The Protectorate Petition (tt's the Scoured Stars Story Arc) (Inactive)

Game Master therealthom

Thundergun generally agree with Idir, showing respect and supporting him with nods. His helmet beeping sometimes.

After some rest the technomancer suggests to visit observation tower as it should provide better view and opportunity go get more aware of situation, architecture and dangers around.

As Thundergun proposes a trip to the Observation tower, Xikko nods his approval. Being able to get a better view of the area might be helpful.

Stell is keen to see the university area, to learn more about the culture of the Copaxi. Since the Copaxi have already explored it, the groups should be able to conserve magical resources and take on the areas that appear to be occupied when everyone is fresh in the morning.

But, she's up for anything the others agree to.

Idir voices his support for the observation tower first. A good vantage point was essential in spotting dangers so they could be avoided...or confronted, as Starfinders generally preferred to do.

Nic Nack is very excited about all the choices that his companions are expressing. Going to the university area could be a woulderful way of learning what the Copaxi are teaching other Copaxi. But the observation tower maybe the better choice. From there we might see the large hole in the residential neighborhood. And maybe get the lay out of the Tabantria Market and/or university area. So Nic Nack makes his choice for the tower.

Tower it is.

The observation tower is in a small cluster of ruined buildings standing within a few hundred feet of the city’s edge. The tower is a hollowed-out shell standing a precarious forty feet tall. The only other building in the area with walls high enough to provide protection from the icy wind stands adjacent to the tower. This building has no roof, and much of its walls have collapsed, revealing signs of a makeshift camp within.

Therseis looks at the ruined building and tower anxiously. "I hope we are not cursed with another infestation of undead. The last was bad enough. "

See the new slide 2. Party enters on the right side as shown with Therseis.

Hearing words about cursed place, Thundergun starts to Detect Magic around and slowly move forward without rush, giving opportunity for more keen fellows to search area before entering the tower...

You creep forward. No one is around. The camp consists of a few sleeping pads, cooking supplies, and personal belongings stashed against the walls.

Therseis peers in through one of the gaps in the walls. "Is it safe? "

Idir's eyes dart in all directions as they enter, concerned at the sight of evidently another camp...who else would be here besides them?!

Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6

His paranoid imaginings prevent him from seeing anything more substantive, and he gives a nervous groan.

Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23

Look at that! Stash. This may be useful to us for research... And it also means that either one of the local scientists is engaged in looting, or we are not alone here.

read the spoiler plz

Kuozar looks around, grabbing the gun in two hands. Suddenly he looks somewhere over Idir's shoulder. His eyes widen with horror and rage. Oh no, damn, IT'S BEHIND! And when there is no one behind Idir's back, nuar begins to laugh in a bass voice looking at his reaction.

I'm sorry, my friend! Hahah. It's just... oh... your eyes... Hahah! Okay, okay, I won't do it anymore. Heh.

Wiping away tears of laughter, Kuozar becomes serious. And now let's really check if there are any antiquities seekers besides us. What if they don't like sharing as much as we do? It is worth clarifying.

Idir wheels around with a panicked groan and starts firing wildly behind him.

"NONONONOIWON'TDIEHERE!!" he bellows before realizing he's been had. After he catches his breath, he turns back to Kuozar, apoplectic anger in his eyes.

"Kuozar! That was INCREDIBLY irresponsible! What if Therseis or one of our squadmates was behind me! I could have shot them!"

Idir is mad, his player finds this hilarious.

Thundergun nods something about lack of magic auras here, when Kuozar found a cache and some humor. After a short delay when Idir stops firing, the izalguun starts to nicker. In a couple seconds he become silent and adds in a calming voice:

-So, so. Not first mission with Kuozar. Was not you get to his sense of humor yet? You noticed I do not have a gun? Now you know why - weak nerves.
It is hard to say, if Thundergun smiling, but he likely is.

The technomancer moves closer to tower than, suggesting scouts to check inside.

Nice bit of RP there. Fun stuff.

Therseis steps into the ruin. "We are the only research team authorized to gather information and artifacts on Tabantria. There should be no one else here. And how would they get here? Air traffic from the surface is strictly prohibited. Anyone flying up here would be discovered by the monitors."

