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Chivix reeled backwards from the blow and shook his head. Instead of a single target in front of him, he saw hundreds as his compound eyes seemed to stop focusing the light field in concert. But, that was okay, because he had Gravy. He closed his eyes and let the AI take over the aiming, merely pulling the trigger on his laser rifle when the AI told him he was pointing in the right direction.
Kōlēfō lands a lucky shot on the invisible construct, while Xin-Da-Rik flails wildly into space and Shim-Shim's shot hits the opposite wall. Roquefort lands a clean hit, but the laser bolt vanishes as though absorbed by a black hole immediately upon contact with the construct's undamaged skin; evidently the machine is immune to laser attacks. Chivix's attack disappears like Roquefort's, while Buff-Bot whiffs but grants inspiration to the party.
As Chivix moves away and Buff-Bot uses a ranged weapon, they both get struck by the constructs. One follows Chivix and lands a crushing blow on the shirren, while the other continued striking Xin-Da-Rik, the kish's armor absorbing one blow but his face absorbing the second.
~Round 4 (bold may act)~
Roquefort (true seeing)
Buff-Bot (35 damage; 19 bludgeoning damage [1 strike]) (action readied: improved get 'em attack if struck)
Xin-Da-Rik (75 damage; 15 bludgeoning damage [1 strike]) (Blind-Fight)
Chivix (65 damage; 44 bludgeoning damage [2 strikes]) (blindsense 30 ft)
Kōlēfō
Shim-Shim (shaken for 17 rounds)
Red invisible attacker (65 damage, improved get 'em)
Green invisible attacker (26 damage, flat-footed, improved get 'em)
Xin-Da-Rik finally connects with the golem and cuts deep into it, creating a sound of rattling metal as it collapses. Shim misses with his sword and gets grazed by an opportunistic attack as he closes. Kōlēfō, however, scores a hit.
~Round 4 (bold may act)~
Roquefort (true seeing)
Buff-Bot (35 damage)
Xin-Da-Rik (75 damage; 15 bludgeoning damage [1 strike]) (Blind-Fight)
Chivix (65 damage; 44 bludgeoning damage [2 strikes]) (blindsense 30 ft)
Kōlēfō
Shim-Shim (shaken for 17 rounds; 12 bludgeoning damage [1 strike])
Red invisible attacker (destroyed)
Green invisible attacker (60 damage, flat-footed, improved get 'em)
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With that last blow, Chivix crumpled to the ground, bleeding from a rather nasty crack in his carapace. Gravy's autonomoic responses kicked in, and the AI flooded the shirren's systems with a custom mix of synthetic adrenaline and musculostimulants. With a gasp, the shirren's back arched and he stabilized.
The ysoki lands a hit with his semi-auto, provoking the machine to emit a crescendo of grating noises that sound like a mix between screaming and grinding metal. It lunges erratically at Roquefort, clipping him once in the shoulder but pounding pavement with its other fist. It lashes out at the charging kish, but misses as the gladiator buries his sword into its torso, bringing it down.
Party Status
Roquefort (true seeing) (16 bludgeoning damage [1 strike])
Buff-Bot (35 damage)
Xin-Da-Rik (90 damage)
Chivix (104 damage, stable)
Kōlēfō
Shim-Shim (shaken for 16 rounds; 12 bludgeoning damage)
As you help Chivix get back on his feet, harsh lighting suddenly illuminates the area and nearby hatches close with heavy thuds. Firing thrusters signal the rapid approach of several security robots . They come to a hover nearby and a speaker system projects a cool, clipped voice that modulates slightly before settling.
“Intruders. Provisional greetings extended. This facility requires assistance. The test subject who self-designates as THE VAULT LORD endangers one of this facility’s primary power cores. Proximity and combat assessment of the intruders self-designated as STARFINDERS has determined risk parameters are acceptable. Emergency protocols activated. Internal maintenance and control systems offline at three locations within facility sector 0A515. Schematics and waypoints ready for transmission and acceptance by those self-designated and now accepted as STARFINDERS. Instructions for repair and reactivation included. Biometric scan in progress. Kinesthetic and biochemical response indicates confusion. Please state any queries in a prompt and ordered fashion.”
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Kōlēfō hops down and examines the dragon.
"This fellow has lots of tech stuck in him. Maybe should have gone for armor instead."
Hearing the new robots speak, Kōlēfō shrugs three sets of shoulders and answers, "Always good to hear that my risk parameters are acceptable. So are we just supposed to fix these malfunctions, or do you want us to take down the Vault Lord too? Or is one likely to follow the other?" He then pulls out a datapad and prepares to receive the schematics.
