GM Zoomba's SFS 1-99 The Scoured Stars Invasion, Tier 1-2 [[Outpost VI]] (Inactive)

Game Master Zoomba

Valas nods in appreciation of Dirk's assistance. He then attempts to casually scan the area to try to find where the message is coming from.

Computers: 1d20 + 11 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 11 + 1 + 1 = 25

I added in +1 from our ship and another +1 for using one of the computer nodes.

Valas does another scan, and then another. The type of signal reaching out to you is of a type with a typical medium/short range array from a starship, but tall your computers are confirming there is no other ship active and detectible anywhere near you.

The captain's voice calls out again over the comms. still on audio only [b]I say again: this is captain Katryn Mathius of the Empyrean Eye. Identify yourselves and your mission here now or we will be forced to assume you are hostile.

Whoever this is sounds increasingly angry. If you try to respond to cool some aggression, you should accompany your words with a Bluff or Diplomacy attempt

Elian raises an eyebrow, but slides easily into the conversation.

He sees no reason not to be largely straightforward and true (which is a little unfortunate--it's easier when there's more room to be creative), though he intentionally avoids mentioning that they're with the SFS until he hears how the captain responds so that he has room to pivot.

"Captain Mathias! So good to hear from a... you are a local, right? This is Elian, crew member of the does this ship have a name? Of the starship. We probably look pretty hostile to you, and I can't blame you, but I promise we're not here to hurt anybody or cause any trouble. We're investigating what happened to the Starfinder Society fleet. I don't suppose you can help us with that?"

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 19 If Bluff is two points higher, but I think that's too true for that.

Feel free to make up a name/callsign for your ship if you'd like :)

The voice on the other end of the line pauses for a moment, then responds in a somewhat calmer tone. Part of the fleet? Has Jadnura gotten some craft together? About time, it's been weeks! What - hang on

There's another short stretch of silence, as the captain seems to be responding to something. When her voice retruns, an undercurrent of tension seems to have returned.

Your ship is pinging as a Starfinder ship, but our sensors indicate you’re phased out of the Material Plane. What is this, what sort of technology are you using?

With Valas' prior scans getting a good baseline of the area, the drow does notice something a bit odd: there does seems to be a faint and growing patch of Ethereal energy near one of the wrecked ships.

To try and dodge her quesiton about what's weird about your ship, you could try a challenging Bluff check. Alternately Computers, Engineering, Mysticism, or Physical Science might be able to compose a plausible-sounding explanation for what captain Mathius is seeing.

Feel free to make up a name/callsign for your ship if you'd like :)

To try and dodge her quesiton about what's weird about your ship, you could try a challenging Bluff check. Alternately Computers, Engineering, Mysticism, or Physical Science might be able to compose a plausible-sounding explanation for what captain Mathius is seeing.

"I'm picking up a strange reading of ethereal energy near one of the ships. Does anyone have any idea what this is?"

Valas tries to come up with a plausible sounding explanation.

Computers: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (12) + 11 = 23 If we can use the ship's computer or node bonuses, please add those in.

" Captain Mathias, we're here to rescue other Starfinders. Are you with the Society?

Diplomacy assist: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (14) + 6 = 20

Not wanting to give away that something was odd about her ship until they had a clearer picture and planned an approach, especially not once a word like "ethereal" got involved, Elian scrambles to stall. So the others (hopefully more technically and/or magically inclined) can figure that out.

"Captain. Mathius, babe. Katryn (Can I call you Katryn?). I don't know how we missed that you were Starfinders, too. Sushi, no, I'm lying. Sorry, habit to keep things close to the chest when dealing with unknowns, ya know? We didn't even notice your starship, so our crew was trying to locate you--not even identify you, just locate--while we were talking. Since things went bad last time, we're trying some new experimental tech stuff, or was it magic stuff? I don't even know; I don't build the starships, I just fly 'em or shoot 'em. I use what they tell me, right? Seems like the experiment might be a flub if we're weird-looking but visible and we can't even see you. We'll try to sort it out, hang on a bit."

He slumps back in his chair. "She's a Starfinder and didn't know we are." he says, speaking quietly and more genuinely than usual, "If she threatens locals like that when she's the outsider, that might explain a few things. Or maybe she's just spooked.

"Although I think the physical or metaphysical questions here are more pressing than diplomatic or emotional ones. You all noticed her timeliness is off, right? Is she just wrong, or is something going on?"

Bluff: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (7) + 9 = 16

Last time? Experimental tech? What are you talking about?

