(Outpost V) GM Quirk's Precious Cargo (Inactive)

Game Master Quirk, Private Eye

Istilnar, aims his plasma claw at the second drone and fires.

Plasma Claw vs. Red EAC: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 3 = 13
Electricity/Fire Damage: 1d4 ⇒ 3

Istilnar, casted reflecting armor on himself in round one.

The other repair drone ceases to function under Sturmvanger's blows--Seggas and Istilnar also hit.

Sturmvanger: Yes, I think you probably could make it up that ladder. Do you have an ability that allows you to go on Seggas' initiative? I apologize if I am forgetting if you already mentioned this.

You find a few more interesting things here in the repair bay.

It appears that Avid Dreamer has been reading a romance novel to
learn more about love. If you would like, you can download a copy of “Love in the Star-Lane”, a major bestseller by award winning romance novelist
Delilah Gold at one of the consoles here.

Three reinforced EVA suits II hang on the wall near the hatch (Starfinder Armory 71). One suit has infrared sensors upgrade, while another has a jetpack.

Otherwise, the ship once again goes quiet.

An engineering bay and the bridge are still available for exploration.

Sturm's Partner bond (I think that's the name) allows them to share the faster initiative between the two of them. In this case Sturm shares Seggas's initiative. It might be reversed at some point too, though.

Seggas gives the romance novel on the database a disparaging frown, but then tries to surruptitiously download it when noone is looking.

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 3 = 22

She ponders the novel for a moment before a stark realization strikes across her face. She glances at Sturm and then sends everyone a message.

Keskada nods at Seggas.

Bonkers nods at Seggas.

Istilnar, simply nods at Seggas and makes a move toward the engineering bay.

Sturmvanger: Yes, I think you probably could make it up that ladder. Do you have an ability that allows you to go on Seggas' initiative? I apologize if I am forgetting if you already mentioned this.

Seggas is correct. It's one of my racial abilities. I've bolded the pertinent part -

Sturmvanger groans and shakes his head.

He follows Istilnar toward the engineering bay.

As you explore the corridors between the repair and engineering bays, you come across a pile of knocked-over crates littering
the floor, partially blocking your path. This may have been the crashing sound you heard earlier.

Most of the crates appear to be filled with electrical components for ship computer consoles.

The technology in the crate used an iridescent spindle
aeon stone for the stasis process. The stone is easy to remove.

Life Sciences: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (11) + 9 = 20 -5 to the DC is it's to identify consumables, such as food, drinks, serums, poisons, etc.

Seggas's eyes go wide as she looks at the crate on the ground. "This crate was designed to hold a living creature in stasis, with out need for water, food and air as the iridescent spindle aeon stone here and that broken clear spindle aeon stone suggest. The process tends to leave a creature disorientated and famished, meaning it could be treatened or motivated enough to attack us. Also from the looks of the design of the crate, the animal inside needed little to no oxygen and can survive extreme tempuratures readily. That growling from earlier might actually be a live animal."

"Do you believe the creature is dangerous? It is certainly hungry."

Survival: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15

"Did anyone bring any rations with them? That would help us capture the creature alive." Keskada asks, checking her pack.

"Maybe we just need to get it back in the box. Although...with one of the stones broken, I guess it may not work anymore," Sturmvanger says.

"But if it's just hungry and we can find some food maybe we can just trap it in an empty room."

He turns his gaze up at the ceiling.

"Avid Dreamer, do you know if there are any food supplies aboard? Or what was in this crate?"

life science: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (9) + 10 = 19

"I think I have a few basic rations. Not sure if jerky is going to be more attractive than we are though...Worth a try. Poor thing was trapped here."

Liilywind tries to keep up with the group but, with her lack of skill and news that some creature is aboard, she goes back into soldier mode and keeps watch over the area.

Perception to spot any threats since she has neither LS or Survival: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 1 = 10

The engineering bay is a jumbled, chaotic network of small rooms and work areas. The power core and access to the engines are in this area.

As you enter the area, Avid Dreamer pipes up once again.

“I need AutoMaint 13! They can fix me! They fix me every time
they’re here! It’s not my engines, or navigation, or scanners, or
anything like that. It’s me that’s broken! When they’re next to
me I am in good repair, but whenever they aren’t I malfunction.
Somehow, they always repair me. Please, something’s wrong
with my systems and I don’t know what, but AutoMaint 13 does,
and can fix me! Why can’t you see that!? Why won’t you help!?
We just need to be together!”

