Game Master S's "Road to Reconciliation" [3-6] (Inactive)

Game Master Chris Marsh

It's Starfinder, not PF2, casting always draws, it's a function of whether or not the foe has their reaction still.

Kyra takes the blast full in the face, while Burnham manages to twist away at the last moment. Kyra IO responds with a spell, and Teosen is ready for it:
AoO: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (3) + 12 = 15, but he wasn't expecting such audacity and makes a weak attack! Will: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15 He resists the worst of the spell, and he's not done yet.

He easily dodges the actual shot from Twila-5, though he did fall fo rhte gambit.

Round 3:
Burnham (SP: 7/18): Miss REF
Teosen: Burst
Twila-5 (SP: 15/24): Miss
K.I.N.A.A.: Go
Kyra IO (SP 7/42): MTII

K.I.N.A.A. takes a quick look at Kyra. Noticing that she is looking a little haggard, but not to the point where the dwarf can help, K.I.N.A.A. stays close while throwing something with a little more oomph at the solarian.

Shooting Stars: 3d4 + 3 ⇒ (3, 2, 4) + 3 = 12
It's the official reskin of Magic Missile for star shamans.

The motes of starlight slam into Teosen who grunts heavily with the hit. He raises both of his right arms, "I yield! I yield!"

He catches his breath for a moment before continuing, "I admit you are better combatants than I. Here please take these as a gift of appreciation for the practice." He hands you each a mk 1 thermal capacitor.

Your mildly cantankerous guide is now a bit less so as he considers the level of teamwork you showed. A team of medics immediately moves in to help all the combatants. Free 10 minute rest, no additional RP need to be spent.

Zaira and Daiwin arrive just as you're wrapping up, curious to see how you have fared so far. Koyonn shares your progress with the windspeakers, and Zaira looks pleased with the information.

She informs you that she and her wife have one more test for you, “Strix oral histories go back millennia,” Zaira explains, taking a seat on the ground and gesturing for everyone around her to do the same. “Excluding the Gap, of course. While we keep some documents, we primarily rely on stories and tales to remind us of who we are and what we’ve accomplished. Part of our upbringing is learning not only to recite stories but also learning how to properly tell stories so that everyone in the circle remembers the tale and can take it back to their other circles to share.” She gives everyone around her a slow nod as Daiwin passes around a waterskin. “Starfinders, I would like to know: what stories can you share with me that I can bring back to my other circles?”

Koyonn offers to share a story first, acting as an example for you. It's clear that he's doing this out of a newfound respect for you and the Society. Koyonn shares the story of the theft of the Night’s Call and how their great-grandmother, Ahusata, went on the journey off-planet to retrieve the stolen artifact from the Starfinder Society but never returned.

Hearing the story and seeing how Koyonn presents themself during it grants each of you a +1 circumstance bonus to your attempts. The lowest DCs go to Culture and Diplomacy attempts, but creative options are allowed if you can weave it well.

"We dwarves love a good story as well, and I have seen a lot over the last couple of centuries. Much of that from the inside of a mine, which likely won't interest you. But recently I was sent to investigate a seemingly empty building, and found myself confronting another aspect of the Society's... less than honorable past. Of course, I believe that things have changed with us significantly since then, and for the better, and at least one being we foudn there would likely agree. But let me start with the community center..."

She describes her actions in SFS #5-06 Tarnished Legacy: Historia's Holdout, not printed here for spoiler reasons.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11

"Wait, that didn't sound right. The angelic bunny robots weren't actually hostile..."

Diplomacy, Promotional Reroll, 2 Stars: 1d20 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 5 + 2 = 21

K.I.N.A.A.'s turn is met with a rapt audience, and a well received tale!

Twila-5 straightens her shoulders to begin her story. "I feel the mark of death within me. ... Androids' souls bind with another android body when we die. Some remember everything about their predecessors; some do not. My immediate predecessor, Twila-4, was obsessed with death. She wanted to fully understand it, to experience it as much as possible, so she sought out opportunities to be nearby when people died. She longed to see the moment their life passed from their eyes.

