GM Jones - SFS Bounties 1-4 (Inactive)

Game Master Jones228

"Cambot, this hologram idea just isn't working! Maybe the ship's computer has some tips on dealing with this danger."

Computers: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 5 = 23

Kiikarah continues to work with the engine, hoping to get it to do what he wants.

Engineering: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 9

Saratur digs about in the power conduits trying to boost the speed but can't seem to squeeze any more out. Antethriss adopts the crash position in the pilot seat, which is never a good sign to the passengers. Vitellius manages to locate some information about a frequency that might deter the creatures following you, but before he has a chance to broadcast it, your sensors pick up a similar frequency being directed towards the voraijas. The comm unit chirps.

"Travelers, this is the Xenowarden ship Tide Swell responding to your call for assistance. Pact Worlds conservation laws protect these creatures, and we applaud your efforts to evade them without harming them. We'll continue broadcasting our signal to herd these two back towards their pod around Liavara. Wait until we've moved on, then I suggest you take your ship out of this area when you're finished with your business here."

There is a short pause before comms are cut, but the captain continues. "I've never seen anything like your ship. Was it your intention to be eaten?"

Exactly. Oblivion to everything. - it is unclear whether he is joking or not.

Saratur pulls himself upright. "Hello there Xenowardens! We are glad to see you here. Eaten? no, just taking this baby for a test flight. How would those creatures know what a fly is? "

"Cambot, I'm going to try a few closers for this segment. Record these to file and I'll pick later. Take 1: 'And so another crisis, narrowly averted. But were the unsung heroes of this dramatic escape really the Xenowardens?' Maybe. Take 2: 'Voraijas seem like cute, harmless space whales. But nature has a dark side! Should more be done to cull these herds that threaten peaceful navigation? Tune into ASNN to keep abreast of the latest legislative developments.' Those animal-rights people would be up in arms. Take 3: 'Starfinders? More like debt collectors and test pilots. A special report, live on ASNN!' Yeah, that's the stuff!"

"My goodness...." The captain begins until Saratur chimes in. "Ah, of course. That's fair. But these voraijas can be opportunistic hunters. They must have decided you looked edible anyway. Be safe, and that you again for working within our conservation laws. Tide Swell out"

The Xenowarden ship moves off, herding the voraijas back to Liavara. You return to the relay to finish the upload, and discover that your ordeal with the voraijas has collected additional data about the ship's capabilities. Bringing you to 14 total data points The uploads goes smoothly and you set controls for the return trip to Absalom Station.

Once you arrive back, J’scib meets you in the hangar. He appears delighted that you have arrived back in the same condition that you left in. "Wonderful! Welcome back! We've reviewed your data, an excellent job! It's given us some valuable perspective on the ship's capabilities. How was the trip? Is there anything you'd like to report on that wasn't in the test data? Any personal opinions on the Grimshaw?" he peppers you with questions, eager to hear about how it went.

He also has a gift for each of you. To your personal comm units he sends a holographic screen saver of the Grimshaw as a memento. He also hands each of you a mk 1 mindlink circlet (Starfinder Core Rulebook 226) and a grappler (Core Rulebook 219). "Accounts payable has be authorized to deliver the credits to your personal accounts. They should appear there by the end of the day." He has one last gift - a corporate promotional video reel of the Grimshaw in flight for Vitellius. A quick review of the film has flybys of the Grimshaw to generic corporate rock music.

Your guns are just terrible. The rest is quite tolerable. The journey was entertaining, the shape of the ship attracts space predators. Combined with bad weapons, I don't envy less fortunate pilots. It's a pleasure to do business with you. He collects items, shakes hands with everyone and goes about his business.

"Your engineers are going to have a tough time if you don't improve that user interface" add Kiikarah.

Saratur is glad to be back in Absalom station. "The ship is fine, smooth ride. Just those giant whales that tried to eat us, but it was fine!"

Vitellius nods appreciatively at the gift of the promotional reel. "Perfect B-roll for my voiceover--thanks!"