Hearing the new robots speak, Kōlēfō shrugs three sets of shoulders and answers, "Always good to hear that my risk parameters are acceptable. So are we just supposed to fix these malfunctions, or do you want us to take down the Vault Lord too? Or is one likely to follow the other?" He then pulls out a datapad and prepares to receive the schematics.
“A simulation experienced unexpected power fluctuations and systemic failure of internal control systems. Repair is high priority. Probability of interference by test subject VAULT LORD is 98%. Probability of PROTEAN INCURSION is 0.02%. Loss of test data and irrecoverable corruption of test subjects is likely. The facility power core AA3 is the predicted target within an acceptable level of certainty. Secondary loss of vault and destruction of test subjects anticipated if the intrusion is not stopped.”
He looks back at the robots "Sounds like you have a problem you'd like our assistance with. Tell us more about this 'vault lord'? Also, I assume you have been sent by the intelligence running this facility?"
“Data security protocol disabled. Simulation irretrievably compromised.” The voice changes, sounding prerecorded. “Simulation #9,377. Planet Golarion, Circa ERROR Absalom Reckoning, local calendar approximation. Investigation of the culture and behaviors of dominance-seeking species-classification. Contemplatives traveling from Planet Akiton to Planet Golarion. Contemplatives designated as only possible species matching requirements of historical subject designated as RUNELORD. Specific subject’s behavior became erratic 0.8 local calendar years into the initial test. Communications and control of simulation lost 1.1 calendar years into the test. Hostile contact made with test subject 1.2 calendar years into the test. Test subject continues to exhibit dominance-seeking behavior and erratic exhibition of hatred and curiosity toward the guiding intelligence of this facility. Subject possesses intellect multiple deviations above species standard and continues to self-enhance with materials from compromised simulations. Subject behavioral model has no satiation point for dominance or self-improvement.”
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Roquefort pulls out his substantial medkit and starts working on Chivix.
Roquefort admires the initial bandaging, "Looks like you need a bit more though" - the Operative begins casting spells.
Mystic Cure
Mystic Cure
"Best I can do on the spot, a bit of rest would clear up a lot of what's left, could get you spick and span by this time tomorrow."
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Buff-Bot quickly takes a knee next to Chivix. YOUR WOUNDS APPEAR TO BE WELL TENDED TO BY ROQUEFORT. INFORM ME IF YOU REQUIRE ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE. WILL TEND TO XIN-DA-RA'S WOUNDS.
With that he assesses Xin's damage and pulls out a medkit. I POSSESS A HEAL-BOT 9000 SERIES MEDKIT. ALLOW ME TO PERFORM REPAIRS STROKE FIRST AID AS REQUIRED.
Buff-Bot grits his teeth. While he's decent at advertising them, his practical skills are apparently lacking. Sheepishly he takes a knee over by the dragon corpse and rests up.
He considers the statements by the drones as he collects himself. QUERY: RELEVANCE OF PROTEAN INCURSION REFERENCE? STATED PROBABILITY IS LOW, LIKELY INSIGNIFICANT, HOWEVER INCLUSION IN STATEMENT APPEARS TO NOTE IMPORTANCE.
SECOND QUERY: VAULT LORD CAPABILITIES. PRIOR NOTES IMPLY FORMIDIBLE NATURE, LIKELY OUTSIDE OF CAPABILITY OF MOST STARFINDERS. ASSUMPTION: MISSION REQUIREMENTS INCLUDE REPAIR OF FACILITY, NOT DESTRUCTION OF VAULT LORD. CONFIRM?
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"Thank you both. this shirren is feeling much better now. Perhaps on the morning the span will be nice and spicked, friend Roquefort."
Chivix hauled himself to his feet and thoroughly cleaned his armor of any residual fluids before attending to the equipment on the fallen dragon that Buff-bot was looking at.
"The contemplative entity named Runelord is apparently succeeding rather well in its simulation. This shirren wonders if it went beyond the parameters of the test. If this shirren and friends are fated to restrain this creature and restore the Vault, then this shirren can move on. This shirren's injuries are mostly minor at this point."
The mechanic pressed a button and gave a small hiss of soothing as injectors hidden within his armor gave him another boost to his health.
SP 56/56
HP 42/48
RP 5/8
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As soon as the last enemy has fallen, Xin-Da-Rik emits a long, drawn-out howl after which he slightly tiredly sinks down on some curb.