Her life was unceremoniously cut short while trying to escort a contact to safety. She finally got her deepest wish: to fully experience death, but she wasn't around anymore to remember it. Her soul--our soul--had a hard time letting go. Something happened to it--to me--in that time it was between bodies, and so there is something of both death and life within me, inextricably bound to who I am. I cannot escape her. I don't even know if I want to."

Culture: 1d20 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 7 + 1 = 25
Maybe a reach, but she's referencing Andriod renewal.

Twila-5's story goes deep, and all look to see the strix riveted by it!

Kyra isn't sure how she is going to top that, but she looked, ... deeply affected by Twila-5's story. She sort of remembered how she came to be, way back in Numeria, but she didn't remember any Renewals, she just was .... although she was told she had gone through so many, pre and post-Gap, that the count had been lost. It was all Merisiel's fault she thought to herself.

So she told the story of the Pahtras and how their planet, Pulonis, had been occuoied by the Vesk, and renamed Vesk-6 and how some Pahtras were fighting to win it back. She then told the story of her involvement in one episode where some militant Pahtras attempted to assassinate the High Despot and attendees at a celebration of the 'peaceful' annexation of the Pahtra Homeworld. She, and her party, managed to save the attendees but decided to withhold the name of one of the rebels, as she had not been involved in that part of the plot, but had been set up to take the fall.

Sometimes Kyra concluded. The choice has to be made between what is morally right and what is ... erm ... convenient. In this instance, I chose not to ... erm .. throw that Pahtra under the bus, as some would say, but conceal her name from the Brigadier Vesk in charge. Of course she was angry with me, the Brigadier that is, but Sarenrae teaches forgiveness and this Pahtra did not deserve punishment for a crime she was only associated with. I did however confess all to Guidance and our Society leadership.

Culture: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (1) + 11 = 12

Reroll from Divine Blessing feat

Culture: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (11) + 11 = 22

It is clear that the Starfinder team is causing the strix to rethink their stance. Kyra IO's story is also quite well received.

Burn stays at the back of the group hoping to avoid notice. He's cheered by the effect that the others' stories are having, and perhaps doesn't realize the inevitable. But when the respectful pause after Kyra's tale stretches and evolves expectantly, he recognizes his doom.

Horse feathers.

"My stories are mostly the kinds of ones that you tell over beers. I don't suppose you have any? Didn't think so. And that's probably not the kind of story you want. So I'll try a different kind of story.

I wanted nothing more than to see who could jump to the farthest rock...

Burn's story is about not quite fitting in with his parents plans. Wasting his first (and only) year in university on Absalom Station drinking, playing poker, and hanging on the outskirts of the junk racing scene. Then watching a party of Starfinders help out some clueless noob who had challenged the king of the junk racing circuit.
How the Starfinders intrigued him, and gave him a path with purpose.

"... And so now I'm a solid citizen. Helping science get done, and discovering knowledge like my parents would want. And I still get to jump to the farthest rock I can."

diplomacy, untrained: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 1 = 17

Even the slightly rough-around-the-edges Burnham impresses. It's clear that the mission is going well. In fact, Daiwin removes a pack from her hip bag and passes it to you. This pack contains one tier 2 antitoxin and one medpatch for each Starfinder!

After the stories are told, Daiwin offers you an opportunity to prove that the Starfinder Society has had "a change of heart." She explains, "Not far from the Aerie of the Sun, there’s another sacred site: Shifting Nest. When Pallena stole Night’s Call, she emptied the Aerie by hiring mercenaries to raid Shifting Nest and numerous other sacred sites, prompting the guards and elders to try to save what sites they could. Shifting Nest has been in the hands of bandits for a generation but, at present, seems abandoned. I would like you to travel to Shifting Nest and clear out any remaining threats so that I and Zaira can arrange to have the area cleansed and brought back into strix custody."

