SFS 4-01 Year of the Data Scourge Intro (KS) (Inactive)

Game Master phaeton_nz

I spend a resolve to stabalize.
we still have any of those vending machine syrums left?

Taking a ten minute rest before heading off is quite conceivable

One vote for the Freemarket so far

With the shirren mercenary not answering, T| takes one of the looted Mark I healing serums and administers it to the fallen kalo.

Healing serum: 1d8 ⇒ 8

Looking up from where she's sitting on the ground, rubbing a bruise on one of her tentacles, ZeeZee shares thoughtfully, "I don't know about the rest of you, but I am far better with people that just clearing things out. I definitely think I will be more useful at the Freemarkets than just clearing out the intersections between here and there."

"Sure, let's go after everyone who needs to has rested up."

DV sits up with a hand on his head.
"Did someone get the number on that hover bus?"[b]
He shakes himself slightly.
[b]"Thanks for the serum T|. Did I hear something about the free markets. Yeah I think I can do that. Just give me a moment."
Spent a resolve to recover Stamina

”Quite so, though I must say I worry what havoc this technological coup has wrought within the Lorespire Complex. Some of the archives there could be quite dangerous if compromised. If we must detour through the Freemarket I’m sure some good will come of it, but I suggest we get our own oxygen mask on first before assisting others.”

Inovu votes for the Lorespire Complex so refugees can be brought there once it’s secure, but is not opposed to the Freemarket option. He will also spend a Resolve on a 10-minute rest to recover the trample damage to his Stamina.

"Freemarkets might have useful supplies? It could be worth looking for some of those since we do have this clunky vehicle thing to carry stuff back for us. Normally I'd be all for getting out of this thing as soon as possible but one thing I do know is that scavenging supplies can often be one of the key components of survival in situations like this."

I will likewise spend a resolve to regain stamina points since I took both of those tramples as well.

"Helping people isn't our highest priority--it's finding out more about what happened. Of course, if we can help fellow sophonts it'll help the Society's reputation."

"Helping people may not be the highest of priorities, but typically people who have been helped are more willing to help you.. us. I mean, maybe they will have some information that could be useful for us in figuring out what has happened."

ZeeZee then mutters to herself, " I spent too much time with those skitter interns before I left... Helping people will get them to help you? Oh boy..."

Also spending the resolve to recover Stamina.

So I guess it's off to the Freemarkets once you've recovered.

The gilded doors to this marketplace have been forcibly pried open and jammed with a cement block. The door’s automated mechanism stutters as the portal repeatedly slams against the obstruction. A gleaming statue of Abadar presides over the entrance, welcoming patrons and merchants alike to what is usually a busy shopping centre. Beyond the shrine, several escalators and lifts are frozen in place, and light fixtures flicker intermittently, casting misshapen shadows over the booths and storefronts that compose the multilevel structure.

Once you enter the Freemarkets you spot one of the local proprietors, a female ysoki named Dot (Picture on slides) waving a t-shirt from outside of her second floor pawnshop. The touristy t-shirt features a symbol of Abadar encircled with the words 'Freemarkets of Absalom Station.” Dot is a gossipy but knowledgeable senior businesswoman who runs one of the more successful operations in the market. She invites you into her cramped store to get your bearings and rest.

I KNEW this was coming. she exclaims Digital this, digital that, and all interconnected. It was only a matter of time before Absalom Station gained sentience. Now it's going to either destroy us as parasites or assimilate us into robotic servants - Cybermen or something. We're going to have to form some sort of resistance before we all get control chips in our heads. People who already have implants are probably robotic zombies by now. So, we're going to have to go back to devices that our Machine Overloads can't control.

She pulls down an analogue radio from a shelf. Are any of you able to repair this? she asks.

Engineering, Physical Science, or Profession(Electrician]

"I'll take a look at it." Though he doesn't feel very competent at the moment, T| takes out his toolkit and tries to repair the radio.

Engineering check: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (11) + 9 = 20

Tik succeeds in getting the radio working which makes Dot very happy.