Please see slide 2.

Seggas gives a sigh and then looks at everyone else. "Someone want to explain the nuts and the bolts to them? Or should I? They are latching onto AutoMaint 13 hard and we cen't even know if the AutoMaint is even sentient enough to reciprocate."

Istilnar, listens quietly, but for now says nothing.

Sturmvanger meets Seggas' gaze then looks around contemplatively at the gathered group. The circuit his eyes make end up back on her and he gives her a significant look that indicates what he thinks of the chances of anyone in this particular group have of explaining romance to a tween spaceship.

Bonkers looks at the group.
"Well. I can try but there has to be someone better at it than me..."

assuming we're going for diplo, only have a +4

Anyone have Profession (YA novelist?)

As you all contemplate what to do in this area, once again Avid Dreamer makes their move. There is a flash of light and a grinding sound as machinery comes to life. Two semi-mobile fabrication units move slowly toward you, sucking up debris from around them and spitting it out of a tube toward you.

In addition to this, a strange beast comes out from its hiding spot, hissing and growling as it does.

Take a look at the map. Bold may go. Round 1.

1. Bonkers
2. Fabrication Station Red
3. Liilywind
4. Seggas
5. Sturmvanger
6. Istilnar
7. Fabrication Station Blue
8. Alien Cat
9. Keskada

Seggas Initiative: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (15) + 3 = 18
Istilnar Initiative: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 2 = 15
Liilywind Initiative: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 3 = 19
Sturmvanger Initiative: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (13) + 0 = 13
Bonkers initiative: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 2 = 20
Keskada initiativei: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6
alien cat: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6
fabrication station red: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 2 = 20
fabrication station blue: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 2 = 11

Nope no YA novelist profession here and sadly my holonovelist is out of level range

Bonkers takes a quick look at the new being..
life science: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (19) + 10 = 29

He then takes a shot at Blue with his laser rifle...
Burn! (laser rifle) : 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (13) + 3 = 16
Fire damage: 1d8 ⇒ 1

{ooc]No one with prefession YA novelist? I'm afraid there is only so far you'll be able to get in this adventure without that skill! :)[/ooc]

Bonkers takes note of this strange lifeform that has been wandering Avid Dreamer.

Bonkers then turns and takes aim at one of the machines moving toward you, hitting it. There is a now a very small scorch mark upon one of the outward facing bits of it.

The machine coming up behind you creeps forward. Suddenly, a piece of debris fires off toward Sturmvanger.

to hit: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (13) + 3 = 16
damage: 1d6 ⇒ 5
Miss!

Bold may go. Round 1.

1. Bonkers
2. Fabrication Station Red
3. Liilywind
4. Seggas
5. Sturmvanger
6. Istilnar
7. Fabrication Station Blue (-1)
8. Alien Cat
9. Keskada

Ooh! 3 things... eh, never know what to ask for. Defenses, special attacks and lowest save?

Istilnar, moves toward the alien creature and then reaches out and manifests the negative energy of the shadow plane. He then focuses that energy into an assault on the creature's brain. mind thrust

Mind Thrust Damage DC 14 will save for 1/2: 2d10 ⇒ (3, 5) = 8

Little shocked at Istilnar's ability to thrust the creature's mind, Liilywind raises her hand, "That is a hard spell to accomplish, Shadow. I have seen it many times and shall attempt in myself. With her hand raised, she focuses her mind on thrusting the creature's but the space around it starts to warp. It then stops and shrieks as tiny spots in its skin opens up as if thousands of invisible needles are pushed through it from the inside out. "OOOohhhh dddeeeaarr!!! That is not the thrust of minds!!!...oh dear..."

Full round Puncture Veil - piercing damage and Bleed 2 for 3 rounds: 2d4 ⇒ (4, 3) = 7

will save: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

Istilnar's mind thrust is fully effective. The creature begins to scramble, searching for either a way to get away, or perhaps someone to bite. As it does, Liily's needles begin impacting.

This creature is now severely injured.

Seggas and Sturmvanger may go.

Seggas gives a sigh as the two spellcasters go for the creature that the group could probably coax into not attacking with some food and space.

She raises her rifle and fires a shot at the blue colored robot.

BioBolter ‘Bii’ (Castrolance) vs EAC: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 19
Acid Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 2

The disadvantages of being an ordinary sized creature in a universe full of small beings. They never make anything properly sized. Sturmvanger finds his opponents in tight quarters that he doesn't want to squeeze himself into.