Therseis' questions are punctuated with two popping noises and pieces of the wall near Idir shattering. Thundergun looks around to spot two unfamiliar copaxi, crouched behind the fallen wall of another building, leveling handguns (Semi-automatic pistols) at him. The copaxis are dressed in loose dust-covered robes with pouches and bags hanging off their belts and body harnesses.

(I've dropped you all on the map inside the mostly intact building around the camp. I left Thundergun outside based on the caution implied in his last post.)

"This is our camp, our salvage, gathered by our efforts. You slope off before there's trouble! We might like to find out how good these guns really work!"

The walls of your building are tall and solid, they provide cover and can't be crossed. The walls outlined for the two buildings to the east are roughly waist high. They provide partial cover and it is considered difficult terrain to cross them.

Initiative, bold may go
Idir
Xikko
Stell Z-Lin
Kuozar
Unknown copaxis
Nic nack
Thundergun

Idir shrieks and ducks to avoid the gunfire, then creeps around the rubble to hide by Thundergun.

Move action to current position.

"Take them down! Hopefully non-lethally...we should question them to find out who they are and what they're doing here!" he calls to the others.

Move Action to use Get 'Em! on the Red Copaxi

Damn, bad objects for experiments. I need to aim my weapon! - Kuozar grumbles, goes forward and shoots.

Artillery Laser: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 4 = 201d10 ⇒ 6 - Fire | EAC | RED

As shooting breaks out, Stell crouches and moves closer to the interlopers. As she moves, he draws her static arc pistol, flips the safety off, and keeps it behind her back.

Then she activates her voice amplifier and leans around the wall and yells, "You are unauthorized looters! Drop your weapons and surrender or face lethal consequences!" Her voice comes out unnaturally loud. She tries to sound a stern and intimidating as she can.

Stell is using the intimidate skill to demoralize one of the two. Since she has no way to single one out of the other, pick one at random to be affected.

Intimidate, voice amplifier: 1d20 + 9 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 9 + 2 = 12

Evidently, they don't understand her properly.

Waiting to see how the new Copaxi respond to Stell, Xikko runs up to stand next to Stell while forming my Axe in my hands.

"Hopefully they listen to reason."

Double moved next to Stell and draw my Axe

-Why Kuozar shoots? another joke? Did Stell say something? ,-Thindergun remains in augmented reality of 360° magic scanning and does not yet realize what is happening...

"THUNDERGUN! WE ARE BEING SHOT AT!" Idir calls indignantly.

The party reacts and moves toward the intruders. Kuozar plants a shot in the chest of one of them. The impact staggers him but he stays on his feet. Perhaps the shell of a living copaxi is tougher than the undead's, there's armor under their robes.

One of the intruders shouts back at Stell-Z. "Unauthorized by who? The stinkin' government?! They'd let us all starve when there's salvage to be had right here!"

They level their guns at Stell and Xikko and blast away. The shot at Stell flies wide. Xikko gets clipped by a heavy slug.

Initiative (End Round 1/Begin Round 2. Everyone may go.)

Nic nack
Thundergun
Idir
Xikko (-3 SP)
Stell Z-Lin
Kuozar
Red copaxi (-6)
Blue copaxi

Not willing to interfere already started hard phase of negotiation with local separatists, Thundergun rushes forward out of AR, found himself in a proper position to swing and bash BAM! a red eyeless creature from his height.

Staff bash, KAC: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 2 = 13 for Dmg, bld: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

Idir inches across the battlefield to reach Thundergun's position.

"Aim for the torso!" he cries.

Move action to current postion, and another move action for Get Em! on Red.

"They don't seem to want to cooperate"

I'll do Non-Lethal damage .. for now

Non Lethal: 1d20 + 3 + 1 - 4 ⇒ (10) + 3 + 1 - 4 = 10
Attacking Red who has "Get 'em"

Damage: 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11

...

I'll do Non-Lethal damage .. for now

...

... or not!