Captain Mathius' voice sounds both annoyed and suspicious at Elian's attempt at smooth talking, but she listens intently to Valas' more technical reporting.

I suppose that could explain it. That golden wall has been throwing our tech into fits. And yes we're Starfinders, can't you read our ship codes? Or even just look out your windows at this range! First Seeker Jadnura ordered our ship over here on a scientific mission to scan the planet for rare minerals when the forcefield went up. After that, well we've just been trying to survive.

Trying to increase the stain of legitimacy in this word cocktail, Cal adds in his centicreds
”Thank you Elian for that …masterful … description of current events. Hale Greetings to you Captain Mathius of the Empyrean Eye, this is Acting Captain Calaka Nezumi of the SFSS-23 Pegataur. I can understand the irritation and confusion that this situation would be engendering, but please remember that Standing Order 461.3c prohibits discussion of classified technology over an unsecured commline. Would your preference be to attempt a secure uplink, or wait for less hazardous circumstances for this conversation?”

Bluff: 1d20 + 8 + 1d6 ⇒ (17) + 8 + (1) = 26

Of course. Captain Mathius responds to Cal's professional-sounding tones. We'll bring us in for shorter range transmit.

the 'Pegataur's sensors are still showing the same 'zilch' they have been. All of your low-tech eyes however see a strange glow around one of the wrecked ships in the planet-side ring. A glow that moves - flying away from the derelict vessel towards you. As it moves, you can see it appears to be a starship of similar size of your own - only this one is glowing with light and seems partially translucent. When the ship nears you you can easily notice there is a gaping hole in its right flank that looks like it is exposing the bridge and most of the ship to hard vacuum.

You comms sputter and another message pops up, this time showing video as well. A human woman in a starfinder uniform appears, though she too is partially transparent.

I haven't heard of any new tech, but if its something whipped up here that can get us home we'd all appreciate it. My crew hasn't heard from First Seeker Jadnura for days. I think it was days at least. Our logs have been glitching strangely. I think we're the only society ship out here, but our scans picked up many starfinder craft heading towards Bastiar-2. It makes sense: recon showed it to be barren, but at least habitable. Did you come from there? Has Jadnura found us a way to leave this damned system?

Kalhoun silently tracks the other ship on his display while the others handle the diplomacy, working on firing solutions as best he can without painting the other vessel.

Sense Motive: 1d20 ⇒ 1

And believes whatever the opposite of what the spoiler is.

"How long have you been gone? If we find a way to leave the system we can help you get out We CAN get out right guys?"

piloting isn't really my thing

"I just meant... when they came.. oh, never mind."

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 5 = 14

Cal is glad that there is no video feed because he is HIGHLY distracted by the approaching apparition

"Captain .... you are not joking about abnormal logs. Please excuse me for just a moment, I need to go verify another one."

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 4 + 1d6 ⇒ (12) + 4 + (4) = 20

Cal slaps the mute button for the bridge audio pickup and leans forward as he quietly addresses the crew

"Well then folks, it's starting to seem like we have a bonna-fide case of actual ghost ship going on. I'm also beginning to get rather concerned over our dear departed captain's mental state should she not like the news that she is in fact... departed. Does anyone have any ideas on whether we should play along, or try to correct it? .... both seems rather challenging...."

"Ghost ships? Just tales to scare wayward cadets. Next you'll tell me that giant worms grow up to become stars or the Drift can shut down."

Aster raises her hand ”Captain, I think we should try to put them to rest. It is the proper Starfinder thing to do.”

"How long have you been gone? If we find a way to leave the system we can help you get out We CAN get out right guys?"

It's been just a few weeks. the captain replies. Hasn-hasn't it? A somewhat confused expression plays out across her face. These are unfamiliar stars and orbits. It's hard to tell. But your new drives - it can get us home. All of Jadnura's mission home?

Her voice takes on a plaintive tone. as if learning the trapped Starfinders are getting out of here would let her finally end her mission.

Aster nods her head ”Yes that is the tech’s purpose, to bring the lost Starfinders home.”

engineering: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (3) + 9 = 12

Excellent! Captain Mathius' face visable eases and a smile flashes across her face. Her form seems to grow even more translucent as she turns over her shoulder and says Engineer Gigi, bring up thruster to follow them!.

The communication channel closes and through the viewports you see the spectral ship move through the space towards you, fading as it goes. By the time it reaches where you are, the entire starship has vanished...