"Terrible guns, space whales, oh my.... Alot to unpack. Thank you for your service Starfinders. I'm sure your recommendations will be considered." and the Shirren shuffles off. A guard escorts you from the facility, leaving you once again free to return to your lives on Absolom Station.

Some time passes. You begin scouring the infoshepere for new job postings. When you spot a listing on Verces looking for a team of professionals, you decide to reach out to your most recent crew members.

You are given instructions to meet Councilor Kirslin Auganir in the small city of Thamal, which is located in the ring-nation of Shubu. You arrive in the pastoral district and head for the welcome center. The center is surrounded by a mix of trees, older buildings, and new construction. The surface of the visitors center’s large silver dome is covered with thousands of small colored lights that display the message, “Welcome to Thamal.”

Councilor Kirslin Auganir strides out to meet you. She appears to be a female verthani diplomat. During introductions, her skin flashes in vibrant, colorful patterns.

“Thank you for coming,” Councilor Kirslin Auganir says, “I’m sure you’ve noticed the city’s recent power troubles. It’s a problem the city council would like remedied as soon as possible.” The lights flicker out, along with the lights and displays of nearby buildings. After a few moments, the lights flicker back to life.

Councilor Kirslin sighs heavily, her skin paling to a dismal gray. “Did you see that? This city’s about to be named a top Verces travel destination for the first time in its history, but nobody’s going to want to visit us if the power won’t stay on. I can see the next story now: ‘Thamal’s future is looking dim. Literally.’ Luckily, that’s where you come in. The city council managed to narrow the power issue down to a single plant. Station Green has gone completely offline, and the other power plants can’t consistently compensate. We sent repair drones in three times, but they went dead upon arrival. So now I’m sending you, if you’ll take the job, that is. And please, keep it quiet? We’ve got a reputation to maintain.”

She hands you several tourism brochures, logs from the plant and repair drones, and a map to Station Green. She’s happy to answer any questions you may have.

Vitellius walks off to the side and motions for Cambot to get a shot of him standing in front of the flickering lights. "Thamal's future is looking dim. Literally. Can Starfinders save a would-be tourist mecca before it's 'lights out' forever? Find out tonight on This is Vitellius! Only on ASNN."

After the recording is over, he walks back to the group. "Don't worry Councilor, these Starfinders are pretty good at problem solving! They might shoot the place up a bit, but they're worth every credit."

Saratur looks at the information and asks "When you said about repair drones going dead upon arrival. Was it a figure of speech, or were they actually destroyed. Do we have any information from the planet before it went dark?"

He wonders for a moment "How about you change the advertisement to: 'Spend your vacation in the dark ages! Without electricity and other commodities.'"

"Shoot up the place, my goodness I hope not. Please do your best to be cautious. This power station is critical to our community."

She turns to Saratur. "We simply lost contact with the drones. Any we send there have disappeared. Any information we have on the plant's operation before the brownouts are supplied in the logs I have provided you."

If you would like to examine the logs that Kirslin handed you you can attempt a Computers check or a culture check to recall knowledge. Alternatively you can attempt a diplomacy check to gather information from the Counsellor

Culture: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 5 = 23

Kiikarah starts digging around for more information about the station. "It seems like there is some sort of organic interference around the power station. Strange plant life? Kirslin, do you know anything more about it?"

Vitellius pumps the Counsellor for information, always on the lookout for an interesting detail to spice up a story. When he's finished, he says "Cambot, are you getting all this? Fabricated logs could be fraud! Now we're getting somewhere juicy!"

Diplomacy (Gather Information): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (10) + 7 = 17

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (9) + 7 = 16

"Let me look around for anyone skillful to aid us."

But Saratur has the same result as Kiikarah, but not as precise

"Ha! So we know something."

Antethriss nodded. Probably a monster. We will certainly destroy it.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5

Is that really all you know? - draelik was not diplomatic again.

Is that really all you know? - draelik was not diplomatic again.

Kirslin turns, almost startled by the abrubt question. "Well, we get logs from the power plants, sure, but who has time to dig into all that? I do know this: the plant didn’t send out any warning before it stopped functioning, and there’s no indication of intrusion, an explosion, or anything like that.”

