SFS 2-13 - Storm of the End Times (KS) (Inactive)

Game Master phaeton_nz

Not here.

Same. But I can do a beautiful flip from the wing of the ship if it somehow helps ))

Paging mister intro. Guess we need an intro for Skip to skip.

Mister intro? Where's mister intro?

Universe, the ultimate border
These are the travels of the cosmos vessel 'serious business'
On a pentennual quest
To find new biology
and new societies
To fearlessly venture...

Ah, there he is! :-P

Tetra does not have a nice modifier for Mysticism, and is also unranked, if it matters, but will be rolling it anyway, so...

Mysticism, Unranked to Aid: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 3 = 22

Tetra helps his best way possible for them to communicate with the Desnans from the other side... Perhaps some tweaking of the comm device? Or aligning it to something mystical? He tries his best...

The witchwarper opens his eyes on the bridge to find it empty.

You old coot, you've dozed off again...

He quickly gathers himself and makes his way down the ramp to join his crew, hoping his absence wasn't noticed, but overhearing his name is he approaches. "Ah, yes, here I am. Dreams you say?"

Mysticism, two aids: 1d20 + 8 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 8 + 2 + 2 = 16

Sorry everyone, I checked yesturday and my campaigns tab didn't show any new posts. Turns out there was 18

Unfortunately that doesn't quite make it. But you can still earn Favour with the Desnians if you manage to find signs of previous life on the planet.

All your equipment is now set up and under tarpaulins because of the rain. Lifft is sure everything is working. Others can confirm with a Computers, Engineering, or Physical Science check.

You are now at Setup Period 3. Is there anything else you wish to do?

"I... I... I wonder if now we are down here, the sensors on the Pegasus would be able to pick up any other life signs in the area?" suggests Liftt.

The CAAMC nods approvingly. "Helping others is a good way to deal with your own tensions."

You can certainly pick up life signs on the four pillars that are currently occupied but the magnetic fields and the water combined are blocking sensors just below the surface.

There does seem to be some anomalous readings coming from Pillar A2 (The Amphitheatre) seemingly organic and metallic material on Pillar A5 (The Dome), and more organic material on Pillar A6 (The Honeycomb). The magnetic interference makes it really difficult to get more accurate information.

I suggest exploring everything. Doesn't look like there's a big difference for us, right?

Physical Science: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 = 13

Yeah, it's plugged in Momo says, not really feeling confident to remark on anything else.

How would visiting another site work? Do we have to fly out again? Leave the equipment? What are our options?

Unless someone brought an ATV, you'd have to use the ship, leaving the equipment behind.

Skip doesn't have any of the skills to check the equipment.

"While I would love to investigate the readings on the other pillars, I'm concerned about leaving our equipment unattended incase another group tries to land here."

How does everyone else feel about it?

Liftt looks around doubtfully.

"There is something... about this place... that doesn't engender cooperation. Look at how those we helped before nabbed the best spot available." he offers.

"I'd hate to lose our equipment."

"Our mission parameters do not include the search for unknown life. If you must pursue that end, I will remain here. The instruments require further testing."

Tofana ducks under a tarp to continue working on the equipment.

Computers: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (14) + 12 = 26

We could split the party.

Tofana finetunes the equipment. They are now satisfied that, as soon as the rain stops, they are all good to go.

Momo opens the communication channel once more We've found something that might interest you. Our reading show some interesting signs of organic and metallic material on some of the other locations here. We've just set up our equipment for measurement, and we can't get better readings without breaking it all down and moving over, but perhaps you have stronger antenna?

She doesn't volunteer the coordinates at once, but is happy to share them when asked.

"Perhaps we can help the others after our mission is complete. "

Your sensors are most likely better than ours, and you're probably more equipped for such explorations than us. But if you don't have any exploration craft, maybe one of the other groups have some they could lend you.

Incidentally, could you please pass this message on to any Desnians in your Society. We're thinking of revitalizing our outpost on a planet called P0n-3 and if any of them want to help us out, they'd be most welcome.

So Momo contacted the Desnians, correct?

Skip retrieves his aged flip-open com unit, preferring it to the newer touch screen style. He attempts to reach out to the Ibrians.