It's about a 2 hour walk from here. Koyonn provides directions to Shifting Nest but refuses to accompany you on your journey. "For this test, you must triumph alone."

K.I.N.A.A. thanks Daiwin for the supplies and asks if she can tell us anything useful about the occupants of the Shifting Nest.

Once on the road and safely out of earshot of the strix, the dwarf asks her companions, "Anyone else getting a weird feeling about this? I kind of get how climbing in teams was supposed to prove something, but why would they want us to make a display of strength to show that we are sorry? And then 'test' us again by sending us to another fight?"

As K.I.N.A.A. ponders the odd behavior of the strix, the ground rumbles.

K.I.N.A.A.'s questions give Twila-5 pause. "Good point. Maybe they're looking to see if we go in like murder hobos without looking for other options first." She stops in her tracks as the ground rumbles, glancing around for any sign of what caused it.

Perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (20) + 9 = 29

Either that ..... or this is their idea of penance that we need to accomplish

She also pauses and looks around, drawing her Pulsecaster at the same time.
perception: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (19) + 12 = 31

Burn also looks around, before continueing the conversation. "Or they're looking for points of common philosophy. Or just yanking our chain. Doesn't matter. Twila's got a point. We don't want to look like thugs."

Survival: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 19

The party waxes philosophical about the strix motives as they look about. Sharp-eyed and ready, as soon as the ground rumbles, Twila-5 and Kyra IO point to a quickly moving wave under he ground. Not surprised!

A split second later, a creature made of pure earth erupts from the ground and immediately attacks!

No surprise, but it still wins initiative. Angle: 1d8 ⇒ 3 Target: 1d4 ⇒ 2

It swings a rock fist at Twila-5: ATK: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (14) + 13 = 27 for DMG: 1d6 + 8 ⇒ (2) + 8 = 10

Round 1:
Earth creature: ATK Mysticism to ID
Burnham: Go
Twila-5 (SP: 14/24): Go
K.I.N.A.A.: Go
Kyra IO: Go

K.I.N.A.A. studies the creature.

Mysticism: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (3) + 11 = 14
Looking for resistances and weaknesses.

Without any good idea how to approach, she opens with a familiar move.

Telekinetic Projectile: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7 vs. KAC
Bludgeoning Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 1

Using rocks against rocks may be suboptimal. She steps back.

K.I.N.A.A. suffers a bit of a mental block, unable to figure out exactly what she's facing. Her spell is also off-game, and flies harmlessly into the sands beyond.

Round 1:
Earth creature: ATK Mysticism to ID
Burnham: Go
Twila-5 (SP: 14/24): Go
K.I.N.A.A.: Miss
Kyra IO: Go

Kyra also attempts to identify this thing
mysticism: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (2) + 14 = 16

What is it weak to and would biohacks even work against it?

She takes a shot with her pulsecaster, which only does non-lethal damage
pulsecaster: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (11) + 6 = 17 electricity: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

Before heading out, Twila-5 would've switched out the batteries in her static arc pistol.

After getting hit once, Twila-5 flips backwards over another swing, drawing her static arc pistol in mid-air, and landing in a flanking position with Kyria IO. She looks for a weak spot to aim her shot, but gives up instantly and simply fires. It's a rock. It doesn't have any weak spots.

Trick Attack (Acrobatics): 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (12) + 12 = 24
Static Arc Pistol (E): 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 6 + 2 = 211d6 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4
Trick Attack Damage, if applicable: 1d8 ⇒ 3

Kyra knows this to be an elemental of earth. the good news is that it mostly likely means this isn't a trap or anything of the sort by the strix. The bad news is that it slightly resists ALL damage caused by physical means.

She finds out that electricity works just fine however!

Round 1:
Earth creature: ATK Mysticism to ID
Burnham: Go
Twila-5 (SP: 14/24): Hit
K.I.N.A.A.: Miss
Kyra IO: Hit

Burnham sweeps his sword from its scabbard and closes to melee range. He drives the sword at the intruder.