I will move us on, but if anyone still has questions for the Counselor, feel free to ask.

You follow the directions just out of town to the location of Station Green. The structure stands in a paved clearing decorated with a tile mosaic of a forest against a city skyline. A 10 foot path surrounds the plant, with wild grass growing through the cracks, encroaching on the building itself. The front door is ajar.

How would you like to proceed? See the slides for a mostly blacked out map. The front door is located at the bottom center.

"Can anyone identify these plants," asks Kiikarah gesturing at the grasses.

"Journalism 101: plants are boring. Now, how about you enter the station in some really dramatic way! Like, a zipline or crashing through a window or something? That'd make for some good footage!"

"Those plants? Isn't it yours, out of water, kind of weeds?" he says as Saratur moves towards the main door

"Hello, anyone home?"

The Morlamaw looks inside the entryway.

The entryway to the power plant is lit by sunlight coming through the plant’s open front door, though emergency lights in the ceiling also flicker dimly. Pieces of metal and circuitry are scattered across the floor. Some spark erratically. The sound of dripping is accompanied by faint squeaking and skittering.

The ceiling here is 40 ft high, which seems excessive. They must not have to heat these spaces.

Perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8

Saratur looks around, and spots nothing

Vitellius stops as if he's spotting something important, but then realizes it's just a speck of dirt on his trendy shades.

Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14

Kiikarah moves up to join Saratur in the doorway.

Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15

"Careful," says Kiikarah. "The floor is covered in some sort of fluid."

Engineering: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 2 = 17

Pointing out the pieces, "That looks to be what is left of one of the repair drones. Wonder what took it out."

Physical Sci if you want to ID the fluid, and Life Sci if you want to figure out what attacked the drone. I've got neither.

There are also 3 doors from this room. One straight ahead, one to the left, and one to the right.

I hope it's not burning... Draelik heads to the left alley, trying to tread silently.

Stealth: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (10) + 8 = 18 +4 in dim light or darkness

Saratur moves towards the main doors "How about we check the main door, and be done with it."

Perception to check for traps: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 3 = 15

Kiikarah follows the envoy, keeping a suspicious eye on any plants.

Saratur moves into the room to the first door through the slick fluid across the floor, looking for traps. As his eyes are trained for traps on the door, he doesn't spot the sparking from electrical components in the fluid at his feet!

Electrical Damage: 2d6 ⇒ (2, 2) = 4

Now I'm going to give you a get out of jail free card here. Moving through the fluid is difficult terrain overcome by a DC10 acrobatics check. If you fail that you would not have moved into your space and have been shocked.

Knowing there are hazards on the floor now, you can identify them with a DC17 perception check. Once located, you can attempt an Engineering check to remove the electrical components from the conductive fluid safely. Otherwise you'll have to describe your path through the room ("up 3 over 2 etc") Could Antethriss provide an acrobatics check and describe their path through the room as well.

Acrobatics: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (11) + 10 = 21 auto-check

I made a line on the map with the previous route.

"Whoa, look at those live wires! Let's see . . . I got it! Cambot, narrow shot at me. 'A shocking beginning to what seemed like an ordinary mission for the Starfinders!' Cut. I'll work on it."

Vitellius shows the group where the hazards are.

I don't have Engineering, alas.

Perception Check: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 4 = 20

Vitellius calls out the location of the electrical safety danger to the others as they move through the space. But not before Antethriss sneaks into the room and brushes through another conductive area.
Damage, E: 2d6 ⇒ (4, 1) = 5

I have removed the map layer and revealed the electrified spaces. Reminders:
-An Engineering check can be made to safely mitigate the danger and remove the electrical components from the conductive liquid.
-A Physical Science check can still be made to identify the liquid on the floor
-A Life Science check can be made to try and look for evidence on the destroyed drone.
-Or don't let me railroad you and do what you want!
-Kiikarah and Saratur require a DC 10 Acrobatics check, on a fail they would not have moved into their electrified spaces

Acrobatics: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (11) + 6 = 17

Once the hazard is pointed out, Kiikarah will attempt to disable the danger.

Engineering: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3
Or not.

