Astrid gets another spine in her hands.
Dr. Lazarus finishes off the last worm.
Once you are done healing, you move over to the anomaly that Dr. Lazarus had detected. The voice is emanating from there. Whatever is causing it doesn’t appear to hear you because it keeps asking for Felise.
DC 20
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Nodding with satisfaction as the group takes care of the bergworms, Dr. Lazarus nods to Gib. "Yes, my dear boy, perhaps you can administer healing while I investigate this anomaly." He starts to head off, then adds, "But ... maybe best to stay together while I investigate. Won't you all join me?" He beckons the group to follow him to where he spotted the phenomenon. In the unlikely event he misjudges the situation, he decides it would be prudent to have help nearby.
At the site, while Gib is handling the healing, the investigator consults one of his books, "Just a Matter of Time: The Abridged Version", and studies the area.
His eyes open wide, "As I suspected, it's indeed a time rift." He continues, "The voices we've been hearing, and the ghostly images we've been seeing are from another location in the space-time continuum. If not closed, this could have dire consequences." He retrieves another tome with an unusual aluminum vehicle depicted on the cover, "Traveling through Time: Back to the Future", studies it, and then attempts to repair the magical rift.
Dr. Lazarus manages to coax the rift shut after a minor hiccup.
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Natesh does his best to help with the study of the portal and ends up struggling with his winter clothing as he tries to take notes on how Lazarus seals the rift. "I do concur Doctor. If the rupture is able to carry sound, it is likely a shadow of what else might be able to travel though it." Natesh is relieved to see the portal closed but asks, "should there be any consideration for what we could do to help them, if we even can? I don't want to avoid giving aid just for fear to myself."
Ashasar receives your report about the time rift. “Thank you. This tells me who I should send on this next mission.”
Ashasar gestures down a red stone hallway. “I'm detecting planar anomalies ahead. It might be the focus. Investigate please. I've a number of other anomalies to assess.”
As you follow Ashasar’s directions down the hallway, you feel time stretch and slow. Soon, moving feels like attempting to push through molasses or tar.
You hear the baying of hounds, then voices shouting.
“They’re coming, run!”
“No! Hold onto me! Don’t let…No!”
Wins ties
Dr. Lazarus realizes that you are entering a trap.
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The Doctor considers Natesh's thoughtful question about helping whoever it is calling for aid. "A fair point, my boy. We should do whatever we can to help ... once we know if it's possible." He continues mulling it over.
Later, when Ashasar orders them to investigate, Dr. Lazarus puffs out his chest and says awkwardly, "You had me at investi... I mean, the Doctor is on the case." He takes some notes about the "planar anomalies" and updates his active lead.
He heads down the hallway with the group, stopping abruptly when he spots a trap. Pointing it out to Gib, the Doctor explains how the rogue might disrupt the temporal distortions.
As Lazarus is pointing things out to Gib, he casts Guidance on the rogue .
If appropriate, the Doctor then tries to make his way through this area.
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Natesh nods as she gets ready to continue pressing forward, "it is probably for the best, in the last few hours I've learned more about planar anomalies than years of study. Although I admit I may have thought them impractical at the time..."
Natesh holds hammer at the ready as the voices begin echoing throughout the hallway. Lazarus's guidance stops Natesh from blundering into a the planar fracture. Natesh takes a breath and focuses on the problem, "those sound like the echoes I heard within the early chambers. It is... hard to tell. Let me try to focus on a closer moment in the future, there might be a way to resolve this."
Natesh focuses his diviner's sight to try to grant a fragmented vision of the future to Gib to try to settle this distortion.
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With the warning from Dr. Lazarus along with his clue, guidance, and magical assistance from Natesh, Gib gets to work on disabling the trap using secret rouge techniques leaned in the hidden guild training gym.
Multi-colored sweet beads from the small Gnome’s brow as he sets the last tool in place to disable the trap.
Or using Diviner’s Sight 28
Wiping his brow, he comments ”Just enough, no effort was wasted. Thanks, guys for the assist.”
Gib is able to end the effect before it becomes a problem.
After you pass through the hall, you enter a stone chamber with tall red pillars, some of which have collapsed. Multiple paths lead out of this room, and a massive purple gash covers the distant wall. It looks similar to the anomaly you encountered on the ice.