"Ahoy there, Whispered Wish. We're hoping you can help us out this time. Do you happen to have an all-terrain vehicle on board? We're picking up some anomalous readings we'd like to explore without breaking down our equipment. Call it returning the favour"

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13

Yes she did

Unfortunately not, but if we had, we would allow you to use it is the reply that Skip gets.

"Roger, Whispered Wish, thank you, and good luck!"

He closes the comm line and turns to the remaining crew. "Well, that was worth a try... Although I'd have been concerned about the engine oil in their craft attacking us at some point. Our good Venture-Captain did encourage us to explore other anomalous readings, however I believe that was line item number three - well behind our current objective here"

Voting stay I guess! Not sure what else to suggest.

Antetriss goes to do push-ups. This is not a fight, not a sporting event and not a reason to curry favor with his superiors as he is used to among his fellow drow. So he needs to keep himself in shape! When the time comes to act, he will definitely be called.

Any option will suit me.

You could always try talking to the first group to arrive

Someone should go for it. Tofana's destined to fail, and she's hyper focused on the solar observations anyway.

The first group to arrive to take our spot? Or the first group that was already here when we initially arrived prior to the rescue mission?

Momo looks slightly preoccupied, but ultimately opens the comm channel, this time hailing the group of people that had trouble with the magnetic goop. Hello everybody! Momori... Momo here! How is your mission going? Can you help us out in any way? We'd either need an exploration vessel, or maybe we could ask you run a scan for us?

Skip already talked to the Iberans

Standing by their scientific equipment, Skip scans the horizon with his eyes for the next group to arrive

According to your ship's sensors there are no other ships inbound or in orbit. You are fairly sure you can go visit the folks on A1, and be back before any other ship arrives.

"The Pegasus has great sensors. I'm sure they will let us know if another ship arrives in-system, and certainly in atmosphere. We should have plenty of time to zip back here to reclaim our spot if another visitor does arrive." Says Liftt in a hopeful manner.

We could go to that dome-shaped area to see if we can get a good reading for the cultists? Or that place with the honeycomb pattern? Momo suggests, do you suppose it would be safe to land there?

I'm good with trying out a different location for a scan. A2 is taken, but a5 and a6 were also candidates

The first group that were already here. You don't know who they are but it looks like they've been here a while and are really prepared. They even have hover vehicles parked outside, ideal for exploring the local environment.

"If you want to visit the Altar, I advise radioing first. They undoubtedly coild help us, but their encampment suggests a defensive and territorial attitude."

A1 - The Altar - Looks like someone got here first. A massive dome made of pale-green alloys crowns this wide basalt column, its roof studded with telescope lenses, dish receivers, and recording instruments. Turret-mounted weapons form a defensive perimeter around the site, and a small hangar containing six-displacer hovercrafts abuts the main facility. A partially enclosed patio resembles a dining room set for guests, though no one appears to have visited.

Liftt tries the radio.
"Ahh.. hello group on Altar-like-structure! We are a team looking to study what is about to happen. Would you.. that is.. would you like to.. ahh.. share information?"

The dome on A1 reminds you of Azlanti architecture but it is not a representative of the Aeon Guard that answers. Instead it is a creature with glowing eyes. Picture on slides

Hello Hello. Nice to hear from someone else. I am Orvoll, chief astronomer of our Shatori group. Which pillar are you on and who do you represent?

They seem rather curious about you and offer their hospitality for you to visit them.

Liftt looks around the rest of the group. "Anyone heard of the Shatori?" he asks.

culture(untrained): 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 1 = 16

"They seem friendly...."

Then we must be friendly back." is the prompt reply from his CAAAMC.

We should be friendly but doubly alert. With affability, a knife is usually hidden. He says it in a whisper, then speaks loudly into the microphone:

Greetings to you! We are a team of researchers from the Pact Worlds, of course! We are on the Arch, we want to explore the rest of the places, and at the same time exchange knowledge and have a good time with other fellow researchers from other cultures.

