10 ⇒ 5

Hack squeaks loudly:
"We are Starfinders! We came to Colrid's call to help him!"
She looks closely and tries to remember something about such beasts.
RECALL KNOWLEDGE Nature: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9

She also prepares an action to control her drone. If one of the beasts attacks, the drone will fire.
Tactical semi-automatic pistol: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10
Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 2

Jokers shot is right on target!

The greatcats seem like angry and vicious beasts, unlikely to understand what the words being said at them are, and probably taking the noises as being a sign you are indeed prey.

Hack can't recall anything about them.

The drone fires as the creatures lurch into action and the shot goes wide, echoing through the jungle.

They launch into the frey, moving in on Agatio, lashing with whip-like tentacles!

Black
Attack 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (20) + 8 = 28 vs KAC
Damage 2d6 + 10 ⇒ (1, 2) + 10 = 13

White
Attack 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 12 vs KAC
Damage 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7

One hits Agatio horribly, and has Grappled him!

Party up!

R1
Kai

R2
Hack
Joker
Agatio

B
W 5

"Hang in there, Agatio!"
In turn, Hack takes out a tactical semi-auto pistol and shoots at the beast that grappled Agatio.
Attack: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 2 = 18
Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 2
Her drone continues to shoot at the same animal it just missed.
Attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 19
Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 6

The crack of pistols echoes through the forest as the shots are fired - both Ysoki and Drone aiming true!

R1
Kai

R2
Hack - attacked
Joker
Agatio

B 8
W 5

Joker drops his rifle and moves toward the beast not currently grappling Agatio. A pistol appears in his hand and he quickly fires a shot at it.

Attack: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (11) + 6 = 17
Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 1

Joker moves up a square to be closer to the beast than the rest of the party. Uses his quick release sheath to draw his pistol.

Agatio cries out as the tentacle ensnares him. "Everybody keep back! It's gonna get hot in here!" He thrashes around and tries to free himself.

Black needs a Fortitude save (DC 14) against the radiation, or he's sickened as long as he's within 10 feet of Agatio. All of Agatio's allies should similarly keep their distance for if/when he supernovas.

Photon mode 2. Standard break grapple; if successful, move guarded step 1 square southeast (relieving black but triggering a save from white).

Escape Grapple (DC = KAC + 8): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (15) + 6 = 21

Joker positions and fires, tagging the beast!

Fort 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7
The radiation from Agatio makes the beast feel ill and weakened. Well timed for Agatio to make his escape - and he slips from teh creatures grasp.

R1
Kai

R2
Hack - attacked
Joker - attacked
Agatio - attacked

B 9 (Sickened)
W 5

Kai up!

Kai reaches a hand out towards black and pushes a hand in its direction

"Flee beast, we will be no one's meal"

As she speaks heat rises around the creature as the light of the dawn flower rises around. Lack.

(mind thrust dc 14 will save for half)

mind: 2d10 ⇒ (1, 4) = 5

Will 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5
Kai manages to overcome the beast's willpower and give it a mental blast!

***

The creature with the black tinged fur lashes at Joker...
Attack 1d20 + 8 - 2 ⇒ (2) + 8 - 2 = 8 vs KAC
Damage 1d6 + 5 - 2 ⇒ (5) + 5 - 2 = 8
But weakened as it is, the attack is nowhere near where it needs to be.

The white trimmed fur lashes at Agatio!
Attack 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (15) + 8 = 23 vs KAC
Damage 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7
It seems to be determined to devour him!

R2
Kai

R3
Hack
Joker
Agatio

B 14 (Sickened)
W 5

Joker deftly avoids the attacks of the black tinged beast. Deciding that they need to try and finish one off as quickly as possible he quickly fires off 2 shots in succession at it.

Attack: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8
Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 2

Attack: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 2 = 17
Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 1

*dink*

As Joker fires the pistol within striking distance, the beast reacts!

As it is no longer grappling, you have triggered a reaction by firing a ranged weapon in melee combat range...

Attack 1d20 + 8 - 2 ⇒ (3) + 8 - 2 = 9 vs KAC

But the blow is ineffective!

The creature is wounded further.

R2
Kai

R3
Hack
Joker - attacked
Agatio

B 15 (Sickened)
W 5

Kai looks around and mentally lifts a rock and hefts it over at black.
TK rock: 1d20 ⇒ 71d6 ⇒ 6

she will then begin to move around to prepare a flank
((no one is into hp or anything i think))

The rock flies wide, and Kai starts repositioning

R2
Kai - acted

R3
Hack
Joker - attacked
Agatio

B 15 (Sickened)
W 5

Agatio glances at the two cats, seeing they're too far away from each other to activate his supernova. He steps closer to the cat the others are targeting and takes a swing.

Move guarded step, standard attack black. Photon mode fully attuned.

Attack vs Black KAC (solar weapon): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10
Damage (slashing, photon mode): 1d6 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 7 + 1 = 14 plus 1 electricity

Hack and her dron continue shooting the beasts.

Attack: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 2 = 19
Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 4

Attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11
Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 1

Hack and the drone manage to get another round on target.

The creature with the black tinged fur lashes at Joker once more!
Attack 1d20 + 8 - 2 ⇒ (18) + 8 - 2 = 24 vs KAC
Damage 1d6 + 5 - 2 ⇒ (5) + 5 - 2 = 8
It appears to have rallied somewhat, but is on its last legs!

The white trimmed fur lashes at Agatio again, keen for a meal.
Attack 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (12) + 8 = 20 vs KAC
Damage 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10
It has his measure and thinks it has this battle won...

R3
Kai

R4
Hack
Joker
Agatio

B 19 (Sickened)
W 5

White has 20 foot reach?!

Agatio swings again at the nearer beast. "I'm gonna need an assist soon." he mutters through the pain. "If I go down, there is a serum in the left pouch on my pack."

Standard attack black, move guarded step.

Attack vs Black KAC (solar weapon): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11
Damage (slashing, photon mode): 1d6 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 7 + 1 = 14 plus 1 electricity

Sorry should have stepped them up with you - 15' reach

Agatio weathers the storm and steps in, finishing the greatcat!

R3
Kai

R4
Hack
Joker
Agatio

B Dead
W 5

With the death of black Jocker turns his attention to white and fires 2 shots at it.

"Great Job Agatio! Just one left!"

Attack: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 2 = 19
Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 3

Attack: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7
Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 2