As you enter the room, an insectile humanoid dressed in strange clothes leaps through the rift. Streaks of light strike it in the back, killing it. A moment later, two strange constructs pour out of the rift.
They call out “Intruder alert! Depart at once or be destroyed!”
includes +2 circumstance to init
Wins ties, elven instincts +2 circumstance to init
includes +2 circumstance to init
includes +2 circumstance to init
no circumstance bonus to init
Round 1:
Bolded may act.
Astrid slowed 1
Gib slowed 1
Construct One
Lizzo slowed 1
Construct Two
Dr. Lazarus slowed 1
Natesh slowed 1
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Gib moves forward, ” Guys we see that you are intruders, you don’t have to announce it and you will be de-parting in pieces. You show up uninvited and kill someone, not cool.”
The Gnome quickly draws his rapier and strikes the second construct.
The foe is flat-footed to gib due to ”suprise attack”
Stride, strike
ready-action vs foe three
to hit vs flat-footed
plus 1d6 persistent bleed from wounding (1d12 on crit)
Gib rushes forward and strikes at one of the two constructs. Unfortunately he did not hit anything vital.
Round 1:
Bolded may act.
Astrid slowed 1
Gib slowed 1
Construct One
Lizzo slowed 1
Construct Two
Dr. Lazarus slowed 1
Natesh slowed 1
Astrid charges the same construct that Gib attacked, her shield smashing into it. Although the physical slam was mitigated by the strange armor they have, the electrical damage causes sparks inside the construct and do additional damage to it.
The arc of electricity that hit the other construct did far more damage than you would have expected.
It does not take a detective to figure out that the constructs did not like that.
Construct One says “Intruder with electrical weapon, dispatch immediately!” and then it seems to concentrate before shooting a beam of light at Astrid twice.
“Burn, meat!”
What do you know, a construct with an attitude!
Round 1:
Bolded may act.
Astrid 30 damage slowed 1
Gib slowed 1
Construct One 12 damage
Lizzo slowed 1
Construct Two 41 damage
Dr. Lazarus slowed 1
Natesh slowed 1
Lizzo gets a solid hit in on the construct. It doesn’t do as much damage as expected, but it does immobilize the creature. Lizzo discovers that the creature doesn’t bleed.
“Error, you lack proper weaponry!”
“Deploying close combat defenses!”
It then sends out a massive surge of electricity in the area around it.
It then attempts to punch through Astrid.
Round 1:
Bolded may act.
Construct One 12 damage
Lizzo slowed 1
Construct Two 75 damage immobilized
Dr. Lazarus slowed 1
Natesh slowed 1
Round 2:
Astrid 51 damage slowed 1 DC 22 basic reflex vs 27 electrical damage
Gib slowed 1 DC 22 basic reflex vs 27 electrical damage
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Natesh is sent through a gambit of emotions as a strange individual appears, is struck down, and now those attackers move upon the party. His reactions slowed he does take note of their ill reaction to Astrid's shocking shield, he hopes that electric magic works against these constructs.
His motions slow he is just able to finish the incantation and spend a bolt of electricity through the pair.
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Dr. Lazarus watches in shock as the unfortunate humanoid insect is zapped by the constructs. "We agree on one thing, my metal friends. There are intruders who must be destroyed." He studies the first one he sees.
The Doctor is so intently focused on the type of construct, an opening fails to present itself. Not seeing a way through its defenses, he flings his hammer at the other one.
Although one of them avoided the worst of the arc, both take more damage than expected. Construct Two is just barely holding together.
DISPLACED ROBOTS
RARE N MEDIUM CONSTRUCT
Immunities bleed, death effects, disease, doomed, drained, fatigued, healing, necromancy, nonlethal attacks, paralyzed, poison, sickened, unconscious
Divert Power [one-action] The robot diverts additional power from one of its weapon arrays to another. Choose one of the following effects, which lasts until the end of the robot's turn.
• The robot's fist Strike deals an additional 1d10 electricity damage. The damage of its laser beam Strike decreases to 1d10+3 fire.
• The robot's laser beam Strike deals an additional 1d10 fire damage. The damage of its fist Strike decreases to 1d10+8 bludgeoning.
Dr. Lazarus then destroys the barely functioning construct two.
Round 1:
Bolded may act.