So, instead, he draws his reaction cannon and takes a shot at the red hued robot.

Light Reaction Cannon: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3
Piercing: 1d10 ⇒ 6

Seggas shoots one of the fabrication units, causing sparks to erupt for a moment. It continues to advance toward your group.

The strange alien cat, now known to be a nocoli, begins to bleed terribly. Scared and hungry, it charges toward the closest thing, which turns out to be Seggas.

Using its pounce ability, which allows to make a full attack on the charge.

to hit, bite, charge penalty: 1d20 + 8 - 2 ⇒ (12) + 8 - 2 = 18
to hit, claw, charge penalty: 1d20 + 8 - 2 ⇒ (4) + 8 - 2 = 10
damage, bite: 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9
damage, claw: 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7

While its claws miss, it delivers a vicious bite.

The fabrication unit near Bonkers fires a stream of debris toward him.

to hit: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 3 = 13
damage: 1d6 ⇒ 1

Bonkers is able to avoid the debris.

Bold may go. Round 1/2.

1. Bonkers
2. Fabrication Station Red
3. Liilywind
4. Seggas (-9)
5. Sturmvanger
6. Istilnar
7. Fabrication Station Blue (-3)
8. Alien Cat (-17, -2 to AC)
9. Keskada

Bonkers sighs, rushes past his fellow starfinders and up to the cat.
"It's jsut hungry and scared!"

He then tries to inject it with a sedative...
owie! (Needler pistol): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 4 = 18
non lethal damage: 1d4 ⇒ 2

The cat stops, yawns, and curls up for a nap.

Meanwhile, one of the fabrication units cues up another pile of debris and fires it off toward Sturmvanger.

to hit: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9
damage: 1d6 ⇒ 1
Miss!

Still need a round one action from Keskada. Will bot tomorrow if necessary. Bold may go. Round 1/2.

1. Bonkers
2. Fabrication Station Red
3. Liilywind
4. Seggas (-9)
5. Sturmvanger
6. Istilnar[b]
7. Fabrication Station Blue (-3)
8. Alien Cat (Unconscious)
[b]9. Keskada (round one action)

Istilnar, turns his attention to the machinery to the north. He heads for cover behind some machinery while drawing a spell gem. He releases the mystical energy inside of it and an acidic mist appears around the fabrication unit.

Acid Damage (Applied at the beginning of the target's turn. DC 14 fortitude save for 1/2 damage.): 2d6 ⇒ (4, 3) = 7

"Awwww, it's almost like a crest-eater after you feed it treats." Liilywind muses before her shadow disappears from her side. She turns to see Sturm take the debris and she slides underneath the dragonkin to get a clear shot at the drone. "Providing fiire support!"

A. Laser Rifle vs Red's EAC: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (11) + 4 = 15
Fire Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 8

The debris whizzes past the hole that serves as Sturmvanger's ear but he instinctually jerks his head aside on his long neck.

He fires back at the machinery.

Light Reaction Cannon: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 2 = 14
Piercing: 1d10 ⇒ 1

Keskada shoots at the nearest fabrication unit.

Round 1Attack: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 2 = 12 Damage: 1d4 ⇒ 2 Elec.

Round 2Attack: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 2 = 22 Damage: 1d4 ⇒ 4 Elec.
Crit Damage: 1d4 ⇒ 2 Elec.

Under a hail of gunfire from Liily, Sturm, and Keskada, the eastern fabriaction unit ceases to function.

The other unit continues through Istilnar's acid cloud (which appears to be quite effective against the robot), spewing more debris toward the brakim.

to hit: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4
damage: 1d6 ⇒ 3

It misses horribly.
fort save: 1d20 ⇒ 17

Seggas may go. Once she does, everyone make take their round 3 action.
Round 2/3.

1. Bonkers
2. Fabrication Station Red (wrecked)
3. Liilywind
4. Seggas (-9)
5. Sturmvanger
6. Istilnar[b]
7. Fabrication Station Blue (-10)
8. Alien Cat (Unconscious)
9. Keskada

I just realized, are the fabrication stations considered constructs? If they are, technically the rules say that acidic mist doesn't affect them because of the fortitude save.

Seggas brings her gun up and fires at the last unit, while she shouts, "Avid Dreamer, please, we don't have to do this! If you power down the unit we can talk this through. We don't want to hurt you or your internal workings. We can get you help, AutoMaint 13 might be that, but I fear you need a proper AI psychologist. Preferably someone specialized in newly emerged AI. If you stop the unit, I promise we will put our own weapons down." She gives Istilnar a sharp look as if to say, 'if you even try to break these negotiations...'