With no further sign of the Empyrean Eye or captain Mathius, you're able to carefully navigate towards and check the wreckage of the other ships drifting in Bastiar-7's rings. Many are too badly wrecked to have anything salvagable on them, but a couple of the derelicts do have some data logs still able to be partially pulled for further analysis back at the main fleet.

You got some data, helped a ghost ship pass on, and learned from them of potential Starfinder survivors somewhere on Bastiar-2. Well done!
From the Discussion Thread, are we still good to try the 'Starship Graveyard' recon mission next?

Sounds good - onward to the next mission!

"I'm embarrassed I flubbed that..." Elian says, looking miffed, "Mollification is kind of my specialty. And I know I wasn't much help with the analysis, either. I can help with the data now that we've got it, though. I'm better digitally than mechanically."

”onward and upward!”

You head back to the main fleet to report your findings. As you journey back, you notice a strange side effect of your engines: the Tear Luwazi used to shatter the Godshield seems to have left some resonance with your craft's Drift drive, as well as the drives of all the other Starfinder craft in the system. With other Starfinder teams spread out throughout the system this resonance seems to be allowing for a temporary short-range network that is letting your engines make a short Drift jump in just a matter of hours instead of days!
Traveling from one planet to another will take just 1d4 hours, allowing quick travel between missions - and ample time to take a Stamina rest if needed.

Rendezvousing back to the flagship you come across Historia-7 plugged into a nearby communications system. The android's eyes blink rapidly as she collates data from many teams across the Starfinder fleet. She snaps out of her technological trance and fully opens her eyes. Greetings, Starfinders. I have received your reports on a lead on the Bastiar-2 planetoid. We will continue to pursue it, but while my agents do I have assigned your team to another mission on Agillae-5. Our scans indicate that many Starfinder starships from the previous expedition crash-landed on the same spot on the planet, forming an enormous concentration of wreckage that spreads out for miles on the otherwise barren planet. Investigate the ships, locate any survivors, and retrieve any useful data from the ships. We don’t know what caused so many ships to crash-land on the planet, so exercise caution during the investigation.

When you reach Agillae-5, you begin your descent into the planet's atmosphere above the ship graveyard. As you begin your approach, once again your comms start beeping with an incoming request...

"Channel open, captain."

Accepting the request, you hear a distressed voice coming through

Hey, it's Whiskan. Turn back, now. There's some strange gravitational anomalies around here the type I haven't seen before. And not the 'take it as a challenge' type but the 'real danger' sort. Back off, now, and we'll try to trek to some part of this planet that's safer for an extract. Consider it VC's orders.

Each of you can attempt one of either a Sense Motive check, Computers check, or Culture check

"That sounds exactly like what I expected, based on the situation we're investigating..."

Computers or Culture: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 6 = 15

"Well, not surprising per se, but definitely sounding like a problem... Go Starfinders... yaay..."
Sense Motive: 1d20 + 4 + 1d6 ⇒ (6) + 4 + (4) = 14

"I'm embarrassed I flubbed that..." Elian says, looking miffed, "Mollification is kind of my specialty. And I know I wasn't much help with the analysis, either. I can help with the data now that we've got it, though. I'm better digitally than mechanically."

"We're all on the same team here, Elian. No one can be perfect or amazing ALL the time - unless you believe the stories we tell after the mission is over!"

Valas raises one eyebrow in suspicion, then tries to find out what information he can with a computers scan.

Smiling to himself, Valas thinks Isn't every danger a 'take it as a challenge' type thing?

Computers: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (2) + 11 = 13
If Valas is able to use the ship bonus and a computer node for this check, please add an additional +2.

sorry my dad was in the hospital and I was there this weekend

"What can I do guys? I'll check the computer"

Computers: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10

Aster will start humming a song by the Android Sister's, while clickity-klakitying on her keyboard.

computers: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (1) + 9 = 10
+2 for computer node

Kalhoun feels like something in the message might ring a bell.

Hireling Culture: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 3 = 12

While you parse the message and run scans to see if Whiskan's warning is accurate, the Pegataur's sensors do start to indicate nearby gravity anomolies! You ship starts gently shaking as you continue to descend.

You can each attempt one of either a Computers, Physical Science, or Perception check. Note: high rolls with different skills across the party might be better than everyone rolling the same one.

Aster cracker her knuckles and her fingers dance across the keys ”buckle up boys, it’s gonna get bumpy if my numbers are right!”

computers: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (9) + 9 = 18

Cal immediately starts rapidly flipping through camera views, trying to get some clue as to what is coming

*mumbles to himself*
"What in the name of all rodentia is going on here?"

Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (11) + 4 = 15

Cal is still confused, but Aster has the unexpected realization that some of the sensor data your ship is picking up doesn’t seem to line up with what it should be. Parts of the scan data are false! The ysoki scrambles to enter in some manual trajectories to get a more accurate landing path.

Thats a Computers success here, but Phys Sci or Perception could still be helpful

Elian quickly but carefully reviews images they have of the place, as well as what he can see now through the monitors.

So much data, so little time. [B]"I don't think I'm looking in the right place, here. "[/dice]

Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10

Dirk tries to look around.

Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10

Perception: 1d20 ⇒ 5

Kalhoun keeps his eyes on his display.

Valas looks around the ship as it shakes.

Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13

Many eyes are whipping about the shuttle, but you're only noticing and fixating on the ship shaking.

Shaking that's getting a lot stronger! The Pegataur begins to shake and jostle uncontrollably, barely responding to the controls as its angle down towards the planet is getting dangerously sharp.

Piloting could potentially steer the ship (with Great difficulty) while Computers could try to see if there's some coding that could be done to help. A quick fix to the engines could also be helped with either Engineering...or a hard *thwack* (an attack roll v the machine's KAC).
Again, you can each try one roll, and good results across multiple skills could be overall better for the party's situation

Cal lets out a high-pitched squeak (that he desperately hopes noone heard) and rushes off to try to manually adjust the thruster output.

*mutters*
"hopefully this will help one of those sky-jocks toget us down in one piece..."

Engineering: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (11) + 7 = 18

Computers: 1d20 + 11 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 11 + 2 = 24

+2 from ship

Previous perception check if still allowed:

Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (19) + 8 = 27

Cal maanges to swiftly put togehter a quick using some couplings and a lot of ion tape. Its not pretty, but does help stabilize the Pegataur a bit.

Meanwhile Valas dives into the ship programs to try and see if some thruster balance can be evened out. While in there, the drow notices some alarming lines of spreading code. There's a virus infecting your ship that's interfering with its controls! Valas is able to write a script on the fly to get limited piloting access back away from the hijacked systems, but its still a bumpy ride.

Good job you two! The rest can try that Piloting check to capitalize on the code/grease monkeys' work

"All right, time to see how this baby really handles..."

Piloting: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (16) + 9 = 25

"Virus? But that would mean it's not... Try this!"

If Kalhoun isn't able to regain control, Elian has a plan.

Unlikely to beat that, but can try to aid.
Piloting: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (16) + 8 = 24

Together Elian and Kalhoun worst to wrest the controls into order and level out the ship. Evening out your descent.

...until the engines just stop. Without thrust the Pegataur is now losing alititude at an alarming rate! Agillae-5 is starting to look real big on the viewscreens...

You could get some of the thrusters manually activated with Engineering. Simultaneously, Piloting might be able to get the ship to ride the atmostpheric winds a bit to get your entry/crash angle looking a bit gentler.

Piloting: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (14) + 9 = 23

Kalhoun dramatically pulls on the joystick to wrest the ship into a less dangerous landing position.

Valas tries to project a calm and confident demeanor, while starting to get concerned about the plummeting ship.

Engineering: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (11) + 11 = 22

If I can add a ship node for an extra +1 please add that in.

Piloting without thrust in a starship is difficult to say the least. At least in-atmosphere craft is designed to ride the air and had more instrumentation for it; without thrust, they still glide.
Starships not so much. Elian, with divulge, decided to trust Kalhoun with the controls while he guides him as much as he can with limited information.

Piloting to Aid: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (3) + 8 = 11

Kalhoun dramatically moves your ship like a leaf on the wind while Valas gets just enough boost to help slow your descent.

Still, the ship's computer issues an alert message: <<Landing gear functioning at 50%. Collision imminent, brace for impact.>> Valas and Kahloun slam the landing thrusters to full power while the rest of you brace for impact, but the Pegataur still slams into the surface with a hard **KA_THUD!!!**

Each of you take 2d4 ⇒ (4, 1) = 5 damafge as you're jostled around by the impact, but are able to steady yourselves and get up. The Pegataur itself has quite a few new dents and scratches, but none of its systems are compromised enough to keep it from being flyable.

Scanning round where you've crash landed, you can see not far away the hulls of dozens of other starships, most at far more awkward angles from where they themselves crashed down into the planet.