Construct One 29 damage
Lizzo slowed 1
Construct Two 104 damage immobilized
Dr. Lazarus slowed 1
Natesh slowed 1
Round 2:
Astrid 51 damage slowed 1 DC 22 basic reflex vs 27 electrical damage
Gib slowed 1 DC 22 basic reflex vs 27 electrical damage
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Gib is almost caught overly grounded by the construct’s jolting arc, but through a heroic effort, he manages to avoid a shocking blow.
Moving to the first Construct, the gnome tries to stab it with his rapier hoping for a better hit, " Stop moving around and let me hit you overgrown clock!"
nat 1
Use hero-point to reroll
Evasion succ ==> crit-succ
Stride, strike
ready-action vs Construct one
to hit
plus 1d6 persistent bleed from wounding (1d12 on crit)
Gib misses the construct.
Round 1:
Bolded may act.
Construct One 29 damage
Lizzo slowed 1
Construct Two 104 damage immobilized
Dr. Lazarus slowed 1
Natesh slowed 1
Round 2:
Astrid 51 damage slowed 1 DC 22 basic reflex vs 27 electrical damage
Gib slowed 1
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After studying the metal creature, Dr. Lazarus clears his throat to be heard over the sounds of battle, "Ahem..." and he shares his wealth of knowledge, "...yes, yes, my dear lads and lasses, as you know, these are constructs with typical construct immunities." He nods as if that's enough, but decides to keep talking, "They're immune to bleed, poison, disease, etc." He continues, "They can also modify their weapon array to include electrical or fire." He adds quickly, "As dear Astrid and Gib are keenly aware." He smiles and finally says, "You're welcome." He continues to analytically process the battlefield.
Astrid protects herself by blocking the punch with her shield.
She then moves over and slams the other construct with her shield. Although the physical damage is reduced, the electrical damage is increased.
The tactics it then uses look very familiar, an electrical discharge followed by a punch.
“Deploying close combat defenses!”
Astrid sees it coming and easily avoids the punch.
Round 2:
Bolded may act.
Construct One 50 damage
Lizzo slowed 1
Construct Two 104 damage immobilized
Dr. Lazarus slowed 1
Natesh slowed 1
Round 3:
Astrid 63 damage slowed 1 shield 5 damage DC 22 basic reflex vs 27 damage
Gib slowed 1 DC 22 basic reflex vs 27 damage
Lizzo’s second arrow hits and does some damage.
Hardness, weakness to electricity.
Not sure what more you might want.
Dr. Lazarus misses with his hammer.
It dodges the worst of the electrical blast Natesh sends at it.
Round 2:
Bolded may act.
Construct One 77 damage
Lizzo slowed 1
Construct Two 104 damage immobilized
Dr. Lazarus slowed 1
Natesh slowed 1
Round 3:
Astrid 63 damage slowed 1 shield 5 damage
Gib slowed 1
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Expecting the jolt of electricity, Gib nimbly dodges it.
The small Gnome attacks back with his rapier followed quickly by drawing and striking with his light mace, "Take that tin man! Ah, Dr. you said they strike out with electric jolts? I hadn't noticed." Saying the last with a grin on his face.
Evasion succ ==> crit-succ
The foe is flat-footed to Gib due to Gang up feat. & flank
strike, quickdraw/strike
1st att vs Construct one
to hit vs flat-footed
plus 1d6 persistent bleed from wounding (1d12 on crit)
2nd att vs Construct one
to hit vs flat-footed
Gib manages to wreck the other construct.
You still have the purple gash in space to deal with.
The purple gash is a moderate time rift caused by someone meddling with the Dimension of Time. Left unchecked it will grow and cause more serious time anomalies.
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With the constructs dealt with Natesh looks to the planar tear with a deep breath.
Not taking an eye off the gash in space Natesh says, "It is another temporal rift and it is just as dangerous to leave this as it is. This isn't a natural phenomenon and there are signs of active manipulation causing this distortion."
Natesh will try his part to focus his magic to control and seal the break in reality.
Natesh successfully closes the rift.
As the time rift closes, four crates come to land in the chamber. The crates are labeled “Property of the Starfinder Society” and are made of a strange material. You quickly look in them and find futuristic gear. Before you can properly inventory and identify the contents of the crates, they fade away.