Sword v KAC: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (19) + 6 = 25 ... damage: 1d8 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13

And +1 on ranged attacks for all of you.

Burnham's sword strikes true, and his skill gives everyone else an opening. The elemental resists the attack a bit, but the damage is clear. It responds by slamming rocks into Burnham's face:

Slam: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (10) + 13 = 23 for DMG: 1d6 + 8 ⇒ (6) + 8 = 14

Round 2:
Earth creature: ATK
Burnham (SP: 4/18: Go
Twila-5 (SP: 14/24): Go
K.I.N.A.A.: Go
Kyra IO: Go

Kyra takes another shot at it.
pulsecaster: 1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 6 + 1 = 8 electricity: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

If physical missiles aren't going to work, K.I.N.A.A. will try magic ones.

Shooting Stars: 3d4 + 3 ⇒ (3, 1, 1) + 3 = 8

Kyra's aim is way off, but K.I.N.A.A. goes for the sure thing! All three stars slam into the elemental, clearly harming it, but the creature is pretty tough!

Round 2:
Earth creature: ATK
Burnham (SP: 4/18): Go
Twila-5 (SP: 14/24): Go
K.I.N.A.A.: Stars
Kyra IO: Miss

The big man staggers back from the blow but quickly closes again behind a flurry of strikes.

Sword v KAC, full attack: 1d20 + 6 - 4 ⇒ (2) + 6 - 4 = 4 ... damage: 1d8 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12
Sword v KAC, full attack: 1d20 + 6 - 4 ⇒ (16) + 6 - 4 = 18 ... damage: 1d8 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7

"Somebody get behind it!" awkward phrasing of a flank request Don't feel obliged.

Oh and +1 on ranged shots for you all.

The big man misses on the initial swing, but catches the elemental on the follow up. Unfortunately, it's a light hit, but a damaging hit nonetheless!

Round 2:
Earth creature: ATK
Burnham (SP: 4/18): Hit
Twila-5 (SP: 14/24): Go
K.I.N.A.A.: Stars
Kyra IO: Miss

"Shift a bit so we can both flank it." Twila-5 responds to Burn. She fires point blank into the elemental's broadside, then somersaults to the side.

Trick Attack (Acrobatics): 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (18) + 12 = 30
Static Arc Pistol (E): 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 6 + 2 = 131d6 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5
Trick Attack Damage, if applicable: 1d8 ⇒ 3

@Burn: You should be able to 5 foot step into a flank with Twila-5.

Erm ... I don't think you can flank with a gun

Oops. My mistake. I did a copy/paste for her attacks, and failed to remove the flanking bonus.

The elemental falls for Twila-5's chaotic feint, but the shot bounces off part of its rocky exterior. A miss even with the +1 ranged bonus from Burnham, but just barely

The elemental then rumbles a bit, forming a fist with its head and smashing 1d3 ⇒ 1 Burnham in the face. Slam: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (10) + 13 = 23 for DMG: 1d6 + 8 ⇒ (3) + 8 = 11. Blood flies from his mouth!

Round 3:
Earth creature: ATK
Burnham (HP: 11/18): Go
Twila-5 (SP: 14/24): Go
K.I.N.A.A.: Go
Kyra IO: Go

Kyra carefully moves to avoid any AOO, and gets within touching range of Burnham before casting Mystic Cure on him.
healing: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5

Good news Kyra, "Casting this spell doesn’t provoke attacks of opportunity."

Round 3:
Earth creature: ATK
Burnham (HP: 16/18): Go
Twila-5 (SP: 14/24): Go
K.I.N.A.A.: Go
Kyra IO: Cure

"Not my nose again!" Burn makes a series of low blows at the rock creature before raising his guard. Hopefully it will take a shot at hos knee or something else instead of his face.