She then asks the strongest looking person to fetch some heavy crates from the back of her shop.

Perception to find the crates and athletics to move them

Arboreal shivers at the thought of robotic zombie people. "Wait... do you think they could really take over people who have implants? That sounds horrible! Should I stop wearing armor too, then? Are batteries also explosive? Oh... I really should have paid more attention to mechanics back in school."

They shake their head. "You know what? Forget I asked, I don't want to know. I'm just... going to go back to moving around supplies. That's... far easier to understand."

Perception: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (8) + 0 = 8

Athletics: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 = 13

Though despite what they say it appears they're still pretty shaken up by Dot's rant and can't focus on the work so well.

Jyskos looks concerned as Dot ushers them in.

"I am most concerned by this development, can you tell us anything else Dot? I'm Jyskos by the way, charmed to meet you." Jyskos says, flashing a big charming smile at Dot.

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (20) + 6 = 26
Athletics: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 1 = 16

Eager to get this situation under control, Jyskos takes his time to search and grab a crate or two.

"I'm beginning to wonder why I ever left Vesk 2. All these robotic things are a bit overwhelming. ZeeZee mutters to herself in Iji.

Then looking over at the ysoki (and knowing she won't be any help with the crates) she tries to start a conversation, "Is there anything else of use here? I mean, obviously the people here are fighting back," she says as she gestures at the pried open door. "Do you think that we have a way we can out think these things?"

The ysoki grins. "I'm better at this lifting thing than I look. One of the benefits of basic training!"

Athletics check to Aid Another: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (9) + 7 = 16

As he works at moving the crates, shifting even heavy ones by a combination of cleverness and leverage, he continues, "I don't know as they were fighting back. That looks like it might have been simple larceny when the alarms went down. Not sure if this is an organized attack, either. Lots of random stuff, but no sign of, of coherence in the opposition. Know what I mean? Another thing: station life support hasn't gone down, the artificial gravity still works--whatever it is, it's oddly restricted in scope. The Venture-Captains should know more. I hope Guidance is still on line!"

It's only a matter of time Dot replies. It's early days yet. Perhaps the new AI is still acting like a baby but it'll grow up quickly.

Jsykos, with T|'s help are able to locate and move the crates.

There's a group of relief works trying to help people caught up in this apocalypse. These crates contain charged batteries and bottled water. If you could deliver these, I'd be most grateful.

She offers as reward, spellgems of jolting surge and patch tech, a mrk 1 ring of resistance and a brown force field armour upgrade.

She also gives you directions to an open-air pavilion at the edge of the Freemarkets sometimes used for outdoor concerts and dramatic performances.

"Happy to be of help citizen. Don't worry, we'll take care of this tyrannical team of technological toys in no time."

"Can do, Dot." To the rest of the party: "Who wants what? I wouldn't mind the force-field upgrade, and I think Arboreal is the only one who can use the gems."

”Much obliged, m’lady, now we’ll try to get this worked out in a jiffy,” Inovu says with a wide smile. Once they group is further from Dot’s stall, he gives his companions a wide-eyed stare and spins a finger around his ear, indicating the ysoki may have a few screws loose.

((Hey, when I played it, that was my PC's pet theory for a while :) ))

Located in a cul-de-sac surrounded by the crowded stalls and storefronts of the Freemarkets, a small circular platform stands in an open pavilion. Theatrical lights accent the stage, and various audiovisual equipment is integrated into the platform, though currently no performers occupy it. A pallet of crates containing emergency relief supplies— blankets, first aid materials, rations, and water—stands to the west of the performance area. A handful of harried-looking relief workers in bright orange safety vests tend to dozens of injured and panicked individuals of several different species.

You can assess the situation after they deliver Dot’s supplies and realize that the overworked volunteers need help.

Each PC can attempt a single check to assist the emergency relief workers;

Calm the Crowd: Many individuals in the crowd are panicking, and some have experienced traumatic accidents or can’t contact loved ones during the crisis. A PC who succeeds at a Diplomacy, Profession (counselor), or Profession (psychologist) check can help calm these individuals down.

