GM Badblood's Rat's Repentance (Starfinder #3-19; Tier 1-4, Quest, Repeatable, Vehicle) (Inactive)

Game Master Lance K

Actually I forgot about it being trained only. I think it changed in PFS2 (Society) to not being - at least for most recall-knowledge things. So my bad, but the friendly rules helped out so I didn't mess up too badly in the end.

"Any idea how we get a meeting lined up with this Rethra person? She sounds very important." asks Slipp.

"Good question. I imagine that if we head to the library we might run into her or be able to setup an appointment to meet with her."

Ironically, the dominant species on Pabaq, Osharus, are actually Medium sized yellow colored slugs! Not quite as big as Jabba in Return of the Jedi, but maybe some of them are as big as Jabba in A New Hope

The Hall of Records is a massive, 180 story skyscraper in the exact center of Jhavom, so it is not hard to find the library itself but finding what they need in this massive building is going to be another matter. Rattus slinks through the streets hoping to not draw too much attention and hopes he doesn't run into a particular slug who he owes money to.

The entry to the Hall of Records has a massive glass reception desk that is well over a hundred meters long and partitioned by panes of glass into orderly queues. Despite the long lines the team doesn't have to wait very long before they are called, which is a testament to the efficiency of the library staff here. The librarian is an upbeat osharu with a deep, masculine sounding voice. “Good day. My name is Siltiche, how may I direct your request?”

Hey Siltiche dude Octavia replies, having buzzed up to the front of the group. We're here to access some memories that were deposited here. May we speak with Grand Librarian Rethra please?

The receptionist gives a "hang ten" gesture to Octavii and smiling they say, "Sure thing dude. You can find her up on the fifth floor in the Chamber of Memories."

The Chamber of Memories occupies a large, circular wing of the building, lined with banks of whirring servers stretching to the hundred-foot-tall ceiling. Stairs of gilded brass scale each row of servers, with catwalks branching along the sides in ten-foot increments. Dozens of osharus in lengthy, colorful robes dot the catwalks, servicing the equipment and replacing nodes. A long row of chairs sized for average humanoids runs along the main space. Helmets are attached to the headrests with heavy cables running behind them and into the floor.

An elderly osharu with yellowish-orange skin, dry and sallow from age, patrols the chamber at an excruciatingly slow pace. She wears blue and purple robes and leans on a triangular frame as a mobility aid. She catches sight of the newcomers and walks over. “My, my, my,” she says in a reedy voice. “Visitors with weapons. Is the Silent War going so poorly?”

Yes, Dawnfriend, I remember that you keep your weapons in your backpack.

George nods and smiles at the elderly osharu.

"Grand Librarian Rethra?"

"I am George 09-23. My companions and I have come a great distance to see you and your library. I must say I am quite a fan of your work. Integrating memories into a computer system is no mean feat. Your recent article, 'The Mind-Machine Connection: Fun Facts' was most illuminating."

"As for the weapons, they are needed at times (by some) but I prefer to rely on my knowledge and faith rather than crude instruments of destruction."

Are we aware of this Silent War that she is referring to?

Yes, it was a conflict between the Veskarium and Pact Worlds that lasted about 200 years. It could be described as analogous to the Cold War.
It ended almost 20 years ago after the Swarm invaded both star systems.

Rattus holds his arms wide with palms out. He tries to assure the librarian they're peaceful.

"Sorry lady. No offense. Like George said we're just looking for information. No hard feelings!"

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (20) + 6 = 26

LOL I need that in the last combat

Liftt eyes up the room in wonder. "Great librarian, it is a different secret war that we are trying to put an end to now." explains Liftt.

"Our organsiation has been defamed by someone, and they are trying to put it right. As part of that they lodged a memory with your library..."

dip (aid): 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (6) - 1 = 5

I do usually have my staff out ... gotta keep at least a couple of my hands occupied with something. It has a symbol of Sarenrae on it, but clearly is also functional as a weapon, I would assume.

Dawnfriend nods in agreement with Liftt. "Yes, we're looking to stop some more trouble from happening, and need to find something in the library. Could you please help us, nufriend Great Librarian Rethra?"

Diplomacy (aid): 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (7) + 10 = 17 With a +10, I suppose I can auto-aid ...

"Ah, yes, yes...of course you are here to access a memory. But I will need something more information about the memory in order to narrow down the search." The librarian pulls a monitor towards her and gazes at it for several moments, before blinking several times and then looking back at the group. "Oh, are you with the Starfinder Society? I met some Starfinders quite a few years ago. They were so courteous, they had such good manners! They brought me a lovely lemon cake, which was quite considerate, especially since back then citrus fruit was hard to get. Because of the war rationing you see."