Thundergun's staff smacks the copaxi with an audible crack! Idir advises his companions. Gimry aims his cosmic axe at the creature's arm and misses by the narrowest of margins.

Initiative (End Round 1/Begin Round 2. Bold to go.)
Nic nack
Thundergun
Idir
Xikko (-3 SP)
Stell Z-Lin
Kuozar
Red copaxi (-10)
Blue copaxi

So! Let's try this mode! Kuozar presses a couple of buttons on his artillery laser, twists something and shoots again. It seems that the sound of the shot has changed.

Artillery Laser: 1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 4 + 1 = 231d10 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 9 - Fire | EAC | Red

Idir winces at the sound of Thundergun's strike.

Kuozar's shot lances through the copaxi's chest. The alien falls to its knees, then onto its face.

Nic nack and Stell to go.

Idir frowns as the copaxi falls and says "Noooo..."

Stell sets her static arc pistol to stun, keeps it behind her back, and leans out from behind the wall, hand held up palm forward, and says, "Don't shoot! I'm on your side." As soon as she see's the Copaxi hesitate, she brings her pistol around and fires.

Targeting Blue.
Trick Attack, Bluff, Skill Expertise: 1d20 + 11 + 4 + 1d6 ⇒ (7) + 11 + 4 + (2) = 24
DC: 20 + Targets CR; success: Target is flat-footed against the trick attack; if attack hits add Trick Attack Damage
Trick Attack Damage: 1d4 ⇒ 4

Static Arc Pistol, vs EAC, stun setting: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 3 = 22
Damage, E, nonlethal: 1d6 ⇒ 1 (range: 50')

The bolt of hot charge leaps out and hits the copaxi square in the chest. I assume.

Hmm. It will be necessary to measure the size of the hole in his chest. It seems the beam is slightly wider than planned... - Kuozar is completely immersed in studying his weapon and assessing its ability to inflict targeted damage.

Nick nac yells out "Hold your fire we are here on a peaceful mission! But we will defend ourselves if you choose to be hostile! Our weapons are better and we know how to use them. Surrender now, and drop your weapons, you will not be harmed!"

DIPLOMACY: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (12) - 1 = 11

"You killed Aiadne! You won't get me too." The copaxi fires vaguely toward the party without aiming, turns, and runs away.

Double move to exit. Will you pursue?

Stell had been making a video recording of the ruins when the attack began. She does not pursue the fleeing copaxi but does zoom in on him to make a record in case he is captured and the government wants to prosecute the looter of artifacts.

Thundergun calmes quickly and feel uncomfortable , observing dead copaxi.
-Should not we try to safe life of this specie? ,- he asks unsurely.

He is not following the one who retreats.

Idir, in a moment of uncharacteristic bravery, breaks into a run immediately, tearing after the rogue copaxi and eventually passing them and cutting them off.

Double Move to catch up and get in front of them. I've got a faster movement speed than them, so I'll be able to lap them!

Nic nack moves quickly over to the fallen Copaxi and says a prayer to the universe as he casts Stabilize on the Copaxi. He checks to see if the Copaxi is still alive.

Idir dashes after the copaxi, who seems unexpectedly fleet. They turn left down a broad lane and actually open the distance between you slightly. They zag through a ruined buidling, and you are able to catch up and get in front of them. When the dromada blocks the copaxi's path, the alien takes 5 sprinting steps and leaps over Idir. It's foot clips Idir's ear, but it rolls on its landing and continues running.

Idir, pick one

Meanwhile back with the rest of the party....

Nic nack's prayer takes effect. The copaxi is unconscious, but clings to life.

Seeing Idir chasing and confronting the Copaxi bandit, Stell sighs and starts running after him.

She trots up to where Idir has the copaxi felon dead to rights. She keeps her arc pistol in hand and adds, "We believe in a fair trial and second chances, but your fate will be in the hands of your fellow copaxi. Your companion is alive, by the way."

Nic Nack seeing that the Copaxi is alive. Retrieves his rope and starts tying up the prone form and removes any weapons that it might have. Once done he gives thanks to the universe and says another prayer, giving this Copaxi some life force.
Mystic Cure: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11

Once the Copaxi wakes up Nic Nack says "So, since I made the choice to bring you back from the great darkness. Would you be so kind to truthfully answer questions that my friends and I have of you?"

just to make things easier, let's put you all back together.