Acrobatics: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (11) + 10 = 21

After Saratur is zapped he steps back and looks at the liquid "What is that!?! Ouch that hurt, my flippers are all numb now!"

He looks around to find any isolator with which he could mop the water, or move them to one place. "anyone saw the janitor around here?"

I think we should rest, on lvl 1, 5 dmg is huge:D

Kiikarah tries to look for an safe place to grab onto the sparking electrical components but isn't sure he won't get a zap in the process. If you'd like to try it again you can, but will risk the 2d6

You all back off from the electrified areas to avoid any more damage and assess what to do next.

So that door to the north is a big risk for now. You determine you can get around the other dangerous areas and check out the doors to the east and west however. How would you like to proceed?

Upon reviewing the trap, there is a DC11 Reflex Save for Half damage

Saratur looks at the place "Well we have no one with agile fingers, knowing their ways around traps. Maybe it is a good thing, how about we try those doors to the east?" suggests

"Stumbling, bumbling, and sometimes tumbling? All apt words to describe Starfinders. And yet!" Vitellius narrates, "We must add determined! Never to slink away in despair despite the hardships they face, Starfinders are known throughout the Pact Worlds for their persistence. Here, we see them turned away from one path only to find another."

Vitellius will use his Inspiring Boost on Saratur to restore some stamina (9).

Motivated Inspiring Boost: 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9

Reflex: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7 I hope my combat rolls are better

Kiikarah takes to the air to avoid touching the wet ground as they head to the eastern doors.

That's two for east!

The doors to the east open to a curving hallway. To the left, a door opens to an overgrown grassy outdoor area.

Farther down the hallway, the doors are open to a large room. The skittering and squeaking you heard as you entered the main foyer can be heard until you approach the room - it drifts away the closer you get and goes silent. The original purpose of this room is unclear. What remains is a tattered mess the room's original electrical components, as well as the remains of some of the repair drones. The trash is accumulated in the center of the room almost into a structure.

Light streams into though the windows, but traversing the room is still difficult over all the trash.

Normal lighting in this room, but difficult terrain. What do you do?

"Thank you Vitellius, I do feel better. Fascinating how much a bit of motivation can do to us."

He looks at the difficult terrain and begins to look for signs of any traps

Perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9

"Maybe they should have sent here a team of engineers, it looks like in a state of disrepair."

Kiikarah flies just into the room and looks around at the wreckage.

Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9

Ref: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 21

Antethriss goes after his strix friend. Looking around the room, he says, "it looks like a nest." Draelik heads forward to look inside (with his acrobatics and athletics, he is not afraid of difficult terrain)

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (18) + 6 = 24 - new traps? dangers?
Survival: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 6 = 16 - any footprints of some animal?

Saratur and Kiikarah begin to poke around the debris pile to investigate. As Antethriss look on around the room for signs of any signs of wildlife, he recognizes the main debris pile as a nest. He scans about the room and picks out two rodent like creatures hiding in the eastern corners of the room amongst the electrical trash! They screech, bare their fangs and make to attack!

Combat!
Round 1 - Bold to act
Antethriss
Blue
Saratur
Kiikarah
Red
Vitellius

Draelik rushes with a knife to the first of the beetles. His movements are filled with deadly grace at the moment when, rotating simultaneously with a dagger strike, he tries to kick over a cockroach.

Stunt and Strike (Athletics): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (18) + 9 = 27 - vs DC 20 + target’s CR
Survival Knife: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (17) + 3 = 201d4 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6 - Piercing vs KAC; target could be FF (see check above)
If Stunt and Strike was successful, target should roll a DC 13 Reflex check or be knocked prone

Antethriss steps up and Wallops the first rat, sending it against the wall and down on it's side.

In response, the second rat dashes forward with a hiss and bites Antethriss for attacking it's mate!

2 points of Damage, Antethriss. And please give me a Fortitude save check.

Round 1 - Bold to act
Antethriss -2 SP
Blue
Saratur
Kiikarah
Red -6 HP & prone
Vitellius

Fort: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 9

Wincing from the bite, Antethriss still shouted "hit the lying one!"