Sword v KAC, full attack: 1d20 + 6 - 4 ⇒ (9) + 6 - 4 = 11 ... damage: 1d8 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11
Sword v KAC, full attack: 1d20 + 6 - 4 ⇒ (12) + 6 - 4 = 14 ... damage: 1d8 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13

And +1 for ranged attackers

Will be away for the weekend

Flipping over the rock's backswing after it hit Burn, Twila-5 lands in a flanking position for Burn again and tries not to miss a shot *at point blank range*, for crying out loud.

Trick Attack (Acrobatics): 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (20) + 12 = 32
Static Arc Pistol (E): 1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 6 + 1 = 231d6 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5
Trick Attack Damage, if applicable: 1d8 ⇒ 8

Burnham attacks quickly, but pays teh price, his speed costs him a hit. Twila-5 makes solid contact with a stunning display of balance and dexterity!

Round 3:
Earth creature: ATK
Burnham (HP: 16/18): Miss
Twila-5 (SP: 14/24): Hit
K.I.N.A.A.: Go
Kyra IO: Cure

Burn risks a quick glance over his shoulder. "Thanks, Kyra."

Sorry, the new post notification didn't pop.

K.I.N.A.A. tosses more missiles at the enemy.

Shooting Stars: 3d4 + 3 ⇒ (3, 1, 4) + 3 = 11

K.I.N.A.A.'s stars further weaken the elemental, but they don't send it back to its plane. Not known for its tactical acumen, the thing moves away to go right after K.I.N.A.A.!

Slam: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (9) + 13 = 22 for DMG: 1d6 + 8 ⇒ (3) + 8 = 11

Round 4:
Earth creature: ATK
Burnham (HP: 16/18): AoO + Go
Twila-5 (SP: 14/24): Go
K.I.N.A.A. (SP: 10/21): Go
Kyra IO: Go

Kyra sighs and loads an inhibiter into her dart gun. Let's see if this stuff will make it easier to hit. She takes careful aim ....
Tactical Nightarch Needler: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8 piercing: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8

then says a very naughty word in elven that she learnt from Merisiel as the dart just falls out of the weapon.

Cartwheeling around to make it easier for Burn to flank the elemental, Twila-5 lands right next to it and fires at point blank range.

Trick Attack (Acrobatics): 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (17) + 12 = 29
Static Arc Pistol (E): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (20) + 6 = 261d6 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6
Crit! Extra damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7
Trick Attack Damage, if applicable: 1d8 ⇒ 4

Yet again, the blast of electrical energy zaps back to Twila-5.
Another crit when there's no second foe, so she'll take the 2 damage herself.

Kyra misses on her shot, but Twila-5 goes full on. Her hit is enough to discorporate the elemental!

Burnham (HP: 16/18)
Twila-5 (SP: 14/24)
K.I.N.A.A. (SP: 10/21)
Kyra IO (SP: 22/24)

Ooo! do I get an AoO?

When the creature turns its back on Burn, he steps up and tries to cut out its spine.

AoO Longsword v KAC: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (11) + 6 = 17 ... damage: 1d8 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7

Then he chases the creature and strikes again.

Sword v KAC, flank: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 6 + 2 = 26 ... damage: 1d8 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10

I checked the map, but it was gone. Only the party's icons were left. So chase the creature and end up in a flank with Twila.

Meaning Twila-5 killed it. :-) You took some hits as a party. Continue on or spend a resolve to get SP back?[/ooc]

K.I.N.A.A. would prefer to rest - her bones aren't as sturdy as they used to be.

Kyra tops up Burnham with her healing touch.

I am considering spending some time with a Mnemonic Editor after this

"Thanks again, Kyra. I think some time in a rejuve tank might be in order for me after this."

"Hey, during the fight you said something about a scimitar. That's not a hand weapon you see much anymore. What's your story with it."

For now a 10 minute rest to recover SP will have to suffice.

And I really dig the team mojo with this group.