Direct the Masses: The crowds are disorganized and full of people wandering aimlessly. PCs who succeed at a Diplomacy or Intimidate check convince the crowds to form orderly queues to receive assistance.

Medical Triage: Some of the crowd sustained minor injuries or are suffering from exhaustion or shock. PCs who succeed at a Life Science or Medicine check can treat their symptoms.

Organize Supplies: In the aftermath of the digital attacks, emergency workers and volunteers rushed to respond by loading random supplies haphazardly onto transports and dispatching them to densely populated sectors of the Station. A PC who succeeds at a Perception or Survival check can help the workers organize and distribute supplies more efficiently.

T|'s whiskers twitch. "Maybe so. We need to find out more if we're going to deal with the problem, though."

As the team approaches the platform, the ysoki calls out, "We have supplies from Dot--charged batteries and bottled water. Where do you want them?"

One of the harried volunteers points to the pallet of crates.

Sorry; replied before I saw the options for PC actions.

Once the supplies are in place, T| tsks at the way everything has been piled up. "I think I can do something with this."

Survival check to organize the crates and such: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (9) + 9 = 18

Jyskos brings the supplies in and places them on the crates that the volunteer points to, and then looks around to see what else they can do to help.

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10

"Right, let's organise this mess and send the right supplies to the right people!" say Jyskos, getting stuck in.

However, Jyskos starts to get confused by the different labels and isn't quite sure what goes where.

"Alright people, LINE UP. This is not a drill! Any disorderly shoving or line cutting you you'll be sent to the highest authorities on charges of harassment, looting, and jay walking! This is a relief mission and we are civilized beings, now hop to it!"
intimidate: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8
Darkvoid realizes at this point he hasn't turned on his external speaker and that his suit he several slow leaks from being run over by a rampaging mech.
"I'll just be over here then if anyone needs me"
He slinks of to the corner hoping his allies have a better time of managing things.

Arboreal trundles over and tries to calm down the panicked people. "Hey, everyone. Look, we need to work together here to solve the problem. Panic isn't going to help us, stick together and we can all stay strong!"

Diplomacy to calm the crowd: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8

The panic in their own voice is just leaking through too much for anyone to take them seriously...

Success, Failure, Failure, Failure

Unfortunately, even though your intentions are good, at least three of you just manage to get in the way and make the job harder. Ann exasperated bantrid worker begs you to help by staying out of the way.

As this is going on, you see four polyphonic oozes, moving along the street and playing something that sounds sweet and pastural with a lot of bird calls. However, as they see the crowd, they switch to the opening bars of the "Immigrant Song" and attack mindlessly.

Sound Track

Initiatives:
red: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 1 = 17
blue: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 1 = 11
green: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5
yellow: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9

Arboreal: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 3 = 22
Tik: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 17
Inovu: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 1 = 19
Jyskos: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (14) + 9 = 23
Zamba: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12
Darkvoid: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (15) + 3 = 18

Order: Jykos, Arboreal, Inovu, Darkvoid, Tik, Red, Zamba, Blue, Yellow, Green

Everyone but Zamba is up.

No worries if it's too late, but Inovu would have tried to calm the crowd.

Diplomacy Expertise: 1d6 ⇒ 6
Diplomacy: 1d20 + 9 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 9 + 6 = 22

***

When the oozes break onto the scene, Inovu pulls out his survival knife. "I know its a crisis and all, but blimey, can we get something that doesn't want to make things worse?"

Move action to use Not In The Face on Yellow (DC 13), Standard action to move.

T| quickly turns to Inovu. "No. Next question!" Then he sprints across the square, drawing his laser pistol.

Double move plus draw.

darkvoid draws his static arc pistol and moves behind some cover.

Jyskos moves behind the Kalo and pulls out their Diffraction Perforator Pistol.

"Alright all, time to beat this monsters!"

Jyskos has NO IDEA what these things are

"Oh boy... here we go!" Arboreal sprints down the walkway area, up to the strange gelatinous creatures.