You would guess the crates were temporarily displaced in time.
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Dr. Lazarus makes his way to the rift and studies it.
He gives a puzzled look and frowns. "Unfortunately, my dear colleagues, this one is different from the last one." He steps away to allow Natesh to take a look.
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The Doctor expects to heal both Gib and Astrid, but Gib is amazingly unscathed! "My dear boy, you have a real knack for avoiding injury. Impressive!" He asks the rogue, "Do you want to handle the healing, or shall I?" He starts to unpack his tools.
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Gib starts to treat Astrid's wounds, "You are one tough cookie, but perhaps you should try to be elsewhere when something tries to damage you."
There that and your pearly Aeon stone should make you feel much better. "I can go another round of healing if we have time. If not I have several healing potions that they loaded us up with at the start of the mission."
That and Astrid's Aeon stone should complete her healing.
1st 10 minutes: healing 29 + 10 Aeon Stone = 39
2nd 10 minutes: healing 20 + 10 Aeon Stone = 30 total of 69hp
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"Are you alright Astrid? The lightning magic it is using seems to be far outpacing mine!"
"Ha! I was shocked worse than this the last time I saw my bar tab at the Pig and Whistle."
As the fight ends Astrid pulls out a hammer and begins to repair her shield.
She spends 3 minutes banging away at her shield with more enthusiasm than skill. When she finishes it looks somewhat worse for wear but functional. She nods approvingly. "Perfect."
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While Natesh is repairing the rift, and Gib is tending to Astrid, Dr. Lazarus looks for something useful to do. He decides to perform a forensic examination on the dead insect humanoid. As if everyone cares, he announces importantly, "I'll check out our poor insect victim for any vital clues." He kneels down and unpacks his healers tools.
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"I'm glad to hear that Astrid, although I'm concerned what tabs you are building up."
Seeing the expertise of others at the tending and research, Natesh spends a moment to regain his focus and limited precognition into the danger filled future.
Returning to camp Natesh resupplies himself as he purchases a bundle of arrows as well as a scroll.
The cause of death is clear to Dr. Lazarus, shot in the back with some sort of fire ray. It cauterized the wound. The creature itself is unlike any he has seen before. Given the equipment it has, you believe they are some sort of intelligent insectile race. You would love to spend more time investigating the body and equipment for your own edification, but realize this is unlikely to help with the current mission.
A few of you go back to the supply caravan and pick up some equipment while the healing and repair is happening.
The dead person is a Shirren Starfinder with all their equipment. Shirren are one of the standard core races in Starfinder.
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Gib continues to treat wounds on Astrid until she is fully healed and when the supply cart comes around he picks up 30 arrows and another box of bandages with images of cute flying sparkly ponies.
With third teat wounds Astrid should be healed a total of 102hp
29+20+23 = 72 hp from 30min of treating wounds
30 hp from 30min of her Aeon stone.
Just as the last of Astrid’s wounds are healing, Urwal appears from an adjoining corridor and gestures ahead.
“I saw fire up ahead. Go investigate. Be careful. Be wise.”
After a few twists and turns, the stone corridor transitions into a massive red stone cave. The ceiling collapsed long ago, revealing the night sky, packed with stars, and letting snow and wind into the ruins.
Across the sheet of ice, you can see a band of three large four-armed humanoids in furs. It looks like they are in the process of setting up camp.
When they spot your group, one of them shouts at you in a strange language. They then try again in another strange language.
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Watching Gib work on Astrid so expertly, Dr. Lazarus nods with approval. "Well done, lad. If you're ever in Osirion looking for some side work, I can hook you up at the University." When Urwal gives new orders, Lazarus heads out with the group.
When he arrives at the campsite, the Doctor studies the odd 4-armed humanoids and shares any information that he recalls.
Not as skilled in the diplomatic arts as some ... likely due to his off-putting personality ... he watches as the others handle the communication. If the group doesn't have much success, he'll do his best from what he knows of their culture.
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The investigator nods as he studies the odd group. As he's watching them, he says, "Shobhads! My dear colleagues, do you recall that first room? With the bone graveyard beneath the pillar? We found evidence of such creatures. The bone structure is the same." He adds, "Only ... these fellows are still breathing. Fascinating." He anxiously awaits one of the Pathfinders to attempt to communicate.