Drow pauses and looks around at his comrades for approval. He doesn't seem to believe that all this will end well, but what can he do. That's the way of Starfinder.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (19) + 6 = 25

Skip gives the drow an encouraging nod, and goes on to add "We are representatives of the Starfinder Society. We noticed you seem to have some exploration vehicles at your disposal, we were hoping to explore some anomalous readings on other unoccupied pillars. Would you be interested in entering into a partnership of sorts to help us?"

Diplomacy, Aid: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (19) + 8 = 27

We do not know much of your ..... Starfinder Society. Tell me ... do you follow the Principles that guide our existence ... the Philosophy of The Shaban?

There is nothing in your database that tells you what that is. All that you know about the Shatori is that they are part of the Azlant Empire.

"Umm.. we don't know about the Shaban... at least under that name. "

Stutters back Liftt.

"Perhaps you could tell us about it. H/Have a .... cr...cross cultural... exchange?" he suggests.

A cross culture exchange would be desirable Orvoll replies. It is not often that we get to talk to other species outside the Empire

The Shaban is our constitution, our philosophy, and our salvation. The Shaban has guided our way of life since shortly after we emerged from stasis, giving us purpose in the face of our slow march toward extinction. At its most basic level, the Shaban teaches us to enrich ourselves only in ways that also enrich others, so that all may direct their hopes and ambitions toward the common good. Most importantly, the Shaban ensures no shatori life is wasted, so our people will not diminish in vain.

"Oh!" replies Liftt. "Our core tenets in the Starfinder Society are to Explore, Report and Cooperate. That sounds similar really. We cooperate for the common good, let everyone know what we have learned and push the boundaries of knowledge!"

He pauses.

"I know so little about the Azlanti empire but your ship looks similar to their designs. How do you fit into it?"

We are just one of a number of species subjugated by the Empire. Any shatori life lost can never be replaced, so a war would be catastrophic for us. When the Star Empire came to Disaj, we realized we could accomplish more within the empire’s service than buried beneath their heels. Their leadership is contemptible, but with patience and subtlety we may yet guide them toward a greater good.

Mysticism: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 4 = 20 Probably draws a blank anyway, if the philosophy is unknown

Momo looks a bit distraught at the story of the shatori, feeling sad for the inevitable destruction of the species. So different from the philosophy she's been taught. You say a life lost can never be replaced... are there no young shatori? What happened to your species?

Shatoris originally hailed from Perdane, the greatest planet in the system, but daemons overran our ancestral lands. Our people have long been skilled at planar travel, but now we tread the multiverse more carefully, for we know what happens when others follow us home.

Our ancestors escaped the daemons that invaded our home by retreating to the Boneyard and entering suspended animation for centuries. Our people survived, but at great cost. Prolonged exposure to Pharasma’s realm halted our natural aging and rendered us sterile. Rather than dwindle into extinction, the Shaban teaches us to make our lives count for something beyond our own society. In our case, we hope to immortalize this unique aurora in our records before erosion destroys the pillars and consigns this marvelous event to oblivion.

Drow shrugs. The story is sad, but instead of fighting daemons, shatori could make friends with them, like drow with demons once. It would be interesting what would come of it... He does not voice these thoughts and waits for the others to speak out if they wish.

Tetra is silent for a while, unsure of what to actually do, given that this is his first mission. But no excuses, of course, he wants to cooperate and is willing to help them and be commanded if his skills are needed.

"If you need my skills, I am willing to help. Please tell me what to do. This is my first mission as the Society's agent and I am not sure of how everyone works outside the four walls. Hopefully, I can learn after this." he says to his allied agents truthfully and awaits instructions on what he can do.

Tofana carefully checks that her comm message is carried on a private channel to only the Starfinders. "A sad story. We have a few hours. I believe that the equipment is in peak condition. We can visit them and possibly investigate the anomalous readings before the aurora blooms. "

So you go visit. You have already impressed them with some of the previous checks to exemplify the virtues enshrined in the Shaban such as Community (Diplomacy). You can also demonstrate your Initiative with Profession or Survival checks, Objectivity with Life Science or Physical Science and Strength with Athletics or Intimidate.

They are especially pleased to see you as they explain that the Star Empire’s fearsome reputation has kept all other viewers from interacting with the shatori contingent so you receive a warm welcome.