The librarian stops and takes out a personal comm unit. "That reminds me...I have to get to the store early tomorrow because I'm almost out of tea and they've been running out of things lately. Darn this war rationing. Oh well, we all have got to do our part I suppose. Now, what can I help you young fellows with?"

Everyone gets to make ONE skill check, using Diplomacy, Bluff, Life Science or Medicine. I'll let Datch keep his roll, on account of his poor luck in the previous encounter.

Liftt considers the elderly scholar for a moment.
life science: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6

"Are you sure you should be eating lemon cake?" he asks. Then brightly offers "I could nip down to the store for you and do the shopping while you help out the team if you like:?"

"Sure lemon cake no problem!" Rattus's mind is elsewhere and his hand goes without thinking to the grip of his holstered auto pistol.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7

Ha ha..sure I can't keep my 20 LOL :p

I'll let you keep your original roll. I think auto correct turned Rattus into Datch for some reason.

George 09-23 attempts to help narrow the search.

Life Science: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (1) + 10 = 11

I am assuming that this is an aid to Rattus excellent original roll but if you need all of us to roll independently you can use this result as well. :)

Three natural ones in a row on this board is pretty curious. The chance of that is 1 in 8000. It is a good thing that George auto-aids with all of his sciences. :)

Everyone gets to make ONE skill check, using Diplomacy, Bluff, Life Science or Medicine.

A common mistake people make about probability is assuming that the unlikely is impossible. I myself probably make a few thousand rolls of a 20 sider (or a random number generator) per year. Rolling a 1 multiple times in a roll is gonna happen.

I only said curious, not impossible. :) I have personally rolled three "1" in a row myself twice with an actual physical d20 so yes it can happen and perhaps the two of us are just rolling too many dice virtual or otherwise. It does beg the question if the events are actual random or if there might be a flaw in the die/die roller in question. However one occurrence is not enough evidence to base a conclusion one way or another. :)

Lemon cake .... Yum Octavii replies Especially with a honey glaze. Maybe you should grow your own tree

Anyway ... memory ... lodged by a ysoki named Datch ... we would like to access it please. It .... may be vital to the war effort.

diplomacy: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (9) + 8 = 17

Don't we all get a +2 on the check from the culture check at the beginning?

Bluff: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (1) + 10 = 11 wow

"Tea you say. I might have some connections that could get you a shipment. Do you have a preference on what kind?" Max adds.

Liftt and George 09-23 think that the Grand Librarian might be suffering from some kind of, um, space dementia. But they have no idea how to treat her. Octavii and Max both to fail to make much of an impression on her, but she seems to trust Rattus for some reason. Perhaps he reminders her of those nice, polite young Starfinders she met long ago.

"Oh, we should be able to find the memory you are looking for. Follow me and I will help you find what you need." The Grand Librarian leads the team to a set of chairs. Sitting on the chairs are shiny metal neural helmets with thick cables leading into the floor. Rethra helps fit the adjustable helmets on each Starfinder.

“Now, dears, you’re going to feel a bit dizzy at first. Once that passes, you’ll find yourselves in one of the file paths in the library server. Everything should work for you just as it does in the real world. You shouldn’t encounter any trouble, but just in case, think of your equipment and you’ll have it. I’ll help direct you to the memory you need, since this is a big place. Give me a holler when you’re ready to come back. Speak up, now, I don’t hear so well anymore.”

For a moment, a field of white is all that is perceivable. This gives way to bright sunlight, then silhouettes of palm trees with pale trunks and deep blue fronds. Dozens of paths cut through the pixelated jungle, extending out of sight. The sky gradually deepens to black, and green streaks of light cascade across it like slow, weak lightning. A dull rumble builds in the distance, intensifying until the sound becomes identifiable as the roar of an approaching ocean wave.

George 09-23 proudly presents his sub-dermal implant that begins to glow and identifies him as a genuine Starfinder.

If my character needs to make a Computer or other type of check please let me know but this seems to be as good a identifier as any to prove his actual identity.

Yes, make a Computer check.

Computers: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (16) + 10 = 26

"Well... I know the shrink said to take a vacation... This place looks like quite the one to do it in. " says Liftt.

"Wait... didn't she say we would be in a server room? Umm.. Grand Librarian... it looks like we are on a tropical island... not a server room.
Directions please!"

computers: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (18) + 9 = 27

The program doesn't respond to George 09-23's Starfinder credentials, but Octavii quickly throws out a packet of information that makes the group look like library staff. The wave rapidly shrinks in size, barely moistening the teams' boots by the time it reaches the shore.