Nic nack finishes his ministrations just as Stell and Idir herd their captive back to the rest of the party.

"Thought Pact Worlders' d be cool. Not down with government exploitation ," grumbles Idir's captive.

Nic nack's patient nods to the shirren's question. "Ask away. Can't guarantee answers or their veracity."

"Not the ideal situation, I'd hoped we might speak to them alone and get a perspective on copaxi society not filtered through official channels," Idir says quietly to Stell. "I suspect Therseis may try to gainsay anything they tell us."

:: I agree, my friend Idir. Let me get on with it. Just distract Theseus, create the appearance of activity ::

The voice is telepathically heard in your heads. As before, this voice in the head feels at the same time softer, deeper, but in some ways more sinister than the real Kuozar's voice. It leaves in your head the aftertaste of the calm before a terrible storm.

Nuar focuses on the copaxi he shot.

:: So. What's your name? What are you doing here? And why don't you trust the local government so much? Answer mentally and that agent of the authorities won't hear you ::

:: Remember to get societal information. This is an opportunity for a metaphorical worm's-eye view of the copaxis, as well as getting a feel for more 'uncomfortable' truths. :: Idir mentally replies.

He grimaces at Kuozar's telepathic tone, but doesn't say anything.

"So, Therseis," he says aloud, hoping to get their guide's attention. "I suppose now we may discuss 'law and order' among you, the copaxis, so to speak. What types of criminal charges are associated with this type of 'unlicensed archaeology' for example? I understand this probably isn't a side of copaxi culture that it is proud of, and we don't hold it against you."

His tone is as gentle as he can make it.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11

Stell decides it is best if she observes and lets Idir and Kuozar handle the diplomacy and information gathering. She pulls out her synthe-violin and noodles some tunes while waiting.

...

Nuar focuses on the copaxi he shot.

:: So. What's your name? What are you doing here? And why don't you trust the local government so much? Answer mentally and that agent of the authorities won't hear you ::

The copaxi's reply starts low and humble, but gains volume and confidence as it goes on. :: Aiadne. What's your name? I happen to live on this fecal stew of a world. A better question is, why have you come all this way to be here? And why do you trust the government? ::

...

"So, Therseis," he says aloud, hoping to get their guide's attention. "I suppose now we may discuss 'law and order' among you, the copaxis, so to speak. What types of criminal charges are associated with this type of 'unlicensed archaeology' for example? I understand this probably isn't a side of copaxi culture that it is proud of, and we don't hold it against you."

His tone is as gentle as he can make it.

...

Therseis' reply is slow in coming; the copaxi seems to be thinking very carefully about the question. " I'm a historian, not a lawyer. I'm not sure what the penalties would be. I imagine quite strict however. The magic user's rule was a very shameful period in our history. It is important that disaffected elements in our, the copaxi's, community are not exposed to it, else they may be tempted to reinvigorate the cults and stir up trouble. That is why the flying cities are banned to all except officially sanctioned exploration. There are even some sites on the surface that were home to magic users. These areas are also quarantined. Can you imagine the consequences if a band of magic users was to defy the gods and our government. With modern weapons at hand the death-toll could be catastrophic. "

"Naturally the government might be also be -- concerned that such individuals would make a bad impression on you, the Pact World representatives. "

The copaxi who ran interrupts, "Yeah, if the truth is a bad impression. The poor can't get enough to eat, can barely breathe some days. Just have a look from the tower if you don't believe me. Most polycols don't complain; they just take what government gives them. A few of us want something better. Them at the top's got it good. Why shouldn't we be allowed to work ourselves from the depths too?"

-SOrry I hit you, did not mean it. , - THundergun starts with excuses when everyone gatered near the captive,-
We aware of general approach to technonlogy, but what's the approach of your comrades? Describe, how you percieve me? I mean hear, see, etc. And what do you know about local 'abandoned' places? We came particulary here to have a look from the tower.