Double move up to the jello monsters.

Red double moves to the nearest Starfinder blaring out something that sounds like the 4th movement of the "William Tell Overture"

Soundtrack

Zamba is up

Is there any skill we could use to identify the oozes?

Life Science

Zamba will work to identify the creatures. Move action to identify with her microlab.

Life Science: 20 + 11 = 31

The Zamba moves a little bit further away from the gelatinous creatures, and closer to the party.

Polyphonic Gels, used in some sound systems. They react to sound with pulsing colours and also amplifying it. They are also immune to sonic damage.

The other three charge in while playing Wagner, and surround Arboreal, each trying to hit her with a pseudopod

blue: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22 sonic: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4
green: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (18) + 6 = 24 sonic: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7
yellow: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (20) + 6 = 26 sonic: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3 crit: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8

Soundtrack

Ouchies!

Everyone but Zamba is up.

Tik snaps off a shot at Red before sidestepping away.

Stealth check for trick attack: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (19) + 15 = 34

Laser pistol vs. flatfooted EAC: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13
Fire damage, if applicable, including trick attack: 1d4 + 1d4 ⇒ (2) + (2) = 4

”Hold tight, Arboreal!” Inovu cries, stepping up behind the green ooze and stabbing at it with his knife. Move action to guarded step, Standard action to attack.

Survival Knife with flank: 1d20 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 1 + 2 = 20
Slashing damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

Darkvoid tumbles around his cover to fire a shot at red.
acrobatics to trick: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (13) + 10 = 23
vs EAC: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 3 = 22
damage(E): 1d6 ⇒ 2
trick: 1d4 ⇒ 3

Arboreal stumbles back, the first two hits sting and wear them down, the last one shakes them down enough to cause them to spit up sweet smelling blood sap on to the ground. An aura of swirling white and black light flash around them as each blow connects.

"Well... that packed a bit more bite than I expected, I admit. But, you shouldn't waste so much of your energy on me. Here. Take some of it back! "

Entropic Strike vs Green's EAC with flank: 1d20 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 5 + 2 = 15

Acid damage with 2 entropy points: 1d3 + 2d4 ⇒ (3) + (2, 4) = 9

Move action spend 2 of those points I just got and standard try to hit this horrible creature. Also, I only have 1 HP left so owwwwww!

Green: -12, Red: -9, Yellow: 0, Blue: 0

((Waiting on Jykos))

This is one of those times that we could have used a big vesk soldier with an 18 STR and a doshko. We're all pretty accurate, but none of us does a lot of damage.

Jyskos will do a Trick Attack vs Red after he sees Arboreal get absolutely SLAPPED.

"Hang on, we'll save ya!"

Bluff Check vs CR: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (1) + 14 = 15

Well CR-5 isn't going to help...rolling a nat 1 at a time like this...

Jyskos tries (and fails) to pull some fancy bluff movements and fires his pistol.

Diffraction Perforator Pistol vs Red EAC: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24

If Hit:
Sonic Damage: 1d4 ⇒ 2

Of course. Roll a Nat 1 on the Trick and then Crit with the attack...but it's an Ooze...sigh...

Green: -12, Red: -11, Yellow: 0, Blue: 0

Red attempts to smack Inovu accompanied by sounds like POW! SMASH! ZAP!

pseudopod: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7 sonic: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

followed by a Wah Wah Wahhhhh .... ((sad trombone))

Zamba is up.

My attack does nothing I think. It's immune to Sonic and I forgot.

Zee Zee looks at Arboreal, and loads a mk 1 Serum of Healing into her Liquidator Caustoject, then shoots it at her.

Healing: 1d8 ⇒ 2

Move action to load, Standard to shoot

Green: -12, Red: -9, Yellow: 0, Blue: 0

Green 'turns around' and smacks Inovu
Yellow goes for Arboreal and so does Blue

pseudopod: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22 sonic: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7 green
pseudopod: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11 sonic: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3 blue
pseudopod: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12 sonic: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5 yellow

Everyone but Zamba is up.