After the wave passes, there is a pause before Grand Librarian Rethra’s voice floats through the space, the streaks in the sky pulsing in time with her words. “Oh, I’m sorry about that, dears. I had forgotten completely about the security system. It should be deactivated now…I think. Off you go!” The multiple paths fade away until there is only one route through the pixelated trees.

The virtual jungle melts away, leaving behind the view of a starship’s cold steel deck. The sound of indistinct whispers comes from the vacant stands. With a flicker, the form of a male ysoki dressed in sleek combat armor suddenly appears. “Prepare, my students,” he says in a chilling monotone. “For your final graduation exam. By this point, there is nothing left to teach you. You are either capable of making use of Grandmother Rat’s lessons, or you are not. Witness. Adapt. Survive. Or do not.”

Shadows pass over the ysoki. When the shadows dissipate, he is gone. Three other forms slide into the light, each a gaunt ysoki wearing a featureless mask and brandishing a pistol.

As one of the ysoki moves towards the group, the shadowy audience in the stands whisper, "The fangless cannot bite.” The ysoki takes cover behind a pylon before firing a sleek black semi-automatic at Liftt. The bullet gets the shirren right in his chest protector.

Bluff: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (4) + 14 = 18
KAC: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (12) + 9 = 21
Piercing: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8

Round 1
Black
George 09-23
Liftt -8
Rattus
Cyan
Octavii
Max
Red
Dawnfriend

Octavii records that in his datapad. Even if that's not the password, he might be able to use it as a sample for ... 'something'.

Liftt draws his own pistol, returning fire as he does so.
"At least the jinsul didn't try to quote meaningless witicisms at me!"
attack vs EAC of black: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (20) + 7 = 27 Crit!
F damage: 2d4 ⇒ (1, 4) = 5 Plu 1d4 burn each round

"And this Shirren can bite quite well."

George 09-23 is not sure how his magic will work in this virtual world but he tries anyways attempting to launch a trio of missiles into the nearest ysoki (black).

Magic Missile, full round action: 3d4 + 3 ⇒ (3, 2, 3) + 3 = 11

Liftt's azimuth pistol looks and feels exactly like his real life pistol, down to the wear marks on the battery receiver to the slight give of the rubber in the custom molded grip. Liftt gets a direct hit on the ysoki and the laser catches their clothes on fire.

George 09-23 shoots off a barrage of magical missiles, which all strike the ysoki at once. The spell appears to be as effective as it normally is but nor is he able to push his magic powers beyond their normal limits in this virtual world.

Round 1
Black -16, burning
George 09-23
Liftt -8
Rattus
Cyan
Octavii
Max
Red
Dawnfriend

Rattus steps and fires at the nearest bad guy.

attack: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (11) + 6 = 17

damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Rattus takes a shot at the closest ysoki, but the bullet bounces off the pillar that they are using for cover. A ysoki agent with cyan streaks on their estex suit moves behind cover before taking a shot at Liftt. Despite being caught completely off guard by the ysoki, his armor still manages to completely protect him from the slug.

Bluff: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (12) + 14 = 26
Vs KAC: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (4) + 9 = 13
Piercing: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9

Octavii and Max are up!

Round 1
Black -16, burning
George 09-23
Liftt -8
Rattus
Cyan
Octavii
Max
Red
Dawnfriend

As a move action, Octavii uses Gravitic Reinforcement to bolster his reflex saves by +1 (lasts 1 minute). He then fires his Solar Manifestation at the nearest foe (Cyan)

v EAC: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6 cold: 1d4 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6 Photon Attune = 1. All he manages to do is frost up the ground in front of the ysoki's cover.

Just like in the real world, Max is pleased to find that his static arc pistol still flies into his hand as he circles around behind Rattus. Repositioning himself to minimize incoming attacks, he tries to finish off the burning ysoki.

Trick attack (stealth): 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (11) + 14 = 25 (DC 20 + target's CR) Success = Extra damage and flat-footed
Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 2

Ranged attack (black) vs EAC (static arc pistol): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (14) + 6 = 20
Damage (E): 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Octavii charges himself up, but his blast just hits the dirt. Max has better luck and catches the ysoki off guard with a blast of lightning from his arc pistol. The ysoki is starting to look pretty hurt at this point, and their clothing is still on fire.

1d4 ⇒ 1
The last agent wiggles their fingers and the mirrored image of a second ysoki appears. Then the agent dashes forward to get behind one of the structures.

Dawnfriend is up!

Round 1
Black -22, burning
George 09-23
Liftt -8
Rattus
Cyan
Octavii
Max
Red - 1 image
Dawnfriend

Dawnfriend pulls his static arc pistol. As he does so, two other hands begin twirling, a dancing flame springing from them toward one of the non-burning ysoki.

Cast wisp ally on the red ysoki. Draw pistol.