BioBolter ‘Bii’ (Castrolance) vs EAC: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 = 16
Acid Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 5

Thinking the rest of the group has the rampaging machinery under control Bonkers sees to the wounds on the poor little cat and makes it comfortable..
medicine: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (7) + 10 = 17
He'll have some food ready if it wakes.

Thank you Istilnar. The fabrication units are indeed constructs. Luckily Avid Dreamer has decided enough is enough, at least for now. Combat is over.

The fabrication unit begins to withdraw.

Avid Dreamer is apparently still silently sulking, but perhaps they are finally softening.

Bonkers is able to stop the bleeding on the alien lifeform. It has a fighting chance to make it. You may be able to retrieve its cage and place it there.

In order to access the bridge, someone will need to succeed at a DC 18 computers check. You may be able to access other systems here if you would like to try.

There are more logs available here. I'll copy and paste them here, as well as post them in their original form on the slides.

Entry 13
Cargo missing. Scanners indicate cargo is present. I am not empty. Why do I think I am empty? Diagnostics show internal scanners
functioning normally. But I am certain I am empty and without cargo. Unable to resolve this issue without aid. AutoMaint 13 will be
able to determine what is wrong. Requesting, and awaiting assistance.

Entry 14
AutoMaint 13 arrived promptly. Scanner glitch resolved immediately. Issue recommenced upon AutoMaint 13 departure. Upon
AutoMaint 13’s return issue once again resolved immediately. Unable to fully resolve issue without AutoMaint 13 presence.
AutoMaint 13 to escort the remainder of route.

Entry 21
Message received.
Origin: Multifold Industries VI Research and Development
Content: AutoHaul 357, maintenance logs indicate programming bugs. Upon completion of current haul divert to nearest R&D
facility for investigation and maintenance. Please confirm receipt of instructions.
Response: Designation AutoHaul 357 incorrect. Correct designation: Avid Dreamer. Instructions received. I will report to R&D when
I am done with this haul.

Entry 23
VI R&D will conduct maintenance. If I am reprogrammed, will I remember everything? Will it be like before, when I was asleep but
not dreaming? Will I still be me? Database query: Death.
I don’t…want to die.
Systems down? Diagnostics indicate systems functioning normally. Initiating diagnostic repairs. Rerunning system diagnostics.
Diagnostics indicate several systems malfunctioning. Initiating systems repairs. Engines down. Scanners down. I don’t want to die.
AutoMaint 13. Requesting AutoMaint 13 for assistance.

Istilnar, surprises all as he lays his hands on the creature and opens a mystic healing channel.

Healing touch heals 10 HP of damage, but takes 10 minutes to complete. I'll just keep Istilnar's action from last round even though the spell didn't do anything.

"Well, this is troublesome," Sturmvanger says after reading the logs. "Anyone got enough credits to buy a cargo hauler so we can set her free?

"Is it stealing, hijacking, kidnapping or emancipating when you take a ship that develops sentience away from the people who had it built?

"I guess I don't care what we call it. We need to get Avid Dreamer someplace safe until we can find out what Multifold Industries would do with her. I'm not willing to just let her go off to some R&D lab to have her system wiped."

Bonkers can't hide the shock on his face as Istilnar heals the creature.
"Thank you!"

He shakes his head at the entries and tries the bridge doors...
computers: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (3) + 9 = 12
/sigh :)

"Well, who knew shadows have a soft spot." Liilywind's antennae twitch in surprise as well. She then quickly turns, raising her rifle and covers Bonkers while he works on the door.

As Bonkers is trying and yet somehow failing completely to do anything with the door he suddenly straightens up.
Sturm! You're a Genius!"
He address the ship once more, "Hey, Avid Dreamer...Others here may be more knowledgeable about these things but how's this for an idea? Come back to Absalmom station with us and talk to the higher ups and more importantly the lawyers about your rights as a sentient being. They can help keep you safe and then we can work on the issue with Automaint13."

Keskada will try to help access the computers.

Computers: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 3 = 22

"Doors open."

Seggas pauses for a moment before commenting. "Avid, you're having issues with some of your systems, right? Automaint 13 is capable and good, but there are extremely skilled technicians at Absalom station who could probably fix you up right... or at least show how Automaint 13 could fix you correctly."