- Good hunting. I'm OK, Bluff-Bot. Let's take a break.
While resting you can see that he is clicking on his tablet the best moments from the video that was shot by his go pro camera fixed somewhere in the armor. Oh, she'll like that, yes - he mutters to himself. You think he was filming this for someone.
He considers the statements by the drones as he collects himself. QUERY: RELEVANCE OF PROTEAN INCURSION REFERENCE? STATED PROBABILITY IS LOW, LIKELY INSIGNIFICANT, HOWEVER INCLUSION IN STATEMENT APPEARS TO NOTE IMPORTANCE.
SECOND QUERY: VAULT LORD CAPABILITIES. PRIOR NOTES IMPLY FORMIDIBLE NATURE, LIKELY OUTSIDE OF CAPABILITY OF MOST STARFINDERS. ASSUMPTION: MISSION REQUIREMENTS INCLUDE REPAIR OF FACILITY, NOT DESTRUCTION OF VAULT LORD. CONFIRM?
"Standard operating procedure demands inclusion of the two most probable causes of notable events, regardless of probability delta. Destruction of test subject VAULT LORD is requested. Test subject VAULT LORD is projected to continue assimilating sectors of this facility at an accelerating pace. Behavior modeling predicts the test subject will seek the surface of this facility and search for vehicles
capable of transport away from this facility to continue dominance-seeking conduct. Assessment of all suitable vehicles indicates a 78% probability that the test subject will identify the vehicles at the intruder-Starfinder landing point as most easily compromised.”As the party rests and indicates a willingness to cooperate, the drones are eventually accompanied by an automated enercopter set to an advanced autopilot. The vehicle flies you to a hatch exiting this vault and leading into an access corridor. The corridor twists through the moon for several miles before emerging from a twisted stone archway in a new simulation.
Blue lights permeates the area, and scattered remnants of undead litter the dock. A burst of light explodes outside a nearby view port. Starships engage in deadly dogfights in the void while massive defense batteries pour kinetic blasts into bone-forged dreadnoughts. A pale blue light flows from the bone ships and hungrily eats away at the active shielding around the station. The living fire blots out the stars, encompassing every part of the horizon until the whole universe burns.
The directions from the guiding intelligence lead further into the re-creation of Kavalasa’s Arm. Signs of combat and damage to the station are present everywhere, but the guiding intelligence routes you away from the ongoing battles to reach the customs hub that conceals the control system. Dripping vital fluids spill from dozens of dead scattered around the customs hub. Inanimate corpses concentrate around a few resistance points, torn apart by explosives and weapons fire. Flashing warnings ordering evacuation fill most of the functioning holoprojectors. The battle outside the station continues to rage as bits of blue fire slip through the shields and fall on the station like rain, searing their way inside.
A drove of undead, their skin leathery skin obviously long exposed to vacuum and solar radiation, feasts on fallen corpses. The undead horde is does not notice you enter.
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Being the cultural and mystical maven that he is, Roquefort confirms his supicions quickly on his datapad. "The stone archway is a landmark in this recreated portion of Fardock on Absalom Station. The events taking place outside are similar to reports about the famous Magefire Assault, when the Eoxian bone sages attacked Absalom Station in 7 A.G."
He enjoys the enercopter ride, happy to be above and out of the line of fire.
Roquefort gets into cover and examines the undead.
Mysticism
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Buff-bot checks to make sure that the surveying equipment is undamaged and set to record the remainder of the vault reset, then hops onto the enercopter.
THAT IS... MOST INTRIGUING. MISSION PARAMETERS INDICATED AVOIDANCE OF ENGAGING WITH VAULT LORD AS DESIRABLE, HOWEVER PRESENT SITUATION APPEARS TO PRECLUDE THAT OPTION.
He shifts his handaxe back into it's earlier disguise of a clipboard, then keeps it on hand as he climbs aboard the enercopter.
GIVEN DESCRIPTION OF VAULT LORD, RECOMMENDATION: REMAIN ALERT AND ARMED.
As the starfinders zoom past the arch Buff-Bot nods affirmatively at Roquefort's assessment. DESCRIPTION APPEARS ACCURATE. TACTICAL ASSESSMENT: HOSTILE ENGAGEMENT LIKELY TO OCCUR EN ROUTE TO DESTINATION. MODERN ENERCOPTER LIKELY FAST ENOUGH TO OUTPACE MOST PERIOD VEHICLES, HOWEVER QUANTITY OF HOSTILES INDICATES ENGAGEMENT INEVITABLE.