Is the wisp providing covering or harrying fire?

Dawnfriend draws a pistol then summons an annoying buzzing light which flies around one of the ysoki's eyes.

The burning ysoki also uses the same power to create illusiory images of itself, then dashes from behind the pillars to get behind a large rusty crate. Running must have done the trick, because the fire burning up the agent's clothes goes out.

1d4 ⇒ 4
Burn: 1d4 ⇒ 2
Reflex: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (14) + 6 = 20

Round 2
Black -24, 2 images
George 09-23
Liftt -8
Rattus
Cyan
Octavii
Max
Red - 1 image
Dawnfrien

Liftt dashes back and takes another quick shot at his earlier target.

attack black EAC: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (11) + 7 = 18
real person on a 1?: 1d3 ⇒ 3

One of the images goes "pop"

George 09-23 moves to take cover behind the same crate as the once burning ysoki. Swirling patterns of psychic energy emerge from George's head and race towards the heavily wounded rat man.

Mind Thrust, Will DC 12 for half damage (for black): 2d10 ⇒ (10, 4) = 14

Sorry. Harrying fire.

The android's psychic assault doesn't require him to figure out with one is real though, and he blasts the mind of the badly injured ysoki. The ratkin ninja clutches its ears with its paws as it screams, before falling to the ground unconscious. Not a good way to go.

Will: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7

Liftt redirects his shot at the cyan ninja, and despite her having cover the shot connects.

Fire damage: 1d4 ⇒ 2

Round 2
George 09-23
Liftt -8
Rattus
Cyan -2
Octavii
Max
Red - 1 image, harried
Dawnfriend

Rattus, I'm going to bot you tomorrow!

Botting Rattus!

Rattus dives behind some cover, then takes a shot at the red ninja, who is distracted by the wisp. His bullet hits one of the ysoki's images, causing it to distort, then blink out of existence.

Attack vs KAC; harrying fire: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 6 + 2 = 16
Piercing: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Botting Rattus!

Rattus dives behind some cover, then takes a shot at the red ninja, who is distracted by the wisp. The cyan ysoko then darts out of cover, moving like a shadow before sneakily firing off a round at Octavii. The bullet knicks the solarion's leg, but barely even bruises him.

Stealth: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (4) + 14 = 18
Pistol attack: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (16) + 9 = 25
Piercing: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

Round 2
George 09-23
Liftt -8
Rattus
Cyan -2
Octavii -4, -photon attuned 2 pts.
Max
Red - wisped
Dawnfriend

Scratch got scratched .... so he flies to a location to get a clear shot at Cyan before firing his ultra-violet solar ray at it.

v EAC: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25 cold: 1d4 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 5 + 1 = 10 Photon Attune = 2

Nice! You just forgot that you get to roll that damage twice.

Octavii fires a shot that gets one of the Ysoki's right in the head, sending her reeling.

Oh yeah .... not PFS2
cold: 1d4 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 5 + 1 = 10

Round 2
George 09-23
Liftt -8
Rattus
Cyan -22
Octavii -4, -photon attuned 2 pts.
Max
Red - wisped
Dawnfriend

It looks like all the mirror images are gone now. Is that correct? Assuming it is ...

Seeing the far Ysoki's head snap back from a direct hit from Octavii, Max positions himself to avoid hitting Dawnfriend and fires at the badly injured Ysoki.

Trick attack (stealth): 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (17) + 14 = 31 (DC 20 + target's CR) Success = Extra damage and flat-footed
Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 1

Ranged attack vs cyan EAC (static arc pistol): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7
Damage (E): 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Max gets the jump on the ysoki ninja, but his gun misfires at the wrong moment and a sputtering bolt of energy hits a nearby rusty iron structure. Max slaps the side of his static arc pistol, hoping that he doesn't have the same problem on his next shot.

The shadowy figures in the stands continue to chant “The fangless cannot bite,” as the ninja in red leaps out from behind the barricade and over to the over ysoki. He points a finger at Octavii and says "You may go now." Octavii feels an overwhelming desire to flee as far and fast away from the fight as possible.

Octavii needs to make a Will save

Round 2
George 09-23
Liftt -8
Rattus
Cyan -22
Octavii -4, -photon attuned 2 pts., Will save needed
Max
Red - wisped, harried?
Dawnfriend

Round 3
George 09-23
Liftt -8
Rattus
Cyan -22
Octavii -4, -photon attuned 2 pts.
Max
Red - wisped
Dawnfriend

will: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 = 13

George 09-23 targets the wounded rat-man (cyan). His magic missiles weave and duck around the pylons towards him.

Magic Missile,Full round action: 3d4 + 3 ⇒ (1, 1, 1) + 3 = 6