In his other hand he produces a graviton pistol. QUERY AND REQUEST FOR CONSENT. PRESENT ARMAMENTS INCLUDE GRAVITON PISTOL CAPABLE OF FORCEFULLY REPOSITIONING COMBATANTS WITHOUT DEGRADATION OF COMBATANT'S STRUCTURE OR HEALTH. REQUEST PERMISSION TO UTILIZE WEAPONRY ON ALLIES IN THE EVENT THAT A TACTICAL ADVANTAGE CAN BE GAINED BY SUCH ACTION.
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"Move me wherever you need to," Kōlēfō responds, staring out the window. "I'll be able to get out easily enough."
He then pulls out his quill and notepad (which he can conveniently do while still holding multiple weapons) and starts sketching some of the battle below.
"And let me know if you need me to take the stick."
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"Chivix, too, recognizes this event and depiction. Strange, though, how all the magefire disappears in the far infrared spectrum. Chivix wonders if this is a limitation of the simulation, or a real phenomena?"
At Buffbot's statement, Chivix indicates assent. "Permission granted, friend Buff-Bot 9000. Chivix's weaponry is of a far more...physical nature. Please be aware of this as combat is engaged."
Chivix pulls a grenade from a stickypatch and prepares to arm it if combat is engaged.
Shim revs up his energy shield, catching a couple of the undead's attention.
~Surprise Round (1 move or standard action) (bold may post)~
Kōlēfō
Shim-Shim (+10 temp HP, energy shield)
Xin-Da-Rik
Roquefort
Buff-Bot
Chivix
~Round 1~
Kōlēfō
Shim-Shim (+10 temp HP, energy shield)
Xin-Da-Rik
Wights
Roquefort
Buff-Bot
Chivix
Without a clear charge lane, Xin-Da-Rik runs out ahead of the group and prepares for the coming attack.
Kōlēfō's combined shots bring down the nearest wight, as does Shim's shot and Xin's swing when they shriek and attack (expectedly). The last wight from across the holographic starship display scrambles over the plants to get near Xin, but lacks the momentum to attack. Another from around the left facility charges the kish and bites his shoulder, while the others round the bend and come for the skittermanders.
~Round 1 (bold may post)~
Roquefort
Buff-Bot
Chivix
???
~Round 2~
Kōlēfō
Shim-Shim (+10 temp HP, energy shield)
Xin-Da-Rik (9 damage; -1 full HP, infected)
Wights (blue, teal, and red circle all -2 AC for 1 round; red circle 4 damage)
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Chivix had Gravy target the best location threw the grenade beyond the first wave, hoping to catch them from behind while keeping his companions safe. Then, he pulled his rifle and prepared to open fire. Unfortunately, he had had the grenade since he joined the Starfinders and it had apparently lost a lot of its oomph.
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"Did I not say something about not getting swarmed?" Roquefort sighs as Xin goes full Barbarian, but also admires the sheer audacity of it all.
Roquefort simply blasts the one getting in his and his friends faces.
Trick attack (Yellow)
Sense Motive Take 10 = DC12 tricked.
Attack vs FF EAC
Damage
+FF to all.
As the wights initially charged from around the corners, two of the kiosks suddenly flare up with a surge of hyper-gravity, yanking the first oncoming wights off their feet and rag-dolling them into the kiosks. One falls prone from the force. It looks like somebody rigged the kiosks into some kind of booby trap.
The Starfinders continue to drop wights with relative ease, but from the far end of the room you see three more emerge from beyond the station doors, attracted by the sound of battle! Furthermore the hull over an adjacent room ruptures as a pool of magefire burns a hole through the station, creating a rush of air from the room as all the oxygen gets sucked from inside. You suddenly hear the screams of three people who had been hiding inside the room.
You think you can save them by either sealing the breach somehow or getting them into the main area, where there are enough atmo controls for life support for at least a couple minutes. Better hurry—you glimpse more undead outside heading for the breach too!
~Round 2 (bold may post; kiosks recharge 1 round)~
Kōlēfō (+2 attack)
Shim-Shim (+10 temp HP, energy shield; +2 attack)
Xin-Da-Rik (+2 attack; 9 damage; -1 full HP, infected)
Wights (blue and teal -2 AC for 1 round, yellow circle prone; orange square 1 damage, yellow circle 10 damage, purple square 5 damage)
Magefire
Roquefort (+2 attack)
Chivix (+2 attack)
Buff-Bot